1. 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.
2. What atmospheric phenomenon was recently observed above Antarctica’s Pine Island Glacier by NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite?
[A] Fog bank
[B] Sea smoke
[C] Aurora borealis
[D] Dust storm
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sea smoke]
Notes:
NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite captured images of ‘sea smoke’ rising from Antarctica’s Pine Island Glacier, a phenomenon where frigid air meets warm water, creating fog-like plumes. This rare atmospheric event highlights the glacier’s vulnerability and the impact of strong winds on polar ice sheets. Sea smoke forms when cold air cools and condenses over open waters, resulting in ghostly ice crystal plumes that can influence ice mass balance. Pine Island Glacier is known for its rapid retreat and significant role in ice flow dynamics.
3. Which ministry is responsible for conducting the census in India?
[A] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[B] Ministry of Tourism
[C] Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Home Affairs]
Notes:
The government plans to conduct the Census in 2025, widely welcomed for its policy-shaping role since 1872. Census 2025 will include key initiatives like potential caste enumeration, pending government approval. It will also assist in electoral delimitation and help create the National Population Register (NPR). The Census captures essential demographic, economic, and socio-political trends in India. The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for conducting the census in India. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India is responsible for planning, implementing, and conceiving the census. The Directorate of Census Operations in each state and union territory (UT) is responsible for conducting the census in their respective jurisdictions.
4. 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.
5. Which Indian boxer won the World Boxing Federation’s super featherweight world title?
[A] Vikas Bhardwaj
[B] Gavireddy Ramayya
[C] Shubham Yadav
[D] Mandeep Jangra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mandeep Jangra ]
Notes:
Haryana’s boxer Mandeep Jangra won the World Boxing Federation’s super featherweight world title by defeating British boxer Conor McIntosh. The title match took place in the Cayman Islands. Mandeep, 31, turned professional in 2021 and trains under American boxing legend Roy Jones Junior. He won silver at the 2013 Asian Championship and the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Mandeep received the Arjuna Award from the Indian government in 2015.
6. 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.
7. Which institution has launched the 15-day ‘Jal Utsav’ to create awareness towards water conservation and management?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture
[C] Bureau of Energy Efficiency
[D] Ministry of Jal Shakti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [NITI Aayog]
Notes:
NITI Aayog launched the 15-day ‘Jal Utsav’ to raise awareness about water conservation and management. The campaign, inspired by Prime Minister Modi’s vision, follows the ‘Nadi Utsav’ model discussed in the 3rd Chief Secretaries Conference. It will run from today until November 24 in 20 Aspirational Districts and Blocks, in collaboration with the National Jal Jeevan Mission. The festival aims for community involvement in water protection and promotes responsible water use. School students will participate in water management activities, becoming change agents in their families and communities. ‘Jal Bandhan’ will symbolically mark the launch.
8. What is the name of urban development project that was recently initiated in Uttarakhand?
[A] Uttarakhand Infrastructure Enhancement Program
[B] Uttarakhand Livability Improvement Project
[C] Uttarakhand River Conservation Plan
[D] Mukhyamantri Mantri Awas Yojana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttarakhand Livability Improvement Project]
Notes:
The Uttarakhand Livability Improvement Project, supported by a $200 million loan from the Asian Development Bank, aims to enhance urban infrastructure in the state. It focuses on improving water supply, sanitation, urban mobility, and disaster resilience in cities like Haldwani, Champawat, Kichha, Kotdwar, and Vikasnagar. Key components include developing climate-resilient roads, smart water supply systems, and women’s empowerment initiatives. This project aligns with both the Indian government’s urban development agenda and Uttarakhand’s sustainability goals, enhancing livability and public services for residents.
9. Shanan Hydropower Project, which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The Himachal Pradesh government is working to reclaim the 110 MW Shanan Hydropower Project from Punjab, asserting its rightful ownership. The project, commissioned in 1932, was India’s first megawatt-capacity hydroelectric project. It is located in Joginder Nagar, Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. It is built on the Uhl River. It was leased to Punjab in 1925 for 99 years, with the lease expiring in March 2024. Himachal Pradesh now seeks ownership, claiming the land originally belonged to it. The project is currently under Punjab’s control, and Himachal is seeking central government support for the transfer.
10. Lassa Fever, which was seen in the news, is spread by which species?
[A] Bugs
[B] Sandflies
[C] Rats
[D] Mosquitoes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rats]
Notes:
Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic disease, gained attention after a recent death in Iowa of a traveler from West Africa. It is caused by the Lassa virus from the Arenaviridae family, with Mastomys rats as the primary reservoir. Common in West African countries like Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, it affects up to 300,000 people annually with around 5,000 deaths. India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare classifies Lassa fever as internationally significant, though no cases have been reported in India until 2022. Transmission occurs through contaminated food or human-to-human via bodily fluids, especially in healthcare settings. Symptoms start with fever, weakness, and malaise, progressing to severe headache, muscle pain, and possibly organ failure.