General Knowledge(GK) (or) General Awareness

Correct Answer :   India

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The Indian hockey team beat the People’s Republic of China 1-0 in the final to win the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar on Wednesday (20th Nov 2024).

Deepika (31’) scored the winning goal for the Indian women’s hockey team and finished as the tournament's top goal scorer with a tally of 11.

This was India’s third Women’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey title, bringing them level with the Republic of Korea as the most successful nation in the competition’s history. The Indian women won their maiden title in 2016 before clinching the 2023 edition as well.

Fans were treated to some end-to-end hockey in the first-half as world No. 9 India and China, sixth in the latest rankings, virtually traded chances.

Both sides came close to scoring from penalty corners in the second quarter but the goalkeepers stood strong to keep the opening half goalless.

Paris 2024 Olympics silver medallists China, however, were caught napping after the restart as the home side went ahead.

Interestingly, it was a miss trapped penalty corner by India that caught the Chinese defensive line off guard as the ball eventually made its way to Deepika inside the circle through Navneet Kaur.

Allowed time to turn, the Indian forward managed to find her angle and scored her 11th goal of the tournament.

Deepika could have doubled her tally and India’s lead minutes later after winning a penalty stroke. She took it on herself only to watch Chinese goalkeeper Li Ting guess it right to pull off a brilliant save.

While a two-goal cushion would have made things easier for the home side in the third quarter, the Indian defence held on resolutely in the final quarter for their fifth clean sheet on the trot in the tournament and secured the record-equalling title.

Earlier in the day, Japan beat Malaysia 4-1 to finish third in the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024..

Source : Olympics

Correct Answer :   Coal India Ltd

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Coal India Ltd was honoured with the prestigious Green World Environment Award 2024 in the CSR category for its Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna.

This initiative provides curative treatment through stem cell transplants to over 600 Thalassemia patients, demonstrating the company's commitment to social responsibility and community welfare.

The award, presented at Kensington Palace, London, recognizes Coal India's efforts to make a positive impact on the environment and society.

This achievement underscores the importance of corporate social responsibility in India's business landscape.

Correct Answer :   6.7%

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Morgan Stanley has downgraded India’s FY25 growth forecast from 7% to 6.7%, citing weaker-than-expected performance in Q2.

However, a recovery is anticipated in the second half of FY25, supported by improved agricultural output and increased government spending.

Additional factors such as easing inflation and potential monetary policy adjustments by the Reserve Bank of India in April 2025 are expected to contribute to economic stabilization.

Despite the short-term challenges, the firm remains optimistic about growth prospects in the latter part of FY25.

Correct Answer :   Arunachal Pradesh

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Indian Armed Forces successfully concluded a nine-day tri-service exercise codenamed ‘Poorvi Prahar’ at Mechuka in Arunachal Pradesh.

The joint exercise, conducted from Nov 10 to 18, marked a significant milestone in joint warfare capabilities, featuring unprecedented coordination between the Army, Navy and Air Force in the Eastern Theatre.

“The exercise validated our joint structures and demonstrated the evolved civil-military fusion essential for operational success,” said Lt Gen RC Tiwari, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Command, who oversaw the operations alongside Air Marshal IS Walia from Eastern Air Command.

The exercise showcased an impressive array of cutting-edge military hardware, including the M-777 Howitzer, P-8I Maritime Patrol aircraft and the recently inducted light combat helicopter ‘Prachand’. Modern warfare elements such as swarm drones and loitering munitions were seamlessly integrated into the operations.

“For the first time, we witnessed integrated joint operations across multiple domains on such a massive scale in the Eastern Theatre. The successful execution of tri-services combat free fall operations demonstrated our special forces’ exceptional capabilities. The clockwork precision exhibited by our troops reflects the maturity of our joint warfare doctrine. This exercise has proven our ability to conduct complex military operations in a dense electronic warfare environment,” a senior defence official said.

The Indian Armed Forces recently completed a nine-day tri-service exercise called 'Poorvi Prahar' in Arunachal Pradesh, showcasing their enhanced joint warfare capabilities. The exercise involved the Army, Navy, and Air Force, featuring advanced military hardware like the M-777 Howitzer and Prachand helicopters.

Source : TOI

Correct Answer :   Ahmedabad

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Recently, the Indian Army conducted Exercise 'Sanyukt Vimochan 2024' in Ahmedabad and Porbandar on 18-19 November 2024.

Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard participated in this event.

It was a multilateral annual joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise.

Correct Answer :   India

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India is set to host the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup at the iconic IGI Stadium in New Delhi from January 13-19, 2025, marking a landmark moment in the world of traditional sports. In a major boost to the tournament, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially confirmed its partnership with Worlthe Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), pledging unwavering support for the event.

In a statement to KKFI President Sudhanshu Mittal, IOA President PT Usha expressed the association's strong commitment to elevating indigenous sports like Kho Kho. The IOA has vowed to provide comprehensive support to enhance the tournament's visibility, ensuring maximum outreach and success.

"We recognize the significance of this event in celebrating our cultural heritage and promoting traditional sports, and we look forward to collaborating with Kho Kho Federation of India to ensure the success of the tournament. Together, we aim to make this event memorable and impactful, encouraging the spirit of sportsmanship among participants and fostering a deeper appreciation for Kho Kho worldwide," PT Usha said, according to KKFI release.

KKFI president Sudhanshu Mittal expressed heartfelt gratitude to the IOA, acknowledging the tremendous boost the partnership brings to the tournament.

"The support of the IOA, led by President PT Usha, is a game-changer for Kho Kho. This collaboration is pivotal in putting Kho Kho on the global map, and we're thrilled to be hosting the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup, a truly historic event for the sport," Mittal said.

The Kho Kho World Cup will feature both men's and women's teams with a stunning 24 countries from six continents set to compete. Teams from Asia, including hosts India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, will face off alongside competitors from Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania.

Nations like Ghana, Kenya, England, Germany, Brazil and Australia will be among the participants, highlighting the growing global appeal of Kho Kho, the release said.

This multi-nation, high-energy tournament is poised to elevate Kho Kho to new heights, generating excitement and sparking worldwide interest in the sport.

With IOA's backing, the World Cup is set to become a defining moment in the sport's history, inspiring athletes and fans alike to embrace Kho Kho. In the years to come, the sport is expected to gain even greater traction, not just in India, but across the globe, as it takes its place on the international sports map..

Source : NDTV

Correct Answer :   GSAT-N2

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India's heaviest communication satellite, GSAT-N2, weighs approximately 4,700 kg and is scheduled to launch on SpaceX's Falcon-9 from Cape Canaveral.

GSAT-N2 aims to enhance internet services, particularly in remote areas, with an operational life of 14 years.

The choice of SpaceX's Falcon-9 over India's LVM-3 launch vehicle was due to the satellite's significant payload weight.

This launch marks a shift in India's reliance from Arianespace to SpaceX for heavy satellite launches, demonstrating the growing collaboration between India and private space companies.

Correct Answer :   West Bengal

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West Bengal dominated the 4th National Finswimming Championship 2024, securing the top spot with an impressive 151 medals, comprising 67 gold, 43 silver, and 41 bronze medals.

The championship, held in New Delhi, saw participation from 1500 swimmers from 26 states and union territories.

West Bengal's outstanding performance highlighted its strength in finswimming, surpassing other strong contenders like Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Haryana.

The event, organized by the Underwater Sports Federation of India, showcased India's growing talent in this aquatic sport.

Correct Answer :   Kolkata

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World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen showcased his dominance at the Tata Steel Chess India tournament, securing both the rapid and blitz titles.

In the blitz event, the Norwegian grandmaster amassed an unassailable 12 points with a round to spare, thanks to a remarkable performance that included a dramatic comeback against Indian prodigy Arjun Erigaisi.

Carlsen's triumph in Kolkata marked his second double victory at the tournament, replicating his success from 2019.

Magnus reflects on his experience playing in Kolkata and his performance at this edition of the Tata Steel Chess India.#tsci2024 #TSCI #tatasteelchessindia #chess #indianchess #kolkata #magnuscarlsen pic.twitter.com/RX4L1OulWF

— Tata Steel Chess India (@tschessindia) November 17, 2024

Filipino-American Grandmaster Wesley So staged an impressive comeback, winning six consecutive games and seven of his last eight, to claim second place with 11.5 points.

Reflecting on his performance, Carlsen acknowledged the intense pressure he faced but expressed satisfaction with his overall result.

"It was a really, really nervy day. I was lucky that Wesley was the one who went on a big streak because he couldn't realistically catch me. Overall, the tournament win is good. The score is not great but very decent, so I'm happy," he said.

