1. Which African country recently reported an outbreak of the Marburg virus?
[A] Tanzania
[B] Kenya
[C] Somalia
[D] Rwanda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rwanda]
Notes:
Recently, six people have died in Rwanda due to a Marburg virus outbreak. Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) is a rare but severe hemorrhagic fever affecting humans and primates. MVD is caused by the Marburg virus, similar to the Ebola virus, both from the Filoviridae family. The virus was first identified in 1967 in Marburg, Germany, linked to infected green monkeys. The African fruit bat is the reservoir host, and transmission occurs through direct contact with bodily fluids.
2. Which institution related to Yakshagana was recently accredited by the UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage?
[A] Keremane Idagunji Mahaganapati Yakshagana Mandali
[B] Srimaya Yakshagana Kalakendra
[C] Yakshagana Gurukula
[D] Yakshagana Research Centre
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Keremane Idagunji Mahaganapati Yakshagana Mandali]
Notes:
UNESCO has accredited the Keremane Idagunji Mahaganapati Yakshagana Mandali, founded in 1934 by Late Keremane Shivarama Hegde. The objective is to educate future generations and safeguard Yakshagana from decline, ensuring its relevance and vitality. Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form that originated between the 11th and 16th centuries in coastal Karnataka and parts of Kerala. It combines dance, music, dialogues, colorful costumes, and heavy make-up, inspired by the Vaishnava Bhakti movement. The themes include stories of Lord Krishna, Vishnu, and Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Traditionally, men played all roles, but women are now included in troupes.
3. Recently, who receives the ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award’ for the year 2022?
[A] Mithun Chakraborty
[B] Amitabh Bachchan
[C] Dharmendra
[D] Pankaj Tripathi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mithun Chakraborty]
Notes:
Legendary actor Mithun Chakraborty receives the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for 2022, India’s highest cinema honor. Presented annually at the National Film Awards by the Directorate of Film Festivals, it recognizes outstanding contributions to Indian cinema. The award includes a golden lotus, a ₹10 lakh cash prize, and a shawl. Established by the Government of India to honor Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, the award was first given in 1969 to actress Devika Rani. Dadasaheb Phalke, born in 1870, directed India’s first feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913 and made 95 more films in 19 years.
4. What is the name of the Indian Navy’s sailing vessel used in the Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition II?
[A] INS Tarini
[B] INS Mhadei
[C] INS Vikrant
[D] INS Chakra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [INS Tarini]
Notes:
INSV Tarini sailed for the Navika Sagar Parikrama II, flagged off by Chief of Naval Staff Adm Dinesh K Tripathi on October 2, 2024. This is the first global circumnavigation by Indian women in double-handed mode, showcasing India’s maritime strength and commitment to women empowerment. INSV Tarini, inducted in 2017, has covered over 66,000 nautical miles and participated in several key expeditions. The vessel is equipped with advanced navigation, safety, and communication systems. The officers trained for over three years, with guidance from Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd), preparing for this challenging voyage.
5. What is the name of traditional beverage that recently received a GI tag from Assam’s Bodo community?
[A] Bodo Tonba
[B] Bodo Apor
[C] Bodo Jou Gwran
[D] Bodo Aronai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bodo Jou Gwran]
Notes:
The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai granted GI tags to eight products from Assam, including ‘Bodo Jou Gwran’, a rice beer variant with about 16.11% alcohol, and ‘Bodo Napham’, a fermented fish dish. The Bodo community has a rich tradition of brewing and consuming rice beer, believing it originated from Lord Shiva.
6. Recently, NATO establishes its new land command named “Multi Corps Land Component Command” in which country?
[A] Finland
[B] Ukraine
[C] Israel
[D] Iran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Finland]
Notes:
NATO will set up a new land command in Finland near the Russian border in 2025 to oversee land operations in northern Europe during conflicts. This move follows Finland’s recent NATO membership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The new command will work alongside Finland’s existing land force command in Mikkeli.
7. Recently, which languages have conferred the status of Classical Language by the union government?
[A] Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali
[B] Urdu, Konkani and Maithili
[C] Punjabi, Dogri, Nepali and Bodo
[D] Kashmiri and Meitai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet of India, led by the Prime Minister, has approved Classical Language status for Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. The recognition is based on criteria set by a Linguistic Experts Committee. The language must also have knowledge texts, including prose, alongside poetry and inscriptional evidence. Other recognized classical languages are Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu (2008), Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).
8. What is the purpose of the “International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF)”, recently joined by India?
[A] Promote medical tourism
[B] Harmonize medical device regulations
[C] Manufacture medical devices
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Harmonize medical device regulations]
Notes:
India has recently become an affiliate member of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF). The IMDRF was established in 2011 to promote international medical device regulatory harmonization. Its members include regulatory authorities from countries like the U.S., Australia, Canada, the EU, Japan, and WHO. Membership reduces complexity for manufacturers and promotes public health through collaboration. It supports innovation and timely access to new medical devices. India will participate in IMDRF Open Sessions to share experiences and discuss regulatory strategies. This will strengthen India’s medical device regulatory system and ensure public health protection.
9. Where was the “Drought Resilience +10 Conference 2024” held?
[A] Geneva, Switzerland
[B] Paris, France
[C] London, United Kingdom
[D] New Delhi, India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Geneva, Switzerland]
Notes:
The Drought Resilience+10 (DR+10) Conference, held from September 30 to October 2, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland, focused on enhancing global drought preparedness and resilience. It marked a decade since the first High-Level Meeting on National Drought Policy and brought together policymakers, experts, and practitioners to discuss advancements in drought management. With droughts becoming more frequent due to climate change, the conference emphasized the need for effective policies and global mechanisms to address systemic drought risks and promote sustainable development.
10. India recently signed an MoU with which country to enhance supply chains for critical minerals?
[A] Russia
[B] United States of America (USA)
[C] Australia
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States of America (USA)]
Notes:
India and the USA have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand and diversify critical minerals supply chains, aiming to leverage their complementary strengths for resilience in the sector. This agreement focuses on equipment, services, policies, and best practices for the commercial development of critical minerals exploration and processing. The MoU is part of broader efforts to enhance innovation ecosystems and secure supply chains in semiconductors and clean energy, following discussions held during the 6th US-India Commercial Dialogue in October 2024.
