Correct Answer :   B.R. Kamboj

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Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University's Vice Chancellor Prof. B.R. Kamboj has been honoured with the prestigious M.S. Swaminathan Award in recognition of his contributions as a scientist and extension specialist in the field of agronomy.

Thawar Chand Gehlot, the Governor of Karnataka, presented him this award. The award ceremony took place at the International Conference on 'One Health One World,' held at Rajmata Vijayaraje  Scindia Agricultural University at Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh.

A special committee, constituted for the M.S. Swaminathan Award, selected Prof. B.R. Kamboj for his excellent achievements in the field of education, research, technology development and extension in agricultural science.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. B.R. Kamboj  is well aware of the common problems, needs and socio-economical conditions of the farmers. The agricultural recommendations put forth by Prof. Kamboj, stemming from his research work and collaborative extension activities with university scientists, have consistently proven to be highly advantageous for farmers.

Prof Kamboj has published about 300 research papers and articles in national and international journals, books and technical magazines..


Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   UAE

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India and UAE began a joint military exercise called ‘DESERT CYCLONE’ in Mahajan, Rajasthan on 2nd Jan 2024. The exercise will conclude on January 15.

* The UAE contingent comprising 45 personnel is being represented by troops from the Zayed First Brigade while the Indian Army contingent comprising 45 personnel is being represented mainly by a Battalion from the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.

* The aim of the drill is to enhance interoperability in sub-conventional operations including Fighting in Built-Up Area (FIBUA) in desert and semi desert terrain under the United Nations Charter on Peace Keeping Operations. The exercise will enhance cooperation and interoperability between both the sides during Peace Keeping Operations. The exercise will also foster collaborative partnership and help in sharing best practices between the two sides.

* Exercise ‘DESERT CYCLONE’ signifies further strengthening of bonds of friendship and trust between India and the UAE. The exercise aims to achieve shared security objectives and foster bilateral relations between two friendly nations..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   India (ISRO)

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) marked the beginning of 2024 with a significant milestone, launching its first mission of the year. On 1st January 2024, ISRO successfully lifted off the XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) along with 10 other satellites from the Sriharikota spaceport, using the reliable PSLV-C58 rocket.

This groundbreaking mission marks India’s foray into space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emissions from celestial sources, with a specific focus on the enigmatic world of black holes.


Purpose of XPoSat :

The primary objective of XPoSat is to investigate the polarization of intense X-ray sources in space. Astrophysicist Dr. RC Kapoor, commenting on the launch, emphasized that XPoSat is India’s maiden X-Ray satellite designed for detecting X-rays emanating from exotic objects such as neutron stars and black holes.


ISRO’s PSLV-C58 Mission :

The PSLV-C58 Mission is pivotal in propelling the XPoSat Satellite into an eastward low inclination orbit. Following the injection of XPoSat, the PS4 stage will undergo two re-starts to reduce the orbit into a 350 km circular orbit. This adjustment aims to maintain the satellite in a 3-axis stabilized mode, facilitating Orbital Platform (OP) experiments, according to ISRO.

PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) Experiment :

An integral part of the mission is the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) experiment. This experiment is poised to achieve the objectives of 10 identified payloads, provided by both ISRO and IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre).


Scientific Payloads on XPoSat :

The spacecraft of XPoSat hosts two crucial scientific payloads within a low earth orbit. The first of these, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays), is designed to measure polarimetry parameters, including the degree and angle of polarization. This will be conducted in the medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons, originating from astronomical sources. The second payload, XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing), is focused on providing spectroscopic information within the energy range of 0.8-15 keV.


ISRO’s Vision for XPoSat :

ISRO’s XPoSat mission represents a pioneering effort in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emissions. The agency underscores the significance of XPoSat as its first dedicated scientific satellite designed to undertake research in this specialized domain. With a specific focus on exploring the polarisation of intense X-ray sources, XPoSat is expected to contribute valuable insights into our understanding of celestial objects like never before.

