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General Knowledge(GK) (or) General Awareness

Welcome to the General Knowledge Section of Free Time Learning. As we are aware General Knowledge (GK) is a very important area in all the competitive exams held in the country. Nowadays, a good knowledge of general awareness is very important in clearing any competitive and government recruitment examinations.

These General Knowledge Question are very important and usefull to UPSC, IAS/PCS, UPPSC, IBPS, SBI, RBI, SSC, CGL, Railway, APPSC, TSPSC, KPSC, TNPSC, TPSC, UPPSC, MPSC, RPSC, BPSC, MPPSC, UKPSC, MPSC, and other competitive exams.

A)
Australia
B)
Malaysia
C)
India
D)
Netherland

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Netherland


Netherlands defeated India to win the final of the first FIH Hockey 5s Women's World Cup played in Muscat, Oman on Saturday (27th Jan 2024)

* In the final match, India had to face a 7-2 defeat by the Netherlands.
* Jyoti Chhatri (20th minute) and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal (23rd minute) scored goals for India.
* The Polish women's team finished third in the competition.

Tournament Awards and Honours :

* Best Goalkeeper: Marta Kucharska (Poland)
* Best Junior Player - Deepika Soreng (India)
* Top scorer – Teresa Viana (Uruguay) with 19 goals
* Best Player - Noor De Baat (Netherlands)

FIH Hockey 5s Women's World Cup 2024 :

The first edition of the FIH Hockey 5s World Cup was held from January 24 to January 27 in Muscat, the capital of Oman.

Teams :

A total of 16 teams participated.

* Pool A – Fiji, Malaysia, Netherlands, Oman
* Pool B – Australia, South Africa, Ukraine, Zambia
* Pool C – India, Namibia, Poland, United States
* Pool D – New Zealand, Paraguay, Thailand, Uruguay

Indian women's team :

* Captain – Rajani Etimarpu (Goalkeeper)
* Vice Captain – Mahima Chaudhary
* Other members – Bansari Solanki, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Jyoti Chhatri, Mariana Kujur, Mumtaz Khan, Azmina Kujur, Rutuja, Dadaso Pisal and Deepika Soreng.

Hockey 5-s?

* Hockey 5-s is a new and shorter format of hockey played with great speed and high skill.
* In this match which lasts a total 20 minutes, both teams have five players each.
* The playing field for this shorter format is half the size of the regular field.
* As per FIH rules, the turf size of Hockey 5-S will be a maximum of 55 X 42 metres, while the minimum is 40 X 28 meters..

Source : FIH Hockey

Published On : January 29, 2024
A)
Sikkim
B)
Nagaland
C)
Manipur
D)
Meghalaya

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Nagaland


The much-awaited 4th edition of Rüsoma Orange Festival 2024 is set to begin at Rüsoma village in Kohima district, Nagaland with a two-day programme from 24th January 2024. Addressing a press conference at Vivid Lounge here on Monday, Kekhrie Pfukha, spokesperson for the organiser of Rüsoma Orange Festival, extended a warm invitation to everyone to join the festival and savour the flavour of the “finest oranges” cultivated in the fertile soil of Rüsoma village, 12 km from the state capital.

Referring to Rüsoma as the “Gardening Village” or Tezie Kechü Rüna, he said oranges were a prominent fruit, and the Orange Festival, also known as Shühuo Nyi, originated in 2020 through the efforts of entrepreneur and biker Thejakielie Zuyie.

Since then, he mentioned that the festival had become an annual celebration, earning Rüsoma the moniker of an orange land. He informed the media that event brought together farmers, entrepreneurs, and community members, showcasing a variety of orange products, from fresh produce to juices, jams, and other value-added items.

Pfukha revealed that the opening ceremony would feature live music performances, culinary displays, art exhibitions, and various activities centred around the orange theme.

He disclosed that the honoured guest at the event would be Horticulture & Women Resource Development minister Salhoutuonuo Kruse at 10 am.

He pointed out that Rüsoma village with a population of 2,810, according to the 2022 Census, had a long tradition of orange farming, acting as a unifying force in the community, fostering joy and festivity. He mentioned that the festival this year aimed at continuing this tradition, showcasing the village’s rich cultural heritage and abundant harvest, emphasising agricultural prowess, unity, and community resilience.
The spokesperson emphasized Rüsoma’s rich soil and the village’s unique organic orange farming which was divided into eight units called khels. He said the village engaged in terrace cultivation as a primary occupation.

