21. Siddheswara Temple, which was seen in the news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Kerala
[C] West Bengal
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Siddheswara Temple is a 7th century temple at Hemavati (Henjeru) in Andhra Pradesh. It was built by Nolamba rulers under the lordship of Pallavas between the 7th and 10th centuries for the propagation of Shaivism.
Inscriptions on the pillars of this temple revealed interesting facts about the education system supported by Nolamba Pallavas and their predecessors.
22. Which state/UT launched a Foundation, to utilise contributions from corporates and public for development of sports?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The Tamil Nadu Champions Foundation (TNCF) was officially launched, and the Chief Minister’s Trophy 2023 logo, mascot, and theme song were unveiled.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the guest of honour. The logo comes with the slogan ‘Kalam Namathae! (The field is ours!)‘. The mascot is the humanoid Nilgiri Tahr ‘Veeran.’
23. Sathyabhama Das Biju, who was seen in the news, is associated with which profession?
[A] Sports Person
[B] Biologist
[C] Politician
[D] Writer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Biologist]
Notes:
Sathyabhama Das Biju, who is popularly known as ‘the Frogman of India’, has been chosen for Harvard University’s prestigious Radcliffe fellowship.
The Delhi University professor is one of the 50 scholars who were awarded the Harvard Radcliffe Institute Fellowship for 2023-24.
24. Which institution released the “Improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing stillbirth” Report?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] UN
[C] Ministry of Family and Health Affairs
[D] John Hopkins University
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UN]
Notes:
The report titled “Improving maternal and newborn health and survival and reducing stillbirth” was released recently by the United Nations. It is edited by WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA.
According to this report, progress in reducing maternal and newborn deaths has remained stagnant since 2015.
25. The invasion of a tiny insect named ‘Eretmoptera murphyi’ is changing the ecosystem of which continent?
[A] Australia
[B] Antarctica
[C] Asia
[D] Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Antarctica]
Notes:
Eretmoptera murphyi is a flightless midge. It is currently changing Antarctica’s Signy Island soil and ecosystem by feasting on dead organic matter.
It has led to faster plant decomposition, thus increasing the soil nitrate levels by three-five times compared to places on the island where the midge is absent.
26. Which is the first Indian city to adopt the localization of the UN-mandated SDGs?
[A] Chennai
[B] Pune
[C] Bhopal
[D] Kochi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bhopal]
Notes:
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minster Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the ‘Agenda for Action: Sustainable Urban Transformation’ in Bhopal.
This makes Bhopal the first city in India to adopt the localization of the UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
27. Rhythm Sangwan, who was seen in the news, plays which sports?
[A] Wrestling
[B] Cricket
[C] Shooting
[D] Hockey
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Shooting]
Notes:
India’s Rhythm Sangwan has won the bronze medal in the women’s 10-metre air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup 2023 for rifle and pistol shooters in Baku, Azerbaijan.
It was Rhythm Sangwan’s first individual senior medal at the shooting World Cup. She has won medals in Shooting World Cups and Shooting Championship at junior as well as at senior level.
28. Where is the ‘Great Grandfather Tree’ located?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Greece
[D] Chile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chile]
Notes:
The “Great Grandfather” tree is currently in the process of being organized as the oldest tree in the world. Situated in Chile, this tree is believed to be around more than 5,000 years old.
The sample which was extracted and other dating methods suggest the tree is up to 5,484 years old. The current record-holder is a 4,853 year old bristlecone pine tree in California.
29. Which institution developed the ‘non-aqueous all-organic redox flow battery’ (NORFB)?
[A] IISc Bengaluru
[B] IIT Madras
[C] IIT Delhi
[D] IIT Kanpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIT Madras]
Notes:
The ‘Non-aqueous all-organic redox flow battery’ (NORFB) was developed recently by scientists at IIT Madras. It is a flow battery that promises to provide better performance.
The Researchers have developed a new type of electrolyte using ‘pyrylium salts’, which are a class of organic chemicals. The battery has been demonstrated with an average coulombic efficiency of 97 per cent.
30. Which Union Ministry is associated with the ‘Training Programme on Legislative Drafting’?
[A] Ministry of Defence
[B] Ministry of Justice
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Law
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Home Affairs]
Notes:
The Training Programme on Legislative Drafting will be inaugurated by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The programme was organised by the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies (ICPS), in collaboration with the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE).