General Knowledge(GK) (or) General Awareness

Correct Answer :   Hamad International Airport (DOH)

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Hamad International Airport (DOH), located in Doha, Qatar, has been awarded the "World's Best Airport" title by the esteemed Skytrax World Airport Awards 2024.

The ceremony was held at the Passenger Terminal Expo 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany. The airport also received the title of 'World's Best Airport Shopping' for the second consecutive year and was named "Best Airport in the Middle East" for 10 consecutive years.

* Hamad International Airport saw significant growth in passenger traffic in 2023, serving more than 45 million passengers, a significant increase of 31% compared to the previous year.

* The airport has welcomed new airline partners including Vistara, Iberia, Xiamen Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Japan Airlines. It now serves over 250 destinations including passenger, cargo and chartered flights.

* As Hamad International Airport approaches its 10th year of operation, it is preparing for a busy year ahead.

* The airport is also investing in new technologies and industry-first initiatives to enhance sustainability efforts, strengthening its position as a leader in the aviation industry. Hamad International Airport is Qatar's gateway to the world.

* Hamad International Airport is a diverse lifestyle destination in its own right, featuring contemporary shopping and dining options, entertainment and leisure facilities and a world-class art collection of internationally acclaimed artists.

* The airport expansion project has been completed, significantly increasing capacity and enhancing its multimodal offering.

* MATAR, the Qatari company for airport management and operations, is responsible for the commercial and operational functions of the airport and is a corporate subsidiary of Qatar Airways Group.

About qatar :

* Qatar is a nation located in West Asia. It is located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East.
* It's only land border to the south which is shared with Saudi Arabia, while the Persian Gulf surrounds the rest of its territory.
* The Gulf of Bahrain, the gateway to the Persian Gulf, separates Qatar from neighboring Bahrain.
* The capital is Doha and more than 80% of the country's population lives there. The land is mostly flat and low desert.

Correct Answer :   DRDO

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The long-range Nirbhay cruise missile was successfully test-fired off the Odisha coast on Thursday (18th April 2024).

The missile, also known as Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM), is equipped with an indigenous propulsion system and the Manik turbofan engine.

THIS IS BIG! India tests Nirbhay cruise missile — for the first time with an Indian propulsion system, the Manik turbofan engine, replacing the earlier Russian engine. Hard to overstate what a milestone this is for India’s missile program. ?????? pic.twitter.com/0wr6NGNdvU

— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) April 18, 2024

The missile is indigenously developed by Bengaluru-based DRDO laboratory Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).

The test was conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

This successful flight test also established the reliable performance of the indigenous propulsion system developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Bengaluru.

During the test, all subsystems of the weapon performed as per expectations. The missile performance was monitored by several Range Sensors like Radar, Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS) and Telemetry deployed by ITR at different locations to ensure complete coverage of the flight path.

The missile followed the desired path using waypoint navigation and demonstrated very low-altitude sea-skimming flight. The flight of the missile was also monitored by IAF Su-30-Mk-I aircraft..

Source : India Today

Correct Answer :   DRDO

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A state-of-the-art Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE) was inaugurated by Secretary, Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat at Underwater Acoustic Research Facility, Kulamavu in Idukki, Kerala on April 17, 2024. The SPACE, set up by the Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory of DRDO, has been designed as a premier testing and evaluation hub for sonar systems destined for Indian Navy onboard various platforms including ships, submarines and helicopters.

 The SPACE marks a milestone in naval technology advancement. It will consist of two distinct assemblages - a platform which floats on the water surface, and a submersible platform which can be lowered to any depth upto 100 m using winch systems. Upon completion of operations, the submersible platform can be winched up and docked with the floating platform.

 The SPACE will mainly be utilised for evaluation of complete sonar system, allowing for quick deployment and easy recovery of scientific packages such as sensors and transducers. It will be suitable for survey, sampling, and data collection of air, surface, mid-water, and reservoir floor parameters using modern scientific instrumentation. It will cater to the needs of data processing and sample analyses in modern, well equipped scientific laboratories heralding a new era of Anti-Submarine Warfare research capabilities..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Duvvuri Subbarao

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The author of the memoir "Just a Mercenary?: Notes from My Life and Career" is Duvvuri Subbarao, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

In this memoir, Subbarao shares insights into his career and the challenges faced, particularly highlighting the tensions between the RBI and the government during his tenure.

Correct Answer :   SBI Life Insurance

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SBI Life Insurance has inaugurated IdeationX, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering life insurance innovation. This initiative encourages future leaders from top B-Schools to devise unconventional solutions that cater to evolving consumer needs in the insurance sector.

Engaging B-Schools for Innovation :

IdeationX targets students from prestigious B-Schools nationwide, urging them to think creatively and present innovative life insurance solutions.

