General Knowledge(GK) (or) General Awareness

Correct Answer :   Guwahati

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The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has announced that India will host the prestigious 2025 BWF World Junior Championships at the National Centre of Excellence in Guwahati. This marks a significant milestone as India will be hosting this premier badminton event for the first time since 2008, when it was held in Pune.

BWF World Junior Championships Return to India

After a gap of 17 years, the BWF World Junior Championships will once again take place in India. The exact dates for the 2025 edition will be announced later, but the excitement is already building among badminton enthusiasts and players alike.

This prestigious tournament provides a platform for young badminton talents from around the world to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level. Hosting the event in India is a testament to the country’s growing prominence in the sport and its commitment to nurturing the next generation of badminton stars.

Denmark to Host 2026 BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals

In another significant development, the 2026 edition of the BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals will be held in Horsens, Denmark. These prestigious team championships, featuring the world’s best men’s and women’s badminton teams, will be hosted by Denmark for the second time, following the successful 2021 edition held in Aarhus.

The hosting rights for both events were confirmed at the recent BWF Council meeting on April 28, 2024, highlighting the BWF’s commitment to bringing top-level badminton competitions to various parts of the world.

About the Badminton World Federation (BWF)

The Badminton World Federation (BWF), established in 1934 and headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is the international governing body for the sport of badminton. Recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the BWF oversees and promotes the development of badminton globally.

Under the leadership of President Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen, the BWF continues to work towards enhancing the sport’s popularity, fostering international cooperation, and providing opportunities for players and fans alike to experience the thrill of badminton at the highest level..

Correct Answer :   Vaishali Ramesh Babu

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Indian Chess Prodigy, Vaishali Ramesh Babu who has been awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE, the International Chess Federation said India is booming as far as the Chess landscape is concerned.

She also expressed confidence that India will perform well at the upcoming World Championship. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News, she lauded the contribution of Chess legend, Viswanathan Anand in taking Indian Chess to new heights.

While sharing her journey, Vaishali, said that it was due to her father’s decision to keep her away from television that she got enrolled into a Chess academy. She added that her parents have been her big support system.

Vaishali is the third Indian female Grandmaster, joining Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli. Vaishali completed the requisite 2500 ELO points at the Llobregat Open tournament in Spain, last year. However, the title was officially given to her only recently following the FIDE Council meeting during the Candidates Tournament in Toronto last month..


Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   DRDO

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India has successfully test fired Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) anti-submarine missile system off the Balasore coast of Odisha.

SMART is a next generation missile-based light weight torpedo delivery system. It has been designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Correct Answer :   China

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Pakistan’s Institute of Space Technology (IST) said on April 30 that the lunar mission iCube-Q will be launched on 3 May 2024 aboard China’s Chang’e 6 lunar probe, according to a report by Dawn.

The satellite was developed by IST in partnership with China’s Shanghai University SJTU and Suparco, which is the national space agency of Pakistan. It carries two optical cameras and will capture images of the Moon’s surface.

The Chinese embassy in Pakistan also confirmed the development and said the Chang’e 6 lunar probe will carry payloads from France, European Space Agency and Pakistan on a round trip.

“Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, #SUPARCO’s logo is seen on China’s most powerful rocket #LongMarch5! Together with China’s #ChangE6 lunar probe and payloads from France and #ESA, Pakistan’s CubeSat is ready to go to the moon in just a few days!” the embassy said in a post on X.

Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, #SUPARCO’s logo is seen on China’s most powerful rocket #LongMarch5! Together with China’s #ChangE6 lunar probe and payloads from France and #ESA, Pakistan’s CubeSat is ready to go to the moon in just a few days! pic.twitter.com/tlOebD5wVf

— Chinese Emb Pakistan (@CathayPak) April 29, 2024

According to the report, Chang’e 6 is the sixth lunar exploration mission of China. The mission, which will be launched from Hainan province in China, will collect soil and rock samples from the darker side of the Moon, making it the first to attempt such an endeavor, according to media reports..

