1. Shumang Leela, recently seen in the news, is a traditional form of theatre performed in which state?
[A] Mizoram
[B] Sikkim
[C] Assam
[D] Manipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Manipur]
Notes:
Shumang Leela, a traditional Manipuri theatre form, faces challenges due to ethnic violence, impacting its artists and jeopardizing the state’s cultural richness. Originating as a comic genre for royalty, it has evolved into a powerful medium for mass education and entertainment. In this unique theatre, male actors portray female roles (Nupi Shabis), and transgender actors take on female characters. The plays aim to educate the public on social, political, and economic issues, with two types – Nupa Shumang Leela (performed only by men) and Nupi Shumang Leela (performed only by women).
2. Recently, which five countries officially joined the BRICS group?
[A] Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Iran & Ethiopia
[B] Argentina, Chile, Iraq, Sudan & Somalia
[C] Peru, Namibia, Guyana, Bulgaria & Turkey
[D] Mali, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos & Bhutan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Iran & Ethiopia]
Notes:
Five countries officially joined the BRICS group: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Ethiopia. The countries were invited to join the group in August 2023, after the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. Argentina was also invited but backed out at the end of December. BRICS is an acronym for the emerging national economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The term was originally coined in 2001 as “BRIC” by the Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill.
3. Which Union Ministry implemented the ‘Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme’, recently seen in the news?
[A] Ministry of Rural Development
[B] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[C] Ministry of Agriculture
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Women and Child Development]
Notes:
The budget allocation for Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 in 2023-24 is ₹25,449 crore, which is a 6%, increase from the revised estimates of ₹23,913 crore for 2022-23. In 2024, the budget estimate is ₹20,554 crore, which is 1.4% higher than the revised allocation of ₹20,263 crore for 2023. Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a part of the Mission Poshan 2.0, which was launched in February 2021 by Finance Minister. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is responsible for implementing this scheme.
4. 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.
5. Who has been selected as torchbearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics?
[A] Saina Nehwal
[B] Neeraj Chopra
[C] Abhinav Bindra
[D] P V Sindhu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Abhinav Bindra]
Notes:
Abhinav Bindra, a former shooter and India’s first Olympic gold medalist, has been selected as a torchbearer for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Bindra is one of 11,000 torchbearers selected throughout France for the 2024 Olympics. The 2024 Olympic torch relay will start in France on May 8, 2024, with the flame arriving in Marseille before traveling across France for 68 days.
6. 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.
7. What is the theme of International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female FGM 2024?
[A] Unleashing Youth Power
[B] Achieving the new Global Goals through eliminating FGM
[C] Her Voice, Her Future
[D] Unite, Fund, and Act
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Her Voice, Her Future]
Notes:
The theme for the 2024 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is “Her Voice, Her Future”. The theme highlights the important role of community-led initiatives in achieving lasting change. The International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM is an annual awareness day sponsored by the United Nations that takes place on February 6 as part of the UN’s efforts to eradicate FGM. It was first introduced in 2003.
8. ‘Vyommitra’ robot, recently seen in the news, is associated with which space mission?
[A] Aditya L1
[B] Gaganyaan
[C] Chandrayaan 3
[D] Chandrayaan 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gaganyaan ]
Notes:
India’s “Vyommitra,” a female robot astronaut, will precede the Gaganyaan mission, marking India’s inaugural human space flight. Set for a third-quarter launch in 2024, Vyommitra simulates human functions in space, monitoring parameters, issuing alerts, and executing life support operations. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh revealed these details, emphasizing Vyommitra’s capabilities. Gaganyaan, scheduled for 2025, aims to launch Indian astronauts into orbit, demonstrating human space capabilities. The successful TV D1 test in October 2023 validated crucial systems for Gaganyaan, assuring readiness for the manned mission.
9. Who has been appointed as the new Advocate General of Rajasthan?
[A] Ashok Kumar Jain
[B] Rajendra Prasad Gupta
[C] N.M. Lodha
[D] Praveer Bhatnagar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajendra Prasad Gupta ]
Notes:
Rajendra Prasad Gupta is the new Advocate General of Rajasthan. In India, the Advocate General is a legal advisor to the state government. The Governor of each state appoints an Advocate General who is qualified to be appointed as a Judge of a High Court.
10. Recently, which album won the ‘Best Global Music Album’ award at the Grammy Awards 2024?
[A] This Moment
[B] Endless Summer Vacation
[C] The Record
[D] World Music Radio
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [This Moment ]
Notes:
This Moment by the Indian jazz band Shakti won the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album. The album was released in 2024, and features eight songs by John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, V. Selvaganesh, and Ganesh Rajagopalan. The Grammy Awards, or Grammys, are a series of awards that recognize outstanding achievements in the music industry.