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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)
India and Japan
B)
India and France
C)
India and USA
D)
India and Russia

Correct Answer : Option (A) - India and Japan


The Indian Air force (IAF) is set to hold a bilateral air training exercise, called Veer Guardian-2023, with the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF).
 
* Announced by the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 7 January 2023, the joint exercise will be conducted at Hyakuri Air Base in Japan.
 
* It is scheduled to take place between 12 and 26 January 2023.
 
* The training is being organised to strengthen air defence cooperation between the two nations
 
* The decision to enhance bilateral defence cooperation and address the emerging security needs of the two countries was made during the second 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial meeting held in Tokyo, Japan, in September 2022.
 
* The countries also planned to organise their first joint air combat jet exercise.
 
* The two-week training will involve the participation of various air assets from the IAF, including two C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft and one Ilyushin Il-78 in-flight refuelling tanker.
 
* Additionally, four Su-30MKI Sukhoi aircraft from the IAF’s No 220 Squadron, also called ‘Desert Tigers’, from Halwara Air Force Station, Punjab, India, will participate in the exercise. 
 
* According to a tweet by the IAF, the contingent has departed from India and will briefly stopover in Thailand and the Philippines before reaching Japan. 
 
* Meanwhile, the JASDF will deploy its four F-2 multi-role attack fighters and four F-15 Eagle aircraft.
 
* On the inaugural day of Veer Guardian, the air forces will carry out several air drills in a complex environment along with other multi-domain air combat missions.
 
* This will allow the participating forces to exchange a variety of tactics and techniques.
 
* The experts from both nations will further conduct discussions to review and share their knowledge on different operational aspects of the drills..

Source : Airforce Technology

Published On : January 12, 2023
A)
Germany
B)
Israel
C)
United Kingdom
D)
United States

Correct Answer : Option (D) - United States


In a rare announcement, the United States said its ballistic missile submarine, USS West Virginia, visited its Indian Ocean military base at Diego Garcia.

Before it visited the base at Diego Garcia, the submarine had surfaced in the Arabian Sea and participated in a joint, US Strategic Command-directed communications exercise to validate emerging and innovative tactics in the Indian Ocean.
 
About The Submarine :One of the 14 Ohio-class SSBNs in service with the US Navy, the boat is capable of carrying up to 20 Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles with multiple, independently targeted warheads. The submarine also conducted a complete crew exchange in Diego Garcia and a subsequent replenishment at sea, highlighting the SSBN force’s readiness and flexibility to remain on patrol for an extended period of time.
 
About Diego Garcia : Diego Garcia is a part of the Chagos Archipelago, which the UK identifies as British Indian Ocean Territory or BIOT. In 1965, the archipelago was separated from Mauritius, then a British colony, and made part of the UK’s overseas territory. Later, the UK evicted the entire population of the archipelago and leased Diego Garcia to the United States for its Indian Ocean military base.
 
What is the Chagos Islands dispute :
 
Mauritius has argued that the Chagos Islands has been a part of its territory since at least the 18th century, till the United Kingdom broke the archipelago away from Mauritius in 1965 and the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches from Seychelles in the region to form British Indian Ocean Territory. 

In June 1976, after Seychelles gained independence from the United Kingdom, the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches were returned by the UK.

The UK declared these islands as an overseas territory in November 1965.

After Mauritius gained independence from the UK in 1968, the United Kingdom refused to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius claiming in petitions submitted to the Permanent Court of Arbitration that the island was required to “accommodate the United States’ desire to use certain islands in the Indian Ocean for defence purposes”. 

The largest island on the Chagos Islands archipelago, Diego Garcia, is where the US and the UK operate a large military base and was also used as a US military base for the US-led attacks against Afghanistan and Iraq in the 2000s.

For decades there was no litigation concerning the violation of human rights and sovereignty in the Chagos Islands.  

However, in 2015, Mauritius initiated legal proceedings in these matters against the United Kingdom in the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague in the Netherlands.

The UK made several attempts to resist Mauritius’ attempts to take the matter to international court by claiming that the issue was a bilateral matter.
 
India’s Contradictory Stance :
India was among nations to vote in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution that demanded the UK withdraw its “colonial administration” from the Chagos Archipelago unconditionally, supporting Mauritius in its quest for the restoration of sovereignty over the island chain in the Indian Ocean.

