Home » Daily Current Affairs Quiz – 26th November 2024

This post is also available in: हिन्दी (Hindi)

Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2024 of 26th November 2024. Daily GK quiz online for bank & competitive exam. Here we have given the Daily Current Affairs Quiz based on the previous days Daily Current Affairs updates. Candidates preparing for IBPS, SBI, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2024 & other competitive exams can make use of these Current Affairs Quiz.

Start Quiz

1) Recently(Nov’24), Which country received permission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the fourth tranche of the $2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF)?

(a) Myanmar

(b) Nepal

(d) Bhutan

(e) Sri Lanka

2) The first “Increasing Income” feature in the industry was introduced by ICICI Prudential Life Insurance in their regular pay annuity product, ICICI Pru Guaranteed Pension Plan Flexi. What percentage of the annuity payout is increased annually by the To Increasing Income feature?

(a) 2%

(b) 3%

(d) 5%

(e) 6%

3) The electronic National Agriculture Market, or e-NAM, platform now includes 21 more mandis in Rajasthan that have been certified by the Ministry of Agriculture. Which state’s mandi integration was the highest?

(a) Haryana

(b) Gujarat

(d) Madhya Pradesh

(e) Rajasthan

4) As per the report, India’s education loan business is rapidly expanding due to government programs such as the Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaxmi Scheme and rising engagement from non-banking financial institutions. Which of the following assertions is incorrect based on Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaxmi Scheme?

(a) 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹10 lakh for families earning up to ₹8 lakh annually.

(b) Full interest subvention for families with annual incomes up to ₹4.5 lakh.

(d) Education loans have an NPA rate of 3.6%, higher than auto loans (1.3%) and housing loans (1.1%).

(e) All the above are correct

5) Which year’s antiquated Aircraft Act will be replaced by the BharatiyaVayuyanVidheyak 2024, a new law intended to increase consumer rights, encourage investment, and improve aviation safety, as part of India’s plans to update its aviation laws?

(a) 1930

(b) 1932

(d) 1936

(e) 1938

6) The “UDAN 2.0” scheme, an improved version of the original UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) initiative, is currently being drafted in India. How many aerodromes have been operationalized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the original UDAN scheme as of right now?

(a) 82

(b) 84

(d) 88

(e) 80

7) How many billions of dollars will be available for climate finance by 2035 as a result of the agreement reached at the COP29 climate conference in Azerbaijan?

(a) $300 billion

(b) $200 billion

(d) $400 billion

(e) $500 billion

8) In February 2025, which state will host the Global Infrastructure and Investors’ Summit, a two-day business summit with the goal of luring investment and advancing the infrastructure of the state?

(a) Jharkhand

(b) Assam

(d) Rajasthan

(e) Maharashtra

9) In October 2024, the National Statistical Office (NSO) reported that Chhattisgarh has the highest inflation rate of any Indian state or Union Territory (UT), at 8.8%. Also, the national retail inflation rate jumped to what percentage, beyond the RBI’s?

(a) 6.1%

(b) 6.2%

(d) 6.4%

(e) 6.5%

10) India’s electronics sector witnessed significant growth in FY24, with exports reaching $29.12 billion, marking a 23.6% increase compared to the previous fiscal year. Which of the following was the top destination for India’s electronics exports?

(a) Germany

(b) Saudi Arabia

(d) South Korea

(e) Australia

11) On November 28, 2024, which state’s chief minister, Hemant Soren, is scheduled to take the presidency?

(a) Jharkhand

(b) Assam

(d) Rajasthan

(e) Maharashtra

12) Who was appointed as a board member of the Flipkart Group while serving as the Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Walmart Inc.?

(a) Doug McMillon

(b) Dan Bartlett

(d) Brett Biggs

(e) Marc Lore

13) Recently (Nov’24), Who stepped down from the PhonePe board approximately 10 months after leaving Flipkart?

(a) Kalyan Krishnamurthy

(b) Rahul Chari

(d) Sameer Nigam

(e) Binny Bansal

14) On November 24, 2024, the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini set off from Fremantle, Australia for the second part of the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II mission, headed to which country?

(a) Germany

(b) Russia

(d) Mongolia

(e) Hong Kong

15) Which state’s headquarters hosted the 2024 Annual Navy Education Society (NES) Conference from November 20 to 22?