Correct Answer :   ₹1.65-lakh crore

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In a significant economic development, Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections for December 2023 reached ₹1,64,882 crore, marking a notable 10.28% surge compared to the ₹1,49,507 crore collected in the same month the previous year. This accomplishment underscores the seventh consecutive month in the fiscal year where average GST collections have exceeded ₹1.6-lakh crore. Notably, November 2023 witnessed GST collections at ₹1,67,929 crore, contributing to the overall positive trend.


Robust Fiscal Performance: April-December 2023 :

During the period of April-December 2023, Gross GST collections reached ₹14.97-lakh crore, exhibiting a commendable 12% increase from the ₹13.40-lakh crore recorded in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year (April-December 2022). The first nine months of the current fiscal year demonstrated an average Gross GST collection of ₹1.66-lakh crore, reflecting a substantial 12% growth from the ₹1.49-lakh crore average reported in the same period of FY23.

Detailed Breakdown of December 2023 GST Collections :

Breaking down the December 2023 GST collections of ₹1,64,882 crore, the components include CGST at ₹30,443 crore, SGST at ₹37,935 crore, IGST at ₹84,255 crore (with ₹41,534 crore from goods import), and cess at ₹12,249 crore (including ₹1,079 crore from goods import).


Government Settlements and Total Revenue: December Highlights :

Government settlements in December 2023 amounted to ₹40,057 crore for CGST and ₹33,652 crore for SGST from IGST. Post settlements, the total revenue for the Centre and the States in December reached ₹70,501 crore for CGST and ₹71,587 crore for SGST, showcasing a robust fiscal scenario.

Correct Answer :   Anahat Singh

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India's young squash player Anahat Singh won the Women's Under-19 title at the 2023 Scottish Junior Open Squash in Edinburgh (Scotland).

* Anahat won the title by defeating Robin McAlpine 11-6, 11-1 and 11-5 in the final.


Anahat's performance in 2023 :

* Won the women's singles title at the National Squash Championships " 2023.
* Won gold medal in the under-15 girls category at the 2023 British Junior Open Squash.
* Won gold medal in the under-17 girls category at the 2023 Asian Junior Squash Championships.
* Won mixed doubles bronze medal with Abhay Singh in both the inaugural Mixed Doubles Championships and Asian Games.
* At 14, she was the youngest member of the Indian contingent for the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham.


Other winners of the Scottish Junior Open 2023 :

Girls Under-13 Winner :
* Indian Aadya Budhia won the girls' under-13 title.
* Divyanshi Jain was the runner-up in the Under-11 category.

Boys Under-15 Winner :
* India's Subhashish Chaudhary won the title by defeating compatriot Shiven Agarwal 5-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-8, 11-5 in the boys under-15 final.

Boys Under-13 Winner :
* Shrestha Iyer emerged winner by defeating Shreyansh Jah 11-8, 11-8, 3-11, 11-8 in the Boys Under-13 final.

Boys Under-11 Winners :
* Prabhav Bajoria won the boys' under-11 final.

National Squash Championship‚ 2023 :

* Held – 17 – 23 November 2023
* Venue – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
* Edition – 79th
* Men's Singles Result -
* Winner – Velavan Senthilkumar (Tamil Nadu)
* Runner-up - Abhay Kumar (Tamil Nadu)
* Women's Singles Result -
* Winner – Anahat Singh (Delhi)
* Runner up – Tanvi Khanna (Delhi)


30th Asian Junior Individual Squash Championships :

* Held - 16 -20 August 2023
* Venue – Dalian, China
* Result of girls under-17 category -
* Winner - Gold Medal - Anahat Singh (India)
* Runner-up – Silver Medal – Anna Kwong (China)


PSA Women's World Squash Championships‚ 2023 :

* Held – 3 – 11 May 2023
* Venue – Chicago, USA
* Winner – Nour El Sherbini (Egypt)
* Runner-up – Nouran Gohar (Egypt)

Correct Answer :   Koneru Humpy

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India’s Koneru Humpy showcased her prowess in chess by clinching the women’s individual silver medal at the 2023 World Rapid Chess Championships held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Despite a valiant effort, the 36-year-old Grandmaster succumbed to Russian player Anastasia Bodnaruk in a tie-break sudden death on time. This article delves into Humpy’s journey, her achievements, and the accompanying heartbreak faced by Vidit Gujrathi in the open section.


