October 2024 Edition

October 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions

Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.

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#1241

In the 2024-2025 context, which Central Asian country has emerged as a key partner for Pakistan in 'Trans-Afghan' logistics and security?

(a) Kazakhstan
(b) Uzbekistan
(c) Turkmenistan
(d) Kyrgyzstan
Explanation: Uzbekistan and Pakistan have signed several agreements for the 'Trans-Afghan Railway' and regional trade corridors. This partnership has a strong security dimension, as both nations seek to stabilize Afghanistan to ensure the safety of transit routes and prevent the spread of regional militancy.
#1242

In late 2024, Pakistan finalized an agreement with which country for the modernization of its 'T-80UD' tank fleet?

(a) Russia
(b) Ukraine
(c) China
(d) Poland
Explanation: Despite the ongoing conflict in Europe, Pakistan has maintained a long-standing defense industrial link with Ukraine, specifically for its tank fleet. Ukraine originally supplied the T-80UD tanks in the 1990s and continues to provide technical support and modernization kits for these armored vehicles.
#1243

Which Gulf nation has signed a 'Maritime Security' MOU with Pakistan in 2024 to curb narcotics smuggling in the North Arabian Sea?

(a) Bahrain
(b) Saudi Arabia
(c) United Arab Emirates
(d) Kuwait
Explanation: The UAE and Pakistan have strengthened their maritime alliance, focusing on the 'clandestine' threats in the Arabian Sea. This includes drug trafficking and human smuggling, which are often linked to the financing of regional instability.
#1244

In 2024-2025, Pakistan’s 'Naval Expansion' includes the induction of four Milgem corvettes. What is the Pakistani name for this class?

(a) Tughril Class
(b) Babur Class
(c) Zulfiquar Class
(d) Alamgir Class
Explanation: The Babur-class corvettes (MILGEM) are a product of the Turkey-Pakistan defense alliance. They are multi-mission surface combatants equipped with indigenous Harbah missiles and modern stealth features, significantly boosting the Navy's offensive capabilities.
#1245

The 'Atatürk' exercises between Pakistan and Turkey reached their 12th edition in 2023-2024. Which type of forces participate in these?

(a) Air Force
(b) Special Forces
(c) Navy
(d) Cyber Command
Explanation: The Atatürk exercises are dedicated to the Special Forces of both countries. They involve rigorous training in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and specialized urban operations, reflecting the high level of trust and skill-sharing in their alliance.
#1246

Which international body serves as the 'Final Arbiter' for the Indus Waters Treaty disputes, as seen in the 2024-2025 Kishenganga case?

(a) The UN General Assembly
(b) The World Bank and the Court of Arbitration
(c) The SCO Court
(d) The OIC Secretariat
Explanation: As the signatory and mediator of the 1960 treaty, the World Bank plays a central role. For the current disputes over Indian hydroelectric projects, the World Bank has appointed both a 'Neutral Expert' and a 'Court of Arbitration' to address Pakistan's technical and legal objections.
#1247

The Kargil War led to which major political change in Pakistan in October 1999?

(a) General Elections
(b) A military coup by General Pervez Musharraf
(c) Resignation of the President
(d) Creation of a new province
Explanation: The aftermath of the Kargil War and the subsequent blame game between the civilian and military leadership led to a coup on October 12, 1999. General Pervez Musharraf overthrew the government of Nawaz Sharif and took control as the Chief Executive.
#1248

In late 2024 and early 2025, which major treaty became a point of severe contention between Pakistan and India following a modification notice by India?

(a) Tashkent Declaration
(b) Simla Agreement
(c) Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)
(d) Lahore Declaration
Explanation: In September 2024, India issued a formal notice to Pakistan seeking a fundamental review and modification of the 64-year-old Indus Waters Treaty. Throughout 2025, this led to intense diplomatic standoffs, with India citing 'changed circumstances' and 'persistent disputes' over hydroelectric projects like Kishenganga and Ratle, while Pakistan maintained the treaty must be upheld via the World Bank's existing mechanisms.
#1249

Which Indian External Affairs Minister made a landmark visit to Islamabad in October 2024 for the SCO Summit, the first such visit in nearly a decade?

(a) Sushma Swaraj
(b) S. Jaishankar
(c) Nitin Gadkari
(d) Rajnath Singh
Explanation: S. Jaishankar's visit to Islamabad in October 2024 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting was highly significant, as it was the first visit by an Indian Foreign Minister to Pakistan since 2015. While the visit focused on multilateralism, it occurred amidst a frozen bilateral relationship and intense regional security concerns.
#1250

Which multi-mission satellite launched by Pakistan in mid-2024 significantly enhanced its strategic communication and surveillance capabilities in 2025?

(a) Badr-1
(b) PakSat-MM1
(c) PRSS-1
(d) PakSat-1R
Explanation: PakSat-MM1 (Multi-Mission Satellite 1) became fully operational in early 2025. It provides high-speed broadband, DTH services, and secure communication links for the state. Strategically, it reduces reliance on foreign satellite providers for critical data, especially during periods of heightened border tensions.
#1251

What technology did India test in 2024-2025 under 'Mission Divyastra' that altered the strategic balance in the region?

