1. Apart from efforts towards economic integration across the region, which of the following African organizations has also served as a peacekeeping force sending joint military forces in the times of political unrest?
[A] African Economic Community
[B] Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
[C] Arab Maghreb Union
[D] East African Community
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)]
Notes:
ECOWAS is a 15 member community of western African countries that makes efforts towards not only economic integration but also peace keeping during times of political unrest.
2. 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.
3. Indian Navy and which among the following Navies have regularly conducted joint exercises named ‘INDRA‘ since 2003?
[A] Russia
[B] USA
[C] UK
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Russia]
Notes:
Indra Exercise is a joint military exercise that takes place between India and Russia. It is a bilateral exercise that involves the armed forces of both countries, including the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy, as well as the Russian Armed Forces. The exercise typically focuses on a variety of military drills and training activities, including air defense, maritime security, and counter-terrorism operations. The first Indra Exercise was held in 2003, and it has been conducted annually ever since. The exercise is part of the growing military cooperation between India and Russia, and it is aimed at enhancing the interoperability and coordination of their armed forces.
4. The Jasmine Revolution of late 2010, is related to which among the following countries?
[A] Egypt
[B] Myanmar
[C] Poland
[D] Tunisia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tunisia]
Notes:
The Tunisian Revolution is also called the Jasmine Revolution. It was an intensive 28-day campaign of civil resistance. It led to the ousting of longtime president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011.
5. At which of the following place SAARC Forestry Center was opened after the 13th summit of SAARC in 2005?
[A] Kathmandu
[B] Thimpu
[C] Male
[D] Islamabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Thimpu]
6. Who is the author of the book “A House of Mr. Biwsas”?
[A] Jhumpa Lahiri
[B] Amitav Ghosh
[C] V.S. Naipaul
[D] Vikram Seth
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [V.S. Naipaul]
Notes:
Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul TC, most commonly known as V. S. Naipaul, and informally, Vidia Naipaul, was a Trinidadian-British writer of works of fiction and nonfiction in English.
7. Which of the following refers to the North-South dialogue? (UPSC Prelims 1983)
[A] For reorganization of States between North India and South India
[B] For sharing economic resources between rich countries of the North and poor countries of the South
[C] Between countries of North America and South America for economic cooperation
[D] Between U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. in the field of space research
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [For sharing economic resources between rich countries of the North and poor countries of the South]
Notes:
The North-South Dialogue refers to the process through which the developing and newly independent nations of the “third world,” predominantly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, engaged the industrialized countries of North America and Western Europe in negotiations over changes to the international economic system.
8. Who is the author of the book “The Black Swann”?
[A] Nassim Nicholas Taleb
[B] Paul Robin Krugman
[C] Millicent Fawcett
[D] Arthur Pigou
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Nassim Nicholas Taleb]
Notes:
Nassim Nicholas Taleb wrote the book “The Black swann”. This book describes the power of unforeseeable events, and the damage they can wreak on unsuspecting societies.
9. From which nation Algeria got its independence in 1962?
[A] Portugal
[B] Great Britain
[C] France
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [France]
Notes:
France conquered Algeria in 1830. The modern borders of Algeria were established by the French during their colonization. The French in Algeria is known as Colons or Peds Noirs. From 1954 to 1962, Algeria was engaged in a bloody and long fight with France, which lead to its independence from France.
10. What is the name of the Gun Shot Locator, which was developed by the Indian Army’s College of Military Engineering, Pune?
[A] Parth
[B] Nag
[C] Akash
[D] Jaguar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Parth]
Notes:
The name of the Gun Shot Locator, which was developed by the Indian Army’s College of Military Engineering, Pune is Parth. The cost of the locator is around Rs 3 lakhs. It was claimed as the world’s cheapest Gun Shot Locator.