Koneru Humpy’s Achievements :

* Silver Medal in 2023: Humpy secured the women’s individual silver medal after a thrilling competition, highlighting her consistent performance at the world stage.

* Complete Set of Medals: With this silver, Humpy completes a set of medals at the women’s world rapid championships. She had previously won the bronze in 2012 in Moscow, Russia, and was crowned the world champion in 2019 at Batumi, Georgia.

* Tie-Break Drama: In a tense final round match against Kateryna Lagno, Humpy’s victory leveled her points with Bodnaruk, leading to a tie-break. Despite a promising start in the blitz tie-break, Humpy faced setbacks, ultimately succumbing to Bodnaruk in sudden death.

Vidit Gujrathi’s Heartbreak :

In the open section, Vidit Gujrathi experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, ultimately finishing fourth with nine points in 13 rounds. His hopes of a podium finish were dashed after an unfortunate blunder in the penultimate round against Vladimir Fedoseev, who went on to secure a silver medal.


Missed Opportunities :

Gujrathi was initially placed sole second, displaying promise for a medal. However, the unexpected blunder in a winning position against Fedoseev proved costly and prevented him from securing a medal at the championships.


Magnus Carlsen’s Successful Defense :

In the open section, the 33-year-old Magnus Carlsen successfully defended his title with a total of 10 points after 13 rounds. Carlsen maintained his composure, securing a comfortable draw in the final round against India’s R Praggnanandhaa, who finished eighth with nine points.

Correct Answer :   David Warner

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Ahead of his farewell Test match in Sydney, Australia opener David Warner announced his retirement from ODI cricket on Monday (01 Jan 2024).

* “I’m definitely retiring from one-day cricket as well. That was something that I had said through the World Cup, get through that, and winning it in India, I think that’s a massive achievement,” Warner said in an emotional press conference at the SCG on Monday (01 Jan 2024).

* “So I’ll make that decision today, to retire from those forms, which does allow me to go and play some other leagues around the world and sort of get the one-day team moving forward a little bit,” he added.

* However, Warner also suggested that if he is “playing decent cricket in two years’ time and they need someone”, he’d consider a returns for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

* Having featured across 161 games and scored around 7000 runs, Warner was part of Australia’s World Cup winning squad in 2015 as well as recently in 2023, where he finished as Australia’s leading run getter.

* The southpaw also teased that it might just not be him from Australia’s World Cup-winning side to hang his boots on the 50-overs format.

* “It might not just be me (retiring), but no-one (else has) said anything, so I think it just is me,” he said. “But it was a decision that I was very comfortable with.”

* With a T20 World Cup less later this summer, Warner also expressed his interests in participating for the next season of the Big Bash League. “I definitely am keen to pursue playing Big Bash next year. There’s going to be conversations behind the scenes to allow me to do that,” he said..


Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Madhav Godbole

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The Babri Masjid Ram Mandir dispute has been a longstanding and contentious issue in India, intricately woven into the fabric of its history and politics. A recent publication, titled “The Babri Masjid Ram Mandir Dilemma: An Acid Test for India’s Constitution,” authored by Madhav Godbole delves into the complexities of the issue, emphasizing the missed opportunities for resolution and the imperative for a modern and equitable solution.


Historical Perspectives :

The book underscores the possibility of preventing the Babri Masjid’s demolition, citing instances where timely intervention by leaders such as Rajiv Gandhi, V.P. Singh, and P.V. Narasimha Rao could have averted the hardening of political positions. It reflects on the historical wrongs and advocates for a rational approach to addressing the grievances, emphasizing that past atrocities should not justify present-day actions.


Constitutional Failures :

A critical aspect explored in the book is the failure of major constitutional bodies to discharge their responsibilities during the Babri Masjid episode. The author, a former Union Home Secretary and Secretary of Justice intimately involved in the events, provides insights into how institutions fell short, shedding light on the systemic challenges that need urgent attention.

