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1. Which country officially became the 10th permanent member of BRICS?
a. Egypt
b. Ethiopia
c. Iran
d. Indonesia
Answer: d. Indonesia
– Brazil made the official announcement on January 6, 2025. Indonesia welcomed this decision.
– Support received: Support was received during the Johannesburg (South Africa) summit in 2023.
– In 2025, Brazil is chairing BRICS. The event will be held in Rio de Janeiro.
Note: It should be noted that the process for Saudi Arabia to join BRICS was supposed to begin in February 2024, but at the last moment, Saudi Arabia clarified that it will not join BRICS at this time.
Why do some members leave?
– Over 40 countries are competing to join BRICS.
– If a country’s priorities do not align with BRICS policies, it may decide to leave.
– Political disagreements or internal pressure may also cause a country to exit.
– Some countries begin the process of joining BRICS but may remain outside if they fail to meet the requirements or fulfill the organization’s needs.
Indonesia:
– Capital: Jakarta
– President: Prabowo Subianto
– Currency: Indonesian Rupiah
– How many new members joined in 2024?
Egypt:
– Continent: Africa and Asia
– Capital: Cairo
– President: Abdel Fattah El Sisi
– Currency: Egyptian Pound
Ethiopia:
– Continent: Africa
– Capital: Addis Ababa
– President: Taïe Atske Selassie
– Prime Minister: Abiy Ahmed
– Currency: Birr
Iran:
– Continent: Asia
– Capital: Tehran
– President: Masoud Pezeshkian
– Currency: Iranian Rial
United Arab Emirates:
– Continent: Asia
– Capital: Abu Dhabi
– President: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
– Prime Minister: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
– Currency: UAE Dirham
Old BRICS Members (India, Russia, China, Brazil, South Africa)
India (2009):
– Capital: New Delhi
– Prime Minister: Narendra Modi
Russia (2009):
– Continent: Asia and Europe
– Capital: Moscow
– President: Vladimir Putin
– Currency: Ruble
China (2009):
– Continent: Asia
– Capital: Beijing
– President: Xi Jinping
– Currency: Chinese Yuan
Brazil (2009):
– Continent: South America
– Capital: Brasília
– President: Lula da Silva
– Currency: Brazilian Real
South Africa (2010):
– Continent: Africa
– Capitals: Pretoria (Executive), Cape Town (Legislative), Bloemfontein (Judicial)
– President: Cyril Ramaphosa
– Currency: South African Rand
Total members of BRICS:
– Brazil
– Russia
– India
– China
– South Africa
– Iran
– Egypt
– Ethiopia
– United Arab Emirates
– Indonesia
Who is the 10th member of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB)?
Answer: Algeria (The notification for inclusion in the NDB was issued in September 2024.)
BRICS
– Headquarters: Shanghai, China
– Established: 2009
– It is an organization of 5 important emerging economies.
– This group represents 41% of the world’s population.
– BRICS countries contribute approximately 26% of the world’s GDP.
– India has chaired the summit three times: in 2012, 2016, and 2021.
Full form of BRICS:
B – Brazil
R – Russia
I – India
C – China
S – South Africa
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2. Who has become the ninth partner country of the BRICS group in the year 2025?
a. Ukraine
b. Nigeria
c. Cameroon
d. Botswana
Answer: b. Nigeria
– According to The Hindu newspaper, Nigeria has been included as a “partner country” in the group of developing economies.
– The Brazilian government made this announcement in a statement on January 17, 2025.
Partner Countries of the BRICS Group
– Nigeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan
Note: At the BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia, in 2024, 13 countries were recognized as partner countries. Out of these, 9 countries have officially become partners so far.
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3. At which place has the Central Government identified a place to build a memorial in the memory of late former President Pranab Mukherjee?
a. Ekta Sthal
b. Vijay Ghat
c. National Memorial Complex
d. Abhay Ghat
Answer: c. National Memorial Complex (in Rajghat Complex)
– This information was received in January 2025. In response to the central government’s decision, former President Pranab Mukherjee’s daughter, Sharmistha Mukherjee, expressed her happiness and met with PM Narendra Modi to express her gratitude.
Late Former President Pranab Mukherjee
– Former President Pranab Mukherjee passed away on August 31, 2020.
– He served as the President of India from 2012 to 2017.
– He was the 13th President of India.
