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)
SBI
B)
RBI
C)
ADB
D)
UBI

Correct Answer :   SBI


State Bank of India on Tuesday (18th July 2023) said it will set up a new trustee company as its wholly-owned subsidiary for managing the Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF).

CDMDF will act as a backstop facility for purchase of investment grade corporate debt securities to instill confidence amongst the participants in the corporate bond market during times of stress and to generally enhance secondary market liquidity by creating a permanent institutional framework for activation in times of market stress.

SBI Funds Management Ltd (SBIFML), the asset management company (AMC) of SBI Mutual Fund, has been identified as the investment manager-cum-sponsor of CDMDF, India’s largest bank said in a regulatory filing. SBI has 62.53 per cent stake in SBIFML.

The setting up of the Fund, which will be classified as an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) under the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012, is subject to receipt of all regulatory approvals.

CDMDF will be launched as a close ended scheme with an initial tenure of 15 years from the date of its initial closing (date on which contribution from all AMCs and specified schemes is received by CDMDF), according to SEBI.

Based on the requirements of the corporate bond market, the tenure can be extended with prior approval of the government in consultation with SEBI subsequent.

To begin with, units of CDMDF shall be subscribed by Asset Management Companies (AMCs) of Mutual Funds and “specified debt-oriented MF Schemes” (that is Open ended Debt oriented Mutual Fund schemes excluding Overnight funds and Gilt funds and including Conservative Hybrid funds).

SBI’s wholly-owned investment banking subsidiary SBI Capital Markets also has a wholly-owned subsidiary SBICAP TRUSTEE CO. Ltd (STCL).  

SBICAP TRUSTEE CO. LIMITED (STCL) STCL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBI Capital Markets Limited. STCL commenced the Security Trustee business on 1st August 2008..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Published On : July 19, 2023
A)
India and Japan
B)
India and Russia
C)
India and Australia
D)
India and Indonesia

Correct Answer :   India and Indonesia


Two frontline Indian Naval ships INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata arrived in Indonesia's Jakarta on Monday (17th July 2023) to participate in the Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the Indonesian Navy.

The Indian Navy, in a press statement, said that INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata, the mission which is deployed in South Eastern IOR were accorded a warm welcome by the Indonesian Navy.

During the port call, personnel from Indian and Indonesian navies will engage in a wide range of professional interactions, joint yoga sessions, sports fixtures and cross-deck visits, aimed at strengthening mutual cooperation and understanding between the two navies.

Upon completion of the operational turnaround, the two ships will also participate in a MPX at sea with the Indonesian Navy towards further bolstering the high degree of interoperability that already exists between the two navies, according to the press statement.

INS Sahyadri is the third indigenously designed and built Project-17 class stealth frigate and INS Kolkata is the first indigenously designed and built stealth destroyer of the Project-15A class. Both the ships have been built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Mumbai.

India and Indonesia's relations are becoming strong with time. Recently, Indo-Indonesia concluded its bilateral Exercise Samudra Shakti-23 in the South China Sea..

Source : Business Standard

Published On : July 19, 2023
A)
Prof. Jagadeesh S Moodera
B)
Prof. Thalappil Pradeep
C)
Prof. Kishan Dholakia
D)
Prof. Arogyaswami Paulraj

Correct Answer :   Prof. Thalappil Pradeep


Indian scientist Professor Thalappil Pradeep from IIT Madras has been honored with the esteemed Eni Award 2023 for his groundbreaking research in energy and environment.

The award recognises his innovative work in providing affordable clean water using advanced nanoscale materials.

The President of Italy is expected to present the award to Professor Pradeep in the near future.

About Eni Awards :

The Eni Award is highly regarded globally, with previous recipients including renowned Nobel laureates and distinguished scientists. The selection committee, which includes Nobel laureates, ensures that only exceptional individuals receive this prestigious recognition.

Professor Pradeep's remarkable contributions in the field of nanotechnology and sustainable water purification have earned him this coveted honor.

