1. Which Indian athlete created a history by winning India’s first bronze medal in 200m race at 2024 Paris Paralympics?
[A] Palak Kohli
[B] Ekta Bhyan
[C] Karamjyoti Dalal
[D] Preeti Pal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Preeti Pal]
Notes:
Preethi Pal became the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic medals in track and field events at Paris Paralympics 2024. She won bronze in the women’s 200m T35 class with a personal best time of 30.01 seconds. Earlier, she had secured another bronze in the 100m T35 class at the same event. She was outpaced by Xia Zhou and Guo Qianqian from China, who won gold and silver, respectively. Her achievements mark a historic moment for Indian women in the Paralympics and Olympics.
2. Recently, where was the world’s first fast-charging e-bus named ‘Veera Mahasamrat’ launched?
[A] Bengaluru
[B] Hyderabad
[C] Chennai
[D] Bhopal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bengaluru]
Notes:
The world’s first fast-charging e-bus is named ‘Veera Mahasamrat.’ It was launched in Bengaluru by Veera Vahana and Exponent Energy. The bus aims to improve travel by eliminating range anxiety with its fast charging. It will first operate on the Bengaluru-Hyderabad route. Four charging stations will be set up along this route to support the e-bus. The launch of ‘Veera Mahasamrat’ is a major step in promoting sustainable transportation in the region.
3. Which state government recently introduced the “Brindavan Gram Scheme” and the “Gita Bhavan Project”?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Gujarat
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The Madhya Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, launched the ‘Brindavan Gram’ scheme to develop model villages focused on cow protection and rural development. One gram panchayat from each of the state’s 313 blocks will be selected and renamed ‘Brindavan Gram.’ Each chosen village will establish a gaushala (cow shed) to promote cow welfare and protection. The scheme aims to increase rural milk production, boosting farmers’ incomes. Roof-top solar policies will be implemented to promote clean energy in these villages. The Panchayat and Rural Development Department will oversee the scheme, with detailed guidelines to be issued soon. In a parallel initiative, ‘Gita Bhavan’ centers will be established in every urban area of Madhya Pradesh to spread spiritual knowledge, focusing on the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and Lord Krishna, along with other spiritual texts.
4. Who became the first Indian archer to win gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics?
[A] Harvinder Singh
[B] Manish Narwal
[C] Nishad Kumar
[D] Sumit Antil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Harvinder Singh]
Notes:
Harvinder Singh won a historic gold medal in men’s individual recurve archery at the Paris Paralympics 2024. This win marked India’s 22nd medal in the event. He defeated Poland’s Lukasz Ciszek in the final. His achievement adds to India’s successes in other Paralympic sports like shot put and club throw. This highlights India’s increasing presence and accomplishments in Paralympic sports.
5. Recently, which country hosted the 20th ‘Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM)’?
[A] Vietnam
[B] India
[C] South Korea
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [South Korea]
Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard participated in the 20th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) in Incheon, South Korea, from 2-6 September 2024. The meeting was hosted by the South Korean Coast Guard. The Indian Coast Guard also held its 12th annual bilateral meeting with the South Korean Coast Guard on 4 September 2024. Discussions focused on maritime law enforcement, safety at sea, marine environment protection, and preventing illicit trafficking of humans, drugs, and weapons. HACGAM was initiated by Japan in 2004 to address piracy issues in Southeast Asian waters, especially in the Straits of Malacca.
6. Guanabara Bay, recently seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Brazil
[B] Malaysia
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Brazil]
Notes:
Sea turtles in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), are showing improvement in health after years of suffering from fibropapillomatosis. Fibropapillomatosis is a serious infectious disease affecting sea turtles globally, causing benign tumors on their bodies. These tumors hinder the turtles’ movement, vision, and feeding, often leading to death. The disease is caused by a herpes virus and is linked to polluted coastal areas, high human density, agricultural runoff, and harmful algae.
7. Recently, who became the oldest Indian to swim across the English Channel?
[A] Siddhartha Agarwal
[B] Vikrant Kashyap
[C] Anand Kumar
[D] Vikas Rao
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Siddhartha Agarwal]
Notes:
Siddhartha Agarwal, a 49-year-old swimmer from Bengaluru, became the oldest Indian to swim across the English Channel. He completed the 42-km swim between England and France on August 29 in 15 hours and six minutes. His journey began in 2018 when he crossed the Channel as part of an eight-member relay team. Srikaanth Viswanathan, also from Bengaluru, held the previous record at 46, becoming the oldest to swim the Channel solo.
8. Galathis Bay, recently seen in news, is located in which island of India?
[A] Majuli Island
[B] Great Nicobar Island
[C] Lakshadweep Island
[D] Pamban Island
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Great Nicobar Island]
Notes:
The central government has designated the international trans-shipment hub at Galathea Bay in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a ‘Major Port.’ It is located on Great Nicobar Island and is being developed as an International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP). The project will receive central funding and be developed under a public-private partnership model. Phase 1 is set to begin in 2028 with a handling capacity of 4 million TEUs, growing to 16 million TEUs by 2058. The port’s strategic location near international trade routes and its deep water depth make it significant for capturing transshipment cargo from other ports.
9. Which state recently introduced India’s first silicon carbide manufacturing facility?
[A] Odisha
[B] Bihar
[C] Haryana
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi recently led the groundbreaking for India’s first silicon carbide manufacturing facility. Developed by RIR Power Electronics Limited, the facility is being set up at EMC Park in Bhubaneswar with an investment of Rs 620 crore. This facility represents a significant advancement for India and Odisha in the global power electronics market. It aims to position Odisha as a key hub for semiconductor production, fostering innovation and boosting the state’s economy.
10. According to recent report, which country has secured the top spot as biggest plastic polluter in the world?
[A] Russia
[B] India
[C] China
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
A study published in Nature reveals India is the world’s largest plastic polluter, releasing 9.3 million tonnes annually.
Plastic emissions are defined as materials moving from a controlled to an uncontrolled state in the environment. India’s plastic pollution accounts for about 20% of global emissions. India generates around 0.12 kilograms of plastic waste per capita per day. Global plastic waste emissions were 52.1 million tonnes in 2020. Nigeria and Indonesia are the second and third largest polluters, with 3.5 and 3.4 million tonnes, respectively. High-income countries have higher waste rates but better collection and disposal systems.