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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)
Sukant Kadam and Deep Ranjan
B)
Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam
C)
Manoj Sarkar and Pramod Bhagat
D)
Deep Ranjan Bisoyee and Manoj Sarkar

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam


In the Four Nations Para-Badminton International 2023 held in England, the top-ranked men's doubles duo of Pramod Bhagat and Sukant Kadam clinched a gold medal in the SL3-SL4 category.

They achieved this victory by defeating Ranjan Bisoyee and Manoj Sarkar.

Bhagat secured a silver medal in the singles SL3 category, and he also teamed up with Manisha Ramdass to claim a silver medal in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 category.

Kadam won a bronze in the singles SL4 category..

Source : AIR

Published On : August 8, 2023
A)
SBI Life Insurance
B)
Postal Life Insurance
C)
Life Insurance Corporation
D)
Go Digit Life Insurance

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Postal Life Insurance


Postal Life Insurance (PLI), a distinguished name in the insurance sector since 1884, is taking a momentous leap forward in its customer-centric approach. Recognising the pivotal role of its sales force, the PLI is proud to introduce the pilot program for “Direct Incentive Disbursement” in the Delhi and Uttarakhand Circles.

The cornerstone of PLI's success has always been its sales staff, the driving force behind the department’s accomplishments. Their dedication profoundly influences PLI’s ability to acquire and retain clients, making them indispensable brand ambassadors. By delivering personalised services and cultivating strong client relationships, PLI’s agents consistently contribute to the growth of revenue.

In alignment with its unwavering commitment to continuous improvement, PLI is now unveiling a major enhancement to its agent incentive program. 

Through the "Direct Incentive Disbursement” feature, agents will experience the seamless transfer of their hard-earned commissions from the previous month directly to their Post Office Savings Bank Accounts.

This groundbreaking initiative will impact around two lakh sales force members across the nation, including Gramin Dak Sevaks, Direct Agents, Field Officers, and Departmental Employees. With secure and instantaneous fund transfers, this streamlined process eradicates delays and the need for physical checks. By modernising the way incentives are distributed, the PLI aims to solidify its bond with agents and inspire a culture of excellence.


Key benefits of pilot program :

* Swift and Secure Transactions: Salesforce receive incentives directly in their POSB accounts.

* Convenience and Motivation: Salesforce can conveniently manage their funds, and immediate rewards drive optimal performance.

* Simplified Administration: Automated payouts reduce administrative costs, enabling a greater focus on delivering client service.

The unveiling of this initiative was graced by Shri Alok Sharma, Director General, Postal Services, Department of Posts, in the presence of the Member (PLI) & Chief General Manager (PLI). Chief Postmasters General of all Postal Circles also participated in this program through video conference..


Source : PIB

Published On : August 8, 2023
A)
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
B)
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
C)
Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL)
D)
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)


The Indian Army inducted the lighter and more compact version of the indigenously developed Weapon Locating Radar (WLR-M) called "Swathi Mountains."

The induction ceremony took place on August 5, 2023, at Agra, where Lieutenant General JB Chaudhari, the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (DCOAS) for Capability Development and Sustenance (CD&S), flagged off the radar system.

The Swathi Mountains WLR is an advanced electronically scanned phased array radar, specifically designed for operations in mountainous and high-altitude areas and was developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru.


What is a Weapon Locating Radar?


The Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) stands as a critical asset for modern militaries, employing advanced signal processing techniques to autonomously detect and track hostile artillery, mortars, and rocket launchers. Notably, it even tracks friendly fire trajectories, enabling precise calculations for more accurate artillery strikes. The radar's sophistication lies in its ability to detect and track small projectiles across the battlefield while factoring in environmental conditions for precise launch and impact point estimations.

A hallmark of the WLR is its high mobility and swift deployment capabilities, allowing it to adapt to changing operational requirements efficiently. Its slewable platform further enhances its agility, enabling scanning of different areas without the need for physical repositioning. Ensuring effectiveness in hostile environments, the radar is designed with survivability and resistance to electronic warfare measures in mind. The WLR also acts as a potent friendly force multiplier by providing critical information on enemy weapon systems.

