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311. Who has recently been launched the registration portal for the 3rd edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS)?
[A] Dharmenndra Pradhan
[B] Narendra Modi
[C] Amit Shah
[D] Droupadi Murmu
Correct Answer: A [Dharmenndra Pradhan]
Notes:
The registration portal for Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) 3.0 has been inaugurated by Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan. Scheduled to occur from February 15 to February 24, 2025, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, this initiative seeks to enhance the cultural connections between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, highlighting their common heritage. Registrations for KTS 3.0 will remain open until February 1, 2025, and can be completed through the portal kashitamil.iitm.ac.in.
312. Which state will become India’s first state to have a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Karnataka
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Correct Answer: A [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The government of Maharashtra has recently taken steps to form a 16-member committee responsible for developing the state’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy. This initiative aims to establish Maharashtra as the first state in India to adopt a comprehensive AI policy. The recommendations put forth by the committee will be crafted to align with the central government’s India AI Mission, thereby enhancing the state’s digital economy and promoting industrial progress. Chaired by the director of the Directorate of Information Technology in Mumbai, the committee is anticipated to present its recommendations within a specified timeframe. The primary objective of the policy is to support the India AI Mission by leveraging Maharashtra’s entrepreneurial strengths, with the goal of accelerating industrial development and aiding the state’s aspiration to achieve a $1 trillion GDP.
313. The Bose Institute has recently discovered which Ayurvedic remedy to effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease?
[A] Lasunadya Ghrita
[B] Kamadudha Rasa
[C] Punarnavadi Mandura
[D] Navayasa Lauha
Correct Answer: A [Lasunadya Ghrita]
Notes:
Recent advancements in the field of Alzheimer’s disease research present promising prospects for the development of effective therapies. A research team under the leadership of Professor Anirban Bhunia at the Bose Institute has investigated novel methodologies aimed at addressing neurodegenerative conditions, with a particular emphasis on amyloid proteins, which play a pivotal role in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. These amyloid proteins are known to aggregate and form plaques within the brain, resulting in neuronal death. This pathological process is responsible for the cognitive decline and memory impairment that characterize the disease. The research team led by Professor Bhunia implemented two primary strategies. The first involved the chemical synthesis of peptides designed to inhibit the aggregation of amyloid beta. The second strategy entailed the repurposing of Lasunadya Ghrita (LG), an Ayurvedic formulation, to effectively target the aggregation of amyloid beta.
314. Which Indian private company by google-backed has launched first three satellites of firefly constellation?
[A] Boat
[B] Pixxel
[C] Udaan
[D] Livspace
Correct Answer: B [Pixxel]
Notes:
Pixxel, a space technology firm located in Bengaluru and supported by Google, has achieved a significant milestone by successfully launching the initial three satellites of its Firefly constellation, which aims to establish the highest-resolution hyperspectral satellite network globally. This launch is the first phase of Pixxel’s commercial satellite constellation, with three more Firefly statellites set to launch in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025.
315. Recently, 4G and 5G services were provided by an Indian telecom firm in Siachen Glacier, it is located in which mountain range?
[A] Purvanchal Range
[B] Karakoram Range
[C] Satpura Range
[D] Transhimalaya Range
Correct Answer: B [Karakoram Range]
Notes:
The Siachen Glacier is located in the Karakoram Range, part of the Himalayan mountain system, specifically within the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Recently, Reliance Jio, a prominent telecommunications company in India, has launched 4G and 5G services in this isolated area, representing the first instance of a telecom operator providing connectivity at the glacier. This development has greatly improved the quality of life for military personnel and enhanced the operational capabilities of the Indian Army. Soldiers now have the ability to communicate with their families and access advanced communication technologies, including video conferencing and high-speed internet. Such advancements promote better coordination and expedite decision-making processes.
316. Which Indian space startup has recently achieved milestone with the successful launch of its Space Camera for Object Tracking (SCOT) mission?
[A] Digantara
[B] Satellize
[C] GalazEye Space
[D] Agnikul
Correct Answer: A [Digantara]
Notes:
On January 14, 2025, the Indian space startup Digantara reached a significant milestone with the successful deployment of its Space Camera for Object Tracking (SCOT) mission. This achievement represents a crucial advancement in improving space situational awareness and tracking capabilities within Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The mission was executed using SpaceX’s Transporter-12 rocket, highlighting India’s expanding role in the international space sector. SCOT is designed for space surveillance and is one of the world’s first commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) satellites. The satellite aims to track Resident Space Objects (RSOs) effectively. The SCOT satellite was launched on SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The mission successfully established contact with its ground station shortly after launch.
317. Which space agency has recently launched Blue Ghost and Resilience lunar lander from Kennedy Space Center?
[A] SpaceX
[B] ISRO
[C] Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI)
[D] Centre National E’Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
Correct Answer: A [SpaceX]
Notes:
On January 15, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. This mission was notable for transporting two lunar landers: the primary payload, Blue Ghost, and the secondary payload, Resilience. Blue Ghost, officially referred to as Ghost Riders in the Sky, is a product of Firefly Aerospace, a Texas-based company. In contrast, the Resilience lunar lander is spearheaded by ispace Inc., a Tokyo-based organization. The two landers are planned to reach the Moon at staggered intervals, with Blue Ghost scheduled for the initial deployment.
318. Which of the following has allowed IFC, ADB, DEC to acquire a stake in Fourth Partner Energy?
[A] Chief Labour Commissioner
[B] Competition Commission of India (CCI)
[C] Finance Commission (FCI)
[D] None of the above
Correct Answer: B [Competition Commission of India (CCI)]
Notes:
On December 31, 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) granted approval for the following proposals: The acquisition of a specific stake in Fourth Partner Energy Limited (FPEL), a prominent renewable energy firm based in Hyderabad, Telangana, which specializes in the development and financing of renewable energy projects. This acquisition is a collaborative effort involving the International Finance Corporation (IFC) from Washington, D.C., a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) based in Manila, Philippines, and DEG (Deutsche Investitions und Entwicklungsgellschaft mbH) representing the German government. The CCI has approved the proposal of Virginia (the USA)-based Mars, Incorporated (Mars) to acquire all outstanding equity shares of Chicago (the USA)-based Kellanova (formerly Kellogg Company), a Delaware corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) for USD 36 billion.
319. Who has approved the merger of Bangalore-based National Co-operative Bank with Cosmos Co-operative Bank of Maharashtra?
[A] Reserve Bank of India
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry Of Corporate Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Correct Answer: A [Reserve Bank of India]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given the green light for the merger of National Co-operative Bank in Bangalore with Cosmos Co-operative Bank in Maharashtra, effective from January 6, 2025. This move is part of the ongoing efforts to consolidate the banking sector in India. After the merger, the branches of National Co-operative Bank will function under Cosmos Co-operative Bank. This approval follows several restrictions placed on National Co-operative Bank due to its poor financial health.
320. Which insurance company has recently acquired 10% stake in Bima Sugam India Federation?
[A] SBI Life Insurance
[B] HDFC Life Insurance
[C] ICICI Life Insurance
[D] None of the above
Correct Answer: A [SBI Life Insurance]
Notes:
SBI Life Insurance Company Limited recently acquired a 10% stake in Bima Sugam India Federation. SBI Life’s board approved the investment on December 30, 2024. SBI Life invested ₹6.6 crore, which is 66 lakh equity shares with a face value of ₹10 each. Bima Sugam India Federation is an unlisted company that aims to create a centralized marketplace for insurance products and services. It was incorporated on June 18, 2024.
