1. Simhachalam Temple, which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) epigraphists recently found a Telugu inscription above a Lord Hanuman statue at the 13th-century Simhachalam temple. Simhachalam Temple, also called Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, is in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Dedicated to Vishnu’s Narasimha avatar, it was initially built in the 11th century by Odisha’s Gajapati rulers. The temple was renovated by Vengi Chalukyas and later by Narasimha I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in the 13th century. Its architecture blends Kalinga and Dravidian styles, with a stone chariot, intricate carvings, and sculptures of Vishnu’s avatars and royal figures.
2. Which state government has launched the Elevate 2024 scheme for early stage startups?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Karnataka
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Karnataka]
Notes:
Karnataka launched ELEVATE 2024 and Karnataka Acceleration Network (KAN) to support start-ups. ELEVATE 2024 is a grant scheme offering up to ₹50 lakh per start-up to help early-stage companies with seed funding. ELEVATE also provides support through incubation, expert mentorship, incentives, and venture capital access. Karnataka Acceleration Network (KAN) offers mentorship, market access, and funding opportunities for growth-stage start-ups across Karnataka. Both initiatives aim to address funding challenges and foster growth for start-ups in the state.
3. 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.
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 organization recently released the Global TB Report 2024?
[A] Global Forum for Health Research
[B] Global Health Council
[C] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
[D] World Health Organization (WHO)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [World Health Organization (WHO)]
Notes:
World Health Organization (WHO) released the “Global TB Report 2024”. India has significantly improved treatment coverage for tuberculosis (TB), achieving 85% coverage among diagnosed individuals. The World Health Organization’s Global TB Report highlights an increase in preventive therapy for high-risk groups, such as household contacts of TB patients and people living with HIV. In 2023, 12.2 lakh people received preventive therapy, up from 10.2 lakh in 2022 and 4.2 lakh in 2021. The government provides free TB medications to alleviate financial burdens, as treatments can be costly and last up to two years. Treatment success rates are 89% for drug-susceptible TB, 73% for drug-resistant TB, and 69% for extremely drug-resistant TB. Challenges include the long duration of treatment, leading to poor compliance, prompting the government to introduce innovative solutions like pill boxes and shorter treatment courses.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Which state government recently declared a heatwave as a State-specific disaster?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The Tamil Nadu government has declared a heatwave as a State-specific disaster to provide relief and compensation for heat-related casualties. Interim actions will be taken to manage the heat, funded by the State Disaster Response Fund. A heat wave is defined as a period of abnormally high temperatures above the normal maximum. In India, heat waves usually occur from March to June and can extend into July. On average, five to six heat wave events happen annually in northern India. A heat wave is considered if temperatures reach 40°C or more in plains and 30°C or more in hilly areas. Severe heat waves are classified by greater temperature deviations or higher maximum temperatures.
9. 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.
10. Matthew Wade, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket, belongs to which country?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] England
[C] Australia
[D] South Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Australia]
Notes:
Australian cricketer Matthew Wade retired from international cricket after a 13-year career with 225 appearances for Australia. He played in three T20 World Cups, crucially helping Australia win its first T20 title in 2021 with a memorable semi-final performance against Pakistan. In Tests, Wade scored 1,613 runs with four centuries, including a top score of 117 in the 2019 Ashes. He played 97 ODIs, amassing 1,867 runs, and 92 T20Is with 1,202 runs. Wade will continue in domestic and franchise cricket and join Australia’s coaching staff for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan.