Quiz Time 8th January Current Affairs Highlights

Competitive exams like SSC, Banking, Railways, and state-level tests, conducted at various times, are crucial for securing government jobs. These exams evaluate candidates on reasoning, quantitative aptitude, general knowledge, and current affairs. Regular updates on current events are vital, as general awareness plays a key role in success.

Q1. Which Player became the first male footballer (Soccer) to receive the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom from the United States?

(a) Cristiano Ronaldo

(b) Lionel Messi

(c) Diego Maradona

(d) David Beckham

Q2. Who has been appointed as the new CEO of the Delhi Waqf Board?

(a) Manoj Kumar

(b) Dinesh Sharma

(c) Azimul Haque

(d) Anil Baijal

Q3. What is the reward amount announced by the Tamil Nadu government for deciphering the Indus Valley script?

(a) $500,000

(b) $750,000

(c) $1 million

(d) $2 million

Q4.  As of January 2025, India’s metro rail network ranks ______ in the world in terms of size.

(a) First

(b) Second

(c) Fourth

(d) Third

Q5. The BHARATPOL portal has been developed by which agency?

(a) National Investigation Agency (NIA)

(b) Intelligence Bureau (IB)

(c) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

(d) Ministry of Home Affairs

Q6. The inaugural census of coastal and wader birds in India was conducted in which park and sanctuary?

(a) Marine National Park and Sanctuary, Jamnagar

(b) Sundarbans National Park

(c) Kaziranga National Park

(d) Gir National Park

Q7. What is the name of the AI-powered pulse diagnostic device developed by Atreya Innovations?

(a) Ayur Pulse

(b) Nadi Tarangini

(c) PulseAI

(d) Ayurveda Nadi Tech

Q8. Where was India’s first-ever organic fisheries cluster launched?

(a) Kerala

(b) Sikkim

(c) Assam

(d) West Bengal

Q9. Which country topped the list for the most cyberattacks in 2024?

(a) Israel

(b) China

(c) United States

(d) India

Q10. Which State announced the sponsorship deal for the Indian national kho kho team?

(a) Odisha

(b) Maharashtra

(c) Tamil Nadu

(d) Uttar Pradesh

S1. Ans. (b)

Sol. Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentina men’s football team, was honoured with the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the country’s highest civilian award. He became the first male footballer to achieve this milestone.

Correct Answer: Lionel Messi

Key Points:

• The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honour in the United States.
• The medal is given to individuals who contribute to U.S. prosperity, values, security, world peace, or other significant societal contributions.
• Messi is the first men’s footballer (soccer player) to receive this prestigious award.
• He is the second footballer overall, after Megan Rapinoe (Female), who received the award in 2022.
• The medal was presented by U.S. President Joe Biden at a ceremony.

S2. Ans. (c)

Sol. IAS officer Azimul Haque has been appointed as the CEO of the Delhi Waqf Board. His appointment was approved by Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena.

Correct Answer: Azimul Haque

Key Points: 

• Appointment of Delhi Waqf Board CEO
• Appointed CEO: Azimul Haque, IAS officer
• Approval Authority: Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena
• Legal Requirement: Section 23 of Delhi Waqf Act, 1995: Panel of two names to be recommended by the Board

S3. Ans. (c)

Sol. The Tamil Nadu government announced a $1 million prize for those who can successfully decipher the Indus Valley script.

Correct Answer: $1 million

Key Points:

• Tamil Nadu CM Announces $1 Million Prize for Deciphering Indus Valley Script
• Prize Announcement: $1 million for deciphering the Indus Valley script
• Significance: Indus Valley predated Aryan Civilisation; likely Dravidian language

S4. Ans. (d)

Sol. India’s metro rail network is the third-largest in the world, following China and the United States.

