1. Where has Union Minister Anurag Thakur flagged off the “India in Paris” campaign with a mini marathon?
A. New Delhi
B. Dehradun
C. Kanpur
D. Jaipur
2. Which city has topped the Economist Intelligence Unit’s ‘Global Liveability Index 2023’?
A. Copenhagen
B. Vienna
C. Melbourne
D. Sydney
3. Defense initiative INDUS-X Defense Acceleration Ecosystem between India and which country has been launched?
A. France
B. Japan
C. America
D. Singapore
4. Which IIT institute has conducted a test flight for cloud seeding?
A. IIT Delhi
B. IIT Guwahati
C. IIT Bombay
D. IIT Kanpur
5. India has become which member of the ‘Artemis Mission Agreement’ of the United States?
A. 28th
B. 45th
C. 38th
D. 19th
6. The book titled “Finance Ministers of India” authored by whom has been released?
A. Sudhir mankad
B. A.K. Bhattacharya
C. Bhupendra Patel
D. Narendra Singh
7. In which state and union territory ‘Balidaan Stambh’ has been inaugurated?
A. New Delhi
B. Uttarakhand
C. Jammu and Kashmir
D. Tamil Nadu
8. Which state government has implemented Legal Aid Defense Consult System (LADCS) to provide free legal aid to the needy?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Rajasthan
C. Karnataka
D. Uttar Pradesh
9. The Union Environment Ministry has given the final approval for ‘Kalaignar Kalam Memorial’?
A. Bay of Bengal
B. The River Ganges
C. Arabian Sea
D. Indian Ocean
10. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has inaugurated the Integrated Simulator Complex ‘Dhruv’ in which city?
A. Mumbai
B. Kochi
C. Kolkata
D. Chennai
11. Consider the following statements related to Medicines Patent Pool Deal:
1. Recently, the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) signed sub-license agreements with three India-based companies, Eugia, Hetero, and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, along with Indonesian firm BrightGene to manufacture generic versions of Novartis’ cancer treatment drug Nilotinib.
2. Medicines Patent Poolwas founded in July 2012, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Which of the above statement/statements are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
12. Consider the following statements related to 2023 report on global liveability index :
1. Economist Intelligence Unit released its 2023 report on global liveability index, placing Austria’s capital Vienna as the top ranked city to live in 2023.
2. It rates living conditions in 163 cities across five categories.
3. New Delhi and Mumbai are at 141st position and Chennai at 144th. Ahmedabad and Bengaluru are ranked 147 and 148, respectively.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 are correct
B. 1 and 3 are correct
C. 2 and 3 are correct
D. All of the above
13. Consider the following statements related to Joha rice :
1. Joha rice, a variety cultivated in the Northeastern region of India, has gained attention for its distinct aroma and notable taste.
2. Beyond its sensory appeal, Joha rice has been traditionally associated with health benefits, including a low incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Which of the above statement/statements are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
14. Consider the following statements:
1. Indian Prime Minister (PM) has visited Egypt for the first time since 1997 to discuss bilateral relations between India and Egypt.
2. The Government of Egypt bestowed the highest honor of the land — the Order of the Nile — on the PM.
3. Instituted in 1915, the ‘Order of the Nile’ is conferred upon heads of states, crown princes, and vice presidents who offer Egypt or humanity invaluable services.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 are correct
B. 1 and 3 are correct
C. 2 and 3 are correct
D. All of the above
Answer:
Answer: 1) A
Explanation
Anurag Singh Thakur flagged off the campaign with a short marathon at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on 23 June.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has launched the “Bharat in Paris” campaign to create awareness and promote sports across India ahead of the Paris Olympics games.
The 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11.
Answer: 2) B
Explanation
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has recently released its much-awaited list of the world’s best cities to live in 2023.
The ranking has been provided to the cities on the basis of five metrics namely Healthcare, Culture, Environment, Education and Sustainability.
This year, 172 cities were included in the index. For the second year in a row, Vienna (Austria) has been declared the best city to live in the world.
The Global Liveability Index 2023 attributes Vienna’s success to a unique combination of sustainability, quality infrastructure, quality education and health services, and cultural and entertainment diversity.
Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, has retained its second position in the list. It is followed by two Australian cities Melbourne and Sydney respectively.
Answer: 3) C
Explanation
U.S. Department of Defense and the Indian Ministry of Defense launched the India-U S Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) at an event hosted by the U S-India Business Council.
The launch of INDUS-X is a major milestone in promoting US-India defense cooperation, innovation, and job creation.
The initiative seeks to enhance defense capabilities and contribute to global peace, security and prosperity while reaffirming commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
INDUS-X aims to revitalize defense industrial cooperation between the United States and India, promoting the development of new technologies and fostering collaboration in manufacturing.
It represents a strategic effort to strengthen bilateral ties and unlock the potential for advancements in the defense sector.
Answer: 4) D
Explanation
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has recently undertaken a significant test flight with the aim of cloud seeding.
Cloud seeding is a process that involves the introduction of various chemical agents into clouds to enhance the chances of precipitation.
The primary purpose of the test flight conducted by IIT Kanpur was to explore cloud seeding as a potential solution to combat dry conditions and air pollution. The technique involves modifying atmospheric conditions to encourage rainfall and improve air quality.
