31. Recently, who became the second Indian bowler to take 500 wickets in test matches?
[A] Ravindra Jadeja
[B] Jasprit Bumrah
[C] Ravichandran Ashwin
[D] Md Siraj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ravichandran Ashwin ]
Notes:
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for reaching 500 Test wickets, making him the second Indian bowler to achieve this after Anil Kumble. Ashwin joins an exclusive group of off-spinners with only Muttiah Muralidaran and Nathan Lyon surpassing 500 wickets. Notably, Ashwin is the third off-spinner in history to achieve this milestone. Despite this feat, he trails Kumble’s total wickets, who retired with 619 scalps. The historic moment occurred on the second day of the ongoing Test against England, dismissing Zak Crawley.
32. Which bank of India recently collaborated with AIIMS to launch the Smart Payment Card for cashless transactions?
[A] SBI
[B] HDFC
[C] ICICI
[D] AXIS
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [SBI]
Notes:
Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched the AIIMS-SBI Smart payment card at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The card aims to facilitate hassle-free payments for patients, eliminating the need for carrying cash. Provided free of cost with no service charges, the card is linked to the patient’s Unique Hospital Identification number and Ayushman Bharat Health Account ID. Termed ‘One AIIMS, One Card,’ the initiative plans to extend these services to all AIIMS institutions nationwide.
33. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Shri Kalki Dham Temple in which district of Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Ayodhya
[B] Saharanpur
[C] Sambhal
[D] Sitapur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sambhal ]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Shri Kalki Dham Temple in Sambhal district, Uttar Pradesh. Constructed by Shri Kalki Dham Nirman Trust, chaired by Acharya Pramod Krishnam, the temple’s unique feature is its ten garbh grihas, representing all ten avatars of the Lord, including the human form. The Prime Minister highlighted the intricate architecture, emphasizing the embodiment of various divine forms in the scriptures.
34. Recently, which organization has launched the ‘Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH)’?
[A] World Health Organization (WHO)
[B] UNICEF
[C] United Nations
[D] European Union
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [World Health Organization (WHO)]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) as part of India’s G20 presidency. The initiative aims to democratize digital health technologies, featuring components such as a country needs tracker and a transformation toolbox. Union Health Minister Mandaviya highlighted its role in creating an institutional framework for digital health, while Bagchi emphasized India’s digital response during the pandemic. WHO Director-General Dr Tedros emphasized GIDH’s support in addressing health system fragmentation and overlap, promoting global digital health standards.
35. Ameen Sayani, who passed away recently, was associated with which profession?
[A] Scientist
[B] Politician
[C] Radio Presenter
[D] Cricketer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Radio Presenter ]
Notes:
Renowned Indian Radio Presenter Ameen Sayani, born on December 21, 1932, in Mumbai, passed away at 91 on February 21, 2024, succumbing to heart failure. Known as a Radio Celebrity, his iconic presentation ‘Geetmala’ earned immense popularity, showcasing his charming voice and unique style. A key figure in popularizing radio in India, Sayani’s witty and captivating communication style left a lasting impact. Introduced to All India Radio by his brother, he transitioned from English to Hindi programming during his illustrious career.
36. TN Godavarman Thirumalpad vs Union of India Case, recently seen in the news, is associated with which one of the following?
[A] Reservation
[B] Forest conservation
[C] LGBTQ Rights
[D] Privacy & Data protection
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Forest conservation]
Notes:
The Supreme Court of India recently directed governments to adopt a ‘broad’ definition of forests, emphasizing the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Enacted to safeguard forests and resources, the Act’s Section 2 defines ‘forest land’ broadly, encompassing reserved, protected, or government-recorded areas. The landmark TN Godavarman Thirumalpad vs Union of India (1996) case reinforced this, interpreting ‘forest’ in line with its dictionary meaning. The Act applies to all areas resembling a forest, prioritizing conservation efforts across statutorily recognized forests in India.
37. Where was the 9th edition of Raisina Dialogue inaugurated?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Greece
[C] Switzerland
[D] Paris
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 9th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis as the Chief Guest. Mitsotakis praised India as a global power and essential ally in peace and security. He highlighted India’s role in the G20 and climate change. Mitsotakis urged deeper ties, emphasizing shared values and the strength of the partnership. He commended India’s economic prowess and mentioned mutual investment goals, noting India’s significant contributions to Greece’s infrastructure and the rising bilateral trade volume.
38. ‘Sammakka Saralamma Jatara’ tribal festival, recently seen in the news, is celebrated in which state?
[A] Telangana
[B] Karnataka
[C] Kerala
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Telangana]
Notes:
Mulugu, Telangana is gearing up for the grand celebration of Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, the largest Tribal Festival in Asia. The event, held at Medaram village in Telangana, showcases the rich tribal heritage of the region. Located 240 km from Hyderabad, the festival signifies unity and cultural devotion, drawing visitors globally. Started as a small gathering, it gained State festival status in 1998, commemorating the 12th-century revolt by Sammakka and Saralamma against oppressive taxes during a drought by Kakatiya rulers.
39. ‘Bag-Less School’ initiative, recently seen in the news, is introduced by which state?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Madhya Pradesh government unveils an innovative ‘bag-less school’ policy, challenging educational norms. Starting 2024-25, this initiative mandates a bag-free day each week. The state government issues weight limits for school bags, ranging from 1.6 to 2.2 kg for classes 1 and 2, to 2.5 to 4.5 kg for classes 9 and 10. This move aims to alleviate the physical burden on students, fostering a more comfortable and holistic learning environment.
40. Which north-eastern state recently signed an MoU with NTCA to establish the state’s first Special Tiger Protection Force?
[A] Manipur
[B] Assam
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Mizoram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Arunachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The Arunachal Pradesh government has partnered with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to create its inaugural Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF). Home to three tiger reserves – Namdapha, Kamlang, and Pakke – the state lacked a dedicated protection force. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines the deployment of a specialized force comprising 336 personnel to enhance tiger conservation efforts in these reserves, addressing the previous gap in protection measures.
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