Today’s Trivia Takedown 21st December, GA Quiz

Current affairs hold significant importance in competitive exams such as SSC, Defence, State Exams, and Railways. A dedicated section tests aspirants on recent happenings, policy updates, international developments, and advancements in science. Regularly staying informed helps candidates approach this section with confidence and secure better marks.

Q1. On which day Goa Liberation Day is annually celebrated?

(a) 18th December

(b) 19th December

(c) 20th December

(d) 21st December

Q2. Who has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in 2025?

(a) Shah Rukh Khan

(b) Amitabh Bachchan

(c) MS Dhoni

(d) Salman Khan

Q3. Which country set a new global record for the longest spacewalk?

(a) Russia

(b) China

(c) USA

(d) India

Q4. On which day SSB celebrates its raising day?

(a) 18th December

(b) 19th December

(c) 20th December

(d) 21st December

Q5. Who was crowned Miss India USA 2024?

(a) Priya Sharma

(b) Caitlin Sandra Neil

(c) Aishwarya Rao

(d) Neha Gupta

Q6.  Which ministry has partnered with France Museums Développement (FMD) to develop the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum?

(a) Ministry of External Affairs

(b) Ministry of Culture

(c) Ministry of Tourism

(d) Ministry of Education

Q7. Who has been reappointed as Nepal’s Resident Ambassador to India?

(a) Netra Prasad Timilsina

(b) Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma

(c) Ram Chandra Paudel

(d) Shree Krishna Shrestha

Q8. Which political party was Om Prakash Chautala associated with during his political career?

(a) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

(b) Indian National Congress (INC)

(c) Indian National Lok Dal (INLD)

(d) Communist Party of India (CPI)

Q9. Who authored the Hindi poetry book “Main Jab Tak Aai Bahar” which was recently honoured at Sahitya Akademi Award 2024?

(a) Gagan Gill

(b) Sameer Tanti

(c) K.V. Narayana

(d) Aron Raja

Q10. Where will the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum be located?

(a) Chennai

(b) Mumbai

(c) New Delhi

(d) Bengaluru

S1. Ans. (b)
Sol. Goa Liberation Day is celebrated on December 19 every year to mark the freedom of Goa from Portuguese rule in 1961. This event symbolizes the end of 451 years of colonial rule and commemorates the bravery and sacrifices of the freedom fighters. 

Correct Answer: 19th December

Key Points: 

• Independence: Goa became a part of India on December 19, 1961, following the Indian Army’s Operation Vijay.
• Freedom Struggle: Goa citizens, influenced by India’s Satyagraha, participated in the freedom movement.
• Governor of Goa: Shri P.S. Sreedharan Pillai
• CM of Goa: Shri. Pramod Sawant
• Capital: Panaji

S2. Ans. (d)
Sol. The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) has officially appointed Bollywood superstar Salman Khan as the brand ambassador for the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup.

Correct Answer: Salman Khan

Key Points: 

• Event Dates & Location: January 13-19, 2025, in New Delhi
• Tournament Features: 21 men’s teams and 20 women’s teams from 24 countries.
• Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI): Governs Kho Kho in India and organizes national championships, collaborating with Ultimate Kho Kho.

S3. Ans. (b)

Sol. The new global record for the longest spacewalk was set by China when astronauts Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong completed a nine-hour extravehicular activity (EVA) outside the Tiangong space station.

Correct Answer: China

Key Points: 

• Record-Breaking Spacewalk: 9-hour extravehicular activity (EVA) by Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong.
• Previous Record: Surpassed the 8 hours 56 minutes by U.S. astronauts James Voss and Susan Helms (March 12, 2001).

S4. Ans. (c)
Sol. Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB) celebrates its raising day on 20th December. 

Correct Answer: 20th December

Key Points: 

• Background: SSB, formerly known as Special Service Bureau, was raised on March 15, 1963, after the 1962 India- China war.
• Date Change: Its Raising Day was changed to Dec 20 through an act of Parliament in 2007.
• Director General: Amrit Mohan Prasad
• Headquarters: New Delhi

S5. Ans. (b)

Sol. Caitlin Sandra Neil, a 19-year-old Indian-American teenager, was crowned Miss India USA 2024 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey.

Correct Answer: Caitlin Sandra Neil 

Key Points: 

• Miss India USA Winner: Caitlin Sandra Neil (19, Chennai-born, student at UC Davis; focuses on women’s empowerment and literacy).
• First Runner-Up: Nirali Desia (Illinois).
• Second Runner-Up: Manini Patel (New Jersey).
• Participants: 47 contestants from 25 states.
• Event Organizer: India Festival Committee (IFC).

S6. Ans. (b)

Sol. The Ministry of Culture has partnered with France Museums Développement (FMD) to develop the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum.

Correct Answer: Ministry of Culture

Key Points: 

• France’s Expertise: Inspired by France’s “Grands Projets,” including the Louvre, Grand Palais, and Hôtel de la Marine.
• Central Vista Connection: Part of the larger Central Vista Redevelopment Project in New Delhi.
• Minister of Culture: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

S7. Ans. (b)

Sol. Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma has been reappointed as Nepal’s Resident Ambassador to India.

Correct Answer: Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma

Key Points: 

• India’s Ambassador to Nepal: Mr. Naveen Srivastava
• Capital of Nepal: Kathmandu
• PM: KP Sharma Oli

S8. Ans. (c)

Sol. Om Prakash Chautala was a key figure in the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), a party he helped lead and shape in Haryana.

Correct Answer: Indian National Lok Dal (INLD)

Key Points: 

• Om Prakash Chautala: Passed away on December 20, 2024, due to cardiac arrest.
• Terms: Served as CM of Haryana for five terms (1989-2005)

S9. Ans. (a)

Sol. The Hindi poetry book “Main Jab Tak Aai Bahar” was written by Gagan Gill and this book was honored at Sahitya Akademi Award 2024. 

Correct Answer: Gagan Gill

Key Points: 

• Selections: The books were selected based on recommendations made by a Jury of three members for each language.
• The selection procedure involves unanimous decisions by the Juries or majority votes.
• Time Period: The Awards pertain to books first published between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2022.
• Each award consists of,
• A casket containing an engraved copper plaque.
• A shawl.
• ₹1,00,000/- as cash content.

S10. Ans. (c)

Sol. The Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum will span across the North and South Blocks in New Delhi.

Correct Answer: New Delhi

Key Points: 

• Minister of Culture: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
• France President: Emmanuel Macron
• External Affairs Minister: S. Jaishankar