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1. Who is the Chief Guest of Republic Day Celebration 2025?
a. Emmanuel Macron, President of France
b. Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia
c. Donald Trump, President of USA
d. King Charles III, British monarch
Answer: b. Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia
– Subianto’s visit is India’s first state visit.
– He is the fourth Indonesian President to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.
– As a special honor, a 352-member marching and band contingent from Indonesia will participate in the parade.
Indonesian Former Presidents as Chief Guests:
– In 1950, Indonesia’s first president Sukarno was the first chief guest at the Republic Day parade in India.
– In 2011, the then-president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was invited.
– In 2018, the then-president Joko Widodo, along with leaders from all ASEAN countries, participated in the Republic Day parade as a guest.
Note – The Presidents of France, Emmanuel Macron, was the chief guest in 2024, and the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, was the chief guest in 2023.
India – Indonesia Relations:
– India was the first major country to recognize Indonesia and led an international campaign to gain international recognition for Indonesia’s independence in the late 1940s.
– Over the past decades, Indonesia has become a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy, and there has been regular interaction between officials and military personnel of both sides.
– Indonesia is one of India’s largest trading partners in the ASEAN region, with bilateral trade reaching $29.4 billion in 2023-24.
– PM Modi visited Indonesia in 2018, when the relationship was elevated to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, and both sides adopted a shared vision for India-Indonesia maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Indonesia – India Defense Deals:
– India is eager to enter into several defense deals with Indonesia.
– Indonesia is keen on acquiring indigenous light combat aircraft manufactured in India, and possibly the Akash surface-to-air missile system and helicopters.
– India is attempting to increase its defense exports, with Southeast Asia emerging as a focus region, where many countries—particularly Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand—have expressed a desire to acquire military hardware and improve their domestic defense industries.
– An important deal on the agenda is the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, which has been under discussion for several years.
– The Philippines became the first export customer of BrahMos in 2024.
– India is also eager to showcase its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, especially for the Rafale fighter jets purchased by Indonesia.
Indonesia:
– Capital: Jakarta
– Proposed Capital: Nusantara
– President: Joko Widodo
– Currency: Indonesian Rupiah
Previous Chief Guests at Republic Day:
– 2024: President of France, Emmanuel Macron
– 2023: President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
– 2021/2022: None (due to COVID-19 pandemic)
– 2020: President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro
– 2019: President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa
– 2018: Leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries
– 2017: Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (UAE’s current president)
– 2016: President of France, François Hollande
– 2015: President of the United States, Barack Obama
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2. When is National Girl Child Day celebrated?
a. 20 January
b. 21 January
c. 23 January
d. 24 January
Answer: d. 24 January
Theme for 2025:
– Empowering Girls for a Bright Future.
– National Girl Child Day in India is celebrated every year on January 24.
– It was initiated in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
– The aim is to provide support and opportunities for girls in India.
– It also seeks to raise awareness about gender-based discrimination against girls in our society.
– In 2025, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) scheme.
Note – International Day of the Girl Child is observed on October 11.
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3. Under which project, the stealth guided missile destroyer ‘INS Surat’ was built and inducted into the Indian Navy?
a. Project 15A
b. Project 15B
c. Project 75
d. Project 17A
Answer: b. Project 15B
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi inducted the Stealth Guided Missile Destroyer ‘INS Surat’ into the Indian Navy on January 15, 2025.
‘INS Surat’:
– INS Surat is the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B Stealth Destroyer class.
– It is an advanced version of the Kolkata-class destroyer.
– It features improvements in design and capabilities.
– It is considered crucial for the navy’s surface fleet.
– It was designed by the Warship Design Bureau.
– Its construction took place at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).
Project 15B:
– Under Project 15B, India is preparing world-class missile destroyers, which rival the quality of renowned shipbuilders from the U.S. and Europe.
– History: After purchasing Soviet-origin guided missile destroyers, the navy decided to design indigenous destroyers. The Project 15 destroyers are the result of this vision.
– A contract for the four ships under Project 15B was signed in January 2011.
– This project is based on the Kolkata-class destroyers built under the earlier ‘Project 15A’ initiative launched over the past decade.
– The first ship of Project 15B, INS Visakhapatnam, was inducted into the Indian Navy in November 2021.
– The names of the four ships under Project 15B are inspired by cities located in different corners of the country.
The four ships of Project 15B:
– First: Visakhapatnam
– Second: Mormugao
– Third: Imphal
– Fourth: Surat
Indian Navy Chief: Admiral R. Hari Kumar
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4. Under which project, the stealth guided missile frigate ‘INS Nilgiri’ was inducted into the Indian Navy?
a. Project 34
b. Project 25A
c. Project 18
d. Project 17A
Answer: d. Project 17A (Project 17 Alpha)
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi inducted the Stealth Guided Missile Frigate ‘INS Nilgiri’ into the Indian Navy on January 15, 2025.
‘INS Nilgiri’:
– INS Nilgiri is the first ship of the Project 17A Stealth Frigate class.
– It is an advanced version of the Shivalik-class frigates.
– It was designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
– Its construction took place at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).
