Q1. Union Ayush Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal laid Foundation Stone of the Regional Research Institute For Homoeopathy at
Shillong
Guwahati
Agartala
Gangtok
Guwahati
Union Ayush Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone of the permanent campus of the Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy and Integrated Ayush Wellness Centre at Azara, Guwahati.
This Institute was established as a Clinical Research Unit of Homeopathy in 1984 in the rented building at Odalbakra, Guwahati. Presently it is situated at Bhetapara, Guwahati in the old building of Central Ayurveda Research Institute.
Q2. Which among the following cities has been declared as the cleanest city in India in Swachh Survekshan 2023?
Indore and Surat
Bhopal and Ambikapur
Nagpur and Mysore
Navi Mumbai and Chandrapur
Indore and Surat
Surat in Gujarat and Indore in Madhya Pradesh were jointly declared cleanest cities of the country at the annual clean city awards 2023. This was for the seventh year in a row that Indore has been ranked as the cleanest city in India.
Top Performers in Other Categories
Cities with Population under 1 Lakh: Sasvad, Patan, and Lonavala claimed the top three spots.
Cleanest Cantonment Board: Mhow Cantonment Board in Madhya Pradesh emerged as the top performer.
Cleanest Ganga Towns: Varanasi and Prayagraj received recognition as the best and cleanest Ganga towns.
Best Performing States: Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh secured the top three awards for their outstanding performance.
Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher: Chandigarh received the award for the Best Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher.
Q3. Who among the following has been elected as the 2nd time Prime Minister of Bhutan?
Tshering Tobgay
William Lai
Chogyal Dago Rigdzin
Lotay Tshering
Tshering Tobgay
Q4. Which bank has launched Green Rupee Term Deposit recently?
Punjab National Bank (PNB)
ICICI Bank
State Bank of India (SBI)
Axis Bank
State Bank of India (SBI)
The State Bank of India (SBI)has launched SBI Green Rupee Term Deposit in an effort to raise cash for funding green activities and projects, as well as to expand the country’s green finance ecosystem.
Q5. Who among the following has been appointed as the Executive Director of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)?
Govindayapalli Ram Mohan Rao
Madhabi Puri Buch
B N Sahoo
Arvind Singh
Govindayapalli Ram Mohan Rao
Q6. Which state transport corporation has recently launched India’s first 100% electric mobility electric bike (e-bike) taxi service, Baayu?
Uttar Pradesh
Bihar
[/bg_collapse]Assam
Odisha
Assam
The government of Assam has launched ‘Baayu’, an app-based electric bike taxi service by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC).
It is India’s first decentralized, app-based 100% electric bike taxi service that was flagged off by Assam Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya in Guwahati.
Q7. India’s first woman to receive the Arjuna Award for Equestrian Sports?
Hussain Khan
Indrajit Lamba
Darya Singh
Divyakriti Singh
Divyakriti Singh
Q8. What is the rank of India in the Henley Passport Index 2024?
56th
93rd
80th
91st
80th
India ranked 80th out of 199 countries in the Henley Passport Index 2024. In 2023, India was ranked 83rd.
The Henley Passport Index ranks countries based on the number of destinations that allow visa-free entry to their passport. India’s passport allows visa-free access to 62 destinations, including Thailand, Indonesia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Maldives.
The most powerful passports in the world in 2024 are Japanese, Singaporean, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Citizens of these countries can travel visa-free to 194 destinations.
Q9. Which initiative was launched by PM Narendra Modi to promote cleanliness at pilgrimage sites?
Swachh Mandir Campaign
Swachh Bharat Campaign
Swachh Nagar Campaign
Clean India Campaign
Swachh Mandir Campaign
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Swachh Mandir’ Campaign, a nationwide initiative focused on cleanliness at pilgrimage sites.
PM Modi has called for a nationwide initiative to make Ayodhya the cleanest city in India.
The campaign is inclusive and aims to involve all elected representatives, such as MPs, MLAs, and panchayat representatives, to work together for the success of the initiative.
