1. Where was the Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC 2024) held?
[A] Kenya
[B] Zimbabwe
[C] Cameroon
[D] Angola
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Zimbabwe]
Notes:
The first Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC 2024) is taking place in Harare, Zimbabwe, from October 29-31. This conference brings African nations into the global discussion on climate change and its health impacts, where Africa faces high burdens of climate-sensitive diseases. More than 400 participants, including government officials, health and climate experts, and researchers, attended the conference. It focuses on sharing innovations, best practices, and solutions to build climate resilience in health.
2. Where was the 8th edition of the Future Investment Initiative organized?
[A] Kuwait
[B] Abu Dhabi
[C] Riyadh
[D] Tehran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Riyadh]
Notes:
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal attended the 8th Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh. India and Saudi Arabia share strong economic, cultural, and strategic ties reinforced by high-level visits and the 2019 Strategic Partnership Council.
The council oversees cooperation, structured in Political-Security-Socio-Cultural and Economic-Investment pillars.
Saudi Arabia is India’s fifth-largest trade partner, with bilateral trade at USD 43 billion in 2023-24, mainly oil imports and Indian exports in goods. Both nations are exploring renewable energy, with shared interests in solar, wind, and hydrogen. Saudi’s Vision 2030 aligns with India’s development goals, fostering collaborations in food security, pharma, ICT, and defense.
3. Which day is observed as National Unity Day?
[A] 29 October
[B] 30 October
[C] 31 October
[D] 27 October
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [31 October]
Notes:
National Unity Day is observed every year on October 31 to honor Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a key leader in India’s independence struggle and served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. This day commemorates his efforts to unite diverse princely states into one nation and promotes national solidarity.
4. Which zoological park has become India’s first zoo to earn certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC)?
[A] Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune
[B] Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park, Himachal Pradesh
[C] Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad
[D] National Zoological Park, New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park, Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park in Kangra’s Dehra constituency will be India’s first IGBC-certified zoo for sustainable infrastructure. It is located in the Bankhandi area of Kangra. The park will have 34 enclosures featuring 73 species, including Asiatic lions, crocodiles, gharials, and indigenous birds. With a budget of ₹619 crore, it focuses on eco-friendly design. The zoo aims to boost tourism, create jobs, and promote eco-tourism, enhancing Kangra’s status as Himachal Pradesh’s “Tourism Capital.”
5. Which city set a Guinness World Record by lighting over 2.5 million diyas during Deepotsav 2024?
[A] Varanasi
[B] Ayodhya
[C] Mathura
[D] Haridwar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ayodhya]
Notes:
Ayodhya set two Guinness World Records during the 2024 Deepotsav celebrations. Over 25 lakh diyas (2,512,585 oil lamps) were lit along the Saryu River, marking the largest display of oil lamps. Another record was set for the most people performing diya rotation simultaneously. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath received the Guinness certificates, joined by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak. Celebrations included lamps illuminating the ghats, laser shows, a sound-and-light Ram Leela, a drone show, and fireworks. This Deepotsav was the first since the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lala at the Ayodhya temple.
6. Bibek Debroy, who recently passed away, was associated with which field?
[A] Sports
[B] Journalism
[C] Economics
[D] Entertainment
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Economics]
Notes:
Bibek Debroy, the chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM), recently passed away. EAC-PM is an independent body that advises the Prime Minister on economic issues. It analyzes economic matters referred by the Prime Minister and addresses macroeconomic concerns. The council’s role is advisory and non-binding on the government. It promotes economic understanding through reports and public engagement. EAC-PM is led by a chairperson and includes eminent economists, with no fixed number of members. The NITI Aayog acts as the nodal agency for administrative support to the council.
7. What is the name of the newly discovered black hole triple system located in the constellation of Cygnus?
[A] V404 Cygni
[B] Sagittarius A*
[C] Sirius B
[D] Andromeda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [V404 Cygni]
Notes:
Astronomers discovered a rare triple black hole system named V404 Cygni, altering our understanding of black hole formation. It is located about 8,000 light years away from Earth in the constellation of Cygnus. The first star orbits the black hole closely every 6.5 days, while the second is much farther, at 100 times Pluto’s distance from the Sun. This system suggests a “direct collapse” formation, where the black hole forms quietly without a supernova explosion. Thousands of simulations confirmed that this formation spared the distant star from being ejected.
8. 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.
9. Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), which was seen in the news, works under which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Science and Technology
[B] Ministry of Agriculture
[C] Ministry of Urban Development
[D] Ministry of Education
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Education]
Notes:
Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) faculty and staff have appealed to the Education Minister regarding delays in implementing 7th Central Pay Commission pay scales. ICSSR was founded by the Government of India in 1969, based on Prof. V. K. R. V. Rao’s recommendations. It is an autonomous body under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, promoting social science research. ICSSR funds projects, fellowships, international collaborations, and publications in social sciences. It supports 24 research institutes, six regional centers, and five recognized institutes across India.
10. What type of weapon is the Iron Beam, which was developed by Israel?
[A] High Energy Laser Weapon System
[B] Anti-ship missile
[C] Radar Jammer
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [High Energy Laser Weapon System]
Notes:
Israel’s Iron Beam, also called Magen or Light Shield, will be operational within a year. It’s a laser-based missile defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, first unveiled in 2014. The system uses a 100kW High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) to destroy fast-moving projectiles with beams of light. Iron Beam’s effective range is up to 7 km (4.3 miles), making it the first of its kind to become operational.