General Awareness PYQs

The correct answer is ​Rural Electrification Corporation Limited.

Key Points

• Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC) has been accorded the status of a ‘Maharatna’ Central Public Sector Enterprise, thus giving REC greater operational and financial autonomy.
• An order to this effect was issued on 21^st September by the Department of Public Enterprises, under the Ministry of Finance.
• Incorporated in 1969, REC is an NBFC focusing on Power Sector Financing and Development across India.
• Shri Vivek Kumar Dewangan, CMD, REC said that REC achieved this feat owing to its adaptability, resilience, and consistent performance even during the global covid-19 pandemic.
• REC has played a key role in the success of the flagship schemes of the Government of India such as DDUGJY and SAUBHAGYA and has contributed towards achieving village and household electrification in the country.
• The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) is an Indian government scheme intending to provide an uninterrupted power supply to the rural parts of India.
• Saubhagya Scheme or Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana is an Indian government project to provide electricity to non-electrified rural households.

Additional Information List of Maharatna Companies in India 2022

Te correct answer is option (3) i.e. NBFC can provide loan facility to its customer.

• NBFC stands for Non-Banking Financial Company it is a company registered under the companies act 1956.
• NBFCs are engaged in the business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares or bonds or debentures or securities.
• NBFC allows deposits and also provide loans facility.
• All the above options are the facilities that the bank offers but NBFCs have restricted area of operations.

The correct answer is Order of the Chain of Yellow Star.

In News

• Suriname confers highest civilian award to President Droupadi Murmu in June 2023.

Key Points

• Suriname conferred its highest civilian honor, the Grand Order of the Chain of Yellow Star, to President Droupadi Murmu.
• She is the 1^st Indian to receive the award.
• She received the award from Suriname's President Chandrikapersad Santokhi during her state visit to Suriname.
• The visit coincides with Suriname's commemoration of the 150^th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in the country.

Additional Information

• Suriname:
• Suriname is a small country on the northeastern coast of South America.
• It is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
• It is the only sovereign nation outside of Europe where Dutch is the official language.
• It is the smallest sovereign state in South America.
• Official language: Dutch
• Capital: Paramaribo
• Currency: Surinamese dollar

The correct answer is 2030-31.

In News

• The Union Cabinet on 19 April, 2023 approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) at a total cost of Rs.6003.65 crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31, aiming to seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT).

Key Points

• This will accelerate QT led economic growth, nurture the ecosystem in the country and make India one of the leading nations in the development of Quantum Technologies & Applications (QTA).
• The new mission targets developing intermediate scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology.
• Satellite based secure quantum communications between ground stations over a range of 2000 kilometres within India, long distance secure quantum communications with other countries, inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km as well as multi-node Quantum network with quantum memories are also some of the deliverables of the Mission.
• The mission will help develop magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems and Atomic Clocks for precision timing, communications and navigation.

Additional Information

• NQM will also support design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures and topological materials for fabrication of quantum devices.
• Single photon sources/detectors, entangled photon sources will also be developed for quantum communications, sensing and metrological applications.
• Four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) will be set up in top academic and National R&D institutes on the domains - Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology and Quantum Materials & Devices.
• The hubs which will focus on generation of new knowledge through basic and applied research as well as promote R&D in areas that are mandated to them.

The correct answer is AccesRail.

Key Points

• Air India signed an agreement with AccesRail to provide access to bus & train connections in European cities
• Air India has forged an intermodal interline partnership with renowned IATA travel partner, AccesRail.
• This collaboration seeks to connect Air India travellers to over 100 European cities, even those in remote regions without airports, via an integrated network of trains and buses.
• This alliance empowers Air India travellers with the convenience of a single intermodal ticket, facilitating a smooth transition between air and ground transportation.
• Passengers can access interconnected train and bus services, fostering efficient travel across Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Additional Information

• AccesRail helps to facilitate intermodality in the travel industry by providing seamless access to an extensive network of rail and bus operators worldwide.
• Through major airline global distribution systems, travel agents, airlines and online platforms can book rail and bus tickets in conjunction with flights, making it easy for travelers to connect from one mode of transportation to another.

The correct answer is 1, 2, and 3 only.

