1. Recently, which player won the Women’s singles title at the Australian Open, 2024?
[A] Ankita Raina
[B] Aryna Sabalenka
[C] Zheng Qinwen
[D] Barbora Krejcikova
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Aryna Sabalenka]
Notes:
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus won the 2024 Australian Open women’s singles title. Sabalenka defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen 6–3, 6–2 to win her second consecutive Grand Slam title. Sabalenka is the first woman to win back-to-back Australian Open titles since Victoria Azarenka in 2012 and 2013.
2. What was the theme of the 20th National Good Governance Webinar Series for 2023-2024?
[A] Advancing Agricultural Practices for Sustainable Growth
[B] Enhancing Educational Opportunities through Digital Initiatives
[C] Promoting Excellence in Sports and Wellness through Khelo India Scheme
[D] Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure for Public Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Promoting Excellence in Sports and Wellness through Khelo India Scheme]
Notes:
The theme of the 20th National Good Governance Webinar Series for 2023-2024 was “Promoting Excellence in Sports and Wellness through Khelo India Scheme”. The webinar included presentations on initiatives taken by the districts of Churu, Rajasthan and Bishnupur, Manipur, which were awarded the PM’s Award for 2021.
3. ‘Operation Black Gold’, recently seen in the news, is related to which one of the following?
[A] Crude oil smuggling
[B] Gold smuggling
[C] Black money smuggling
[D] Drugs smuggling
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gold smuggling]
Notes:
Operation Black Gold is about the seizure of an alloy containing 16.67 kg of gold and 39.73 kg of silver in Delhi. The alloy was worth over Rs 10 crore and was seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at FPO Delhi. The Revenue Intelligence Directorate (DRI) acted on intelligence to seize seven shipments of “electrical current/potential meters”. The meters were declared as “current guior machines”. According to preliminary investigations, a systematic syndicate was involved in the gold smuggling. The gold was coated with silver to change its color from yellow to white. The white mixture was then used to make electric meter covers, which were then painted black to avoid suspicion.
4. Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, recently seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The Tamil Nadu government has designated 80,114.80 hectares of Bargur Hills in Erode district as the Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This area connects the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve to the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Tiger Reserve and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, forming a vital corridor for the tiger population. The region is rich in biodiversity, serving as a habitat for diverse flora and fauna. It is identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, part of the Nilgiris Elephant Reserve, and crucial for water sources and cultural significance to local communities.
5. Recently, where was the ‘National Arogya Fair’ inaugurated?
[A] Gandhinagar
[B] New Delhi
[C] Chandigarh
[D] Jaipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
The National Arogya Fair, supported by the Ministry of Ayush, takes place at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, from February 1 to February 4, 2024. Featuring India’s healing traditions, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, the event aims to showcase and promote holistic well-being. It includes workshops, seminars, exhibitions, free health consultations, and cultural programs, fostering collaboration and awareness. The objective is to highlight the benefits of Ayush systems, encouraging holistic health practices and providing a platform for businesses in the field.
6. What is the primary objective of ‘GHAR Portal’, recently seen in the news?
[A] Monitor and track the restoration of historical monuments
[B] Digitally track and monitor the restoration and repatriation of children
[C] To offer healthcare services to children
[D] To provide real time updates about upcoming disasters
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Digitally track and monitor the restoration and repatriation of children]
Notes:
The GHAR (Go Home and Re-Unite) Portal, developed by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), facilitates the digital monitoring and repatriation of children under the Juvenile Justice Act. It expedites repatriation by tracking cases, transferring them to relevant authorities, and facilitating communication with State Governments for translators or experts. Child Welfare Committees use the portal’s checklist to identify children in need, linking them to government schemes for family strengthening during restoration.
7. What is Cygnus X-1, recently seen in the news?
[A] Asteroid
[B] Black hole
[C] AI tool
[D] Submarine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Black hole]
Notes:
Astro Sat, India’s inaugural multi-wavelength astronomy mission, successfully measured the X-ray polarization of the Cygnus X-1 black hole system. Discovered four decades ago, Cygnus X-1 is among the first confirmed black hole systems in our galaxy. The black hole is 20 times the Sun’s mass, with a companion supergiant star (40 times more massive) in a binary system. Located 400 times farther than Earth-Sun distance, the gravitational pull forms an accretion disk, generating soft X-rays.
8. Recently, which institution launched North India’s first Human DNA Bank under ‘Make in India’ initiative?
[A] Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
[B] IIT Kanpur
[C] Delhi University (DU)
[D] IIT Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Banaras Hindu University (BHU)]
Notes:
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) inaugurates North India’s first human DNA bank, equipped with an Automated DNA Extractor Machine developed indigenously under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Installed at the Gnyaneshwar Lab in the Zoology Department on January 30, 2024, the machine minimizes plastic usage, ensuring environmental sustainability. It efficiently extracts DNA from various biological materials, accommodating 32 samples in 30 minutes. The initiative stemmed from a three-day conference on Personalized Medicine held in March 2023, where BHU expressed readiness to establish a genome bank inspired by Estonia.
9. What is ‘Trichoglossum’, recently mentioned in the news?
[A] Ancient irrigation system
[B] Anti ship missiles
[C] A genus of fungus
[D] Asteroid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [A genus of fungus]
Notes:
Researchers discovered a new fungus species, Trichoglossum syamviswanathii, in Kerala. Trichoglossum is a genus of fungus known as “hairy earth tongues” due to its filamentous structure. The fungus, with 55 identified genera and 21 recognized species globally, exhibits saprotrophic behavior and can be found in plant roots as endophytes. Predominantly distributed in tropical and temperate forests across five continents, these fungi play a crucial role in decomposing organic matter.
10. What is Candida auris (C. auris), recently mentioned in the news?
[A] Fungus
[B] Bacteria
[C] Invasive plant
[D] Virus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Fungus]
Notes:
Candida auris, a deadly multidrug-resistant fungus, poses a global health threat by causing invasive infections, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. Discovered in Japan in 2009, it has rapidly spread worldwide. Primarily contracted in healthcare settings, it can colonize the skin without symptoms or cause severe infections by entering the bloodstream. The fungus spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces or infected individuals, emphasizing its potential for rapid transmission in hospitals and nursing homes.