Current News and Affairs

31. Where was the 4 th Joint Committee meeting for the review of AITIGA (

Where was the 4th Joint Committee meeting for the review of AITIGA (ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement) held ?

New Delhi, India
Jurong, Singapore
Jakarta, Indonesia
Putrajaya, Malaysia
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The 4th Joint Committee meeting for the review of AITIGA (ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement) was held in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
The meeting took place in May 2024. Officials from India and ASEAN member states discussed the comprehensive review of the AITIGA to make it more trade-facilitative and beneficial for both sides.
The AITIGA was signed in 2009 and entered into force in 2010. The review process is aimed at updating and improving the agreement to reflect current economic realities and enhance bilateral trade relations between ASEAN and India.

32. What is the theme of ‘World Migratory Bird Day, 2024’ ?

What is the theme of ‘World Migratory Bird Day, 2024’ ?

Protect Insects, Protect Birds
Water
Dim the Lights
Sing, Fly, Soar
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The theme of ‘World Migratory Bird Day, 2024’ is ‘Water’.
Specifically, the theme for World Migratory Bird Day 2024 is “Water: Sustaining Bird Life”. This highlights the crucial importance of water resources for migratory birds, who depend on them for survival during their long journeys.
World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of May and the second Saturday of October each year. The campaigns aim to raise awareness about migratory birds and the need for their conservation.

33. What is ‘FLIRT’ ?

What is ‘FLIRT’ ?

Nuclear ballistic submarine
Malicious software
An underwater research station
New variant of COVID-19
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‘FLIRT’ is a nickname for a new group of COVID-19 variants.
The FLIRT variants are descendants of the Omicron JN.1 variant. The name ‘FLIRT’ is not an official scientific designation but an acronym derived from the technical names of the mutations (specifically, mutations in the spike protein). Key variants include KP.2 and KP.1.1.
These variants have been identified in various parts of the world, including the United States, and have drawn attention from health authorities due to their prevalence and mutations.

34. Which one of the following cities hosted the Flow Chemistry Technology

Which one of the following cities hosted the Flow Chemistry Technology Hub in 2022?

Delhi
Hyderabad
Mumbai
Kolkata
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The city that hosted the Flow Chemistry Technology Hub in 2022 is Hyderabad.
A Flow Chemistry Technology Hub was inaugurated at the Dr. Reddy’s Institute of Life Sciences (DRILS) in Hyderabad in 2022. This initiative aims to promote continuous manufacturing technology in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
Flow chemistry is a continuous manufacturing process where chemical reactions are performed in a continuously flowing stream rather than in batch production. The hub in Hyderabad is part of efforts to advance this technology in India.

35. BRICS is an acronym that stands for

BRICS is an acronym that stands for

Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, China and South Africa
Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa
Brazil, Russia, India, Canada and South Africa
Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Korea
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The correct answer is Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
BRICS is an acronym for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
The acronym BRIC was initially coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill in 2001 to describe the four emerging economies. South Africa was invited to join the group, and it officially became a member in 2010, resulting in the acronym BRICS. The group aims to promote peace, security, development, and cooperation.

36. Which one of the following member countries of G20 has presently taken

Which one of the following member countries of G20 has presently taken over the Presidency till November 30, 2023, who plays a leading role in setting the agenda and organizes the leaders’ summits?

Indonesia
India
Russia
Germany
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The correct answer is India.
India held the G20 Presidency from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023. The presidency plays a vital role in setting the agenda, hosting meetings, and organizing the leaders’ summit.
The G20 presidency rotates annually among member countries. Indonesia held the presidency before India in 2022, and Brazil took over from India on December 1, 2023. The G20 Summit under India’s presidency was held in New Delhi in September 2023.

37. India remains among the top three largest contributors with more than

India remains among the top three largest contributors with more than 5,700 personnel deployed in 9 of 12 UN Peacekeeping Missions. These personnel deployed are :

  • 1. Military
  • 2. Police
  • 3. Civilian

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3
3 only
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The correct answer is C, as India contributes personnel from all three categories to UN Peacekeeping Missions.
India is one of the largest contributors of troops and police personnel to United Nations Peacekeeping operations. UN Peacekeeping missions are composed of military personnel (troops and staff officers), police personnel (formed police units and individual police officers), and civilian staff (experts, administrators, support staff, etc.). India has historically provided and continues to provide personnel across all these components.
India’s participation in UN Peacekeeping dates back to the Korean War (1950-53) and continues to the present day. Indian peacekeepers are known for their professionalism, discipline, and dedication. India’s contribution includes significant numbers of troops and police officers deployed in various missions around the world, as well as civilian experts and advisors.

38. Which of the following pairs of Women Tennis Grand Slam winners and th

Which of the following pairs of Women Tennis Grand Slam winners and their countries is/are correctly matched ?

Players Country
1. Serena Williams : USA
2. Steffi Graf : Australia
3. Margaret Court : Germany

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
3 only
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The correct answer is A, as only the first pair is correctly matched.
This question tests knowledge of famous female tennis players and their nationalities. Serena Williams is from the USA and is one of the most successful tennis players of all time. Steffi Graf is a retired German tennis player, not Australian. Margaret Court is a retired Australian tennis player, not German.
Serena Williams (USA) has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles. Steffi Graf (Germany) won 22 Grand Slam singles titles. Margaret Court (Australia) holds the record for the most Grand Slam singles titles with 24, although many were won before the Open Era.

39. The “SCO Summit” is a meeting of the member states of the Shanghai Coo

The “SCO Summit” is a meeting of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. How many permanent members are there in the SCO ?

6
8
9
12
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The correct answer is B, representing 8 permanent members at a specific point in time relevant to the question’s framing.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization. The number of full members (often referred to as permanent members in a general sense, though not the official SCO terminology like ‘permanent members’ in the UNSC context) has changed over time. Originally formed by five members (Shanghai Five), it expanded to include Uzbekistan (making it 6), and later India and Pakistan (making it 8).
As of July 2023, Iran became the ninth full member of the SCO. Belarus is also in the process of joining. However, considering the options and common knowledge about the SCO structure after India and Pakistan joined in 2017 and before Iran’s accession, 8 was the widely recognized number of full members for a significant period. The question likely refers to this period. The initial five members were China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. Uzbekistan joined in 2001, followed by India and Pakistan in 2017.

40. The “Quad” is a strategic forum comprising the United States of Americ

The “Quad” is a strategic forum comprising the United States of America, India, Japan, and which one of the following countries ?

Australia
South Korea
Germany
France
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The correct answer is Australia.
The “Quad” is an informal strategic forum known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD) that comprises four countries: the United States, India, Japan, and Australia.
The Quad was initially formed in 2007 but lapsed. It was revived in 2017 and has since become a significant platform for discussions and cooperation among the member countries on regional and global issues, particularly those related to the Indo-Pacific region.
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