Interplay of Religion and Politics :

The intermixing of religion and politics is identified as a significant contributor to the intensification of the conflict. The article emphasizes the need to disentangle these elements to pave the way for a more peaceful coexistence. It highlights the adverse effects of such interplay on the secular fabric of India and calls for a separation of religious sentiments from political maneuvering.


Baggage of the Past :

Neither Hindus nor Muslims are ready to relinquish the baggage of historical grievances. The article addresses the challenge of overcoming entrenched mindsets and advocates for an approach that acknowledges and respects the sentiments of both communities. It stresses the importance of finding common ground that fosters understanding and reconciliation.


Secularism in Contemporary India :

Post the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, concerns have arisen about India being perceived as a Hindu country. The book contends that strengthening secularism is the foremost challenge for the nation. It calls upon leaders of public opinion, parliamentarians, jurists, media figures, professionals, administrators, and the younger generation to actively engage in shaping a future that upholds the principles of equality and religious harmony.

Correct Answer :   January 1, 2024

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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to kick off the year 2024 with the launch of XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) on Monday (January 1, 2024). It is India's first XPoSat which aims to investigate the polarization of intense X-Ray sources and study the enigmatic world of black holes.

“XPoSat is India’s first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions," the space agency said. The satellite will be launched on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).


XPoSat Mission: Date, time and venue

The ISRO will launch PSLV-C58/EXPOSAT Mission at 09:10 hrs IST on Monday, January 1, 2024. The launch is planned from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.


All about XPoSat mission :

* ISRO's PSLV-C58 Mission will launch the XPOSAT Satellite into an eastward low inclination orbit. "After injection of XPOSAT, the PS4 stage will be re-started twice to reduce the orbit into 350 km circular orbit to maintain in 3-axis stabilized mode for Orbital Platform (OP) experiments," the space agency said.

* "The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) experiment will be executed meeting the objective of 10 identified payloads, supplied by ISRO and IN-SPACe," the ISRO said.

* The spacecraft of the XPoSat will carry two scientific payloads in a low earth orbit.

* "The primary payload POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) will measure the polarimetry parameters (degree and angle of polarization) in medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons of astronomical origin. The XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) payload will give spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV," ISRO said.

According to the ISRO, the objective of the mission are :

1. To measure polarisation of X-rays in the energy band 8-30keV emanating from about 50 potential cosmic sources through Thomson Scattering by POLIX payload.

2. To carry out long term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic X-ray sources in the energy band 0.8-15keV by XSPECT payload.

3. To carry out polarisation and spectroscopic measurements of X-ray emissions from cosmic sources by POLIX and XSPECT payloads respectively in the common energy band.

4. To study the distribution of magnetic field, geometric anisotropies, alignment with respect to line of sight, nature of accelerator in galactic cosmic X-Ray sources by measuring degree of polarization and its angle.

5. Structure and geometry of magnetic field of neutron stars, mechanism of X-Ray beaming and its relation with luminosity and mass of accretion rate of powered pulsars.

6. Understanding of galactic black hole binary sources.

7. To study and confirm about production of X-Rays is either from polar cap of neutron star or outer cap of pulsar magnetosphere.

8. To distinguish the synchrotron mechanism as dominant over thermal emission in Supernova remnants..


Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Pakistan

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* Pakistan on Wednesday (27th Dec 2023) conducted a successful flight test of indigenously developed guided multi-launch rocket system 'Fatah-II', which is capable of engaging targets with high precision up to a range of 400 kilometres, the army said.

* The 'Fatah-II' is "equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, sophisticated navigation system and unique flight trajectory," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the military, said in a statement.

* The weapon system is "capable of engaging targets with high precision up to a range of 400 kilometres," it said. The launch was witnessed by senior officers from tri-services and dedicated scientists and engineers, it added.

* In October end, Pakistan successfully conducted a training launch of the Ghauri Weapon System, a week after holding the flight test of the ballistic missile Ababeel Weapon System. In August 2021, Pakistan had conducted a successful test of indigenously developed Fatah-1 guided multi-launch rocket system (MLRS)..

Source : CNBC