1. Which country recently announced free cancer treatment for children under 14 in designated public hospitals?
[A] Nepal
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Bhutan
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Nepal]
Notes:
The Nepal government has announced provide free cancer treatment to children under 14 in designated public hospitals.This initiative is effective from November 16 and aims to ease the financial burden on parents. Treatment can be accessed at Kanti Children Hospital, Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, and BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital. If government funds are insufficient, the Ministry will arrange additional funding from internal sources. In 2022, Nepal reported 22,000 new cancer patients, with cancer causing 11% of deaths, and around 1,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.
2. What is the name of the new stent-retriever technology recently launched in India to improve stroke treatment?
[A] ASRS
[B] STRIDE
[C] GRASSROOT
[D] STROKE-CARE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [GRASSROOT]
Notes:
AIIMS in New Delhi has launched the GRASSROOT Gravity Stent-Retriever System for Reperfusion of Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke Trial) to improve stroke treatment in India. The trial evaluates the safety and effectiveness of a next-generation stent-retriever designed for stroke clots. India struggles with stroke care, with only 4,500 out of 375,000 eligible patients receiving critical mechanical thrombectomy annually. The trial aims to provide a cost-effective stent-retriever to quickly and safely restore blood flow, developed with both international and Indian expertise.
3. Which ministry recently released the Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG)?
[A] Ministry of Agriculture
[B] Ministry of Animal Husbandry
[C] Ministry of Food Processing
[D] Ministry of Health
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Animal Husbandry]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry released the Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG), the first comprehensive guidelines for animal and bird diseases. The guidelines aim to reduce antibiotic, hormone, and drug residues in animal-source foods, improving food safety and soil health. The guidelines include dosages, treatment durations, withdrawal periods, and potential side effects. They integrate Ayurvedic and ethnoveterinary practices for cost-effective treatments, particularly benefiting small-scale farmers. SVTG is expected to lower treatment costs and enhance health management in livestock and poultry, reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) risks.
4. Which spiritual leader was recently honored with Fiji’s highest civilian award “Honourary Officer of the Order of Fiji”?
[A] Swami Mukundananda
[B] Mata Amritanandamayi
[C] Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
[D] Baba Ramdev
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar]
Notes:
Fiji awarded Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar the “Honourary Officer of the Order of Fiji,” its highest civilian honor, for his global peace and community work. Fiji’s President, Ratu Wiliame M. Katonivere, presented the award, and Sri Sri expressed gratitude on social media. As founder of The Art of Living, Sri Sri has received top civilian awards from five other nations, highlighting his humanitarian influence in over 180 countries. In Fiji, he met with leaders, including the Deputy Prime Minister and UN Coordinator, to discuss youth empowerment and mental health.
5. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which was seen in the news, primarily affect which animals?
[A] Deer, elk, and moose
[B] Cattle and sheep
[C] Pigs and Wolves
[D] Dogs and cats
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Deer, elk, and moose]
Notes:
New York State authorities confirmed a case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a deer facility, highlighting its impact on deer, elk, and moose. CWD is a fatal neurological disease caused by prions that damage brain tissue in cervids. It leads to severe symptoms like weight loss, lack of coordination, drooling, and eventually death. CWD spreads through bodily fluids and contaminated environments, but there is no evidence of it infecting humans. Symptoms can take up to 16 months to appear, and there is currently no vaccine or treatment available.
6. Bangladesh has won the SAFF Women’s Championship 2024 title by defeating which country?
[A] Nepal
[B] Bhutan
[C] India
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Nepal]
Notes:
Bangladesh won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Women’s Championship 2024, defending their title by beating Nepal 2-1. The final match took place at Dasharath Stadium in Kathmandu. Nepal became the first runner-up in the tournament. Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli announced a cash prize for the Nepali women’s football team as an incentive for their achievement.
7. According to a study by Columbia University, which major health risk is associated with long-term exposure to arsenic in water?
[A] Cardiovascular disease
[B] Neurological disorders
[C] Skin cancer
[D] Respiratory diseases
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cardiovascular disease]
Notes:
A Columbia University study found that long-term exposure to arsenic in water may increase cardiovascular disease risk. Arsenic is a natural element found in air, water, and soil, and can also be released by industries like mining. It exists in organic and highly toxic inorganic forms; contaminated water and food are common exposure sources. High arsenic levels cause poisoning, with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, while long-term exposure can lead to skin changes. Arsenic is used in rat poisons, insecticides, semiconductors, glass-making, and wood preservation, though its use is heavily controlled due to toxicity.
8. Recently, the government of India inaugurated the “One District One Product” (ODOP) Wall initiative in which city?
[A] Moscow, Russia
[B] New Delhi, India
[C] Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
[D] Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Riyadh, Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the “One District One Product” (ODOP) Wall at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The ODOP initiative showcases unique products from different Indian districts on international platforms, promoting “Made in India” items. It aims to turn districts into hubs of local products, increasing market reach and visibility globally. The program focuses on sustainable livelihoods for Indian artisans and entrepreneurs by partnering with global retail chains.
9. Duma Boko has been elected as the president of which country?
[A] Rwanda
[B] Botswana
[C] Kenya
[D] Nigeria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Botswana]
Notes:
Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) has been declared Botswana’s sixth president by Chief Justice Terence Rannowane. Botswana’s electoral law requires a party to win at least 31 of 61 National Assembly seats to secure victory. UDC has gained 34 seats, while the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) secured only four seats. Outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat as preliminary results confirmed the BDP lost its parliamentary majority after almost 60 years in power. The BDP has governed Botswana, a diamond-rich nation, since its independence in 1966.
10. Kalka-Shimla Railway, which was seen in the news, connects which two states?
[A] Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand
[B] Haryana and Himachal Pradesh
[C] Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan
[D] Punjab and Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Haryana and Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister urged the Central government to consider running green hydrogen trains on the Kalka-Shimla Railway (KSR). KSR is a narrow-gauge railway from Kalka (Haryana) to Shimla (Himachal Pradesh). It was built in 1898 to connect Shimla, then the British summer capital, to the Indian rail network. The 96 km line, opened in 1903, is known as the “toy train” and includes 18 stations, 102 tunnels, and over 850 bridges. The line climbs from 655 m to 2,076 m altitude, showcasing remarkable engineering with the Kanoh multi-arch bridge and Barog tunnel. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, it holds a Guinness World Record for its steep ascent.