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361. Who is the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of India?
[A] Ajit Doval
[B] T V Somanathan
[C] Manoj Govil
[D] Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty
Correct Answer: D [Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty]
Notes:
The Government of India has undertaken a significant reorganization of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) by appointing new members aimed at bolstering its oversight and policy development functions. This restructuring is indicative of a strategic initiative to enhance the governance framework surrounding atomic energy within the nation. The AEC plays a pivotal role in formulating policies that direct the operations of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), which is integral to India’s nuclear energy sector. The newly constituted AEC features prominent individuals such as T V Somanathan and Manoj Govil, who hold the positions of Cabinet Secretary and Expenditure Secretary, respectively. Additionally, Ajit Kumar Mohanty, the Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, has been designated as the Chairman of the commission. Other distinguished members include National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, both of whom contribute extensive expertise to the commission.
362. Who has been appointed as the Director General of the CRPF?
[A] Gyanedra Pratap Singh
[B] Ajay Joshi
[C] Raja Vardhan Singh
[D] Shekhar Chandra
Correct Answer: A [Gyanedra Pratap Singh]
Notes:
On January 18, 2025, the Government of India designated Gyanendra Pratap Singh, an officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) from the 1991 batch and affiliated with the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, as the Director General (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Previously, Singh held the position of Director General of Police (DGP) in Assam. He will take on his new responsibilities without delay, with his term set to last until his retirement on November 30, 2027, or until any subsequent directives are issued.
363. Who has recently appointed as the 53rd Prime Minister of Lebanon?
[A] Amine Gemayel
[B] Bachir Gemayel
[C] Nawaf Abdallah Salim Salam
[D] Suleiman Frangieh
Correct Answer: C [Nawaf Abdallah Salim Salam]
Notes:
In January 2025, Nawaf Abdallah Salim Salam assumed the role of the 53rd Prime Minister of Lebanon. His appointment followed a parliamentary vote in which he garnered 78 out of 128 votes from Members of Parliament. He succeeds the current Prime Minister, Najib Azmi Mikati. At present, Salam holds the position of President at the International Court of Justice located in The Hague, Netherlands.
364. Which state has recently celebrated the annual Kagyed Dance Festival in Gangtok?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Assam
[C] Sikkim
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Correct Answer: C [Sikkim]
Notes:
The Kagyed Chaam Dance Festival is a prestigious Buddhist celebration held annually at Tsuklakhang Palace in Gangtok, Sikkim. This event showcases elaborate masked dances performed by Buddhist monks and lamas, representing the removal of negative forces and the ushering in of peace and prosperity for the forthcoming year. Occurring on the 28th and 29th days of the 10th month of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar, which generally falls in early December, the festival is a vibrant cultural event that draws both local inhabitants and international tourists seeking spiritual blessings. The festivities conclude with a ceremonial burning of effigies, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
365. Which tribe of Tamil Nadu has recently celebrated their festival called Modhweth to mark the New Year?
[A] Irula
[B] Toda
[C] Kurumba
[D] Badaga
Correct Answer: B [Toda]
Notes:
The Toda tribe is an old Dravidian ethnic group living in the Nilgiris Hills of Tamil Nadu. In December 2025, they held their New Year festival called Modhweth. This lively event occurred at Muthanad Mund, the tribe’s community center, and included people of all ages. The festival represents their cultural identity and spiritual values, focusing on health, farming, and togetherness.
366. Flamingo Festival 2025 is celebrated in which state?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Gujarat
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Correct Answer: C [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The Flamingo Festival 2025 is set to make its return to Andhra Pradesh after a hiatus of four years, focusing on the celebration of migratory avian species, particularly flamingos, at Pulicat Lake and the Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary. The festival will take place across five significant venues: Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Atakanithippa, BV Palem (Pulicat Lake), the Government Junior College in Sullurpet, and Sri City. It is anticipated that over 200 bird species, including flamingos, grey pelicans, and open-bill storks, will migrate to this area. The festival will feature a variety of activities such as birdwatching, eco-friendly biodiversity workshops, boating excursions, cultural performances, and market stalls in Sullurpeta.
367. Prasar Bharati has launched an FM channel dedicated to Maha Kumbh 2025, with which name?
[A] Kumbhvani
[B] Mahavani
[C] Mahakumbhvani
[D] Prayagrajvani
Correct Answer: A [Kumbhvani]
Notes:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a special FM channel named Kumbhvani (103.5 MHz) at the Circuit House in Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh 2025. The event featured Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan, who joined online. This channel is designed to make the Kumbh experience more accessible to devotees nationwide, particularly for those who cannot attend in person. Kumbhvani is a radio station made for the Maha Kumbh festival. It will be on air from January 10, 2025, to February 26, 2025. The station will run every day from 5:55 AM to 10:05 PM on the frequency of 103.5 MHz.
368. The Boda Tyohar festival, celebrated by the Hatti tribe of which state/UT?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Haryana
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Jammu & Kashmir
Correct Answer: C [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The Boda Tyohar festival, observed by the Hatti tribes in the Trans-Giri area of Himachal Pradesh, began with great fervor. This event represents the most significant annual celebration for the Hatti community, which comprises around three hundred thousand individuals. The festivities commenced on the evening of Posh Dwadashi, which occurred on a Friday this year. Locally referred to as Magho ko Tyohar, the festival extends throughout the month of Magha and is characterized by three separate mini-festivals, each featuring its own distinct traditions and rituals.
369. The Lohri is a harvest festival, celebrated every year in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Assam
[C] Punjab
[D] Nagaland
Correct Answer: C [Punjab]
Notes:
The Lohri festival is observed annually on January 13, marked by great enthusiasm and fervor. It serves as the primary harvest festival for the Punjabi community. The yearly observance of Lohri in Punjab serves as a unifying event for communities, centered around communal bonfires. This festival commemorates the legacy of Dulla Bhatti, a 16th-century folk hero renowned for his defiance against Mughal tyranny. The narrative of Dulla Bhatti embodies ideals of courage, justice, and cultural solidarity, effectively bridging religious divides among the people of Punjab. This occasion signifies the culmination of the Rabi crop harvest, prompting farmers to congregate in gratitude to the divine for their bountiful yields. Lohri embodies themes of new beginnings, familial cohesion, and agricultural success. Celebrations typically include bonfires, traditional culinary delights, and vibrant cultural dances.
370. The Gaan-Ngai festival is the largest cultural and religious post-harvest celebration festival of which state?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Manipur
Correct Answer: D [Manipur]
Notes:
The Gaan-Ngai festival, the biggest cultural and religious celebration after harvest for the Zeliangrong community, started with lively events on January 12, 2025, across different areas of Manipur. Famous for its colorful cultural displays and traditional practices, Gaan-Ngai unites people in a joyful spirit. This five-day festival symbolizes the shift from the old year to the new, emphasizing peace, prosperity, and healing within the community.
