Test your knowledge with the latest quiz on current affairs from 14th January 2025 Current Affairs Quiz ! Stay updated and challenge yourself with key events and happenings around the world.
1) What is the name of the board that Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, formally inaugurated on 14 January 2025?
A) National Spice Board
B) National Tea Board
C) National Turmeric Board
D) National Coffee Board
E) National Agricultural Board
Answer key :
C) National Turmeric Board
Explanation:
On 14 January 2025, Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, inaugurated the National Turmeric Board via video conference in New Delhi. The board’s headquarters is located in Nizamabad, Telangana, a key region contributing to India’s turmeric production, accounting for about 30% of the country’s turmeric exports. The National Turmeric Board operates under the Department of Commerce in the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The first chairperson of the board is Palle Ganga Reddy, appointed by the government of India.
2) How many new Watershed Development Projects have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Rural Development under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)?
A) 50
B) 56
C) 60
D) 65
E) 70
Answer Key:
B) 56
Explanation:
The Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned 56 new Watershed Development Projects under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) with a total investment of ₹700 crore. These projects span across 10 high-performing states: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim. These projects aim to enhance water conservation and improve agricultural productivity in these regions.
3) Which two IITs are collaborating with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) to develop the Wideband Spectrum-Sensor ASIC-Chip?
A) IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur
B) IIT Bombay and IIT Roorkee
C) IIT Mandi and IIT Jammu
D) IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur
E) IIT Guwahati and IIT Bhubaneswar
Answer Key:
C) IIT Mandi and IIT Jammu
Explanation:
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), in collaboration with IIT Mandi and IIT Jammu, has signed an agreement to develop the Wideband Spectrum-Sensor ASIC-Chip. This project is aimed at enhancing spectrum utilization efficiency and expanding broadband access, particularly in rural India, under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme. The focus of this project is on developing a chip to improve spectrum efficiency, leveraging unused bands (white spaces), and supporting rural broadband expansion.
4) Which beaches in Kerala have received the prestigious Blue Flag certification?
A) Varkala Beach and Kovalam Beach
B) Kappad Beach and Chal Beach
C) Alappuzha Beach and Muzhappilangad Beach
D) Payyoli Beach and Bekal Beach
E) Cherai Beach and Thiruvambadi Beach
Answer Key:
B) Kappad Beach and Chal Beach
Explanation:
Kappad Beach (Kozhikode) and Chal Beach (Kannur) in Kerala have received the prestigious Blue Flag certification, which is a globally recognized eco-label awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark. This certification highlights their commitment to environmental protection, safety, and sustainability, making them excellent examples of sustainable tourism. The Blue Flag certification aims to promote sustainable coastal development and has been awarded to beaches that meet strict environmental and safety criteria.
5) India and which country have announced a co-production initiative to enhance the Indian Navy’s undersea domain awareness by assembling sonobuoys in India?
A) Russia
B) United States
C) France
D) United Kingdom
E) Japan
Answer Key:
B) United States
Explanation:
India has announced a co-production initiative with the United States to enhance the Indian Navy’s undersea domain awareness by assembling U.S.-specification sonobuoys in India. This collaboration, which aims to improve India’s submarine detection and undersea warfare capabilities, involves Ultra Maritime, a leading U.S. defense company, partnering with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), an Indian defense public sector undertaking, for the final assembly of sonobuoys. The operational production line for these sonobuoys is expected to be fully functional by 2027.
6) Which country will host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC) in 2026?
A) United Kingdom
B) India
C) Canada
D) Australia
E) South Africa
Answer Key:
B) India
Explanation:
India will host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC) in 2026. This was announced by Om Birla, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, during the CSPOC Standing Committee Meeting held in Guernsey on January 10, 2025. The conference will focus on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media in parliamentary operations, and will also discuss regional language translations for Members of Parliament (MPs) to improve accessibility to parliamentary papers.
7) What does the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) mandate starting April 1, 2025, for asset auctions under the liquidation process?
A) Use of physical auction houses
B) Use of a new platform called eAuction
C) Conduct all auctions using the eBKray platform, now rebranded as BAANKET
D) Auctions to be conducted through government-run portals only
E) Auctions to be held exclusively offline
Answer Key:
C) Conduct all auctions using the eBKray platform, now rebranded as BAANKET
Explanation:
Starting April 1, 2025, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) mandates that all asset auctions under the liquidation process must be conducted using the eBKray platform, which has now been rebranded as the Bank Asset Auction Network (BAANKET). This initiative is designed to enhance transparency, improve auction efficiency, and increase recovery rates in liquidation cases. The move will streamline the auction process and improve buyer access, while addressing the challenges posed by manual and fragmented auctions.
8) The ‘IDBI Chiranjeevi-Super Senior Citizen Fixed Deposit (FD)’ scheme launched by the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) is exclusively designed for which age group?
A) 60 years and above
B) 65 years and above
C) 70 years and above
D) 75 years and above
E) 80 years and above
Answer Key:
E) 80 years and above
Explanation:
The ‘IDBI Chiranjeevi-Super Senior Citizen Fixed Deposit (FD)’ scheme is specifically designed for super senior citizens aged 80 years and above. Launched on January 13, 2025, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, the scheme offers higher interest rates to cater to the financial needs of individuals in this age group. The scheme provides a safe investment option with guaranteed returns and offers special interest rates for different tenures ranging from 7.85% to 8.05% annually.
9) What is the theme of the ‘Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024-25’ launched by Punjab National Bank (PNB) in January 2025?
A) Code Against Cyber Threats
B) Protecting Digital Transactions
C) Strengthening Financial Security
D) Code Against Malware
E) Innovating Cyber Defense
Answer Key:
D) Code Against Malware
Explanation:
The theme of Punjab National Bank’s (PNB) ‘Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024-25’ is “Code Against Malware”. The hackathon, launched in January 2025, focuses on addressing the growing malware threats in the banking sector. It invites innovators, researchers, and academicians to develop innovative solutions to detect, mitigate, and prevent malware attacks, aiming to enhance cybersecurity defenses in India’s banking system. The initiative is part of the government’s push to promote cybersecurity innovation through the directive from the Department of Financial Services (DFS).
10) Who was sworn in for a third six-year term as President of Venezuela in January 2025?
A) Hugo Chávez
B) Juan Guaidó
C) Edmundo Gonzalez
D) Nicolás Maduro
E) Leopoldo López
Answer Key:
D) Nicolás Maduro
Explanation:
Nicolás Maduro, the 46th President of Venezuela, was sworn in for a third six-year term following a contentious election. His opponent, Edmundo Gonzalez, claimed voter fraud and declared himself the rightful winner of the July 2024 elections. Despite international pressure and sanctions, particularly from the United States, Maduro’s inauguration took place amid widespread controversy and public protests.
