Jan '25 - From Jan 22 Flashcards

Question 1

Q

the National Electronic Governance Division (NeGD), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has introduced ______, a modern digital platform designed to simplify the way organisations manage and verify their documents.

Answer

A

‘Entity Locker’

The platform aligns with India’s Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI) and the Union Budget 2024-25’s goal of advancing digital governance and simplifying business processes.

Question 2

Q

About Entity Locker:

Entity Locker is a secure, ____-based system that helps businesses, including large corporations, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), trusts, startups, and societies, store, share, and verify documents.

It provides a ______ platform for secure document management. The platform integrates seamlessly with key systems like the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), and Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), reducing delays and operational challenges in document handling.

It supports various use cases, including vendor verification during procurement and registration, speeding up loan applications MSMEs and simplifying compliance documentation for the food industry under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

It also streamlines corporate filings, such as annual returns and other essential documents.

Answer

A

cloud ; consolidated

Note: Individuals do not have direct access to Entity Locker; instead, they can connect their personal account to the organization’s account to manage and access digital documents.

Key Features:

The platform ensures real-time access and accuracy by instantly verifying documents through
integration with government databases.

Sensitive information is shared securely with user consent, Aadhaar authentication ensures secure and accountable access.

The platform provides 10 gigabytes (GB) of encrypted cloud storage for secure document management and enables authentication through legally valid digital signatures.

With built-in features, the platform simplifies regulatory reporting and compliance, while tracking all document-related activities to enhance accountability

Question 3

Q

About Singapore:
Prime minister (PM)–

President–

Capital–
Currency–

Answer

A

Lawrence Wong

Tharman Shanmugaratnam

Singapore
Singapore Dollar (SGD)

Question 4

Q

Union Minister of State(MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T) and Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), inaugurated India’s first-of-its-kind Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) _____ through virtual mode and dedicated it to StartUps and Industry stakeholders in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Answer

A

Mega “Innovation Complex”

The new “Innovation Complex” is a huge state-of-the-art facility that spans nine floors and has 24 “ready-to-move” incubation labs in addition to furnished office and networking spaces for industry, CSIR labs, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and innovative startups.

ii. CSIR signed 6 Memorandums of Association (MoA) with 6 esteemed institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, iCreate, and the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), to promote innovation, industrial collaboration, and job creation.

iii. Additionally, 50 technology transfers from CSIR institutes to start-ups, MSMEs, and other organizations were formalized, further boosting industry collaboration and employment generation.

Note: India is the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world, with over 100 unicorns that stand as testaments to India’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Question 5

Q

the_____, a humanitarian aid organisation of UN released a report titled ‘Prospects for Children in 2025: Building Resilient Systems for Children’s Futures’. As per the report, climate change, economic instability, conflict and digital inequality are disrupting children’s lives and limiting their prospects.

Global Impact of Conflict on Children: As per the report, more than _____children i.e. more than one in six globally, lived in areas affected by conflict in 2023. The percentage of children affected by conflict has almost doubled, from around 10% (in 1990s) to almost 19%.

Children Living in Debt-Ridden Countries: The report revealed that nearly _____children live in debt ridden countries, which hinders important investments in sectors like education, healthcare and social protection.
* The report noted that among the 34 African Union (AU) countries (as per the available data), 15
now allocate more to debt servicing than to education.
* Also, as per the World Bank (WB) estimates, each _____ increase in external debt in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) could decrease education expenditure by USD 12.8 billion.

Answer

A

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) ; 473 million ; 400 million ; 5%

The report warned that the coming year will witness a new and escalating period of crises for children worldwide.
The report emphasized the urgent need to bolster national systems to protect children from global crisis and provide necessary support.
LMICs Spend More on Debt-Servicing than Crucial Sectors for Children: The report indicated that more than 40 LMICs spend double on debt-servicing as on health, for instance countries like: Indonesia (2.4 times as much), Pakistan (5 times as much).
As per the report, debt service now consumes 11 times as much as social protection spending across developing countries, leaving 1.8 billion children exposed to economic shocks that push
families deeper into poverty.

Insufficient Climate Finance: The report showed that only 2.4% of multilateral climate finance is allocated to child-responsive initiatives, which support projects aimed at protecting children.

This indicates that climate resilience of essential services for children is deteriorating.

Inequitable Access to Digital Services: The report highlighted the emergence of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which is a set of shared digital systems that provide equitable access to public and private services.

The report noted the persistent inequalities in digital access, particularly in Least-Developed Countries (LDCs).
It showed that most young people from High Income Countries (HICs) have access to the internet, while only 53% of the youth (aged 15-24 years) have access to the internet in Africa.

As per the report, adolescent girls are particularly affected, as are children with disabilities. It revealed that 9 out of 10 adolescent girls and young women (aged 15-24 years) have no internet access in LMICs.

Economy: Economic prospects in emerging markets are discouraging, with growth well below the 7% target set in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A mix of pandemic scarring, climate shocks, and resource constraints means emerging markets’ growth prospects have fallen from historical averages of 5.6% to just 4% by 2026–2029.

About United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):
Executive Director (ED)- Catherine Mary Russell
Headquarters- New York, the United States of America (USA)
Established- 1946
Member Countries- 190

Question 6

Q

_____ was appointed Director General (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), India’s largest paramilitary force, with the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He will serve as the CRPF chief until further orders or until his superannuation on November 30, 2027.

Answer

A

Gyanendra Pratap Singh

He will take charge from Special DG of the CRPF Vitul Kumar who has been holding officiating charge of the force after the retirement of Anish Dayal Singh on December 31, 2024.

About Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF):
Director General (DG) – Gyanendra Pratap Singh
Headquarters – New Delhi(Delhi)
Established – 1939

Question 7

Q

_____, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), was given the additional charge as the Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)

Answer

A

Nidhi Khare

Question 8

Q

Paris Olympic gold medalists _____ of Denmark and South Korea’s _____ the Men’s and Women’s Singles titles in the finals of India Open Super 750 badminton tournament 2025 held on 19th January 2025 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall in New Delhi, Delhi

Answer

A

Viktor Axelsen ; An Se Young

Axelsen defeated Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu in the Men’s Singles final while An Se Young defeated Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong in the women’s singles final.
The India Open Super 750 badminton tournament 2025 was held from 14th January to 19th January 2025.

Key Highlights:
i. Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddindefeated South Korea’s Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae in the Men’s doubles

ii. In the Women’s doubles category, Japan’s Arisa Igarashi and Ayako Sakuramoto defeated South Korea’s Kim Hye jeong and Kong Hee Yong in the finals to win the title.

iii. China’s Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin won in the mixed doubles category after defeating France’s Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue in the finals.

About India Open:
i. The India Open, officially known as the Yonex Sunrise India Open 2025 is an annual badminton event which has been held in India since 2008. It was held for the first time in 1973.

ii. In 2018, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) included it in its World Tour as a Super 500 event and later was upgraded to a Super 750 tournament

Question 9

Q

The Indian men’s and women’s teams ____ the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 titles in their respective finals of the 1st edition of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 held from January 13 to 19, 2025 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, Delhi

About Kho Kho Federation of India(KKFI):
President – Sudhansu Mittal
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1955.

Answer

A

won

The Indian men’s Kho Kho team beat Nepal by 54-36 while the women’s team defeated the Nepalese team by 78-40 in the finals.
The Indian men’s team was captained by Pratik Waikar while the Women’s team was captained
by Priyanka Ingle
Key Highlights:
i. India men’s team remained unbeaten throughout the Kho Kho tournament. The team topped the Group A standings with four wins defeating Sri Lanka in the quarterfinals and South Africa in the semi-finals.

ii. The Indian women’s Kho Kho team also remained undefeated in the tournament. They won their three Group A matches and then defeated Bangladesh and South Africa in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively.

