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1. Which country in West Asia was captured by rebel fighters after which then President Bashar al-Assad had to flee the country?
a. Iran
b. Lebanon
c. Syria
d. Iraq
Answer: c. Syria
– On December 8, 2024, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country. He was the heir of a Shia family that had ruled the Sunni-majority nation for half a century. A civil war had been ongoing for 14 years with rebels.
– According to the news agency Reuters, the army confirmed Assad’s departure from the country, stating that the president’s rule had come to an end.
– Since November 27, 2024, a battle for control had been ongoing between rebel factions and the army in Syria.
– On December 8, 2024, the rebel fighters captured the capital, Damascus.
– After Assad’s departure, the Syrian Prime Minister proposed handing over power to the rebels.
– Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said in a video that he would remain in the country and work with whoever the Syrian people choose.
Syria
– Capital: Damascus
– Currency: Syrian Pound
– Neighboring Countries: Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon
– Sea: Mediterranean Sea
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2. In which country did the then President of Syria Bashar al-Assad take refuge?
a. Iran
b. France
c. Russia
d. Brazil
Answer: c. Russia
– Russian President Putin has granted political asylum to Assad and his family, while the United States has welcomed the fall of the Assad government in Syria.
Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011:
– The civil war in Syria began with the Arab Spring revolutions in 2011.
– At that time, the people of Syria began protesting against the government of Bashar al-Assad, which had been in power for years.
– A rebel group, named the ‘Free Syrian Army,’ was formed.
– With the formation of the rebel group, the Syrian civil war began.
– President Bashar al-Assad received support from Russia and Iran.
– While the United States, Turkey, Israel, and Saudi Arabia supported the rebels, which escalated the conflict.
– In the meantime, the terrorist organization ISIS also gained a foothold in Syria.
– In 2015, it seemed like the Assad government might fall as it lost control of large areas, but – after Russia’s military intervention, Assad regained control over several major areas.
After the 2020 ceasefire agreement, only sporadic clashes occurred.
– According to the United Nations report, over 300,000 people were killed in the decade-long civil war, and millions were displaced.
After the 2020 Ceasefire, Assad faced defeat:
– On November 27, 2024, fighting resumed between the Syrian army and the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which had emerged after the 2020 ceasefire.
– On December 1, the rebels captured Aleppo, Syria’s second-largest city, which Assad’s forces had taken after four years of battle during the Syrian war.
– Four days after Aleppo’s capture, rebel groups took control of Hama and Dara, a southern city. They then surrounded the capital, Damascus, from two directions, with only a 90 km distance separating Dara from Damascus.
– In this way, Assad lost his power within just 11 days, ending the 50-year reign of the Assad family over Syria.
The Struggle for Dominance in West Asia:
– Syria is geopolitically significant due to its borders with Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel.
– Control over Syria provides access to key trade routes, energy corridors, and serves as a base for exerting influence across the region.
– Since the 2011 revolt against Bashar, Russia has provided military, economic, and strategic support to Assad.
– This is why Russia wanted Assad to remain in power, while the rebels received U.S. support. The loss of Assad’s power dealt a significant blow to Russia.
– Assad had been relying on Russia and Iran for years to suppress the rebellion, but the situation has now changed.
– Both Russia and Iran are caught up in their own issues. Experts say that for the first time, Assad is isolated, and Russia no longer seems concerned about him.
Al-Zulani’s Control in Syria:
– The HTS rebel group has taken control of the Syrian government.
– This organization was previously linked to Al-Qaeda.
– The Sunni HTS is now led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani.
Russia’s Statement on Assad’s Departure:
– Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Bashar al-Assad had resigned from the presidency and left Syria. According to the Russian Ministry, Assad agreed to hand over power to the rebel groups peacefully.
Trump’s Remarks on Assad’s Departure:
– Newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on social media that Assad has gone and left his country. He added that Russia, Assad’s ally, and President Putin were no longer interested in saving him.
India Issues Advisory for its Citizens:
– Due to the situation in Syria, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a travel advisory, urging Indian citizens to leave Syria immediately and warning them against traveling to the country.