However, given the increasing Chinese footprint in the Indian Ocean, India also wants the US to retain its presence in Diego Garcia. New Delhi is believed to have nudged Mauritius to offer to renew the lease of Diego Garcia to the US if it is able to wrest back sovereignty from the UK....

Published On : January 12, 2023
A)
William, Prince of Wales
B)
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
C)
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
D)
Diana, Princess of Wales

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex


Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, a member of the British royal family, has released his memoir titled “Spare”. The book was written with the assistance of American novelist "J. R. Moehringer".

The book is published by Transworld Publishers Ltd, a division of Penguin Random House.
 
The book reveals the details of Harry’s relationship with his father, King Charles, his elder brother, Prince William, and other members of the royal family.

Prince Harry announced that the proceeds from his memoir will be used to support British charities with donations including USD 1.5 million to Sentebale, an organization Prince Harry founded with Prince Seeiso in their mothers’ legacies, which supports vulnerable children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana.
 
Why is Prince Harry’s memoir called Spare? 

The title of Harry’s memoir is a nod to his birth order as the younger brother of William, heir to the throne. “I was 20 the first time I heard the story of what Pa allegedly said to Mummy the day of my birth: ‘Wonderful! Now you’ve given me an Heir and a Spare — my work is done,'” Harry writes in his memoir..

Source : Hindustan Times

Published On : January 12, 2023
A)
09 January to 25 January 2023
B)
11 January to 27 January 2023
C)
13 January to 29 January 2023
D)
15 January to 31 January 2023

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 13 January to 29 January 2023


Hockey India has launched a new metaverse product to tie in with its hosting of the Men’s World Cup in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela from 13 January to 29 January 2023.

‘Hockeyverse’, which Hockey India claims marks a first for a national sports federation, has been launched across the governing body’s social media platforms and is designed to enhance the tournament experience for fans around the world.
 
About the ‘Hockeyverse’ features :

* The ‘Hockeyverse’ features unique attractions such as replica of the newly built Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium, there is also The Time Machine which is uniquely designed based on time travel elements, this building just outside the main entrance of the stadium has 2 rooms, consisting of a brief history of Indian Hockey’s achievements so far and their current achievements.

* ‘Hockeyverse’ will provide a new virtual experience where global hockey fans can visit and experience their favourite sport from the comfort of their home, on their personal computer. Upon entering the ‘Hockeyverse’ URL in a browser they are welcomed to the ‘hockeyverse’ virtual world page.

* Fans can then enter their name, email address and then select their virtual Avatar’s gender between male avatar and female avatar. Then they should click on ‘Enter Hockeyverse’ button. Once they are in, the Hockeyverse can be explored by fans using their keyboard and mouse..

Published On : January 12, 2023
A)
6.3%
B)
6.9%
C)
7.4%
D)
7.8%

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 6.9%


A World Bank report has projected India’s economy to grow 6.9 per cent in FY23, much lower than the 8.7 per cent growth achieved by the country in the previous financial year.
 
“Growth in India is projected to slow from 8.7 percent in FY2021/22 to 6.9 percent in FY2022/23, the latter revised 0.6 percentage point lower since June,” said the World Bank in its latest Global Economic Prospects Report.
 
* India will be the fastest-growing economy among the seven largest emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), the report added.

* While India remains economically stronger in comparison to all other countries in the South Asian Region (SAR), the ongoing global financial slowdown could hit the nation’s growth in FY24.
 
* The World Bank noted that India’s goods trade deficit has more than doubled since 2019, while CAD stands at a nine-year-high at 4.4 per cent of the GDP.
 
* In view of the global challenges, the World Bank has projected India’s FY24 GDP growth to slow to 6.6 per cent before “falling back toward its potential rate of just above six per cent”.
 
* The World Bank expects global growth to decelerate sharply in 2023 to 1.7 per cent from the 3 per cent it predicted six months ago.

* The report further highlighted that policy tightening, high inflation, worsening financial conditions and continued disruptions from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have sharply dented global economic growth prospects..

Source : India Today

Published On : January 12, 2023
A)
Gujarat
B)
Karnataka
C)
Odisha
D)
Tamil Nadu

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Odisha


DRDO, India successfully carried out a test launch of tactical ballistic missile Prithvi-II from a test range off the Odisha coast on Tuesday (10th Jan 2023).
 
