1. Which of the following are two works of Kalidasa?
[A] Raghuvamsha and Kiratarjuniya
[B] Kumara Sambhav and Raghuvamsha
[C] Malti Madhava and Kumara Sambhava
[D] Malti Madhav and Kumara Sambhava
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Kumara Sambhav and Raghuvamsha ]
Notes:
Kalidasa was one of the gems of the court of Gupta king Chandragupta II (375–415 CE). The poems he wrote were usually of epic proportions and were written in classical Sanskrit. He wrote two epic poems called Kumara sambhava, which means birth of Kumara and the Raghuvamsha, which means dynasty of Raghu. There are also two lyric poems written by Kalidasa known as Meghadutta that stands for cloud messenger and the Ritusamhara that means description of the seasons. Meghadutta is one of the finest works of Kalidasa in terms of world literature. The beauty of the continuity in flawless Sanskrit is unmatched till date. The most famous and beautiful work of Kalidasa is the Shakuntalam. It is the second play of Kalidasa after he wrote Malavikagnimitra. The Shakuntalam tells the story of king Dushyant who falls in love with a beautiful girl Shakuntala, who happens to be the daughter of a saint.
2. In which year,Bharat Ratna was announced for Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose?
[A] 1988
[B] 1991
[C] 1992
[D] 1996
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1992]
Notes:
In 1992, the Government of India decided to confer Bharat Ratna to Subhash Chandra Bose, but it was opposed by some members of his family who had refused to accept the fact of his death. In 1997 as per the Supreme Court’s verdict Bose’s award was cancelled. It is the only case in India when the award was announced but not conferred.
3. Which of the following is an initiative of European Union that involves the creation of a zone for the euro wherein all electronic payments are considered domestic, and a difference between national and intra-European cross border payments doesn’t exist?
[A] Euro zone
[B] Single Euro Payment Area
[C] Eurocheque
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Single Euro Payment Area]
Notes:
The correct answer is “Single Euro Payment Area” (SEPA). SEPA is an initiative by the European Union aimed at simplifying bank transfers denominated in euros. It allows for seamless electronic payments across member states, treating them as domestic transactions. Established in 2008, SEPA enhances efficiency and reduces costs for consumers and businesses, promoting financial integration within the Eurozone.
4. Headquarters of eastern Air Command of Indian Air force:
[A] Guwahathi
[B] Shillong
[C] Kolkata
[D] Itanagar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shillong]
Notes:
The headquarters of the Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force is located in Shillong, Meghalaya. The Eastern Air Command is one of the five operational commands of the Indian Air Force, and is responsible for the air defense of eastern India and parts of north-eastern India.
5. Secretariat of SAARC Development Fund is located at:
[A] New Delhi
[B] Colombo
[C] Dhaka
[D] Thimpu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Thimpu]
Notes:
Secretariat of SAARC Development Fund is located in Thimpu which is capital of Bhutan. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC) is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
6. Who among the following was the last Director-General of GATT, and the first of the WTO ?
[A] Arthur Dunkel
[B] Peter Sutherland
[C] Renato Ruggiero
[D] Olivier Long
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Peter Sutherland]
Notes:
Peter Denis Sutherland was an Irish businessman, barrister and politician. He served as last Director-General of GATT, and the first of the WTO.
7. Who is recognized as the author of the book, Shahjahanama?
[A] Inayat Khan
[B] Dara Shikoh
[C] Abul Fazal
[D] Kamgar Khan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Inayat Khan]
Notes:
Shahjahanama is a book narrating the life of the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, and the author of this comprehensive account is Inayat Khan. The book is of significant important to historians as it offers an insight into the rule and life of one of the most influential Mughal Emperors.
8. Which one of the following is a modern tank?
[A] Bhim
[B] Akash
[C] Arjun
[D] Prithvi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Arjun]
Notes:
Arjuna is the modern tank produced by Defence Research and Development, Organisation (DRDO). The Arjun is a third generation main battle tank developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation, for the Indian Army. The tank is named after Arjun, the main protagonist, an archer prince of the Indian epic Mahabharata.
The Arjun was found to be comparable to the T-90 in almost all respects and better in aspects of mobility – aided in no small measure by its German-made 1,400 horsepower engine which is significantly more powerful than the powerpack employed on the T-90. The invitation to visit the Arjun tank formation was unexpected.
9. Who is the author of the book “Voice of Conscience”?
[A] V.V. Giri
[B] Dr. Rajendra Prasad
[C] Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
[D] Zakir Husain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [V.V. Giri]
Notes:
The book “Voice of Conscience” was written by Varahagiri Venkata Giri, commonly known as V. V. Giri. V.V. Giri was the fourth president of India, serving his term from 24th August 1969 to 24th August 1974. In his book, he shares his experiences and views on important social and political issues, reflecting his commitment to public service and the welfare of the society.
10. The 172nd Defence Pensioners Adalat was being organized in which Indian state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Telangana
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 172nd Defence Pensioners Adalat in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow, becoming the first Raksha Mantri to be a part of the event. The two-day Defence Pensioners Adalat aims at redressal of related pension grievances of veterans of Armed Forces and their Next of Kin residing in all districts of Uttar Pradesh. The complex process involving many agencies and the Defence Accounts Department is working tirelessly to provide pensions in a time-bound manner.
