1. Who has won the recently held parliamentary election in Maldives?
(A) Mohamed Muizzu
(B) Ibrahim Mohamed
(C) Abdulla Yameen
(D) Mohamed Nasheed
(E) Maumoon Gayoom
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
The parliamentary election held in April 2024 in the Maldives resulted in a significant win for the political party led by President Mohamed Muizzu.
The People’s National Congress (PNC), led by Muizzu, secured 66 out of the initial 86 seats declared, ensuring a super-majority in the 93-member parliament.
The Maldives, known for its luxurious holiday destinations, also has a strategic location along global shipping routes, making it a focal point of geopolitical tensions in the Indian Ocean.
Maldives is a group of islands located in the north-central Indian Ocean, which are part of the South Asian region.
These islands were formed from a submerged ancient volcanic mountain range and are primarily made up of coral atolls.
2. What was the net direct tax collection of the government of India in 2023-24?
(A) Rs 17.25 lakh crore
(B) Rs 16.43 lakh crore
(C) Rs 22.14 lakh crore
(D) Rs 19.58 lakh crore
(E) Rs 23.81 lakh crore
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
The government of India’s net direct tax collection (after refunds) in 2023-24 was Rs 19.58 trillion ( 19.58 lakh crore).
The Central Board of Direct Taxation (CBDT) released the latest direct tax figure on 21 April 2024.
In the Union Budget, the government has set a direct tax collection target of Rs 18.23 lakh crore for 2023-24, which was later revised to Rs 19.45 lakh crore.
The final net collection was over Rs 13000 crore, above the revised estimates.
In 2022-23, the net direct tax collection was Rs16.64 lakh crore. The direct tax collection in 2023-24 has shown an increase of 17.70%.
The Gross direct tax collection (before adjusting for refunds) for 2023-24 was Rs.23.37 lakh crore, compared to Rs 19.72 lakh crore in 2022-23, a growth of 18.48%.
3. The 34th Seng Khihlang festival has recently started in which state?
(A) Mizoram
(B) Nagaland
(C) Meghalaya
(D) Manipur
(E) Tripura
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
The 34th Seng Khihlang festival, Concluded in Wahiajer, Meghalaya which had been started in Wahiajer.
The Khasi people are an indigenous ethnic group residing in the eastern part of Meghalaya, in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills of north-eastern India.
The Khasis occupying the northern lowlands and foothills are generally called Bhois, while those who live in the southern tracts are termed Wars. Khasis residing in Jaintia hills are now better known as Jaintias or Pnars.
4. Who has become the youngest-ever male player to win the FIDE Candidates tournament?
(A) D Gukesh
(B) Ding Liren
(C) Arjun Erigaisi
(D) Anish Giri
(E) Hikaru Nakamura
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
D Gukesh has become the youngest male chess player to win the FIDE Candidate Tournament.
In the women’s section, Tan Zhongyi of China won the 2024 FIDE Candidate Tournament.
D Gukesh will face the current FIDE World Champion, Ding Liren of China, later this year.
D Gukesh became the second Indian after Vishwanathan Anand to win the FIDE Candidate Tournament.
D Gukesh is the third youngest player to play in the Candidate tournament after Bobby Fischer of the US and Magnus Carlsen of Norway.
D Gukesh became the youngest player to win the Candidate tournament at the age of 17.
5. Which armed force organized the ‘Exercise Poorvi Lehar’ in April 2024?
(A) Indian Navy
(B) Indian Air Force
(C) Indian Army
(D) Indian Coast Guard
(E) National Security Guard
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Indian Navy conducted “Exercise Poorvi Lehar” off the Eastern Seaboard under the operational control of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command in April 2024.
XPOL was mainly conducted in two phases. This includes:
Combat training was conducted in real scenarios during the tactical phase of XPOL.
During the weapon phase of XPOL, various firings were successfully conducted to confirm the capability of the Indian Navy to deliver the warhead to the target.
6. The largest temple festival “Thrissur Pooram” 2024 has been celebrated in which state?
(A) Kerala
(B) Assam
(C) Odisha
(D) Bihar
(E) Haryana
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Thrissur Pooram is a grand temple festival that is celebrated all over the world.
Kerala is a state known for its rich culture and traditions.
Thrissur Pooram is a seven-day festival, and the most important day is the sixth day, which is when the festival takes place. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Medam and coincides with the rising of the moon with the Pooram star.
This year, Thrissur Pooram falls on April 20.
Thrissur Pooram is a festival deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.
7. What is the theme of ‘International Mother Earth Day’ 2024?
(A) Invest in our planet
(B) Planet vs Plastic
(C) Restore Our Earth
(D) Climate Action
(E) Protect Our Species
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
“International Mother Earth Day” is celebrated every year on 22 April.
International Mother Earth Day is also known as “World Earth Day”.
The earth is home not only to humans but also to innumerable animals and plants.
This year 2024 its theme is “Planet vs Plastic”.
The idea of celebrating World Earth Day was first proposed by peace activist John McConnell at a UNESCO conference in 1969. Initially, the purpose of celebrating this day was to honor the Earth.
Earth Day was first held in California, United States on April 22, 1970. Twenty years later, in the 1990s, Earth Day went global. That is, in 1990, Dennis Hayes proposed to celebrate this day at the global level. About 141 countries participated in it.
On 22 April 2009, the United Nations General Assembly by a resolution officially designated 22 April each year as ‘International Mother Earth Day’.
8. Who has held the record for shortest limbo skating up to 25 meters?
(A) Manasvi Vishal
(B) Manni Kakkar
(C) Takshvi Vaghani
(D) Narayan Bisht
(E) Diwakar Jaat
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
Six-year-old Takshvi Vaghani from Ahmedabad has made the record for shortest limbo skating by 25 meters.
This has been confirmed by Guinness World Records (GWR) on 18 April 2024.
Manasvi Vishal is the former holder of the lowest limbo skating record of over 25 meters.
According to Guinness World Records, the previous record holder for lowest limbo sacking of more than 25 meters was also an Indian.
It was Manasvi Vishal of Pune who first achieved this distinction.
An 18-year-old Indian skater named Shrishti Dharmendra Sharma set a new world record in July 2023.
Shrishti Dharmendra Sharma completed the 50-meter distance in 6.94 seconds and achieved the fastest time to limbo skate that distance.
She improved her own record of 7.38 seconds.
9. Where did recently PM Narendra Modi inaugurate the Bhagwan Mahavir Nirvana Mahotsav?
(A) Varanasi
(B) Patna
(C) New Delhi
(D) Gaya
(E) Ahmedabad
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 2550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvana Mahotsav on the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana. He was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.
Bhagwan Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar, illuminated the path of peaceful co-existence and universal brotherhood through Jain principles like Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha.
Jains celebrate five Kalyanak’s (major events) of every Tirthankar including Mahavir Swami Ji.
10. Famous NFL quarterback player Roman Gabriel passed away. Where was he a native of?
(A) Indian
(B) Thai
(C) Japanese
(D) Filipino
(E) Vietnam
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Roman Ildonzo Gabriel Jr was an American professional football player, who has passed away.
83-year-old Gabriel was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL).
He was born on August 5, 1940, in America.
He was the first Filipino-American in the NFL.
Awards –
1969: NFL Most Valuable Player Award, AP, UPI, NEA, and the Bert Bell MVP Trophy (Maxwell Club)
1970: Pro Bowl MVP
1973: NFL Comeback Player of the Year