Correct Answer: Third

Key Points:

• India achieved over 1,000 km of operational metro rail network, becoming the world’s third-largest metro system after China and the US.
• First Indian Metro System: Kolkata Metro, inaugurated in 1984, was India’s first metro rail system.
• Largest Metro Network in India: Delhi Metro, operational since 2002, spans 395 km.
• States with Metro Rail Services: Metro services operate in 11 states and 23 cities.

S5. Ans. (c)

Sol. The BHARATPOL portal has been developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which serves as the National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL in India.

Correct Answer: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

Key Points:

• Launch of BHARATPOL Portal
• Launched By: Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah
• Developed By: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
• Purpose: Facilitate real-time international police assistance
• Access: CBI’s official website
• Key Focus Areas: Cybercrime, financial crimes, online radicalization, organized crimes, drug trafficking, human trafficking
• CBI’s Role: National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL in India

S6. Ans. (a)

Sol. The census of coastal and wader birds was conducted at the Marine National Park and Sanctuary, located in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Correct Answer: Marine National Park and Sanctuary, Jamnagar

Key Points:

• India’s first-ever census of coastal and wader birds conducted in Jamnagar, Gujarat (January 3-5, 2025)
• Census conducted in Marine National Park and Sanctuary, Jamnagar (Gujarat)
• Participants: Over 100 bird watchers, experts, and researchers from across India
• Coastline covered: From Okha to Navlakhi (170 km)
• Wetland areas included: Narara, Khijadiya, Mulvel, Poshitra, Charakala

S7. Ans. (b)

Sol. The AI-powered pulse diagnostic device developed by Atreya Innovations is called Nadi Tarangini.

Correct Answer: Nadi Tarangini

Key Points:

• Nadi Tarangini – India’s First Ayurvedic Diagnostic Device Approved by CDSCO
• Approval Authority: Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
• Price: ₹55,000
• Manufacturer: Atreya Innovations, Hinjewadi, Pune
• Development Period: Over six years of research at IIT Bombay
• Key Technology: AI-powered pulse diagnostic device using piezoelectric sensors
• Functionality: Analyzes 22 Ayurvedic parameters, including Tridosha balance

S8. Ans. (b)

Sol. India’s first-ever organic fisheries cluster was launched in Soreng District, Sikkim.

Correct Answer: Sikkim

Key Points:

• Centre Launches India’s First Organic Fisheries Cluster in Sikkim
• Launch of Organic Fisheries Cluster: First organic fisheries cluster launched in Soreng District, Sikkim, focusing on eco-friendly, chemical-free, and antibiotic-free fish farming.
• Government Support: Aims to boost farmer incomes and promote sustainability in aquaculture, aligning with Sikkim’s organic farming vision.
• Sustainable Practices: Focus on ecologically healthy fish farming, avoiding chemicals, antibiotics, and pesticides, ensuring minimal environmental pollution.

S9. Ans. (c)

Sol. The United States topped the list with 140 attacks in 2024, according to the CloudSEK ThreatLandscape Report.

Correct Answer: United States

Key Points:

• India ranked second globally for cyberattacks after the United States according to the CloudSEK ThreatLandscape Report.
• 95 entities in India were affected by cyberattacks.
• The Banking and Finance sector was the most targeted, with 20 victims.
• Top attack groups: Lockbit, Killsec, and Ransomhub.
• Significant Data Breaches: Over 850 million records from Hi-Tek Group, and large-scale data leaks from Star Health & Telecom Consultants India.

S10. Ans. (a)

Sol. The sponsorship deal for the Indian national kho kho team was announced/declared by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Correct Answer: Odisha

Key Points:

• The Odisha government announced a ₹15 crore, three-year sponsorship for the Indian kho kho team.
• Funds will be provided by the Odisha Mining Corporation, and the deal covers January 2025 to December 2027.
• This coincides with the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup in January 2025 in New Delhi.
• Funding Entity: Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC)
• Sponsorship Duration: 3 years (January 2025 – December 2027)
• Funding Amount: ₹15 crore (₹5 crore annually)