December 2024 Current Affairs Quiz PDF with Answers

Answer: C. Support higher education for meritorious students

PM Vidyalaxmi aims to offer financial aid for meritorious students pursuing higher education.

Answer: D. ₹8 lakh

Students with an annual family income of ₹8 lakh or less are eligible for the scheme.

Answer: B. Collateral-free and guarantor-free loans

Students can avail of loans without providing collateral or guarantors.

Answer: D. NIRF

Institutions ranked by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) are eligible.

Answer: C. 3%

A 3% interest subvention is offered during the moratorium period for loans up to ₹10 lakh.

Answer: C. Liquidity management

The monetary policy review focused on improving liquidity in the banking sector.

Answer: B. 4%

The CRR was reduced from 4.5% to 4%.

Answer: D. ₹1.16 lakh crore

The CRR cut is expected to infuse ₹1.16 lakh crore into the banking system.

Answer: C. MuleHunter.AI

MuleHunter.AI is designed to detect mule accounts used in financial frauds.

Answer: D. Bengaluru

Bhubaneswar, Lucknow, and Navi Mumbai have the highest mule account activity.

Answer: D. ₹2 lakh

The collateral-free loan limit for farmers was increased from ₹1.6 lakh to ₹2 lakh.

Answer: C. Crop Diversification Programme (CDP)

CDP encourages farmers to shift from paddy to high-value crops like maize.

Answer: B. Stimulate lending by banks

The CRR cut provides more funds to banks for lending and economic stimulation.

Answer: E. Overnight ARR + 500 bps

The RBI set a maximum rate of ARR + 500 bps for deposits with a 3-5 year maturity.

Answer: B. Han Dong-hun

Han Dong-hun, South Korea's Minister of Justice, supported the constitutional power suspension.

Answer: D. Unconstitutional Martial Law Declaration

The impeachment proposal was due to Yoon Suk Yeol's alleged unconstitutional martial law declaration.

Answer: D. Laysan Albatross (Wisdom)

The Laysan Albatross named "Wisdom" is the world’s oldest wild bird.

Answer: A. Tourist Service

Indian Railways plans to launch a tourist service with the Vande Bharat trains to boost tourism.

Answer: B. Kolkata

Cyclone Fengal made landfall near Kolkata, causing significant damage.

Answer: B. India’s First Indigenous Antibiotic

Nafithromycin is India’s first indigenous antibiotic, developed for bacterial infections.

Answer: D. Air Pollution due to Stone Crushing

Stone-crushing activities in Mahendragarh district cause severe air pollution issues.

Answer: C. 60,000

The Supreme Court of India hears approximately 60,000 SLPs annually.

Answer: &lt C. Polluter Pays Principle

The "Polluter Pays" principle holds companies responsible for environmental damage and cleanup costs.

Answer: C. 6.5%

The RBI's current policy repo rate is 6.5%, used to control inflation and liquidity in the economy.

Answer: C. March 10, 2024

Norway plans to ratify the India-EFTA free trade agreement on March 10, 2024, in Brussels, following the signing of the agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Answer: C. Brussels

Norway plans to ratify the India-EFTA free trade agreement in Brussels on March 10, 2024.

Answer: C. To oversee global trade rules and settle trade disputes

The WTO is responsible for ensuring international trade flows smoothly, settling trade disputes, and enforcing trade agreements.

Answer: C) 2003 </br>

The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) was established in 2003 to locate, conserve, and digitize manuscripts in India.

Answer: A) 2019 </br>

The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, which was passed in August 2019, bifurcated the state into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Answer: B) 2010 </br>

The ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (AIFTA) agreement was signed in 2010 to promote trade and economic cooperation between India and ASEAN countries.

Answer: D) Narges Mohammadi </br>

Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her courageous fight for women's rights and freedom in Iran.

Answer: C) 17 </br>

The United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change by 2030.

Answer: C) Kaveri </br>

The Kaveri River is referred to as the "Ganga of the South" because of its importance in South India for agriculture, culture, and religion.

Answer: B. LIC Bima Sakhi Yojana

The LIC Bima Sakhi Yojana aims to empower 1 lakh women by providing them insurance agent roles within a year.

Answer: C. Eli Lilly

Tirzepatide is an anti-obesity and diabetes drug developed by Eli Lilly, soon to be introduced in India.

Answer: C. Modernize India’s maritime framework

The bill aims to strengthen India’s maritime policies by enhancing coastal shipping and foreign investments.

Answer: C. Krivak III

INS Tushil is a Krivak III class frigate built in Russia, enhancing India's maritime defense capabilities.

