1. Who has been appointed as the first woman chief secretary of Uttarakhand?
[A] Radha Raturi
[B] Kusum Kandwal
[C] Kamini Gupta
[D] Geeta Khanna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Radha Raturi]
Notes:
Radha Raturi, a senior IAS officer of the 1988 batch, has been appointed as the first woman chief secretary of Uttarakhand. She replaces Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and is the first woman to hold this top administrative post in the state. Raturi has an extensive administrative career, having served in undivided Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Initially aspiring to be a journalist, she eventually joined the IAS, succeeding in her third attempt at the UPSC exam.
2. Martand sun temple, recently seen in the news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Ladakh
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Jammu & Kashmir
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jammu & Kashmir]
Notes:
Members of a Hindutva group recently breached the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected Martand Sun Temple, a historic Hindu temple near Anantnag in the Kashmir Valley. Built in the 8th century by King Lalitaditya Muktapida, it blends Kashmiri, Gupta, Chinese, Gandhara, Roman, and Greek architectural styles. Spanning 32,000 sq. ft., the stone temple features an 86-column courtyard, a 60-ft vimana with intricate carvings, and 84 smaller shrines. Sultan Sikandar Shah Miri is believed to have demolished it in the 14th century.
3. Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed restrictions on which payment bank?
[A] Airtel Payment Bank
[B] Paytm Payment Bank
[C] Jio Payment Bank
[D] India Post Payment Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Paytm Payment Bank]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL). The restrictions will come into effect on February 29, 2024. The RBI has ordered PPBL to stop accepting fresh deposits in its accounts or wallets after February 29, 2024. The RBI has also ordered PPBL to halt deposits and credit transactions after February 29, 2024. Customers will face restrictions on deposits, credit transactions, and top-ups. Certain services, including fund transfers and UPI facilities, will be discontinued. The RBI’s action against PPBL follows a comprehensive system audit report and subsequent compliance validation report of external auditors.
4. Which Indian state was the theme state of World’s Largest International Crafts Fair, Surajkund Mela 2024?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gujarat]
Notes:
The 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024 will feature Gujarat as the theme state. The fair will take place from February 2–18, 2024 in Surajkund, Faridabad. The fair complex, including decorations and stalls, will reflect the rich heritage of Gujarati culture. The event will also feature artists and cultural groups from 20 Indian states and multiple countries. The Surajkund Mela is organized annually by the Haryana Tourism Department. The town of Surajkund is known for its picturesque surroundings and is easily accessible from Delhi and other major cities in the region.
5. ‘One Stop Centre scheme’, recently seen in the news, is formulated by which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Agriculture
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Women and Child Development]
Notes:
The Union Minister for Women and Child Development announced the establishment of One Stop Centres (OSCs) in over 700 districts nationwide, under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The initiative aims to offer comprehensive support for women facing violence, providing immediate access to medical, legal, psychological, and counseling services. The target group includes all women, including girls under 18, without discrimination. The funding comes from the Nirbhaya Fund, with 100% financial assistance from the Central Government. District Collectors/Magistrates oversee day-to-day implementation.
6. What are Tidal Disruption Events (TDEs), recently seen in the news?
[A] Events related to ocean tides
[B] Astronomical phenomena involving a star and a black hole
[C] Weather disturbances on exoplanets
[D] Supernova explosions
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Astronomical phenomena involving a star and a black hole]
Notes:
An international team of astronomers recently observed AT 2023clx, the nearest Tidal Disruption Event (TDE) to Earth. TDEs happen when a star comes too close to a supermassive black hole, torn apart by tidal forces. The resulting debris falls onto the black hole, emitting radiation that indicates a TDE’s occurrence. This international team’s multi-wavelength observations enhance our understanding of these celestial events.
7. Darlipali thermal power plant, recently seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Gujarat
[C] Karnataka
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated NTPC Ltd’s Darlipali thermal power plant (1,600 MW), Rourkela PP-II expansion project (250 MW), and laid the foundation stone for Talcher 2×660 MW in Odisha, with a total investment of Rs 28,978 crore. Darlipali, a pit-head station, has supply agreements with multiple states. The Rourkela project supports the steel plant, while Talcher’s 660 MW will cater 50% to Odisha and the rest to Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Assam. The government encourages coal-based capacity additions due to rising energy demand.
8. Wheat Blast, recently seen in the news, is a disease of wheat crop caused by which one of the following?
[A] Fungus
[B] Bacteria
[C] Helminths
[D] Virus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Fungus]
Notes:
Researchers modeling future wheat blast spread predict a 13% global wheat production reduction by 2050 due to the fast-acting fungal disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae. Wheat blast affects various grasses, especially wheat, barley, lolium, and rice. It spreads through infected seeds and spores, thriving in warm, humid conditions. Resistant to fungicides, it induces bleaching, lower yields, and poor seed quality, leading to crop burning as a preventive measure. The severity necessitates constant vigilance in regions with susceptible climates.
9. Recently, which country has become the first European country to accept Unified Payment Interface (UPI) payment system?
[A] Germany
[B] Italy
[C] France
[D] Spain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [France]
Notes:
The formal launch of India’s Unified Payment Interface (UPI) occurred during Republic Day celebrations in Paris, with French President Emmanuel Macron present. The Indian Embassy introduced UPI at the Eiffel Tower, marking its global expansion. Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India in 2016, UPI consolidates multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application, offering a convenient system for managing diverse accounts on one platform.
10. What is ‘Obelisks’, recently mentioned in the news?
[A] A geological formation
[B] Ancient architectural style
[C] Class of virus-like entities
[D] Asteroid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Class of virus-like entities]
Notes:
Scientists recently discovered a novel class of virus-like entities called obelisks within the human body. These RNA-based organisms, around 1,000 nucleotides in size, form rod-like structures and differ from known biological agents. Larger than typical genetic molecules like plasmids, obelisks occupy a unique niche between viruses and viroids. Present in diverse areas of the human body, their hosts and potential presence in bacteria remain unidentified, adding intrigue to this recently unveiled class of organisms.