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   Alok Shukla

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Alok Shukla, a renowned environmental activist and convenor of Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, has been selected for the prestigious 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize. Also known as the “Green Nobel Prize,” this annual award honours grassroots environmental champions worldwide for their outstanding contributions to environmental protection.

Winners of the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize :

This year, seven people from six inhabited regions of the globe have been selected for the annual Goldman Environmental Prize. They are :

Protecting the Hasdeo Arand Forest :

Shukla’s recognition stems from his relentless efforts to safeguard the Hasdeo Arand Forest, considered the lungs of Chhattisgarh. In 2010, the government auctioned two coal blocks in this area to private companies for mining. To counter this threat, Shukla founded the Hasdeo Aranya Bachao Sangharsh Samiti and mobilized local tribal communities.

Through sustained activism and pressure, Shukla succeeded in compelling the government to reverse its policy of auctioning 21 proposed coal mines in the Hasdeo Aranya area, ultimately leading to the cancellation of the proposed auction in 2022.

Global Recognition for Environmental Leadership :

The Goldman Environmental Prize, established in 1989 by American couple Richard and Rhoda Goldman, aims to honor grassroots environmental leaders, draw international attention to environmental problems, and encourage action. This year, seven individuals from six inhabited regions of the globe have been selected for the prestigious award.

Previous Indian Winners :

Alok Shukla joins the ranks of seven previous Indian recipients of the Goldman Environmental Prize, including renowned activists like Medha Patkar (1992), M.C. Mehta (1996), Rashida Bee and Champa Devi Shukla (2004), Ramesh Agarwal (2014), and Prafulla Samantara (2017). These remarkable individuals have fought tirelessly for environmental justice, land rights, and sustainable development across various parts of India.

Grassroots Environmental Activism :

The Goldman Environmental Prize defines grassroots leaders as individuals involved in local efforts where positive change is created through community or citizen participation. Shukla’s recognition highlights the critical role played by grassroots activism in protecting the environment and preserving natural resources for future generations.

As Alok Shukla receives this prestigious award, his efforts serve as an inspiration for environmental champions around the world, reminding us of the power of collective action and the importance of protecting our planet’s precious ecosystems.

Correct Answer :   Gina Justus

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Gina Justus, a teacher at Our Own English High School, Sharjah Girls’ Branch, has been named the regional winner for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in the 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards.

Justus, originally from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, has been working in the UAE since 2005 and was recognised for her outstanding mentorship and dedication to charity.This year’s competition saw a record-breaking number of nominations, with over 14,840 submissions from 141 countries.

The Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards is a global competition that honors exceptional primary and secondary school teachers. Students, parents, and peers can nominate teachers who have made a significant impact on their educational journey.

In its sixth year, the competition emphasizes the crucial role teachers serve in molding the lives of their students and equipping them for the global stage.The public will now vote to determine the overall winner of the 2024 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards, which will be announced on May 29th, 2024..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   7.1%

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The National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) predicts India’s GDP growth for the fiscal year 2024-25 to be 7.1%. Utilizing high-frequency models, NIPFP underscores the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts, emphasizing tax buoyancy and compression of revenue expenditure.

States’ Capex Growth :

In the fiscal year 2023-24, states witness robust capital expenditure (capex) growth, attributed to substantial transfers from the central government. This highlights the effective utilization of resources at the state level, contributing to economic expansion.

Divergent Projections :

While NIPFP’s forecast stands at 7.1%, other entities such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Fitch Ratings estimate a growth rate of 7%. In contrast, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), S&P Global Ratings, and Morgan Stanley project a slightly lower growth rate of 6.8% for FY25, indicating varying perspectives on India’s economic trajectory.

IMF’s Appreciation of India’s Fiscal Discipline :

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) commends India for maintaining fiscal discipline, particularly noteworthy in an election year. Emphasizing the significance of sound macro fundamentals, IMF’s Director for Asia and Pacific Department, Krishna Srinivasan, lauds India’s steady economic performance, projecting growth at 6.8% for 2024-25, driven by private consumption and public investment.