Magnus reflects on his experience playing in Kolkata and his performance at this edition of the Tata Steel Chess India.#tsci2024 #TSCI #tatasteelchessindia #chess #indianchess #kolkata #magnuscarlsen pic.twitter.com/RX4L1OulWF

— Tata Steel Chess India (@tschessindia) November 17, 2024

He also revealed his upcoming plans to promote Freestyle Chess with Fabiano Caruana in Singapore and participate in a match against Caruana.

"I'm heading to Singapore in a few hours to promote Freestyle Chess with Fabiano Caruana. I'll be playing a match with Fabi in a few days. It should be fun, and being a tourist at the World Championship for a couple of days will be exciting," added Carlsen.

The Indian contingent put up a commendable showing, with Erigaisi securing third place with 10.5 points, followed by R Praggnanandhaa in fourth with 9.5 points, and Vidit Gujrathi in fifth with 9 points.

In the women's section, three-time Women's World Blitz champion Kateryna Lagno of Russia emerged victorious with 11.5 points, narrowly edging out compatriot Valentina Gunina, who finished second with 11 points. Aleksandra Goryachkina and India's Vantika Agrawal shared third place with 9.5 points each..

Source : Times of Iindia

Correct Answer :   28 Medals

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India secures 28 medals, including 11 golds, along with the prestigious team event title. India delivered a commanding performance at the Bingo World Pickleball Championship (WPC) Series powered by World Pickleball League, hosted by the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA), showcasing their dominance on home soil.

The championship, which concluded with much fanfare, witnessed participation from over 17 countries, 55 international players, and more than 500 Indian athletes, making it one of the largest global events for the sport. Team India stood out as the top-performing nation, clinching an impressive total of 28 medals, including 11 golds, and securing the coveted team event title.

The closing ceremony was a grand affair, graced by eminent dignitaries, including Mr. Ramesh Damani, E Chairman of Dmart; Mr. Sanjeev Mantri, MD and CEO of ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Shreenivas Director DCB Bank, Ms. Madhumati Lele Shrivastava, President of the Cricket Club of India (CCI); and the brand ambassador of pickleball in India, Mandira Bedi.

In the 19 + open category India’s Sonu Vishwakarma defeated Spain’s Mauro Garcia to clinch the gold medal, the match was tight but Sonu maintained the lead right from the 1st point itself, the final score read 21-14, while India’s Kuldip Mahajan defeated Taiwan’s Lin Guang Sian 21-9 to claim bronze medal. In the 35 + Men’s Single’s Category Vietnam’s Carlos Rubio staged an amazing comeback to win gold as he defeated India’s Ankit Mody 21-19. Ankit was leading 19-10 and looked confident of winning the gold, but Carlos made a comeback of the tournament playing exceptional to win the gold. India’s Vivek Reddy defeated Rohan Salvi to secure bronze medal in the same category, the final score read 15-7.

In the 19+  women’s doubles category Australia’s Andie Dikosavljevic and India’s Vrushali Thakare defeated Philippines Anna Clarice Patri and Australia’s Ludovica Sciaky to secure gold with the final score 21-9. Australia’s Nicola schoeman and Danni – Elle Townsend defeated Aiko Yoshitomi and Mihika Yadav to secure bronze.

In the 35+ women’s doubles category India’s Priyanka Mehta and Shraddha Damani defeated Sindoor Mittal and Simran Bangera to grab gold with a score of 21-6, India’s Pooja Rao and Radhika Trivedi defeated Shakuntala Devnani and Gayatri Mewada to secure bronze.

In the 19+ women’s singles category Korea’s Mihae Kwon fought through pain to defeated Kate Morris 21-10 to win the gold medal. India’s Mihika Yadav defeated Australia’s Danni – Elle Townsend 15-4 to secure bronze.

In the 35+ women’s category India’s Priyanka Mehta defeated Gayatri Mewada 15-6 to secure gold medal. In the Men’s doubles 19 + category Korea’s Kim Eung Gwon and India’s Mayur Patil defeated Australia’s George Wall and Lucas Pascoe with a score of 21-16 to secure gold. Japan’s Kenta Miyoshi and India’s Stavya Bhasin defeated India’s pair of Tejas Mahajan and Vanshik Kapadia with a score of 21-8 to secure bronze..

Source : CNBC