1. Where was the 2024 meeting of the BRICS National Security Advisors conducted?
(A) St. Petersburg
(B) Moscow
(C) Volgograd
(D) Kazan
(E) Novosibirsk
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
On 12 September 2024, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin during the BRICS national security advisors’ meeting.
The BRICS summit in 2024 will be hosted by President Putin in Kazan from 22 to 24 October.
The BRICS national security advisors’ conclave was held in St Petersburg, Russia, from September 11 to 13, 2024.
During his visit to Ukraine on September 23, 2024, Prime Minister Modi discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Malaysia and Thailand have applied for BRICS membership, which expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE on 1 January 2024.
2. Which organization is developing the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) that was tested in September 2024?
(A) ISRO
(B) HAL
(C) DRDO
(D) BHEL
(E) BARC
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
In September 2024, the Indian Navy and DRDO successfully tested the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur.
The VL-SRSAM is a short-range, next-generation missile designed for all-weather defense against supersonic sea-skimming targets.
It has a strike range of up to 50 km and features a smokeless propulsion system with electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM).
The missile is 3,931 mm long, 178 mm in diameter, and weighs 170 kg, and is powered by a single pulse rocket motor solid propellant.
DRDO is developing the VL-SRSAM, which is expected to replace the Israeli Barak-1 missile currently used by the Indian Navy.
3. Who was the Governor of Haryana who notified the dissolution of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha in September 2024?
(A) Kaptan Singh Solanki
(B) Jagannath Pahadia
(C) Satyadev Narayan Arya
(D) Bandaru Dattatraya
(E) Sharda Mukherjee
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
The Governor of Haryana, Bandaru Dattatraya, notified the dissolution of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha on 12th September 2024.
The dissolution was done under Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution of India.
The decision followed a recommendation from the Haryana cabinet, led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, to dissolve the 14th Haryana State Assembly.
The two articles of the Constitution, which deal with this are Articles 174(2)(b) and 356.
Art. 174(2) entitles a Governor of a State to dissolve its Legislative Assembly.
As per Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, the President can proclaim President’s Rule in a state, if he/she is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of a State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
4. What is the theme for the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2024 campaign launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs?
(A) Clean India & Green India Mission
(B) Swachh Bharat, Swachh Ghar
(C) Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskar Swachhata
(D) Cleanliness for All Trash
(E) Mission Swachh Bharat Samriddh Bharat
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
The Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2024 campaign was launched in September 2024 at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan.
The theme for SHS 2024 is ‘Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskar Swachhata,’ focusing on collective action and citizen participation.
Key pillars of the campaign include Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs), public participation, and Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivirs.
Shri Manohar Lal and Shri C R Patil were key speakers, highlighting achievements and future goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
The event featured mega cleanliness drives, Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivirs, cultural fests, and public engagement activities.
5. Which genetically-improved variety of catla was recently released by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh at the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) in Bhubaneswar?
(A) Amrit Catla
(B) CIFA Catla
(C) Enhanced Catla
(D) Superior Catla
(E) Prime Catla
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh unveiled Amrit Catla, a genetically-improved catla variety, at the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) in Bhubaneswar.
The National Freshwater Fish Brood Bank (NFFBB) received Amrit Catla for broader distribution to farmers.
The new catla variety is a milestone in freshwater aquaculture, enhancing fish seed quality and farmers’ income.
Field trials showed Amrit Catla reaching an average weight of 1.8 kg in a year, compared to 1.2 kg for local strains.
The Rangeen Machhli app, focusing on ornamental fish species, was launched alongside the technology licensing agreements for hatcheries.
6. What is the primary objective of the ‘Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag’ being inaugurated by Amit Shah?
(A) Promote foreign languages
(B) Celebrate Hindi as a regional language
(C) Launch a new Hindi dictionary
(D) Enhance coordination between Indian languages
(E) Organize cultural festivals
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had inaugurated the ‘Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag’ on September 14.
The inauguration had coincided with the Official Language Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the 4th Akhil Bharatiya Rajbhasha Sammelan.
The event had marked the 75th anniversary of Hindi as an official language.
Amit Shah had unveiled the Diamond Jubilee Special Issue of ‘Rajbhasha Bharti’ magazine, a postage stamp, and a coin.
The event had included sessions on Hindi’s evolution, its role in technology, and its presence in Indian cinema, featuring Anupam Kher and Chandraprakash Dwivedi.
7. Who was the renowned Indian scholar known for his illustrations in the original manuscript of the Indian Constitution, whose birthday coincides with Hindi Diwas (14 September)?
(A) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
(B) Beohar Rajendra Simha
(C) Rabindranath Tagore
(D) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
(E) Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Hindi Diwas is celebrated every year on September 14 across India.
The day commemorates the adoption of Hindi as the official language of India by the Constituent Assembly on September 14, 1949.
The date also marks the birthday of Beohar Rajendra Simha, known for his illustrations in the original Indian Constitution manuscript.
Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru declared September 14 to be celebrated as Hindi Diwas.
Hindi Diwas features programs in schools and colleges, including speeches, essays, and cultural festivals to promote the use of Hindi.
8. Who represented India at the G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting held from September 12-14, 2024?
(A) Shri Narendra Modi
(B) Shri Ram Nath Thakur
(C) Shri Amit Shah
(D) Shri S. Jaishankar
(E) Shri Piyush Goyal
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting was held from September 12-14, 2024.
The meeting took place in Cuiabá, Brazil.
The focus was on sustainability, international trade’s role in food security, and the contributions of family farmers and local communities.
Key discussions included enhancing agricultural resilience and promoting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
Union Minister Shri Ram Nath Thakur represented India at the meeting.
9. Which Indian tank, recently tested by DRDO, is named after a renowned military general adept at mountain warfare?
(A) Arjun
(B) Zorawar
(C) T-90
(D) Bhishma
(E) Vijayanta
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
DRDO completed initial field trials for the Indian Light Tank ‘Zorawar’ on September 14, 2024.
The tank was developed by DRDO’s CVRDE in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro.
‘Zorawar’ is designed to operate in high-altitude areas, marginal terrains, and island territories and is highly transportable for rapid deployment.
The tank is named after Zorawar Singh Kahluria, a renowned military general skilled in mountain warfare.
Zorawar Singh Kahluria was a famed military general of Dogra King Gulab Singh.
10. Which company constructed the ‘Vinetra’ Submarine Escape Training Facility at INS Satavahana?
(A) Tata Defence
(B) BHEL
(C) L&T Defence
(D) DRDO
(E) HAL
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
The new submarine escape training facility named ‘Vinetra’ was launched in Vizag.
The facility is located at INS Satavahana in Visakhapatnam.
It features a 5-meter escape tower and a diving basin.
‘Vinetra’ was developed by L&T Defence.
The facility aims to improve escape skills for Kalvari-class submarines and provide training.