1. What is the primary purpose of the Red Flag exercise in which India has recently participated?
(A) To conduct naval operations in the Indian Ocean
(B) To enhance international trade relations
(C) To practice and enhance aerial combat skills
(D) To conduct disaster relief operations
(E) To train in anti-terrorism tactics
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has landed its most advanced fighter aircraft, Rafale, at the Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, United States, to participate in the multinational Red Flag 24-2 exercise.
The Red Flag-Alaska 24-2 will be a two-week military exercise starting on 30 May 2024 and ending on 14 June 2024.
The Red Flag exercise was started by the United States Air Force after the Vietnam War in 1975.
The Red Flag Alaska was initially known as Cope Thunder and was based in the Clark Air Base Philippines.
It was later renamed Red Flag Alaska in 2006 and moved to the Eielson Air Force Base of the United States.
The Red Flag Alaska is conducted by the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), the air component command of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).
The primary purpose of the Red Flag exercise is to provide pilots and aircrew with realistic combat training to enhance their aerial combat skills and improve their operational readiness.
2. When has the world observed World No Tobacco Day?
(A) 31 May
(B) 30 May
(C) 01 June
(D) 03 June
(E) 02 June
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
The world observes World No Tobacco Day on 31 May every year.
The World Health Assembly of the World Health Organisation (WHO) passed a resolution in 1988 to observe 31 May as World No Tobacco Day.
31 May 1988, was observed as the first World No Tobacco Day.
Tobacco is believed to be the native plant of the Americas.
The credit for introducing tobacco in India goes to the Portuguese. They introduced the crop in India in 1605.
India is the second largest producer of tobacco in the world after China
It is the second-largest exporter of tobacco in the world after Brazil
3. Government has recently raised retirement & death gratuity limits to how much?
(A) Rs 15 lakh
(B) Rs 20 lakh
(C) Rs 22.5 lakh
(D) Rs 25 lakh
(E) Rs 30 lakh
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
The maximum limit for Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity is increased by 25%, from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, effective January 1, 2024.
The Central government increased the dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) by 4% in March 2024.
Gratuity is a defined benefit plan given by the employer to the employee for rendering services continuously for five years or more.
4. What is the updated global unemployment rate projection for 2024 by the International Labour Organisation (ILO)?
(A) 5.2%
(B) 5.0%
(C) 4.9%
(D) 4.8%
(E) 4.7%
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
The International Labour Organisation (ILO), which once predicted that unemployment would increase to 5.2% this year from 5% in 2023, now projects a global unemployment rate of 4.9% in 2024.
Before this, the UN in another report had said that India’s GDP would grow by 6.8% in 2023.
However, 402 million individuals were unemployed and wanted employment.
5. What is the name of 12 year old Indo-American, who has recently won the Scripps National Spelling Bee?
(A) Ananya Vinay
(B) Bruhat Soma
(C) Gokul Venkatachalam
(D) Nihar Janga
(E) Karthik Nemmani
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Bruhat Soma, a 12-year-old Indian-American, has won the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Bruhat emerged victorious in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, earning more than USD 50,000 in cash and other prizes.
This year’s contest came down to a tiebreaker in which Bruhat spelled 29 words correctly in 90 seconds, beating Faizan Zaki, who managed to correctly spell 20 words
6. During their 6th meeting, what main issue did the Joint Working Group of India and Japan discuss?
(A) Economic collaboration between India and Japan
(B) Regional and cross-border terrorism threats
(C) Climate change and environmental policies
(D) Trade agreements and tariffs
(E) Technological advancements and innovation
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
India and Japan’s Joint Working Group discussed regional and cross-border terrorism threats during their 6th meeting.
Emphasis on information sharing, capacity building, and training programs to combat terrorism, and cooperation via multilateral forums such as UN, FATF, and Quad.
Agreement to hold the 7th meeting of the JWG in Tokyo.
7. What is the primary focus of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and IIT Hyderabad?
(A) To develop medical devices and address specific health issues of soldiers
(B) To enhance economic cooperation
(C) To promote cultural exchange programs
(D) To conduct joint military exercises
(E) To develop renewable energy technologies
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
AFMS and IIT Hyderabad signed an MoU to collaborate on developing medical devices and addressing specific health issues of soldiers
The collaboration includes innovations in drone-based patient transport, telemedicine, AI applications, and nanotechnology
The partnership will also facilitate student exchanges, short-term courses, and faculty exchanges to enhance medical research and training.
8. Who recently took over as the CEO of WeWork?
(A) Adam Neumann
(B) Sandeep Mathrani
(C) Marcelo Claure
(D) Anant Yardi
(E) Artie Minson
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Anant Yardi took over as the CEO of WeWork.
Yardi ranks among the wealthiest in the software industry.
Yardi moved to the United States in 1968 and founded Yardi Systems in 1984, a company specializing in property management software.
Today, Yardi Systems generates nearly $3 billion in annual revenue.
Yardi invested over $200 million in WeWork less than two years ago and recently an additional $337.5 million.
9. What is the primary aim of the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence at IIT Kanpur?
(A) Cultural exchange
(B) Sports development
(C) Defense research
(D) Renewable energy
(E) Agricultural technology
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
IIT Kanpur establishes the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence.
This initiative aims to foster interdisciplinary research in advanced defense technologies, involving collaboration between academia, industry, and the DRDO.
The establishment of DIA CoE at IIT Kanpur started in 2022 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during Def-Expo-2022 at Gandhinagar.
Dr Samir V Kamat – Chairman, DRDO
Professor Manindra Agarwal – Director, IIT Kanpur
10. Which ministry has recently launched the Mass Communication Internship Programme?
(A) Ministry of Water Power
(B) Ministry of Home Affairs
(C) Ministry of External Affairs
(D) Ministry of Agriculture
(E) Ministry of Consumer Affairs
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Recently, the Department of River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti has announced the Mass Communication Internship Programme.
Under this program, research scholar students will be included as interns.
The duration of the internship will be six to nine months.
On completion of the internship program, candidates will be given an honorarium of Rs 15,000 per month and a certificate of internship.