1. What is the primary reason NASA and ESA are developing a standardized time system for the moon under the Artemis program?
(A) To ensure accurate measurement of lunar geological activities
(B) To synchronize operations and coordinate international lunar missions
(C) To establish lunar colonies with a unified time zone
(D) To enhance communication between lunar bases and Earth
(E) To facilitate tourism and commercial activities on the moon
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
NASA and ESA are developing a standardized time system for the moon under the Artemis program to coordinate international lunar missions.
The initiative addresses logistical challenges posed by the moon’s unique 29.5-day cycle and lack of a natural timekeeping reference.
Solutions include using Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) or creating a new time scale tailored to the lunar environment.
2. Which actress won the Best Actress award at the New York Indian Film Festival 2024?
(A) Deepika Padukone
(B) Alia Bhatt
(C) Priyanka Chopra
(D) Sanya Malhotra
(E) Kangana Ranaut
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Sanya Malhotra bagged Best Actress at the New York Indian Film Festival 2024 for her role in ‘Mrs.’
‘Mrs,’ directed by Arati Kadav, is a remake of ‘The Great Indian Kitchen,’ focusing on the protagonist’s self-discovery within marital confines
The film has received significant acclaim, spotlighting Malhotra’s portrayal of the complex interplay between traditional roles and personal ambition.
3. Which company was named to the 2024 TIME100 Most Influential Companies list?
(A) Envision Energy
(B) Google
(C) Microsoft
(D) Goldwind
(E) Vestas
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Envision Energy was named to the 2024 TIME100 Most Influential Companies.
Envision Energy was recognized as a “Green Giant” in TIME’s 2024 TIME100 Most Influential Companies for its major contributions to global green energy and climate change solutions.
The company is noted for its innovative Net Zero Industrial Park model and significant advancements in smart wind power, energy storage systems, and green hydrogen solutions.
4. Which country has recently stopped the commercial production of golden rice due to safety and health concerns?
(A) Philippine
(B) Thailand
(C) Vietnam
(D) Malaysia
(E) Singapore
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
The Philippine Court of Appeals revoked biosafety permits for golden rice and Bt eggplant due to safety, health, and legal concerns.
Greenpeace and local farmers protested the approval, and decisions were based on the need for established safety monitoring mechanisms.
The halt impacts initiatives initially aimed at addressing vitamin A deficiency and safer eggplant production.
5. What is the theme of World Environment Day 2024?
(A) Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience
(B) Biodiversity: Restore Our Ecosystems
(C) Sustainable Consumption and Production
(D) Protecting Our Planet, Protecting Ourselves
(E) Eco-Friendly Cities: Building a Sustainable Future
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
On June 5th of each year, the world observes World Environment Day to raise awareness and promote actions towards environmental protection.
This year, the theme for World Environment Day is ‘Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience‘ under the slogan ‘Our land. Our future.
World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 on the first day of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment.
It has been celebrated annually on June 5th since then.
6. Recently, what percentage of its stake in Canara HSBC Life Insurance has Punjab National Bank (PNB) approved to dilute through an initial public offering (IPO)?
(A) 05%
(B) 10%
(C) 15%
(D) 20%
(E) 25%
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
The Board of Punjab National Bank (PNB) has approved the initiation of the process to dilute 10% of its shareholding in Canara HSBC Life Insurance through an initial public offering (IPO).
PNB currently holds a 23% stake in this life insurance joint venture.
PNB acquired its stake in Canara HSBC Life Insurance following the amalgamation of the erstwhile Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC), which originally held a 23% stake.
Initial Public Offering. It is a process through which a private company offers its shares to the public for the first time.
By doing so, the company becomes publicly traded, and its shares can be bought and sold by individual and institutional investors on the stock market.
IPOs are often used by companies to raise capital for various purposes such as expansion, debt repayment, or acquisitions.
7. The famous Annual Hindi Sahitya Bharati Award has been given to whom?
(A) Krishna Prakash
(B) Arjun Singh
(C) Ramesh Patel
(D) Ananya Sharma
(E) Rohan Gupta
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
The famous Annual Hindi Sahitya Bharati Award has been given to Krishna Prakash, who is well-known for leading Mumbai Police’s special counterterrorism team, Force One.
The award was given out at Mumbai’s multicultural Sab Me Ram Shashwat Shri Ram event.
Krishna Prakash is better known as the officer who heads Force One, the elite counter-terrorism unit of the Mumbai Police.
Krishna Prakash is a two-time Guinness World Record holder who achieved his third this one for initiating the maximum number of letters through postcards to Lord Ram.
8. Recently, Pakistan in collaboration with which country, has launched the PAKSAT MM1 satellite to enhance internet connectivity and communication services?
(A) India
(B) Bangladesh
(C) Sri Lanka
(D) China
(E) Afghanistan
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Pakistan has launched its second satellite, the Multi-Mission Communication Satellite (PAKSAT MM1), in collaboration with China.
This satellite aims to enhance internet connectivity across Pakistan and improve various communication services.
The PAKSAT MM1 was launched from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province, achieving its planned orbit successfully.
9. Which institution has got first position in QS World Rankings 2025?
(A) Imperial College London
(B) University of Cambridge
(C) Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(D) ETH Zurich Switzerland
(E) National University of Singapore
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
Quacquarelli Symonds has released QS World Rankings 2025.
The top position is once again bagged by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the second position is taken by Imperial College London.
Cambridge and Stanford University have dipped to 5th and 6th position respectively.
Top-Ranked Universities-India –
118 – Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB)
150 – Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD)
211 – Indian Institute of Science Bangalore
10. What is the estimated budget of the project launched by the Haryana Government to combat air pollution?
(A) Rs 5,000 crore
(B) Rs 7,500 crore
(C) Rs 12,500 crore
(D) Rs 10,000 crore
(E) Rs 15,000 crore
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Haryana Chief Secretary T V S N Prasad announced the launch of a Rs 10,000-crore project funded by the World Bank to address air pollution in the state.
The Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development will be rolled out in phases, starting with districts in the National Capital Region (NCR).
The initial phase of the project focuses on upgrading Haryana’s air quality monitoring infrastructure.