Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2025 of 07th January 2025. 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 2025 & other competitive exams can make use of these Current Affairs Quiz.

 

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1) According to the report, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasizes banks' role in boosting rural growth through collateral-free loans. Which of the following areas does not fall under Grameen Bharat Mahotsav (GBM 2025)?

(a) GI Tags

(b) Natural farming

(c) Women Empowerment

(d) Youth Affairs

(e) Tribal Welfare

2) Which bank intends to introduce an instant loan program with a maximum loan amount of ₹25 lakh for Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs)?

(a) Canara bank

(b) State Bank of India

(c) Punjab National Bank

(d) Bank of Baroda

(e) Punjab & Sind bank

3) Recently, the World Bank is set to approve a $20 billion indicative lending package for Pakistan under how many years initiative known as the Pakistan Country Partnership Framework?

(a) 5years

(b) 10years

(c) 15years

(d) 20years

(e) 25years

4) To create a new district called Vav-Tharad, with its headquarters located in Tharad, the Gujarat government has chosen to divide the Banaskantha district in half. How many districts will there be in Gujarat overall?

(a) 32

(b) 31

(c) 33

(d) 34

(e) 35

5) How many million dollars in cash prizes were recently announced by the Tamil Nadu chief minister for the individuals or organizations that were able to decipher the script of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC)?

(a) $1.0 million

(b) $1.5 million

(c) $2.0 million

(d) $2.5 million

(e) $0.5 million

6) In partnership with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the National Commission for Women (NCW) launched "Panchayat Se Parliament 2.0" at Samvidhan Sadan's Central Hall. How many women from Scheduled Tribes were elected to represent them in the 22 states and Union Territories?

(a) 501

(b) 502

(c) 503

(d) 504

(e) 505

7) How many minutes is the new Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) between Delhi and Meerut, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated, a significant reduction in travel time?

(a) 20min

(b) 30min

(c) 60min

(d) 15min

(e) 40min

8) In which year was the Ministry of Cooperation established to promote the cooperative sector, and what did Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocate for regarding cooperatives like Amul?

(a) 2019; Establishing more cooperatives for better government subsidies

(b) 2020; Establishing more cooperatives for international trade

(c) 2021; Establishing five to six more cooperatives like Amul to ensure better prices for farmers' produce

(d) 2022; Establishing new agricultural research institutes to support cooperatives

(e) None of these

9) In FY 2024, how much percent of rural poverty has been reduced from 25.7% in 2011-12?

(a) 4.86%

(b) 4.82%

(c) 4.84%

(d) 4.85%

(e) 4.88%

10) How many individuals received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden in recognition of their contributions to sports, entertainment, activism, and diplomacy?

(a) 15

(b) 17

(c) 19

(d) 21

(e) 12

11) Recently, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has named Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, an IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, as its new director general. He succeeds____________.

(a) Ashutosh Agnihotri

(b) Akash Tripathi

(c) D.C. Sharma

(d) Kamal Kishore Soan

(e) Shubha Thakur

12) Recently, Kevan Parekh, an executive of Indian descent, became Apple's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on January 1, 2025. Since which year has Parekh been employed by Apple?

(a) 2011

(b) 2012

(c) 2013

(d) 2010

(e) 2014

13) Who has been appointed as the Nasscom Foundation's new CEO with immediate effect following the departure of Nidhi Bhasin?

(a) Jyoti Sharma

(b) Akash Tripathi

(c) Vinay Kumar

(d) Kamal Kishore Soan

(e) Shubha Thakur

14) On January 3, 2025, how many Indian Americans were sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives, making it the largest number of Indian-American representatives in American history at the time?

(a) 4

(b) 5

(c) 6

(d) 7

(e) 8

15) According to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) automatically approved Avenue-Mavco's acquisition of MHM Holding GmbH via the Green Channel route. When was the Green Channel route formed?

(a) 2021

(b) 2017

(c) 2019

(d) 2020

(e) 2018

16) Which bank's plan to purchase a combined 9.5% stake in Kotak Mahindra Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, and Capital Small Finance Bank has been approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?