Established in 2007, the award aims to foster radical breakthroughs in energy efficiency, renewables, decarbonisation, and environmental preservation. It serves as a platform to encourage and inspire the next generation of researchers to address the pressing challenges in energy and environmental sustainability.


Revolutionising Clean Water Solutions :


The IIT professor's research focuses on developing sustainable and cost-effective technologies for removing toxic contaminants from water. His innovative nanoscale materials have been successfully implemented as drinking water solutions, benefiting an astounding 1.3 million people in India every day.

His work has not only transformed access to clean water but also inspired efforts to tackle water pollution on a global scale.

The Eni Awards are presented in three categories, and Professor Pradeep has been acknowledged for his work in the field of Advanced Environmental Solutions.

His dedication and expertise in nanotechnology applications have revolutionised the purification of water and facilitated the removal of toxic substances such as arsenic and uranium. His breakthrough technology has been approved for national implementation and is now being extended to other countries.

“I am grateful to the large team of students, associates and implementing partners whose intense efforts made this work possible. The country and my institution gave me everything," he said.

Speaking about his future goals, Professor T Pradeep added, “Water presents numerous opportunities in cleaning, sensing, distribution and data analytics. It is the most opportune moment nationally and globally to get into water, for science, for industry or for both."

"There is a career in it where one can get satisfaction, besides wealth and fame. We need more youngsters in the area to ensure water security," he added.

Other Award Bagged By The Professor :

Professor Pradeep's accolades extend beyond the Eni Award. His distinguished career has earned him numerous recognitions, including the prestigious Padma Shri, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water, and Nikkei Asia Prize.

With over 550 papers and more than 100 patents to his name, Professor Pradeep's contributions have greatly advanced the field of materials science..

Source : India Today

Published On : July 19, 2023
A)
Bajrang Punia
B)
Vijay Kumar
C)
Ravi Dahiya
D)
Yogeshwar Dutt

Correct Answer :   Bajrang Punia


Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat  had last represented India at the World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade in September 2022. In the corresponding 10 months, they didn't go to the competition arena even once. They were busy with their protest against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

Surprisingly, both wrestlers were granted 'exemption' from trials for the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou by the ad-hoc panel appointed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The chief national coaches - who were part of the committee - were not even taken into confidence.

Bajrang and Vinesh's direct entry for the Asiad, without going through the rigours of trials, has infuriated their competitors in their respective weight categories - men's freestyle 65kg and women's freestyle 53kg. It's been learnt that the country's first U-20 world champion Antim Panghal (women's 53kg), current U-23 and U-20 Asian champion Sujeet Kalkal and up and coming Jaskaran Singh (both men's 65kg) have decided to move court to challenge the ad-hoc committee's decision.

The trials will be held in New Delhi on July 22 and 23. Greco-roman and women's category bouts will be on the first day and men's freestyle event the next day.

In its directive for the trials issued on Tuesday evening, ad-hoc committee member Bhupinder Singh Bajwa stated: "As per the WFI regulations of selection trials, the selection committee has already selected wrestlers in the 65kg (freestyle) and 53kg (women wrestling) for the Asian Games 2022. But the trial will be held for these weight categories and the selected wrestlers will be kept on stand-by."

While the committee didn't mention the names of wrestlers exempted, multiple sources confirmed that they were Bajrang and Vinesh.

According to WFI's selection policy, which was in effect before the federation was dissolved by the sports ministry in the wake of the sexual harassment charges against Singh, 'iconic players' were eligible for exemption from trials. The ad-hoc committee applied the same rule in the case of Bajrang and Vinesh.

"The selection trials in all weight categories are mandatory. However, the selection committee will have the discretion to select the iconic players like medallists of Olympic/World Championship without trials provided recommendation by chief coach/foreign expert."

While Bajrang secured a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics as well as Belgrade's Worlds,  finished on the podium at the same Worlds.

However, going by the criteria which was in place earlier or as has been laid down by the ad-hoc committee, Tokyo Games silver medallist Ravi Dahiya (men's freestyle 57kg), too, deserved an exemption..

