1. Which state/UT released draft rules for implementation of ‘Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act’?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Bihar
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jharkhand]
Notes:
The Jharkhand government released draft rules for the effective implementation of The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, commonly known as PESA, which was enacted in 1996.
The purpose of PESA is to establish self-governance through gram sabhas for the residents living in Scheduled Areas.
2. Which company is preparing to launch the world’s largest privately-owned satellite called JUPITER-3?
[A] Space X
[B] Virgin Galactic
[C] Blue Origin
[D] Boeing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Space X]
Notes:
SpaceX is preparing to launch the world’s largest privately-owned satellite, called JUPITER-3. This impressive satellite will be sent into space aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A in Florida.
This launch will be the seventh for the robust triple-booster rocket.
3. Which country conducted the Han Kuang (Han Glory) military exercise?
[A] China
[B] Ukraine
[C] Taiwan
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Taiwan]
Notes:
Taiwan staged its first-ever military drill at Taoyuan International Airport, halting commercial traffic as soldiers practised defending the facility against a simulated attack by Beijing.
The exercise is part of Taiwan’s week-long massive wargames, the annual “Han Kuang” (Han Glory) drills. This is the first such drill held at Taiwan’s biggest airport near the capital since it opened in 1979.
4. Which country has successfully launched its first communications satellite named ‘Lingxi-03’?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] North Korea
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
China successfully launched its first communications satellite, Lingxi-03, featuring an ultra-thin flexible solar wing to test technologies for a massive 13,000-satellite broadband mega constellation in low-Earth orbit.
It aims to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. The satellite was launched atop a Long March 2D rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in central China.
5. Parkachik Glacier is located in which state/UT?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Ladakh
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ladakh]
Notes:
Researchers from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology have conducted a recent study, indicating the potential formation of three glacial lakes near Parkachik Glacier in Ladakh due to rapid ice melting.
The increasing glacial melt is concerning as it raises the risk of glacial lake outbursts and may also cause water scarcity, given that glaciers serve as the main water source for the region.
6. As per recent Home Ministry data, which state recorded the most number of missing girls between 2019 and 2021?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Manipur
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Over 13.13 lakh girls and women went missing in the country between 2019 and 2021, with Madhya Pradesh reporting the highest cases at nearly two lakhs, followed by West Bengal.
The data, which was presented by the Union Ministry of Home Ministry (MHA), revealed that 10,61,648 women above 18 years and 2,51,430 girls below that age went missing between 2019 and 2021 across the country. The data was compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau.
7. Who is the highest goal scorer with headers in football history, as of 2023?
[A] Lionel Messi
[B] Cristiano Ronaldo
[C] Gerd Muller
[D] Kylian Mbappé
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cristiano Ronaldo]
Notes:
Cristiano Ronaldo recently scored his 145th headed goal, breaking the long-standing record of late German striker Gerd Muller.
Ronaldo achieved the feat when he scored his first goal of the season for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr with a header against Tunisian club Monastir in a 2-1 win.
8. ‘Great Barrier Reef’ is the world’s largest coral reef system, located in which country?
[A] Australia
[B] Japan
[C] Indonesia
[D] Philippines
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Australia]
Notes:
‘Great Barrier Reef’ is the world’s largest coral reef system, located in Australia. UNESCO, the United Nations organization responsible for deciding on the potential in danger listing of the Great Barrier Reef, chose to postpone the decision for another year rather than voting on it.
This is mainly due to the change in approach by the Australian government.
9. ‘FALCON Shield-2023’ is a military exercise participated by which countries?
[A] India and USA
[B] China and UAE
[C] China and Russia
[D] India and UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China and UAE]
Notes:
China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will hold their first joint air force training, called FALCON Shield-2023, in Xinjiang, China, in August.
The training seeks to strengthen practical exchanges and cooperation between the two air forces, fostering mutual understanding and trust.
10. Which Asian country recorded a 27% rise in tiger population since 2015?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Bhutan
[D] Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bhutan]
Notes:
On International Tiger Day, it was revealed that Bhutan’s Tiger population has grown by 27% since the previous count in 2015.
The announcement was made following the culmination of Bhutan’s National Tiger Survey 2021-22.