(a) Madhya Pradesh

(b) West Bengal

(d) Goa

(e) Bihar

16) Roshni Nadar’s acquisition of a majority shareholding in Vama Sundari Investments (VSIPL) and _________ Corporation from Shiv Nadar was recently approved.

(a) Infosys

(b) TCS

(d) Wipro

(e) Tech Mahindra

17) Which mission, scheduled for launch by PSLV on December 4, 2024, will deploy two satellites developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and feature the first-ever parallel formation flying for long durations?

(a) Cartosat-3

(b) Chandrayaan-4

(d) Proba-3

(e) Galileo

18) As per the report, IIFCL looks at the state of the space sector’s infrastructure and wants to fund the production of satellite vehicles. Only sectors included in the harmonized infrastructure master list, which presently consists of ______ major sectors and ____ sub-sectors are eligible for funding from IIFCL.

(a) 4,20

(b) 5,37

(d) 6,25

(e) 7,21

19) Recently(Nov’24), Aashish Khan, the legendary music maestro who collaborated with international musicians such as George Harrison and Eric Clapton, passed away at the age of 84. Which musical instrument was he renowned for popularizing worldwide?

(a) Sarod

(b) Tabla

(d) Veena

(e) Flute

20) Who won his fourth consecutive Formula One championship after placing sixth at the Las Vegas Grand Prix?

(a) Max Verstappen

(b) George Russell

(d) Charles Leclerc

(e) Lando Norris

21) World Heritage Week honors the protection and promotion of cultural and historical heritage and is held worldwide from November 19 to November 25. As of September 2024, how many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are located in India?

(a) 42

(b) 43

(d) 45

(e) 46

22) When was Constitution Day 2024 observed?

(a) November 21

(b) November 22

(d) November 26

(e) November 24

23) According to UNESCO, how many mixed heritage sites(exhibit has both cultural and natural significance) does India now have?

(a) 2

(b) 1

(d) 4

(e) 5

24) Where was the headquarters of the European Space Agency?

(a) Germany

(b) Russia

(d) Switzerland

(e) Japan

25) Where was the Palamu Tiger Reserve located?

(a) Madhya Pradesh

(b) West Bengal

(d) Jharkhand

(e) Bihar

Answers :

1) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Sri Lanka secured approval for the fourth tranche of the $2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Once the review is approved, Sri Lanka will access approximately $333 million.

Economic Crisis and Bailout Timeline:April 2022: Sri Lanka declared its first-ever debt default during the economic crisis under former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Detailed Explanation:

Sri Lanka secured approval for the fourth tranche of the $2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Once the review is approved, Sri Lanka will access approximately $333 million.

Economic Crisis and Bailout Timeline:April 2022: Sri Lanka declared its first-ever debt default during the economic crisis under former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

March 2023: The bailout agreement was finalized under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government.

Current Government’s Role:President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the National People’s Power (NPP) reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continue the IMF program, despite pre-election rhetoric against its rigid reforms.

His administration gained a mandate after a landslide victory in parliamentary polls.

Economic Recovery:The economy grew by an average of 4% in the four quarters ending June 2024.

2) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance launched the industry’s first “Increasing Income” feature in its regular pay annuity product, ICICI Pru Guaranteed Pension Plan Flexi.

Feature Details: The Increasing Income feature provides a 5% annual increase in the annuity pay-out, helping retirees combat inflation and maintain their standard of living.

Detailed Explanation:

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance launched the industry’s first “Increasing Income” feature in its regular pay annuity product, ICICI Pru Guaranteed Pension Plan Flexi.

Feature Details: The Increasing Income feature provides a 5% annual increase in the annuity pay-out, helping retirees combat inflation and maintain their standard of living.

Benefit to Retirees: This feature ensures that retirees receive a guaranteed income stream that increases annually, preserving their purchasing power over time.

Addressing Inflation: The feature helps retirees counter the impact of inflation on fixed incomes, allowing them to maintain their standard of living despite rising costs.

Financial Security and Flexibility: The ICICI Pru Guaranteed Pension Plan Flexi with the Increasing Income feature provides retirees both financial security and flexibility, with affordable long-term contributions to build a retirement corpus.

3) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Ministry of Agriculture has approved the integration of 21 additional mandis in Rajasthan into the e-NAM (electronic National Agriculture Market) platform.

This expansion brings the total number of physical markets linked to e-NAM to over 1,400 mandis across 27 states and union territories.

State-wise mandi integration:

Tamil Nadu: 157

Rajasthan: 145

Gujarat: 144

Detailed Explanation:

The Ministry of Agriculture has approved the integration of 21 additional mandis in Rajasthan into the e-NAM (electronic National Agriculture Market) platform.

This expansion brings the total number of physical markets linked to e-NAM to over 1,400 mandis across 27 states and union territories.

Since its launch in April 2016, 1,389 mandis have been incorporated into the e-NAM platform.

State-wise mandi integration:

Tamil Nadu: 157

Rajasthan: 145

Gujarat: 144

Madhya Pradesh: 139

Maharashtra: 133

Uttar Pradesh: 125

Haryana: 108

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the integration of 1,500 additional mandis in the near future.

Trade volume for April–October 2024-25: ₹39,000 crore, marking a 6% year-on-year growth.

Farmers in states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and others have leveraged e-NAM’s farm gate purchase model. This allows them to sell produce without physically transporting goods to mandis, reducing logistics costs and improving efficiency.

4) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

India’s education loan sector is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaxmi Scheme and increased participation from NBFCs.

Detailed Explanation:

India’s education loan sector is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaxmi Scheme and increased participation from NBFCs.

17.6% YoY growth in education loans (fortnight ending Sept. 20, 2024), surpassing overall credit growth (13%) and personal credit growth (13.4%), per RBI data.

Offers collateral-free, guarantor-free education loans via a digital, student-friendly platform.

Features:

3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹10 lakh for families earning up to ₹8 lakh annually.

Full interest subvention for families with annual incomes up to ₹4.5 lakh.

Backed by a government credit guarantee, encouraging banks to expand education loan coverage.

Aims to support 22 lakh students annually, focusing on admissions to India’s top 860 higher educational institutions.

NBFCs are playing a pivotal role, particularly in big-ticket overseas education loans.

Education loan AUM of NBFCs grew:

80% in FY23

70% in FY24

Expected growth of 40-45% in FY25, reaching ₹60,000 crore.

Education loans have an NPA rate of 3.6%, higher than auto loans (1.3%) and housing loans (1.1%).

5) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

India is set to modernize its aviation regulations by replacing the outdated Aircraft Act of 1934 with the BharatiyaVayuyanVidheyak 2024, a new law aimed at improving aviation safety, boosting investment, and enhancing consumer rights.

The Indian Aircraft Act of 1934, which has undergone 21 amendments over the years, is now seen as outdated and inadequate for modern aviation challenges.

The BharatiyaVayuyanVidheyak 2024 is expected to address these issues, creating a more streamlined and efficient regulatory framework for the aviation sector in India.

Detailed Explanation:

The bill, which the Lok Sabha already passed, will be presented in the Rajya Sabha for consideration by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu.

The new law will remove redundancies from the outdated Aircraft Act and provide stronger regulatory powers to handle critical areas such as:

Air traffic management

The drone industry

The bill aims to align India’s aviation legislation with global standards, particularly in areas such as aircraft leasing, which will be made easier to attract foreign investments.

One of the bill’s goals is to boost domestic aircraft manufacturing by regulating the design, assembly, and technology used in the industry.

The Indian Aircraft Act of 1934, which has undergone 21 amendments over the years, is now seen as outdated and inadequate for modern aviation challenges.

The BharatiyaVayuyanVidheyak 2024 is expected to address these issues, creating a more streamlined and efficient regulatory framework for the aviation sector in India.

6) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

India is working on the draft for the “UDAN 2.0” scheme, an upgraded version of the original UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) initiative.

This new iteration of the regional air connectivity program is designed to extend beyond 2026 and address emerging challenges in the aviation sector.

As of now, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has operationalised 86 aerodromes, including 71 airports, 13 heliports, and 2 water aerodromes under the original UDAN scheme.

Detailed Explanation:

India is working on the draft for the “UDAN 2.0” scheme, an upgraded version of the original UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) initiative.

