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. Archaeologists have unearthed 3,000-year-old priestly tomb in which country?
[A] Peru
[B] Argentina
[C] Greece
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Peru]
Notes:
Archaeologists have recently unearthed 3,000-year-old priestly tomb, which had lain undisturbed, in northern Peru.
The occupant of the grave was dubbed as the Priest of Pacopampa by archaeologists after the highland area where it was found.
3. Which city hosted the recent meeting of Western Zonal Council?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Gandhinagar
[C] Jodhpur
[D] Amritsar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gandhinagar]
Notes:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently chaired 26th meeting of Western Zonal Council at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
He also inaugurated an e-Resource web portal of Inter State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs. This portal will facilitate functioning of Zonal Councils. The meeting was attended by Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Administrator of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
4. Which state raised the OBC quota to 27% in local bodies?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Assam
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gujarat]
Notes:
The Gujarat government has increased the reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the state’s panchayats and urban local bodies from 10% to 27%.
This decision was made based on recommendations of the K.S. Jhaveri Commission, which was formed based on a 2022 Supreme Court order on deciding the level of OBC quotas in Gujarat.
5. Shinon Meeras, a centre showcasing the history of Dard-Shina tribes, was opened in which state/UT?
[A] Jammu and Kashmir
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Goa
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
Recently, Shinon Meeras, a centre showcasing the history of Dard-Shina tribes, was opened to the public at the Gurez Valley in Kashmir.
Dard is a strong community of around 38000 people living in the valley, which speaks the rapidly fading Shina language. The first such cultural centre has been curated and developed by the Indian Army and the Lieutenant-Governor’s administration.
6. Who was the founder of Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc)?
[A] P C Mahalanobis
[B] Alladi Ramakrishnan
[C] Ramanujan
[D] C V Raman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Alladi Ramakrishnan]
Notes:
The birth centenary of the eminent physicist Alladi Ramakrishnan is being celebrated in December 2023.
He founded MATSCIENCE, The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), in Chennai, and served as its Director until his retirement in 1983 at the age of sixty. The Institute will pay homage to its Founder-Director, by conducting The Alladi Ramakrishnan Centenary Conference at its campus in Taramani, Chennai.
7. Which team is the winner of FIDE World Rapid Team Championship?
[A] WR Chess
[B] Freedom
[C] MGD1
[D] Speed
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [WR Chess]
Notes:
WR Chess has triumphed as inaugural FIDE World Rapid Team Champions. Altogether, WR Chess secured 22 matchpoints, Freedom finished on 20, and third-placed MGD1 had 18.
WR Chess had one Indian- R Praggnananda, Freedom had two Indian players and MGD1 eight. When it comes to individual medals for board prizes, as many as seven Indians won either a Silver or Bronze medal.
8. Nilachal Flyover, which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Sikkim
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the State’s longest flyover, named Nilachal Flyover after the Nilachal Hills near which it stands.
It measures a total of 2.63 kilometres and starting from Maligaon Chariali to Kamakhya Gate in Guwahati. The flyover was built at a cost of ₹420.75 crore.
9. Which institution launched the ‘Adopt a Heritage 2.0’ programme?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Archaeological Survey of India
[C] Union Culture Ministry
[D] Union External Affairs Ministry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Archaeological Survey of India]
Notes:
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) launched the “Adopt a Heritage 2.0” programme under which corporates are invited to fund amenities at monuments from their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds.
The aim of “Adopt a Heritage 2.0” programme is to enhance the visitor experience at centrally protected monuments, improve amenities, and bolster the culture and heritage value of the country.
10. Tharman Shanmugaratnam has been elected as President of which country?
[A] Singapore
[B] Malaysia
[C] Maldives
[D] Mauritius
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Singapore]
Notes:
Tharman Shanmugaratnam is the president-elect of Singapore. He was born on February 25, 1957. He is a popular politician who has won several parliamentary elections. In 2023, he resigned from all government positions and the PAP to run for the Singaporean presidential election. He won the election with 70.4% of the votes.
Shanmugaratnam was previously the Senior Minister of Singapore from 2019 to 2023. He also served as Deputy Prime Minister for eight years. He studied at the London School of Economics, Cambridge University, and Harvard University.