1. Which team won the 9th ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by defeating the South Africa team?
[A] India
[B] Afghanistan
[C] Australia
[D] New Zealand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
The Indian men’s cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, won the 9th ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by defeating South Africa by 7 runs at Kensington Oval, Barbados on 29 June 2024. This is India’s second T20 World Cup win, following their 2007 victory. The final marked the T20 retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. It was also Rahul Dravid’s last assignment as coach.
2. Recently, researchers from which state have developed a method to produce activated carbon for supercapacitors from coconut husks?
[A] Odisha
[B] Karnataka
[C] Kerala
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kerala]
Notes:
Researchers at Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala developed a method to produce activated carbon from coconut husks for supercapacitors. This sustainable, efficient solution leverages the high surface area of activated carbon, making it ideal for high-performance supercapacitors. These devices store and deliver charge through reversible adsorption and desorption of ions, enhancing electrochemical energy storage.
3. Nirman Shramik Mrtyu Evam Divyaang Sahaayata Yojana, recently seen in the news, is associated with which state?
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Haryana
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
Labor Minister Lakhan Lal Devangan launched the Mukhyamantri Nirman Shramikon Ke Bachon Hetu Nihshulk Coaching Sahaayata Yojana in Chhattisgarh. This scheme provides free coaching to economically weaker children of registered construction workers across 10 districts. It covers exams like PSC, CG Professional Examination Board, SSC, and banking and railway recruitments. Children of deceased workers since June 9, 2020, and beneficiaries of Nirman Shramik Mrtyu Evam Divyaang Sahaayata Yojana are eligible. Coaching is available in hybrid mode for flexibility.
4. Recently, which country’s Navy has signed a deal with India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for an 800-tonne ocean-going tug?
[A] Myanmar
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Bangladesh
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bangladesh]
Notes:
The Bangladesh Navy signed a significant deal with India’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for an 800-tonne ocean-going tug, part of a $500-million line of credit from India for defence equipment. The contract was finalized in Dhaka, witnessed by GRSE and Bangladesh Navy officials. Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi’s visit to Bangladesh coincided with the deal, emphasizing bilateral defence ties and exploring new naval cooperation opportunities between the two countries.
5. What is the primary objective of the LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR), recently seen in news?
[A] To study the Earth’s core
[B] To observe the Universe at low radio frequencies
[C] To monitor climate change
[D] To track asteroid movements
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [To observe the Universe at low radio frequencies]
Notes:
Astronomers discovered a new radio galaxy using the LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR), a pan-European distributed radio interferometer developed by the Dutch Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON). LOFAR observes the Universe at low radio frequencies (90-200 MHz) and can simultaneously observe multiple directions. It aims to explore the early universe, solar activity, and the terrestrial atmosphere. LOFAR’s innovative design includes advanced digital beam-forming for agile, multi-user operations.
6. Which government agency recently released the report titled “Improving the Culture of Research and Development (R&D) in State Universities and Institutes”?
[A] National Disaster Management Authority
[B] Intellectual Property Appellate Board
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [NITI Aayog]
Notes:
NITI Aayog’s report on R&D in Indian state universities highlights a doubling of Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) to Rs. 127,381 crore in 2020-21 from Rs. 60,197 crore in 2010-11. Government sectors, including central and state governments, and higher education institutions drive GERD. R&D fosters innovation, aligns education with industry needs, and addresses societal challenges. However, challenges include low GDP spending on R&D compared to global peers, emphasis on teaching over research, and limited enrollment in advanced programs like Ph.D.
7. Recently, who has been appointed as the chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Vikram Sinha
[B] Manoj Kumar Singh
[C] Amit Agarwal
[D] Sanjeev Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Manoj Kumar Singh]
Notes:
Senior IAS officer Manoj Kumar Singh, a 1988-batch officer, has become the chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh, succeeding Durga Shankar Mishra. Singh previously held roles as the agriculture production commissioner, infrastructure and industrial development commissioner, and additional chief secretary of the Panchayati Raj department in Uttar Pradesh.
8. What are ‘Moidams’, recently seen in news?
[A] Ancient temples
[B] Mound-burial sites
[C] Invasive plant
[D] Black Hole
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mound-burial sites]
Notes:
The Ahom era Moidams in Assam’s Charaideo district, resting places of royal families, have been recommended for UNESCO World Heritage List inclusion by ICOMOS. These mound-burial sites, dating from the 13th to 19th century Ahom dynasty, are likened to ancient Chinese royal tombs and Egyptian pyramids. Charaideo was the dynasty’s first capital, founded in 1253. Despite adopting Hindu cremation later, Ahom rulers entombed remains in Moidams. These sites, spread across Southeast Asia, symbolize Tai-Ahom cultural influence.
9. Recently, where was the first International Conference On Steel Slag Road held?
[A] Bhopal
[B] New Delhi
[C] Chennai
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
The 1st International Conference on Steel Slag Road was held in New Delhi by CSIR, where NITI Aayog released guidelines for using steel slag in road construction. This technology repurposes steel production waste, creating strong, durable, and eco-friendly roads. Processed steel slag offers high strength, hardness, abrasion resistance, and drainage capacity. It can partially meet India’s annual demand for 1.8 billion tonnes of natural aggregates. India’s first steel slag road was built in Surat.
10. Recently, which institute signed an agreement with the Indian Register of Shipping to develop a ship trajectory prediction tool aimed at improving maritime safety?
[A] IIT Roorkee
[B] IIT Bombay
[C] IIT Ahmedabad
[D] IIT Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIT Bombay]
Notes:
IIT Bombay and the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) have partnered to develop a ship trajectory prediction tool to improve maritime safety. This tool focuses on disabled ships, offering early warnings and facilitating rescue operations. Integrated with IRS’s Emergency Response System, it aims to enhance response times by locating drifting vessels and rerouting nearby ships. Professors Behera and Srineash emphasize its alignment with national safety goals and industry-academia collaboration.