Source : Times of India

Published On : July 19, 2023
A)
Srikanth Kidambi
B)
Chirag Shetty
C)
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
D)
Prannoy HS

Correct Answer :   Satwiksairaj Rankireddy


Indian shuttler Satwiksairaj Rankireddy managed to feature in the Guinness World Record by striking the fastest smash in the ongoing Korea Open 2023 on Tuesday (18th July 2023).

Satwiksairaj broke a decade-long record which was set in May 2013 by Malaysian Tan Boon Heong, who had produced a speed of 493 km/h with his smash.

Satwiksairaj broke the record by surpassing his speed by 72 kmph and registered a record-breaking speed of 565 kmph.

The third-seeded Indian men's doubles team of Satwiksairaj and Chirag Shetty defeated 21-16, 21-14 Supak Jomkoh/Kittinupong Kedren of Thailand in order to advance into the pre-quarterfinals. Although they were behind in the second game, they came through to win the match in straight games.

Only Satwik and Chirag from India managed to win on the opening day of the competition.

Dhruv Kapila and MR Arjun, the other men's doubles team, had to leave their match earlier due to an injury.

Shashwat Dalal and Harshit Aggarwal did not advance from the qualifications.

The top singles players from India, including PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy, and Kidambi Srikanth, will make their tournament debuts in South Korea on Wednesday (19th July 2023)..

Source : Business Standard

Published On : July 19, 2023
A)
Ons Jabeur
B)
Hsieh Su-wei
C)
Barbora Strycova
D)
Marketa Vondrousova

Correct Answer :   Marketa Vondrousova


Marketa Vondrousova, the Czech tennis sensation, has captured the hearts of fans and etched her name in history with an extraordinary achievement.

In 2023, she became the first unseeded woman player to claim the coveted Wimbledon women's singles title. With her crafty playing style, strategic brilliance, and unwavering determination, Vondrousova has risen to prominence in the tennis world.

Let's delve into her remarkable journey, from her early beginnings to her triumph on the grass courts of Wimbledon, and explore the impact she has made as a trailblazer in the sport.

Early Life and Background : Marketa Vondrousova was born on June 28, 1999, in Sokolov, Czech Republic. Her father introduced her to tennis at the age of four, and her mother played volleyball professionally. Vondrousova tried various sports before focusing on tennis at a young age.

Junior Career :

Vondrousova was a former world No. 1 junior player. She achieved early success on the ITF Junior Circuit, winning titles and reaching the semifinals of the French Open and Wimbledon in 2013. Vondrousova won two Grand Slam doubles titles and represented the Czech Republic in the Junior Fed Cup.

Vondrousova made headlines by reaching the final of the 2019 French Open as an unseeded player. She defeated several seeded players on her way to the final but ultimately finished as the runner-up. Her performance marked her as the first teenage major finalist in nearly a decade..

Source : Zeenews

Published On : July 18, 2023
A)
China and Russia
B)
India and Russia
C)
China and Pakistan
D)
United States and Russia

Correct Answer :   China and Russia


Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced Saturday (15th July 2023) that Russia will dispatch naval and air forces to participate in "Northern/Interaction-2023" drills in the central region of the Sea of Japan organized by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Northern Theater Command.


The event marks Russia's second time participating in the PLA annual strategic drills, and also a first that Russia has dispatched both naval and air forces to participate in similar events, according to Chinese military observers.

Chinese miliary experts believed that such military drills would be carried out with strong and clear purpose of safeguarding the national interests of both sides in key passages of the Sea of Japan waters.

According to a statement released by the Chinese Ministry of National Defense on Saturday (15th July 2023), the drills are themed "safeguarding the safety of strategic maritime routes" and are designed to further elevate the coordination capability of the two militaries and strengthen their capabilities of jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability, as well as responding to various security challenges..

Source : Global Times

Published On : July 18, 2023
A)
NTPC
B)
NHPC
C)
GAIL (India)
D)
ONGC

Correct Answer :   NTPC


NTPC has received the prestigious Economic Times (ET) HR World Future Skills Awards 2023 for “Best use of AI/AR/VR in Learning and Upskilling" and “Best Advance in Creating an Extended Enterprise Learning Programme”.

