11. WHO has recently approved the Alinity m MPXV assay, a real-time PCR diagnostic test for which virus?
[A] Mpox
[B] Zika
[C] Dengue
[D] Ebola
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mpox]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) approved the Alinity m MPXV assay, a real-time PCR test for mpox. This test detects the virus using swabs from skin lesions, providing immediate results. It helps health workers confirm suspected mpox cases quickly, aiding outbreak control. Mpox has caused over 800 deaths in 16 African countries this year, with limited testing contributing to its spread. The Alinity m MPXV assay is the first mpox test on the WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) for faster availability during health emergencies. Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease that spreads through human contact and infected animals.
12. India hosts ‘Malabar Naval Exercise 2024’ in which city?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Visakhapatnam
[C] Kolkata
[D] Chennai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Visakhapatnam]
Notes:
India hosts the joint naval exercise of Quad nations from October 8 to 18 in Visakhapatnam. The exercise, named Malabar 2024, includes sea and harbor phases focusing on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. It features various Indian naval platforms, such as guided missile destroyers, submarines, and fighter aircraft. The Malabar exercise started in 1992 as a US-India drill and evolved into a multilateral event to enhance interoperability and address maritime challenges. Recent Quad meetings emphasized maritime security cooperation and announced joint coast guard operations and a new regional Maritime Initiative for Training (MAITRI).
13. Dipa Karmakar, who recently announced her retirement, was associated with which sports?
[A] Gymnastic
[B] Badminton
[C] Hockey
[D] Tennis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gymnastic]
Notes:
Olympian and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Dipa Karmakar announced her retirement from gymnastics. She was the first Indian female gymnast to gain international recognition. She narrowly missed a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, performing the Produnova vault. Dipa won a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and gold at the 2018 World Cup in Turkiye. She also won gold at the 2024 Asian Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
14. Barnawapara wildlife sanctuary, which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Odisha
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Chhattisgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
Two wild buffalo calves born in Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh raise hopes for the conservation of this endangered species. The sanctuary is located in Raipur district, bordered by the Balmedhi and Jonk rivers, with the Mahanadi also nearby. The Indian Wild Buffalo is the state animal of Chhattisgarh and is a large bovine species native to the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. They primarily inhabit alluvial grasslands, marshes, swamps, and river valleys.
15. What is the main objective of the Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana?
[A] Offer free medical treatment for anaemia patients
[B] To ensure health care services to the disadvantaged group
[C] Offer incentives for nutritional support to TB patients
[D] Aims to reduce cardiovascular diseases
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Offer incentives for nutritional support to TB patients]
Notes:
The Union Health Ministry has increased monthly nutrition support for TB patients under Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000. Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) was launched in April 2018 under the National Health Mission. It is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP). The scheme aims to provide nutritional support to TB patients. All notified TB patients are eligible beneficiaries of the scheme.
16. Kais Saied has been reelected as the President of which country?
[A] Tunisia
[B] Algeria
[C] Egypt
[D] Libya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tunisia]
Notes:
Tunisian President Kais Saied was re-elected for a second five-year term with 90.7% of the vote. The election result was announced on 7 October 2024 by Tunisia’s Independent High Authority for Elections. The election, held on 6 October 2024, saw a record-low voter turnout of 28.8%. This is the lowest turnout since the 2011 Jasmine Revolution, which introduced democracy. In the 2019 election, voter turnout was 55%.
17. 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.
18. Which state government recently launched GREEN PLUS Scheme to enhance forest conservation?
[A] Assam
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Sikkim
[D] Nagaland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Meghalaya]
Notes:
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched the GREEN Meghalaya Plus (GMP) Scheme to enhance and conserve forest cover. The scheme aims to expand forest conservation by offering monetary rewards for protecting forested areas. It follows the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) principle, supporting individuals and communities committed to conserving natural forests for at least 30 years. This initiative is part of the state’s PES program launched in 2022 and targets an additional 50,000 hectares for conservation. So far, over 3,000 individuals and communities have benefitted, conserving more than 54,000 hectares of natural forest.
19. 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.
20. Recently, the MACE Observatory has been inaugurated in which state/UT?
[A] Ladakh
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Lakshadweep
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ladakh]
Notes:
The MACE Observatory was recently inaugurated by the Secretary of DAE and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission in Hanle, Ladakh. It is the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia and the world’s highest, located at an altitude of about 4,300 meters. The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) aims to enhance international collaborations and strengthen India’s role in space research. Indigenously built by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) with help from ECIL and other Indian industry partners, it will advance studies in astrophysics and particle acceleration. MACE will observe high-energy gamma rays, aiding global research on phenomena like supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts while supporting Ladakh’s socio-economic development.