The scheme aims to improve last-mile air connectivity and support the development of cost-effective airport infrastructure across the country.

This new iteration of the regional air connectivity program is designed to extend beyond 2026 and address emerging challenges in the aviation sector.

The new scheme will focus on underutilised airstrips, with plans to develop over 100 airstrips that can support financially viable air operations.

As of now, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has operationalised 86 aerodromes, including 71 airports, 13 heliports, and 2 water aerodromes under the original UDAN scheme.

One of the primary objectives of UDAN 2.0 is to make regional airports and advance landing grounds (ALGs) more financially viable.

The operational cost of small regional airports is estimated at ₹7 to ₹10 crore per year. The new scheme will focus on reducing these costs through technological interventions and improving efficiency in operations.

7) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

COP29 climate talks concluded in Azerbaijan with a deal offering $300 billion for climate finance by 2035.

Key Climate Finance Framework:TheNew Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) was adopted, aiming for at least $1.3 trillion in climate finance annually by 2035, primarily from private finance, with contributions from developing nations and multilateral development banks (MDBs).

Detailed Explanation:

COP29 climate talks concluded in Azerbaijan with a deal offering $300 billion for climate finance by 2035.

This amount is seen as insufficient by developing countries and activists, who had sought $600 billion.

The $300 billion commitment will be sourced from public finance, bilateral, and multilateral agreements, with a larger portion coming from private finance.

The rules under Article 6.2 were criticised for being “loose and opaque,” potentially favouring free-market approaches.

Article 6.4 rules on carbon removals raised concerns about insufficient guarantees on permanence.

Gender-Related Decisions:The enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender was adopted, establishing a 10-year plan to integrate gender and age-disaggregated data and develop a gender action plan (GAP) leading up to COP30.

8) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Assam will host a two-day business summit, Advantage Assam 2.0 – the Global Infrastructure and Investors’ Summit, in February 2025, aimed at attracting investment and developing the state’s infrastructure.

The summit will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 24, 2025, and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be invited for the valedictory session.

Detailed Explanation:

The summit will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 24, 2025, and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be invited for the valedictory session.

The first Advantage Assam summit was held in 2018, resulting in investments of Rs 1 lakh crore.

Investment Focus: The summit will focus on attracting investment in infrastructure, with sessions dedicated to road connectivity, railway networks, civil aviation, agriculture, industrial parks, and the hydrocarbon sector.

Delegation Visits: Delegations will visit Singapore, Japan, the US, UK, and Dubai to promote the summit and invite participation.

Roadshows: Theme-oriented roadshows will be held in six cities: Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad.

9) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Chhattisgarh topped the list of Indian states and Union Territories (UTs) with the highest inflation rate of 8.8% in October 2024, according to data from the National Statistical Office (NSO).

The national retail inflation rate also surged to 6.2%, breaching the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) upper tolerance limit of 6%, driven primarily by rising food prices.

Detailed Explanation:

The national retail inflation rate also surged to 6.2%, breaching the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) upper tolerance limit of 6%, driven primarily by rising food prices.

Highest Inflation Rates:

Chhattisgarh: 8.8%

Bihar: 7.8%

Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh: Above 7%

Lowest Inflation Rates:

Delhi: 4%

West Bengal and Maharashtra: Relatively low levels

National Context:

Among 22 states and UTs surveyed, half reported inflation rates exceeding 6%.

10) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

India’s electronics sector showed remarkable growth in FY24, with exports reaching $29.12 billion, a 23.6% increase compared to the previous fiscal year.

The top five destinations for India’s electronics exports were:

United States

United Arab Emirates

Netherlands

United Kingdom

Italy

Tamil Nadu emerged as the top-performing state in electronic exports with $9.56 billion, reflecting a 78% growth year-on-year.

Detailed Explanation:

India’s electronics sector showed remarkable growth in FY24, with exports reaching $29.12 billion, a 23.6% increase compared to the previous fiscal year.

This underscores the country’s expanding footprint in global electronics markets.

The top five destinations for India’s electronics exports were:

United States

United Arab Emirates

Netherlands

United Kingdom

Italy

India also made inroads into new markets, exporting electronics to:

Montenegro

Cayman Islands

El Salvador

Turkmenistan

Mongolia

Honduras

St. Vincent

State Contributions

Tamil Nadu emerged as the top-performing state in electronic exports with $9.56 billion, reflecting a 78% growth year-on-year.

11) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Hemant Soren, leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), submitted his resignation to Governor Santosh Gangwar on November 26, a day after securing a major electoral victory.

Soren staked his claim to form the new government and is set to take oath as Chief Minister on November 28.

Election Results:Out of 81 Assembly seats, the INDIA bloc won 56 seats, while the NDA secured 24 seats.

Detailed Explanation:

Hemant Soren, leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), submitted his resignation to Governor Santosh Gangwar on November 26, a day after securing a major electoral victory.

Soren staked his claim to form the new government and is set to take oath as Chief Minister on November 28.

Legislative Party Meeting: Before visiting the Raj Bhavan, Soren met with the new MLAs of the INDIA bloc, where he was unanimously elected as the leader of the legislature party.

Election Results:Out of 81 Assembly seats, the INDIA bloc won 56 seats, while the NDA secured 24 seats.

The Jharkhand LoktrantrikKrantikari Morcha (JLKM) led by Jairam Tiger Mahto won 1 seat.

Composition of INDIA and NDA Blocs:The INDIA bloc consists of JMM, Congress, RJD, and CPI(ML) Liberation.

12) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Dan Bartlett, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Walmart Inc., was appointed as a board member of the Flipkart Group.

Role at Walmart: At Walmart, Bartlett heads corporate affairs, focusing on public policy, sustainability, philanthropic initiatives, and shaping the company’s narrative.

Detailed Explanation:

Dan Bartlett, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Walmart Inc., was appointed as a board member of the Flipkart Group.

Role at Walmart: At Walmart, Bartlett heads corporate affairs, focusing on public policy, sustainability, philanthropic initiatives, and shaping the company’s narrative.

He also oversees corporate real estate and the development of Walmart’s new home office in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Bartlett has extensive experience in public relations and government affairs.

Before Walmart, he held leadership positions at Hill+Knowlton Strategies and Public Strategies.

He also worked on George W. Bush’s presidential and Texas gubernatorial campaigns and served as a counselor to President Bush at the White House.

He serves on the board of Trek Bicycles and is an outdoor enthusiast.

13) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Binny Bansal, co-founder of Flipkart, stepped down from the PhonePe board about 10 months after leaving Flipkart.

His departure from Flipkart in January 2024 was due to a conflict of interest after he launched his new venture, OppDoor.

Detailed Explanation:

Binny Bansal, co-founder of Flipkart, stepped down from the PhonePe board about 10 months after leaving Flipkart.

His departure from Flipkart in January 2024 was due to a conflict of interest after he launched his new venture, OppDoor.

Binny Bansal had been on the PhonePe board since 2016, following Flipkart’s acquisition of the payments firm.

In 2022, Flipkart and PhonePe separated, with PhonePe becoming an independent entity.

In addition, PhonePe appointed Manish Sabharwal, vice-chairman at TeamLease Services, as an independent director and Chair of the Audit Committee.

Sabharwal’s role includes overseeing financial reporting, internal controls, and risk management practices.

14) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini sailed out from Fremantle, Australia on 24 November 2024 for the second leg of the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II expedition, heading to Lyttelton, New Zealand.

Navika Sagar Parikrama-II: A dual-handed circumnavigation of the earth undertaken by two women officers of the Indian Navy onboard the 56-ft INSV Tarini, flagged off by the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, on 02 October 2024.

Crew Members: Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A are the women officers undertaking the expedition.

Detailed Explanation:

Purpose of Expedition: The expedition promotes gender equality, maritime cooperation, and women’s empowerment, while showcasing India’s maritime heritage and global contributions.

Crew Members: Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A are the women officers undertaking the expedition.

Stopover in Fremantle: The crew made a stop in Fremantle, Australia on 09 November 2024 after a 39-day voyage covering 4900 nautical miles under sail.

Cultural and Diplomatic Activities: While in Fremantle, the crew engaged with officials of the Royal Australian Navy, the Indian diaspora, and attended the Western Australia Parliament.

15) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Annual Navy Education Society (NES) Conference 2024 was held from 20 to 22 November 2024 at Headquarters Goa Naval Area, Vasco-da-Gama, Goa.