About Kho Kho World Cup 2025:
i. The Kho Kho World Cup 2025 tournament was organized by the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) and the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF). This inaugural edition of the competition was backed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and featured 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams.

ii. The Indian men’s team was in Group A with Nepal, Peru, Brazil and Bhutan while the women’s team was in Group A with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia and Republic of Korea.

iii. Teams competed in a round-robin format, with the top performers advancing to the knockout rounds and finals.

Note: The second edition of Kho Kho World Cup will take place in Birmingham, England in 2026-27.

Question 10

Q

the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced ____ (Italy) as ‘Men’s ITF World Champion 2024’ and ____ (Poland) as ‘Women’s ITF World Champion 2024’, for their exceptional performances across major tournaments, including Grand Slams tournaments, the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, the Olympic Games and other premier events

Answer

A

Jannik Sinner ; Iga Natalia Świątek

With this, Jannik Sinner became the first Italian player to receive this award.
Iga Natalia Świątek was awarded the ITF honor for the second time, after 2022.

About the International Tennis Federation (ITF):
President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– David Haggerty
Headquarters- London, United Kingdom (UK)
Established- 1913

Question 11

Q

According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I), India became the world’s ____ largest coffee producing country with exports reaching USD 1.29 billion in Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24), from USD 719.42 million recorded in FY21.

Nearly _____ of India’s coffee production consists of Arabica and Robusta beans are exported as unroasted beans. * However, there is a growing demand for value-added products like roasted and instant coffee, further boosting the export of coffee.

As per MoC&I, domestic consumption of coffee has increased from 84,000 tonnes (in 2012) to 91,000 tonnes (in 2023).

India’s coffee is primarily grown in the ecologically rich Western and Eastern Ghats. _____topped in terms of coffee production, contributing 2,48,020 Metric Tonnes (MT) in 2022-23, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu (TN).

Answer

A

7th ; 3/4th (75%) ; Karnataka

The Ministry further revealed that India exported over 9,300 tonnes of coffee in the 1st half of January 2025, with top buyers including Italy, Belgium and Russia.
Top 5 coffee producing countries: Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia

Question 12

Q

Government Initiatives:

MoC&I through the _____ aimed at improving yields, expanding cultivation in non-traditional regions and ensuring the sustainability of coffee farming.

A prime example of the success of India’s coffee industry is Araku Valley, where nearly 1.5 lakh tribal families in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India (CBoI) and the______ have increased coffee production by 20%.

This achievement is supported by loans from the Girijan Co-operative Corporation (GCC).

Answer

A

Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP) ; Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA)

Key Facts about Coffee:
* Coffee plant originated in Ethiopia and spread to the Middle East before making its way to Europe in the 15th Century.
* Coffee is the world’s 2nd most traded commodity after oil.
* International Coffee Day (ICD), is annually observed across the world on October 01.

About Coffee Board of India (CBoI):
It is a statutory body established under Section 4 of the Coffee Act, 1942. The Board has a Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) at Balehonnur, Karnataka with a sub-station at Chettalli, Karnataka.

Chairman- M.J. Dinesh
Headquarters -Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established- 1942

Question 13

Q

the Geographical Indications (GI) Registry in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), granted GI tags to ____ indigenous and distinctive products from the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands, recognizing their cultural and traditional importance.

Answer

A

seven

The seven products are: 1) Nicobari Mat (Chatrai-hileuoi),
2) Nicobari Hut (Chanvi Pati – Nyi hupul),
3) Nicobari Hodi craft,
4) Padauk Wood Craft,
5) Andaman & Nicobar Coconut,
6) Nicobari Tavi-i-Ngaich
(Virgin Coconut Oil) and
7) Andaman Karen Musley Rice.
This is the first time in the country that a single Union Territory ( UT) has been granted GI tags for seven products in a single instance.

Note: As of December 31, 2024 India has a total of 658 registered GI tags

About Geographical Indications (GI) Registry:
Headquarters – Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN)
Established – 2003

Question 14

Q

the Kottayam (Kerala) based Rubber Board (RB) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) unveiled two initiatives ____ and _____ platform during the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Rubber Act, 1947, and the Rubber Growers’ Conference held in Kottayam.

These initiatives aim to strengthen India’s global position in the rubber industry and increase domestic production.
Awards were also presented to the top performers of ‘mRube’, the digital marketing platform for Natural Rubber (NR).

Answer

A

’iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber)’ ; ‘INR Konnect’

The Rubber Act was enacted in 1947 to provide for the development under the control of the Union of the rubber industry. The Act has been amended several times to address the changing needs of the industry.

Question 15

Q

About iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber):

i. The initiative aligns Indian rubber production with the ______.

ii. It includes iSNR traceability certification, ensuring the rubber’s origin and confirming its compliance with EUDR requirements.

iii. It also provides stakeholders in the rubber supply chain with a pathway to access European Union (EU) markets.

About INR Konnect:
i. It is a web-based platform designed to connect owners of untapped rubber plantations with adopters to enhance productivity.

ii. It certifies the credibility of all parties involved while also providing training in production management and sustainable practices as needed.

iii. Significance: To address the ____ of untapped rubber plantations in India, which are affected by low prices, high production costs, and neglect from absentee landlords.

Answer

A

European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) standards ; 20-25%

Rubber Production Status of India:
i. India is the 3rd largest producer and 4th largest consumer of natural rubber (NR), and the 5th largest consumer of both natural and synthetic rubber worldwide.
Thailand is the world’s largest producer of NR, followed by Indonesia.

ii. Top producing states: Kerala produces over 90% of India’s NR, with additional production in states like Tamil Nadu (TN), Karnataka, Tripura, Assam, and Meghalaya.

About Rubber Board (RB) of India:
Executive Director (ED) – M. Vasanthagesan
Headquarters – Kottayam, Kerala
Founded – 1947

Question 16

Q

the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions (MoPP&P) officially launched the scheme and web-portal for the Prime Minister (PM)’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2024.

About PM’s Awards for Excellence 2024:

The scheme for PM’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration for 2024, will recognize the contribution of civil servants under 3 categories through 16 awards.

Name of these 3 categories and Awards are:
* Category-1: Holistic Development of Districts under 11 priority sector programmes (05 awards);
* Category-2: Aspirational Blocks Programme (05 awards);
* Category-3: Innovations for Central Ministries/Departments, States and Districts (06
awards).

Answer

A

The registration on PM’s Awards web portal has started from January 20, 2025. Submission of nominations will commence from January 27, 2025. The last date for submission of nomination is February 14, 2025.

Background:
i. In 2006, the Government of India (GoI) has launched the scheme “Prime Minister’s(PM’s) Awards for Excellence in Public Administration” to acknowledge, recognize and reward the extraordinary and innovative work done by Districts/ Organizations of the Central and State Governments.

ii. The Scheme was restructured in 2014, 2020 and revamped with a new approach in 2021.

iii. The main objective of the scheme is to promote constructive competition, innovation, replication and institutionalization of best practices.

About Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (MoPP&P):
Union Minister- PM Narendra Modi (Constituency- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
Minister of State (MoS)- Dr. Jitendra Singh (Constituency- Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir, J&K)

Question 17

Q

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), has announced updates to the _____ [OMSS(D)] for 2024-25.

Answer

A

Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic)

These changes aim to enhance food security and streamline rice distribution across the country.

The revised price allows State Governments, their corporations, and community kitchens to procure rice without undergoing electronic (e)-auctions.

i. The reserve price of rice is set at Rs 2,250 per quintal (applicable across India). This is a reduction from the earlier price of Rs 2,900 per quintal, which was set in August 2024.

ii. Ethanol distilleries can also purchase rice at the reduced reserve price of Rs.2,250 per quintal.

iii. This policy reflects the government’s dedication to welfare initiatives, food security, and boosting ethanol production.

Question 18

Q

the Government of India (GoI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of the_____ to enhance collaboration in cybercrime investigations.