Correct Answer :   China

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The Archery World Cup 2024 has begun 23rd April 2024 in Shanghai, China. India’s Jyothi Surekha Vennam finished second in the women’s compound qualification round at Stage I.
 
The 27-year-old Asian Games gold medallist shot a score of 711 to finish behind Andrea Becerra of Mexico, who had a score of 713.

Meanwhile, the reigning world champion from India, Aditi Swami, finished eighth in the qualification round with a score of 704. The other two Indians, Parneet Kaur (703) and Avneet Kaur (696) finished 14th and 23rd, respectively.
 
The Indian women’s team, comprising top three scorers Vennam, Swami, and Parneet, finished as the best team in the qualification round with a total score of 2118. The Indian women’s team will, thus, start as the top seeds in the competition, ahead of South Korea (2117) and Mexico (2116). The teams are ranked by adding the individual scores of the top three archers from the country.
 
In the men’s compound qualification round, no Indian finished in the top 10 of the individual event..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Usain Bolt

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Legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has been named by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the ambassador for the 9th ICC Men’s T-20 World Cup, which will be hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America jointly from 1 to 29 June 2024.

As a brand ambassador, Usain Bolt will promote the World Cup event, attend T20 World Cup matches in the West Indies, and participate in fan engagement events to promote the cricket sport within the United States.

World Record Holder Legendary Sprinter Usain Bolt

9th ICC Men’s T- 20 World Cup 2004 Teams and Fixtures

The 9th ICC Men’s T-20 World Cup will be the biggest men’s T-20 World Cup in terms of participation. For the first time, 20 teams will participate in the T-20 World Cup. The West Indies and the United States of America will co-host the World Cup from 1 to 29 June 2024.

Teams :

Five Groups

The 20 teams have been divided into four groups, each consisting of five teams. The top two teams from each group qualify for the next stage and will be part of the Super Eight.

In the Super Eight stage, the eight teams will be divided into two groups. The top two teams will qualify for the semi-finals. The winner of the semi-finals will play in the finals to decide the winner of the 9th ICC Men’s T-20 World Cup.

Correct Answer :   Yuzvendra Chahal

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The Rajasthan Royals leg spinner reached the milestone during the IPL 2024 match against Mumbai Indians at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Monday (22nd April 2024). Chahal had Mohammad Nabi caught and bowled in his first over of the night to etch his name into the history books.

Chahal outfoxed Nabi with his change of pace, forcing the Afghan batter to mistime his shot and play the ball straight to him. Chahal finished with figures of 1/48 as the Royals won the game by nine wickets with eight balls to spare.

The 33-year-old Chahal made his IPL debut in 2013 and has played a total of 153 matches in the tournament till date. His wickets have come at an average of 21.60 and a strike rate of 16.76, which is the best among the top seven wicket-takers in the competition.

With 200 wickets, Chahal is also the leading wicket-taker in the IPL. He went past West Indian Dwayne Bravo in IPL 2023 to go on top of the all-time wicket taker’s chart in the competition. Another Royals’ spinner Ravichandran Ashwin with 172 scalps is currently seventh in the list.

Chahal was signed by the Royals during the mega auction before the IPL 2022. He delivered instantly with 27 wickets from 17 matches that season and guided the Royals to their first final since the inaugural edition in 2008.

He also finished as the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2022 and won his first Purple Cap, which is awarded to the bowler with the most wickets in an edition of IPL.

Continuing his purple patch with the Royals, he ended IPL 2023 with 21 wickets from 14 matches and finished fifth in the highest wicket taker’s list for the season. Chahal has been a consistent performer in the last four years of IPL, picking up 20-plus wickets in three of these.

Chahal is poised to enjoy yet another fruitful season and has raced to 13 wickets off just eight matches in IPL 2024 already. The veteran leg spinner has picked up at least one wicket in each of his appearances for the Royals this year.

In just his third season with the Rajasthan Royals, Chahal has already picked up 61 wickets and is only five scalps away from becoming their top wicket-taker in the IPL. Siddharth Trivedi, with 65 wickets in 76 matches, currently tops the list..

Source : Rajasthan Royals