Current Affairs Quiz Challenge 17th January Edition

Staying updated with current events is essential for success in competitive exams. Daily Current Affairs Quizzes help aspirants gauge their knowledge of significant developments in India and worldwide. Regular participation enhances understanding of key topics such as governance, economy, technology, and international affairs, critical for exams like SSC, Banking, and other government tests.

Q1. Which State government has announced a monthly pension of 20000/- for surviving detainees who were jailed during the Emergency period?

(a) Uttar Pradesh

(b) Bihar

(d) Odisha

Q2. Which Indian Women Cricketer smashed fastest ODI Century recently?

(a) Harmanpreet Kaur

(b) Jemimah Rodriguez

(d) Harleen Deol

Q3. Which branches of the Indian Armed Forces are involved in Exercise Devil Strike?

(a) Army and Navy only

(b) Army, Air Force, and Special Forces

(d) Army, Navy, and Coast Guard

Q4. Which fintech firm in the UAE has partnered with NIPL to integrate UPI into its payment system?

(a) PayFort

(b) Magnati

(d) EmaarPay

Q5. INS Nilgiri is the lead ship of which project?

(a) Project 15B

(b) Project 75

(d) Project 28

Q6. Which year has been designated as the ‘dual year’ for India and Spain?

(a) 2028

(b) 2025

(d) 2027

Q7. Kanuma Panduga festival celebrated in which part of India?

(a) Central India States

(b) Western India States

(d) North East India States

Q8. In the SpaDeX Mission of ISRO, what is the word ‘D’ Stands for?

(a) Docking

(b) Decking

(d) Design

Q9. Which two Indian private start-ups launched their satellites aboard a SpaceX rocket, marking a significant achievement for India’s space sector?

(a) Pixxel and Agnikul

(b) Digantara and Skyroot

(d) Dhruva Space and Bellatrix Aerospace

Q10. Which of the following is NOT a member of the Selection Committee for appointing the CEC and ECs?

(a) The Prime Minister

(b) The Chief Justice of India

(d) The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha

S1. Ans. (d)
Sol. The Odisha state government has announced a monthly pension of ₹20,000 along with medical coverage and other benefits for surviving detainees who were jailed during the Emergency period from 1975 to 1977.

Correct Answer: Odisha

Key Answer:

Pension Amount: ₹20,000 per month
Medical Benefits: Free medical treatment as per state health welfare provisions
Eligibility: Individuals jailed during Emergency (1975-1977) who are alive as of January 1, 2025
Application Process: Submit application to Collector and District Magistrate with affidavit, co-detainee details

S2. Ans. (c)
Sol. Smriti Mandhana scored a fastest century in just 70 deliveries as an Indian women cricketer against Ireland and broke the record of Harmanpreet’s 87 Ball Hundred.

Correct Answer: Smrit Mandhana

Key Answer:

Fastest Century: Mandhana scored 100 off 70 balls, breaking Harmanpreet Kaur’s 87-ball record.
10 ODI Centuries: First Indian woman; tied third on the all-time list with Tammy Beaumont.

S3. Ans. (b)

Sol. Exercise Devil Strike involves the Indian Army, Air Force, and Special Forces to ensure a coordinated approach to combat readiness.

Correct Answer: Army, Air Force, and Special Forces

Key Answer:

Exercise Devil Strike scheduled from January 16-19, 2025.
Joint exercise involving Army, Air Force, and Special Forces.
Focus on combat readiness and high-altitude warfare.
Conducted in the northern borders of India.
Past exercises like Exercise Shakti and Exercise Vajra Prahar for similar joint operations.
Objective: Enhance synchronization, operational capabilities, and response tactics.

S4. Ans. (b)

Sol. The UAE-based fintech firm Magnati has partnered with NIPL to integrate UPI into the UAE’s payment ecosystem.

Correct Answer: Magnati

Key Answer:

Partnership between NPCI International and Magnati to facilitate UPI payments in the UAE for Indian travelers.
First launch at Dubai Duty Free.
Over 12 million Indian visitors annually to benefit.
Expansion plans in retail, hospitality, and transport sectors in the UAE.
UPI is currently accepted in 7 countries (India, Bhutan, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, France).

S5. Ans. (c)

Sol. INS Nilgiri is the lead ship of Project 17A, aimed at developing advanced stealth frigates for the Indian Navy.

Correct Answer: Project 17A

Key Answer:

PM Modi commissions INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vagsheer
INS Surat: 4th ship of Project 15B, guided missile destroyer, built with 75% indigenous content.
INS Nilgiri: Lead ship of Project 17A, stealth frigate with BrahMos and MRSAM, two helicopter capacities.
INS Vagsheer: 6th submarine of Project 75, developed with Indo-French collaboration.

S6. Ans. (c)

Sol. 2026 has been designated as the ‘dual year’ to celebrate cultural, tourism, and AI advancements between India and Spain.

Correct Answer: 2026

Key Answer:

India and Spain announce 2026 as ‘dual year’ focused on culture, tourism, and AI collaboration.
Cultural Exchange: Includes art exhibitions, music and dance performances, literature festivals, and architectural collaborations.
Tourism Promotion: Focus on reciprocal visits, direct flight connections, and joint marketing campaigns for tourism.

S7. Ans. (c)
Sol. Kanuma Panduga is an essential festival celebrated in the southern states of India, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, coinciding with the Sankranti festival.

Correct Answer: Southern India

Key Answer:

Origin: Derived from Govardhan Puja; Honoring Lord Krishna’s intervention to protect cattle.
Rituals and Celebrations: Bathing and decorating cattle, bringing them to temples for worship, bullfights, traditional attire, and community gatherings.
Significance: Highlights the role of cattle in agriculture, connects to mythology, and fosters community spirit.

S8. Ans. (a)
Sol. Space Docking Experiment Mission is the full form of ISRO’s SpaDeX Mission.

Correct Answer: Docking

Key Answer:

ISRO Successfully Docks Satellites, Enters Elite Club
Satellites: SDX01 (Chaser), SDX02 (Target)
Purpose: Demonstrate autonomous docking technology

S9. Ans. (c)

Sol. Pixxel and Digantara launched their satellites on a SpaceX rocket, demonstrating India’s advancements in private space technology.

Correct Answer: Pixxel and Digantara

Key Answer:

These pioneering missions are aimed at addressing pressing global challenges such as agriculture, defence, and space sustainability. Pixxel’s launch introduces a constellation of satellites for advanced Earth observation.
Pixxel became the first Indian private company to deploy a constellation of hyperspectral imaging satellites.
The “Firefly” satellites provide high-resolution imagery in over 150 spectral bands, offering six times the resolution of standard systems.
Digantara launched SCOT (Space Camera for Object Tracking), the world’s first commercial satellite for tracking space objects as small as 5 cm in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

S10. Ans. (b)

Sol. The Selection Committee includes the Prime Minister, a Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, but not the Chief Justice of India.

Correct Answer: The Chief Justice of India

Key Answer:

The Indian government passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023, introducing a new process for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs).
Selection Committee Composition: Prime Minister, Cabinet Minister (nominated by PM), and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha.
Search Committee: Chaired by the Union Law Minister; includes two Secretary-level government officials.