The older version of India's Swathi WLR (Plains) operates on a passive phased array system with side lobe levels, making it capable of handling simultaneous fire from weapons deployed at multiple locations. It can effectively process a high density of returned signals caused by various factors such as weather conditions, ground clutter, and aerial objects, enabling it to provide real-time information for mission success.


Swathi Plains vs. Swathi Mountains :


The Swathi radar comes in two versions: the Swathi Plains (WLR) and the Swathi Mountains (WLR-M). The Swathi Plains version is primarily designed to locate hostile guns, mortars, and rockets, and it can also track the fall of shot from friendly weapons for corrective measures on flat terrains like Plains, as the name of the version suggests.

On the other hand, the Swathi Mountains version, the one inducted yesterday, is a more compact and mobile version specifically designed for operations in mountainous and high-altitude terrains.The WLR-M, or Swathi Mountains, is capable of detecting mortar shells and rockets and tracking projectiles. It classifies projectile and non-projectile targets, rejecting unwanted signals like birds, clutter, and aircraft. Moreover, it offers trajectory estimation and launch/impact point extrapolation, automatically correcting for height to enhance accuracy. The radar system is equipped to store and display trajectory data and maintain communication with higher echelons for better coordination.


Swathi's Success :


The Ministry of Defence signed contracts on March 30, 2023, for the procurement of an improved Akash Weapon System and 12 Weapon Locating Radars (WLR) Swathi (Plains) for the Indian Army, worth over Rs 9,100 crore.Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, "A welcome development, which will boost self-reliance and particularly help the MSME sector."

Last year, the IA ordered six additional Swathi WLR-M systems. With the inclusion of the recent orders for the Swathi Plains radar, the IA will soon operate a total of 48 such systems. The initial order of Swathi radars was delivered by BEL in 2007 and was accepted by the IA in 2008. As of today, according to estimates, the IA operates 30 Swathi MK 1 radars, with 12 more on order. Additionally, the induction of MK 2 radars began yesterday.

Also, in March 2020, India exported four Swathi Weapons Locating Radars to Armenia valued at $40 million. Both countries are currently discussing expanding their collaboration for defence equipment sales..

Source : Republicworld

Published On : August 8, 2023
A)
Chirag Shetty
B)
Srikanth Kidambi
C)
Lakshya Sen
D)
H.S. Prannoy

Correct Answer : Option (D) - H.S. Prannoy


The ninth-ranked Indian shuttler HS Prannoy won silver at the Australian Open Badminton 2023 final in Sydney on Sunday (6th August 2023).

History will only show that China’s Weng Hongyang won the 2023 Australian Open badminton title. It won’t record the drama, the continuous momentum shift, the stretching of physical abilities of two shuttlers who pushed their levels of endurance for 90 minutes to entertain anyone watching the men’s singles final in Sydney on Sunday (6th August 2023).

The adrenaline was high, emotions were pumped but it was eventually nerves that decided the contest as the Chinese shuttler rallied from 14-19 down in the decider and saved a championship point to win the $420,000 tournament by beating HS Prannoy 21-9, 21-23, 22-20.


Starting favourite :

Seeded sixth and having knocked out top seed Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia in the quarter-final, Prannoy started as the favourite in a repeat of the Malaysia Masters final – a 94-minute marathon – which he won in May.

In the second final of the year for both, it was Weng who seized the initiative. Playing top ranked left-handers is a rarity on the circuit, which is why southpaws have an advantage. World No.24 Weng made full use of that to pull away at the start to take a 11-6 lead. Weng started to dominate, attacking the net to pull away and win the game..

Source : Hindustan Times

Published On : August 8, 2023
A)
RBL Bank
B)
Bandhan Bank
C)
IndusInd Bank
D)
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Bandhan Bank


Bandhan Bank partners with the state government for Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC)

This partnership aims to fortify the state’s tourism sector by facilitating digital payment options. To start with, Bandhan Bank will deploy Point of Sale (PoS) machines, offering tourists the convenience of card payments at various prime destinations. The bank will, in future, deploy UPI acceptance as well.

The locations where the bank will deploy its payment terminals include those in Puri, Bhubaneshwar, Konark, Chilka, and Gopalpur.

