General Knowledge(GK) (or) General Awareness

Correct Answer :   Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

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Recently (25 Dec 2023), Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) spacecraft entered into orbit around the moon after a months-long journey.

* It is a spacecraft built and launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on September 7, 2023, from the Tanegashima spaceport.

* It weighed only 590 kg.

* It was launched together with XRISM, a next-generation X-ray space telescope, onboard an H-2A rocket.

* It entered into an elliptical orbit around the moon over three minutes or so.

* Its apogee (farthest point) in this orbit is 4,000 km and perigee (closest point) is 600 km above the lunar surface.

What will SLIM do on the moon?

Just before it lands, SLIM will deploy two small rovers called Lunar Excursion Vehicle (LEV) 1 and 2. LEV-1, LEV-2, and SLIM will together study the lunar surface near the landing point, collect temperature and radiation readings, and attempt to study the moon’s mantle.

Correct Answer :   Pooja Dhanda

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Indian wrestler Pooja Dhanda, a decorated athlete with international accolades, has been suspended for one year by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) due to three whereabouts failures. This article examines the details of the case and its implications.


Whereabouts Failures and NADA Regulations :

* NADA, established in 2005, is India’s central anti-doping agency responsible for testing athletes to ensure fair competition and adherence to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations.
* Elite athletes like Pooja, included in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP), must provide a 60-minute window for potential testing during the year.
* Failing to comply with these obligations constitutes a whereabouts failure, with three such failures within 12 months leading to a suspension.


Pooja’s Case :

* NADA recorded two filing failures and one missed test against Pooja in 2022.
* Filing failures involved discrepancies in submitting location updates.
* The missed test occurred in December 2022 while travelling to the national wrestling championships.
* Pooja argued she offered alternate testing times and locations, though NADA deemed it insufficient.

Disciplinary Action and Impact :

* NADA’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel charged Pooja with three whereabouts failures and imposed a one-year ban on December 5, 2023.
* The suspension retroactively began on June 15, 2023.
* This means Pooja will be ineligible to compete in various tournaments and training camps until June 14, 2024.


Implications and Pooja’s Achievements :

* This suspension significantly impacts Pooja’s career trajectory, potentially affecting her training and preparation for future events.
* Despite the penalty, it’s crucial to acknowledge Pooja’s impressive accomplishments as a world championship bronze medalist (2018), Commonwealth Games silver medalist (2018), and Youth Olympic Games silver medalist (2010).

Correct Answer :   Virat Kohli

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Veteran Indian batsman and former captain of the Indian team, Virat Kohli has become the Indian batsman who has scored the most runs in the World Test Championship (WTC).

This new record was achieved in the first match of the ongoing Test series against the South African cricket team.

He left Indian captain Rohit Sharma behind.

Rohit has so far scored 2,097 runs in 42 innings of 26 Tests in the WTC.

Virat has so far scored 2101 runs in 57 innings of 35 test matches.

Correct Answer :   INS Imphal

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INS Imphal, a Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at an impressive ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on December 26, 2023. The event marks the formal induction of the third of four indigenous ‘Visakhapatnam’ class destroyers, being designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.

* Speaking on the occasion, the Raksha Mantri described INS Imphal as a shining example of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence and a reflection of the commitment of Indian Navy, MDL & all other stakeholders towards national security. “INS Imphal is a symbol of India's growing maritime power and it will strengthen it further. It will bolster our principle of ‘Jalmev Yasya, Balmev Tasya’ (One Who Controls the Sea is All Powerful) in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

* The ship measures 163m in length, 17m in breadth with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and is amongst the most potent warships built in India. It is propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas & Gas configuration, and is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots.

* The Raksha Mantri defined INS IMPHAL as a conglomeration of different strengths of the nation. “Brahmos Aerospace installed Brahmos missile on the ship. Torpedo tube launchers are of Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Rapid Gun Mount has been installed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), and Medium Range missiles by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). In addition, many start-ups and MSMEs are involved in its construction. Just like many elements have given a concrete form to INS IMPHAL, people from all walks of life should work together for us to become ‘Viksit Bharat’. Every citizen is a carrier of India's security and progress. Whenever one works, the betterment of the nation must be kept in mind,” he said.

* Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated the Government’s resolve to lay equal emphasis on the modernisation of all the three Services to safeguard national interests, stating that earlier governments focussed only on protecting the country from land-based threats. He pointed out that with the Himalayas in the north and the hostile behavior of Pakistan in the west, most of India’s goods trade comes through sea, which makes it an island country from ‘trade’ perspective. He stressed on the need to continuously develop the Navy’s capabilities as global trade is of great importance to India to secure its national interests.

