1. Which country’s military force has unveiled the artificial intelligence robot ‘Valkyrie’ for aerial combat?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Germany
[D] UAE
Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
The Valkyrie, a next-generation drone, is a prototype, has been introduced by the United States military force.
It will serve as a supplement to the fleet of traditional fighter jets. The robot is powered into flight by a rocket engine and it can fly a distance equal to the width of China. It has a stealthy design and is capable of carrying missiles that can hit enemy targets far beyond its visual range.
2. Which state/UT inaugurated India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) School?
[A] Telangana
[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Punjab
Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) school called as Santhigiri Vidyabhavan in Kerala’s capital city, Thiruvananthapuram.
The AI school is a result of a collaboration between iLearning Engines (ILE) USA and Vedhik eSchool.
3. Muhammed Anas and Amoj Jacob, who were in the news, are associated with which sports?
[A] Javelin Throw
[B] Weight lifting
[C] Relay
[D] Shotput
Answer: C [Relay]
Notes:
Indian men’s 4x400m relay team consisting of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi and Rajesh Ramesh broke the Asian record.
The team qualified for the final round of the World Championships, for the first time. The earlier Asian record of 2:59.51 was in the name of Japanese team. The earlier national record was 3:00.25 set in 2021.
4. A postage stamp was released in memory of Dadi Prakashmani, who is associated with which institution?
[A] Brahma Kumaris
[B] Goonj
[C] Pratham
[D] Give India Foundation
Answer: A [Brahma Kumaris]
Notes:
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu released a postage stamp in memory of Dadi Prakashmani, former chief of Brahma Kumaris at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.
This stamp was released under the ‘My Stamp’ initiative of the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications to mark the 16th death anniversary of Dadi Prakashmani.
5. Which state/UT launched a clean district ranking drive called MODI (Most Outstanding District Initiative)?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] Odisha
[D] Telangana
Answer: B [Assam]
Notes:
Assam launched a clean district ranking drive called MODI (Most Outstanding District Initiative), to boost solid waste management and sanitation.
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the most outstanding district will be awarded Rs 100 crore towards infrastructure development and the results will be tentatively declared by the first week of April 2024. The cabinet also approved installation of 2,000 CCTV cameras across the state.
6. Thiruvonam is a festival prevalently celebrated in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Karnataka
Answer: A [Kerala]
Notes:
Thiruvonam, the most auspicious day during the Onam festival, is celebrated throughout Kerala. Onam is a harvest festival that celebrates the return of King Mahabali/Maveli to his beloved state.
The festival is celebrated for ten days and each day holds a lot of significance. Onam also marks the beginning of the Malayalam year, called Kolla Varsham.
7. When is the National Sports Day celebrated in India?
[A] August 21
[B] August 23
[C] August 25
[D] August 29
Answer: D [August 29]
Notes:
Every year on August 29, India celebrates National Sports Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
It is also called Rashtriya Khel Divas. The day is dedicated to the country’s sports heroes and champions for their contribution and dedication towards bringing pride to the nation. It aims to raise awareness about the values of sports.
8. Who is the oldest man to win singles clash at US Open, as of 2023?
[A] Jimmy Connors
[B] Stan Wawrinka
[C] Tommy Haas
[D] Takao Suzuki
Answer: B [Stan Wawrinka]
Notes:
Former US Open champion Stan Wawrinka became the oldest man to win a singles contest at the tournament since 40-year-old Jimmy Connors in 1992.
The 38-year-old Swiss veteran, who claimed the last of his three Grand Slam titles in New York in 2016, outclassed Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.
9. Which country has been recently hit by tropical storm Idalia?
[A] Cuba
[B] South Africa
[C] Australia
[D] India
Answer: A [Cuba]
Notes:
Western Cuba was lashed by tropical storm Idalia and is likely to turn into a major hurricane as it moves towards the Gulf Coast in Floria.
Evacuations have been ordered by the officials. Idalia was churning around 80 miles off Cuba’s western tip.
10. As per the annual lightning report, which state recorded the highest number of flashes in 2022- 23?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Mizoram
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Sikkim
Answer: C [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Madhya Pradesh is found to be the lightning hub of India with maximum flashes of 987,095 in 2022- 23 and highest deaths of 340 per year, according to the fourth annual lightning report.
It highlights that the country recorded more than 20 million lightning strikes in 2022-23, 60% increase in cloud-to-ground lightning from 2019-20. The Lightning Resilient India Campaign is a collaborative endeavour between the climate resilient observing systems promotion council (CROPC) and the India meteorological department (IMD).