– He was the first person from West Bengal to reach the office of the President.
– He served as the Finance Minister of India from 2009 to 2012.
– He held several ministerial positions in the country.
– In 2019, he was awarded the country’s highest civilian honor, the ‘Bharat Ratna’.
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4. Who is the new Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of Space Department?
a. Dr. Raja Kumar
b. PLN Raju
c. S Somnath
d. Dr. V Narayanan
Answer: d. Dr. V Narayanan
– According to The Hindu newspaper, on January 13, 2025, Dr. V. Narayanan took charge as the Secretary of the Department of Space and the Chairman of the Space Commission and ISRO.
– He succeeded S. Somnath.
Dr. V. Narayanan
– Prior to this, he served as the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).
– LPSC is one of ISRO’s key centers, with its headquarters in Valiyamala, Thiruvananthapuram, and a unit in Bangalore.
– Dr. V. Narayanan is an Indian aerospace engineer, cryogenic engineer, and rocket scientist.
– He joined ISRO in 1984.
– He has made significant contributions to India’s space program.
– He has worked in various roles and has nearly 40 years of experience.
ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
– Established: August 15, 1969
– First Chairman: Vikram Sarabhai
– New Chairman: Dr. V. Narayanan
– Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
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5. Which state became the second state to launch ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’?
a. Haryana
b. Delhi
c. Goa
d. Karnataka
Answer: c. Goa
– On January 7, 2025, Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’ in the state to provide insurance to all.
– According to an official statement, Goa became the second state in the country to implement this major scheme, after Haryana, which was conceptualized by the central government.
What is the Bima Sakhi Yojana?
– The objective of this scheme is to empower women, particularly those aged between 18 to 70 years.
– It includes provisions for providing training to women and offering financial assistance.
– In the first year, women will receive a monthly stipend of ₹7,000, ₹6,000 in the second year, and ₹5,000 in the third year.
– Women completing 24 life insurance policies will also receive a commission of ₹48,000 along with the stipend.
– Applicants must have a certificate of passing Matriculation, High School, or 10th grade.
Goa
– Capital: Panaji
– Governor: P.S. Sridharan Pillai
– Chief Minister: Pramod Sawant
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6. P. Jayachandran passed away on 9 January 2024, he was which of the following?
a. Artist
b. Playback singer
c. Cricketer
d. Journalist
Answer: b. Playback singer
– Birth: March 3, 1944, Ernakulam, Kerala
– Death: He passed away in Thrissur, Kerala.
– He was 81 years old.
– He had been undergoing treatment for cancer.
– He had sung more than 16,000 songs.
– He sang in Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi languages.
– Many of his songs, presented in the 1970s and 80s, are still immensely popular among music lovers.
– He was awarded the National Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1986.
– In 2020, he was honored with the prestigious JC Daniel Award for his contribution to Malayalam cinema. Additionally, he received the Kerala State Film Award five times and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award twice.
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7. Who has been elected as the President of Athletics Federation of India (AFI)?
a. Gulveer Singh
b. Adil Sumariwala
c. Bahadur Singh Sagoo
d. Sandeep Kumar
Answer: c. Bahadur Singh Sagoo
– Asian Games gold medalist shot-putter Bahadur Singh Sagu was unanimously elected as the new president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on January 7, 2025.
– He replaced Adille Sumariwalla.
– Sumariwalla, who is currently a member of the powerful executive board of World Athletics, was first elected as the president of AFI in 2012.
– After current senior vice-president Anju Bobby George dropped out of the race for the top position, Bahadur Singh Sagu was the only candidate for the post.
Athletics Federation of India (AFI)
– The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is the principal national organization responsible for overseeing athletics in India.
– It is responsible for the development, management, and organization of athletics in India.
– Established: 1946
– Headquarters: New Delhi
– President: Bahadur Singh Sagu
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8. Which of the following is the 69th division of Indian Railways, which was inaugurated by PM Modi?
a. Ladakh Railway Division
b. Jammu Railway Division
c. Batala Railway Division
d. None of these
Answer: b. Jammu Railway Division
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the 69th railway division (Jammu Railway Division) on January 6, 2025.
– The purpose of the new division is to enhance connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir and promote socio-economic development.
– The headquarters of this division is in Jammu.
– It has been created by separating from the Firozpur Division, which will improve train operations and management in the regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Leh-Ladakh.
