UPPSC Prelims 2024: In this blog, Sudhanshu Sir brings you a curated collection of the most important MCQs, complete with detailed explanations, designed to give you an edge in the exam.
This blog is a must-read for aspirants looking to strengthen their grasp on key topics, important events, and the latest news that are vital for success in UPPCS. With a focus on accuracy, clarity, and relevance, Sudhanshu Sir simplifies complex concepts and presents them in an easy-to-understand manner.
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Lignosat
The world’s first wood-panelled satellite named Lignosat was launched into space by Japanese spacecraft to test the reliability of timber as a renewable building material for future space travel.
Proba-3 Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 mission on December 5. PROBA-3, a European Space Agency (ESA) mission consisting of two satellites, is designed to study the solar corona—the outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere.
Agnikul Cosmos
The private space company Agnikul has successfully launched the world’s first fully 3-D printed engine indigenously built rocket, Agnibaan, from ISRO’s Sriharikota facility.
‘Zeta-class’ Supercomputer
Japan is preparing to construct a groundbreaking ‘zeta-class’ supercomputer, which is projected to be 1,000 times faster than today’s most advanced machines.
Their performance is also measured using floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) — where one floating-point operation is a mathematical calculation.
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Europa Clipper
Europa Clipper is a NASA spacecraft that is the first mission designed to conduct a detailed study of Jupiter’s moon Europa. It was launched on October 14, 2024, and will reach Jupiter in April 2030.
PARAM Rudra
On September 26, three PARAM Rudra supercomputers installed at premier scientific institutions in Delhi, Pune and Kolkata were inaugurated.
PARAM Rudra Supercomputers are developed indigenously by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
Classical Language status
Five languages – Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali – are accorded the status of ‘classical language’. Now, the total ‘classical language’ in India is 11.
Tamil: The first language to be recognized as a classical language in 2004
Sanskrit: Recognized as a classical language in 2005
Kannada: Recognized as a classical language in 2008
Telugu: Recognized as a classical language in 2008
Malayalam: Recognized as a classical language in 2013
Odia: Recognized as a classical language in 2014
Marathi: Recognized as a classical language in 2024
Pali: Recognized as a classical language in 2024
Prakrit: Recognized as a classical language in 2024
Assamese: Recognized as a classical language in 2024
Bengali: Recognized as a classical language in 2024
This new category of language was created in 2004.
- Prakrit refers to a group of closely related Indo-Aryan languages. Ardhamagadhi is a dialect of Prakrit.
- Jain agamas and the Gatha Saptashati are written in Ardhamagadhi.
- Pali is a form of Sanskritised Magadhi Prakrit. It was the language of the Theravada Buddhist Canon — the Tipitakas.
Prakrit and Pali are the two Classical languages that are not mentioned in the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution.
PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme
The PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme, launched on 6th November, is a new Central Sector scheme that seeks to provide financial support to students.
Under the scheme, any student who gets admission to a Quality Higher Education Institution (QHEIs) will be eligible to get collateral-free and guarantor-free loans from banks and financial institutions to cover the full amount of tuition fees and other expenses related to the course.
NPS Vatsalya Scheme
The National Pension System Vatsalya (NPS Vatsalya) scheme was launched by the Finance Minister on 18th September.
It is a new pension scheme for children in the age group of 0 to 18 years. A parent can deposit a minimum of 1000 per month and a maximum with no limit.
Mission Mausam
In September 2024, the Union Cabinet approved “Mission Mausam”, with a budget of Rs. 2000 crores, to enhance India’s ability to predict and respond to extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change.
Under the initiative, a first-of-its-kind cloud chamber is being established at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
Ayushman Vaya Vandana
The government has launched the Ayushman Vaya Vandana card under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to provide health coverage to people aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income and economic status.
It was launched on October 29, which is being observed as the 9th Ayurveda Day.