Q10. Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated India’s first healthy and clean food street ‘Prasadam’ in
West Bengal
Gujarat
Kerala
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated India’s first healthy and clean food street ‘Prasadam’ at Neelkanth Van, Mahakal Lok, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
Q11. Sinomicrurus gorei, recently seen in the news, belongs to which species
Frog
Butterfly
Snake
Lizard
Snake
Researchers from Mizoram University’s zoology department have discovered a new species of coral snake in Mizoram naming it Sinomicrurus gorei after Dr. Gore.
Locally called ‘Rulṭhihna,’ it resembles the traditional Mizo amber necklace ‘Ṭhihna.
Q12. Which country will host UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in July 2024?
India
USA
Canada
Australia
India
India will host the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in New Delhi from July 21 to 31, 2024. This significant announcement was made by Vishal V Sharma, India’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO.
Q13. The government of which state has declared a new Conservation Reserve in the forest land of Sangli district namely Atpadi Conservation Reserve?
Andhra Pradesh
Maharashtra
Tamil Nadu
Haryana
Maharashtra
Q14. Rural Development Ministry signs pact with which bank to facilitate loans for SHGs?
State bank of India (SBI)
Punjab National Bank (PNB)
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)
Bandhan Bank
State bank of India (SBI)
The Rural Development Ministry signed a MoU with the State Bank of India (SBI) to streamline and facilitate enterprise financing for rural self-help groups (SHGs),
Q15. The International Camel Festival was started in which city?
Bikaner
Jaisalmer
Kutch
Surat
Bikaner
The International Camel Festival in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district started with a vibrant Heritage Walk from Rampuriya Haveli, showing decorated camels, traditional costumes, and local folk artists.
The event featured a warm reception by residents with flowers and rangoli decorations.
Tourists and locals enjoyed folk songs, Rammats’ tunes, and dances, fostering a festive atmosphere in the city park.
MoU signed between the Government of India, Assam, and representatives of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA)
Memorandum of Settlement signed between the Government of India, Government of Assam and representatives of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), in New Delhi to end insurgency in the NorthEast region.
Key Points
The tripartite agreement is very important for peace in Assam and the entire Northeast. Under this agreement, ULFA representatives have agreed to abjure a path of violence, lay down all their arms and ammunition and disband their armed organisation.
Apart from this, ULFA has also agreed to vacate all camps occupied by its armed cadres, engage in the peaceful democratic process established by law and maintain the integrity of the country.
The Union Home Minister said that the Modi government has signed the NLFT agreement in 2019, Bru and Bodo in 2020, Karbi in 2021, Adivasi agreement in 2022, Assam-Meghalaya border agreement, Assam-Arunachal border agreement and agreement with UNLF in 2023.
Shri Amit Shah also said that a time-bound program will be made by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to fulfill the demands of ULFA and a committee will also be formed for its monitoring.
Uttar Pradesh Plans to Develop India’s First AI City in Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh plans to establish the country’s first AI city in Lucknow. This initiative aims to create a thriving hub for artificial intelligence, integrating cutting-edge technology, research centers, and educational institutions to foster innovation and nurture the workforce of the future.
Key Points
The AI city is proposed to be located in the city of Lucknow, according to an Expression of Interest issued by UP Electronics Corporation Ltd.
The city already features Centers of Excellence in areas such as AI and MedTech, thereby forming a sound base for the establishment of the AI city.
The city is expected to become a hub for nurturing a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship among AI/ML startups.
Lucknow’s AI city represents an advanced step in implementing artificial intelligence at a large scale and nurturing the workforce of the future.
Assam CM Launches 200 Eco-Buses In Guwahati To Combat Pollution
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged off 200 electric buses from Guwahati. The government has taken this decision to create a pollution-free environment in Assam.
Key Points
Unlike CNG-powered buses, these buses will ply on a total of 13 routes in Guwahati. Furthermore, charging stations have been set up at several places, including Mirza and Jagiroad.
The new initiative aims to establish Guwahati as the country’s first city powered by a 100% green public transportation system by the year 2025.
Additionaly, CM Sarma ceremonially launched the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) in Guwahati. The NCMC serves as a versatile transport card designed to simplify various transactions related to travel, toll taxes, and retail purchases, and allows cash withdrawals.