– The Ministry also advised Indians in Syria to stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Damascus.
End of 54 Years of Assad Family Rule:
– With Assad’s departure, the 54-year-long rule of the Assad family in Syria has ended.
– Bashar’s father, Hafez al-Assad, became the president in 1971 and ruled for the next 29 years.
– After Hafez’s death in 2000, Bashar took over as president of Syria. In 2011, when the Arab Spring revolutions began in the Middle East, protests against Assad broke out in Syria and were brutally suppressed, leading to the start of the civil war.
– After Bashar’s departure, the rebels released a video declaring the end of the Assad family’s dark era and announcing the beginning of a new era in Syria.
Prime Minister’s Offer to Rebels:
– After Assad’s departure, the Syrian Prime Minister offered to hand over power to the rebels. In a video, Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali stated that he would remain in Syria and work with whichever leaders the Syrian people choose.
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3. Name the 6th Indian to become a Cardinal of the Catholic Church?
a. George Jacob Kouwakad
b. George Rakesh Verma
c. Francois Hollande
d. None of these
Answer: a. George Jacob Kouwakad
– In December 2024, Pope Francis appointed Indian Catholic priest George Jacob Kuvakad as a Cardinal.
– The ceremony took place during an event at the Vatican.
– In addition to Kuvakad, 20 other priests from various countries were also promoted to the rank of Cardinal.
– George Jacob Kuvakad became the sixth Indian Cardinal.
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pride over Pope Francis’ promotion of Archbishop George Jacob Kuvakad of Kerala to the position of Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church at the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Who is George Jacob Kuvakad?
– He is a member of the Archdiocese of Changanassery in Kerala.
– He was born on August 11, 1973, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
What is the Cardinal Position?
– The position of Cardinal is a title held by the senior clergy of the Roman Catholic Church.
– Cardinals are members of the Sacred College of Cardinals.
– Some key responsibilities of a Cardinal include: electing the Pope, serving as the Pope’s principal advisors, and assisting in the governance of the Roman Catholic Church worldwide.
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4. When is Human Rights Day celebrated?
a. 7 December
b. 8 December
c. 9 December
d. 10 December
Answer: d. 10 December
Theme of 2024:
Our rights, our future, right now.
– This day was first observed in 1948.
– It was declared by the United Nations General Assembly.
– The aim of this day is to raise awareness among people about their rights.
– In 1993, the National Human Rights Commission was established in India.
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5. Which country’s President Yoon Suk Yol imposed martial law in December 2024, which was rejected by the Parliament within six hours?
a. North Korea
b. South Korea
c. Taiwan
d. China
Answer: b. South Korea
– On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law (military rule) in the country.
– This was the first time in South Korea’s 44-year history that martial law had been imposed.
– In response to the sudden imposition of martial law, opposition parties in South Korea united. An emergency session of parliament was called within half an hour.
– Upon hearing about the emergency session, the president sent the army to take control of the parliament.
– A military helicopter landed in the parliament grounds, and soldiers were about to enter the parliament building when they were met with strong opposition from opposition party lawmakers and activists.
– Meanwhile, the parliament passed a resolution against the martial law, and the emergency situation was automatically lifted.
Why did President Yoon feel the need to impose martial law?
– South Korea’s parliament has a total of 300 seats.
– In the elections at the beginning of 2024, the public gave a heavy mandate to the opposition party, DPK.
– The ruling People Power Party won only 108 seats, while the opposition party, DPK, secured 170 seats.
– Due to their majority, the opposition party was increasingly interfering with the president’s government, preventing him from working according to his agenda.
– Prior to this, President Yoon had won the 2022 elections by a narrow margin, and his popularity had been declining. His image was further tarnished by several controversies involving his wife.
– To manage this situation, the president imposed martial law. He accused DPK of sympathizing with North Korea and engaging in anti-national activities.
– President Yoon was advised by the then Defense Minister, Kim Yong-hyun, to impose martial law. He also gave the order to send the army into the parliament. After the failed martial law attempt, Kim resigned.
– Following the failed attempt, the president apologized for imposing martial law.
