1. India will host the 2025 BWF World Junior Championships in which city?
[A] Bengaluru
[B] Guwahati
[C] Chennai
[D] Bhopal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Guwahati]
Notes:
India will host the BWF World Junior Championships 2025 at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati, as announced by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). It marks India’s first hosting since 2008, when Pune held the event. The specific dates for the 2025 edition will be disclosed later.
2. Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), which has recently completed 50 years, was launched by which organization?
[A] WHO
[B] WMO
[C] ILO
[D] UNICEF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [WHO]
Notes:
The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) marks its 50th anniversary, initiated by WHO in 1974. Renamed UIP in India in 1985, it now offers vaccines for 13 universally recommended diseases and 17 context-specific ones. Global DPT coverage surged from 5% in the ’70s to 84% in 2022. Smallpox eradicated; polio remains in Afghanistan & Pakistan. In India, coverage grows yearly, reaching 76% in 2019-21. Immunization boasts significant returns, predominantly delivered through government facilities.
3. Recently, which country has launched a new currency ‘ZiG’?
[A] Rwanda
[B] Zimbabwe
[C] Somalia
[D] Botswana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Zimbabwe]
Notes:
Zimbabwe introduces the ZiG currency, aiming to stabilize its economy. The ZiG, backed by gold reserves, replaces the depreciated Zimbabwe dollar. Initially launched electronically, physical banknotes and coins are now in circulation. Despite efforts to restore faith, skepticism persists, with some government departments refusing to accept the new currency. This move reflects ongoing struggles to address Zimbabwe’s enduring economic challenges.
4. Which country is the host of the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46) and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26)?
[A] Argentina
[B] India
[C] Norway
[D] Chile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
India will host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46) and the 26th Meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP 26) in Kochi, Kerala, from May 20 to 30. Organized by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) through the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), these meetings aim to foster global discussions on Antarctica’s environmental conservation and scientific collaboration. India, a Consultative Party since 1983, operates two research stations and enacted the Antarctic Act in 2022.
5. Recently, the Indian Army and the Punit Balan Group collaborated to open the India’s first Constitution Park in which city?
[A] Ahmedabad
[B] Pune
[C] Jaipur
[D] Varanasi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pune]
Notes:
The Indian Army and the Punit Balan Group joined hands to inaugurate Pune’s inaugural Constitution Park. Lt. Gen. Ajai Kumar Singh led the ceremony, stressing citizens’ constitutional duties for India’s progress by 2047. He highlighted the global importance of the Indian Constitution, which secures Fundamental Rights and underscores Fundamental Duties. Understanding these rights and responsibilities is pivotal for India’s development.
6. Recently, who has been awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE, the International Chess Federation?
[A] Vaishali Ramesh Babu
[B] Surya Sekhar Ganguly
[C] Savitha Shri Baskar
[D] Tania Sachdev
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vaishali Ramesh Babu]
Notes:
Indian Chess Prodigy Vaishali Ramesh Babu, awarded Grandmaster by FIDE, highlighted India’s rising prominence in chess. She anticipates India’s strong showing in the World Championship. Praising Viswanathan Anand’s impact, she credits her father’s decision to steer her towards chess. Supported by her parents, Vaishali became India’s third female Grandmaster after Humpy and Dronavalli. She achieved the 2500 ELO points at the Llobregat Open, with FIDE formally granting her the title at the recent Candidates Tournament in Toronto.
7. Pension Department has recently launched an online portal for government retirees. what is the name of the portal?
[A] Abhyukt portal
[B] Vriddhi portal
[C] Bhavishya portal
[D] Vikas portal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bhavishya portal]
Notes:
The Pension Department has launched an online portal called Bhavishya for tracking pension payments and sanctions for government retirees. The portal is integrated with the pension processing and payment services of five banks, including State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, and Canara Bank.
8. Which country recently launched the Chang’e 6 probe to bring back soil from the dark side of the moon?
[A] China
[B] Russia
[C] India
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [China]
Notes:
China launched the Chang’e-6 probe to gather samples from the Moon’s far side, aiming to be the first nation to do so. Previously, only the USA and USSR collected lunar samples, all from the near side. China’s Chang’e 4 landed on the far side in 2019 but didn’t retrieve samples. In 2023, India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission achieved a first by landing near the Moon’s South Pole. The “dark side” of the Moon receives sunlight, contrary to its name.
9. Bhadra Tiger Reserve, recently seen in news, is located in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Karnataka
[C] Gujarat
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka]
Notes:
The Bhadra Tiger Reserve, located in Karnataka’s Western Ghats, has seen a surge in safari visitors. Tourists must tread carefully in this eco-sensitive zone. The reserve, declared India’s 25th Project Tiger site in 1998, houses a significant tiger population alongside elephants and diverse fauna. Drained by the Bhadra River, it boasts dry-deciduous to semi-evergreen vegetation, including teak and medicinal plants. Other Karnataka tiger reserves include Bandipur, Nagarhole, Dandeli-Anshi, and Biligiriranga.
10. Recently, José Raúl Mulino has been elected as the new President of which country?
[A] Guatemala
[B] Cuba
[C] Panama
[D] Nicaragua
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Panama]
Notes:
José Raúl Mulino, 64, wins Panama’s presidential election with nearly 35% of votes and a 9% lead over rivals. Outgoing president, Laurentino Cortizo, congratulates him. The election, held on May 5, 2024, saw Mulino stand in for Ricardo Martinelli, who faced legal troubles. Mulino, supported by Martinelli’s party, acknowledges his assistance. Martinelli fled after a money laundering conviction. Elections also chose parliament and local governments for the next five years.