(a) ICICI bank

(b) HDFC bank

(c) Axis bank

(d) Karnataka bank

(e) Federal bank

17) Which organization has teamed up with top venture capital firm Stride Ventures to help Indian startups grow and reach a wider audience worldwide?

(a) SEBI

(b) SIDBI

(c) NABARD

(d) DPIIT

(e) CCI

18) In 2024 Logistics Index categorizes India's logistical performance by states and union territories. Which of the following pairs is incorrect?

(a) Punjab - Fast Movers

(b) Maharashtra - Achievers

(c) Kerala - Aspirers

(d) All the above correct

(e) All the above incorrect

19) According to the CloudSEKThreat Landscape Report 2024, India is ranked second globally for cyberattacks in 2024. How many entities were targeted in data theft incidents?

(a) 91

(b) 93

(c) 95

(d) 97

(e) 99

20) Which edition of the Lakshya Cup event in Mumbai saw Navy's Kiran Jadhav win the 10m air rifle event, earning his first gold medal after reaching the finals every year since 2018?

(a) 14th

(b) 15th

(c) 16th

(d) 19th

(e) 18th

21) The 17-year-old Luke Littler defeated Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final at Alexandra Palace in London to become the youngest-ever World Darts Champion. Littler received a ________________ prize for his triumph.

(a) £500,000

(b) £200,000

(c) £300,000

(d) £400,000

(e) £100,000

22) Recently (Jan’25), Costas Simitis, a former Greek prime minister and socialist leader, has died. In which year did he publish the book "Derailment"?

(a) 2011

(b) 2010

(c) 2012

(d) 2013

(e) 2014

23) Recently, Malnad region veteran novelist Na. D'Souza passed away. Which year did D'Souza preside over the 80th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in Madikeri, a significant Karnataka literary event?

(a) 2012

(b) 2013

(c) 2014

(d) 2015

(e) 2016

24) Recently, Krishan Datta, a seasoned sports journalist passed away. Which company did Datta work for as the Sports Editor?

(a) The Hindu

(b) The Times of India

(c) Hindustan times

(d) Economic Times

(e) Indian Express

25) Recently (Jan’25), a major contributor to India's nuclear program, Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram, passed away. Which year was he awarded the Padma Shri?

(a) 1974

(b) 1975

(c) 1976

(d) 1977

(e) 1978

Answers :

1) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the crucial role of public sector banks (PSBs) in driving rural empowerment by providing collateral-free loans to small businesses and artisans through various Central Government schemes.

Grameen Bharat Mahotsav (GBM2025):

Showcases India's rich cultural heritage and rural aspirations.

Focuses on four key areas: GI Tags, natural farming, women empowerment, and tribal welfare.

Detailed Explanation:

Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the crucial role of public sector banks (PSBs) in driving rural empowerment by providing collateral-free loans to small businesses and artisans through various Central Government schemes.

Rural development has been a top priority for the Modi-led government since 2014.

Key focus areas include uplifting the poor, youth, farmers, and women through financial support from PSBs.

Schemes Highlighted by Sitharaman:

PM MUDRA Yojana: Provides collateral-free loans to micro and small businesses.

PM Awas Yojana: Supports affordable housing for the rural poor.

SVANidhi Yojana: Aims at providing street vendors with affordable working capital.

Credit Saturation Drives: PSBs are conducting drives to ensure credit saturation in priority sectors, contributing significantly to rural empowerment.

Grameen Bharat Mahotsav (GBM2025):

Showcases India's rich cultural heritage and rural aspirations.

Focuses on four key areas: GI Tags, natural farming, women empowerment, and tribal welfare.

2) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Punjab & Sind Bank plans to launch an instant loan scheme for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with loans up to ₹25 lakh.

These schemes operate on a Straight Through Process (STP), running on a pre-defined Business Rule Engine (BRE), which automates the loan processing and sanctioning stages.

Detailed Explanation:

Punjab & Sind Bank plans to launch an instant loan scheme for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with loans up to ₹25 lakh.

The scheme will be rolled out this month as part of the bank's initiative to digitally push credit.

The bank has already introduced digital home loan and vehicle loan schemes, where in-principle approval is granted within 15 minutes.

These schemes operate on a Straight Through Process (STP), running on a pre-defined Business Rule Engine (BRE), which automates the loan processing and sanctioning stages.

Automated Loan Process:The automated approach eliminates manual intervention, improving the speed, efficiency, and customer experience in processing loans.

The STP process will be extended to the MSME loan products, with a focus on cash flow assessment and tracking the digital footprint via account statements.

3) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The World Bank is set to approve a $20 billion indicative lending package for Pakistan under a 10-year initiative called the Pakistan Country Partnership Framework 2025-35.

This funding package aims to safeguard funded projects from political transitions and focus on six key areas to improve social indicators in Pakistan.

Detailed Explanation:

The World Bank is set to approve a $20 billion indicative lending package for Pakistan under a 10-year initiative called the Pakistan Country Partnership Framework 2025-35.

This funding package aims to safeguard funded projects from political transitions and focus on six key areas to improve social indicators in Pakistan.

Key Areas of Focus:The package will focus on the following areas:

Reducing child stunting

Combating learning poverty

Enhancing climate resilience

Decarbonising the environment

Expanding fiscal space

Boosting private investment to improve productivity

Approval and Key Visits:The World Bank board is scheduled to approve the framework on January 14, 2025.

4) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Gujarat government has decided to split Banaskantha district into two parts, creating a new district named Vav-Tharad, with its headquarters at Tharad.

With the creation of Vav-Tharad, the total number of districts in Gujarat will increase to 34.

Detailed Explanation:

The Gujarat government has decided to split Banaskantha district into two parts, creating a new district named Vav-Tharad, with its headquarters at Tharad.

With the creation of Vav-Tharad, the total number of districts in Gujarat will increase to 34.

Banaskantha was the largest district in Gujarat in terms of talukas and the second-largest in terms of area.

Banaskantha had 14 talukas, and 8 talukas (Vav, Bhabhar, Tharad, Dhanera, Suigam, Lakhni, Diodar, and Kankrej) will now be part of the new Vav-Tharad district.

The formation of the new district is expected to lead to increased funds and government grants, resulting in better infrastructure and human development services for the region.

5) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, announced a $1 million cash prize for individuals or organizations that successfully decipher the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) script.

Iravatham Mahadevan Research Chair:Tamil Nadu allocated ₹2 crore to establish a research chair in the name of Iravatham Mahadevan, a noted epigraphist, to promote archaeological research.

Detailed Explanation:

MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, announced a $1 million cash prize for individuals or organizations that successfully decipher the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) script.

Despite over 100 years of efforts, the script of the IVC, discovered by Sir John Marshall in 1924, remains a mystery.

Stalin made this announcement during the Centenary Year celebrations of the IVC discovery in Chennai.

Iravatham Mahadevan Research Chair:Tamil Nadu allocated ₹2 crore to establish a research chair in the name of Iravatham Mahadevan, a noted epigraphist, to promote archaeological research.

An annual award will be given to two scholars to encourage archaeological studies.

6) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The National Commission for Women (NCW), in collaboration with the Lok Sabha Secretariat and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, inaugurated ‘Panchayat Se Parliament 2.0’ at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.

502 elected women representatives from Scheduled Tribes across 22 states and Union Territories.

Detailed Explanation:

The National Commission for Women (NCW), in collaboration with the Lok Sabha Secretariat and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, inaugurated ‘Panchayat Se Parliament 2.0’ at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.

This initiative commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a revered tribal leader and freedom fighter.

Key Launch Details

Inaugurated by: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Date: January 2025.

Purpose: Educating 500+ women representatives from Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) on the Constitution and parliamentary procedures.

Commemoration:

Marks the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda.

Participants:

502 elected women representatives from Scheduled Tribes across 22 states and Union Territories.

Objectives:

Empower women leaders by enhancing their understanding of:

Constitutional provisions.

Parliamentary procedures.

Governance and democratic institutions.

Foster effective leadership for local governance.

7) Answer: E

Short Explanation:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) connecting Delhi and Meerut, drastically reducing travel time to just 40 minutes.