Key Points

Lunar missions

• Artemis mission
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) rolled out its Artemis I moon mission to the launchpad for testing at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, United States
• NASA’s Artemis mission is touted as the next generation of lunar exploration and is named after the twin sister of Apollo from Greek mythology.
• It is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions that will enable human exploration to the Moon and Mars.
• With the Artemis programme, NASA aims to land humans on the moon by 2024, and it also plans to land the first woman and first person of colour on the moon.
• Chang'e 4
• Chang’e 4 is the fourth mission in China’s lunar mission series which is named after the Chinese moon goddess.
• The tasks of the Chang’e-4 probe include low-frequency radio astronomical observation, surveying the terrain and landforms, detecting the mineral composition, and measuring the neutron radiation and neutral atoms to study the environment on the far side of the moon.
• VIPER
• Agency: NASA
• VIPER stands for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover. It is a mobile robot.
• Objectives:
• To explore the Moon’s South Pole region.
• Help create lunar resource maps.
• Evaluate the concentration of water as well as other potential resources on its surface.
• To understand if it is possible for human life to sustain there, by using locally available resources.
• It is the first resource mapping mission on any other celestial body.
• Mission Chandrayaan
• The Chandrayaan programme also known as the Indian Lunar Exploration Programme is an ongoing series of outer space missions by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for the exploration of the Moon.
• The program incorporates a lunar orbiter, an impactor, a soft lander and a rover spacecraft.

Additional Information

Hope mission

• UAE, the Arab world’s first mission to Mars.
• The primary objective of the mission is to study Martian weather dynamics.

The Correct Answer is Neerakshi.

In News

• India launches 'Neerakshi' - Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for mine detection.

Key Points

• India has introduced an innovative Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) named ‘Neerakshi’ designed for mine detection
• Developed by: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd and AEPL, an MSME entity.
• Features: 2.1-meter-long cylindrical AUV, weighing around 45 kg, can perform various tasks such as mine detection, disposal, and underwater surveys.
• It has an endurance of four hours and a depth of up to 300 meters, making it a versatile tool for ensuring coastal safety and protection.

The correct order is;

The correct answer is All of the Above.

Key Points

• The following Public Authorities come under the Ministry of Civil Aviation:
• Aero Club of India
• Office of Director General Civil Aviation
• Bureau of Civil Aviation Security
• Commissioner of Railway Security
• Airports Authority of India
• AI Assets Holding Limited (AIAHL)
• Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited
• Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
• Hotel Corporation of India
• Airport Economic Regulatory Authority
• Airport Economic Regulatory Authority

The correct answer is 2015.

In News

• The Sports Authority of India (SAI) integrated Khelo India Games Certificates with DigiLocker on 6 April 2023.

Key Points

• The Khelo India Games participating athletes and other stakeholders will now be able to access their certificates of merit and participation from the Khelo India Youth Games 2022 in Madhya Pradesh onwards.
• The Khelo India programme has been introduced to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all sports played in our country and establish India as a great sporting nation.
• DigiLocker is an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY).
• The beta version of the service was rolled out in February 2015, and launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 July 2015.

Additional Information

• The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is the apex national sports body of India, established in 1982 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of Government of India for the development of sports in India. 
• Two "SAI Sports Academic" institutions- Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (at Patiala in Punjab) and Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala), are conducting research and running certificate to PhD level courses in physical education and sports medicine.

The Correct Answer is General Insurance Company.

Key Points

• The General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC of India) is the sole National Reinsurer.
• It provides Reinsurance to the Insurance companies in India.
• General Insurance Corporation of India Limited abbreviated as GIC Re.
• It is an Indian public sector reinsurance company.
• It was incorporated under the Companies Act 1956 on 22 November 1972.
• Headquarters of GIC:- Mumbai

The correct option is 'spreading voter awareness and promoting voter literacy in India'.

Key Points

• SVEEP stands for Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation. It is an initiative launched by the Election Commission of India with the aim of spreading voter awareness and promoting voter literacy in India.
• The primary objective of SVEEP is to enhance the participation of eligible voters in the electoral process and ensure that they are well-informed about their rights and responsibilities as voters.
• Under the SVEEP initiative, various activities are undertaken to educate and engage voters. These activities include voter registration drives, awareness campaigns, voter education programs in schools and colleges, and leveraging various media platforms for disseminating election-related information.
• SVEEP also focuses on addressing specific challenges such as low voter turnout in certain regions or sections of the population. It aims to bridge the information gap, encourage voter registration, and facilitate voter participation through innovative and targeted strategies.

The correct answer is Uttar Pradesh.

