General Knowledge(GK) (or) General Awareness

Correct Answer :   Noah Lyles

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American sprinter Noah Lyles clinched the gold medal in the men’s 100-meter sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics, ending a 20-year drought for American sprinters in this event.

Lyles won with a razor-thin margin of 0.005 seconds over Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, finishing with a time of 9.784 seconds.

His victory marks the first time an American has won the 100-meter gold since Justin Gatlin in 2004.

Correct Answer :   7.5%

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India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) has increased its GDP growth forecast for FY25 to 7.5%, up from the previous forecast of 7.1%.

This adjustment reflects stronger consumption demand and is supported by various factors such as government capital expenditure, improved corporate and bank balance sheets, private sector investment, and measures outlined in the union budget.

Additionally, Private Final Consumption Expenditure is expected to rise to 7.4% due to favorable budget measures and a potentially above-normal monsoon, contributing to the overall growth projection.

Correct Answer :   Kotak Mahindra Bank

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Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd has partnered with tech firm GOQii to launch the Kotak – GOQii Smart Vital Plus smartwatch.

This innovative device, priced at INR 3499, combines contactless payments with health monitoring features, enabling seamless transactions up to INR 5000 without requiring a PIN.

The smartwatch also allows users to track vital health metrics and provides a user-friendly interface for easy access to payments, promoting a cashless, secure, and efficient lifestyle.

Correct Answer :   HDFC Life

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The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) fined HDFC Life Insurance Rs 2 crore for breaching regulatory norms.

The penalty addressed violations related to policyholders' interests and outsourcing irregularities, each accounting for Rs 1 crore.

The violations were found during an inspection covering the financial years 2017-18 to 2019-20.

IRDAI has also issued directives to ensure compliance, requiring HDFC Life to submit an action plan and review outsourcing contracts.

Correct Answer :   Boxing

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Lieutenant Colonel Kabilan Sai Ashok, a serving Indian Army Officer, achieved the distinction of becoming the youngest Olympic referee from India in boxing at the Paris Olympics 2024.

His role as a referee highlights his commitment to the principles of fair play, integrity, and sportsmanship.

This accomplishment not only underscores his personal dedication but also brings pride to the Indian Army and the nation, showcasing the expertise of Indian officials in the international sports arena.

Correct Answer :   Axiom-4

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India has announced the selection of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the primary mission pilot, while Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will act as the backup.

This mission marks a significant step in strengthening human spaceflight cooperation between ISRO and NASA and advancing India’s human space program.

The experience from this mission will enhance India's human spaceflight capabilities and contribute to the Gaganyaan mission.

Correct Answer :   Assam

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The Assam government is preparing for an impressive Jhumur dance performance involving 8,000 tea tribe artists.

Jhumur is a traditional dance linked to the tea tribe communities in Assam, performed mainly during the Autumn season.

This dance, characterized by rhythmic movements and accompanied by musical instruments like the Madal, flute, and Taals, reflects the everyday life and emotions of the community.

This grand event highlights the cultural significance of Jhumur in Assam's heritage.

Correct Answer :   Paris Olympics

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India's campaign in tennis at the 2024 Paris Olympics incurred a heartbreaking end on Sunday (28th July 2024) after both Sumit Nagal and the pair of Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji lost their respective opening-round matches at Stade Roland Garros.

While the world No. 80 Nagal fought valiantly before losing 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 against France’s Corentin Moutet, ranked 68th, the unseeded men's doubles pair lost their match 7-5, 6-2 against Frenchmen Gael Monfils and Édouard Roger-Vasselin in 76 minutes.

Following the early exit at the Games, Bopanna confirmed his retirement from Indian tennis, thus ruling himself out from the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. He will, however, continue to represent India in ATP Tour events.

"This will definitely go down as my last event for the country. I totally understand where I am and now, I am just going to be enjoying the tennis circuit as long as that goes. This is already a big bonus for where I am. I never even thought that I'll be representing India for two decades. Right from 2002, making my debut and 22 years later still getting to represent India. I'm extremely proud of that," he said.

An Olympic medal has eluded Indian tennis since Leander Paes' historic singles bronze medal in the Atlanta Games in 1996. Bopanna came close to breaking the jinx in 2016 but finished fourth with Sania Mirza in the mixed event..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Swapnil Kusale

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Swapnil Kusale won the bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event at the Paris Olympics 2024.

His performance was marked by a total of 451.4 points, securing him the third spot on the podium.

This achievement contributed to India's medal tally in shooting, showcasing Kusale's precision and skill in the sport.

His success in this event follows India's tradition of strong performances in shooting at the Olympics, reinforcing the nation's growing prominence in the discipline.

Correct Answer :   4%

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In June 2024, the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) experienced a 4% increase compared to June 2023.

This growth reflects positive performance across various key sectors, including Coal, Electricity, Natural Gas, Steel, Fertilizers, and Cement.

The percentage increase indicates a solid expansion in the core industries, which is essential for understanding the broader economic activity and industrial growth trends in the country.