Jammu Railway Division
– Area covered by the rail routes: 742.1 kilometers of network
– Pathankot-Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla (423 km)
– Bhogpur-Shirwal-Pathankot (87.21 km)
– Batala-Pathankot (68.17 km)
– Pathankot-Joginder Nagar Narrow Gauge Line (163.72 km)
Key Infrastructure Projects in the Region
– Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL)
– Anji Khad Bridge
– Chenab Rail Bridge (the highest in the world)
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9. Where did India’s first coastal and wader bird count take place?
a. Marine National Park and Sanctuary, Jamnagar
b. Gulf of Mannar National Park
c. Sundarbans National Park
d. Wandoor Marine National Park
Answer: a. Marine National Park and Sanctuary, Jamnagar
– India’s first coastal and wader bird count was conducted in Jamnagar district, Gujarat. The count took place from January 3 to 5, 2025.
– The count was conducted at the Marine National Park and Sanctuary in Jamnagar, which is India’s first marine national park.
– The count was carried out by the Gujarat government and the Bird Conservation Society of Gujarat (BCSG).
– The coastal stretch of the count covers approximately 170 km from Okha to Navlakhi. It includes 42 islands.
– The area also contains mangroves.
– According to the Gujarat Forest Department, more than 300 species of local and migratory birds are found in Jamnagar district, including over 50 species of wader birds.
Gujarat
– Chief Minister: Bhupendra Patel
– Capital: Gandhinagar
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10. When is the Global Family Day celebrated?
a. 1 January
b. 2 January
c. 3 January
d. 4 January
Answer: a. 1 January
– The United Nations General Assembly established this day.
– The objective of this day is to promote peace among all countries and religions, while avoiding war and violence.
– The family (global family) is considered very important for this day, as peace in the world can be established through the family.
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11. When is World Braille Day celebrated?
a. 1 January
b. 2 January
c. 3 January
d. 4 January
Answer: d. 4 January
– This day has been observed worldwide every year since 2019.
– The objective of this day is to raise awareness about the importance of Braille.
What is Braille?
– Braille is a writing system used by blind and visually impaired people to read, write, and understand.
– In Braille, letters and numbers are written using raised dots.
– In addition, Braille includes musical, mathematical, and scientific symbols and signs, allowing books and magazines to be read through touch.
– This system was invented 200 years ago by the French scholar Louis Braille.
– Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809, in the city of Coupvray.
Note:
– According to the WHO, approximately one billion people worldwide live with some form of near or distant vision impairment.
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12. When is Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas celebrated?
a. 5 January
b. 9 January
c. 10 January
d. 11 January
Answer: b. 9 January
– In fact, Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, returned to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915, and played a crucial role in the country’s freedom struggle.
– Therefore, January 9 was chosen to be celebrated as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Overseas Indian Day) in memory of Gandhi’s arrival in India.
Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan (Overseas Indian Conference)
– On the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the government organizes a major conference every two years in the country.
– The celebration of Pravasi Divas started in 2003, but in 2015, it was revised and decided to be celebrated every two years.
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13. When is World War Orphans Day observed?
a. 2 January
b. 4 January
c. 6 January
d. 8 January
Answer: c. 6 January
– The purpose of this was to help children affected by conflict.
– The goal is to raise awareness about the plight of children who have lost their parents due to conflict.
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14. When is World Hindi Day celebrated?
a. 7 January
b. 8 January
c. 9 January
d. 10 January
Answer: d. 10 January
2025 Theme
– “Hindi: The Global Voice of Unity and Cultural Pride”
– It is celebrated with the aim of promoting the development of Hindi worldwide and promoting it as an international language.
– It was first celebrated in 2006.
– Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh organized the first World Hindi Day on January 10, 2006.
Why is it celebrated on January 10?
– The first World Hindi Conference was held on January 10, 1975, in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
– That is why January 10 was chosen for this observance.
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15. Who became the new secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)?
a. Prabhtej Singh Bhatia
b. Ashish Shelar
c. Devjit Saikia
d. Jai Shah
Answer: c. Devjit Saikia
– Former cricketer Devjeet Saikia has been appointed as the new Secretary of the BCCI. He is from Assam.
– Prabhtej Singh Bhatia from the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Association (CSCS) has been appointed as the new Treasurer.
Note – Jay Shah, the former BCCI Secretary, has become the independent Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
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