1.Who has been appointed as the new Information and Broadcasting Secretary?
- Apurva Chandra
- Sanjay Jaju
- A Neerja
- Ashish Kumar Bhutani
The correct answer is Sanjay Jaju. 
In News
- Sanjay Jaju was appointed as Information and Broadcasting Secretary.
Key Points
- Sanjay Jaju has been appointed as the new Information and Broadcasting Secretary, replacing Apurva Chandra.
- Prior to this appointment, Apurva Chandra served as the Information and Broadcasting Secretary and has now been appointed as the Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare.
- Sanjay Jaju is a senior bureaucrat and a 1992-batch IAS officer from the Telangana cadre.
- This reshuffling of roles among senior officers is part of administrative changes in the central government departments.
- Additionally, eight other senior officers have been appointed to various central government departments and the Lokpal.
2.Who has been appointed as the Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare?
- A Neerja
- Ashish Kumar Bhutani
- Apeksha Dwivedi
- Apurva Chandra
he correct answer is Apurva Chandra. In News
- Apurva Chandra has been appointed as the Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare.
Key Points
- Prior to this appointment, Chandra served as the Information and Broadcasting Secretary.
- Chandra is a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Maharashtra cadre.
- Sanjay Jaju, another senior bureaucrat, has been appointed as the new Information and Broadcasting Secretary, replacing Chandra.
- The reshuffling of roles among senior officers is part of administrative changes in the central government departments.
3.Justice Ritu Bahri has been appointed as the first woman Chief Justice of which High Court?
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Uttarakhand High Court
- Delhi High Court
- Madras High Court
The correct answer is Uttarakhand High Court. In News
- Justice Ritu Bahri has been appointed First Woman Chief Justice of Uttarakhand HC.
Key Points
- She was administered the oath by Governor Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh at a ceremony held in Dehradun.
- The appointment was notified by the Centre on February 2, following the retirement of former Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi.
- Justice Bahri’s appointment marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court.
- Her previous role was as the acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court before her appointment to the Uttarakhand High Court.
4.Where is North India’s first DNA bank being set up?
- Delhi University
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
- Kashi Hindu University (BHU)
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
The correct answer is Kashi Hindu University (BHU). In News
- Kashi Hindu University (BHU) has launched the human DNA Bank.
Key Points
- North India’s first DNA bank is being set up at Kashi Hindu University (BHU).
- An automated DNA extractor machine has been installed at BHU for this purpose.
- The machine enables the extraction of DNA from various sources such as blood, saliva, hair, or tissue.
- This initiative aims to facilitate the understanding of the effects of future epidemics and conduct genetic studies related to various diseases.
- BHU’s DNA bank will play a crucial role in advancing research and healthcare in the region.
5.Which state cabinet approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) report?
- Himachal Pradesh
- Goa
- Uttar Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
The correct answer is Uttarakhand.In News
- Uttarakhand cabinet approved UCC report bill.
Key Points
- The Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) report in a meeting held at Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s residence.
- The decision was made in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dhami.
- The UCC drafting committee, led by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, submitted the draft to Chief Minister Dhami.
- Once implemented, Uttarakhand will become the first Indian state after independence to adopt the UCC.
- The UCC aims to propose uniform civil laws for all communities in the state, covering aspects like marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance laws.
- The bill is expected to be tabled in the Uttarakhand Assembly on February 6, marking a significant step towards fulfilling a major promise made by the BJP in the state.
6.Which state government announced free access to the Pertuzumab-Trastuzumab drug combination for Her2 breast cancer patients?
- Maharashtra
- Goa
- Kerala
- Karnataka
The correct answer is Goa. In News
- Goa announced free access to the Pertuzumab-Trastuzumab drug.
Key Points
- The state of Goa announced free access to the Pertuzumab-Trastuzumab drug combination for Her2 breast cancer patients.
- This announcement was made by Minister Vishwajit Rane on #WorldCancerDay, emphasizing Goa’s commitment to advancing cancer care.
- Effective immediately, the Goa Medical College will provide free access to this cutting-edge therapy known for its efficacy in battling Her2 breast cancer.
Additional Information
- Minister Rane expressed enthusiasm about Goa’s strides in cancer care and emphasized the state’s dedication to leveraging state-of-the-art technologies for early cancer detection.
- The announcement also highlighted Goa’s ambitious plans to establish a State Cancer Institute, reinforcing the state’s pledge to reduce cancer incidence rates.
- This initiative underscores the state government’s proactive approach towards providing world-class cancer care services to its residents.
7.With which university has the Odisha government signed an MoU for the establishment of the Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia Studies?
- Jadavpur University
- Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
- Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
The correct answer is Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). In News
- JNU and Odisha to collaborate to establish the Biju Patnaik Special Centre.