Director (HR), NTPC, Shri Dillip Kumar Patel received the awards on behalf of NTPC at a programme held in Gurugram on 13th July, 2023.


These awards bear testimony to NTPC’s focus on the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as virtual reality (VR) in Learning and Development (L&D).

They reflect NTPC’s commitment to develop the competency level of its employees as well as outsourced workers through L&D initiatives such as iGuru which includes training based on Virtual Reality (VR). In addition, NTPC has also introduced several other innovative training initiatives such as GPiLearn, FutureSkills courses and Samarth modules.

NTPC has been adopting and institutionalising progressive and best HR practices, which has been recognised by various prestigious fora at national and international levels.

Shri Sital Kumar, CEO (UPL) & ED (HR); Ms. Rachana Singh Bhal, GM (PMI); and Shri A K Tripathi, GM (RLI), Sipat and other senior executives were present during the awards function..

Source : PIB

Published On : July 18, 2023
A)
Vijay Kumar
B)
Manu Bhaker
C)
Saurabh Chowdhary
D)
Prithviraj Tondaiman

Correct Answer :   Prithviraj Tondaiman


India shooter Prithviraj Tondaiman bagged the bronze medal in the men’s trap event at the ISSF Shotgun World Cup Lonato 2023 in Italy on Sunday (16th July 2023).

Prithviraj Tondaiman’s bronze was India’s only medal at the Lonato shooting meet. This was his second individual ISSF World Cup medal, having won a bronze in Doha in March.

Prithviraj Tondaiman finished third in the final with 34 points. Britain’s Nathan Hales won the gold medal with 49 points while Qi Ying of the Republic of China bagged the silver medal with 48 points. A total of six shooters qualified for the men’s trap final.

Earlier, Prithviraj Tondaiman finished third in the qualifying round with 122 points. The 36-year-old scored 23, 25, 24, 25, 25 in the five-round qualification series. Paris 2024 Olympics quota winner Bhowneesh Mendiratta and Zoravar Singh Sandhu failed to progress beyond the qualification stage in the men’s trap event..

Source : Olympics

Published On : July 17, 2023
A)
Rafael Nadal
B)
Carlos Alcaraz
C)
Novak Djokovic
D)
Daniil Medvedev

Correct Answer :   Carlos Alcaraz


Carlos Alcaraz stunned Novak Djokovic to win the Wimbledon men's singles tennis title on Sunday (16 July 2023).

* The 20-year-old Spaniard won 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in four hours and 42 minutes to end Djokovic's hopes of a calendar Grand Slam for this year at least.

* It was Alcaraz's second Slam title with his first coming at last year's US Open.

* After dropping the first set, the youngster won a second-set tiebreak - ending Djokovic's Open era Grand Slam record of 15 consecutive breaker wins - before taking the initiative in the third.

* The seven-time champion fought back in the fourth set to level the match, but Alcaraz would not be denied in just his fifth grass-court tournament as he joined Manolo Santana and Rafael Nadal as Spanish men's singles winners at Wimbledon.

* Alcaraz said in his on-court interview, "It's a dream come true. It's great to win but even if I'd lost I'd have been very proud playing against a legend of our sport. For me, it's incredible.

* "For a boy of 20 years old, I really didn't expect to reach this situation. It's really really fast. I'm really proud of myself and the team I have around me.

* "After the first set, I thought, 'Carlos, increase the level.' I have to congratulate Novak. What can I say about him? You inspire me a lot. I started playing tennis, watching you. Since I was born, you already were winning tournaments. It's amazing. You said 36 is the new 26 and you make that happen."

* It was Djokovic's first defeat at Wimbledon since 2017 and means he remains on 23 Grand Slam titles, one behind the all-time record held by Margaret Court.

* He was fulsome in his praise of the victor afterwards, saying "I thought I'd only have trouble with you on clay and hard courts but now...

* "You never like to lose matches like this but, when all the emotions have settled, I have to be very happy. I won close games before - maybe I should have lost a couple of finals I won here - so this is even stevens."


Source : Olympics

Published On : July 17, 2023