1 ALL EXAM ENGLISH QUIZ 18.11.2024 Daily Quiz 1 / 10 Q1. State Bank of India is planning to raise up to how many billion as five-year debt? $1 billion $1.25 billion $1.5 billion $2 billion Explanation: State Bank of India is looking to raise up to $1.25 billion for a five-year loan, which would be the largest dollar-denominated loan from India's financial sector in 2024. CTBC Bank, HSBC Holdings PLC and Taipei Fubon Bank are arranging the five-year loan, which carries an interest margin of 92.5 basis points over the risk-free secured overnight financing rate. SBI is raising this facility for general corporate purposes through its branch in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, the country's newest financial hub. 2 / 10 Q2. What is the theme for National Press Day 2024? Press for Democracy Changing Nature of the Press Journalism in the Digital Age Freedom and Responsibility Explanation: National Press Day is observed annually on 16 November to commemorate the setting up of the Press Council of India (PCI) in 1966. It is observed as a day to recognize the importance of the free and responsible press in a democratic society. The theme for National Press Day 2024 is “Changing nature of the press”. Press Council of India was formed on 4 July 1966 on the recommendations of the First Press Commission. The Press Council of India is a statutory and quasi-judicial body. It was re-established in the year 1979 under the Press Council Act, 1978. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai is the current chairperson of the Press Council of India. 3 / 10 Q3. Union Government has launched which program to enhance the quality of research-oriented higher education in the country? Innovation India Program Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Research Excellence Initiative Higher Education Advancement Framework Explanation: Union Government has launched the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) programme. Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) program will enhance the quality of research-oriented higher education in the country. The PAIR program will promote research excellence in central and state public universities via a mentorship-driven hub and spoke model. Under the hub and spoke model, such universities will be paired where research is at a nascent stage. The PAIR program will act as a catalyst for transformative research in universities. It will provide the necessary mentorship to elevate overall research standards. Hub institutions will include the top 25 NIRF overall ranking as well as Institutions of National Importance within the top 50 NIRF overall ranking. Every PAIR network would consist of one hub and up to seven spoke institutions. Only one proposal per hub institution will be allowed with the involvement of multi-departmental faculty teams from spoke institutions. The program’s main objective is to promote innovation in emerging institutions by leveraging mentorship from high-ranking institutions. 4 / 10 Q4. Asia’s largest open-air trade fair, ‘Bali Jatra,’ has started in which Indian state? West Bengal Odisha Kerala Andhra Pradesh Explanation: SAsia’s largest open-air trade fair ‘Bali Jatra’ started in Odisha. Bali Jatra, Asia’s largest open-air trade fair, is observed to celebrate Odisha’s ancient sea-trading history. This year’s fair started on the full moon day of Kartika and will end on 22nd November. It is observed in the memory of Odisha’s old tradition of traders sailing to distant lands in boats called Boitas from the Mahanadi River during Kartika Purnima. Cultural groups from Odisha and other states will perform dances like Odissi, Chhau, Bihu, Mahari, Gotipua, etc. on this occasion. 5 / 10 Q5. India's GDP is expected to rise at 6.5–7% until _______________, according to S&P Global Ratings. FY 2026–2027 FY 2025–2026 FY 2027–2028 FY 2028–2029 Explanation: India's GDP is expected to rise at 6.5–7% until FY 2026–2027, according to S&P Global Ratings. In its most recent global bank outlook report, S&P Global Ratings predicted that India's GDP will expand by 6.5% to 7% per year during the next three fiscal years, ending in 2027. Infrastructure development and rising consumption will be the main drivers of this GDP growth. The report states that the resilience of India's financial institutions will be supported by structural improvements and promising economic prospects. According to the report, improved bank capitalisation and increased demand should accelerate the growth of bank loans. In the medium run, the financial system will be strengthened by the RBI's regulatory crackdown. Last month, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das also predicted that real GDP growth in India will likely reach 7.2% in FY 2024–2025. However, the S&P Global analysis noted that growth linked to capital expenditures could be delayed by outside factors. S&P Global Ratings is a division of S&P Global. It is a leading credit rating agency. 6 / 10 Q6. In which India’s neighboring countries the ruling National People's Power (NPP) has won the parliamentary election by a wide margin? Sri Lanka Pakistan Nepal Bangladesh Explanation: In Sri Lanka, the NPP has won the parliamentary election by a wide margin. The ruling National People's Power (NPP) of Sri Lanka has registered a landslide victory, gaining a two-thirds majority in the Parliament. In the 225-member house, the left-wing coalition secured 159 seats. With 40 seats, Sajith Premadasa's Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the largest opposition party, came at second place. Arasu Kadchi, an Ilankai Tamil, won eight seats. Only five seats were won by the New Democratic Front, which was allied with former President Ranil Wickremasinghe. In Sri Lanka, Parliamentary elections were held on 14 November 2024. Anura Kumara Dissanayake is the 10th and current president of Sri Lanka. The National People's Power (NPP) or Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) includes 21 political parties and other organisations. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is the current leader of the electoral coalition (NPP). 7 / 10 Q7. Which airport won global recognition for digital innovations at the 'Airport Excellence Awards' during the Saudi Airport Exhibition 2024? GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL) Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai Explanation: Hyderabad Airport won global recognition for digital innovations. At the 'Airport Excellence Awards' held during the Saudi Airport Exhibition 2024, GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL) has received international accolades for its advancements in digital innovation. On November 12, the awards ceremony was held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre (RICEC), celebrating leading global innovations in the aviation industry. GHIAL's 'Digital Twin' received the award in the Innovation & Technology and Facility Management categories. One of GHIAL’s other innovations, the ‘Smart Shopping Trolley’, was adjudged the runner-up in the Airport Revenue Management category. The digital twin at RGIA creates a virtual replica of the physical airport. Through real-time data integration from CCTV, sensors and IoT devices, this advanced model offers a holistic, data-driven view of airport operations, from terminal functionality to passenger flow and resource management. 8 / 10 Q8. Who has been appointed as the Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation with effect from November 13? Arvinder Singh Sahney Mukesh Kumar Surana Shrikant Madhav Vaidya Hardeep Singh Puri Explanation: Arvinder Singh Sahney has been appointed Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation with effect from November 13. He replaced Director (Marketing) V. Sathish Kumar, who was holding the additional charge of Chairman after the completion of the tenure of S.M. Vaidya. Before to this appointment, he was the Petrochemical Vertical Head of the National Oil Marketing Company. Mr. Sahney has over three decades of experience in the Refinery and Petrochemical sector. Sahney has extensive experience having worked in five of Indian Oil's nine refineries. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC): It is a Maharatna PSU that was formed in 1959. It is the largest commercial oil company in India. Headquarters of IOC: New Delhi 9 / 10 Q9. Which organization successfully tested the 75 km guided Pinaka rocket system on November 14, 2024? Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) Indian Ordnance Factory (IOF) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Explanation: On 14 November 2024, DRDO announced the successful completion of the guided Pinaka multi-barrel rocket (MBRL) system's flight tests under Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR) validation trials, clearing the way for its induction. This increases the range of Pinaka to more than 75 km. The flight tests were conducted in three phases at various field firing ranges. During these trials, the rockets were extensively tested to evaluate PSQR parameters like range, accuracy, stability and fire rate against multiple targets in salvo mode. Twelve rockets from each production agency have been test fired from two serving Pinaka launchers upgraded by the launcher production agencies. The Indian Army has four Pinaka regiments in service and six more on order. The Pinaka Mk1 has a range of 38 kilometres and several extended range variants are being developed. It can fire a variety of ammunition. Eventually, the plan is to extend its range to 120 kilometres and then to 300 kilometres. 10 / 10 Q10. Which organization collaborated with Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council in Leh to establish the world’s first high-altitude para sports centre? Indian Olympic Association Paralympic Committee of India Sports Authority of India Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF) Explanation: World's first high altitude para sports centre to be built in Leh. The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in Leh in collaboration with Aditya Mehta Foundation (AMF) has taken a significant step to set up the world's first high altitude para sports centre to support para-athletes. The facility aims to enhance the capabilities and confidence of Indian para-athletes in preparation for the 2028 Paralympics. Recently, LAHDC, Leh and AMF signed MoU, which is an important step for Indian sports at the international level. Till the new facility becomes operational, AMF will identify and provide support to 15 children with special needs (CWSN) from the Leh-Ladakh region. The Leh centre will offer a wide range of para sports training, including archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, judo, swimming, wheelchair basketball and more. Additionally, winter para sports such as alpine skiing, biathlon and wheelchair curling will be an integral part of the programme. 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