Key Points
- The Odisha government signed an MoU with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) for the establishment of the Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia Studies.
- The proposed center aims to delve into the leadership, governance, and contributions of Biju Patnaik, the former Chief Minister of Odisha.
- With a one-time non-recurring corpus money of Rs. 10 crore from the Odisha government, the center will initiate a Master’s Program covering various facets of Odia Studies and promote contemporary Odia literature and art.
Additional Information
- The MoU was signed in the presence of senior officials from both parties, including Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Minister of Higher Education, and Commissioner-Secretary of the Higher Education Department, Arabind Agrawal.
- This collaboration underscores the commitment of both parties to strengthen cultural bonds, promote research in Odia language and literature, and explore historical maritime linkages.
8.Where was the Centre of Excellence (CoE) on E-waste Management inaugurated by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology?
- C-MET, Pune
- C-MET, Thrissur
- C-MET, Bengaluru
- C-MET, Hyderabad
The correct answer is C-MET, Hyderabad. In News
- MeitY Secretary inaugurated CoE for E-waste Management at C-MET Hyderabad.
Key Points
- C-MET (Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology) is an autonomous scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.
- The facility aims to develop environmentally benign e-waste recycling technologies to promote resource efficiency and circular economy in India.
- The inauguration was carried out by Shri S Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, along with other dignitaries.
Additional Information
- C-MET Hyderabad focuses on developing leapfrogging electronic materials and strategic materials, including metals and alloys.
- The establishment of this CoE under a PPP model marks a significant step towards addressing the growing challenge of e-waste management in the country.
9.Who introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha, to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examination systems?
- Dr. Jitendra Singh
- Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank
- Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda
- Shri Prahlad Joshi
The correct answer is Dr. Jitendra Singh
In News
- Dr. Jitendra Singh introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha, to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examination systems
Key Points
- The Government of India introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha to prevent unfair means in public examinations.
- Objectives of the Bill: The primary objectives of the Bill are to:
- Enhance transparency, fairness, and credibility in public examination systems.
- Reassure the youth that their genuine efforts will be fairly rewarded, securing their prospects.
- Effectively deter individuals, organized groups, or institutions involved in unfair means that adversely affect public examinations for monetary or wrongful gains.
- Coverage of the Bill:
- The Bill primarily targets persons, organized groups, or institutions engaged in unfair means during public examinations.
- It does not hold candidates liable for actions falling within its purview. Candidates will continue to be governed by the existing administrative provisions of the concerned public examination authority.
10.Who secured the second position globally in the Brand Guardianship Index 2024, surpassing figures like Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai?
- Mukesh Ambani
- Rahul Bajaj
- Gautam Adani
- Lakshmi Sarabhai
The correct answer is Mukesh Ambani
In News
- Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Ltd, has been ranked second globally in the Brand Guardianship Index 2024 compiled by Brand Finance.
- Ambani surpassed prominent figures like Microsoft’s Satya Nadella and Google’s Sundar Pichai to secure the second spot globally, with Tencent’s Huateng Ma claiming the number-one position
- Other Indian CEOs who made it to the Brand Guardianship Index 2024 rankings include N Chandrasekaran of Tata Sons (5th position), Anish Shah of Mahindra & Mahindra (6th position), and Salil Parekh of Infosys (16th position).
- In addition to individual CEO rankings, the Brand Guardianship Index 2024 also recognized Jio as the strongest brand from India. Jio surpassed LIC and SBI in Brand Finance’s rankings.
11.Who has been appointed as the first woman chief secretary of Uttarakhand, replacing Sukhbir Singh Sandhu?
- Anil Raturi
- Radha Raturi
- Rajeev Sen Gupta
- Anil Ahlawat
The correct answer is Radha Raturi
In News
- Radha Raturi has been appointed as the first woman chief secretary of Uttarakhand, replacing Sukhbir Singh Sandhu
Key Points
- Radha Raturi has been appointed as the first woman chief secretary of Uttarakhand, making history in the state’s administrative landscape.
- Radha Raturi is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1988 batch, bringing decades of experience and expertise to her new role as chief secretary.
- Raturi replaces Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, whose tenure as chief secretary of Uttarakhand ended on Wednesday, February 1, 2024.
- Her husband, Anil Raturi, is a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who served as the Uttarakhand director general of police until his retirement in November 2020.
12.Who was honored with the ‘Outstanding Business Woman of the Year – 2023’ Award at the prestigious conference by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC)?
