1. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a health coverage scheme for which age group?
[A] Only those under 60 years of age
[B] All individuals aged 70 and above
[C] Only those under 65 years of age
[D] Families with an annual income below a certain threshold
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [All individuals aged 70 and above]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the expanded Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme. The scheme will cover all individuals aged 70 and above, regardless of their socio-economic status. Each eligible senior citizen will receive a benefit cover of ₹5 lakh per year in empanelled hospitals across India. This expansion is part of a ₹12,850 crore health initiative aimed at benefiting 60 million senior citizens. Senior citizens from families already under AB-PMJAY can access an additional ₹5 lakh cover. Those not covered by the scheme will also receive up to ₹5 lakh annually on a family basis. The expansion will be supported by an outlay of ₹3,437 crore.
2. Where was the 15th edition of India- US joint Special Forces Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR conducted?
[A] Chennai, Tamil Nadu
[B] Houston, USA
[C] Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
[D] Idaho, USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Idaho, USA]
Notes:
The 15th edition of Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR took place at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA. This follows the last exercise held in December 2023 in Meghalaya and is the second joint exercise this year, after Exercise YUDH ABHYAS in Rajasthan. The exercise aims to enhance military cooperation, interoperability, and special operations tactics between the two countries. Activities includes joint planning, reconnaissance missions, using unmanned aerial systems, and psychological warfare drills.
3. What is the theme of World Cities Day 2024?
[A] Youth leading climate and local action for cities
[B] Valuing our communities and cities
[C] Financing sustainable urban future for all
[D] Act Local to Go Global
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Youth leading climate and local action for cities]
Notes:
World Cities Day is celebrated on October 31 to highlight sustainable urban development. The United Nations General Assembly officially recognized it in 2013, with the first celebration in 2014. This observance addresses challenges posed by rapid urbanization, particularly in developing countries like India. World Cities Day is part of Urban October, which begins with World Habitat Day. More than half of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, making this conversation essential. The day encourages global discussions on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable for everyone. This year’s theme is ‘Youth Leading Climate and Local Action for Cities’.
4. Where was the Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise (VINBAX) 2024 conducted?
[A] Ambala, Haryana
[B] Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
[C] Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
[D] Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ambala, Haryana]
Notes:
The fifth Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise (VINBAX) 2024 conducted in Ambala, Haryana. VINBAX-2024 aims to strengthen the joint military capabilities of India and Vietnam. For the first time, the exercise includes Bi-Service participation, with personnel from both countries’ Army and Air Force. India’s contingent consists of 47 members, mainly from a Regiment of the Corps of Engineers, alongside personnel from other services.
5. Which Indian table tennis player won the men’s singles title at WTT Feeder Caracas 2024?
[A] Sharath Kamal
[B] Soumyajit Ghosh
[C] Harmeet Desai
[D] Sathiyan Gnanasekaran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Harmeet Desai]
Notes:
Harmeet Desai of India won both men’s singles and mixed doubles titles at the 2024 World Table Tennis (WTT) Feeder Caracas tournament in Venezuela. The event took place from 31 October to 3 November 2024. Ranked 90th globally, Harmeet defeated France’s Joe Seyfried (world no. 149) 11-7, 11-8, 11-6 in the men’s singles final. In mixed doubles, Harmeet and Krittwika Roy defeated Cuba’s Jorge Campos and Daniela Fonseca Carrazana 3-2 in a tight match.
6. Which organization has prepared the Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7) report?
[A] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
[B] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
[C] World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)]
Notes:
The Global Environment Outlook (GEO-7) is a crucial report being drafted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It aims to offer policymakers a comprehensive assessment of environmental changes and effective solutions to combat pressing ecological issues. Scheduled for launch at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in December 2025, GEO-7 will cover a broad spectrum of environmental topics, emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental health with economic and social stability, thereby influencing decisions across various sectors for sustainable development.
7. What is the objective of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund in Telangana?
[A] Financial support for ex-servicemen
[B] Construction of new military bases
[C] Recruitment of new soldiers
[D] Organizing military parades
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Financial support for ex-servicemen]
Notes:
The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund in Telangana, chaired by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, aims to provide financial assistance to ex-servicemen and their families. Recent meetings have focused on immediate relief and long-term support initiatives, including increased grants for families of fallen soldiers, marriage grants for daughters of ex-servicemen, and enhanced monthly assistance for disabled soldiers. The fund also supports educational needs and sports incentives for ex-servicemen and their children, ensuring that those who served the nation receive the necessary care and support.
8. Tumaini Festival, the only festival held in a refugee camp, recently received which award?
[A] UNESCO World Heritage Award
[B] Cultures of Resistance Award
[C] International Refugee Cultural Award
[D] Global Peace and Unity Prize
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cultures of Resistance Award]
Notes:
The Tumaini Festival in Malawi, founded in 2014, is an annual cultural event held within the Dzaleka Refugee Camp. It is unique as the only festival held in a refugee camp and is organized entirely by refugees. The festival promotes community, solidarity, and cultural exchange between refugees and locals. It attracts thousands of attendees and features music, dance, theater, and visual arts from global performers. Tumaini Festival received the Cultures of Resistance Award in 2024, highlighting its impact and significance.
9. Okinawicius tekdi, which was seen in the news, belongs to which species?
[A] Butterfly
[B] Fish
[C] Spider
[D] Frog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Spider]
Notes:
A new jumping spider species, Okinawicius tekdi, was discovered on Baner Hill in Pune, emphasizing the area’s biodiversity. The name “tekdi” comes from the Marathi word for hill. This discovery brings the total number of jumping spider species in India to 326. The spider was first described by Atharva Kulkarni, an MSc student at MIT-World Peace University. Pune last recorded a new spider species over 30 years ago. Spiders are arthropods with segmented bodies, eight legs, and a hard exoskeleton. They spin webs to trap their prey.
10. The Cia-Cia Tribe is an indigenous tribe of which country?
[A] Vietnam
[B] Indonesia
[C] Malaysia
[D] Vietnam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indonesia]
Notes:
The Cia-Cia tribe in Indonesia is using Hangul, the Korean alphabet, to preserve their indigenous language, which has no formal script. The tribe, with around 93,000 people, has relied on oral tradition for centuries. Hangul was adopted in 2009 to document the Cia-Cia language, as Arabic script didn’t match its sounds. The script is now used in schools, textbooks, and public signs. While some worry about cultural influence, others see it as vital for preserving the language’s uniqueness and preventing extinction.