Answer

A

United States of America (USA)

The MoU was signed by Indian Ambassador Vinay Kwatra and Acting USA Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristie Canegallo in Washington DC, the USA.

i. This agreement aims to bolster India-USA security cooperation, addressing interconnected issues like terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, and other common security challenges linked to cybercrime.

ii. In India, the implementation of the agreement will be handled by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

iii. On the USA side, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), along with its agencies like the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Homeland Security Investigations Cyber Crimes Center, (C3) will oversee the execution of the pact.

Question 19

Q

According to the 1st edition of ‘HSBC Hurun Global Indians List’, published by HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) and Hurun India, _____ has secured the top spot with a company valued at USD 3,146 billion

Answer

A

Microsoft’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Satya Nadella

- Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai (USD 2,107 billion) and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan (USD 455 billion) secured the 2nd and 3rd spots, respectively.
The combined value of the top 10 individuals is equal to 73% of the total combined value of the list. Notably, 5 companies in the list belong to the software and services sector.

Question 20

Q

About HSBC Hurun Global Indians List 2024:

i. HSBC Hurun Global Indians List 2024, ranking the ___ most valuable companies in the world led by Indian-origin leaders. The combined value of companies led by these leaders is estimated at USD 10 trillion.

ii. Companies were ranked according to their value, defined as market capitalisation for listed companies and valuations for non-listed companies. The cut-off date used was 29th November 2024.

iii. The list includes ____ CEOs, Managing Directors (MDs), and Founders and was created based on a survey of 400 respondents, including wealth creators featured in its lists.

Answer

A

200 ; 226

1) Satya Nadella (Microsoft) 3,146 billion
2) Sundar Pichai (Alphabet) 2,107 billion
3) Neal Mohan (YouTube) 455 billion
4) Thomas Kurian (Google Cloud) 353 billion
5) Shantanu Narayen (Adobe) 231 billion

NRIs on the 2024 Hurun India Rich list:
i. According to the Hurun List, a total of 102 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) is featured on the List. The report showed that 79% of the list’s entrants were based in the United States of America (USA) followed by 5% in the United Kingdom (UK) and 4% in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

ii. In terms of preferred cities, San Francisco tops the list of (37) which has a cut-off of USD1 bn followed by New York and Palo Alto, California. Other major cities include London (8 entrants) while Dubai leads in the Middle East with 6 entrants in the list.

iii. LN Mittal & family (Rs 1,84,500 crore), Chairman of Arcelor Mittal, tops NRIs in the HSBC Hurun Global Indians List 2024 followed by Gopichand Hinduja & Family (Hinduja Group) on the 2nd spot and Anil Agarwal & Family (Vedanta Resources) on the 3rd spot respectively.

Question 21

Q

Women on the 2024 Hurun India Rich list:

i. The list includes ___ women led by Reshma Kewalramani of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, followed by Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks, and Leena Nair, the global CEO of Chanel, who are recognised as the most influential women of Indian origin.

ii. Women leaders such as Neha Narkhede (Co-Founder of Confluent), Anjali Sud (CEO of Tubi), and Yamini Rangan (CEO of HubSpot) are positioned in the list with their combined leadership overseas companies valued at over _____.

Answer

A

12 ; USD 436 billion

Question 22

Q

i. Most of the Indian professionals in the list are in the technology sector, with most of them in the software and services industry (87 entries). Financial services and healthcare follow with 24 and 21 representatives, respectively. Around 93 companies led by Indian-origin leaders work in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

ii. According to the list, 62% of the leaders began their undergraduate studies in India and 77% did postgraduate degrees in the USA. IIT Madras emerged as the top undergraduate institute, having 14 leaders to the list. On the postgraduate side, Stanford University has topped with 20 leaders on the list.

iii. Around 57% of the leaders are first-generation entrepreneurs, 41% are professionals, and 2% are inheritors. Indian-origin entrepreneurs have founded ____ global unicorns. The youngest entrepreneur on the list is 27-year-old Tanay Tandon, co-founder of Commure.

iv. Most of the Indian-origin leaders come from regions such as Tamil Nadu (TN), Punjab, Kerala, and Maharashtra and based in global hubs including the USA, the UK, the UAE, and Singapore.

v. The average age of the individuals on the list is ____

Answer

A

73 ; 56 years

Question 23

Q

Donald John Trump took the oath of office as the ____ President of the United States of America ( USA) at Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., USA. This marked the beginning of his second term in office. He succeeded Joe Biden after securing victory in the November 2024 election.

James David (JD) Vance sworn in as the ____ Vice President of the United States, succeeding Kamala Harris

Answer

A

47th ; 50th

Question 24

Q

Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully demonstrated the restart of its ____ liquid engine at a test facility at the Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu (TN).

About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman – V. Narayanan
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established – 1969

Answer

A

Vikas

The test marks a significant milestone in the development of stage recovery technologies, paving the way for reusability in future launch vehicles.

i. The Vikas engine is the reliable workhorse that drives the liquid stages of ISRO’s launch vehicles.

ii. In this test, the engine was fired for 60 seconds, then shut off for 120 seconds before being restarted and fired again for 7 seconds.

iii. All engine parameters during the test were within normal limits and met expectations.

iv. Further tests are planned in the coming days to optimize the engine’s performance under restart

Question 25

Q

______ Cricket Team secured their 5th title after defeating Vidarbha Cricket Team by 36 runs in the finals of 2024-25 edition of Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) held at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Answer

A

Karnataka

About Vijay Hazare Trophy(VHT):

i. The VHT (officially known as the IDFC First Bank VHT), is the annual One day domestic tournament organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

ii. It is a domestic 50-over tournament which was established as a national tournament as the Ranji One Day Trophy in the 2002-03 season from its previous zonal format.

iii. The tournament was renamed as Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2007-08 edition, named after Indian batsman Vijay Samuel Hazare.

iv. 2023-24 edition of VHT was won by the Haryana men’s cricket team.

Question 26

Q

the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have jointly declared 2025 as _____ in Geneva (Switzerland), emphasizing the global urgency to safeguard glaciers, which are critical sources of freshwater for over 2 billion people worldwide.

Answer

A

International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP)

UN weather experts from the WMO confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, at 1.55 degrees Celsius (C) above pre-industrial temperatures.

Question 27

Q

i. The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 (IYGP 2025) was established through resolution A/RES/77/158, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during its 77th session in December 2022, with the leadership of UNESCO and the____.

It was proposed by Republic of Tajikistan.

As part of this initiative, _____ has been officially designated as International Day of Glaciers’ Preservation or World Glacier Day, starting from 2025.

The first World Glacier Day will be celebrated on March 21, 2025, aligning with World Water Day, observed annually on March 22.

Answer

A

WMO (World Meteorological Organisation) ; March 21st

It will coordinate international efforts supported by over 75 international organizations and 35 countries.

The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (2025) and World Glacier Day (March 21) support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 by addressing the critical role glaciers play in water resources.

About World Meteorological Organization (WMO):
Secretary General – Professor Celeste Saulo
Founded –1950
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Parent Organization – United Nations (UN)

Question 28

Q

______ Chief Minister (CM) Vishnu Deo Sai launched the ‘Deendayal Upadhyay Bhoomiheen Krishi Majdoor Kalyana Yojana’ scheme in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

The scheme aims to provide financial support to landless agricultural labourer families, helping them to improve their net income and enhance their overall quality of life.

Answer

A

Chhattisgarh

About Deendayal Upadhyay Bhoomiheen Krishi Majdoor Kalyana Yojana :

i. The scheme was designed to provide financial assistance of Rs 10,000 annually to landless agricultural labourers, Baigas, Gunias, and other landless families in the state.

ii. The scheme benefits 5.62 lakh landless agricultural laborers across Chhattisgarh and a total of Rs 562 crore has been allocated to support these beneficiaries.

iii. This initiative also includes forest produce collectors, shepherds, carpenters, blacksmiths, cobblers, barbers, washermen, and other landless families connected with the Pauni-Pasari system.

iv. The scheme also extends to tribal temple worshippers like Pujari, Baiga, Gunia, and Majhi families in scheduled areas.