– Later, the opposition party moved an impeachment motion against the president in parliament, but they were unsuccessful.
History of Martial Law in South Korea:
– Since the establishment of parliamentary democracy in South Korea in 1987, martial law had never been imposed.
– However, on December 3, 2024, after 40 years, martial law was imposed in South Korea, but it lasted only for six hours.
– Before this, martial law had been imposed 17 times.
South Korea:
– Capital: Seoul
– President: Yoon Suk-yeol
– Prime Minister: Han Duck-soo
– Currency: South Korean Won
– Neighboring Countries: North Korea
– Seas: Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea
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6. When is International Mountain Day celebrated?
a. 10 December
b. 11 December
c. 12 December
d. 13 December
Answer: b. 11 December
Theme of 2024:
– Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation, and youth
– International Mountain Day is observed every year on December 11.
– This day was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003.
– The purpose of this day is to promote the sustainable development of mountains.
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7. What did Oxford University Press choose as the ‘Word of the Year 2024’?
a. Jane Alpha
b. Jane G
c. Brain Rot
d. Brain Hu
Answer: c. Brain Rot
What does “Brain Rot” mean?
– The habit of mindlessly scrolling through social media platforms for hours is referred to as “brain rot.”
– Oxford University has chosen this word as the “Word of the Year” for 2024.
– The term reflects the negative impact on the brain caused by continuously consuming content on social media.
– Casper Grathwohl, President of Oxford Languages, explained that the word highlights the dangers of virtual life, and choosing it as the Word of the Year accurately reflects the current reality.
Origin of the term “Brain Rot”
– The term “brain rot” was used by Henry David Thoreau in his book Walden in 1854, before the internet era.
– He questioned society’s tendency to give less importance to complex thinking.
– He wrote, “England is trying to save potatoes from rotting, but why isn’t there an effort to cure brain rot?”
– The term became popular on social media, especially among Generation Z (born between 1997-2012) and Generation Alpha (born after 2013).
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8. Name the 8th Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh?
a. Madhav National Tiger Reserve
b. water sanctuary
c. Raisen Sanctuary
d. Sehore Sanctuary
Answer: a. Madhav National Tiger Reserve
– It is located in Shivpuri district.
– This park was granted the status of a national park in 1958.
– The area of the tiger reserve is 1651 square kilometers.
– Core area: 3751 square kilometers, Buffer area: 276 square kilometers.
– The approval was granted on December 1, 2024.
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9. Name the 58th Tiger Reserve of the country and the 9th Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh?
a. Rawatbhata Sanctuary
b. Ratapani Sanctuary
c. Raisen Sanctuary
d. Sehore Sanctuary
Answer: b. Ratapani Sanctuary
– The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) issued its notification on December 2.
– The Ratapani Sanctuary, located near Bhopal, will be the 9th Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
– The core area of Ratapani Tiger Reserve will be 763.812 square kilometers, while the buffer area will be 507.653 square kilometers. Thus, the total area of the Tiger Reserve will be 1271.465 square kilometers.
– This area falls in the Raisen and Sehore districts of Madhya Pradesh.
– Prior to this, on December 1, the central government declared Madhav National Park in Shivpuri as the 8th Tiger Reserve of the state. Therefore, within two days, Madhya Pradesh has gained two new Tiger Reserves.
– According to the 2022 census, there are 785 tigers here. In 2018, this number was 526.
What is a Tiger Reserve?
– In India, a Tiger Reserve is a designated area established under Project Tiger, initiated in 1973, aimed at ensuring the conservation of tigers and their habitats. These reserves are part of government efforts to protect tiger populations, maintain biodiversity, and restore ecological balance.
– Tiger Reserves generally consist of large tracts of land with a core and buffer zone. The core area is legally designated as a national park or sanctuary. In contrast, the buffer zone comprises a mix of forest and non-forest land, which is maintained as a multi-use area. The buffer zone acts as a transition area for wildlife.
9 Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh:
1. Kanha Tiger Reserve: Declared a national park in 1955 and a Tiger Reserve in 1973. It houses 80 tigers and covers 940 square kilometers.
