General Knowledge(GK) (or) General Awareness

Correct Answer :   1135.6

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* INS Tushil, a stealth-guided missile frigate of the Krivak-III class, was developed under Project 1135.6.

* This project focuses on advanced frigates with state-of-the-art stealth designs, multi-role capabilities, and cutting-edge weapon systems.

* The ship is the 7th in the series and was built under a 2016 agreement between India and Russia, bolstering the operational strength of the Indian Navy.

Correct Answer :   Kush Maini

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* Kush Maini made history by becoming the first Indian to win the FIA Formula 2 Constructors' World Championship in Abu Dhabi.

* His exceptional season included five podium finishes, a race victory in Hungary, and India’s first-ever F2 pole position.

* Maini’s consistent performance was instrumental in securing the championship for Invicta Racing in the 2024 season.

Correct Answer :   Bangladesh

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* Bangladesh emerged victorious in the U19 Asia Cup Final against India by 59 runs at the Dubai International Stadium.

* Despite India's historical success in the tournament, they fell short of the 199-run target set by Bangladesh, leading to the latter successfully defending their title.

* This win highlighted Bangladesh's strong performance in the competition.

Correct Answer :   Hindustan Shipyard Limited

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* Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), a prominent leader in India’s shipbuilding and ship repair industry, won two awards at the 3rd PSU Transformation Awards 2024.

* The awards, received for innovative advancements in maritime technology, recognized HSL’s pioneering fender arrangement in Tugs for Submarines and its innovative method for installing Retractable Thrusters in Diving Support Vessels.

* These accolades highlight HSL's commitment to technological excellence and its significant contributions to the shipbuilding industry.

Correct Answer :   59th

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* The European Space Agency's PROBA-3 mission was launched aboard PSLV-C59, marking the 61st flight of the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle).

* This mission demonstrated ISRO's proficiency in satellite deployment and highlighted its collaboration with the European Space Agency and NewSpace India Limited.

* The PSLV has been a reliable workhorse for ISRO, and this launch utilized the PSLV-XL configuration, a variation optimized for specific missions.

* This milestone underlines ISRO’s sustained excellence in space exploration and international cooperation.

Correct Answer :   Two

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* The Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station includes two Indian astronauts, Prime-Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Backup-Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, who have completed the initial phase of their training.

* This mission is part of a private initiative by Axiom Space, using the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, and focuses on commercial activities, international collaboration, and scientific research.

* By including Indian astronauts, the mission highlights India's growing role in global space exploration and its ability to contribute to cutting-edge research in microgravity environments.

Correct Answer :   Shammi Silva

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The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has named Shammi Silva, President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), as its new President following Jay Shah’s transition to the role of Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Silva’s appointment marks a new chapter for the ACC at a critical juncture for Asian cricket.

Jay Shah, who had served three terms as ACC President, vacated the position after assuming his ICC responsibilities. Under Shah’s leadership, the ACC achieved record-breaking commercial rights valuations for the Asia Cup tournaments spanning 2024–31, a milestone that solidified the ACC’s growing global presence.

The Asian Cricket Council proudly welcomes Mr. Shammi Silva, President of Sri Lanka Cricket, as he assumes presidency of the ACC. Mr. Silva is poised to lead ACC to new heights, taking forward the legacy of outgoing president, Mr. Jay Shah.

Silva, re-elected as SLC President for a third consecutive term in May 2023, brings extensive administrative experience to his new role. He previously served as Chairman of the ACC Finance & Marketing Committee and is also a member of the ICC Audit Committee. His longstanding contributions to cricket governance have earned him a respected reputation within the international cricketing community.

A former Colombo Cricket Club player and a manager and coach for Sri Lanka’s national squash team, Silva has deep roots in sports. His multifaceted experience reflects a commitment to fostering both cricket and broader sporting excellence in Sri Lanka and beyond.

Silva assumes the ACC presidency at a time when Asian cricket is poised for further growth and development. His appointment aligns with the ACC’s strategic objectives of strengthening regional tournaments, expanding the cricketing infrastructure, and nurturing emerging talent across member nations.

Recently, Silva represented Sri Lanka at the ICC Board and participated in discussions with global cricket administrators, including a meeting with Jay Shah in Dubai. These engagements underscore his active role in shaping cricket’s future at both regional and global levels.

As ACC President, Silva is expected to continue building on Shah’s successes while addressing the evolving challenges and opportunities within Asian cricket. His leadership comes as the ACC looks ahead to the next Asia Cup and works towards solidifying Asia’s dominance in the global cricketing landscape..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   SBI

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* SBI Card has surpassed 20 million credit cards in circulation, marking a significant achievement in its growth since its inception in 1998.

* The company maintained an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25% in card issuance and 26% in spending from FY19 to FY24.

* Despite being the second-largest issuer in India, following HDFC Bank, SBI Card continues to show strong growth, supported by innovations, customer-centric services, and expanding market reach across urban and rural areas. This milestone solidifies SBI Card's leadership in the competitive credit card industry.

Correct Answer :   Vega-C

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* The Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite, part of a mission to provide high-resolution radar images for monitoring Earth’s environment, was launched aboard the Vega-C rocket.

* The launch took place from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

* This satellite enhances the Sentinel-1 series' capabilities, supporting scientific research, environmental monitoring, and maritime traffic tracking.

* The choice of Vega-C reflects its reliability and suitability for deploying advanced Earth observation satellites.

Correct Answer :   Veronica Michelle Bachelet

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Veronica Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile, has been honoured with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development 2024.

Her work in advancing human rights, promoting peace, and advocating for gender equality has earned her this prestigious recognition.

The selection was made by a distinguished jury led by Shivshankar Menon, reflecting her global impact in fostering equitable and peaceful development.