Question 29

Q

Gujarat Chief Minister (CM) Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the _____ and the _____ at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Both the institutions are supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and aim to develop
the fintech sector.

Answer

A

GIFT International Fintech Institute (GIFT IFI) ; GIFT International Fintech Innovation Hub (GIFT IFIH)

i. GIFT IFI has been set up with collaboration of Ahmedabad University (Gujarat), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar (Gujarat), and the University of California, San Diego(the United States of America, USA). It will offer programs in areas like Fintech Foundations, Technology for Fintech, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Fintech.

ii. GIFT IFIH will provide support to fintech startups through an incubator and accelerator programme which will include mentorship, resources, and access to networks. Its first batch includes 10 startups from India, Singapore, the USA, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Question 30

Q

the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved the following proposals:

i. Apprised of Achievements under . It has also approved its continuation for another 5 years.

ii. Approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 5,650 per quintal for ____ (TD-3 grade) for marketing season 2025-26. This marks an increase of nearly 6% i.e. Rs 315 per quintal compared to last marketing season 2024-25

Answer

A

National Health Mission (NHM) (2021-24) ; raw jute

Question 31

Q

the Department of Commerce (DoC), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), introduced the Diamond Imprest Authorization (DIA) Scheme.

This scheme aims to enhance the global competitiveness of India’s diamond sector and will be implemented with effect from ____.

About DIA Scheme:
i. This scheme offers the duty-free importation of Natural Cut and Polished Diamonds weighing less than ¼ carat (_____), encouraging value addition and increasing exports.

ii. This scheme requires exports to have a ____ value added.

iii. All diamond exporters with _____ in annual exports and Two Star Export House status or higher are eligible to receive benefits under this program.

iv. Validity of Diamond Imprest Licence (DIL) will be _____ for import and ______ for export. The DIL will be for a value of 5% of the average of past 3 years export. Maximum value of DIL for an exporter in one year will be USD 15 million

v. Diamonds to be imported under Actual User Condition. Import and Export of Diamonds will be from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (Maharashtra) only.

vi. The scheme is intended to create a fair playing field for Indian diamond exporters, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) exporters, allowing them to compete effectively with larger competitors.

Answer

A

1 April 2025 ;

25 cents ;
10% ;
USD 15 million ;
1 year ; 18 months

Note: The Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) reports that India’s gross gem and jewelry exports in December 2024 totaled USD 1,967.98 million (Rs. 16719.460 crores), a 10.29% decrease from the same period in 2024.

Question 32

Q

the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) launched the first-ever edible oil consumption survey on the “My Gov” portal to assess edible oil consumption patterns across India. This initiative aims to support the effective implementation of the ______.

It addresses the absence of recent data on consumption patterns in India, the world’s largest consumer and importer of edible oils.
The 45-day questionnaire-based survey, launched on January 9, 2025, is scheduled to run until February 23, 2025

Answer

A

National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds)

Question 33

Q

India and France strengthened their maritime security cooperation to maintain peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) during the 7th _____ held in New Delhi, Delhi.

India assuming chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in 2025 for two years

Answer

A

India-France maritime cooperation dialogue

About France:
President– Emmanuel Macron
Prime Minister(PM) – François Bayrou
Capital– Paris
Currency– Euro(EUR)

Question 34

Q

According to the 19th Global 500 2025 report published by Brand Finance, _____ has retained its position as the world’s most valuable brand, with a brand value of USD 574.5 billion (bn).

______ (USD 28.6 bn) is the most valuable Indian brand for the 15th consecutive holding 60th spot in the list.

In Global rank, Apple is followed by Microsoft (USD 461.1 bn) on the 2nd, and Google (USD 413 bn) on 3rd respectively. 4th: Amazon, 5th: Walmart

WeChat (95.2) has been ranked as the world’s strongest brand for the 2nd consecutive year followed by Nike (94.7) on the 2nd spot and Google (94.3) on the 3rd position.

Answer

A

Apple ; Tata Group

The 19th Brand Finance’s Global 500 2025 report was, launched during a session held in the UAE pavilion at Davos 2025 held in Switzerland.

Except for 2023, Apple has held the top spot as the world’s most valuable brand since 2021.

Question 35

Q

According to the Brand Finance Global 500 2025 report, the top five Indian brands are 1___, 2____, 3____, 4_____, and, 5_____

____ emerged as the fastest-growing Indian brand with a brand value of USD 13.3 bn.
HDFC Group, SBI Group, and ICICI Group have made significant entries into the global brand rankings this year, marking a notable achievement for India’s banking sector.
Other Indian brands in the list are- State Bank of India (SBI) (241), HCL Tech (262), Airtel (306), Larsen & Toubro(L&T) (316), Mahindra (330), Wipro (358), Jio Group (366), ICICI Bank (375), Bajaj Group (409) and Indian Oil (446).

Answer

A

Tata Group
Infosys
HDFC Group
Life Insurance Corporation
Reliance Group

LIC

Question 36

Q

India has secured the ____ position, contributing ____ of the total brand value while the US, holds the top position in Information Technology (IT) services brand value, holding 40% of the total brand value. The collective brand value of the top 25 IT Services brands stands at USD 163 billion in 2025.

_____ has secured the 1st spot (USD 41.5 billion), for the 7th consecutive time.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (USD 21.3 bn) has become the first IT company in India and the 2nd globally to cross the USD 20 billion in brand valuation.
Infosys (USD 16.3 billion) has secured the 3rd spot in the most valuable IT services brands for the 4th consecutive year.
_____ has emerged as world’s fastest-growing IT services brand in 2025, while Infosys has achieved the highest compound annual growth rate among IT services brands over the past 5 years (at 18.2%). Other Indian companies on the list included Wipro (9th spot) and Tech Mahindra.

Answer

A

2nd ; 36%

Accenture ;

HCL Technologies (HCLTech)

Brand Strength Index (BSI):
i. It is a framework that aims to consider the position of a potential licensee or the acquirer of the brand by looking into the Marketing Investment, Stakeholder Equity, and the impact of those on Business Performance.

ii. The Brand Strength Index (BSI) assigns each brand a score out of 100, reflecting its overall strength. This score contributes to determining the brand’s value. Based on their BSI scores, brands receive ratings similar to credit ratings, ranging up to AAA+.

About Brand Finance Global 500 report:

i. It is the annual study held every year since 2007 that provides information about the world’s top 500 most valuable and strongest global brands.

ii. It operates in over 25 countries and conducts more than 6,000 brand valuations and publishes over 100 reports which rank brands across all sectors and countries.

Question 37

Q

New York (the United States of America, USA)-based World Monuments Fund (WMF), a non-profit organisation released its “2025 World Monuments Watch List”. The list includes 25 endangered cultural heritage sites spanning 29 countries across 5 continents.

This year’s list has gone beyond the usual landmarks such as temples, cemeteries and has added ____ on the list for the 1st time.

The list features two Indian sites namely, Bhuj Historic Water Systems (Gujarat) and Musi River Historic Buildings (Telangana).

Answer

A

Moon

Other than that, the list features notable endangered cultural sites like: Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery (Mongolia), Noto Peninsula Heritage Sites (Japan), Ruins of Old Belchite (Spain), among others.

Question 38

Q

India has officially joined the ______ or Eurodrone programme as the Observer State.

With this, India became the second Asia-Pacific country after Japan to gain observer status.

India made a formal request to become part of this programme in August 2024, and the approval was granted in January 2025.

Answer

A

Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (MALE RPAS)

i. Now India is granted access to technical data and the ability to place orders for the aircraft, they are not involved in the decision-making processes regarding the platform’s design, development, or the distribution of workshare among the participating countries.

ii. This collaboration is expected to enhance India’s defence relationship with Europe, supporting other ongoing initiatives such as the C-295 aircraft, which is being manufactured in India.

Question 39

Q

________ was appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Zurich Kotak General Insurance. He took charge of this post from January 01, 2025, succeeding Suresh Agarwal.

