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161. Which helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard crashed during a training sortie in Porbandar, Gujarat recently?
[A] Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-I
[B] Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-II
[C] Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-III
[D] Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-IV
Correct Answer: C [Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-III]
Notes:
On January 5, 2025, an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-III belonging to the Indian Coast Guard crashed while training in Porbandar, Gujarat. Sadly, all three crew members on board died. This was the second deadly crash of the ALH Mark-III in just four months. The first crash happened in September during a medical evacuation, which also resulted in three deaths. Earlier, in March 2023, there was another ALH incident in Kochi, but there were no casualties. These accidents have raised significant safety worries about this helicopter model.
162. The first India-Malaysia Security Dialogue took place in where recently?
[A] Great Noida
[B] New Delhi
[C] Malacca
[D] Kuala Lumpur
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
India and Malaysia have recently made efforts to strengthen their relationship with the first India-Malaysia Security Dialogue in New Delhi. This meeting was led by India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, and Malaysia’s National Security Council Director General, Raja Dato Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin. The dialogue is a significant step in both countries’ plans to work together on security matters, showing their dedication to a strong strategic partnership.
163. India and which country has recently announced a strategic partnership aimed at co-producing sonobuoys?
[A] France
[B] United States
[C] UK
[D] Israel
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
India and the United States have recently formed a strategic partnership to co-produce sonobuoys for Undersea Domain Awareness (UDA) in the Indian Navy. This move shows both countries’ worries about the growing Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean Region. The partnership was highlighted during U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s visit to India, where the focus was on improving defense innovation and industrial cooperation. Sonobuoys are tools that help find submarines in deep water. They are launched from planes or ships and can listen to sounds underwater. These devices are very important for naval missions, especially in fighting against submarines.
164. After Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which state government has seeked Defense Industrial Corridor development from the centre?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Assam
[D] Gujarat
Correct Answer: C [Assam]
Notes:
In January 2025, Hemanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, revealed that discussions with the central government are currently underway concerning the creation of a defence industrial corridor in the state. This initiative is designed to improve the logistical efficiency of the armed forces in India’s northeastern region. The proposal is inspired by analogous projects in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which have already attracted investment and undergone significant development.
165. Which of the following has achieved a milestone by successfully commissioning two units of Hydropower Project in Bhutan?
[A] Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
[B] Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd
[C] Insolation Energy Ltd
[D] Havells India Limited
Correct Answer: A [Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)]
Notes:
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has reached a significant milestone with the successful commissioning of two units at the Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (PHEP-II) in Bhutan. This initiative, which encompasses a total capacity of 6×170 MW, was carried out under a bilateral agreement between India and Bhutan. The activation of these units represents a notable progression in a long-standing collaboration focused on improving energy production in the region.
166. Which of the following ministry has recently amended the rules for selecting experts in the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Law & Justice
[C] Ministry of Home
[D] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recently revised the regulations governing the selection of experts for the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). These modifications are intended to improve transparency and mitigate potential conflicts of interest among the committee’s members. The amendments are in response to a Supreme Court directive that mandated the establishment of a national policy regarding genetically modified (GM) crops. The GEAC is crucial in overseeing the regulation of GM seeds in India and safeguarding environmental integrity.
167. Who was appointed as the new DG of CRPF?
[A] Srujan Nayar
[B] Jagadish Pande
[C] Vitul Kumar
[D] None of the above
Correct Answer: C [Vitul Kumar]
Notes:
On December 31, 2024, the Government of India (GoI) designated Vitul Kumar, an officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) from the 1993 batch, to assume the additional role of Director General (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) following the retirement of the current DG, Anish Dayal Singh. The appointment was formalized through an order from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Kumar will serve in this capacity until a regular appointment is made or until further directives are issued by the MHA. This senior IPS officer, hailing from the Uttar Pradesh (UP) cadre, is presently fulfilling the duties of Special DG within the CRPF.
168. Who has been reappointed as Non-Executive Chairman of Bandhan Bank?
[A] Anup Kumar Sinha
[B] Vaishnav Kumar
[C] Rajesh Dave
[D] Surendranath G
Correct Answer: A [Anup Kumar Sinha]
Notes:
The RVI approved the re-appointment of Anup Kumar Sinha as the Non-Executive (Independent) Chairman of the Bandhan Bank Limited. He will hold the office for the period from January 7, 2025 to July 4, 2026. He an economist, was the former Director of Heritage Business School(‘HBS’), West Bengal and Currently designated as chief Mentor.
169. Who has been appointed as the CEO of UIDAI?
[A] Suresh Chandra
[B] Dayaram Vade
[C] Sukumaran
[D] Bhuvnesh Kumar
Correct Answer: D [Bhuvnesh Kumar]
Notes:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) appointed Bhuvnesh Kumar, additional Secretary of the Meity, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) with effect from January 2, 2025. He replaced Amit Agrawal who was appointed as the Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoC&F) in December 2024. Bhuvnesh Kumar, an IAS officer from the 1995 Uttar Pradesh cadre, has taken over as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
170. Who has been appointed the new Director-General (DG) of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)?
[A] Trivedi Gupta
[B] Faiz Ahmed Kidwai
[C] Manohar Singh
[D] Mohammed Javeed
Correct Answer: [Faiz Ahmed Kidwai]
Notes:
Senior IAS officer Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, who belongs to the 1996 batch from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been named the new Director-General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment, which comes after Vikram Dev Dutt was promoted and moved to the Ministry of Coal. Kidwai will now tackle important issues, such as settling conflicts regarding pilot duty and rest regulations.
