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Daily Current Affairs
19 February, 2025
1. Which country recently upgraded its bilateral relationship with India to a Strategic Partnership?
a) Saudi Arabia
b) Qatar
c) UAE
d) Oman
e) Bahrain
Answer: b) Qatar
Explanation: India and Qatar have upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and security. Discussions on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are also underway.
2. What is the key diplomatic challenge in India-Qatar relations?
a) Taxation disputes
b) Oil import restrictions
c) Detention of former Indian Navy commander
d) Trade imbalance
e) Visa restrictions
Answer: c) Detention of former Indian Navy commander
Explanation: Despite the repatriation of seven Indian detainees, the detention of former Indian Navy commander Purnendu Tiwary remains a sensitive issue in India-Qatar relations.
3. Which measure is NOT part of SEBI’s enhanced security framework for online trading?
a) SIM binding
b) Biometric authentication
c) QR code-based authentication
d) OTP via email
e) Investor control for self-locking accounts
Answer: d) OTP via email
Explanation: SEBI has introduced security measures like SIM binding, biometric authentication, QR code-based logins, and investor control options to prevent cyber fraud. OTP via email was not mentioned as a new security feature.
4. What is the major challenge to the proposed Russia-U.S. talks on the Ukraine war?
a) Lack of economic incentives
b) European allies’ skepticism
c) Disagreements over nuclear weapons
d) Oil price fluctuations
e) Russian opposition to sanctions removal
Answer: b) European allies’ skepticism
Explanation: While the U.S. and Russia have initiated diplomatic efforts, Ukraine strongly opposes exclusion from negotiations, and European allies are wary of being sidelined in the process.
5. What was the impact of COVID-19 on India’s greenhouse gas emissions?
a) Increased by 5%
b) No significant change
c) Decreased by 7.93%
d) Increased by 10%
e) Decreased by 12%
Answer: c) Decreased by 7.93%
Explanation: India’s greenhouse gas emissions saw a decline of 7.93% in 2020 due to reduced economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, emissions are expected to rise in the upcoming Biannual Transparency Report (BTR).
6. What is the expected launch year of India’s first privately built PSLV?
a) 2024
b) 2025
c) 2026
d) 2027
e) 2028
Answer: b) 2025
Explanation: The HAL-L&T consortium is set to manufacture India’s first privately built PSLV, scheduled for launch in Q3 2025, marking a new era of private sector participation in space missions.
7. Which financial risk is associated with the Indian banking sector, as highlighted by RBI’s action against New India Cooperative Bank?
a) Foreign exchange volatility
b) High inflation rates
c) Asset-liability mismatches
d) Overregulation of private banks
e) Lack of credit growth
Answer: c) Asset-liability mismatches
Explanation: The RBI imposed withdrawal restrictions on New India Cooperative Bank due to asset-liability mismatches, which increase systemic risks and reduce trust in banking institutions.
8. What has been India’s approach to import tariffs?
a) Maintaining a flat 10% customs duty
b) Lowering agricultural tariffs
c) Increasing industrial goods tariffs
d) Eliminating customs duties entirely
e) Reducing tariffs on all sectors uniformly
Answer: c) Increasing industrial goods tariffs
Explanation: India has increased tariffs on machinery and industrial goods while reducing them on transport and textiles. Agricultural tariffs remain above 38% to protect domestic farmers.
9. Which Indian state has the highest unemployment rate among women?
a) Uttar Pradesh
b) Himachal Pradesh
c) Gujarat
d) Kerala
e) West Bengal
Answer: b) Himachal Pradesh
Explanation: Himachal Pradesh has the highest female unemployment rate at 24%, while Gujarat has the lowest overall unemployment rate at 3%.
10. What is the goal of India’s ₹1,000 crore Credit Guarantee Scheme for e-NWR financing?
a) To provide direct cash benefits to farmers
b) To encourage warehouse-based financing and reduce distress selling
c) To replace Minimum Support Price (MSP)
d) To increase foreign investment in agriculture
e) To regulate agricultural commodity prices
Answer: b) To encourage warehouse-based financing and reduce distress selling
Explanation: The â‚ą1,000 crore Credit Guarantee Scheme supports farmers by promoting electronic Warehouse Receipts (e-NWRs), ensuring access to loans and reducing the need for distress selling.