Operating via the RuPay card system, the NCMC can be obtained as a prepaid, debit, or credit card from associated banks.
NEHHDC Establishes Ashtlaxmi Haat for Northeast Arts and Crafts
The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) establishing Ashtlaxmi Haat & Experience Centre at Guwahati with a project cost of ₹ 7.6 crore.
Key Points
The initiative attempts to develop and promote the indigenous crafts of the region by connecting craftsmen to prospective markets and consumers and generating economic, cultural, and social opportunities for creators while adding cultural value for consumers.
The Haat will have 24 permanent stalls, which will provide market access to artisans of all Northeast states & will have an artisan residency to provide accommodation to artisans from outstation.
It provides the artisans a direct city outlet bridging them to contemporary consumers seeking authentic ethnic wares.
The residency component lets craftspeople from remote hills and villages stay during sales exhibitions.
The organization procures handicrafts and handlooms from artisans and weavers across the region and retails the same. Moreover, it promotes the products at various National and International Markets through exhibitions and trade fairs.
Jammu And Kashmir Becomes First UT To Implement PM Vishwakarma Yojana
Jammu & Kashmir has become the first Union Territory to implement the PM Vishwakarma Yojana (PMBY) skill training program for craftsmen and artisans.
The initiative aims to empower and enhance the skills of the craftsmen community in the country.
The start of training for the first batch of 30 trainees in Darzi craft at the Industrial Training Institute in Shopian.
This initiative, launched by the Central government in September 2023, aims to uplift and recognize the crucial role these skilled individuals play in preserving and enriching India’s cultural heritage.
Gujarat Sets Guinness Record In Mass Surya Namaskar
Gujarat sets Guinness record for performing mass Surya Namaskar simultaneously in the state on the first day of the new year.
Over 4,000 participants across 108 locations and 51 different categories performed Surya Namaskar, solidifying the state’s commitment to wellness and cultural heritage.
The record-breaking event was held at the majestic Modhera Sun Temple. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from diverse groups, including families, students, yoga enthusiasts, and even senior citizens.
India, UAE Launch Maiden Military Exercise ‘Desert Cyclone’
The collaborative military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone 2024’ involving India and the UAE is scheduled to take place in Rajasthan from January 2 to January 15.
Key Points
The UAE contingent is being represented by troops from the Zayed First Brigade. The Indian Army contingent comprising 45 personnel is being represented mainly by a Battalion from the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
The aim of this Exercise is to enhance interoperability in Sub-conventional Operations including Fighting in Built-Up Area (FIBUA) in desert/ semi desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter on Peacekeeping Operations.
The Exercise will enhance cooperation and interoperability between both the sides during Peace Keeping Operations.
Drills planned to be rehearsed during Exercise ‘DESERT CYCLONE’ include Establishment of a Joint Surveillance Centre, Cordon and Search Operation, Domination of Built-Up Area and Heliborne Operations.
The Exercise will also foster collaborative partnership and help in sharing best practices between the two sides.
Exercise ‘DESERT CYCLONE’ signifies further strengthening of bonds of friendship and trust between India and the UAE.
The Exercise aims to achieve shared security objectives and foster bilateral relations between two friendly nations.
India, Pakistan Exchange List of Nuclear Installations
India and Pakistan exchanged the list of nuclear installations and facilities through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad.
About Non-Nuclear Aggression Agreement
The Non-nuclear aggression agreement is a bilateral and nuclear weapons control treaty between India and Pakistan, on the reduction (or limitation) of nuclear arms.
It is also known as the India-Pakistan Non-Attack Agreement, that was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991.
It provides that India and Pakistan inform each other of the nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year.
Each party shall refrain from undertaking, encouraging or participating in, directly or indirectly, any action aimed at causing the destruction of, or damage to, any nuclear installation or facility in the other country.
Importance of this agreement
Both the countries reaffirm their commitment to durable peace and the development of friendly and harmonious bilateral relations.
They are conscious of the role of confidence building measures in promoting such bilateral relations based on mutual trust and goodwill.