– It features advanced capabilities for better survivability and maritime performance.
– It represents the next generation of indigenous frigates.
– It incorporates advanced stealth technology and has a reduced radar signature.
– It is equipped with modern aviation facilities.
– It can operate various helicopters, including the MH-60R.
Project 17A:
– Project 17, or Alpha Frigates (P-17A), was launched by the Indian Navy in 2019 to build a series of stealth-guided missile frigates.
– These frigates are being built by two companies – Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
– These guided missile frigates are constructed with a unique stealth design that includes radar-evading technology, keeping them hidden from enemy detection.
– The first stealth ship launched under Project 17A was INS Nilgiri, which was launched in 2019.
– All the ships in this project are named after mountain ranges of the Himalayas.
– These include ‘Nilgiri’, ‘Himgiri’, ‘Udaygiri’, ‘Dunagiri’, and ‘T Aragiri’, with the sixth warship being ‘Vindhyagiri’.
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5. The 6th submarine of Kalvari (Scorpene) class ‘INS Vagsheer’ was inducted into the Indian Navy, under which project has it been built?
a. Project 75
b. Project 17A
c. Project 15A
d. Project 15B
Answer: a. Project 75
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi inducted the 6th Scorpene-class submarine, ‘INS Vagsheer,’ into the Indian Navy on January 15, 2025.
Note: Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned at the naval dockyard in Mumbai, “For the first time, a destroyer, a frigate, and a submarine are being inducted into the Indian Navy together.”
‘INS Vagsheer’:
– INS Vagsheer is the sixth and final submarine of the Scorpene-class Project 75.
– It is a diesel-electric submarine.
– It is designed for surface attack and countering other submarines.
– It is also capable of gathering intelligence.
– Modular construction technology has been used in its design.
– It enables future upgrades such as Air-Independent Propulsion technology.
Why the name ‘Vagsheer’?
– Vagsheer is a deep-sea predator fish found in the Indian Ocean, also known as the sandfish.
– The submarine is named after this fish.
– There was a previous submarine named ‘Vagsheer,’ which was launched in December 1974.
– It was decommissioned in 1997.
– It is customary to name new ships or submarines after older ones when they are decommissioned.
What is Project 75?
– France transferred technology to India for the construction of submarines.
– The Transfer of Technology Agreement between France and India was signed in 2005 for $3.75 billion.
– Under this, 6 Scorpene-class submarines were built.
#6 Scorpene-Class Submarines:
Submarine and Year of Joining the Navy:
– INS Kalvari: Joined the Navy in 2017
– INS Khanderi: Joined the Navy in 2019
– INS Karanj: Joined the Navy in 2021
– INS Vela: Joined the Navy in 2021
– INS Vagir: Joined the Navy in 2023
– INS Vagsheer: Launched in 2022, sea trials ongoing.
Main Warships:
– Corvette: A smaller warship
– Frigate: Equipped with supersonic missiles
– Destroyer: A destroyer is about one and a half times bigger than a frigate.
– Aircraft Carrier: A moving airstrip
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6. When is International Day of Education celebrated?
a. 25 January
b. 24 January
c. 23 January
d. 22 January
Answer: b. 24 January
Theme for 2025:
– AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation.
– The United Nations General Assembly declared January 24 as International Education Day on January 24, 2019.
– Its aim is to highlight the role of education in peace and development.
– According to a UNESCO report, today, 250 million children and youth are out of school, and around 760 million adults are illiterate.
Right to Education in India:
– In India, the right to education became mandatory after the 86th Amendment Act of 2009.
– It made free education compulsory for children aged 6 to 14 years.
– According to the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) report released in 2019, 32 million Indian children under the age of 13 had never attended school, and most of them came from backward communities.
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7. Where did Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the new ISKCON temple in January 2025, which is said to be the second largest ISKCON temple in Asia?
a. In Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
b. In Nandgaon, Mathura
c. In Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj
d. In Dholka, Ahmedabad
Answer: a. In Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ISKCON Shri Shri Radha Madan Mohanji Temple in Navi Mumbai on January 15, 2025.
What is ISKCON?
– The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), also known as the Hare Krishna movement,
– It is a Gaudiya Vaishnavite Hindu religious organization.
– It was founded by the revered A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada on July 13, 1966, in New York City.
ISKCON Shri Shri Radha Madan Mohanji Temple:
– The construction of this temple was completed at a cost of ₹170 crore, and it took 12 years to build.
– It is the second-largest ISKCON temple in Asia.
– The temple has been built as a spiritual center with beautiful architecture, a peaceful atmosphere, and several amenities.
– The Shri Shri Radha Madan Mohanji Temple reflects the teachings of ISKCON’s founder, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and serves as a spiritual sanctuary for everyone.
– The purpose of the temple is to promote brotherhood, peace, and unity through Vedic teachings.
Who is invited to the temple?
– ISKCON invites everyone, regardless of their caste, creed, or religion, to participate in this historic celebration.
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8. When is National Voters’ Day celebrated?
a. 23 January
b. 24 January
c. 25 January
d. 26 January
Answer: c. 25 January
National Voter’s Day was first celebrated in 2011.