Answer: C. Production Linked Incentive

The PLI Scheme promotes local manufacturing and job creation by offering incentives for industrial investment.

Answer: C. RBI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) publishes this handbook to monitor state finances and economic indicators.

Answer: D. Agricultural Services

ITCMAARS provides agricultural advisory services, market linkages, and farm services for 10 million farmers.

Answer: B. Water Hyacinth Harvester

The solar-powered Water Hyacinth Harvester manages aquatic weeds efficiently, benefiting rural communities.

Answer: D. Lok Sabha and State Assemblies

The proposal aims to streamline India’s electoral process by holding elections simultaneously for these bodies.

Answer: D. Agriculture and Exports

India-BRICS trade reached $215.3 billion in FY24, boosting exports and strengthening trade agreements.

Answer: C) Per capita distribution of subsidies

India is pushing for a "per capita distribution of subsidies" to address overfishing and overcapacity, aiming to regulate harmful fishing subsidies under the WTO framework.

Answer: C) 55%

The report predicts that 55% of Indian graduates will be employable globally by 2025, an increase from 51.2% in 2024.

Answer: B) Empower and improve livelihoods of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

The OPELIP-II program aims to enhance the socio-economic conditions and livelihoods of PVTGs in Odisha through financial support and infrastructure improvements.

Answer: C) Sending three astronauts to space

The Gaganyaan Mission aims to send three Indian astronauts, known as "Vyomanauts," into space, marking India’s first crewed space mission.

Answer: B) Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education is leading the ONOS scheme, which aims to provide access to global research papers for higher educational institutions and research bodies.

Answer: B) To offer healthy meals to schoolchildren

The PM POSHAN Scheme provides nutritious meals to students in government and government-aided schools to improve health and school attendance.

Answer: B) Establishing AYUSH health centers at PHCs and CHCs

NAM focuses on08:00 PM improving healthcare services by integrating AYUSH facilities with existing healthcare centers, providing patients a holistic approach to treatment.

Answer: C) To control train speeds and prevent accidents

Kavach is an Automatic Train Protection system designed to monitor and enforce train speed limits, preventing accidents and ensuring safety in rail operations.

Answer: C) To reduce instances of unclaimed assets in the market

SEBI plans to use the DigiLocker system to store and manage unclaimed assets, such as mutual fund folios and stocks left after an investor’s death.

Answer: C) It leads to above-normal rainfall, especially in northwest India

La Nina generally brings cooler-than-usual winters and increases rainfall, particularly in regions like northwest India, benefiting the agrarian economy.

Answer: B. Article 218

Article 218 of the Indian Constitution provides the procedure for removing High Court judges. It aligns with Articles 124(4) and 124(5), which define the process of impeachment for Supreme Court judges as well.

Answer: C. Factor VIII

Hemophilia A is a genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of Factor VIII, a clotting protein. This results in excessive bleeding due to the inability of blood to clot properly. Hemophilia B, by contrast, involves Factor IX deficiency.

Answer: A. International Labour Organization (ILO)

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a UN agency dedicated to promoting social and economic justice through workplace standards. Its Social Dialogue Report focuses on workplace rights, labor standards, and global employment trends.

Answer: C. India

India has the largest population in the WHO South-East Asia region, making it highly prone to malaria outbreaks. In 2023, India accounted for about half of the malaria cases due to its tropical climate and high-risk zones in certain states.

Answer: B. Odisha

Chilika Lake in Odisha is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and a significant habitat for Irrawaddy dolphins. It is also a crucial nesting ground for Olive Ridley turtles, especially at Gahirmatha Beach along the Odisha coast.

Answer: C. Multilingual support for images and audio

Google’s Gemini 2.0 AI model supports advanced multimodal capabilities, enabling processing of text, images, and audio in multiple languages. It represents a breakthrough in artificial intelligence by enhancing understanding across diverse data types.

Answer: C. 6.5%

Explanation: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) regularly publishes economic outlook reports, revising growth forecasts based on economic performance and projections. India’s projected GDP growth rate for 2024 is set at 6.5% due to robust domestic demand and policy reforms.

Answer: C. Linked to environmental, social, or governance (ESG) targets

Explanation: Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLBs) are financial instruments where the bond's terms, such as interest rates, are linked to the issuer’s performance against pre-defined sustainability targets. This helps encourage sustainable corporate behavior.

Answer: C. Increases fertilizer and pesticide application efficiency

Explanation: Drones are increasingly used in modern agriculture for tasks like applying fertilizers, pesticides, and monitoring crop health. This improves precision farming, reduces waste, and increases overall efficiency in pineapple cultivation.