“Over the years, Odisha has held a special place in Bandhan Bank’s strategic map. Our collaboration with the Odisha Government is a testament to our commitment to deliver enhanced payment solutions to the state’s discerning tourists.

At Bandhan Bank, we remain steadfast in our endeavour to serve all segments of society, and this joint effort marks yet another stride towards that goal,” said Shantanu Sengupta, the head of retail banking at Bandhan Bank.

The private lender has approximately 150 banking outlets across Odisha; Nationwide, Bandhan Bank’s has over three crore customers through a network of 6,100 banking outlets spanning 34 states and union territories..


Source : Times of India

Published On : August 8, 2023
A)
Life Insurance Corporation and ICICI Lombard
B)
ICICI Lombard and New India Assurance
C)
Star Health and Allied Insurance
D)
New India Assurance and Max Life Insurance

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Star Health and Allied Insurance


Star Health and Allied Insurance (Star Health), a standalone health insurer, has entered into a strategic corporate alliance with Standard Chartered Bank (SCB).

Under this tie-up, SCB will offer Star Health’s insurance products through their extensive branch network across India. SCB currently has 100 branches spread across 42 cities.

With this branch network, SCB will serve as a convenient one-stop destination for its customers seeking comprehensive health insurance coverage.

Bancassurance is an insurance distribution model where insurance companies partner with banks to sell policies. Both the bank and the insurance company get to benefit from this arrangement. While the bank earns a commission from the insurance company, the insurer gains from the bank’s distribution network.

This strategic alliance will enhance Star Health’s distribution network. As of June 30, 2023, the standalone health insurer had over 6.4 lakh agents and 38 bancassurance partners.

Anand Roy, MD and CEO, Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd., said, “Our health insurance policies are crafted to cater to the varied health insurance requirements of individuals, offering holistic protection for every customer.

By collaborating with Standard Chartered, we not only expand the reach but also deliver top-tier services that align with the needs of India’s affluent clientele.”

Saurabh Jain, MD & Head, Wealth Management India, Standard Chartered Bank, said, “Health and protection are key needs today for clients managing their wealth, with Standard Chartered’s Wealth Expectancy Report for 2022 revealing that over 54 per cent of respondents in India have prioritised health and wellness post-pandemic. We are pleased to partner with Star Health and bring their products and services to address the evolving health needs of our clients.”

The escalating healthcare costs in India have resulted in an unprecedented surge in the demand for health insurance. Customers now require comprehensive policies that cater to their medical requirements, encompassing benefits such as OPD Care, Hospi Cash, and Critical Illness Coverage.

This partnership will help increase insurance penetration in India and contribute to Star Health’s endeavor to make quality health insurance accessible to everyone in every part of the country..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Published On : August 8, 2023
A)
Shreya Sinha
B)
Neha Bisht
C)
Deepika Kumari
D)
Aditi Swami

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Aditi Swami


Aditi Swami’s tryst with history continued. A day after winning India’s maiden gold medal in the World Archery Championships as a member of the women’s compound team, the 17-year-old became the youngest-ever world champion and claimed the country’s first-ever individual title at senior level, beating Mexico’s Andrea Bercerra 149-147 in the individual women’s compound event final in Berlin on Saturday.

Aditi perhaps is going through the best phase of her career. Only last month she won the Under-18 world titles in both individual and team categories in the Youth Championships in Limerick, thus becoming both the cadet and senior world champion at the same time.


Hours later, India got its second world champion when Ojas Deotalebecame the firstever male archer from the country to win gold. Ojas hit perfect 150 points in the final against Poland’s Lukasz Przybylski who scored 149 in men’s compound individual event. India thus ended with three gold and one bronze medal in the championship..

Source : Times of India

Published On : August 7, 2023
A)
Prarthana Thombare
B)
Ankita Raina
C)
Riya Bhatia
D)
Karman Kaur Thandi

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Prarthana Thombare


Prarthana Thombare has clinched the doubles title at the women's tennis hardcourt event in Barcelona, Spain in August 2023.

The Asian Games bronze medallist, combined with Russian Anastasia Tikhonova, edged out France’s Estelle Cascino and Latvia’s Diana Marcinkevica 3-6, 6-1, 10-7 in the final.

