1. Cabinet declared which day as ‘National Space Day’ in India?
[A] August 20
[B] August 23
[C] August 25
[D] August 27
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [August 23]
Notes:
Union Cabinet has declared August 23 as ‘National Space Day’ to commemorate Chandrayaan-3’s successful landing on the Moon.
The Cabinet also applauded the designation of two moon locations as ‘Tiranga Point’ (the imprint of Chandrayaan-2) and ShivShakti Point (the landing site of Chandrayaan-3) in the release.
2. Which racing driver clinched the Dutch Grand Prix for the third year in a row?
[A] Lewis Hamilton
[B] Max Verstappen
[C] Charles Leclerc
[D] Sebastien Vettel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Max Verstappen]
Notes:
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched the Dutch Grand Prix title for the third year in a row. He was followed by Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
Verstappen secured his ninth consecutive victory in Formula One, matching Sebastian Vettel’s 2013 record.
3. Thiruvonam is a festival prevalently celebrated in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kerala]
Notes:
Thiruvonam, the most auspicious day during the Onam festival, is celebrated throughout Kerala. Onam is a harvest festival that celebrates the return of King Mahabali/Maveli to his beloved state.
The festival is celebrated for ten days and each day holds a lot of significance. Onam also marks the beginning of the Malayalam year, called Kolla Varsham.
4. Which country/countries are the hosts of Asia Cup 2023 tournament?
[A] Sri Lanka and Pakistan
[B] India and Bangladesh
[C] Nepal and Bangladesh
[D] Pakistan and Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sri Lanka and Pakistan]
Notes:
The Asia Cup 2023 tournament kicked off across four venues in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The 16th edition of Asia Cup is all set to start on August 30 and will end on September 17.
A total of six teams will be participating. The teams have been divided into two groups and are playing against each other in round-robin style.
5. The DFL (Deutsche Fußball Liga) has entered into a collaboration with which Indian state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Odisha
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The DFL (Deutsche Fußball Liga) has entered into a collaboration with the Government of the State of Maharashtra, after a MoU was signed as part of the prestigious Shree Shiv Chhatarapati Awards ceremony in Pune, India.
The MoU lays out three core elements to support the advancement of football within the state of Maharashtra: improving the technical and sporting expertise at all levels within clubs, associations, colleges and schools; strengthening football structures across the Indian subcontinent; and specifically supporting the progression of football within the Maharashtra district.
6. What is the name of the blockchain-based project launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)?
[A] Falcon
[B] Grape
[C] Pay See
[D] Orange
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Falcon]
Notes:
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), announced the launch of Falcon blockchain-based project named ‘Falcon’.
It is an open-source project that aims to simplify the management and use of blockchains based on ‘Hyperledger Fabric’ and supported on Kubernetes clusters. Essentially, Falcon is expected to help developers innovate on blockchain-based payment solutions.
7. Which Indian chess player replaced Viswanathan Anand as the country’s top-ranked player?
[A] R Praggnananda
[B] D Gukesh
[C] Nihal Sarin
[D] Arjun Erigaisi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [D Gukesh]
Notes:
17-year-old D Gukesh took over as the country’s top-ranked player from Viswanathan Anand in FIDE’s monthly rankings list.
It has been 37 years since anyone other than Anand holding the top position. The five-time World champion is currently ranked ninth, a spot below Gukesh on the world list, is semi-retired from active chess.
8. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an autonomous organisation functioning under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Women and Child Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Education]
Notes:
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been granted the deemed-to-be-university status by the Ministry of Higher Education, Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan.
It was announced on the 63rd Foundation Day of the apex decision-making body for school education. He suggested setting up Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence labs in all seven regional centres of NCERT.
9. Dr Shanta Thoutam, who received the World Innovation Award, is the Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) of which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Telangana
[C] Odisha
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Telangana]
Notes:
Telangana Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) Dr Shanta Thoutam received the World Innovation Award at the first BRICS Innovation Forum hosted in Moscow.
The award is given for outstanding contribution to the Sustainable Development Goal-4 that ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong opportunities for all. The award was instituted by World Organisation for Development.
10. The 12 feet high statue of Mahatma Gandhi was inaugurated recently along with ‘Gandhi Vatika’ in which city?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Surat
[C] Mumbai
[D] Kolkata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi ]
Notes:
On September 4, 2023, President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, unveiled a 12-foot statue of Mahatma Gandhi and inaugurated ‘Gandhi Vatika’ at Gandhi Darshan, New Delhi. She praised Gandhi’s global influence, highlighting his non-violence principles during times of world turmoil like the world wars. The President cited leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barack Obama who followed Gandhi’s path for world welfare. She emphasized the role of institutions like Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in promoting his teachings through various media.