New Tiger Reserve
Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve of Chhattisgarh has been notified as the 56th Tiger Reserve of India.
Ratapani Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh has been notified as the 57th Tiger Reserve of India. As of 4th December 2024, there are 57 Tiger Reserves in India.
Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran was the only tiger reserve in Bihar.
New Ramsar Sites
India has added three new Ramsar sites taking the total number of Ramsar sites to 85.
| Ramsar Sites | State | River | Description |
| Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | River Noyyal | Home to species like the Eurasian coot, spot-billed duck, migratory bird species, and many types of herons. |
| Kazhuveli Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu | It is connected to the Bay of Bengal in the north via Uppukalli Creek. | It is the second-largest brackish lake in Peninsular India. It is home to many globally endangered species, like the black-headed ibis and greater flamingo. |
| Tawa Reservoir | Madhya Pradesh | Tawa River | It is a man-made wetland, located within Satpura Tiger Reserve. |
The countries with the most Ramsar Sites are the United Kingdom with 175 and Mexico with 142.
Bolivia has the largest area under Ramsar protection.
Major milestones of COP
COP, or Conference of Parties, is the annual meeting of the members of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) — an international agreement, signed in 1992, that has provided a basis for climate negotiations.
COP3 in Kyoto, 1997: The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in this COP.
COP21 in Paris, 2015: It led to the landmark Paris Agreement — a legally binding international treaty to limit global temperatures to below 2 degree Celsius, and preferably below 1.5 degree Celsius. The parties also agreed to submit their climate action plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), by 2020.
COP26 in Glasgow, 2021: The Glasgow pact made a commitment to “phase down” the use of coal (this language was weakened from “phase out” late in the negotiations) and to phase out “inefficient fossil fuel subsidies”. This was the first time that a UN climate agreement explicitly mentioned coal.
COP28 in Dubai, 2023: A Loss and Damage fund was officially launched in Dubai. The fund is meant to provide financial help to countries struck by climate disasters.
COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, 2024: Developed countries have committed to fund $300 bn a year for developing countries by 2035.
UTTAR PRADESH SPECIAL
Uttar Pradesh Budget
Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna Monday presented the annual budget for the fiscal year 2024-25
Significant financial plan amounting to Rs 7.36 lakh crore.
Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (MYUVA)
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has launched the MYUVA Scheme with the aimed at nurturing entrepreneurship among the state’s youth.
It aims to prepare one lakh young entrepreneurs every year by providing interest-free loans for projects of up to Rs 5 lakh. The government has allocated Rs 1,000 crore in the budget for the financial year 2024-25 to support this initiative.
Vrindavan
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the country’s first all-girl Sainik School at Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district and termed it as a “golden moment in the history of women empowerment”.
With a strength of nearly 870 students, Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School has been established under the initiative of opening 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode with NGOs/private/state government schools in all states/union territories, of which 42 have already come up.
Kumbh Mela
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is scheduled to commence on January 13, 2025, with the Paush Purnima Snan, and will conclude on February 26, 2025, at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Maha Kumbh 2025 is organized in four locations across India: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik, and Ujjain.
Ayodhya Ram Mandir
Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was inaugurated on January 22, 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
the 51-inch idol of Ram Lalla, sculpted by Mysuru-based artist Arun Yogiraj, was placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
The mandir is built in the traditional Nagara style.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched three significant initiatives aimed at enhancing regulatory processes and improving access to financial services: the PRAVAAH (Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation and Authorisation) portal, the retail direct mobile app, and a fintech repository.
De-dollarisation
De-dollarisation refers to the reduction of the alliance on the US Dollar currency as a chief reserve currency.
MuleHunter.AI
The RBI has created an AI-powered model called MuleHunter.AI, which could reduce digital fraud by helping banks deal with the increasing problem of “mule” bank accounts.
It has been developed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), Bengaluru, a subsidiary of the central bank.
