11. Which Olympic boxing bronze medallist became Super Fight League’s brand ambassador?
[A] Vijender Singh
[B] Mary Kom
[C] Akhil Kumar
[D] Shiva Thapa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mary Kom]
Notes:
Mary Kom, an Olympic bronze medallist from Manipur, was appointed as the brand ambassador of Super Fight League, India’s pioneering mixed martial arts league established in 2012.
12. Which government department has launched the Sanchar Mitra Scheme to empower youth as digital ambassadors?
[A] Department of Posts (DoP)
[B] Department of Science and Technology (DST)
[C] Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
[D] Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Department of Telecommunications (DoT)]
Notes:
Recently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched the Sanchar Mitra Scheme nationwide to empower youth as digital ambassadors. The scheme targets student volunteers, called Sanchar Mitras, to spread awareness on telecom-related issues. Sanchar Mitras will educate people about digital safety, cyber fraud prevention, and Electromagnetic Field (EMF) radiation concerns. They will also promote responsible mobile usage and digital literacy. The scheme provides students exposure to advanced telecom technologies like 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Cyber Security.
13. Identify the Sikh artist based on the following information:
- He is the first Punjabi artist to feature on the Billboard Social 50 chart.
- He is the first turbaned Sikh at Madame Tussauds.
- He is brand ambassador for Punjab’s Pro Kabaddi League and founded the NGO Saanjh Foundation.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Diljit Dosanjh
[B] Gurdas Maan
[C] B Praak
[D] Jass Manak
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Diljit Dosanjh]
Notes:
Diljit Dosanjh is known for being the first Punjabi artist on the Billboard Social 50 chart in 2020, and the first turbaned Sikh at Madame Tussauds in 2019. He served as the brand ambassador for Punjab’s Pro Kabaddi League and launched the Saanjh Foundation in 2013, a notable NGO, distinguishing him from other Punjabi artists.
14. Who has been appointed as the ambassador of India to North Korea?
[A] Vinay Kumar
[B] Harsh Vardhan Shringla
[C] Vinay Mohan Kwatra
[D] Aliawati Longkumer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Aliawati Longkumer]
Notes:
India has appointed Aliawati Longkumer as its next Ambassador to the North Korea. He is a 2008 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and is currently Charge d’affaires at the Indian Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay. This move marks India’s diplomatic return to Pyongyang after a four-year gap since the embassy closure in July 2021 due to the pandemic.
15. Consider the following statements regarding a distinguished personality from Gujarat:
- He co-founded the Swatantra Party, which advocated for free-market economics in opposition to socialism.
- He was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India and subsequently represented Rajkot as a Member of Parliament.
- He served as India's ambassador to Brazil.
Which of the following personalities best fits all the above statements?
[A] Vallabhbhai Patel
[B] K. M. Munshi
[C] Minoo Masani
[D] Moraji Desai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Minoo Masani]
Notes:The correct answer is Minoo Masani.
- He co-founded the Swatantra Party in 1960, advocating for liberal economic policies.
- He was a member of the Constituent Assembly and also served as MP from Rajkot.
- He served as India's ambassador to Brazil post-independence.
- The other listed personalities did not fulfill all these criteria.
16. Who was the first Gujarati appointed as the U.S. Ambassador from India?
[A] Gaganvihari Bhave Mehta
[B] Vijay K. Nambiar
[C] Harsh Vardhan Shringla
[D] Ranjan Mathai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gaganvihari Bhave Mehta]
Notes:
Gaganvihari Bhave Mehta was the first Gujarati appointed as the U.S. Ambassador from India.
17. Megasthenes was the ambassador of which of the following rulers to the court of Chandragupta Maurya?
[A] Ptolemy I Soter
[B] Darius III
[C] Antigonus I Monophthalmus
[D] Seleucus I Nicator
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Seleucus I Nicator]
Notes:
Megasthenes served as Seleucus I Nicator’s ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya and authored ‘Indica’, an important source on early Mauryan India.
18. Which Greek ambassador visited the court of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya?
[A] Dionysius
[B] Megasthenes
[C] Deimachus
[D] Pliny
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Megasthenes]
Notes:
Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador who visited Chandragupta Maurya’s court and documented the power of the Andhra people.
19. Who was the first Indian American to serve as a U.S. Ambassador?
[A] Ravi Shankar
[B] Vinai K. Thummalapally
[C] Kalpana Chawla
[D] Ajit Pai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vinai K. Thummalapally]
Notes:
Vinai K. Thummalapally was the first Indian American U.S. Ambassador, appointed to Belize.
20. With reference to the recent statements on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms, consider the following statements:
- The current membership of the UN Security Council includes 11 permanent members and 14 non-permanent members.
- India, as part of the G4, advocates for text-based negotiations to expedite UNSC reform.
- The IGN process focuses on five key clusters, including regional representation and veto power.
- Ambassador Tareq AlBanai, Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiations, is India’s Permanent Representative to the UN.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1, 3 and 4 only
[D] 2, 3 and 4 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]
Notes:
- Statement 1 is incorrect: The current UNSC consists of 5 permanent members and 10 non-permanent members.
- Statement 2 is correct: India, as part of the G4, has urged for text-based negotiations.
- Statement 3 is correct: The five clusters include regional representation, veto power, working methods, membership categories, and UNSC-General Assembly relationship.
- Statement 4 is incorrect: Tareq AlBanai is Kuwait’s Permanent Representative, not India’s.