In News

• Praveen Kumar wins bronze in Para Athletics Worlds, books 2024 Paris Paralympics berth

Key Points

• India's Praveen Kumar won a bronze in the men's high jump T64 event in the World Para Athletics Championships here to book a 2024 Paris Paralympics quota.
• The 20-year-old Kumar produced a season's best effort of 2.01m to finish third behind Lepiato Maciej (2.05m) of Poland and Broom-Edwards Jonathan (2.05m) of Great Britain on Monday.
• Kumar's medal is the first for India in the championships.
• The Noida resident had won a silver in the Tokyo Paralympics.
• The top-four ranked athletes at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in each of the individual medal events qualify for the 2024 Paralympic Games, also to be held in Paris.
• T44 classification is for athletes with a leg deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement in the legs.

The correct answer is ​Spain.

In News

• Spain beat England 1-0 to become Women's World Cup champions.

Key Points

• Spain beat England by a margin of 1-0 in the final of the Women’s World Cup.
• This was courtesy of a firm strike from Olga Carmona from the left wing that beat England goalkeeper Mary Earps in the first half.
• The Spanish team has a tournament-best 18 goals in this World Cup.
• With this win, Spain also became only the second nation to clinch both the men’s and the women’s World Cups after Germany.

The correct answer is Jordan.

Key Points

• The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent.
• It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999).
• The following are the few aims of the AU:
• Achieve greater unity and solidarity between African countries and their the people.
• Defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States.
• Accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the continent.
• Promote and defend African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples.
• Encourage international cooperation.
• Promote peace, security, and stability on the continent.
• Promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• The Miyawaki technique is an urban afforestation method by turning someone’s backyard into a forest. Hence Option 3 is correct.
• Miyawaki is a technique pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, that helps build dense, native forests in a short time.
• It has revolutionized the concept of urban afforestation by turning backyards into mini-forests.
• This method includes planting trees (only native species) as close as possible in the same area which not only saves space, but the planted saplings also support each other in growth and block sunlight from reaching the ground, thereby preventing the growth of weeds.
• The saplings become maintenance-free (self-sustainable) after the first three years.
• Miyawaki Process
• Examine the Soil Texture and Measure Biomass.
• Select Native Species for Plantation.
• Prepare the Ground and Equip the Forest Area.
• Start the Plantation Process.
• Take Care of the Forest for the Next 3 Years.
• The Miyawaki method helps create self-sustaining vegetation within 2 to 3 years, whereas a traditional procedure takes nearly 100 years.
• The approach is supposed to ensure that plant growth is 10 times faster and the resulting plantation is 30 times denser than usual.

The correct answer is Tata Group.

Key Points

• Zudio is a brand associated with the Tata Group.
• Zudio is a fast-fashion brand that's part of the portfolio of Trent Ltd., a retail arm under the esteemed Tata Group umbrella, marking its presence prominently in the Indian retail market.
• Zudio was introduced to the Indian market in 2016.
• It emerged under the Tata Group's vision to cater to the growing demand for trendy yet affordable fashion across India.

Additional Information

• Other famous brands under the Tata Group are:
• Zara
• Fastrack
• Tanishq
• Titan
• Westside

The correct answer is All of the Above.

Key Points

• The following are the 3 Pillars of Cooperation under BRICS:
• Political and Security Cooperation
• Financial and Economic Cooperation
• Cultural and People-to-People Cooperation

The correct answer is ​United Arab Emirates.

Key Points 

 G20:

• Founded in 1999.
• It is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors.
• Aim- To discuss the policies pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability.
• Members: 
• ​19 countries and the European Union (EU).
• Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, and the African Union.
• Union Commerce and Industry Minister recently attended the 2^nd G20 Virtual Trade & Investment Ministers Meeting, held through video-conferencing.

Additional Information 

• India will assume the presidency of the G20 (Group of Twenty) for a year starting 1 December 2022 and is expected to host over 200 meetings across the country during its presidency tenure.
• The next G20 summit will be held in New Delhi on September 9 and September 10, 2023.
• The G20 presidency keeps rotating every year among member nations.
• The country holding the presidency, together with the previous and next presidency-holder, forms the ‘Troika.’

The correct answer is Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Key Points

• Everything Everywhere All at Once won the Best Picture award at the 2023 Oscars.

• Everything Everywhere All at Once is also known by its initials EEAAO.

• It is a 2022 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (collectively known as "Daniels").

Additional Information

• The movie Everything Everywhere All At Once won the award for Best Editing at BAFTA 2023.