Detailed Explanation:

The Annual Navy Education Society (NES) Conference 2024 was held from 20 to 22 November 2024 at Headquarters Goa Naval Area, Vasco-da-Gama, Goa.

Key Meetings: The conference included meetings of the Executive Committee, Management Advisory Committee (MAC), and Academic Advisory Committee (AAC). Discussions focused on implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Naval Schools.

Guided Tour: Delegates were given a guided tour of Navy Children School Goa.

Leadership at the Conference:The Executive Committee Meeting was chaired by Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, Controller Personnel Services, and Chairperson of NES.

The MAC and AAC meetings were chaired by Commodore SM Urooj Athar, Commodore (Naval Education) and Vice Chairperson of NES.

16) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved Roshni Nadar’s acquisition of a majority shareholding in two promoter group companies of HCL, namely Vama Sundari Investments (VSIPL) and HCL Corporation, from her father, Shiv Nadar.

Roshni Nadar must file a report with SEBI within 21 days after the completion of the acquisition.

Detailed Explanation:

Exemption from Open Offer: SEBI has exempted Roshni Nadar from the requirement of making an open offer under takeover regulations for the indirect acquisition of HCL Tech and HCL Infosystems.

Succession Plan: The approval facilitates Roshni Nadar’s succession plan as the acquisition is treated as a “gift,” ensuring a smooth transition of ownership.

Ownership Increase: After the acquisition, Roshni Nadar’s stake in VSIPL and HCL Corporation will increase to 57% in both companies.

Current Stake Structure:VSIPL holds a 44.17% stake in HCL Tech and 12.94% in HCL Infosystems.

Roshni Nadar must file a report with SEBI within 21 days after the completion of the acquisition.

17) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

PSLV will launch the Proba-3 mission on December 4, 2024 to deploy two satellites developed by the European Space Agency (ESA).

Proba-3 is the first mission in the world where two satellites will fly in a parallel formation for long durations.

Mission Duration and Orbit Cycle:The satellites will fly in formation for about six hours during each 19-hour orbit around Earth.

Detailed Explanation:

PSLV will launch the Proba-3 mission on December 4, 2024 to deploy two satellites developed by the European Space Agency (ESA).

Proba-3 is the first mission in the world where two satellites will fly in a parallel formation for long durations.

Purpose of the Mission:The satellite pair is designed to study the solar corona, the outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere.

Formation Flying:The satellites will maintain a distance of about 150 meters from each other for six hours per day.

A laser from one satellite will be reflected onto the other satellite’s reflector to maintain a relative position.

Orbit Details:Initially, the satellites will be launched into a highly elliptical orbit of 600 x 60,530 km.

This formation allows the Proba-3 mission to study the solar corona more closely than previous space missions.

Technology:Proba-3 satellites will maintain mm-level accuracy in formation flying, which is a significant advancement compared to earlier missions with cm-level accuracy.

Previous Formation Flying:While other spacecraft have demonstrated formation flying, Proba-3 will push the boundaries with long-duration, precise formation flying in space.

Mission Duration and Orbit Cycle:The satellites will fly in formation for about six hours during each 19-hour orbit around Earth.

18) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

IIFCL (India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited) has requested the government to include the space sector in the harmonized list of infrastructure to facilitate easier financing for satellite vehicle manufacturing.

Current Funding Guidelines:IIFCL can only provide funding to sectors listed in the harmonized infrastructure master list, which currently includes five main sectors and 37 sub-sectors.

Detailed Explanation:

IIFCL’s Engagement with ISRO:IIFCL has been involved with the space sector through its subsidiary, IIFCL Projects Limited (IPL).

IPL has helped ISRO with various activities, including transferring 13 satellites to NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, which involved complex legal processes.

Financing the Space Sector:IIFCL aims to engage in financing satellite vehicle manufacturing and other space-related sectors, provided the space sector is included in the harmonized list of infrastructure.

Current Funding Guidelines:IIFCL can only provide funding to sectors listed in the harmonized infrastructure master list, which currently includes five main sectors and 37 sub-sectors.

19) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Aashish Khan, the legendary sarod maestro who popularised the instrument world over and collaborated with international musicians like George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Ringo Starr, has passed away at the age of 84.