2. Pench Tiger Reserve: Located in the Seoni district, spread across Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The core area is 4.33 square kilometers, and the buffer area is 768.3 square kilometers.
3. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve: Home to the largest population of Royal Bengal Tigers in the world. Located in Umaria district, it was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1968. It covers 448 square kilometers.
4. Satpura Tiger Reserve: Located in Narmadapuram district, it covers 524 square kilometers. Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1981. It is home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and dholes.
5. Panna Tiger Reserve: Located in Panna district, it covers 5763 square kilometers and was established in 1981 and declared a Tiger Reserve in 1994.
6. Nauradehi Tiger Reserve: Located in Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur districts. The core area is 23.97 square kilometers, and it was declared a Tiger Reserve on September 20, 2023.
7. Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve: Located in Sidhi district, this reserve is famous for the discovery of the white tiger by Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa in 1951. It covers 82.58 square kilometers and was established as a Tiger Reserve in 1975.
8. Madhav National Tiger Reserve: Located in Shivpuri district, this park was designated a national park in 1958. The reserve covers 1651 square kilometers, with 3751 square kilometers for the core and 276 square kilometers for the buffer zone. The approval was granted on December 1, 2024.
9. Ratapani Tiger Reserve: Located near Bhopal, spanning Sehore and Raisen districts. The core area will cover 763.82 square kilometers, and the buffer area will cover 507.653 square kilometers. The total area will be 1271.465 square kilometers.
58 Tiger Reserves of the country
1. Bandipur (Karnataka)
2. Corbett (Uttarakhand) [Amangarh Buffer – Uttar Pradesh]
3. Kanha (Madhya Pradesh)
4. Manas (Assam)
5. Melghat (Maharashtra)
6. Palamu (Jharkhand)
7. Ranthambore (Rajasthan)
8. Simlipal (Odisha)
9. Sundarban (West Bengal)
10. Periyar (Kerala)
11. Sariska (Rajasthan)
12. Buxa (West Bengal)
13. Indravati (Chhattisgarh)
14. Namdapha (Arunachal Pradesh)
15. Nagarjunasagar Sagar (Andhra Pradesh)
16. Dudhwa (Uttar Pradesh)
17. Kalakad Mundanthurai (Tamil Nadu)
18. Valmiki (Bihar)
19. Pench (Madhya Pradesh)
20. Tadobha Andhari (Maharashtra)
21. Bandhavgarh (Madhya Pradesh)
22. Panna (Madhya Pradesh)
23. Dampa (Mizoram)
24. Bhadra (Karnataka)
25. Pench – MH (Maharashtra)
26. Pakke (Arunachal Pradesh)
27. Nameri (Assam)
28. Satpura (Madhya Pradesh)
29. Anamalai (Tamil Nadu)
30. Udanti Sitanadi (Chhattisgarh)
31. Satkosia (Odisha)
32. Kaziranga (Assam)
33. Achanakmar (Chhattisgarh)
34. Kali (Karnataka)
35. Sanjay Dhubri (Madhya Pradesh)
36. Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu)
37. Nagarhole (Karnataka)
38. Parambikulam (Kerala)
39. Sahyadri (Maharashtra)
40. Biligiri Ranganatha Temple (Karnataka)
41. Kawal (Telangana)
42. Satyamangalam (Tamil Nadu)
43. Mukundra (Rajasthan)
44. Navegaon Nagzira (Maharashtra)
45. Amrabad (Telangana)
46. Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh)
47. Bor (Maharashtra)
48. Rajaji (Uttarakhand)
49. Orang (Assam)
50. Kamalang (Arunachal Pradesh)
51. Srivilliputhur Megamalai (Tamil Nadu)
52. Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan)
53. Ranipur Tiger Reserve (Uttar Pradesh)
54. Veerangana Durgawati Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)
55. Karauli Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan)
56. Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve (Chhattisgarh)
57. Madhav National Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)
58. Ratapani Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)
Madhya Pradesh:
– Chief Minister: Mohan Yadav
– Governor: Mangubhai C. Patel
– Capital: Bhopal
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):
– Established in December 2005.
– Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and Chairman: Bhupendra Yadav.