Inaugural Edition Success :

The inaugural edition witnessed participation from over 1000 students representing renowned B-Schools such as NIA, NIRMA, SIES, KJ Somaiya, IMI, BML Munjal, IMT, and XIME. Following rigorous screening, 320 students advanced to the final round, comprising eight teams of five.

XIME-Bangalore Emerges Victorious :

The triumphant team from XIME-Bangalore clinched the esteemed title of SBI Life IdeationX winner, showcasing exceptional creativity and problem-solving skills.

Visionary Insights from SBI Life :

Mr. Subhendu Bal, Chief Actuary & Chief Risk Officer at SBI Life Insurance, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response to IdeationX. He emphasized the importance of nurturing early problem-solving skills among management students to cultivate future industry leaders.

Shaping the Future of Insurance :

Mr. Bal underscored the significance of inspiring future leaders to envision universal insurance coverage by 2047. He praised the passion and dedication of the participants, highlighting their potential to reshape the life insurance landscape and contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation.

Correct Answer :   6.8%

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday (16th April 2024) raised India’s GDP growth projection for 2024-25 by 30 basis points to 6.8 per cent in its update to the World Economic Outlook (WEO), citing buoyant domestic demand. However, the fund’s estimate is below the 7 per cent growth projection by the government.

“Growth in India is projected to remain strong at 6.8 per cent in 2024 (FY25) and 6.5 per cent in 2025 (FY26), with the robustness reflecting continuing strength in domestic demand and a rising working-age population,” the IMF said in its report. For India, according to the report, data and forecasts are presented on a financial year basis.

For FY24, the IMF raised India’s GDP growth projection to 7.8 per cent, compared to 6.7 per cent in its January report. For FY26, the IMF expects the country’s economic growth to slow down slightly to 6.5 per cent -- the same as projected in its January update.

According to the second advance estimates by the National Statistical Office, the growth rate of GDP during 2023-24 was estimated at 7.6 per cent, compared to a growth rate of 7 per cent in 2022-23.

Rating agencies, including Fitch and Barclays, recently revised India’s GDP growth projection for FY24 to 7.8 per cent due to strong domestic demand and persistent growth in business and consumer confidence levels.

The finance ministry in its last monthly economic report (for February) said that strong growth accompanied by stable inflation and external account, and progressive employment outlook would help the Indian economy close FY24 on a positive note. “There are headwinds like indications of hardening crude oil prices and global supply chain bottlenecks to trade. Nonetheless, India, on the whole, looks forward to a bright outlook for FY25,” it said.

On inflation, the fund projected India’s consumer price inflation declining from an average of 5.4 per cent in FY24 to 4.6 per cent in FY25, and further to 4.2 per cent in FY26..


Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Horticulture

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The CDP-SURAKSHA initiative by the Indian government is aimed at revolutionizing horticulture subsidies, and streamlining their distribution through digital integration and secure payment mechanisms.

This initiative is a significant step towards supporting horticulture farmers and promoting growth in the horticulture sector.

Correct Answer :   Uzbekistan

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Aimed at bolstering military collaboration with Central Asian nations, Army Chief General Manoj Pandey has embarked on an important four-day visit to Uzbekistan from April 15 – 18, 2024.

His itinerary includes inaugurating an IT lab established by India for the Uzbekistan Army and overseeing the fifth iteration of the Dustlik exercise, a joint endeavour between the two nations’ armed forces. Notably, both India and Uzbekistan are active members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO organization).

During his stay, General Pandey will engage with senior military leaders, including Uzbekistan’s Defence Minister Lieutenant General Bakhodir Kurbanov and Army Chief (Deputy Defence Minister) Major General Khalmukhamedov Shukhrat.

#IndiaUzbekistanFriendship????

General Manoj Pande #COAS interacted with Major General Khalmukhamedov Shukhrat Gayratjanovich, First Deputy Minister of Defence and #CGS of #UzbekistanArmedForces to discuss aspects of strengthening military cooperation between both the Armies.… pic.twitter.com/2mnoO8TKfu

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) April 16, 2024

 
Source : Financial Express

Correct Answer :   0.53%

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March 2024 witnessed a positive inflation rate of 0.53% in India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) compared to March 2023. This inflation was primarily attributed to increased prices in food articles, electricity, crude petroleum & natural gas, machinery & equipment, and other manufacturing sectors.

Month-over-Month Change in Major Groups of WPI :

1. Primary Articles (Weight 22.62%) :  
2. Fuel & Power (Weight 13.15%) :  
3. Manufactured Products (Weight 64.23%) :
4. WPI Food Index (Weight 24.38%) :

Correct Answer :   74.35 meters

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Mykolas Alekna achieved a distance of 74.35 meters in discus throw, breaking the men's world record previously held by Jürgen Schult at 74.08 meters.

This remarkable feat occurred at the Oklahoma Throws Series meeting in Ramona, showcasing Alekna's exceptional talent and dedication.