Answer

A

Alok Kumar Agarwal

Question 40

Q

Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based aerospace company Digantara, backed by the Aditya Birla Group and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), launched _____ satellite, the world’s first commercial satellite for Space Situational Awareness (SSA).

Besides, Indian space-tech startup XDLINX Space Labs also launched its high-tech satellites to monitor earth and space objects.
The satellites were launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the United States of America (USA).

Answer

A

Space Camera for Object Tracking (SCOT):

As Earth’s orbits become increasingly crowded with satellites and space debris, SSA plays a vital role in preventing collisions and ensuring the safety of spacecraft. SCOT contributes significantly in improving safety by offering precise and reliable tracking capabilities.

Question 41

Q

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) successfully carried out a ground test of_____, lasting 120 seconds, marking a first for India.

This test is part of India’s effort to develop hypersonic technology powered by supersonic combustion ramjets (scramjets).
This technology was developed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), based in Hyderabad, Telangana, and part of the DRDO.

Answer

A

an active cooled scramjet combustor

Question 42

Q

Eritrea’s Berhane Tesfay and Kenya’s Joyce Chepkemoi Tele won the men’s and women’s elite races, respectively, at the TATA Mumbai Marathon 2025 held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

It is the 20th edition of the Mumbai Marathon, which is a _____ event, organized by Procam International Private Limited. It was also a qualifier for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (Japan) in September 2025.

Answer

A

World Athletics Gold Label Road Race

Question 43

Q

January 23

Answer

A

Parakram Diwas, also known as the Day of Valour, is observed annually across India on 23 January to commemorate the birth anniversary of one of the Indian freedom fighters Subhash Chandra Bose, popularly called as Netaji.

23 January 2025 marks the 128th birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose.

Question 44

Q

the Chief Minister (CM) of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan launched the ‘Kerala Warnings, Crisis and Hazard Management (KaWaCHaM) System’, India’s first fully integrated _____ system at the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

About Kerala:
Chief Minister (CM) – Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor – Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Capital – Thiruvananthapuram
State Bird – The Great Hornbill
Dance – Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thirvathirakali (Kaikottikali), Theyyam

Answer

A

disaster warning

This advanced disaster risk warning system aims to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities while also issuing alerts for extreme weather events.
It is developed by KSDMA with support from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the World Bank (WB) as part of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP)

Question 45

Q

_____ Chief Minister (CM) Manik Saha announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had approved the New state emblem. The state’s history and culture will be prominently featured in the logo.

Answer

A

Tripura

In the newly designed emblem, the Tripura map is positioned inside a saffron circle, and the national emblem of India is displayed within the outline of the map. Additionally, the Government of Tripura is written below the circle.

Question 46

Q

Justice ______ was sworn in as the 33rd Chief Justice (CJ) of the Delhi High Court (HC), situated in New Delhi, Delhi.

i. Before his appointment as the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya served as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.

ii. His appointment brought the court’s strength to 38 judges

Answer

A

Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya

Question 47

Q

Justice _____ was sworn in as the 48th Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

He succeeded Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya.
The Governor of Maharashtra, CP Radhakrishnan, administered the oath of office during the ceremony held at Raj Bhavan..

Answer

A

Alok Aradhe

Question 48

Q

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, a flagship initiative led by the Government of India (GoI) which aims to protect, educate, and empower the girl child in India, has completed ____ years of successful implementation.

Answer

A

10

About Mission Vatsalya:
In 2021, MoWCD launched Mission Vatsalya which is a CSS, formerly known as the Child Protection Services (CPS) scheme, since 2009-10. The main objective of the mission is to ensure that every child in India has healthy and happy childhood.

About Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD):
Union Minister- Annpurna Devi (Constituency- Kodarma, Jharkhand)
Union Minister of State (MoS)- Savitri Thakur (Constituency- Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, MP)

Question 49

Q

the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released a comprehensive report titled ‘Estimation and Measurement of India’s Digital Economy’, prepared by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). This marks the first attempt to quantify the digital sector’s impact on India’s income and employment.

According to the report, India’s digital economy is projected to grow nearly twice as fast as the overall economy, contributing to almost _____ of national income by _____. In less than six years, the digital economy’s share will surpass that of agriculture or manufacturing in India.

The report estimates that India’s digital economy accounted for 11.74% of India’s income in 2022-23, contributing Rs. 28.94 lakh crore (Approximately USD 368 billion) in Gross Value Added (GVA) and Rs. 31.64 lakh crore (Approximately USD 402 billion) in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This share is projected to rise to 13.42% by 2024-25.

Answer

A

one-fifth ; 2029-30

About Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER):
ICRIER is an autonomous, policy-oriented, not-for-profit, economic policy think tank.
Chairman – Pramod Bhasin
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Founded – 1981

About Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity):
Union Minister– Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha- Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS)- Jitin Prasada (Constituency- Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)

Question 50

Q

According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India has made significant strides in its Renewable Energy (RE) journey, strengthening its position as a global leader in clean energy.

As of December 2024, India’s total RE installed capacity has reached 209.44 Gigawatt (GW), a ______ increase compared to 180.80 GW in December 2023.
The total capacity added during 2024 amounted to 28.64 GW, representing a significant Year-on-Year(YoY) increase of 119.46% compared to the 13.05 GW added in 2023.

Answer

A

15.84%

Note: As of January 20, 2025, the country has reached a milestone of 217.62 GW, with a target to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030.

Question 51

Q

India and ______ conducted an exchange of notes for the technical cooperation project titled ‘Strengthening Vocational Education and Training in Mechatronics in India’ in New Delhi(Delhi).

for NCERT’s Technical Cooperation Project

Answer

A

South Korea

Question 52

Q

the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the apex body for exporters in India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore-based _____, a global leader in supply chain financing solutions, to boost the growth of Indian exporters and strengthen their international presence.

This collaboration aims to streamline global trade by providing exporters with innovative financial solutions, logistical support, and other critical resources.

Answer

A

Credlix

About Credlix:
It is the digital supply chain financing platform from Moglix (Mogli Labs Private Limited), one of Asia’s largest Business-to-Business (B2B) commerce companies. It is dedicated to providing innovative financial solutions to Small Micro Enterprises (SMEs) across the world.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Rahul Garg
Headquarters- Singapore, Singapore
Established- 2015

About Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO):
It was constituted by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I) in 1965, with its member contributing nearly 70% of India’s exports.
President- Ashwani Kumar
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi

Question 53

Q

the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a Rs 1,561-crore deal with Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) based ______, a unit of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL), for the acquisition of 47 Tank (T)-72 Bridge Laying Tanks (BLTs) for the Indian Army(IA).

Answer

A

Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF)

Question 54

Q

National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) Foundation have entered into a partnership to provide digital skills to ____ individuals with an aim to reduce the issue of digital divide.

The collaboration comes under the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP), and is aligned with the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA).
The project will focus on marginalized groups including women and tribal communities to improve their access to essential digital tools and e-governance services.

Answer

A

one lakh

i. It will initially target 60 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) blocks in its first phase, promoting digital literacy and awareness of government schemes and will expand to include all 500 aspirational blocks for a broader digital inclusion.

ii. The program focuses on training individuals between 12-60 years in essential computer skills, cybersecurity, and internet usage.

iii. It will also integrate local community members as trainers and digital ambassadors and will conduct door-to-door campaigns and community mobilization to raise awareness about the benefits of digital literacy and government schemes.

Question 55

Q

New Delhi (Delhi) based NTPC Limited (formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation) has partnered with Ceylon Electricity Board of Sri Lanka to develop a _____ (extendable to 120 MW) solar project in Sampoor, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.

Trincomalee Power Company Limited (TPCL) which is a joint venture (JV) between NTPC Limited and the Ceylon Electricity Board, will see the establishment of the solar facility in Sampoor.

Answer

A

50 Megawatt (MW)

i. After discussions with a number of Sri Lankan stakeholders, the tariff for the project has been fixed at 5.97 US cents per unit.

ii. This solar project would diversify Sri Lanka’s energy mix by significantly increasing Sri Lanka’s clean energy capacity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

iii. With this initiative, NTPC, India’s leading power generation company under the Ministry of Power (MoP), makes a significant step toward sustainable energy practices and strengthens regional ties.