The RRTS is seen as a game-changer for Delhi-Meerut connectivity, marking a significant leap in regional travel and infrastructure improvement.

Detailed Explanation:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) connecting Delhi and Meerut, drastically reducing travel time to just 40 minutes.

The RRTS is seen as a game-changer for Delhi-Meerut connectivity, marking a significant leap in regional travel and infrastructure improvement.

The newly inaugurated Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar section is 13 km long, including an underground stretch of 6 km.

Anand Vihar station in Delhi connects to the Delhi Metro’s Blue and Pink Lines, integrating with existing railway and bus terminals.

The full RRTS corridor spans 55 km, from New Ashok Nagar to Meerut South, with 11 stations along the way.

8) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Prime MinisterNarendra Modi called for establishingfive to six more cooperatives like Amul to ensure better prices for farmers' produce and enhance their income.

He emphasized the success of Amul and its model of ensuring that 80% of every rupee spent by consumers reaches dairy farmers.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned that banks have undertaken a saturation drive for 16 government schemes like PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Mudra, and PM SVANidhi, supporting financial inclusion and rural development.

Detailed Explanation:

Prime MinisterNarendra Modi called for establishingfive to six more cooperatives like Amul to ensure better prices for farmers' produce and enhance their income.

He emphasized the success of Amul and its model of ensuring that 80% of every rupee spent by consumers reaches dairy farmers.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 in Delhi, emphasizing the government's commitment to national development through rural development.

The Ministry of Cooperation was established in 2021 to promote the cooperative sector.

According to a survey, rural consumption has tripled since 2011, with a significant reduction in food expenditure. For the first time since independence, rural Indians now spend less than 50% of their income on food.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned that banks have undertaken a saturation drive for 16 government schemes like PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Mudra, and PM SVANidhi, supporting financial inclusion and rural development.

9) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Rural poverty has sharply reduced to 4.86% in FY 2024 from 25.7% in 2011-12.

This decline is primarily driven by government support programs and higher consumption growth in the lowest 0-5% decile.

Urban poverty has also decreased to 4.09% in FY 2024, down from 13.7% in 2011-12.

Detailed Explanation:

Rural poverty has sharply reduced to 4.86% in FY 2024 from 25.7% in 2011-12.

This decline is primarily driven by government support programs and higher consumption growth in the lowest 0-5% decile.

Urban poverty has also decreased to 4.09% in FY 2024, down from 13.7% in 2011-12.

It is expected that urban poverty may decline further, and overall poverty rates in India could be in the range of 4-4.5%, with minimal extreme poverty.

The research highlights that food prices significantly impact overall expenditures, especially in rural areas, where food inflation reduces consumption demand more in lower-income states than in higher-income ones.

According to the latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, consumption inequality has decreased in both rural and urban areas from the previous year.

10) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honorees, recognizing their contributions to entertainment, sports, activism, and diplomacy.

Notable Honorees:

Among the recipients were Bono (singer and activist), Earvin "Magic" Johnson (basketball legend), Lionel Messi (soccer superstar), Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox (actors), and Ralph Lauren (fashion designer).

Jane Goodall (primate researcher) and Hillary Clinton (former First Lady, senator, and US secretary of state) were also recognized.

Detailed Explanation:

President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honorees, recognizing their contributions to entertainment, sports, activism, and diplomacy.

Notable Honorees:

Among the recipients were Bono (singer and activist), Earvin "Magic" Johnson (basketball legend), Lionel Messi (soccer superstar), Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox (actors), and Ralph Lauren (fashion designer).

Jane Goodall (primate researcher) and Hillary Clinton (former First Lady, senator, and US secretary of state) were also recognized.

Posthumous Honors:

The Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded posthumously to Fannie Lou Hamer, a Black civil rights activist, and Robert F. Kennedy, former US attorney general and presidential candidate.

Political Figures and Influence:

Hillary Clinton was honored for her historic role in public service and for being the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party.

George Soros, the financier and philanthropist, was also recognized for his contributions to human rights, democracy, and social justice.

Other Honorees:

Chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, and former Michigan governor George Romney were awarded for their humanitarian and political efforts.

11) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, an IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

He succeeds D.C. Sharma, who is retiring at the end of the month.

Ashutosh Agnihotri, an IAS officer, has been appointed as the Chairman & Managing Director of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary to the Government of India.

Agnihotri was serving as the Additional Secretary in the Department of Home, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Detailed Explanation:

Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, an IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

He succeeds D.C. Sharma, who is retiring at the end of the month.

Ashutosh Agnihotri, an IAS officer, has been appointed as the Chairman & Managing Director of the Food Corporation of India (FCI), in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary to the Government of India.

Agnihotri was serving as the Additional Secretary in the Department of Home, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Akash Tripathi, a 1998 batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Power.

Kamal Kishore Soan has been appointed as Additional Secretary & Mission Director for the Jal Jeevan Mission under the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (previously Additional Secretary in the Labour Ministry).

Shubha Thakur has been appointed as Additional Secretary in the Inter State Council Secretariat under the Home Ministry (formerly Additional Secretary in the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare).

In-situ Upgrade for Vinay Kumar:Vinay Kumar, currently Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, has been upgraded to the position of Additional Secretary in the same ministry.

12) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Indian-origin executive Kevan Parekh has assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Apple, effective January 1, 2025.

Parekh replaces Luca Maestri, who had been Apple's CFO since 2014.

Parekh has been with Apple since 2013, contributing to the company’s financial and business planning, as well as product developme

Detailed Explanation:

Indian-origin executive Kevan Parekh has assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Apple, effective January 1, 2025.

Parekh replaces Luca Maestri, who had been Apple's CFO since 2014.

Role and Responsibilities: As CFO, Parekh will oversee key functions at Apple, including accounting, business support, financial planning and analysis, treasury, investor relations, internal audit, and tax functions.

Parekh has been with Apple since 2013, contributing to the company’s financial and business planning, as well as product developme

13) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Jyoti Sharma has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nasscom Foundation, effective immediately, replacing Nidhi Bhasin.

Detailed Explanation:

Jyoti Sharma has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nasscom Foundation, effective immediately, replacing Nidhi Bhasin.

Sharma brings over 20 years of experience in driving social impact, program development, resource mobilization, and stakeholder engagement.

She has held leadership positions at several organizations, including Organic Cotton Accelerator, the European Commission, World Resources Institute, Magic Bus India Foundation, Action Aid, and Save the Children.

14) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

A historic event as 6 Indian Americans were sworn in as members of the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2025, marking the largest number of Indian-American representatives in U.S. history.

An informal group of the six Indian-American lawmakers coined by Raja Krishnamoorthi.

Historical Background:Dalip Singh Saund was the first Indian American elected to the House of Representatives in 1957.

Detailed Explanation:

A historic event as 6 Indian Americans were sworn in as members of the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2025, marking the largest number of Indian-American representatives in U.S. history.

Appointments of Indian American Representatives :

Name	District	Political Party	Key Positions/Notable Roles
Dr. Ami Bera	7th Congressional District, California	Democratic	Senior-most, serving his seventh consecutive term
Suhash Subramanian	10th Congressional District, Virginia	Democratic	Newest Indian-American Representative
Shri Thanedar	13th Congressional District, Michigan	Democratic	Represents Michigan’s 13th District
Ro Khanna	17th Congressional District, California	Democratic	Member of several key House committees, potential presidential candidate
Raja Krishnamoorthi	8th Congressional District, Illinois	Democratic	Ranking Member of China Committee, House Intelligence Committee member
Pramila Jayapal	7th Congressional District, Washington	Democratic	First Indian-American woman, leader of the progressive group of lawmakers

An informal group of the six Indian-American lawmakers coined by Raja Krishnamoorthi.

Historical Background:Dalip Singh Saund was the first Indian American elected to the House of Representatives in 1957.

15) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) granted automatic approval for the Avenue-Mavco acquisition of MHM Holding GmbH under the Green Channel route.

In order to lessen regulatory burden and encourage an open and accountable merger review process, the Green Channel Route was implemented in 2019.

Detailed Explanation:

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) granted automatic approval for the Avenue-Mavco acquisition of MHM Holding GmbH under the Green Channel route.