* The Raksha Mantri also referred to the recent suspected drone attack on Merchant Vessel (MV) Chem Pluto in the Arabian Sea and the attack on 'MV Sai Baba' in the Red Sea. He stated that India's growing economic and strategic power has filled some forces with jealousy and hatred. He added that the Government of India has taken the attacks very seriously and the Navy has increased its surveillance. He assured that the perpetrators of these attacks will soon be brought to justice and strict action will be taken against them.

* “India plays the role of a Net Security Provider in the entire Indian Ocean Region. We will ensure that maritime trade in this region touches greater heights. For this, together with our friendly countries, we will keep the sea lanes secure. We have full confidence in the ability and strength of our Navy,” said Shri Rajnath Singh..


Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   David Warner

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Australia cricket team's opening batsman David Warner has become the second highest run-scorer Australian batsman in international cricket. Warner achieved this feat in the ongoing Test series against Pakistan on 26 December 2023.

He has left Steve Waugh behind in this matter. Veteran former cricketer Ricky Ponting is on top in the list of Australian batsmen who have scored the most runs in international cricket, who has scored a total of 27,368 runs.

Correct Answer :   Anmol Kharb

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* In Badminton, Anmol Kharb has won the women’s singles title at the National Badminton Championships 2023 in Guwahati. The teenager lost the first game of the final to Tanvi Sharma but fought back to level the score.

* The men’s singles title clash saw an upset as the unseeded Chirag Sen secured the national title after defeating fourth-seed Tharun M.
 

* In the mixed doubles summit clash, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto defeated the sixth-seeded duo of Nitin Kumar-Navdha Manglam 21-13, 21-8 to claim their maiden national title.

* Priya Devi Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra lifted the women’s doubles title with a win over Ritika Thaker-Simran Singh. The men’s doubles final was an edge-of-the-seat thriller where K Pruthvi Roy-Suraj Goala caused an upset by defeating Krishna Prasad Garaga-Vishnuvardhan Goud Panjala...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Dommaraju Gukesh

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In Chennai Grand Masters 2023 tournament, Indian chess prodigy, Dommaraju Gukesh clinched the title by holding compatriot Pentala Harikrishna for a draw, 21st Dec 2023.

* Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi secured the second spot. Both Arjun and Gukesh finished the event at 4.5 points out of 7. Gukesh won the tournament on tie-breaks. Pentala Harikrishna finished third with 4 points, as all three Indians in the tournament ended the campaign with a podium finish.  

* With this win, Gukesh takes the lead in the FIDE Circuit. If he keeps the lead till 1st January 2024, he will qualify for the highly coveted Candidates Tournament 2024. Earlier, R. Praggnanandhaa qualified for the Candidates by finishing second at the FIDE World Cup 2023 held at Baku, Azerbaijan this year.

* Vidit Gujrathi too secured the candidate's spot by winning the FIDE Grand Swiss 2023 concluded on the 5th of November this year at the Isle of Man (UK).

* The 2024 Candidates Tournament is an eight-player chess tournament, held to determine the challenger for the 2024 World Chess Championship. It is scheduled to be held from 2 to 25 April 2024 in Toronto, Canada..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   HDFC bank

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Private sector HDFC Bank on Wednesday (20th Dec 2023) said it has raised Rs 7,425 crore via non-convertible bonds for funding infrastructure and affordable housing projects.

* The bank issued and allotted on Wednesday (20th Dec 2023) on a private placement basis 7.71 per cent unsecured, redeemable, long-term, fully paid up, non-convertible bonds in the nature of debentures, HDFC Bank said in a regulatory filing.

* As many as 7,42,500 bonds of face value Rs 1,00,000 each were issued to raise Rs 7,425 crore for funding infrastructure and affordable housing projects, it said.

* The bank issued 7,42,500 bonds of face value Rs 1 lakh each, it said..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   2

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The Sports ministry on Wednesday (20th Dec 2023) announced the National Sports Awards 2023. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023 will be given to Indian shuttlers Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty and Rankireddy Satwik Sai Raj for their contribution to Badminton.

Another 26 Sports persons will receive the Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2023. Veteran seamer Mohammed Shami has also been picked for the Arjuna Awards for his brilliant performance for team India.

The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 9, 2024.

National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.

‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award’ is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over the period of the previous four years.


National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.

‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award’ is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over the period of the previous four years.

‘Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games’ is given for good performance over a period of the previous four years and for showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.

‘Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games’ is given to coaches for doing outstanding and meritorious work on a consistent basis and for enabling sportspersons to excel in International events.