Question 56

Q

According to the World’s Billionaires List 2025 released by Forbes, _____ secured the top spot with a net worth of USD 433.9 billion largely driven by SpaceX’s valuation of USD 350 billion.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has secured the 2nd position with USD 239.4 billion while Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg bagged the 3rd spot by surpassing Oracle founder Larry Ellison net worth of USD 211.8 billion.

Answer

A

Elon Musk

Question 57

Q

______, the Director General (DG) of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), was given the additional charge of DG of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) for six months.

Answer

A

Amrit Mohan Prasad

The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) with effect from 1 November 2024, or till the joining of the regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is the earlier.
He succeeded Zulfiqar Hasan, who retired on 31 October 2024

Question 58

Q

Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) dispatched the Crew Module for the first uncrewed mission of ______ to Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP). It has completed the integration of the liquid propulsion system.

Answer

A

Gaganyaan (G1)

About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman – Dr. V. Narayanan
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established – 1969

Question 59

Q

Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based aerospace startup company, Sarla Aviation Private Limited unveiled India’s 1st electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi prototype, ____, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi.

For the initial phase, the company aims to launch the electric air taxi in Bengaluru by 2028 to become the 1st to introduce urban air transport in India.

Answer

A

‘Shunya’

Question 60

Q

January 24

Answer

A

The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Education (IDE) is annually observed across the globe on 24 January to celebrate the role of education in peace and development.

24 January 2025 marks the 7th observance of the IDE.
The International Day of Education encourages reflections on the power of education to equip individuals and communities to navigate, understand and influence technological advancement.

The 2025 theme of IDE is “AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation”.

The theme focuses on how education can help people understand and control Artificial Intelligence (AI). It aims to ensure AI is used in ways that respect human rights and support the Sustainable Development Goals.

Note: In India, National Education Day is celebrated on November 11 every year in honour of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India.

Question 61

Q

January 24

Answer

A

National Girl Child Day (NGCD) is annually observed across India on 24th January to promote awareness about the rights of a girl child and to promote the importance of their education, health, and nutrition.

The day addresses issues like child marriage, discrimination and other challenges faced by girls in Indian society.

24th January 2025 marks the observance of 18th NGCD.
The theme of the NGCD 2025 is “Empowering the Future of India”.

Question 62

Q

the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved the following proposals:

i. Launch of the ______ to build a resilient ‘Value Chain’ for critical mineral resources essential for Green Technologies with a total cost of Rs. 34,300 crore over a period of 7 years.

ii. Revised Mechanism for Procurement of Ethanol by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme – Price Adjustment for Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024-25.

Answer

A

‘National Critical Mineral Mission’ (NCMM)

Question 63

Q

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the revision of the ethanol procurement price for Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024-25, starting from 1st November 2024 to 31st October 2025.

This revision, part of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme of the Government of India (GoI), fixes the administered ex-mill price of ethanol from C Heavy Molasses (CHM) at Rs. 57.97 per litre (l), up from Rs. 56.58 per l.

The revised pricing ensures continued stability for ethanol suppliers, reducing crude oil imports and promoting environmental sustainability.

The new pricing will ensure Goods and Service Tax (GST) and transportation charges are separately payable to benefit sugarcane farmers.

Answer

A

As of ESY 2023-24, OMCs have achieved an average blending of 14.60%, up from 38 crore litres in 2013-14 to 707 crore litres.

The program has led to savings of approximately Rs. 1,13,007 crore in foreign exchange and a substitution of 193 lakh metric tonnes (MT)of crude oil.

The government has advanced its target for 20% ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to ESY 2025-26. OMCs plan to achieve 18% ethanol blending in ESY 2024-25.

Investments are also being made to increase the capacity of ethanol distilleries to 1713 crore l per annum.
The EBP programme was launched in 2003 by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG)

Question 64

Q

the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Pratham Foundation released the “Annual Status of Education Report (Rural) 2024 (ASER 2024)”, a nationwide household survey that covers the status of children’s enrolment and learning outcomes in rural India annually. The report highlighted that enrolment in both government and private schools has returned to pre-COVID levels

Answer

A

However, the report noted that the government schools outshined private schools in Post-COVID learning recovery levels.

The report showed that government schools, which saw a surge in enrolment for children aged 6-14 during the pandemic, are now returning to pre-pandemic levels, decreased from 72.9% (in 2022) to 66.8% (in 2024). This trend can be seen in every state, except: Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).

Answer 65

A

The event featured three specialized sessions aimed at strengthening the handloom sector. The sessions focused on:

Encouraging Start-ups in Handloom: Discussed ways to support new businesses in the industry.
Effective Marketing for Handloom Products: Focused on expanding market reach and improving sales strategies.
Inspiring Youth to Join Handloom Weaving: Explored methods to attract and retain young artisans in the sector

Answer 66

A

(e)-Pehchaan portal

Answer 67

A

With this approval, as many as 100 villages of Odisha will receive funds directly in the bank accounts of Gram Sabhas instead of Gram Panchayats for the first time to carry out forest protection, management and convergence works in respective community lands.

Answer 68

A

Tata Steel Limited(TSL), formerly known as Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited (TISCO)

The company successfully developed hydrogen-compliant API X65 ERW steel pipes, which are crucial for the transport of 100% pure gaseous hydrogen under high pressure (100 bar).

Answer 69

A

RMBS (Residential Mortgage-Backed Securitisation) Development Company Limited (RDCL)

Answer 70

A

Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA)

The awards were decided through two methods: one by a panel of judges and the other through an online public vote held on the MyGov platform.
This year, 31 tableaux from 16 states and Union Territories (UTs) and 10 ministries and departments of the Central Government (CG) participated in R-day Parade 2025 at Karvyapath, New Delhi, Delhi.

Answer 71

A

The Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Rifles Contingent

Uttar Pradesh (UP)

The Ministry of Women & Child Development (MoWCD)

Answer 72

A

Odisha Warriors

The ‘Odisha Warriors’ secured 2-1 in the final tournament held at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda AstroTurf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Rutuja Dadaso Pisal was the Star player of the show for the ‘Odisha Warriors’ as she scored both the goals for her side in the 20th and 56th minute.
She gave the ‘Odisha Warriors’ the lead in the 2nd quarter but Penny Squibb (28′) equalised for JSW Soorma Hockey Club.

Answer 73

A

Jyothi Yarraji

Jyothi Yarraji, broke her own National Record twice in one day and clocked 8.07 seconds in the
heats and 8.04 seconds in the final, setting a new National Record for India

Answer 74

A

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (WNTDD) is observed annually on January 30 across the globe to raise awareness of the devastating impact of NTDs on the most
vulnerable populations around the world.

The theme of WNTDD 2025: “Unite. Act. Eliminate” emphasizes the collective commitment needed to end
these diseases.

The theme urges leaders and communities to unite and make bold, sustainable investments to eliminate NTDs and free an estimated 1.5 billion people in the most vulnerable communities from the cycle of disease
and poverty

Answer 75

A

Martyrs’ Day, also known as Sarvodaya Day or Shaheed Diwas, is annually observed across India
on January 30 to honour those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

This day also marks the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the ‘Father of the Nation.
30th January 2025 marks the 77th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Answer 76

A

76th

‘Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas,’ (Golden India: Heritage and Development)

Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, making India a sovereign, democratic, and republic nation

Answer 77

A

These initiatives were launched ahead of the 1st World Audio Visual Entertainment
Summit (WAVES) scheduled to be held from February 5 to February 9, 2025 at Bharat
Mandapam in New Delhi.
During the event, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishanaw also announced new challenges aimed to
promote films that explore India’s rich tourism and cultural heritage. These challenges aim to
promote creativity, innovation, and international participation

Answer 78

A

Certificate of Origin (eCoO) 2.0 System

Answer 79

A

Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD)

With this, Tripura becomes the 1st North-Eastern(NE) state, as well as 8th Indian state to sign a MoU with Bhasha Interface for India (Bhashini).

