11. Which country hosts the 9th edition of ICC women’s T20 World Cup?
[A] Australia
[B] UAE
[C] England
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UAE]
Notes:
The 9th ICC Women’s T20 World Cup started in Sharjah, UAE. The tournament runs from October 3rd to 20th, with ten teams participating. India is in Group A with Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Group B includes Bangladesh, England, Scotland, South Africa, and West Indies. India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, seeks its first-ever ICC title in this event.
12. 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.
13. Shigeru Ishiba has been elected as the prime minister of which country?
[A] Malaysia
[B] Indonesia
[C] Japan
[D] Mexico
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Japan]
Notes:
Shigeru Ishiba was appointed as the 102nd Prime Minister of Japan by Emperor Naruhito after approval by the lower house of the Japanese Parliament. Ishiba, aged 67, replaces Fumio Kishida, who resigned due to political scandals. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has ruled Japan almost continuously since 1955, elected Ishiba as its leader on 27 October 2024.
14. Who have been awarded the MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2024?
[A] Vera Voronova and Ysabel Agustina Calderón Carlos
[B] Jane Goodall and David Attenborough
[C] Assad Serhal and Alfred Oteng-Yeboah
[D] Kathy MacKinnon and Greta Thunberg
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vera Voronova and Ysabel Agustina Calderón Carlos]
Notes:
The MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2024 has been awarded to Vera Voronova from Kazakhstan and Ysabel Agustina Calderón Carlos from Peru. The prize was established by the AEON Environmental Foundation in collaboration with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It recognizes individuals for their significant contributions to biodiversity conservation and sustainability. The award is given biennially, every two years.
15. Who were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovery of microRNA?
[A] Hans Clevers and Eric Topol
[B] Stuart Orkin and Peter Barnes
[C] Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun
[D] Paul Ridker and Francis Collins
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun]
Notes:
The Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine 2024 has been awarded to scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun. They were recognized for their discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. MicroRNA is crucial for regulating gene activity. The Nobel Assembly stated that their discovery is vital for understanding how organisms develop and function. The winners receive a prize of 11 million Swedish crowns, equivalent to about $1.1 million.
16. Which ministry recently launched Humsafar Policy in New Delhi?
[A] Ministry of Urban Development
[B] Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
[C] Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways launched the Humsafar Policy on 7 October 2024 in New Delhi. The policy was introduced by Nitin Gadkari in the presence of key officials. Humsafar Policy aims to improve travel convenience on National Highways and Expressways. It focuses on developing world-class facilities like eateries, fuel stations, and trauma centres along highways. Commuters will have access to well-maintained, hygienic services. Service provider details can be easily found on the NHAI’s ‘Rajmarg Yatra’ app.
17. Which organization recently published the “State of Global Water Resource Report”?
[A] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
[B] World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
[C] International Monetary Fund (IMF)
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Meteorological Organization (WMO)]
Notes:
The State of Global Water Resources report 2023 reveals that it was the driest year for global rivers in over three decades. This annual report has been published by the World Meteorological Organization since 2021. It provides a detailed overview of water resources, drawing from various national and international sources. The last five years have seen widespread below-normal river flows and reservoir inflows. All glacier regions reported ice loss in 2023, marking the largest mass loss in 50 years. Over 600 gigatons of water were lost globally, and 3.6 billion people lack adequate water access. This figure is projected to rise to over 5 billion by 2050, indicating a failure to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6.
18. Thirukurungudi Temples are located in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Kerala
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The Thirukurungudi Temples, including the Nambi Rayar Temple, Thirumalai Nambi Temple, and Aniliswarar Temple, are situated in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recently documented inscriptions from these temples, dating back to the 9th Century during the Pandya period. These inscriptions reveal historical donations, including sheep for temple lamps and tax-free land for gardens, highlighting the region’s rich cultural heritage and religious practices during the Vijayanagara reign.
19. What is the name of the online platform launched by the government for sharing experiences of retiring government employees?
[A] Suraksha
[B] Nischit
[C] Anubhav
[D] Sankalp
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Anubhav]
Notes:
The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare launched the online platform ‘Anubhav’ on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s direction. This platform allows retiring and retired government employees to share their work experiences. An Annual Awards Scheme was created in 2015 to encourage submissions, resulting in 10,886 published write-ups. So far, 78 outstanding write-ups have received 59 Anubhav Awards and 19 Jury Certificates. The National Anubhav Awards Scheme 2025 invites Central Government employees and pensioners to submit their write-ups for awards. For the first time, employees from Central Public Sector Undertakings will also be eligible to participate. The submission period for pensioners has been extended from one year to three years post-retirement.
20. What is the name of the participatory forest management project in Kerala’s Periyar Tiger Reserve?
[A] Vidiyal Vanapathukappu Sangam
[B] Marayoor Initiative
[C] Sandalwood Conservation Project
[D] None of the Above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vidiyal Vanapathukappu Sangam]
Notes:
The participatory forest management project in Kerala’s Periyar Tiger Reserve is called “Vidiyal Vanapathukappu Sangam” which translates to “The Dawn Forest Protection Group” and primarily involves former poachers and sandalwood smugglers turned protectors of the reserve. This project actively engages former poachers, providing them with alternative livelihoods like tourist guiding and anti-poaching activities. The project has been credited with significantly reducing poaching in the Periyar Tiger Reserve and safeguarding the area’s sandalwood reserve.