It is the second title of the year and 26th overall for Prarthana, who bagged bronze with Sania Mirza in 2014 at Incheon.

Siddhant Banthia and Sai Karteek Reddy won their second title this season in ITF men’s event in Astana, Kazakhstan.

They defeated Estonia’s Daniil Glinka and Karl Kiur Saar 7-5, 6-7, 10-4 to lift the trophy in the hard-court event. It is the first crown for both the players who had triumphed in their first appearance as a team in an event in Jakarta in June 2023.

In the ITF women’s event in Foxhills, Britain, Rutuja Bhosale in partnership with Destanee Aiava of Australia beat the top seeds Talia Gibson and Petra Hule of Australia in the doubles final. It was the 22nd career doubles title for the 27-year-old Rutuja..

Source : AIR

Published On : August 7, 2023
A)
Nushrat Bharucha
B)
Mrunal Thakur
C)
Pooja Hegde
D)
Rashmika Mandanna

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Mrunal Thakur


Mrunal Thakur will be honoured with the  Diversity in Cinema Award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2023. The award is a recognition of Thakur’s versatile performances across films of different languages.

The recognition comes as Thakur completes a year of having made her debut in South Indian Cinema with Telugu film Sita Ramam (2022).

Expressing her joy at receiving this award, Thakur said, “I am truly honoured and humbled to receive the Diversity in Cinema Award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. This recognition reaffirms my belief in the power of storytelling that transcends languages and cultures. As an artist, I've always aimed to explore a wide spectrum of characters, and this award motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and taking up roles that challenge and inspire me. I am grateful for the opportunities I've had and excited for what the future holds in this incredible journey of cinema”.

Thakur was last seen in Lust Stories 2. She has Made in Heaven Season 2 Hi Nanna opposite Telugu star Nani, and VD 13 with Vijay Deverkonda..

Source : Film Companion

Published On : August 7, 2023
A)
Rs 92,947.86 Crores
B)
Rs 1,00,947.86 Crores
C)
Rs 1,09,947.86 Crores
D)
Rs 1,21,947.86 Crores

Correct Answer : Option (C) - Rs 1,09,947.86 Crores


The combined market valuation of seven of the top-10 most valued firms eroded by Rs 1,09,947.86 crore last week, with State Bank of India taking the biggest hit, in-tandem with weak trend in equities.

Last week, the BSE benchmark fell by 438.95 points or 0.66 per cent.

From the top-10 pack, Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, Hindustan Unilever, ITC, State Bank of India, Bharti Airtel and Bajaj Finance were the laggards while Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HDFC Bank and Infosys witnessed addition in their market valuation.

The valuation of State Bank of India tumbled Rs 38,197.34 crore to Rs 5,11,603.38 crore.

Shares of State Bank of India on Friday (4th August 2023) fell by nearly 3 per cent after the company's first quarter earnings failed to cheer investors.

The market capitalisation (mcap) of ICICI Bank eroded by Rs 17,201.84 crore to Rs 6,79,293.90 crore.

ITC's valuation tanked Rs 16,846.18 crore to Rs 5,66,886.01 crore and that of Bajaj Finance fell by Rs 14,366.34 crore to Rs 4,32,932.18 crore.

The mcap of Reliance Industries went lower by Rs 11,806 crore to Rs 16,98,270.74 crore and that of Hindustan Unilever declined by Rs 9,069.42 crore to Rs 5,98,299.92 crore.

Bharti Airtel's valuation dipped by Rs 2,460.74 crore to Rs 4,97,908.56 crore.

However, the mcap of TCS jumped Rs 31,815.45 crore to Rs 12,59,555.25 crore.

Infosys added Rs 15,791.49 crore taking its valuation to Rs 5,72,062.52 crore. The mcap of HDFC Bank climbed Rs 7,080.63 crore to Rs 12,47,403.26 crore.

Reliance Industries remained the most valued firm of the country, followed by TCS, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Hindustan Unilever, Infosys, ITC, State Bank of India, Bharti Airtel and Bajaj Finance..

Source : Times of india

Published On : August 6, 2023