Answer: C. D. Gukesh </br>

D. Gukesh became the youngest world chess champion by defeating Ding Liren, surpassing Garry Kasparov's record. The championship took place from Nov 25 to Dec 13, 2024, in Singapore.

Answer: B. Tamil Nadu and West Bengal </br>

The Union Cabinet approved constitutional amendments for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Tamil Nadu and West Bengal strongly opposed this move, citing federal concerns.

Answer: C. A hypothetical pandemic-causing pathogen </br>

The WHO defines "Disease X" as a potential pandemic caused by an unknown pathogen, highlighting the importance of pandemic preparedness.

Answer: C. Sukhoi-30MKI </br>

The Indian government approved the procurement of 12 Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets and 100 K-9 Vajra artillery guns, boosting India’s defense capabilities.

Answer: C. Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid </br>

India backed a UNGA resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and humanitarian aid, despite opposition from Israel and the US.

Answer: C. Strengthen trade connectivity </br>

The IMEC project, launched at the G20 summit, aims to boost trade connectivity between India, the Middle East, and Europe but has faced delays due to West Asian geopolitical tensions.

Answer: C. Finance environmental projects </br>

Sovereign Green Bonds are issued by the RBI to finance eco-friendly projects like renewable energy and climate change mitigation efforts.

Answer: B. Decrease in vegetable prices </br>

India's retail inflation dropped to 9.04% in November 2024 due to reduced vegetable prices, despite oil and fat prices rising.

Answer: C. Agrochemical </br>

CRISIL's report predicts 7-9% growth in the agrochemical sector due to strong domestic demand and export recovery.

Answer: B. Raise wage rates </br>

A parliamentary panel recommended increasing MGNREGA wages to match inflation, ensuring better income security for rural workers.

Answer: A. Angela Merkel </br>

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was awarded the 2024 Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for her exceptional leadership in fostering global peace and international cooperation.

Answer: C. D. Gukesh </br>

D. Gukesh defeated Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship 2024, becoming the youngest world champion at just 18 years, breaking Garry Kasparov's record.

Answer: C. Called for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid </br>

India supported a UN resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza and humanitarian aid, aligning with global peacekeeping efforts despite opposition from Israel and the US.

Answer: B. WHO (World Health Organization) </br>

WHO defines "Disease X" as a potential future pandemic caused by an unknown pathogen, emphasizing the need for global preparedness.

Answer: C. Trade connectivity </br>

The IMEC project, introduced at the G20 summit, aims to enhance trade connectivity between India, the Middle East, and Europe, promoting economic cooperation.

Answer: D. India </br>

The Indian women's cricket team won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 by defeating England, marking a historic achievement in women’s cricket.

Answer: C. Sukhoi-30MKI </br>

India approved the procurement of 12 Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets, strengthening its air force capabilities amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Answer: B. Agrochemical </br>

CRISIL predicts that India’s agrochemical sector will grow by 7-9%, driven by domestic demand and recovering export markets.

Answer: B. Link wages to inflation </br>

A parliamentary panel recommended linking MGNREGA wages to inflation, ensuring better income stability for rural workers amid rising costs.

Answer: C. Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrB) </br>

The RBI launched Sovereign Green Bonds to fund climate-friendly projects like renewable energy and environmental conservation initiatives.

Answer: C. Sri Lanka </br>

India and Sri Lanka agreed on defense and energy partnerships, including projects like electricity grid connectivity, multi-product petroleum pipelines, and the Tamil Nadu-Sri Lanka fuel pipeline for affordable fuel supply.

Answer: C. ₹4,600 crore </br>

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited raised ₹4,600 crore through 15-year bonds with a 7.14% coupon rate to fund nuclear projects.

Answer: C. 4.83% </br>

India’s merchandise exports fell by 4.83% to $32.11 billion in November 2024, causing a trade deficit of $37.84 billion due to increased imports.

Answer: D. 6.7% </br>

CRISIL forecasts India’s GDP growth at 6.7% in FY25, citing moderated investment growth and a fiscal deficit expected at 4.9% of GDP.

Answer: B. SEBI </br>

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued a warning to HDFC Bank for failing to comply with specific listing regulations.

Answer: D. 50% </br>

Institutional investors now hold about 50% of SME IPO shares in India, reflecting growing investor confidence and participation.

Answer: D. Wholesale Price Index (WPI) </br>

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) fell to 1.89% in November 2024 due to lower food prices, indicating reduced inflationary pressures.