He pointed out that despite investments in youth education for independence and self-reliance, traditional practices like farming, livestock rearing, and maintaining the dignity of work were actively encouraged to preserve cultural heritage and sustain livelihoods. Highlighting the orange growers data, Khriezotoulie Chase, another spokesperson, disclosed that there were around 28,700 non-bearing trees (orange saplings under plantation), 14,100 orange trees bearing fruits with a total of 42,800 in total. He said the farmers were expecting a profit of Rs 53,47,500 over the two-day event and looking ahead, claiming that the organisers aimed to increase revenue significantly, targeting a range of about Rs 5-6 crore in the upcoming years. He said the profit in 2023 was Rs 40 lakh.

Chase stated that during the two-day festival, a farmer had the potential to earn between Rs 2-3 lakh and highlighted the varying yields from orange trees, with some bearing as much as 230 kg of fruit, while others ranged from 80 to 150 kg.

The festival gates are set to open at 9:30 am, with tickets priced at Rs 10 per person. Growers can participate in competitions such as best stall, biggest stall, sweetest orange, and biggest orange, with a total of 42 stalls available. To enhance the festival experience, orchard camping and paying guest accommodations will be provided at nominal rates. Chase extended an invitation to everyone to be a part of this vibrant celebration..

Source : Nagaland Post

Published On : January 29, 2024
A)
INSAT-3AS
B)
INSAT-3BS
C)
INSAT-3CS
D)
INSAT-3DS

Correct Answer : Option (D) - INSAT-3DS


ISRO on Saturday (27th Jan 2024) said its meteorological satellite INSAT-3DS has been flagged off to Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR at Sriharikota for the launch onboard GSLV F14.

The satellite had successfully completed satellite assembly, integration and testing activities at U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru.

The satellite is a user-funded project with the Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), configured around ISRO's I-2k bus platform with a lift-off mass of 2275 kg. Indian Industries have significantly contributed in the making of the satellite.

According to sources, the space agency is said to be aiming for a mid-February 2024 launch.

"INSAT-3DS, is an exclusive meteorological satellite realised by ISRO with the primary objective to provide continuity of services to the existing in-orbit INSAT-3D and 3DR satellites and significantly enhancing the capabilities of the INSAT system," ISRO said.


It was flagged off to SDSC-SHAR launch port in Andhra Pradesh on 25th January 2024, it said, adding that Pre-Shipment Review (PSR) was also held with the participation of members from the user community.

According to ISRO, the satellite is designed for enhanced meteorological observations and monitoring of land and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting and disaster warning, with state-of-the-art payloads: 6 channel Imager & 19 channel Sounder meteorology payloads, communication payloads viz., The Data Relay Transponder (DRT) and Satellite aided Search and Rescue (SAS&R) transponder.

The DRT instrument receives meteorological, hydrological and oceanographic data from automatic Data Collection Platforms or Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and augments the weather forecasting capabilities.

SAS&R transponder is incorporated in the satellite to relay a distress signal or alert detection from the beacon transmitters for search and rescue services with global receive coverage..

Source : Business Standard

Published On : January 29, 2024
A)
Qatar
B)
Saudi Arabia
C)
Oman
D)
Bahrain

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Saudi Arabia


The inaugural edition of India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ commenced today at Mahajan, Rajasthan. The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 29th January to 10th February 2024.

The Saudi Arabian contingent comprising 45 personnel is being represented by Royal Saudi Land Forces. The Indian Army contingent also comprising 45 personnel is being represented by a Battalion from the Brigade of the Guards (Mechanised Infantry).

Aim of the Exercise is to train troops of both sides for Joint Operations in Semi Desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The Exercise will enable both the sides to share their best practices in the tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting operations in sub-conventional domain. It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops from both the sides.

The Exercise will involve Establishment of Mobile Vehicle Check Post, Cordon & Search Operation, House Intervention Drill, Reflex Shooting, Slithering and Sniper Firing. The Exercise will provide an opportunity to both the contingents to strengthen their bond. It will act as a platform to achieve shared security objectives, enhance the level of defence cooperation and foster bilateral relations between the two friendly nations..

Source : PIB

Published On : January 29, 2024
A)
Bank of Baroda
B)
ICICI Bank
C)
State Bank of India
D)
Punjab National Bank

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Bank of Baroda


State-owned lender, Bank of Baroda on 25 January 2024 said it has raised Rs 5,000 crore through 10-year infrastructure bonds at a coupon rate of 7.57 percent, release said.

The Bank received a total of 128 bids amounting to Rs 14,950 crore against the total issue size of Rs 5,000 crore, the lender said in a release.

On 23 January 2024, Moneycontrol reported that Bank of Baroda will on 24 January 2024 issue infrastructure bonds worth Rs 5,000 crore maturing in 10 years.

The bonds have a base issue of Rs 1,000 crore, with retain oversubscription of Rs 4,000 crore as a greenshoe option. It is a provision in an underwriting agreement that grants the underwriter the right to sell investors more bonds than initially planned by the issuer if the demand for a security issue proves higher than expected.