The fourth Quad Leaders’ Summit
US President Joseph R. Biden hosted the fourth Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware on September 21.
QUAD Cancer Moonshot: The QUAD has launched it as a collective effort to leverage public and private resources to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer in the Indo-Pacific, with an initial focus on cervical cancer.
Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI): The purpose is to monitor and secure Indo-Pacific waters, enforce their laws, and deter unlawful behaviour. The inaugural MAITRI workshop will be hosted by India in 2025.
21st ASEAN-Indian Summit 2024
- The 21st ASEAN-India Summit was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on 10 October 2024.
- Participating in the summit, PM Modi announced a 10-point plan to strengthen India-ASEAN relations.
- The theme was “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”.
- The 10 member states of ASEAN are Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos.
- Laos is the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) founded in 1967.
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
India signed the US-led 14-member Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) bloc’s agreements on a clean and fair economy on 21st September.
IPEF was launched on 23 May 2022 at Tokyo, Japan, comprising of 14 countries – Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and USA.
Asian Buddhist Summit
The First Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS) is organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in New Delhi from 5th – 6th November, 2024.
The summit theme is ‘Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia’.
World Lion Day
World Lion Day is celebrated on August 10 to bring people together from across the globe to pay tribute to the mighty lion.
World Press Freedom Day
World Press Freedom Day, observed annually on May 3, highlights the vital role of journalism in society.
This year, the Government of Chile and UNESCO hosted the 31st World Press Freedom Day Conference in Santiago.
The theme for 2024 is “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.”
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)
December 3 is annually observed as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) by the United Nations since 1992.
The theme for this year is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.”
Multidimensional Poverty Index
The 2024 Multidimensional Poverty Index was published on 17th October by OPHI and the Human Development Report Office of the United Nations Development Programme.
It was launched in 2010.
The five countries with the largest number of people living in poverty are India (234 million), Pakistan (93 million), Ethiopia (86 million), Nigeria (74 million) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (66 million).
Together, these five countries account for nearly half (48.1 percent) of the 1.1 billion poor people.
Global Gender Gap Index 2024
The Global Gender Gap Index is released annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Iceland (93.5%) is ranked 1st while Finland is ranked second and Norway is ranked third.
India ranks 129 out of the 146 countries. This puts India at the 18th position from the bottom. In 2023, India stood at 127 rank out of the 146 countries.
Global Hunger Index
India ranked 105th out of 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2024, with a score of 27.3, indicating a serious level of hunger.
The GHI is published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe annually to measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels.
SDG India Index
India’s SDG score improved to 71 points in 2023-24 from 66 points in 2020-21 in Niti Aayog’s SDG India Index 2023-24.
UNESCO’s Memory of the World Regional Register
Three Indian literary works—Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayaloka-Locana—were added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register.
Ramcharitmanas: This manuscript was authored by Goswami Tulsidas.
Panchatantra: Attributed to Vishnu Sharma, this is an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables in verse and prose.
Sahṛdayaloka-Locana: Written by 15th-century Kashmiri scholars Acharya Anandvardhan and Abhinavagupta, it was chosen for its aesthetic significance.
World Craft City
Srinagar has become the fourth Indian city to be recognized as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Craft Council (WCC).
In 2021, it was designated as part of the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN) for crafts and folk arts.
Jaipur, Malappuram, and Mysore are the other Indian cities that have previously been recognised as World Craft Cities.
Booker Prize for fiction
British writer Samantha Harvey won the Booker Prize
UPPSC Prelims 2024 – Important MCQs with Explanation
Which state government has launched the Elevate 2024 scheme for early stage startups?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Karnataka
[D] Jharkhand
Correct Answer: C [Karnataka]
Notes: Karnataka launched ELEVATE 2024 ELEVATE also provides support through incubation, expert mentorship, incentives, and venture capital access.