- Dr. Lalit Bhasin
- Dr. Bina Modi
- Mr. KK Modi
- Dr. Lalit Modi
The correct answer is Dr. Bina Modi
In News
- Dr. Bina Modi was honored with the ‘Outstanding Business Woman of the Year – 2023’ Award at the prestigious conference by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC)
Key Points
- The conference focused on ‘Strengthening Indo-US Relationship’ in Amritkal-Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- The award was presented to Dr. Bina Modi at a prestigious conference organized by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC).
- She is acknowledged among the distinguished few women chairpersons of Fortune500 and ET500 India companies.
- Dr. Bina Modi serves as the Chairperson of Modi Enterprises – KK Modi Group.
- She also leads Godfrey Phillips India, a major FMCG giant, and Indofil, a prominent agro-chemical company, as the Chairperson and Managing Director.
- She was recognized with ‘The Women Empowerment Leadership Principles Award, Asia, 2023,’ and the ‘Most Inspiring Woman In Business’ award in 2023.
13.Which European country became the first to issue digital Schengen visas for the Paris Olympics in 2024?
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Spain
The correct answer is France
In News
- France has become the first European country to issue digital Schengen visas.
Key Points
- The digital Schengen visas will be issued for the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024.
- France has initiated the “Olympic Consulate” system from January 1, 2024, specifically for processing visa applications related to the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- France plans to shift entirely to online procedures for processing 70,000 French Schengen visas.
- The “Olympic Consulate” is expected to handle visa applications from 15,000 international athletes, 9,000 journalists, and foreign delegations
14.Who was the previous record holder for the most time spent in space before Oleg Kononenko broke it?
- Yuri Gagarin
- Gennady Padalka
- Valentina Tereshkova
- Alexey Leonov
The correct answer is Gennady Padalka
In News
- Oleg Kononenko set a world record for the most time spent in space
Key Points
- He logged more than 878 days, or nearly two-and-a-half years, surpassing the previous record set by Gennady Padalka.
- Gennady Padalka, also a Russian cosmonaut, held the previous record, logging 878 days, 11 hours, 29 minutes, and 48 seconds during five space flights before retiring in 2017.
- Oleg Kononenko broke the record while orbiting 263 miles (423 km) from Earth during his fifth space flight.
- Kononenko’s current space flight is scheduled to end in late September.
- By the end of this mission, he will have logged a total of 1,110 days in space.
- Oleg Kononenko is the commander of Roscosmos, the Russian space corporation.
15.Which of the following singer was awarded the Record of the Year in Grammy Awards 2024?
- Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?
- Miley Cyrus – Flowers
- Taylor Swift – Anti-Hero
- Victoria Monét – On My Mama
The Correct Answer is Miley Cyrus – Flowers.
In News
- The 66th Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles.
Key Points
- Record of the Year: Miley Cyrus – Flowers.
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: SZA Featuring Phoebe Bridgers – Ghost in the Machine.
- Best Pop Vocal Album: Taylor Swift – Midnights.
- Best R&B performance: SZA – Kill Bill.
- Best R&B album: Victoria Monét – Jaguar II.
16.Which of the following album awarded the Album of the Year in Grammy Awards 2024?
- Boygenius – The Record
- Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation
- Taylor Swift – Midnights
- Janelle Monáe – The Age of Pleasure
The Correct Answer is Taylor Swift – Midnights.
In News
- The 66th Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles.
Key Points
- Album of the Year: Taylor Swift – Midnights.
- Record of the Year: Miley Cyrus – Flowers.
- Song of the Year: Billie Eilish – What Was I Made For?.
- Best New Artist: Victoria Monét.
- Best Pop Solo Performance: Miley Cyrus – Flowers.
17.What is the budget allocation for Uttar Pradesh for the financial year 2024-25?
- Rs 7,36,437 crore
- Rs 7,50,025 crore
- Rs 7,25,324 crore
- Rs 7,67,123 crore
The correct answer is Rs 7,36,437 crore
In News
- The budget allocation for Uttar Pradesh for the financial year 2024-25 is Rs 7,36,437 crore.
Key Points
- The Revenue Account: Rs 5,32,655.33 crore, Capital Account: Rs 2,03,782.38 crore.
- The proposed allocation for the Atal Industrial Infrastructure Mission is 400 Crore, with a 33% increase compared to the current year
- 2500 Crore has been allocated for the preparation of Maha Kumbh Mela in the year 2025
- The budget estimates a fiscal deficit of Rs 86,530.51 crore, which is approximately 3.46% percentage of the estimated total state domestic product for the year 2024-25
- The proposed budget allocation under the Swami Vivekananda Youth Empowerment Scheme for the distribution of tablets and smartphones is 4000 Cr.
- The allocated budget for the National Livelihood Mission for the fiscal year 2024-25 is Rs 3695 crore