The Green Channel route is a fast-track approval process used for transactions with no significant competition concerns or overlaps in the Indian market.

Avenue India Emergence Private. Limited. (Avenue) and Mavco Investments Private Ltd. (Mavco) will jointly acquire 100% ownership of MHM Holding GmbH, the parent company of Hubergroup.

In order to lessen regulatory burden and encourage an open and accountable merger review process, the Green Channel Route was implemented in 2019.

16) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved HDFC Bank's plan to acquire an aggregate stake of up to 9.5% in Kotak Mahindra Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, and Capital Small Finance Bank.  

The RBI's approval is valid until January 2, 2026.

Detailed Explanation:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved HDFC Bank's plan to acquire an aggregate stake of up to 9.5% in Kotak Mahindra Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, and Capital Small Finance Bank.  

The RBI's approval is valid until January 2, 2026.

HDFC Bank and its group entities (including HDFC Mutual Fund, HDFC Life Insurance, HDFC ERGO General Insurance, and HDFC Pension Fund) are restricted to an aggregate holding of 9.5% of the share capital or voting rights in the three banks.

HDFC Bank needs to ensure that its group entities’ combined holding does not exceed the 9.5% cap.

17) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has partnered with Stride Ventures, a leading venture debt firm, to catalyze the growth of Indian startups and expand their global reach.

Detailed Explanation:

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has partnered with Stride Ventures, a leading venture debt firm, to catalyze the growth of Indian startups and expand their global reach.

This collaboration will provide financial support, strategic mentorship, and market access, driving the growth of startups and contributing to India's economic agenda of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship for overall growth.

The partnership supports the Make in India and Make for the World strategies, focusing on sectors like manufacturing, consumer goods, B2B, and cleantech to boost entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment.

Stride Ventures will curate dedicated programs and engage in initiatives like the Bharat Grand Challenge, offering targeted support to startups with high growth potential.

18) Answer: D

Short Explanation:

13 states and Union Territories have been categorized as “Achievers” in the Logistics Index 2024.

This category represents regions with high efficiency in logistics, crucial for promoting exports and economic growth.

These states include Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi, among others.

Detailed Explanation:

13 states and Union Territories have been categorized as “Achievers” in the Logistics Index 2024.

This category represents regions with high efficiency in logistics, crucial for promoting exports and economic growth.

These states include Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi, among others.

Other “Achievers” in 2024:

Chandigarh, Haryana, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Uttarakhand, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh are also in the “Achievers” category.

States in the “Fast Movers” Category:

Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Punjab, Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry have been classified as “Fast Movers”. These regions have shown notable progress in logistics efficiency but are yet to achieve the top status.

States in the “Aspirers” Category:

Kerala, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Ladakh are categorized as “Aspirers”, indicating they are still progressing in improving their logistics infrastructure.

19) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

India rankedsecond globally for cyberattacks in 2024, with 95 entities targeted in data theft incidents, according to the CloudSEKThreatLandscape Report 2024.

The United States led with 140 attacks, while Israel came third with 57 incidents due to geopolitical tensions.

Detailed Explanation:

India rankedsecond globally for cyberattacks in 2024, with 95 entities targeted in data theft incidents, according to the CloudSEKThreatLandscape Report 2024.

The United States led with 140 attacks, while Israel came third with 57 incidents due to geopolitical tensions.

Finance and banking sectors suffered the most, with 20 victims.

Other affected sectors included:

Government (13 victims)

Telecommunications (12 victims)

Healthcare, Pharma, and Education (10 and 9 victims, respectively).

The report highlighted some major breaches:

850 million records of Indian citizen data were leaked from Hi-Tek Group.

Star Health and Allied Insurance customer data was compromised.

2 TB of data was stolen from Telecommunications Consultants India.

20) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Kiran Jadhav of the Navy emerged victorious in the 10m air rifle event at the 15th Lakshya Cup held in Mumbai, securing his first gold medal after consistently making finals since 2018.

Detailed Explanation:

Kiran Jadhav of the Navy emerged victorious in the 10m air rifle event at the 15th Lakshya Cup held in Mumbai, securing his first gold medal after consistently making finals since 2018.