Answer: 5) A
Explanation
During his state visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed the Artemis agreement with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), highlighting the growing importance of India’s role as a global space power.
The agreement establishes the foundation for cooperation in space exploration and underlines India’s commitment to peaceful space activities.
Nations Participating in the Artemis Accord
The agreement was signed in October 2020 by the directors of the national space agencies of the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Luxembourg, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
Ukraine joined the agreement a month later. Subsequently, in 2021 the agreement was extended to South Korea, New Zealand, Brazil, Poland, Isle of Man and Mexico.
In 2022, Israel, Romania, Bahrain, Singapore, Colombia, France, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Nigeria and the Czech Republic also become signatories.
Spain, Ecuador and now India have also joined it, taking the total number of participating countries to 28.
Answer: 6) B
Explanation
Journalist A.K. Bhattacharya wrote a new book titled “Finance Ministers of India: From Independence to the Emergency (1947-1977)”.
The book throws light on the role of India’s finance ministers who shaped the country’s economy in the first 30 years after independence.
It covers the period from 1947 to 1977.
The book is published by Penguin Business, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Answer: 7) C
Explanation
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has inaugurated the construction of the Sacrifice Pillar in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha joined them at the park near Lal Chowk, the commercial hub of Srinagar.
The memorial is a part of the Srinagar Smart City project and serves as a tribute to the brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Answer: 8) D
Explanation
The Yogi Adityanath government has implemented the Legal Aid Defense Consult System (LADCS) under the Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority for a period of two years to provide free legal aid to the people of the state and settle minor disputes among them.
A compromise formula was worked out. According to an official spokesperson, the government’s objective behind implementing the LADCS is to strengthen court-based legal services to provide effective and efficient legal aid to the weaker and vulnerable sections of the society.
Answer: 9) A
Explanation
Union Environment Ministry granted Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) approval to the Tamil Nadu government’s proposal to build the Muthmiz Arignar Dr Kalaignar Pen Monument in the Bay of Bengal, off Marina beach in Chennai, with 15 conditions.
In its letter to the Public Works Department (PWD) dated 19 June 2023, the Union ministry said the approval was given based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (CRZ) and the Tamil Nadu Coastal Zone Management Authority.
Answer: 10) B
Explanation
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Integrated Simulator Complex (ISC) ‘Dhruv’ at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi.
New indigenously made weapons, submarines and many other forces are continuously increasing in the army fleet of India.
Answer: 11) A
Explanation
Recently, the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) signed sub-license agreements with three India-based companies, Eugia, Hetero, and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, along with Indonesian firm BrightGene to manufacture generic versions of Novartis’ cancer treatment drug Nilotinib.
These agreements allow the production of generic versions of Novartis’ cancer treatment drug Nilotinib, primarily used for Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), in several countries.
The licence covers India, seven middle-income countries, and 44 territories, allowing the generic versions of Nilotinib to be supplied, subject to local regulatory authorization.
Medicines Patent Pool
MPP is a United Nations-backed public health organisation working to increase access to, and facilitate the development of, life-saving medicines for Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC).
It was founded in July 2010, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Answer: 12) B
Explanation
Economist Intelligence Unit released its 2023 report on global liveability index, placing Austria’s capital Vienna as the top ranked city to live in 2023.It rates living conditions in 173 cities across five categories: stability, health care, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
Indian Cities
New Delhi and Mumbai are at 141st position and Chennai at 144th. Ahmedabad and Bengaluru are ranked 147 and 148, respectively.
Challenges Faced by Specific Cities
Kyiv, Ukraine: Despite ongoing efforts, Kyiv ranks at a lowly 165th out of 173 cities, reflecting the challenges faced by the war-ravaged capital.
Damascus, Syria, and Tripoli, Libya: These cities continue to occupy the bottom positions on the livability index, similar to the 2022.
Answer: 13) C
Explanation
Joha rice, a variety cultivated in the Northeastern region of India, has gained attention for its distinct aroma and notable taste.
Beyond its sensory appeal, Joha rice has been traditionally associated with health benefits, including a low incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
In recent years, scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) have conducted research to explore the nutraceutical properties of this unique grain.
Researchers at the IASST have made significant strides in unraveling the nutraceutical properties of Joha rice.
Through their studies, they identified two essential fatty acids: linoleic acid (omega-6) and linolenic acid (omega-3). These fatty acids, which are not produced by the human body, play a vital role in maintaining various physiological conditions. Notably, omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to the prevention of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
Answer: 14) D
Explanation
Indian Prime Minister (PM) has visited Egypt for the first time since 1997 to discuss bilateral relations between India and Egypt.
The Government of Egypt bestowed the highest honor of the land — the Order of the Nile — on the PM.
Instituted in 1915, the ‘Order of the Nile’ is conferred upon heads of states, crown princes, and vice presidents who offer Egypt or humanity invaluable services.
The visit marked the signing of a strategic partnership agreement between India and Egypt, which is a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
The strategic partnership will have broadly four elements
Political
Defense and Security
Economic engagement
Scientific and academic collaboration.
Cultural and people-to-people contact