1. Ashwini Ponappa, who recently announced her retirement, is associated with which sports?
[A] Football
[B] Hockey
[C] Table Tennis
[D] Badminton
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Badminton]
Notes:
Indian badminton star Ashwini Ponnappa emotionally retired from the Olympic stage after her early exit at the Paris 2024 Games. Partnering with Tanisha Crasto, they lost their final match to Australia’s Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu, ending their campaign with three consecutive losses. Ashwini, a three-time Olympian, is celebrated for her achievements with Jwala Gutta, including gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and bronze at the World Championships in 2011.
2. What are “kindlins”, recently seen in the news?
[A] Critical minerals
[B] Types of bacteria
[C] Newly discovered species of fish
[D] Adapter proteins that exists inside the cells
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Adapter proteins that exists inside the cells ]
Notes:
A recent study found that kidlins, adapter proteins in cell membranes, could offer a new cancer treatment pathway. The Kindlin family, with three distinct members, transfers mechanical cues to biochemical signals, interacting with structural proteins and receptors. Mutations in these proteins, caused by carcinogens like nicotine and UV rays, can disrupt cell signaling and mechanical homeostasis, affecting the body’s balance and function.
3. Landslide Atlas of India, recently seen in the news, is prepared by which organization?
[A] DRDO
[B] ISRO
[C] NDRF
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ISRO]
Notes:
Wayanad, Kerala, struck by a deadly landslide killing nearly 200 people, ranked 13th in ISRO’s 2023 Landslide Atlas of India. Prepared by National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO, the atlas details landslide occurrences and damage in 147 districts across 17 states and two Union Territories. It includes 80,000 landslides mapped from 1998 to 2022, categorized by season, event, and route. The data, using high-resolution satellite imagery, ranked districts based on socio-economic exposure to landslides.
4. Ministry of Culture recently hosted ‘State Museum Conclave’ at which place?
[A] Udaipur, Rajasthan
[B] Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
[C] Bhopal, MP
[D] Ayodhya, UP
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi]
Notes:
Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the ‘State Museum Conclave on the upcoming Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum’ in New Delhi. The event aims to gather insights from stakeholders to develop a world-class museum. Minister highlighted India’s growing global interest and the need to showcase its heritage. The Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum, part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, will be the world’s largest museum.
5. Which state government recently launched ‘Mukhyamantri Maiyaan Samman Yojana’?
[A] Bihar
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Odisha
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jharkhand]
Notes:
Jharkhand’s government, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, has launched Mukhyamantri Maiyaan Samman Yojana. This scheme provides financial aid to women for their empowerment, education, health, and nutrition. Seen as a pre-election move before the legislative assembly elections in late 2024, the government will hold enrollment camps across the state from August 3-10, 2024.
6. Yamini Krishnamurthy, who recently passed away, was associated with which field?
[A] Boxing
[B] Journalism
[C] Classical dance
[D] Scientist
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Classical dance]
Notes:
India mourned the loss of Yamini Krishnamurthy, a revered classical dancer, who passed away at 83 in New Delhi. Mastering Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Odissi, she elevated Indian classical dance globally. Born on December 20, 1940, in Andhra Pradesh, she began her dance journey at five, training at Kalakshetra School under Bharatanatyam legend Rukmini Devi Arundale.
7. Recently, where was the 7th Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Subordinate Officers’ Conclave inaugurated?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Chennai
[C] Bhopal
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
The 7th Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Subordinate Officers’ Conclave, held on August 1-2, 2024, in New Delhi, was inaugurated by Director General Rakesh Pal. Themed ‘Towards an Inclusive Approach,’ the event included sessions on holistic living, stress management, and leadership. It provided a platform for officers to share ideas with decision-makers, focusing on inclusive growth, technology integration, and the principles of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and good governance.
8. What is the main purpose of the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI), recently seen in news?
[A] To estimate temperature variations
[B] To measure soil moisture
[C] To estimate wet or dry conditions based on precipitation data
[D] To analyze wind patterns
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [To estimate wet or dry conditions based on precipitation data]
Notes:
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has analyzed precipitation and drought trends using the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI). The SPI estimates wet or dry conditions based on long-term precipitation data, ideally over 30 years. It provides negative values for droughts and positive values for wet conditions. The index includes various timescales ranging from 1 to 72 months to assess the severity of conditions.
9. Which state government recently launched ‘Upasthiti Portal’ for Health Department employees?
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Bihar
[C] Odisha
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jharkhand]
Notes:
Chief Minister Hemant Soren launched the ‘Upasthiti Portal’ to track daily attendance of health workers in Jharkhand. This system will verify biometric attendance to ensure accountability. Soren emphasized the government’s commitment to improving health facilities, aiming to provide better medical services in hospitals and health centers. Efforts include enhancing maintenance, resources, and investigation facilities to ensure accessible healthcare for all residents of Jharkhand.
10. Which ministry is responsible for implementing the ‘Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Scheme’, recently seen in news?
[A] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[B] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[C] Ministry of Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Labour and Employment]
Notes:
The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM), announced in the 2019 Interim Budget, aims to provide social security to unorganized workers. Implemented by the Ministry of Labour and Employment through LIC and CSCs since February 15, 2019, it targets approximately 42 crore workers. LIC manages the pension fund and payouts. By the end of July 2024, over 50 lakh unorganised sector workers had enrolled in this Central Sector Scheme.