The Bank said that the private placement of long-term infrastructure bonds received an overwhelming response, resulting in over-subscription which allowed it to price the issue at a competitive 7.57 percent.

The allotment of these bonds took place on 25th January 2024. The bonds are rated AAA with a Stable outlook by CRISIL and India Ratings.

On 25th January 2024, Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services, Edel Finance Company, PCBL, Advaya Chemicals Industries, SMFG India Credit Company, L&T Finance Holdings, and Axis Finance raised funds..

Source : Money Control

Published On : January 29, 2024
A)
Rohan Bopanna
B)
Rajeev Ram
C)
Rinky Hijikata
D)
Mahesh Bhupathi

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Rohan Bopanna


Rohan Bopanna is the fourth Indian to reach the top of the doubles rankings after Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza.

Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna climbed to a career-best world No. 1 in the latest ATP Rankings for doubles released on Monday (29th Jan 2024).

At 43 years and 331 days, Bopanna is the oldest world No. 1 in men’s tennis. He is also the fourth Indian tennis player after Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza to reach the top of the tennis rankings. All four are also the only Indian Grand Slam winners.

“I think it's just going to inspire a lot of people,” Bopanna said. “I don't think just in tennis. People all over the world, being 40 and above, I think it's just going to inspire them in a different way.”

Rohan Bopanna won his career’s first men’s doubles Grand Slam at the Australian Open 2024 on Saturday to jump two places in the ATP Rankings. Bopanna’s Australian partner Matthew Ebden is the new world No. 2.

The timing of Bopanna’s rise in the rankings also comes at a good time for Indian tennis with the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon.


The first to qualify for the men’s doubles will be the top 10 players in the ATP doubles rankings, as long as they have an available partner from their country inside the top 300 in June.

Bopanna was ranked 19th at the start of the 2023 season. He struggled with a knee injury in 2022 and had to withdraw from multiple events, including the Davis Cup. However, he has been in top form since his recovery.

Alongside Ebden, Bopanna won the Indian Wells Masters to become the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion in history last year. The Indo-Australian pair made the men’s doubles semi-finals at Wimbledon and the final at the US Open.

Bopanna also reached the mixed doubles final at the 2023 Australian Open with Sania Mirza.

Consequently, Bopanna jumped to a then career-best No. 3 in the men’s doubles rankings in November last year.

Sumit Nagal, at world No. 121, is the top-ranked Indian tennis player in ATP Rankings for singles. He jumped 16 spots in the rankings after reaching the second round at the Australian Open. Nagal defeated Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, then world No. 27, in the first round.

In the WTA Rankings, Ankita Raina, who was ousted in the qualifying rounds at the Australian Open, is India’s top player in women’s singles at world No. 228. Prarthana Thombare is India’s top-ranked player in women’s doubles at world No. 183..

Source : Olympics

Published On : January 29, 2024
A)
31 Persons
B)
36 Persons
C)
40 Persons
D)
45 Persons

Correct Answer : Option (A) - 31 Persons


The President of India has approved the conferment of Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2023 on 31 persons which includes Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak to 03, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak to 07 and Jeevan Raksha Padak to 21 persons. Three awardees are posthumous. The details are as under :-


Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak :

* Master Anthony Vanmawia (Posthumous), Mizoram
* Ms. Melody Lalremruati (Posthumous), Mizoram
* Shri Sooraj R (Posthumous), Central Reserve Police Force
 

Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak :

* Shri Sahil Bisso Lad, Goa
* Ms. Kajal Kumari, Jharkhand
* Shri Naveen Kumar D, Telangana
* Shri Vinod Kumar, Border Roads Organisation
* Havildar Shera Ram, Ministry of Defence
* Shri Mukesh Kumar, National Disaster Response Force
* Shri Naresh Kumar, National Investigation Agency
 


Jeevan Raksha Padak :

* Shri M S Anil Kumar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
* Shri Jeetam Parameswara Rao, Andhra Pradesh
* Shri Samarjit Basumatary, Assam
* Shri Sudesh Kumar, Chandigarh
* Shri Justin George, Kerala
* Shri Wilson, Kerala
* Shri Padma Thinlass, Ladakh
* Shri Mohd Afzal, Ladakh
* Smt. Adika Rajaram Patil, Maharashtra
* Smt. Priyanka Bharat Kale, Maharashtra
* Smt. Sonali Sunil Balode, Maharashtra
* Shri Maria Michael A, Tamil Nadu
* Shri S Vijayakumar, Tamil Nadu
* Shri Naresh Joshi, Uttarakhand
* Shri Arjun Malik, Border Roads Organisation
* Shri Amit Kumar Singh, Border Security Force
* Shri Sher Singh, Central Industrial Security Force
* Shri Sonu Sharma, Central Industrial Security Force
* Shri Abdul Hameed, Ministry of Defence
* Shri Sunil Kumar Mishra, Ministry of Defence
* Shri Shashikant   Kumar, Ministry of Railways
 

Jeevan Raksha Padak series of awards are given to a person for meritorious act of human nature in saving the life of a person.  The award is given in three categories, namely, Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak and Jeevan Raksha Padak.  Persons of all walks of life are eligible for these awards.  The award can also be conferred posthumously.