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10. Name the species of Wisdom, the world’s oldest known wild bird, which laid its 60th egg at the age of 74?
a. Anser indicus
b. Laysan Albatross
c. Bar-headed Goose
d. Mergus serrator
Answer: b. Laysan Albatross
– The bird is named “Wisdom” and its species is the “Laysan Albatross.”
– This bird has once again astonished wildlife enthusiasts.
– In December 2024, at nearly 74 years of age, it laid its 60th egg.
– The egg was laid in the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, located in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands of the USA.
– After a gap of four years, it laid an egg, which demonstrates its reproductive ability despite its advanced age.
– This bird was banded and identified for the first time in 1956. It is considered to be at least 74 years old.
– Most Laysan Albatrosses live up to 68 years, but “Wisdom” is still laying eggs and continues to amaze scientists.
– Over the course of its lifetime, Wisdom has laid 50 to 60 eggs and successfully raised nearly 30 chicks.
Laysan Albatross:
– It is a large seabird found in the North Pacific region.
– The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in the USA is home to 99.7% of its population.
– Its average length is 81 cm (32 inches).
– The wingspan ranges from 195 to 203 cm (77-80 inches).
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11. Which country’s team won the Junior Asia Cup 2024 (Hockey) title?
a. Pakistan
b. India
c. China
d. Bangladesh
Answer: b. India
– The 5th edition of the Junior Asia Cup was held in Muscat (Oman) in 2024.
– The Indian hockey team became champions for the third consecutive time (2015, 2023, and 2024).
– In 2024, India defeated Pakistan in the final match.
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12. Who became the first woman President of Namibia?
a. Richelle Abraham
b. uppo hadavara
c. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitawah
d. none of these
Answer: c. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitawah
– The African country of Namibia has elected Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as its fifth president.
– She is the first female president of the country.
– Currently, she serves as the vice president and will take the presidential oath on March 21, 2025.
– Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990.
– Since Namibia’s independence, Nandi-Ndaitwah has been a member of parliament.
– Throughout her political career, she has held several important ministerial positions.
Namibia:
– Capital: Windhoek
– President: Hage Geingob
– Elected President: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah
– Currency: Namibian Dollar and South African Rand
– Neighboring Countries: Angola, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa
– Ocean: South Atlantic Ocean
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13. Parliament passed the Indian Aircraft Bill (BBV) 2024, it will replace which law?
a. Aircraft Act, 1934
b. Airport Act, 2001
c. Aviation Act 1883
d. None of these
Answer: a. Aircraft Act, 1934
– Both houses of Parliament passed the Indian Aircraft (BVV) Bill, 2024 in December 2024.
– The aim of this bill is to replace the Aircraft Act of 1934 (last amended in 2020) and bring about significant reforms in the aviation sector.
– The bill retains the provisions of the Aircraft Act, 1934, under which the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) were established.
– These bodies will continue to oversee safety, security, and accident investigation, respectively.
– The opposition expressed concerns about the bill, including limited regulatory autonomy, limited appeals to the central government, potential violations of equality, and the boycott of the Hindi title.
Union Minister for Civil Aviation: K. Ram Mohan Naidu
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14. Which player won the women’s singles title of Syed Modi International Badminton Championship 2024?
a. Wu Luo Yu
b. PV Sindhu
c. Li Qian
d. Rajani Kumari
Answer: b. PV Sindhu
– This competition was held from November 26 to December 1, 2024, at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
– PV Sindhu won the women’s singles title by defeating Chinese player Wu Luo Yu in the final.
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15. Which player won the men’s singles title of Syed Modi International Badminton Championship 2024?
a. Jia Heng Jason Teh
b. Lakshya Sen
c. Bao Li Jing
d. Vimal Jalan
Answer: b. Lakshya Sen
– In the final, Lakshya Sen defeated Singapore’s Jia Heng Jason Teh.
Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly won the doubles title:
– The Indian women’s duo of Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly secured India’s third title at the 2024 Syed Modi International Badminton Tournament.
– The Indian pair defeated China’s Bao Li Jing and Li Kian in the final.
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