Correct Answer : 2027
* India’s data centre market is projected to exceed $100 billion in investments by 2027, driven by sectors such as BFSI, technology, fintech, media, and generative AI. * This marks a significant growth from the $60 billion invested between 2019 and 2024. * Cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, and Bengaluru are leading this expansion due to their robust infrastructure and supportive government policies. * Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have become key hubs for data centre development, highlighting India's rise as a global leader in digital infrastructure and its commitment to meeting the growing demands of the digital economy.
Correct Answer : Jalandhar
* Dr BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Jalandhar has developed innovative products for use in space communication and satellites. * These advancements were achieved by the Space Technology Incubation Centre (STIC), which was established at the institute with the support of ISRO. * The products were demonstrated to a delegation from ISRO, showcasing the institute's role as a hub for fostering technological innovation and contributing to the country's space research capabilities.
Correct Answer : United Kingdom
* The United Kingdom introduced its first codes of practice for online safety, overseen by Ofcom. * These regulations require social media platforms like Meta's Facebook to tackle criminal activities and improve safety features. * The codes specifically address issues such as child sexual abuse and suicide-related content. * Companies failing to comply face significant penalties, including fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their global turnover. This initiative marks a pivotal step in creating a safer digital environment.
Correct Answer : 4th
* India has risen to the 4th position among the world's largest smartphone exporters, a significant jump from the 23rd rank in 2019. * The country achieved a milestone by surpassing ?20,000 crore in smartphone exports in November 2024 alone. * This success aligns with the goals of the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, which aims to export 70-75% of the production value during the financial year 2024-25, showcasing India's growing prowess in the global smartphone market.
Correct Answer : Russia
* Russia will permit Indian tourists to travel visa-free starting in March 2025, as part of bilateral efforts to simplify visa requirements. * This decision comes after a notable increase in Indian visitors, with Moscow experiencing a 1.5x rise in Indian travellers in the first half of 2024 and over 60,000 Indian visitors in 2023, reflecting a 26% growth from 2022. * The move highlights India's significance as a priority market for Russia and aims to boost tourism and strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.
Correct Answer : Italy
vItaly granted citizenship to Argentine President Javier Milei due to his Italian ancestry, reflecting the country’s policy of offering citizenship to descendants of Italian emigrants. * This decision has sparked debates about Italy’s citizenship laws, particularly their perceived unfairness toward children of immigrants born in Italy who often face difficulties in obtaining citizenship. * Despite the criticism, the move aligns with Italy’s long-standing legal framework and has also fostered closer political and economic ties between Italy and Argentina, with leaders discussing a collaborative Action Plan for 2025-2030.
Correct Answer : Wipro
* AIIMS and Wipro GE Healthcare have signed an MoU to establish an AI Health Innovations Hub aimed at advancing healthcare delivery. * Wipro GE Healthcare will invest $1 million over five years to develop AI-enabled solutions targeting key areas such as cardiology, oncology, and neurology. * AIIMS will play a crucial role as the clinical partner, providing multi-modal inputs and a testing environment for these solutions. * This partnership is expected to leverage AI technology to enhance diagnostics and treatment, improving healthcare outcomes and paving the way for innovative medical advancements.
Correct Answer : Chido
* Cyclone Chido, a Category 4 storm, caused severe destruction in Mayotte with winds exceeding 220 km/h before making landfall in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province on December 15, 2024. * The cyclone flattened entire neighbourhoods in Mayotte, marking it as the strongest cyclone to hit the region in over 90 years. * After crossing the Mozambique Channel, Chido intensified and brought winds over 200 km/h along with heavy rainfall, severely affecting northern Mozambique. * Around 1.7 million people were impacted, with significant risks of flash floods, heavy rains, and further destruction in the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula, and Niassa.
Correct Answer : Chennai
* India’s first diabetes biobank has been set up in Chennai through a collaboration between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF). * The facility is designed to collect, process, and store biological samples, aiding advanced research on diabetes causes, variations, and related disorders. * The biobank will support critical studies like the ICMR-INDIAB study and the Registry of Young-Onset Diabetes. * It aims to identify biomarkers for early diagnosis and develop personalized treatment strategies, fostering long-term research on diabetes progression, management, and prevention, while also contributing to global health research efforts.
* The United Kingdom has officially become the 12th member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), making it the first European nation to join the trade bloc. * The CPTPP includes key countries like Canada, Japan, Australia, and Mexico, among others. * This milestone follows Britain’s exit from the European Union (Brexit) as it seeks to build new global trade partnerships and expand its economic influence beyond Europe. * By joining the CPTPP, Britain aims to strengthen its trade relationships with the Asia-Pacific region, signalling a strategic shift in its economic priorities.