‘Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime achievement in Sports and Games’ is given to honour sportspersons who have contributed to sports by their performance and who continue to contribute to promotion of sports event after their retirement.

The overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments is given the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.

List of Recipients Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023 :

* Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty (Badminton)
* Rankireddy Satwik Sai Raj (Badminton)
* Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2023
* Ojas Pravin Deotale (Archery)
* Aditi Gopichand Swami (Archery)
* Sreeshankar M (Athletics)
* Parul Chaudhary (Athletics)
* Mohameed Hussamuddin (Boxing)
* R Vaishali (Chess)
* Mohammed Shami (Cricket)
* Anush Agarwalla (Equestrian)
* Divyakriti Singh (Equestrian Dressage)
* Diksha Dagar (Golf)
* Krishan Bahadur Pathak (Hockey)
* Pukhrambam Sushila Chanu (Hockey)
* Pawan Kumar (Kabbadi)
* Ritu Negi (Kabbadi)
* Nasreen (Kho-Kho)
* Pinki (Lawn Bowls)
* Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (Shooting)
* Esha Singh (Shooting)
* Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu (Squash)
* Ayhika Mukherjee (Table Tennis)
* Sunil Kumar (Wrestling)
* Antim (Wrestling)
* Naorem Roshibina Devi (Wushu)
* Sheetal Devi (Para Archery)
* Illuri Ajay Kumar Reddy (Blind Cricket)
* Prachi Yadav (Para Canoeing)
* Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games 2023
* Lalit Kumar (Wrestling)
* R. B. Ramesh (Chess)
* Mahaveer Prasad Saini (Para Athletics)
* Shivendra Singh (Hockey)
* Ganesh Prabhakar Devrukhkar (Mallakhamb).


Source : Argusenglish

Correct Answer :   Poonam Khetrapal Singh

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Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia, has been awarded Bhutan’s prestigious National Order of Merit Gold Medal for her distinguished services to the country.

* The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk honored Dr Khetrapal Singh, an Indian national, at Bhutan’s 116th National Day celebration here.

* “Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the first woman Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia Region, played a pivotal role in supporting transformative healthcare leadership in Bhutan from 2014 to 2024. Her tenure witnessed remarkable strides, including Bhutan becoming one of the first countries to eliminate measles and rubella ahead of schedule. She made significant contributions to help Bhutan excel in COVID-19 vaccination,” the King said.

* “Dr Khetrapal Singh’s impactful strategies extended across communicable diseases, reproductive health, health systems, and social determinants, and had a lasting positive impact on Bhutan’s public health services,” he said.

* In a video message post the award ceremony, Dr Khetrapal Singh thanked His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk for the award. She said, “as Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia for the last decade, it has been my vision to address priority health issue through eight flagship programmes, and promote health and wellbeing for everyone, everywhere”.

* The Regional Director said Bhutan’s efforts and achievements in the last decade have been exceptional – eliminating polio, maternal and neonatal tetanus, eliminating measles and rubella, taking the lead in WHO South-East Asia Region for addressing mental health and making efforts to eliminate cervical cancer by expanding HPV vaccination and screening.  The country is making exceptional efforts to address other non-communicable diseases. Bhutan’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was commendable.

* “With the ongoing focused interventions, I am confident of and also wish Bhutan many more laurels in public health in the coming years,” Dr Khetrapal Singh said.

* Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh became the first Indian to be elected as the Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia. After a five-year term beginning February 2014, she was unanimously re-elected by the 11 Member countries of the Region, home to one quarter of the world’s population, for another five-year term from February 2019.

* During her decade long term, the Region has witnessed unprecedented advances in public health, specially around her flagship programmes.

* The Region eradicated polio and eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus. Bhutan and four other countries eliminated measles and rubella. The Region’s share in global measles deaths dropped from 40% in 2014 to 8% by the end of 2021.

* Countries initiated mainstreaming screening, diagnosing and treatment for noncommunicable diseases at the primary health care level and rolled out multi-sectoral responses to address key risk factors for non-communicable diseases.

* Between 2010 and 2021, the Region recorded 69% decline in maternal mortality, the steepest globally; 45% decline in under five mortalities, 39% decline in neonatal mortality and 54% decline in still births.  Availability of doctors, nurses and midwives increased by over 30.6% since 2014.

* Dr Khetrapal Singh identified elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTD) as a regional flagship. Six countries have eliminated at least one NTD. Two countries eliminated malaria. Three eliminated mother-to-child transmission of syphilis and HIV. Four countries achieved hepatitis B control through vaccination..

Source : WHO