- Which is the partner country at the 3rd World Food India 2024?
(A) Japan
(B) Russia
(C) Ukraine
(D) Maldives
(E) Israel
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
The 3rd edition of World Food India 2024 is being held from 19-22 September 2024 in New Delhi.
Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat are the partner states for this edition.
Japan is the partner country, while Vietnam and Iran are the focus countries.
The theme of the event is “Processing for Prosperity.”
The 2nd edition of the Global Food Regulators Summit will take place on 20-21 September 2024, organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The first World Food India was held in 2017, followed by the second in 2023.
- In which city did President Murmu participate in the Safai Mitra Sammelan, held as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva—2024 campaign?
(A) New Delhi
(B) Meerut
(C) Ujjain
(D) Chennai
(E) Kochi
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
President Droupadi Murmu attended the Safai Mitra Sammelan in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on 19 September 2024.
The Safai Mitra Sammelan was organized as part of the fortnightly Swachhata Hi Seva—2024 campaign launched by the Government of India.
This year’s campaign focuses on honoring sanitation workers’ contributions to the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav were also present at the event.
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar inaugurated the Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign on 17 September 2024 in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.
The campaign was launched as a prelude to Swachh Bharat Diwas on 2 October 2024.
- When is the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) anticipated to launch its Venus Orbiter Mission, also known as the Shukrayaan mission?
(A) 2030
(B) 2028
(C) 2032
(D) 2026
(E) 2040
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
The central government has approved the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) to study Venus.
The mission, also known as the Sukrayaan mission, was approved on 18 September 2024 during a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India will be the fifth country to send a spacecraft to Venus, after the Soviet Union, the United States, the European Union, and Japan.
The total budget for the Sukrayaan mission is ₹1,236 crore, with ₹824 crore allocated for spacecraft development.
The mission is expected to launch in March 2028, aligning Earth and Venus for optimal fuel usage.
The mission is expected to include scientific instruments from foreign countries.
- What is the total proposed outlay for the recently launched ‘Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE)’ scheme?
(A) ₹5,154 crore
(B) ₹7,578 crore
(C) ₹9,197 crore
(D) ₹10,333 crore
(E) ₹8,965 crore
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
The central government has approved the Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
The Bio-RIDE scheme merges two existing DBT schemes and introduces a new component: Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry.
The scheme will run from 2021-22 to 2025-26 during the 15th Finance Commission period.
The proposed outlay for the Bio-RIDE scheme is ₹9,197 crore for 2021-2026.
Components of the Bio-RIDE scheme include:
Biotechnology Research and Development
Industrial & Entrepreneurship Development
Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry
- How much amount has been allocated by the government for PM-Asha scheme to provide better prices to farmers?
(A) 40,000 Crores
(B) 25,000 Crores
(C) 30,000 Crores
(D) 35,000 Crores
(E) 45,000 Crores
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
The Modi government is implementing various schemes for the benefit of farmers in India.
Key schemes include Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, PM Kisan Yojana, Kisan Credit Card Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.
The PM Asha scheme has received approval to continue and expand its scope, with an outlay of ₹35,000 crore.
The scheme aims to provide farmers with favorable prices for their crops while also benefiting consumers.
It integrates the Price Support Scheme and Price Stabilization Fund to enhance implementation efficiency.
- Who has been named as the Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau?
(A) Satya Narayan
(B) Anurag Garg
(C) S K Chaturvedi
(D) Amit Trivedi
(E) B Pandu Ranga
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
In recent key appointments, Anurag Garg (IPS: 1993: HP) has been named as the Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) with tenure lasting until May 23, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has selected Brijendra Pratap Singh for the post of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO).
In another extension, the tenure of Satyendra Kumar (IPS: 2007: RJ), Director in the Ministry of Environment, has been prolonged by three months until December 24, 2024. His central deputation began on September 25, 2017.
Kim (IPS: 2008: BH) has been appointed as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for a five-year term.
Furthermore, Birendra Kumar Mishra (ISS: 2012) has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Minister of Panchayati Raj and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, until March 31, 2028.
- How much has the Centre sanctioned to various states for relief and rehabilitation of natural disaster-affected individuals this year?
(A) ₹12,554 crore
(B) ₹10,785 crore
(C) ₹11,856 crore
(D) ₹13,668 crore
(E) ₹14,978 crore
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
The Centre has sanctioned ₹12,554 crore to various states this year for relief and rehabilitation of individuals affected by natural disasters.
An additional ₹890.69 crore has been allocated to five states for expanding and strengthening fire services under the Scheme for Expansion and Modernisation of Fire Services.
Under the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Mitigation Programme, ₹150 crore has been allocated to Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh for risk mitigation measures.
₹2,514.36 crore has been sanctioned for integrated urban flood management projects to prepare solutions for urban flood management.
The ‘Yuva Aapda Mitra Scheme’ has been approved with an outlay of ₹470.50 crore, aiming to train 2.31 lakh volunteers from various organizations in disaster response.
- What is the name of the space station being developed under the revised Gaganyaan program?
(A) Gaganyaan Station
(B) Bharatiya Antariksh Station
(C) Indian Space Station
(D) Antariksh Kendra
(E) ISRO Orbital Station
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
The Union Cabinet has approved the development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) as part of the revised Gaganyaan program.
The target launch year for the first module is 2028.
The initiative includes additional missions to validate technologies for BAS.
The total funding allocated for the program is ₹20,193 crore.
The program aims to enhance India’s capabilities in microgravity research and foster innovation.
- Which country has been declared by WHO as the first to eliminate leprosy?
(A) India
(B) Brazil
(C) Thailand
(D) Jordan
(E) Nigeria
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
WHO declared Jordan as the first country to eliminate leprosy, marking a major public health milestone.
Jordan has not reported any local cases for over 20 years, leading to this declaration after an independent assessment.
Leprosy still affects over 120 countries, with more than 200,000 new cases annually.
WHO Director-General – Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
- Who has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian women’s football team?
(A) Santosh Kashyap
(B) Chaoba Devi
(C) Sunil Chhetri
(D) Anirudh Thapa
(E) Igor Stimac
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Santosh Kashyap has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian women’s national football team by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
He replaces former international player Chaoba Devi in this role.
His first major task is to lead the team in the SAFF Women’s Championships, scheduled to be held in Kathmandu, starting October 17, 2024.
Kashyap has prior coaching experience as an assistant coach at NorthEast United FC and Odisha FC in the Indian Super League.