Exams like SSC, Banking, Railways, and state-level tests provide opportunities for securing esteemed government jobs. These assessments evaluate skills in reasoning, quantitative aptitude, general awareness, and current events. Keeping up with current affairs is crucial, as it enhances general knowledge and boosts scores in the general awareness section, a key area for meeting the cutoff marks.
Q1. International Day of Epidemic Preparedness observed annually on which day?
(a) 25th December
(b) 26th December
(c) 27th December
(d) 28th December
Q2. In which year Indian Government announced to celebrate Veer Bal Divas on December 26 Annually?
(a) 2020
(b) 2022
(c) 2023
(d) 2017
Q3. Who was appointed as the Governor of Manipur by The President of India?
(a) Arif Mohammed Khan
(b) Ajay Kumar Bhalla
(c) General Dr. Vijay Kumar Singh
(d) Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Q4. What does Ladakhi Losar mark in the Tibetan calendar?
(a) The start of spring
(b) The harvest season
(c) The winter solstice
(d) The New Year
Q5. What is the primary goal of the Ken-Betwa river-linking project?
(a) To promote tourism in Bundelkhand
(b) To improve water access and irrigation in Bundelkhand
(c) To generate hydropower in the region
(d) To reduce flood risks in the region
Q6. Who has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Tonga?
(a) Aisake Valu Eke
(b) Siaosi Sovaleni
(c) Tupou VI
(d) Akilisi Pohiva
Q7. Where was Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s statue unveiled?
(a) Varanasi
(b) Delhi
(c) Kudiya Ghat, Lucknow
(d) Patna
Q8. When is Good Governance Day observed in India?
(a) November 14
(b) December 25
(c) October 2
(d) January 26
Q9. What is the name of IndiGo’s CSR initiative that launched the Zero Waste Airport Project?
(a) IndiGoCare
(b) IndiGoSustain
(c) IndiGoGreen
(d) IndiGoReach
Q10. Who has been appointed as the new Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance?
(a) Ajay Seth
(b) Arunish Chawla
(c) Sanjay Malhotra
(d) Rajesh Kumar Singh
S1. Ans. (c)
Sol. The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, observed annually on December 27, serves as a global reminder of the critical importance of investing in public health systems to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
Correct Answer: 27th December
Key Points:
- Established By: United Nations General Assembly (December 7, 2020)
- Purpose: Raise awareness and promote epidemic prevention and preparedness efforts
- Key Objectives: Education, awareness, global partnerships, and strengthening health systems
S2. Ans. (b)
Sol. In 2022, PM of India on the birth anniversary of Shri guru Gobind Singh announced that Veer Bal Divas will be observed annually on December 26 to commemorate the unparalleled sacrifice of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh.
Correct Answer: 2022
Key Points:
- Purpose: Commemorates the sacrifice of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, Guru Gobind Singh’s sons.
- Date: December 26 (fixed by the Government of India).
- Historical Context: Tortured and martyred by Wazir Khan, the Mughal Governor of Sirhind, for refusing to convert to Islam.
S3. Ans. (b)
Sol. Ajay Kumar Bhalla was appointed as the Governor of Manipur. He replaced Anusuiya Uikey and has significant experience, having previously served as Union Home Secretary.
Correct Answer: Ajay Kumar Bhalla
Key Points:
- Replaces: Anusuiya Uikey
- Background: Former Union Home Secretary with a distinguished career as a 1984-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
- Retired on August 22, 2024, after over five years in the position, making him one of the longest-serving Home Secretaries.
S4. Ans. (d)
Sol. Ladakhi Losar is celebrated as the New Year festival in the Tibetan calendar, marking the beginning of a new year.
Correct Answer: The New Year
Key Points:
- Event: Losar, Ladakhi New Year celebrations
- Festivities: Cultural performances, choirs, market promotions, traditional dishes, and community feasts
- Purpose: Preservation of traditions, fostering pride, enriching tourist experience
S5. Ans. (b)
Sol. The primary goal of the Ken-Betwa river-linking project is to address water scarcity issues in Bundelkhand by channeling water from the Ken River to the Betwa, which will improve water access for millions and boost agricultural irrigation.
Correct Answer: To improve water access and irrigation in Bundelkhand
Key Points:
- Project Cost: ₹44,605 crore
- Beneficiaries: 65 lakh people (drinking water), 7.18 lakh farmers (irrigation benefits) in MP and UP
- Region Covered: Bundelkhand (spanning Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh)
- Static Points (Madhya Pradesh): Capital: Bhopal; CM: Mohan Yadav ; Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel
S6. Ans. (a)
Sol. Aisake Valu Eke has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Tonga following the resignation of Siaosi Sovaleni.
Correct Answer: Aisake Valu Eke
Key Points:
- Tonga elects new Prime Minister: Aisake Valu Eke elected as Prime Minister after Siaosi Sovaleni’s resignation.
- Sovaleni’s resignation: Resigned due to tensions with King Tupou VI; faced no-confidence vote.
- Eke’s election result: Eke secured 16 votes, Viliami Latu received 8 votes in secret parliamentary ballot.
- Tonga’s population: Approximately 106,000 people.
- Prime Minister’s term: Eke will serve until elections in November 2025.
S7. Ans. (c)
Sol. The statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee was unveiled at Kudiya Ghat, located along the Gomti River in Lucknow.
Correct Answer: Kudiya Ghat, Lucknow
Key Points:
- Event: Unveiling of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s statue at Kudiya Ghat, Lucknow.
- Date & Venue: December 25, 2024, Kudiya Ghat, Gomti River, Lucknow.
- Unveilers: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and UP CM Yogi Adityanath.
- Special Recognition: Sculptor Amarpal Singh felicitated for creating the statue.
- Ceremonial Highlights: Rajnath Singh led the ‘Atal Sankalp’ pledge.
S8. Ans. (b)
Sol. Good Governance Day is observed annually on December 25 in India, which also marks the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Correct Answer: December 25
Key Points:
- Good Governance Day (Sushashan Diwas): Observed annually on December 25 to raise awareness about government accountability, marking the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- History and Significance: Established in 2014 to commemorate Vajpayee’s birth anniversary, after he was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna.
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Birth: Born on December 25, 1924. He was a man of the masses, elected to Parliament for 47 years, and served as Prime Minister in three terms.
S9. Ans. (d)
Sol. IndiGoReach is the CSR initiative launched by IndiGo that initiated the Zero Waste Airport Project at Indore Airport.
Correct Answer: IndiGoReach
Key Points:
- Objective: Minimize environmental impact through sustainable waste management.
- 4R Strategy: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover to manage airport waste.
- Key Partners: IndiGo, Airports Authority of India, AAS Foundation, Indore
- Community Benefits: Job creation, reduced landfill dependence, long-term sustainability.
S10. Ans. (b)
Sol. Arunish Chawla, a senior IAS officer of the 1992 batch from the Bihar cadre, has been appointed as the new Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance.
Correct Answer: Arunish Chawla
Key Points:
- Arunish Chawla appointed as Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance
- Arunish Chawla, a 1992-batch IAS officer from Bihar, replaces Ajay Seth as Revenue Secretary.
- Chawla was serving as Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
- Chawla will continue holding the additional charge of Secretary, Ministry of Culture.