Answer: B. ₹6,852 crore </br>

The Labour Ministry proposed reducing the Employment Linked Incentive Scheme budget by ₹6,852 crore, impacting EPFO-registered employees’ benefits.

Answer: C. Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) </br>

A parliamentary committee recommended raising the minimum pension of ₹1,000 provided under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), benefiting the formal workforce.

Answer: B. Technology and infrastructure </br>

India aims to become a global green hydrogen leader by overcoming challenges related to technological advancements and infrastructure development.

Answer: C. NTA

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will focus solely on conducting competitive entrance exams like JEE and NEET, ending its involvement in recruitment exams.

Answer: B. High GST outflows

India's banking system liquidity deficit is attributed to increased credit demand, GST outflows, festive season withdrawals, and slow deposit growth.

Answer: C. To enhance market transparency

SEBI prohibited Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) from issuing P-Notes on derivatives to increase transparency and prevent misuse of capital inflows.

Answer: C. Promoting digital agriculture

AgriStack creates digital farmer IDs, enabling better delivery of farmer welfare schemes and promoting digital agriculture practices.

Answer: B. Certificates of Deposit

Banks use Certificates of Deposit (CDs), a fixed-term deposit tool, to raise funds for specific durations at fixed interest rates.

Answer: C. Increased US bond yields

The rupee's decline was due to a trade deficit, increased US bond yields, foreign equity outflows, and rising oil prices.

Answer: C. To ensure product quality in agriculture

India launched the i-CAS scheme to maintain product quality, ensuring safer agricultural products in the domestic and export markets.

Answer: C. Revision of wages due to inflation

The committee recommended raising MGNREGS wages to reflect current inflation and ensure better financial stability for workers.

Answer: C. Certificates of Deposit

Certificates of Deposit are fixed-term deposits offering secure investment returns, helping banks manage funds efficiently.

Answer: C. Competitive Entrance Exams

NTA now focuses exclusively on conducting entrance exams like JEE and NEET, ensuring fair and transparent testing through advanced technology.

Answer: C. India

India ranked 10th in the U.S. trade deficit rankings due to increased electronics exports, with a deficit of $38 billion in 2024.

Answer: C. Hydrographic surveys

INS Nirdeshak is a survey vessel that conducts hydrographic surveys to assist in maritime navigation and data collection.

Answer: C. HLVM3

ISRO is assembling the Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3) for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human spaceflight.

Answer: D. ₹10 lakh

SEBI’s Specialized Investment Funds require a minimum investment of ₹10 lakh, targeting high-net-worth investors.

Answer: B. Poland

Poland adopted a bill limiting asylum rights to prevent an influx of migrants entering from Belarus.

Answer: B. Fertilizer production

Rock phosphate is a key raw material used in the production of phosphate-based fertilizers, essential for agricultural productivity.

Answer: E. 5%

A Group of Ministers recommended reducing GST on term life insurance from 18% to 5% to encourage wider insurance coverage.

Answer: B. Platanista gangetica gangetica

The Ganges River Dolphin, classified as endangered by the IUCN, has the scientific name Platanista gangetica gangetica.

Answer: C. Non-Deliverable Forward (NDF)

NDFs are contracts for currency trading without physical delivery, settled in U.S. dollars at contract maturity.

Answer: C. Ganga

The Ganges River Dolphin inhabits the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries, facing threats from pollution and habitat loss.

Answer: C) UN General Assembly

The UN General Assembly adopted the text of the proposed Crimes Against Humanity (CAH) treaty on December 4, 2024. The adoption marks a significant step toward establishing a universal legal framework for prosecuting crimes against humanity.

Answer: C) Research in space vehicles and rockets

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is primarily focused on research and development in space vehicles and rockets. It is a key facility of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in India.

Answer: B) To support infrastructure projects that are economically desirable but not commercially viable.

The Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme aims to bridge the financial gap for infrastructure projects that are essential but not commercially viable, ensuring their successful implementation.

Answer: C) Financial support for meritorious students pursuing higher education.

The PM Vidyalaxmi scheme provides financial assistance to meritorious students pursuing higher education. It helps students secure loans for their studies through various banks.

Answer: C) Near-Threatened.

The Spot-Billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) is classified as Near-Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning it faces potential threats to its habitat and population but is not currently in immediate danger.

Answer: E) All of the above

The Indian government has extended its ban on derivative trading for seven agricultural commodities, including wheat, soyabean, crude palm oil, non-basmati paddy, and more, until January 31, 2025. This move affects multiple agricultural markets in India.

Answer: C) To prevent deforestation due to development projects.

