December 18 Trivia Current Affairs Quiz

Competitive exams like SSC, Banking, Railways, and state-level tests serve as stepping stones to prestigious careers in government and public sectors. These exams evaluate a candidate’s expertise in reasoning, quantitative aptitude, general knowledge, and current affairs. Among these, current affairs play a crucial role by gauging an aspirant’s awareness of key national and international events, policies, and developments. Keeping up with the latest news not only improves general knowledge but also strengthens performance in the general awareness section, often a critical factor in surpassing cutoffs.

Q1. Who clinched the title of Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2024?

(a) China

(b) Japan

(c) S. Korea

(d) India

Q2. Annual Pensioners Day observed on which day?

(a) 15th December

(b) 16th December

(c) 17th December

(d) 18th December

Q3.ISRO recently completed a sea-level hot test of which cryogenic engine?

(a) Semi Cryogenic

(b) Dhawan 1

(c) CE 20

(d) CE 7.5

Q4. By what year is India’s data centre market expected to exceed $100 billion in investments?

(a) 2025

(b) 2026

(c) 2027

(d) 2028

Q5. How much has the Indian government collected through minority stake sale disinvestment transactions in the 2024-25 financial year so far?

(a) ₹7,500 crore

(b) ₹8,625 crore

(c) ₹9,000 crore

(d) ₹10,000 crore

Q6. Which of the following cities are dominating India’s data centre industry?

(a) Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, and Bengaluru

(b) Pune, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Ahmedabad

(c) Kolkata, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Surat

(d) Kochi, Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Ahmedabad

Q7. Where will the 2024 edition of the Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise (SLINEX) be held?

(a) Colombo

(b) Kochi

(c) Visakhapatnam

(d) Chennai

Q8. Which institution signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Navy to enhance education, research, and training in logistics?

(a) IIT Delhi

(b) Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV)

(c) Indian Institute of Management (IIM)

(d) National Defence University

Q9. Where was the GSI Geoscience Museum inaugurated?

(a) Bhopal

(b) Gwalior

(c) Jaipur

(d) Delhi

Q10. Who has been appointed as the new Country Manager and Vice President for Google India?

(a) Sanjay Gupta

(b) Sundar Pichai

(c) Preeti Lobana

(d) Shantanu Narayen

S1. Ans. (d) 

Sol. The Indian women’s junior hockey team successfully defended their title at the Women’s Junior Asia Cup by beating China 3-2 in the final in Muscat. After a 1-1 draw in regulation time, India won in a penalty shoot-out. With this victory, India qualified for the 2025 FIH Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup in Chile, alongside China, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia.

Correct Answer: India

Key Points: 

• South Korea won the tournament the most number of times.

S2. Ans. (c)
Sol. Pensioners Day, observed annually on 17th December in India, is a tribute to D.S. Nakara, the pioneer who fought relentlessly for the rights and dignity of pensioners. This day commemorates the landmark Supreme Court judgment of 1982, which guaranteed equality and justice for retired officials and pensioners.

Correct Answer: 17th December

Key Points: 

• This day commemorates the landmark Supreme Court judgment of 1982.

S3. Ans. (c)

Sol. On December 12, 2024, ISRO successfully completed a critical milestone with the sea-level hot test of its CE20 cryogenic engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu. This test, conducted on November 29, 2024, was a crucial step for upcoming space missions and demonstrated the engine’s restart-enabling systems under ambient conditions. 

Correct Answer: CE20 Cryogenic Engine

Key Points: 

• Developed By: The CE-20 is a cryogenic rocket engine developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), a subsidiary of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• Power: The high thrust cryogenic engine is the most powerful upper stage cryogenic engine in operational service

S4.Ans. (c) 

Sol. India’s data centre market is expected to exceed $100 billion by 2027, a significant increase from $60 billion invested between 2019 and 2024. It marks a massive leap from the $60 billion invested between 2019 and 2024. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have emerged as the primary hubs for data centre development, with Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, and Bengaluru dominating the industry.

Correct Answer: Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, and Bengaluru 2027

Key Points: 

• State-Level Policies: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana have defined data centres as “essential services” and offer infrastructure support.
• Investment Statistics: India attracted $60 billion in data centre investments from 2019 to 2024.
• 475 MW of additional capacity under construction for 2025.

S5. Ans. (b)

Sol. The Indian government has collected ₹8,625 crore through minority stake sale disinvestment transactions during the current financial year 2024-25.  While no specific disinvestment target has been set for FY25, the government continues its policy of strategic disinvestment and privatization, aiming to enhance efficiency and economic potential in sectors where competitive markets have matured.

Correct Answer: Rupees 8,625 crore

Key Points: 

• Objective of Disinvestment: GoI Disinvestment Policy is to unlock the true value of the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) for all stakeholders and encourage people’s ownership in our State run Companies.

S6. Ans. (a)
Sol. Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, and Bengaluru are the primary cities dominating India’s data centre industry. India’s data centre market is undergoing a significant transformation, with investments expected to exceed $100 billion by 2027, marking a massive leap from the $60 billion invested between 2019 and 2024.

Correct Answer:

Key Points: 

• State-Level Policies: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana have defined data centres as “essential services” and offer infrastructure support.
• Investment Statistics: India attracted $60 billion in data centre investments from 2019 to 2024.
• 475 MW of additional capacity under construction for 2025.

S7. Ans. (c)
Sol. The 2024 edition of SLINEX will be held in Visakhapatnam under the auspices of the Eastern Naval Command. The Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise (SLINEX) is a significant annual event that fosters maritime cooperation between the two nations. Initiated in 2005, SLINEX has grown in scope and importance over the years, strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Sri Lanka. 

Correct Answer: Visakhapatnam

Key Points: 

• Significance: Strengthening maritime cooperation, Enhancing interoperability and Promoting a safe, secure, and rules-based maritime environment.
• Objective: Reinforce maritime ties between India and Sri Lanka and to Contribute to regional security in the Indian Ocean region

S8. Ans. (b)
Sol. Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) signed an MoU with the Indian Navy to enhance education, research, and training in logistics. This collaboration is aimed at strengthening the logistics capabilities of the Indian Navy, focusing on key areas like supply chain management, multimodal transportation, and sustainability. 

Correct Answer: Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV)

Key Points: 

• GSV Location: Vadodara, Gujarat
• Campus: Urban
• Chancellor: Minister of Railways
• Motto: Gyaanasya Abhyaasam Kuru
• Vice-Chancellor: Dr. Manoj Choudhary

Indian Navy

• Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
• Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS): Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan
• Navy Master Chief Petty Officer: Dilbahadur Chhetri

S9. Ans. (b)
Sol. The GSI Geoscience Museum was inaugurated in Gwalior, housed in the historic Victoria Market Building. The museum, housed in the historic Victoria Market Building, serves as a hub of knowledge and a tribute to Earth’s geological wonders. The event celebrated the fusion of tradition with modern innovation and showcased the significant contributions of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in exploring the nation’s geological resources.

Correct Answer: Gwalior

Key Points: 

• Museum Role: Serves as an educational hub for researchers, educators, and geoscience enthusiasts. Promotes sustainable development through geological knowledge.

S10. Ans. (c)
Sol. Preeti Lobana has been appointed as Google’s new Country Manager and Vice President for India. This strategic move comes as Google aims to bolster its presence and commitment to India’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

Correct Answer: Preeti Lobana

Key Points: 

• CEO Of Google: Sundar Pichai
• HQ: California, United States