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Telangana
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Goa
[D] Gujarat
Correct Answer: C [Goa]
Notes: An adult tigress and three cubs were recently spotted in Goa’s Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) for the first time since 2020. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Chorla Ghat, between North Goa and Belgavi, bordering Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Which state government recently declared a heatwave as a State-specific disaster?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Jharkhand
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes: The Tamil Nadu government has declared a heatwave as a State-specific disaster to provide relief and compensation for heat-related casualties.
Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation has launched its first analogue space mission in which city?
[A] Leh
[B] Jaisalmer
[C] Chennai
[D] Visakhapatnam
Correct Answer: A [Leh]
Notes: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its first analogue space mission Hab-1 or Habitat-1 in Leh, a major milestone for India’s space exploration
Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Indonesia
[B] Malaysia
[C] Vietnam
[D] Tonga
Correct Answer: A [Indonesia]
Notes: At least 10 people died in eastern Indonesia after Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted, prompting nearby village evacuations.
Kishanganga, that was recently seen in news, is a tributary of which river?
[A] Sutlej
[B] Beas
[C] Jhelum
[D] Ravi
Correct Answer: C [Jhelum]
Notes: India issued a formal notice on August 30, 2024, to review and modify the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) under Article XII (3).
Which city is the host of Women’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024?
[A] Jaipur, Rajasthan
[B] Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
[C] Rajgir, Bihar
[D] Indore, Madhya Pradesh
Correct Answer: C [Rajgir, Bihar]
Notes: The 2024 Women’s Asian Champions Trophy held from November 11 to 20 at Rajgir Hockey Stadium, Bihar. This is the first international hockey tournament in Bihar.
Which day is observed as National Education Day?
[A] November 10
[B] November 11
[C] November 12
[D] November 13
Correct Answer: B [November 11]
National Education Day is celebrated on November 11 in honor of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister.
What is the name of the surface-to-air missile system recently exported by India to Armenia?
[A] BrahMos Missile System
[B] Akash Missile System
[C] MRSAM-IN Missile System
[D] NAG Missile System
Correct Answer: B [Akash Missile System]
Notes: India exported its first Akash weapon system battery to Armenia, marking a new defense export milestone.
Which organization released the State of the Climate 2024 Report?
[A] International Labour Organization (ILO)
[B] Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
[C] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
[D] World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
Correct Answer: D [World Meteorological Organization (WMO)]
Notes: The State of the Climate 2024 report, released by World Meteorological Organization (WMO) at COP29 in Baku. It issues a Red Alert on climate change. 2024 is set to be the warmest year on record, with temperatures 1.54°C above pre-industrial levels. The past decade (2015-2024) is the warmest on record, with ocean temperatures rising rapidly. Greenhouse gas emissions reached their highest levels in 2023 and continue to rise in 2024. Glaciers are melting faster than ever, losing five times the water volume of the Dead Sea in 2023. Rising sea levels are accelerating, with a significant increase in the past two decades.
Lake Kariba, which was seen in the news, is located between which two countries?
[A] Tanzania and Uganda
[B] Chad and Cameroon
[C] Zambia and Zimbabwe
[D] Burundi and Rwanda
Correct Answer: C [Zambia and Zimbabwe]
Notes: A severe drought has lowered the water levels of Lake Kariba, threatening to shut down the Kariba Dam for the first time in its 65-year history, impacting Zambia and Zimbabwe’s economies. Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake
National Milk Day is observed every year on which day?
[A] November 23
[B] November 24
[C] November 25
[D] November 26
Correct Answer: D [November 26]
Notes: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) celebrates National Milk Day on November 26, 2024, at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The event honors the 103rd birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the “Father of the White Revolution.”
Which country was re-elected to the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for the 2025-2026?
[A] Myanmar
[B] China
[C] India
[D] Indonesia
Correct Answer: C [India]
Notes: India has been re-elected to the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for the 2025-2026 term, reaffirming its dedication to global peace. The PBC, formed in 2005, advises the UN on peacebuilding efforts in conflict-affected regions. India, a founding member, actively shapes initiatives within the Commission.