(a) Hypersonic Missiles
(b) MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle)
(c) Anti-Satellite Weapons
(d) Nuclear-powered Submarines
Explanation: In 2024, India successfully tested the Agni-V missile with Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology. In 2025, the deployment of this technology meant a single missile could carry multiple warheads and hit different targets, forcing Pakistan to reconsider its 'Full Spectrum Deterrence' and defensive missile shielding.
#1252

Which high-altitude tunnel, opened by India in late 2024/early 2025, enhanced their logistics near the border areas of Ladakh?

(a) Atal Tunnel
(b) Shinku La Tunnel
(c) Zojila Tunnel
(d) Lowari Tunnel
Explanation: The Shinku La Tunnel, providing all-weather connectivity to Ladakh, was a major infrastructure milestone. For Pakistan, this meant India's ability to mobilize troops and heavy armor toward the sensitive Northern Areas and the LoC would be significantly faster and more reliable regardless of weather conditions.
#1253

Which region was the site of the 'G-20' related tensions in 2023-2024 that continued to influence the diplomatic freeze in 2025?

(a) Ladakh
(b) Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir)
(c) Siachen
(d) Junagadh
Explanation: India's decision to host a G-20 tourism meeting in Srinagar in 2023 was strongly opposed by Pakistan. In 2025, the political fallout of this event continued to prevent any 'back-channel' diplomacy, with Pakistan insisting on a reversal of the 2019 status before any formal normalization could occur.
#1254

Which major hydroelectric project in J&K did Pakistan object to in 2024-2025, claiming it violates the IWT?

(a) Tarbela
(b) Mangla
(c) Ratle Hydroelectric Plant
(d) Warsak
Explanation: Pakistan has long objected to the design of the Ratle and Kishenganga projects on the Chenab and Jhelum rivers respectively. In 2025, India's move to push ahead with construction despite Pakistani protests at the Court of Arbitration led to the current impasse over the treaty's modification.
#1255

Which international financial condition forced Pakistan to prioritize defense spending on 'maintenance' rather than 'new acquisitions' in the 2024-2025 budget?

(a) FATF Blacklist
(b) IMF Bailout conditions
(c) World Bank sanctions
(d) US Trade embargo
Explanation: The IMF's 2024-2025 Extended Fund Facility (EFF) required Pakistan to implement strict fiscal discipline. As a result, the 2025 defense budget focused on maintaining existing operational readiness and local indigenization projects (like JF-17) rather than high-cost imports from the West.
#1256

Which Indian surface-to-air missile system, deployed near the border in 2024-2025, posed a challenge to PAF flights?

(a) Anza
(b) S-400 Triumf
(c) Stinger
(d) Patriot
Explanation: The S-400, acquired by India from Russia, has a long-range capability that covers a significant portion of Pakistani airspace from within Indian territory. In 2025, the presence of these batteries forced the PAF to develop more advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) and standoff weapon capabilities.
#1257

Which Pakistani port city saw the inauguration of a new high-tech 'Maritime Science and Technology Park' in 2024-2025?

(a) Karachi
(b) Gwadar
(c) Ormara
(d) Pasni
Explanation: The Pakistan Navy's Maritime Science and Technology Park (PMSTP) in Karachi was designed to foster indigenous naval technology. In 2025, it focused on autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and marine surveillance tech to counter the Indian Navy's numerical advantage.
#1258

Which 2024-2025 political development in India influenced the 'hawkish' stance on Pakistan border security?

(a) General Elections 2024
(b) The opening of the Ram Mandir
(c) Assembly elections in J&K
(d) All of the above
Explanation: The 2024 General Elections in India and the subsequent J&K assembly elections saw national security and 'standing up to Pakistan' as major political themes. This domestic political environment ensured that no major diplomatic breakthrough occurred through 2025.
#1259

Which Indian Air Force aircraft, considered a legacy platform, was finally being replaced by the Tejas Mk1A in 2024-2025?

(a) Rafale
(b) MiG-21
(c) Sukhoi Su-30
(d) Mirage 2000
Explanation: The MiG-21 Bison, which was shoot down by the PAF in 2019, was gradually retired by India. By 2025, the indigenous Tejas Mk1A had started replacing these aging jets, altering the tactical landscape of the 'dogfights' along the border.
#1260

Which Pakistani official visited India for the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting in 2023, setting the tone for the 2024-2025 standoff?

(a) Shah Mahmood Qureshi
(b) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
(c) Hina Rabbani Khar
(d) Ishaq Dar
Explanation: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's 2023 visit to Goa for the SCO was the first by a Pakistani FM to India in 12 years. However, the visit ended in mutual recriminations, reinforcing the hardline stances that have characterized the 2024-2025 period.