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. Hwasong-19, an intercontinental ballistic missile, is developed by which country?
[A] Russia
[B] North Korea
[C] China
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [North Korea]
Notes:
North Korea announced a successful test of its newest intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-19. Hwasong-19 uses solid-fuel propulsion, enabling faster deployment and making it harder to detect and intercept. This missile measures around 28 meters, significantly longer than advanced U.S. and Russian ICBMs, which are under 20 meters. Analysts estimate Hwasong-19’s range exceeds 13,000 kilometers, capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.
3. Bali Padyami festival is celebrated in which state?
[A] Bihar
[B] Karntaka
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Karntaka]
Notes:
Karnataka celebrates the Bali Padyami festival today, marking the fourth day of Deepavali. The festival honors Asura king Bali Chakravarty, who visits Earth as per a boon from Lord Vishnu. Bali Padyami follows worship of Ganga Matha, Naraka Chaturdashi, and Lakshmi Pooja on the preceding days. Temples are decorated with colorful rangoli, and thousands of lamps are lit at night. Special Abhisheka rituals with milk and auspicious ingredients are performed for the deity. Houses display triangular images of King Bali, made from clay or cow dung and adorned with flowers, symbolizing prosperity and welfare.
4. 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.
5. Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation has launched its first analogue space mission in which city?
[A] Leh
[B] Jaisalmer
[C] Chennai
[D] Visakhapatnam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Leh]
Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its first analogue space mission Hab-1 or Habitat-1 in Leh, a major milestone for India’s space exploration. Analogue space missions simulate the conditions of actual space exploration on Earth. They are essential for testing technologies and studying human behavior for long-duration space flights. The mission aims to replicate living conditions for astronauts traveling to the Moon, Mars, or asteroids. It focuses on understanding the physical and psychological effects of isolation and confinement. This joint effort includes ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Centre, AAKA Space Studio, the University of Ladakh, and IIT Bombay.
6. The ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme, recently approved by the Government, aims to provide drones to which group?
[A] Women Self Help Groups (SHGs)
[B] Agricultural Cooperatives of northeastern India
[C] Educational Institutions
[D] Youth Organizations
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Women Self Help Groups (SHGs)]
Notes:
The ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme allocates ₹1261 Crores to empower 14,500 Women Self Help Groups from 2024 to 2026. It provides drones for agricultural services, specifically for applying fertilizers and pesticides. The initiative, under the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to enhance efficiency in farming and create sustainable livelihoods for women, while also promoting the use of advanced technology in agriculture. The operational guidelines emphasize training and support for effective implementation.
7. 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.
8. Abhay Prabhavana Museum, a largest museum of ideas dedicated to Jain philosophy, recently inaugurated in which city?
[A] Pune
[B] Indore
[C] Visakhapatnam
[D] Varanasi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pune]
Notes:
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Abhay Prabhavana Museum in Pune, India’s largest museum dedicated to Jain philosophy and heritage. Set on 50 acres along the Indrayani river, it features 30 galleries showcasing the essence of Jain philosophy through interactive exhibits, artworks, and advanced technology. The museum aims to attract over 2,000 visitors daily and will include a separate children’s section to simplify complex concepts, making it a global cultural landmark.
9. The ancient Bronze Age town of Al-Natah was recently discovered in which country?
[A] Kuwait
[B] Iran
[C] Saudi Arabia
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
Archaeologists discovered a 4,000-year-old fortified town called Al-Natah in the Khaybar oasis in northwest Saudi Arabia. This site reveals a transition from nomadic life to organized urban settlement between 2400 and 1500 BCE. Led by French archaeologist Guillaume Charloux, the excavation uncovered a sophisticated Bronze Age town. Al-Natah spans 2.6 hectares, enclosed by a 14.5-kilometer wall, and could house about 500 residents. It served as a hub for agriculture and trade, supporting cooperative life in an arid region. The town had multi-story stone and mudbrick dwellings connected by narrow paths.
10. What type of satellite is ZIMSAT-2, recently launched by Zimbabwe?
[A] Low Earth observation satellite
[B] Navigation satellite
[C] Reconnaissance satellite
[D] Communication satellite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Low Earth observation satellite]
Notes:
Zimbabwe launched its second satellite, ZIMSAT-2, marking a major step in its space program. ZIMSAT-2, a low Earth observation satellite, was launched from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome in a collaboration with ZINGSA and Southwest State University. The satellite is equipped with a high-resolution multispectral camera for agriculture, resource exploration, and environmental monitoring.
