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. Simone Biles, who was seen in the news, is a popular gymnast of which country?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] Ukraine
[D] USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [USA]
Notes:
Simone Biles wins a record eighth all-around title at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, a full decade after her first national title.
She won her first world title at the 2013 championships and she has won 25 medals at world championships, including 18 golds — higher than any men’s or women’s gymnasts in history.
3. A postage stamp was released in memory of Dadi Prakashmani, who is associated with which institution?
[A] Brahma Kumaris
[B] Goonj
[C] Pratham
[D] Give India Foundation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Brahma Kumaris]
Notes:
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu released a postage stamp in memory of Dadi Prakashmani, former chief of Brahma Kumaris at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.
This stamp was released under the ‘My Stamp’ initiative of the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications to mark the 16th death anniversary of Dadi Prakashmani.
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. Which was the first major sports event to offer equal prize money to men and women?
[A] BWF world championship
[B] US Open
[C] Australia Open
[D] NBA world championship
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [US Open]
Notes:
The 50th anniversary of the U.S. Open becoming the first sporting event to offer equal prize money to men and women was recently held.
The ceremony was attended by former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, former tennis player Billie Jean King, amateur player Gabby Bell, singer Sara Bareilles, and president of the United States Tennis Association Brian Hainline.
6. Which state implements the ‘Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana’?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Karnataka
[C] Assam
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajasthan]
Notes:
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved an increase in minimum wages for labourers by Rs 26 per day. This increase would be effective from January 1, 2023.
He also announced that registered insured employees and their dependent families under the Employees State Insurance (ESI) Scheme of Rajasthan will also get the benefit of Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana under the ESI category.
7. 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.
8. Gabon, which was seen in the news, is located in which region?
[A] Africa
[B] Europe
[C] Australia
[D] Asia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Africa]
Notes:
Rebel soldiers in Central African nation Gabon claim to have ousted their President Ali Bongo Ondimba.
Rebel officers in the oil-rich central African state of Gabon announced they had seized power following disputed elections in which President Ali Bongo Ondimba, in power since 2009, had been declared victorious.
9. ‘CrossLinx accelerator programme’ is associated with India and which country?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] USA
[C] Germany
[D] UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
INDUS-X (India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem), an initiative to build a defence innovation bridge by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) of the Ministry of Defence, and the US Department of Defence (DoD).
It began an exercise to begin the Indo-US CrossLinx accelerator programme to prepare defence start-ups to expand to the US markets.
10. 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.