This MoU marks a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to promote digital inclusivity and
leveraging technology for enhanced citizen centric governance.

Answer 80

A

Davos-Klosters, Switzerland

The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) India, liaison office of WEF in India, launched its 6-
year Impact journey report during the WEF Annual meeting 2025.
The C4IR India was launched in 2018 in Mumbai(Maharashtra) with NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog and Reliance Industries as founding partners for promoting responsible and inclusive technological development.

Answer 81

A

India’s achievements through the Swachh Bharat Mission(SBM) (the construction of over 95 million toilets) and the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) (widespread household tap water connections) were highlighted as WASH initiatives

Answer 82

A

the WEF, in collaboration with New York City(the United States of America, USA)
based McKinsey Health Institute(MHI), released a report titled ‘Blueprint to Close the Women’s Health
Gap: How to Improve Lives and Economies for All’ that highlights the global health condition of women
and the need to close the health gap.

Answer 83

A

One Mobikwik Systems Limited

As per this strategic partnership, Yes Bank Limited will act as a primary sponsor bank to
provide the issuance of the CBDC for both these 3rd-party application providers.

Note: CBDC is a digital legal tender issued and supported by the RBI. This digital currency is equivalent to sovereign currency and can be exchanged at a one-to-one ratio with existing physical currency

Answer 84

A

“LID-568”

Supermassive black holes are one of the most common types in the universe. They are usually
found at the center of most galaxies.

LID-568 was identified using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Chandra X-ray
Observatory.
This black hole exists approximately 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang, making it one of the earliest known black holes in the universe

Answer 85

A

‘Inkathazo’

Answer 86

A

GSLV-F15/NVS02 mission

Answer 87

A

Alexander Lukashenko

Answer 88

A

Amitabh Bachchan

Answer 89

A

Jasprit Jasbirsingh Bumrah

Smriti Mandhana

Arshdeep Singh Aulakh

Amelia Kerr Charlotte

Answer 90

A

‘Dharohar – Milestones in the Indian Securities Market’

This initiative highlights SEBI’s commitment to preserving India’s securities market legacy while enhancing awareness and understanding among diverse stakeholders.
This is designed for a broad audience, including students, investors, researchers, journalists,
market participants, and the general public.

i. Dharohar documents the 150-year history and evolution of the Indian securities market, showcasing its
diverse products, participants, and institutions.
ii. It includes a website with an interactive timeline of significant events and three-dimensional (3D)
galleries, providing an engaging experience for visitors.
iii. It currently contains over 3,000 assets, including articles, regulatory evolution, interviews with notable personalities, historic newspaper clippings, share certificates, infographics, videos, committee reports, and more.
iv. It is set to expand, with new content being added regularly to enhance its value for users.
v. Users can access the Dharohar repository at https://www.mism.org

Answer 91

A

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (Indosat or IOH)

This partnership marks the 1st large scale AI-focused collaboration between India and
Indonesia, under the visionary, Government-to-Government (G2G) initiative

Answer 92

A

Punjab National Bank (PNB) Limited

Answer 93

A

One Mobikwik Systems Limited

As per this strategic partnership, Yes Bank Limited will act as a primary sponsor bank to
provide the issuance of the CBDC for both these 3rd-party application providers.

Note: CBDC is a digital legal tender issued and supported by the RBI. This digital currency is equivalent to sovereign currency and can be exchanged at a one-to-one ratio with existing physical currency

Answer 94

A

Quarraisha Abdool Karim, expert in infectious diseases epidemiology and one of the top
researchers on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is ranked first, while Rafaela Aponte-Diamant is the co-owner of the Mediterranean
Shipping Company (MSC) based in Geneva, Switzerland, ranked 2nd.

The list features three remarkable Indian women: Urmila Asher, popularly known as ‘Gujju Ben’
and the founder of Gujju Ben Na Nasta, ranked 3rd; Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, a billionaire and founder of Biocon India Private Limited, ranked 32nd; and Sheela Patel, a renowned activist, ranked 37th

Answer 95

A

New Jersey, the United States of America (USA)

1917

Answer 96

A

Jannik Sinnern ;

Madison Keys

This was the 113th edition of the Australian Open, the 57th in the Open Era, and the first major of 2025 and was held from 12th January to 26th January 2025

Answer 97

A

Prithvi Sekhar

This is his 2nd consecutive title after winning it in 2024.

He has also won men’s singles world title at the 2019 World Deaf Tennis Championships.

Prithvi also represented India at the Deaflympics in 2013 and 2017 and has won a bronze medal in the mixed doubles at the 2017 Summer Deaflympics.

Answer 98

A

Jannik Sinner (Italy)

He won 1st major singles title in Australian Open in 2024.
Italy’s Sinner is the 11th man in the Open Era to retain the title in Melbourne

Answer 99

A

Madison Keys (USA)

This was her first Grand Slam final since the 2017 US Open.
At 29, she has become the fourth-oldest player to win her first Grand Slam title.

With this victory, Madison Keys’ rank will rise to number 7 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA)
rankings.

Answer 100

A

Harri Heliovaara (Finland) and Henry Patten (Britain)

Heliovaara and Patten won the Wimbledon title 2024 which was their first major event as a
team.
They have also won four tour-level trophies in 2024.

Answer 101

A

Katerina Siniakova (Czech Republic) and Taylor Townsend (USA)

This was their 2nd Grand Slam title as a team after their Wimbledon title win in 2024.
It was the 10th major title for Katerina Siniakova.
For Townsend, it was her 2nd title after she won the title as a junior in Melbourne in 2012.

Answer 102

A

Australian pair Olivia Gadecki and John Peers

This was the first all-Australian final in the hard-court major in the Open Era and the first
since 1967.
This was Gadecki’s first mixed doubles title at a Grand Slam while Peers won his second after winning the 2022 U.S. Open in the category.
John Peers also won men’s doubles gold at the Paris Olympics and the 2017 Australian Open.
This has been 14th edition of the Australian Open where a home player was crowned champion in at least one category

Answer 103

A

Johor International Open Chess Tournament

He defeated Vietnamese GM Nguyen Van Huy in the final round.
Indian International Master (IM) V.S. Raahul and Chinese IM Li Bo secured second and third
places, respectively.

i. Iniyan scored an impressive 8.5 points over nine rounds in the tournament.
ii. He finished 1.5 points ahead of his nearest rival, achieving victories against four IMs and one GM.

Note: Earlier in January 2025, Iniyan won the 15th Chennai Open International GM Chess Tournament 2024

Answer 104

A

World Leprosy Day (WLD) is observed annually on the last Sunday of January across the globe to raise
awareness about leprosy and to celebrate the resilience of those affected by the disease, combat stigma and discrimination. The day also serves as a reminder to eradicate leprosy and improve the lives of those impacted by it.

26 January 2025 marks the 72nd observance of the WLD.
In 2024, WLF was observed on 28 January and in 2026, WLD will be observed on 25th January

The theme for WLD 2025 is “Unite. Act. Eliminate.” which highlights the need to urge governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGO’s), and individuals to work together and eliminate the disease & its associated stigma

Answer 105

A

Geneva, Switzerland

April 7, 1948

Answer 106

A

The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust (International Holocaust Remembrance Day) is observed annually on 27 January across the
globe to honor the memory of victims of the Holocaust, also known as the Shoah.

The theme of International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust
2025 is, “Holocaust remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights.”

Answer 107

A

Paris, France
1945

New York, the United States of America (USA)
1945

Answer 108

A

‘Samman Sanjeevani‘ app

The app ensures timely delivery of services by collecting beneficiary data and updating monthly
benefits.
It will track the scheme’s facilities to make sure beneficiaries receive their benefits on time.

i. Under the ‘Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana,’ sanitary napkins are distributed to women and girls aged 10 to 45 years from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
ii. These benefits are provided through Anganwadi centers and schools.
iii. The Minister also highlighted that the WCD Department is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme, with various programs planned to promote women’s empowerment and
raise awareness about the importance of daughters

Answer 109

A

Odisha

The report mentioned that Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Goa and Gujarat have consistently been the top performing states across time periods considered in the study.