Which country recently supported India’s bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council?
[A] Nepal
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Bhutan
[D] Myanmar
Correct Answer: C [Bhutan]
Notes: During the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay expressed strong support for India’s bid for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council.
‘SIPCOT’ is an industrial park initiative of which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Kerala
Correct Answer: C [Tamil Nadu]
Notes: SIPCOT, or the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu, was established in 1971 to foster industrial growth in Tamil Nadu.
India hosts ‘Malabar Naval Exercise 2024’ in which city?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Visakhapatnam
[C] Kolkata
[D] Chennai
Correct Answer: B [Visakhapatnam]
Notes: India hosts the joint naval exercise of Quad nations from October 8 to 18 in Visakhapatnam. The exercise, named Malabar 2024
What is the theme of World Mental Health Day 2024?
[A] Mental Health at Work
[B] Mental Health in an Unequal World
[C] Make Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority
[D] Mental Health for All
Correct Answer: A [Mental Health at Work]
Notes: World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 and was first initiated in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health.
Chaukhamba peak is located in which state?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Assam
[D] Sikkim
Correct Answer: A [Uttarakhand]
Notes: Two foreign climbers, Michelle Theresa Dvorak (USA) and Fay Jane Manners (UK), were rescued from 6,015 meters near Chaukhamba III peak in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. Chaukhamba is part of the Gangotri Group in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand. It is located west of Badrinath, near the head of the Gangotri Glacier.
Who is the head of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)?
a) Prime Minister
b) President
c) Home Minister
d) Cabinet Secretary
Answer: a) Prime Minister
Explanation: The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio chairperson of NDMA.
Which Constitutional Amendment introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST)?
a) 100th
b) 101st
c) 102nd
d) 103rd
Answer: b) 101st
Explanation: The 101st Amendment Act of 2016 implemented GST, a single indirect tax system in India.
Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the Election Commission?
a) Article 320
b) Article 324
c) Article 326
d) Article 330
Answer: b) Article 324
Explanation: Article 324 vests the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections in the Election Commission.
India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved a historic landing on which region of the Moon?
a) Equatorial region
b) Lunar North Pole
c) Lunar South Pole
d) Lunar Far Side
Answer: c) Lunar South Pole
Explanation: Chandrayaan-3 became the first mission to successfully land near the Moon’s South Pole in August 2023.
The ‘Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP)’ launched recently is related to:
a) Carbon emission standards
b) Safety rating for vehicles
c) Fuel efficiency norms
d) Electric vehicle promotion
Answer: b) Safety rating for vehicles
Explanation: Bharat NCAP provides safety ratings for vehicles based on crash testing.
What is the new name given to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ largest island?
a) Netaji Island
b) Swaraj Island
c) Shaheed Island
d) Rani Lakshmibai Island
Answer: b) Swaraj Island
Explanation: In tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Ross Island was renamed Swaraj Island.
The Reserve Bank of India recently announced its Digital Rupee pilot under which project name?
a) e-Cash
b) e-Rupee
c) CBDC India
d) Digital Currency Experiment
Answer: b) e-Rupee
Explanation: The Digital Rupee (e-Rupee) is India’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in the pilot phase for wholesale and retail segments.
Which Indian state launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana’ for women’s empowerment in 2024?
a) Uttar Pradesh
b) Bihar
c) Madhya Pradesh
d) Gujarat
Answer: c) Madhya Pradesh
Which Indian airline ceased operations in November 2024 following a merger agreement with Air India?
a) IndiGo
b) SpiceJet
c) Vistara
d) GoAir
Answer: c) Vistara
Explanation: Vistara ceased operations in November 2024 after merging with Air India.
Read more: UPSC Interview 2024: Dates, Process, and Preparation Strategy