The decoration of the award (medal, certificate signed by the Union Home Minister and lump sum monetary allowance) is presented to the awardees in due course by the respective Union Ministries/Organizations/State Government to which the awardee belongs..

Source : PIB

Published On : January 25, 2024
A)
Rohit Yadav
B)
Dheeraj Sinha
C)
Man Singh
D)
Manvendra Kohli

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Man Singh


Man Singh became only the second Indian man to clinch a gold medal at the Asian Marathon Championships as he won the race with a personal best time here on Sunday (21st Jan 2024).

The 34-year-old Man Singh clocked two hours, 14 minutes and 19 seconds (2:14:19) to win the competition. His earlier best was 2:16:58, which he had clocked while finishing 11th in the Mumbai Marathon last year. China’s Huang Yongzheng took the silver with a time of 2:15:24 while Kyrgyzstan’s Tiapkin Ilya came third in 2:18:18.

Another Indian in the fray, AP Belliappa finished sixth with a time of 2:20:20.

In the women’s marathon race in Hong Kong, Ashvini Madan Jadhav finished eighth with a time of 2:56:42 while Jyoti Gawate ended at 11th in 3:06:20.

Gopi Thonakal was the first Indian man to win the Asian Marathon Championships title in 2017. He had clocked 2:15:48 to win the gold in Dongguan, China.

Man Singh’s time on Sunday was below the Paris Olympics qualifying mark of 2:08:10. He had finished eighth in the Hangzhou Asian Games last year in 2:16:59.

Published On : January 24, 2024
A)
Ravichandran Ashwin
B)
Jasprit Bumrah
C)
Mohammed Shami
D)
Shubhman Gill

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Shubhman Gill


* BCCI Awards 2024 have been announced, this time this award function was organized in Hyderabad.

* The Pauly Umargar Award given for the best international cricketer (men) was won by Shubman Gill (2022-23), Jasprit Bumrah (2021-22), Ravichandran Ashwin (2020-21), Mohammed Shami (2019-20).

* Whereas Colonel C. Of. Naidu Lifetime Achievement Award was given to former cricketers Farokh Engineer and Ravi Shastri.

* This award show was organized after four years, the last time it was organized in the year 2019.

Published On : January 24, 2024
A)
Suryakumar Yadav
B)
David Warner
C)
Glenn Maxwell
D)
Shubhman Gill

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Suryakumar Yadav


India’s Suryakumar Yadav was named ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year for 2023 on Wednesday (24th Jan 2024). The star India batter continued his rise in T20I cricket with 733 runs in 17 innings in 2023 with a strike rate of 155.95. he left behind Sikandar Raza, Alpesh Ramjani and Mark Chapman to clinch the award.

Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year : West Indies captain Hayley Matthews won the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year for 2023.

Matthews T20I record in 2023 : 700 runs and 19 wickets in 14 matches

Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year (2023) :

* New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra was named the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year for 2023. The Kiwi all-rounder beat South Africa pacer Gerald Coetzee, Sri Lanka fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka and Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal to win the ward. Ravindra had a brilliant ODI World Cup 2023 where he smashed 578 runs as New Zealand reached the semi-finals.


Rachin Ravindra’s record in 2023 :

* 820 ODI runs at 41, Strike Rate 108.03, 18 wickets at 46.61, economy 6.02
* 91 T20I runs at 18.20, Strike Rate 133.82, 5 wickets at 32.80, economy 9.11


Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2023 :

* Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield was named the ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year for 2023. Other nominees were Bangladesh’s Marufa Akter, England pacer Lauren Bell and Scotland all-rounder Darcey Carter.


Phoebe Litchfield’s record in 2023 :

* 87 Test runs at 21.75
* 344 ODI runs at 49.14
* 88 T20I runs at 88


Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year 2023 :

* Bas de Leede of Netherlands was named as the ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Year 2023. He was Netherlands’ best player during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Qualifier and the ODI World Cup in India.


Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2023 :

* Queentor Abel of Kenya was named ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year 2023. She took 30 T20I wickets at an average of 7.36 and scored 476 T20I runs at 34..

Source : First Post

Published On : January 24, 2024