Gold Winner:

Kiran Jadhav clinched gold with a score of 251.7 points, marking a major milestone in his shooting career.

He surpassed Gajanan Khandagale (250.9 points) and Mohit Gowda (229.3 points), both from Maharashtra, who secured second and third places, respectively.

Top Qualifiers:

Mohit Gowda led the qualifiers with 630.5 points, but he couldn't maintain momentum in the finals.

21) Answer: A

Short Explanation:

Luke Littler, 17, became the youngest-ever World Darts Champion after defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final at Alexandra Palace, London.

Littler’s victory earned him a £500,000 prize, marking a significant achievement in his career at such a young age.

Detailed Explanation:

Luke Littler, 17, became the youngest-ever World Darts Champion after defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final at Alexandra Palace, London.

Littler entered the tournament as the pre-tournament favourite after securing 10 trophies in the season leading up to the championship.

He had lost in last year’s final but claimed the title this time with confidence.

Littler’s victory earned him a £500,000 prize, marking a significant achievement in his career at such a young age.

22) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Former Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who ushered the country into the European Union’s single currency in 2001, passed away at the age of 88.

Publications and Criticism:In2012, he published the book “Derailment”, where he criticized the handling of the Greek debt crisis by Greek politicians and the European Union.

Detailed Explanation:

Former Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who ushered the country into the European Union’s single currency in 2001, passed away at the age of 88.

Born on June 23, 1936, was involved in the left-leaning resistance during the German occupation, and his mother, Fani, was an active feminist.

Co-founder of the Socialist PASOK party in 1974.

Key Achievements:Secured the 2004 Olympic Games for Athens and oversaw large-scale infrastructure projects, including a new airport and two subway lines.

Publications and Criticism:In2012, he published the book “Derailment”, where he criticized the handling of the Greek debt crisis by Greek politicians and the European Union.

23) Answer: C

Short Explanation:

Na. D’Souza, a well-known novelist from the Malnad region, passed away at the age of 87 in Mangaluru due to old age-related health issues.

Leadership in Kannada Literature: D’Souza presided over the 80th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in Madikeri in 2014, an important literary event in Karnataka.

Awards and Recognition:He was honored with several awards, including the Pampa Award from the Karnataka government, recognizing his contributions to Kannada literature.

Detailed Explanation:

Na. D’Souza, a well-known novelist from the Malnad region, passed away at the age of 87 in Mangaluru due to old age-related health issues.

He was born in 1937 in Sagar, Shivamogga district, and spent most of his life in this region.

D’Souza’s literary career spanned over 60 years, during which he penned over 40 novels, along with short stories, plays, and stories for children.

Leadership in Kannada Literature: D’Souza presided over the 80th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana in Madikeri in 2014, an important literary event in Karnataka.

Awards and Recognition:He was honored with several awards, including the Pampa Award from the Karnataka government, recognizing his contributions to Kannada literature.

24) Answer: B

Short Explanation:

Krishan Datta, an eminent sports journalist, passed away at the age of 93 on Saturday morning at his South Delhi residence.

Datta served as the Sports Editor of The Times of India and was instrumental in shaping sports journalism in India.

Detailed Explanation:

Krishan Datta, an eminent sports journalist, passed away at the age of 93 on Saturday morning at his South Delhi residence.

Datta served as the Sports Editor of The Times of India and was instrumental in shaping sports journalism in India.

He was honored for his significant contributions to sports journalism by the Delhi Sports Journalist Association and the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA).

Datta was well known for his column "Different Strokes," which he wrote for nearly three decades, contributing greatly to sports coverage in the country.

25) Answer: B

Dr Rajagopala Chidambaram, who was the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, when India did the crucial Pokhran-II nuclear tests, passed away.

Pokhran Nuclear Tests:Pokhran-I (1974): Chidambaram played a significant role in India’s first nuclear test in 1974, earning the Padma Shri award in 1975 for his contributions.

Pokhran-II (1998): He was closely associated with India's second nuclear tests in May 1998, which cemented his role in India’s nuclear weapons program.

This earned him the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.