The defence ministry said the missile struck its target with "high accuracy".
 
"A successful training launch of a short-range ballistic missile, Prithvi-II, was carried out on January 10 from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha."
 
"A well-established system, Prithvi-II missile has been an integral part of India's nuclear deterrence. The missile struck its target with high accuracy," the ministry said in a statement.
 
It said the "user training launch" successfully validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile.
 
The Prithvi-II missile has a range of around 350 kilometres..

Source : Business Standard

Published On : January 12, 2023
A)
Canara Bank
B)
Federal Bank
C)
Union Bank of India
D)
Indian Bank

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Indian Bank


Indian Bank has received the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulatory approval to hold special rupee vostro accounts of three banks from Sri Lanka.

The lenders are struggling against serious foreign exchange crunch.
 
The Chennai-headquartered public sector bank, which has had a long presence in the South Asian island nation, is expected to activate the special vostro accounts in about a week.
 
A vostro account in local currency would allow Sri Lanka to import from India without dipping into its declining dollar supply.

The INR vostro facility is part of the special trade settlement mechanism finalised by the RBI in July 2022.
 
The arrangement allows Indian importers to deposit rupees in vostro accounts that overseas banks open with banks in India and clearing of dues to Indian exporters from the surplus balances in the vostro accounts..

Source : Money Control

Published On : January 11, 2023
A)
South Indian Bank
B)
Indian Overseas Bank
C)
Bank of India
D)
IDFC FIRST Bank

Correct Answer : Option (A) - South Indian Bank


The South Indian Bank launched a MSME online portal providing instant online ‘In Principle’ approval of up to ₹1 crore.
 
MSME enterprises are the most important pillars of the economy and the government is working towards making the sector stronger. This development is at the backdrop of central government considering to make India a $5 trillion economy.
 
South Indian Bank is facilitating MSMEs to get instant funds. This initiative will help thousands of micro and small businesses avail loans quickly.
 
Murali Ramakrishnan, MD & CEO, South Indian Bank said, “India is a hub for MSME’s and we are truly determined to serve this sector by providing instant facility. This initiative will help domestic sector to achieve their dream of scaling up businesses who had difficulty in securing loans..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Published On : January 11, 2023
A)
SBI
B)
Axis Bank
C)
Yes Bank
D)
RBL Bank

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Axis Bank


Axis Bank announced signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru to establish a Centre for Mathematics and Computing at the Institute.  
 
The centre spread over 1.6 lakh square feet will have labs and programmes benefitting faculty and students. Additionally, it will host the new IISc BTech programme in Mathematics and Computing and the ongoing Interdisciplinary PhD programme in Mathematical Sciences.

Over 500 engineers and scientists are estimated to be benefited annually.
 
Govindan Rangarajan, Director, IISc, said, “Mathematics and Computing are at the core of critical disciplines like Computational Fluid Dynamics, Computational Biology, Quantum Computing, Precision Medicine, Digital Health, Climate Science, Materials Genomics, Cybersecurity, AI, ML, and Data Science.

The centre will provide a platform for exploring and advancing research and innovation in the above areas and serve as a training ground for the next generation of leaders in these fields, offering a range of educational and professional development opportunities for students and faculty.”
 
The centre will play a vital role in building the country’s future as many contemporary and futuristic areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Data Science rely on the foundations of mathematics and computing, said the company in a press release.
 
“The higher education ecosystem is a space that is constantly evolving, especially post-Covid, and India has huge potential to stand out as a global hub for new-age, innovative, and quality education. For us, this is one small way to play our part in supporting and nurturing the future generations of the country,” said Amitabh Chaudhry, MD and CEO, Axis Bank..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Published On : January 11, 2023
A)
A.R. Rehman
B)
Devi Sri Prasad
C)
Yuvan Shankar Raja
D)
MM Keeravaani

Correct Answer : Option (D) - MM Keeravaani


Natu Natu, the super successful song from the Indian film RRR, has received the coveted Golden Globe award for Best Original Song.

MM Keeravani is the composer of the history-making music for filmmaker SS Rajamouli's blockbuster film.

Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj are the vocalists. "Naatu Naatu," a dance routine featuring Jr NTR and Ram Charan, has become something of an anthem for Rajamouli fans. It made waves with its intricate dance and musical narrative.

Published On : January 11, 2023