National Current Affairs From The Hindu

1. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was recently in news over proposed warning labels on packaged foods. FSSAI functions under which Union Ministry?

A. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
B. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
C. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Answer: A. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Explanation: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is responsible for regulating food safety and standards in India. It works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

2. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently tightened rules related to food claims. Which of the following is an example of a food claim regulated under these rules?

A. “100% natural”
B. “Low sodium”
C. “Healthy”
D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: FSSAI regulates claims made on food labels and advertisements, including nutritional and health claims. The move aims to prevent misleading descriptions and ensure that claims such as “healthy”, “natural” or “low sodium” are supported by appropriate evidence.

3. Under Indian criminal law, which provision of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 deals with the supply of a copy of the FIR to an accused?

A. Section 173
B. Section 193
C. Section 207
D. Section 230

Answer: C. Section 207

Explanation: Section 207 of the BNSS deals with the supply of police reports and other documents to the accused. The issue of providing an accused person access to an FIR is linked to the principles of fair investigation and a fair trial.

4. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 replaced which earlier law?

A. Indian Penal Code, 1860
B. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
C. Indian Evidence Act, 1872
D. Police Act, 1861

Answer: B. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Explanation: The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973. It is part of the new set of criminal laws introduced to replace several colonial-era legislations.

International Current Affairs

5. India and China were reported to be close to announcing two more Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) points along which boundary?

A. Line of Control
B. Line of Actual Control
C. Radcliffe Line
D. McMahon Line

Answer: B. Line of Actual Control

Explanation: India and China were expected to announce additional Border Personnel Meeting points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). BPM points facilitate meetings and communication between the armed forces of the two countries in border areas.

Economy & Banking Current Affairs

6. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is scheduled to meet on September 12, according to the report. Who is the Chairperson of the GST Council?

A. Prime Minister of India
B. Union Finance Minister
C. RBI Governor
D. Union Commerce Minister

Answer: B. Union Finance Minister

Explanation: The GST Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister and includes representatives of the States and Union Territories. It makes recommendations on important matters related to Goods and Services Tax in India.

7. The GST Council is constituted under which Article of the Constitution of India?

A. Article 279A
B. Article 280
C. Article 324
D. Article 368

Answer: A. Article 279A

Explanation: Article 279A provides for the constitution of the GST Council. The Council makes recommendations to the Union and States on GST-related matters, including tax rates, exemptions and other aspects of the GST framework.

Science & Technology Current Affairs

8. Betelgeuse, recently in the news, is best known as which type of star?

A. White dwarf
B. Red supergiant
C. Neutron star
D. Brown dwarf

Answer: B. Red supergiant

Explanation: Betelgeuse is a famous red supergiant star. It has attracted scientific attention because of its unusual behaviour and observations suggesting that it may have a possible companion.

9. The famous star Betelgeuse is located in which constellation?

A. Orion
B. Ursa Major
C. Cassiopeia
D. Scorpius

Answer: A. Orion

Explanation: Betelgeuse is one of the most recognisable stars in the constellation Orion. It forms part of the constellation’s prominent pattern and is among the brightest stars visible from Earth.

10. In the context of artificial intelligence, the “smoking gun” discussed in relation to AI training refers to evidence of:

A. Illegal hardware manufacturing
B. Copyrighted material being used to train AI models
C. Cyberattacks on AI companies
D. Government control of AI systems

Answer: B. Copyrighted material being used to train AI models

Explanation: AI companies face increasing legal and ethical questions over the use of copyrighted books, articles and other creative works for training large language models and other generative AI systems.

Defence & Security Current Affairs

11. Which of the following pairs correctly represents the existing Border Personnel Meeting points in Ladakh between India and China?

A. Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul
B. Nathu La and Bum La
C. Kibithu and Nathu La
D. Chushul and Bum La

Answer: A. Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul

Explanation: The report noted that Border Personnel Meeting points already exist at Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in Ladakh. Other BPM points are located in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Environment & Climate Change Current Affairs

12. The carcass of which critically endangered bird was found near Dehradun, raising concerns about the impact of infrastructure development on wildlife?

A. Great Indian Bustard
B. Himalayan Monal
C. White-rumped Vulture
D. Bengal Florican

Answer: C. White-rumped Vulture

Explanation: The discovery of the vulture carcass near Dehradun raised concerns about wildlife conservation and the ecological impact of infrastructure projects. Vultures are important scavengers and play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem health.

