1. The Treaty of Portsmouth brought an end to a war in 1905 fought between?
[A] Russia & Japan
[B] Romania & Bulgaria
[C] Russia & Turkey
[D] Russia & USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Russia & Japan]
Notes:
Treaty of Portsmouth ended the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. The treaty was signed on September 5, 1905 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. The treaty was signed by Japanese and Russian diplomats after negotiations from August 6 to August 30. The treaty ended the war that began in 1904. The war was caused by Russian and Japanese expansionism in the Far East. The war contributed to domestic unrest in both countries, which led to the Russian revolution of 1905. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was instrumental in the negotiations and won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
2. Many a times we read about ‘South-South Cooperation’. The term is used by policymakers and academics to describe the exchange of resources, technology, and knowledge between which of the following?
[A] India & South Africa
[B] South Asia & South Africa
[C] South America and South Asia
[D] Developing countries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Developing countries]
Notes:
South-South Cooperation refers to the collaboration among developing countries in the Global South, focusing on sharing resources, technology, and knowledge. This concept emerged in the 1950s and gained prominence in the 1970s, particularly during the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It aims to enhance self-reliance and foster sustainable development. Notable examples include the India-Africa Forum Summit, which promotes trade and investment between India and African nations.
3. Which of the following countries gives Gwangju prize for Human Rights?
[A] Japan
[B] South Korea
[C] China
[D] Taiwan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [South Korea]
Notes:
The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights is awarded by South Korea. Established in 2000, it honors individuals and organizations that have made important contributions to the promotion of human rights, particularly in the context of the Gwangju Uprising of 1980, where citizens protested against authoritarian rule. The prize aims to raise awareness of human rights issues globally.
4. Which among the following organizations occupies the Centre William Rappard building in Geneva, Switzerland?
[A] International Labour Organization
[B] World Trade Organization
[C] UNESCO
[D] World Health Organization
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Trade Organization]
Notes:
Centre William Rappard is known as the first building in Geneva designed to house an international organization and was originally occupied by International labour Organization. ILO`s office was shifted to Grand Saconnex. Later it was occupied by GATT which was replaces by World Trade Organization in 1995.
5. Transnationality Index is prepared and released by which of the following?
[A] World Trade Organization
[B] World Economic Forum
[C] UNCTAD
[D] International Monetary Fund
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UNCTAD]
Notes:The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) developed the Transnationality Index (TNI). The TNI is used to rank multinational corporations. It is calculated as the average of three ratios:
- The ratio of foreign assets to total assets
- The ratio of foreign sales to total sales
- The ratio of foreign employment to total employment
The TNI has been used since 1990 to rank the world’s 100 largest non-financial TNCs. It can be used for comparative analysis with similar surveys conducted in other countries.
The TNI has shown that the average index value for developing economies’ TNCs has increased over time.
6. Which among the following correctly defines Pinaka?
[A] A Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher Developed by DRDO
[B] A Missile Developed by DRDO
[C] A Missile imported from Russia
[D] A rocket launcher developed by France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [A Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher Developed by DRDO]
Notes:
Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket launcher developed by the Indian Army’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is designed to be used for long-range artillery support and can fire a variety of rockets, including high-explosive, incendiary, and smoke-producing rounds.
7. On which among the following dates, World Hindi Day is celebrated?
[A] January 10
[B] January 15
[C] January 17
[D] December 17
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [January 10]
Notes:
World Hindi Day is celebrated on January 10th every year. It is a day to recognize and celebrate the Hindi language and its cultural and linguistic heritage. Hindi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by millions of people in India, Nepal, and other countries around the world. It is the official language of the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Haryana, and Delhi, and is also one of the two official languages of the Union Government of India. World Hindi Day was first celebrated in 2006 to promote the use and study of Hindi globally, and to recognize the contributions of Hindi language and literature to the cultural diversity of the world.
8. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has adopted which resolution to protect children in armed conflict?
[A] Resolution 2657
[B] Resolution 2537
[C] Resolution 2347
[D] Resolution 2427
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Resolution 2427]
Notes:
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has adopted Resolution 2427 to protect children in armed conflict. It aimed at providing legal framework for mainstreaming protection, rights, well-being and empowerment of children throughout the conflict cycle. The resolution 2427, which won unanimous approval of the 15 members of the council, strongly condemns the recruitment and use of children by parties to armed conflict as well as their re-recruitment, killing and maiming, rape and other forms of sexual violence, and abductions. It demands that all relevant parties immediately put an end to such practices and take special measures to protect children. The resolution also emphasizes the responsibility of all states to put an end to impunity and to investigate and prosecute those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other egregious crimes perpetrated against children. The council was chaired by Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven.
9. Who among the following was the author of the book “Unhappy India” written as a response to the book “Mother India” ?
[A] Lala Lajpat Rai
[B] Lala Hardayal
[C] Mahatma Gandhi
[D] Balgangadhar Tilak
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Lala Lajpat Rai]
Notes:
“Unhappy India” was written by Lala Lajpat Rai. It was published in the year 1928. The book was a reply to “Mother India” written by Katherine Mayo.
10. Who is the author of the novel “Accidental Magic”?
[A] Diya Kar
[B] Keshava Guha
[C] Harper Collins
[D] Ramachandra Guha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Keshava Guha]
Notes:
Author Keshava Guha has penned his debut novel which channels Harry Potter nostalgia and straddles multiple contexts and themes like fandom, identity, aspirations and relationships. Accidental Magic was launched at the Bangalore Literature Festival. Accidental Magic is the story of four very different people whose lives are brought together by Harry Potter.