Born in 1939 in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh,India.

Detailed Explanation:

Born in 1939 in Maihar, Madhya Pradesh,India.

Contributions to Indian Classical Music:Played a pivotal role in bringing Indian classical music to global audiences.

Appointed composer and conductor of the All India Radio’s Vadya Vrinda ensemble in 1989, following stalwarts like Pandit Ravi Shankar.

20) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship by finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

This victory cements him as only the sixth driver in F1 history to achieve at least four championships, a testament to his dominance in the sport.

Verstappen needed to finish ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris to clinch the title.

Starting in fifth position, he advanced to second by the 10th lap on the Las Vegas Strip circuit.

Norris, who had to outscore Verstappen by three points to extend the championship, finished sixth.

Detailed Explanation:

Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship by finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

This victory cements him as only the sixth driver in F1 history to achieve at least four championships, a testament to his dominance in the sport.

Verstappen needed to finish ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris to clinch the title.

Starting in fifth position, he advanced to second by the 10th lap on the Las Vegas Strip circuit.

Norris, who had to outscore Verstappen by three points to extend the championship, finished sixth.

The race was won by George Russell, with teammate Lewis Hamilton finishing second, marking the first Mercedes 1-2 finish since 2022.

Carlos Sainz Jr. of Ferrari completed the podium in third place.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished fourth, while Norris and Verstappen came sixth and fifth, respectively.

21) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

World Heritage Week, observed globally from November 19 to November 25, celebrates the preservation and promotion of cultural and historical heritage.

The 2024 theme is “Discover and Experience Diversity”, highlighting cultural and natural heritage richness worldwide.

India is home to 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites as of September 2024.

Detailed Explanation:

World Heritage Week, observed globally from November 19 to November 25, celebrates the preservation and promotion of cultural and historical heritage.

This initiative, led by UNESCO and supported in India by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), serves as a platform to emphasise the importance of safeguarding the world’s shared heritage.

The 2024 theme is “Discover and Experience Diversity”, highlighting cultural and natural heritage richness worldwide.

Origins:

Established in 1945, following World War II, to promote moral and intellectual unity and foster enduring global peace through the appreciation and preservation of shared heritage.

Recent Additions:

Moidams – Mound Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty (Assam).

Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala Temples (Belur, Halebid, and Somanathapura, Karnataka).

Santiniketan (Rabindranath Tagore’s cultural and educational hub, West Bengal).

Total Sites:

India is home to 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites as of September 2024.

22) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Constitution Day 2024 is observed on the 26th of November 2024.

On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the Constitution of India.

It came into force on January 26, 1950.

Constitution Day aims to bring awareness about the importance of the Constitution and Dr. B R Ambedkar.

Detailed Explanation:

Constitution Day 2024 is observed on the 26th of November 2024.

On November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India formally adopted the Constitution of India.

It came into force on January 26, 1950.

Constitution Day aims to bring awareness about the importance of the Constitution and Dr. B R Ambedkar.

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, chairman of the drafting committee, is considered to be the chief architect of the Constitution of India.

He is also called the Father of the Indian Constitution.

The Constitution of India was drafted by the members of the Constituent Assembly.

23) Answer: B

Types of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

Cultural Heritage Sites:

Represent architectural brilliance and artistic treasures, such as the Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, and Hampi monuments.

Natural Heritage Sites:

Include ecological wonders like the Sundarbans, Kaziranga National Park, and the Western Ghats, recognized for their biodiversity and scientific significance.

Mixed Heritage Sites:

Exhibit both cultural and natural importance. India has one Mixed Heritage Site currently, with potential candidates like the Cold Deserts of Ladakh and KeibulLamjao Conservation Area (Manipur) under consideration.

24) Answer: C

About European Space Agency :

Formed : 30 May 1975

Headquarters : Paris, France

Director General : Josef Aschbacher

Member states : Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

25) Answer: D

About Jharkhand :

Governor :Santosh Gangwar

Chief Minister : Hemant Soren

Capital : Ranchi

Tiger Reserve : Palamu Tiger Reserve

Wildlife Sanctuary : Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Gautam Budha Wildlife Sanctuary, Udhwa Lake Bird Wildlife Sanctuary