– The Election Commission of India was established on January 25, 1950.
– Therefore, January 25 was chosen as National Voter’s Day.
– The purpose of this day is to increase youth participation in the political process.
– It also aims to encourage more and more people in the country to take part in voting.
Election Commission of India:
– Chief Election Commissioner: Rajeev Kumar
– Election Commissioners: Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhir Singh Sandhu
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9. President Draupadi Murmu gave the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2025 to how many people?
a. 28
b. 29
c. 27
d. 25
Answer: c. 27
List of 27 people
Sl. No. – Name – Country – Region
1. Prof. Ajay Rane – Australia – Community Service
2. Dr. Marialena Joan Fernandes – Austria – Education
3. Dr. Philomena Ann Mohini Harris – Barbados – Medical Science
4. Swami Samyuktananda – Fiji – Community Service
5. Saraswati Vidya Niketan – Guyana – Community Service
6. Dr. Lekh Raj Juneja – Japan – Science & Technology
7. Dr. Prem Kumar – Kyrgyz Republic – Medical Science
8. Soukthavi Choudhury – Laos – Business
9. Krishna Savjani – Malawi – Business
10. ‘Tan Sri’ Dr. Subramanyam K.V. Sadasivam – Malaysia Politics
11. Dr. Sarita Boodhoo – Mauritius – Community Service
12. Shri Abhay Kumar – Moldova – Business
13. Dr. Ram Niwas @ Hla Tun – Myanmar – Education
14. Jagganath Shekhar Asthana – Romania – Business
15. Hindustani Samaj – Russia – Community Service
16. Sudha Rani Gupta – Russia – Education
17. Dr. Syed Anwar Khurshid – Saudi Arabia – Medical Sciences
18. Atul Arvind Temurnikar – Singapore – Education
19. Robert Masih Nahar – Spain – Community Service
20. Dr. Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiah – Tanzania – Medicine
21. H.E. Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT – Trinidad & Tobago – Public Affairs
22. Ramakrishnan Sivaswamy Iyer – UAE – Business
23. Bonthala Subbaiah Setty Ramesh Babu – Uganda – Community Service
24. Baroness Usha Kumari Parashar – UK – Politics
25. Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal – USA – Medicine
26. Dr. Sharmila Ford – USA – Community Service
27. Ravi Kumar S. – USA – Business (IT & Consulting)
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10. In which city was the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention held from 8 to 10 January 2025?
a. Delhi
b. Bhubaneswar
c. Lucknow
d. Indore
Answer: b. Bhubaneswar, Odisha
18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention
– When and Where: Held from January 8 to 10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
– It was organized with the collaboration of the Government of India and the Government of Odisha.
– The convention was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
– President Droupadi Murmu presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
– It is celebrated on January 9 each year.
– The day is observed to strengthen the engagement between the Government of India and the Indian diaspora, reconnecting them with their roots.
– It is celebrated once every two years.
Significance of January 9
– On this day, in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa.
– The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award was first presented in 2003.
– The award is given to overseas Indians for their significant contributions and achievements in their respective fields.
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11. President of which country Christine Carla Kangalu ORTT is the chief guest at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2025?
a. UAE
b. Guyana
c. Qatar
d. Trinidad and Tobago
Answer: d. Trinidad and Tobago
– The President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Her Excellency H.E. Christine Carla Kangalu ORTT, was the chief guest at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2025.
Trinidad and Tobago
– Trinidad and Tobago is a twin-island Caribbean nation located near Venezuela.
– Capital: Port of Spain
– Currency: Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
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12. What is the theme of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2025?
a. Strengthening the Diaspora in India
b. Contribution of Diaspora in Developed Odisha
c. Contribution of NRIs in Developed India
d. India for the Diaspora
Answer: c. Contribution of NRIs in Developed India
Theme 2025
– Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat
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13. Which country’s women’s team won the first Kho-Kho World Cup?
a. India
b. Nepal
c. Brazil
d. Argentina
Answer: a. India
– India defeated Nepal in the final match.
– The match was played on January 19 at 7:00 PM IST at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
Kho-Kho World Cup 2025
– The 2025 Kho-Kho World Cup was the inaugural edition of the tournament.
– It was held from January 13 to 19, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi, India.
– The first match took place on January 14 between England and Australia at 11:45 AM.
– The tournament was organized by the Indian Kho-Kho Federation and the International Kho-Kho Federation.
– A total of 19 teams participated in the women’s competition, divided into four groups.
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14. Which country’s men’s team won the first Kho-Kho World Cup?
a. India
b. Nepal
c. Brazil
d. Argentina
Answer: a. India
– India defeated Nepal in the final match.
– The final match was played on January 19 at 8:15 PM IST at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
– The first match was held on January 14 at 7:00 PM against South Korea.
– A total of 20 teams participated in the men’s competition, divided into four groups.
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15. When is National Tourism Day observed?
a. 23 January
b. 24 January
c. 25 January
d. 26 January
Answer: c. 25 January
– National Tourism Day is celebrated every year on January 25.
– It is observed by the Government of India to promote tourism and highlight its role in the country’s development.
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