The National Green Tribunal has focused on preventing deforestation caused by development projects and other activities. It attributes the significant loss of forest cover in India to the lack of adequate safeguards in development policies.

Answer: D) Addressing gender disparities in farming through technology.

The World Economic Forum's report highlights the challenges faced by women farmers and recommends using gender-inclusive agritech solutions to address these disparities, ensuring that women have access to the same resources and opportunities as men in agriculture.

Answer: D) Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh's Chief Minister has called for the development of a comprehensive water policy, focusing on tackling critical issues like groundwater depletion, river pollution, and improving water governance. The policy aims to ensure sustainable water management in the state.

Answer: D) It plays a key role in the country's fuel and energy transition.

Green ammonia is considered a key component of India's transition to renewable energy. NTPC Ltd. has been involved in initiatives to produce green ammonia, which is produced using renewable energy sources. This supports India's goal to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

Answer: C) $100 billion

According to recent reports, India's GCCs are projected to become a $100 billion industry by 2030, employing over 2.5 million professionals. This growth is driven by India’s talent pool, cost competitiveness, and adaptability in the business environment.

Answer: D) ₹12,100 per quintal

The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for ball copra has been increased to ₹12,100 per quintal for the year 2025, marking a slight increase from ₹12,000 in 2024. This helps provide financial security to farmers.

Answer: D) Kolkata

Key strategic locations for GCCs in India include Bangalore, Hyderabad, Gurugram, Chennai, and Pune. Kolkata is not a significant hub for GCC activities as highlighted in the data.

Answer: C) It grows under a tree canopy, supporting biodiversity.

Shade-grown coffee is cultivated under a tree canopy, sustaining biodiversity and enabling the growth of indigenous plants. India is the only country that grows all its coffee under shade.

Answer: C) Rejected and expired food products data

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has mandated quarterly submissions of data regarding rejected and expired food items, including details of disposal methods, to ensure quality control.

Answer: D) 28%

The Election Commission of India reported that 28% of the seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections did not have any women candidates, highlighting the gender disparity in Indian politics.

Answer: C) 10.58 lakh

According to the Election Commission's statistical report, over 10.58 lakh votes were either not counted or rejected during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, raising concerns about vote validity and inclusivity.

Answer: B) Manmohan Singh

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, known for his pivotal role in India's economic liberalization, passed away at the age of 92 in 2024. He served as PM for two terms (2004–2014) and was the Finance Minister under P.V. Narasimha Rao.

Answer: B) Chennai

The 26th edition of Shaastra, hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, is scheduled to take place in Chennai from January 3 to 7, 2025. It is one of the premier tech festivals in India.

Answer: B) Panama Canal

Donald Trump is reportedly planning to annex Canada and Greenland and take control of the Panama Canal, a strategic waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. This move is motivated by increased shipping rates and concerns over Chinese influence in the region. The U.S. currently benefits significantly from the canal, owning 74% of its traffic.

Answer: C) Collision of two tankers

The oil floods in the Black Sea were caused by a collision between two tankers near Crimea in the Kerch Strait on December 15. This incident led to significant environmental damage, including the destruction of coral reefs and loss of marine biodiversity. The Black Sea is bordered by Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine, and is a critical marine ecosystem.

Answer: B) To boost blue-water combat capabilities

The commissioning of INS Vagsheer (S-26), a diesel-electric submarine, and INS Tushil, a Russian-built frigate, by the Indian Navy is aimed at enhancing India's blue-water combat capabilities. This move is intended to counter China's expanding influence in the Indian Ocean Region and strengthen India's naval presence in distant seas.

Answer: B) National Maritime Heritage Complex Museum

The National Maritime Heritage Complex Museum is under construction in Lothal and is set to make the city a global hub for maritime heritage. With an investment of over ₹4,000 crore, the complex will feature 14 galleries, a lighthouse museum, coastal state pavilions, a recreated Lothal city, theme-based parks, an amusement park, and a nature conservation park. Phase 1A of the project is approximately 60% completed.

Answer: B) To regulate hospital fees and protect patient rights

Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA) is an alliance of health activists and professionals in India that seeks to intervene in petitions against the regulation of hospital charges. The group aims to protect patients' rights by controlling the costs of private hospitals, advocating for better care standards, and preventing patient rights violations in the healthcare sector.

Answer: C) Disrupted sex ratio leading to territorial conflicts

The relocation of five male and eleven female tigers from Ranthambore National Park (RNP) to other reserves disrupted the existing sex ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 (males to females). This imbalance has led to increased territorial conflicts and the deaths of young male tigers, negatively affecting the stability of the tiger population in RNP.