About Fiscal Heath Index (FHI) 2025:

i. The report provides a comprehensive evaluation of the fiscal health of 18 major Indian states that drive the Indian economy in terms of their contribution to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), demography,
total expenditure, revenues, and overall fiscal stability.
* It also provides in-depth information about state-specific challenges and areas for improvement.

ii. The report ranked states based on 5 key sub-indices such as: Quality of Expenditure, Revenue
Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence, Debt Index, and Debt Sustainability.

iii. The report has sourced data from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India to calculate the FHI of states

Among the 5 key sub-indices of the report, Odisha has topped the debt index (99.0) and
debt sustainability (64.0) rankings with better than average scores under Quality of Expenditure (52) and Revenue Mobilisation (69.9).
The report outlined certain factors responsible for good fiscal health of state Odisha are: low
fiscal deficits, a good debt profile, and an above average capital outlay or GSDP ratio.
According to the report, Jharkhand has shown improvement in its fiscal health. It has improved its
ranking from 10th position (in the period of 2015-19 to 2021-22) to 4th position (in 2022-23).
This improvement is mainly attributed to better revenue mobilization, enhanced fiscal prudence,
and stronger debt sustainability.

The report observed that most South Indian states have performed poor in managing their finances. It
has specifically highlighted 3 southern states i.e. AP, Kerala and TN, which have performed worse in the
rankings as they scored below 30 out 100

Answer 110

A

The UCC aims to unify personal laws related to marriage, divorce, succession, and inheritance,
ensuring equality for all citizens, excluding those from Scheduled Tribes (ST).

Answer 111

A

Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)

Answer 112

A

Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO)

Answer 113

A

Indore (Madhya Pradesh, MP) and Udaipur (Rajasthan)

With this, the total number of accredited Wetland Cities has reached 74.
This accreditation was granted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization(UNESCO) under the Ramsar Convention. It is valid for 6 years to promotes the
conservation and sustainable use of urban wetlands, ensuring ecological and socio-economic benefits for local populations.

Answer 114

A

Iran ; 85

Answer 115

A

‘Anuja’

The film is backed by Indian actress Priyanka Chopra and producer Guneet Monga as executive producer, with Hollywood star-writer Mindy Kaling as producer.
This marks Guneet Monga’s third Oscar nomination, after ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ and ‘Period: End of Sentence’, both of which won Academy Awards

Answer 116

A

The ePlane Company

With this certification, ePlane strengthens its position as a pioneer in Advanced Air Mobility
(AAM) in India

Answer 117

A

Rakesh Sharma

Answer 118

A

Jay Shah

Jay Shah is among the 13 founding members of the newly formed advisory board of World Cricket Connects (WCC), which will be chaired by former Sri Lanka skipper and MCC president Kumar Sangakkara

Answer 119

A

Sanghamitra Chakraborty

Answer 120

A

The United Nations(UN’s) International Day of Clean Energy is observed annually on 26 January across the globe to raise awareness and encourage action toward a fair and inclusive transition to clean energy, benefiting both people and the planet.

26th January 2025 marks the observance of the 2nd International Day of Clean Energy.

Note: Clean energy is crucial in reducing Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and ensuring that communities
have access to reliable power sources.

Answer 121

A

International Customs Day (ICD) is observed annually on January 26 across the globe to highlight the vital
role of customs officials and customs agencies in maintaining security, trade compliance, and major anti-smuggling achievements. This day also commemorates the inaugural session of the Customs Cooperation
Council (CCC) (now World Customs Organization, WCO) held in Brussels, Belgium in 1953.

26 January 2025 marks the 72nd anniversary of WCO, an intergovernmental body dedicated to enhancing customs administrations worldwide.

The theme for ICD 2025 is “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity.”

This theme highlights the ongoing dedication of customs authorities in improving the efficiency of global trade, ensuring security, and fostering economic growth

Answer 122

A

10

The scheme was launched by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on January 22, 2015 as part of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign in Panipat(Haryana).
The Department of Economic Affairs(DEA) under the Ministry of Finance is responsible for the SSY.

Answer 123

A

‘SANJAY’

It has been indigenously and jointly developed by the Indian Army (IA) and
Bengaluru(Karnataka) based Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), establishing a favorable environment for the realization of “Aatmanirbharta” as a sequel to the IA’s “Year of Technology Absorption.”
This system has been developed under the Buy (Indian) category at a cost of Rs 2,402 crore

Answer 124

A

United Kingdom (UK)

The primary focus of the renewed partnership is a shared vision for Universal Health Coverage.
The partnership aims to tackle global health challenges such as Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), digital health innovations, and advancements in
pharmaceuticals

Answer 125

A

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

The project cost is estimated at Rs.25 crore under which BEE will provide a financial support of Rs.5 crore annually for 5 years for assisting in the establishment and functioning of the Centre.

TERI will provide its existing infrastructure at its Hyderabad campus and will monitor the operational activities of the Centre

Answer 126

A

the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad(Telangana)

i. The platform, developed under the Ministry of Textiles (MoT), is designed to offer trend insights
specifically for India’s fashion and retail industry.
ii. VisionNxt aims to reduce India’s dependency on international trend forecasting agencies by using India’s strengths in Information Technology (IT) and textiles.

Answer 127

A

4th

Note: These top four military powers—USA, Russia, China, and India—have consistently held their ranks since 2006.

The GFP 2025 evaluates the military capabilities of 145 countries based on more than 60 factors.

i. The factors include troop strength, military hardware, economic stability, geographic positioning across
land, sea air and access to natural resources.

ii. The ranking assigns a Power Index (PwrIndx) score, where a score of 0.0000 is considered perfect. The system also accounts for smaller, technologically advanced nations, allowing them to compete with larger
but less developed countries.

Answer 128

A

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, Karnataka

Last year, IISc Bengaluru, was ranked in the 251-300 range and still led Indian universities in this field.
University of Oxford (the United Kingdom, UK) has topped among all universities followed by the
University of Cambridge (UK), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology(the United States of America, USA).

Answer 129

A

11% ; 13%

Answer 130

A

10 Financial Services Limited (formerly Abhishek Securities Limited)

As a result, the company is no longer allowed to operate as an NBFC.

i. The company violated guidelines related to outsourcing financial services by allowing external service
providers (SPs) to handle key tasks such as credit appraisal, setting interest rates, and Know Your Customer (KYC) verification.
ii. The company had been offering loans through several mobile applications (apps), including Wecash
Technology, XNP Technology, Yarlung Technology, Xinrui International, Omelette Technology, Mad-Elephant
Network Technology, and Huidatech Technology

Answer 131

A

Micheal Martin

Answer 132

A

Janet E. Petro

Answer 133

A

GalaxEye Space Solutions Private Limited

This mission marks the world’s 1st-ever integration of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical imagery in orbit.
This first-of-its-kind integration of SAR and optical imagery addresses critical needs in sectors
such as defence,
agriculture, and disaster response.

Answer 134

A

National Voters’ Day (NVD) is observed annually across India on 25th January, commemorating the foundation of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 1950. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of voting and to encourage active participation in the electoral process and to promote voter
registration, especially among the youth

The theme of NVD 2025 is “Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For Sure”, a continuation of the 2024 theme

Answer 135

A

National Tourism Day is observed annually across India on January 25 to highlight the significance of
tourism in India’s economy. The day emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural heritage and
promoting various tourist destinations across India.

The theme for National Tourism Day 2025 is “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”.
This theme aligns with India’s broader tourism vision, Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s
largest religious gatherings, being held from January 13 to February 26, 2024, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

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Jan '25 - From Jan 22 Flashcards

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