13. Strobilanthes kunthiana, which was recently in news due to concerns over tourism in the Western Ghats, is popularly known as:

A. Brahma Kamal
B. Neelakurinji
C. Nilgiri Lily
D. Blue Poppy

Answer: B. Neelakurinji

Explanation: Strobilanthes kunthiana, popularly known as Neelakurinji, is an endemic shrub of the Western Ghats. The blooming of Neelakurinji attracts large numbers of tourists, raising concerns about pressure on ecologically sensitive areas.

14. A recent study highlighted a conservation effort that helped keep vultures safe around Dehradun. Which vulture species was specifically mentioned as having benefited from the study?

A. White-rumped Vulture
B. Himalayan Griffon
C. Egyptian Vulture
D. Bearded Vulture

Answer: B. Himalayan Griffon

Explanation: A decade-long study in the Dehradun region documented the presence and survival of threatened vultures, including the Himalayan Griffon. The study highlighted the importance of reducing threats from infrastructure and other human activities to vulture populations.

15. The recent vulture conservation study near Dehradun was conducted across which protected landscape?

A. Jim Corbett and Rajaji
B. Kaziranga and Manas
C. Gir and Velavadar
D. Bandipur and Nagarhole

Answer: A. Jim Corbett and Rajaji

Explanation: The study examined the movement and conservation challenges of vultures across a landscape connecting the Rajaji and Jim Corbett regions, highlighting the importance of wildlife corridors and protected habitats.

16. Which species was described in the report as one of the most threatened birds globally, with a severely declining population?

A. Great Indian Bustard
B. Red-headed Vulture
C. Indian Skimmer
D. Forest Owlet

Answer: B. Red-headed Vulture

Explanation: The Red-headed Vulture is among the threatened vulture species of the Indian subcontinent. Vulture populations have declined sharply due to factors including poisoning, habitat disturbance and veterinary drugs harmful to vultures.

17. The recent devastating flood in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi region is being investigated as a possible result of which natural event?

A. Glacial lake outburst flood
B. High-altitude rock-and-ice avalanche
C. Volcanic eruption
D. Cloudburst over the Terai region

Answer: B. High-altitude rock-and-ice avalanche

Explanation: Scientists are investigating whether a high-altitude rock-and-ice avalanche triggered the devastating Bhotekoshi flood. The event is being studied as a possible example of how warming temperatures in the Himalayas may increase the risk of such disasters.

Sports Current Affairs

18. Velavan won his maiden PSA World Tour title. PSA is associated with which sport?

A. Tennis
B. Badminton
C. Squash
D. Table Tennis

Answer: C. Squash

Explanation: PSA stands for the Professional Squash Association, the governing body responsible for organising the leading professional squash tours. Velavan’s maiden PSA World Tour title marks an important achievement in Indian squash.

Summits & Conferences Current Affairs

19. The Prime Minister of India was scheduled to visit which Central Asian country ahead of the SCO summit?

A. Kazakhstan
B. Uzbekistan
C. Tajikistan
D. Kyrgyzstan

Answer: B. Uzbekistan

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit Uzbekistan ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The visit was expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations and strategic cooperation.

Places in News Current Affairs

20. The recent devastating flash floods in Nepal occurred at the confluence of which two rivers in Devidhat, Nuwakot district?

A. Koshi and Gandaki
B. Bagmati and Karnali
C. Trishuli and Tadi
D. Mahakali and Seti

Answer: C. Trishuli and Tadi

Explanation: The disaster-hit area shown in the report was located at the confluence of the Trishuli and Tadi rivers in Nepal’s Nuwakot district. The event highlights Nepal’s vulnerability to floods and landslides due to its mountainous terrain and extreme weather.

Art & Culture Current Affairs

21. The traditional Pulikkali performance, recently seen during the grand finale of Onam celebrations, is primarily associated with which State?

A. Tamil Nadu
B. Karnataka
C. Kerala
D. Andhra Pradesh

Answer: C. Kerala

Explanation: Pulikkali is a traditional folk performance of Kerala in which performers paint their bodies like tigers and dance to the rhythm of traditional percussion instruments. It is an important cultural attraction during the Onam festival, particularly in Thrissur.

22. Pulikkali, a traditional folk performance associated with Kerala, literally involves performers dressing up as which animal?

A. Elephant
B. Tiger
C. Peacock
D. Lion

Answer: B. Tiger

Explanation: Pulikkali is popularly known as the “tiger dance” of Kerala. Artists paint their bodies to resemble tigers and perform in public processions, especially during Onam celebrations.