GK Express of 17/11/2025

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🌟 “Success is determined by how many times you can bounce back.” 🌟

🚀 Resilience is the Key 🚀

📚 Current Affairs Coach

1. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Tuberculosis (TB) Report 2025 shows a sharp 21% fall in India’s TB incidence, dropping from 237 per lakh in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024 nearly twice marking a major milestone in India’s fight against the disease.

2. Ambaji marble from Gujarat has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognising its unique white stone and strengthening its cultural, industrial and global identity.

3. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in the 8th edition of the bilateral air exercise ‘Garuda 25’ with the French Air and Space Force (FASF) at Mont-de-Marsan, France, from 16th to 27th November 2025.

📖 Know Your English

Word: Abject

Meaning: Extremely bad, unpleasant, and degrading; completely without pride or dignity.

Synonyms: Miserable, despicable, servile, wretched

Example: After losing all his savings, he was reduced to a state of abject poverty.

🚆ECONOMY COACH

👆 Click a question to see the answer

1. What is the difference between Commercial Farming and Subsistence Farming?

➡️ Commercial Farming involves growing crops and rearing animals for sale in the market, typically using large capital and machinery. Subsistence Farming is practiced by farmers for their own consumption, usually with low capital and traditional methods, focusing on local needs.

2. What does the term 'Disinvestment' refer to in the context of the Indian economy?

➡️ Disinvestment refers to the government selling or liquidating an asset or a subsidiary, usually a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU). The primary goals are to raise resources for the budget and improve efficiency by transferring management to the private sector.

3. What is the role of Open Market Operations (OMO) by the RBI?

➡️ OMO is the buying and selling of Government Securities (G-Secs) by the RBI in the open market. Its role is to control liquidity (money supply) in the banking system. Buying G-Secs injects money into the system, while selling them sucks money out.

🚆 GOVERNANCE COACH

👆 Click a question to see the answer

1. Which committee recommended the establishment of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas in India?

➡️ The establishment of the Lokpal (at the Centre) and Lokayuktas (in the states) was first recommended by the First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) in 1966, chaired by Morarji Desai. These are statutory anti-corruption ombudsman bodies.

2. What are the core features of the concept of 'E-Governance'?

➡️ E-Governance is the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for delivering government services, exchanging information, conducting transactions, and integrating various stand-alone systems. Its core features are efficiency, transparency, and improved service delivery to citizens.

3. What is the main principle behind the 'Public Services Delivery Guarantee Act'?

➡️ The main principle is to legally guarantee the timely delivery of public services (like obtaining licenses, birth/death certificates, ration cards) to citizens. It specifies penalties for officials who fail to provide the services within the stipulated timeframe.

🚆INDIAN ART AND CULTURE COACH

👆 Click a question to see the answer

1. What does the term 'Gopuram' refer to in the context of South Indian temple architecture?

➡️ A Gopuram is the monumental, usually ornate, entrance tower at the gate of a temple complex, particularly in South Indian (Dravidian) architecture. It serves as a visual landmark and is often adorned with elaborate carvings.

2. Which major Indian classical dance form is known for its elaborate costumes, painted mask-like makeup, and masculine style?

➡️ Kathakali, originating from Kerala, is famous for its elaborate costumes and makeup, where faces are painted to resemble masks. It is a storytelling dance drama that traditionally depicts stories from the Hindu epics.

3. The Holi festival is a major festival in India. What is its core cultural and mythological significance?

➡️ Holi, the Festival of Colors, primarily signifies the victory of good over evil, derived from the legend of Holika and Prahlad. Culturally, it marks the arrival of spring and is celebrated by people throwing colored powder and water.

💡 Did You Know?

🇮🇳 India's Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are classified into Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna categories based on their revenue, net worth, and strategic importance.

This classification grants them greater financial and operational autonomy from government control.

🌍 The World Bank’s Doing Business report has been discontinued and replaced by the new Business Ready (B-READY) project.

The B-READY report focuses more broadly on sustainable and resilient business environments globally.

❓ Question of the Day

What are the four components used to calculate the Global Hunger Index (GHI)?

Answer: The four components used to calculate the Global Hunger Index (GHI) are: 1) Under-nourishment (insufficient caloric intake); 2) Child Wasting (low weight for height); 3) Child Stunting (low height for age); and 4) Child Mortality (death rate of children under age five). These measure both short-term and long-term effects of hunger.

✍️ Answer These Questions

1. The maximum number of members a Lok Sabha can have is:

2. Which country is known as the 'Land of Thunder Dragon'?

➡️ Submit your answers using the form below:

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