1. 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.
2. 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.
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. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Telangana
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Goa
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Goa]
Notes:
An adult tigress and three cubs were recently spotted in Goa’s Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) for the first time since 2020. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Chorla Ghat, between North Goa and Belgavi, bordering Maharashtra and Karnataka. The Mhadei River flows through the sanctuary, which is part of Goa’s protected Western Ghats region. This area is renowned globally for its tiger population and is crucial for connecting tiger habitats across the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra and the Kali Tiger Reserve in Karnataka.
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. Which organization recently released the report titled ‘The impact of care responsibilities of women’s labour participation’?
[A] World Health Organization (WHO)
[B] World Trade Organization (WTO)
[C] International Labour Organization (ILO)
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [International Labour Organization (ILO)]
Notes:
International Labour Organization (ILO) released the report titled ‘The impact of care responsibilities of women’s labour participation’. According to the report, 53% of women in India are outside the labor force due to care responsibilities, needing more investment in the care economy. Only 1.1% of men are out of work for similar reasons. The report emphasizes the need for early childhood care and education (ECCE) to boost women’s labor force participation and gender equality. In India, 97.8% of women and 91.4% of men are out of the workforce due to personal or family reasons. Globally, 708 million women and 40 million men are outside the labor force due to caregiving, highlighting a significant gender disparity.
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. Ningol Chakkouba festival is celebrated in which state?
[A] Manipur
[B] Assam
[C] Nagaland
[D] Mizoram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Manipur]
Notes:
Ningol Chakkouba, a key festival in Manipur, was celebrated with enthusiasm. Traditionally held on the second lunar day of Hiyangei month, its origins trace back to King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba’s rule. “Ningol” means “married woman,” and “Chakouba” means “feast invitation,” where married daughters are invited by their parents for a family feast. The festival strengthens bonds among brothers, sisters, and parents. Initially celebrated by the Meitei community, it is now observed by many other communities as well.
9. Hingot War festival is associated with which state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The traditional ‘Hingot war Festival’ takes place annually in Gautampura, Madhya Pradesh. Participants throw “burning arrows” (Hingots) at each other in this event. This tradition is seen as a display of bravery, not just a ritual. This annual event involves two rival groups, Kalangi and Turra, who engage in a fiery battle by throwing ‘Hingot’ rockets at each other. Thousands of spectators attended, with extensive safety measures by the administration and police to protect them.
10. What is the Harare Declaration, which was adopted at Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC 2024)?
[A] Boosting economic growth
[B] Climate resilience in health systems
[C] Environmental conservation efforts
[D] Provide clean drinking water in every households
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Climate resilience in health systems ]
Notes:
The Harare Declaration, adopted at the Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC 2024) in Zimbabwe, emphasizes enhancing climate resilience within health systems across Africa. It aims to address the severe health impacts of climate change, advocating for immediate collaborative actions from governments, researchers, and civil society. The declaration calls for prioritizing climate change as a public health emergency and strengthening research to combat climate-related health risks, ensuring that African nations proactively shape their health futures amidst climate challenges.