Black Hole Triple System: Scientists have discovered a rare “black hole triple” system located around 8,000 light years away in the constellation of Cygnus. This unique configuration comprises a black hole consuming a nearby star, with another distant star orbiting the system.
October GST Collections: India’s GST collections for October surged by 8.9% year-on-year to reach Rs 1.87 lakh crore, marking the second-highest level of monthly GST collections since the inception of the indirect tax regime in July 2017.
UPI Transactions Record: India witnessed a record-breaking surge in digital transactions in October, propelled by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), FASTag, and the Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS). The total value of these transactions reached Rs 23.5 trillion.
New Defence Secretary: Rajesh Kumar Singh, a distinguished 1989-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, took charge as the new Defence Secretary at South Block, New Delhi.
World Agriculture Forum: Dr. Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, the outgoing Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), has been appointed as the Secretary General of the World Agriculture Forum (WAF).
Exercise ‘Garud Shakti’: An Indian Army contingent of 25 personnel departed for Indonesia to participate in the 9th edition of the joint exercise named ‘Garud Shakti 24’, taking place in Cijantung, Jakarta, from November 1 to November 12.
Deepam 2.0 Scheme: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu launched the Deepam 2.0 scheme in Edupuram, Srikakulam, offering free gas cylinders to women to provide clean cooking energy and improve living conditions.
Namo Drone Didi Scheme: The Indian Government launched the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme to empower Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) by providing drones. This initiative is part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
Exercise ‘VAJRA PRAHAR’: The Indian Army contingent set off for the 15th edition of the India-US joint Special Forces Exercise, VAJRA PRAHAR.
Donald Trump Wins US Presidential Election: Donald Trump emerged as the winner of the US Presidential polls in 2024, poised to assume the post for the second time
1. What rare astronomical configuration was discovered in the constellation of Cygnus? A) Double star system B) Black hole triple system C) Quasar D) Supernova Answer: B) Black hole triple system
2. By how much did India’s GST collections increase in October 2024 compared to the previous year? A) 5.5% B) 6.7% C) 8.9% D) 10.2% Answer: C) 8.9%
3. What was the total value of digital transactions in India in October 2024? A) Rs 10.5 trillion B) Rs 15 trillion C) Rs 20 trillion D) Rs 23.5 trillion Answer: D) Rs 23.5 trillion
4. Who took charge as the new Defence Secretary of India in November 2024? A) S. Jaishankar B) Rajesh Kumar Singh C) Ajay Kumar D) Amitabh Kant Answer: B) Rajesh Kumar Singh
5. Who has been appointed as the Secretary General of the World Agriculture Forum (WAF)? A) M.S. Swaminathan B) Vandana Shiva C) Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes D) Rattan Lal Answer: C) Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes
6. Which joint exercise did an Indian Army contingent depart for in November 2024? A) Malabar B) Yudh Abhyas C) Garud Shakti D) Cope India Answer: C) Garud Shakti
7. What scheme was launched by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister in Srikakulam to provide free gas cylinders to women? A) Ujjwala B) Deepam 2.0 C) Swachh Bharat D) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Answer: B) Deepam 2.0
8. What is the purpose of the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme launched by the Indian Government? A) To promote drone farming B) To empower Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) C) To monitor wildlife D) To enhance military surveillance Answer: B) To empower Women Self Help Groups (SHGs)
9. What is the name of the joint Special Forces exercise between India and the US in November 2024? A) Vajra Prahar B) Cope India C) Malabar D) Yudh Abhyas Answer: A) Vajra Prahar
10. Who won the US Presidential Election in 2024? A) Joe Biden B) Kamala Harris C) Donald Trump D) Mike Pence Answer: C) Donald Trump