- Which country has recently agreed to boost agricultural trade ties with India and lift restrictions on Indian mangoes?
(A) Australia
(B) Canada
(C) New Zealand
(D) United States
(E) United Kingdom
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
India and New Zealand have agreed to strengthen and boost their agricultural trade ties.
New Zealand’s Minister for Agriculture, Todd Mcclay, met with Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi on 12 August 2024.
New Zealand has lifted the restriction on the import of Indian mangoes.
New Zealand has agreed to import Indian pomegranates.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan requested the expedited audit of VHT facilities in Lucknow and Delhi to facilitate the export of Indian mangoes.
New Zealand thanked India for resuming the import of Pine Logs from New Zealand, which was previously on hold due to fumigation issues.
The ministers discussed further technical cooperation in Research and Development, particularly in horticulture and cage fisheries.
- The Ministry of External Affairs has granted a grant to which Indian space agency for the launch of the Nepalese satellite Munal?
(A) New Space India Limited
(B) Indian Space Research Organisation
(C) Physical Research Laboratory
(D) Indian National Space Promotion
(E) Both (A) and (D)
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has signed an MoU with New Space India Limited (NSIL) for the launch of the Nepalese satellite Munal.
Under the MoU, the Ministry of External Affairs will provide a grant to NSIL for the satellite’s launch.
The MoU was signed by Anurag Srivastava, Joint Secretary (North) from the Ministry of External Affairs, and Arunachalam A, Director from NSIL, in New Delhi.
During External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Nepal in January 2024, an agreement was signed between NSIL and the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) for the Munal satellite launch.
The Munal satellite has been developed by Nepalese students under the NAST, which is an autonomous body established by the government of Nepal to promote science and technology in the country.
The New Space India Limited (NSIL) was established by the government of India on 6 March 2019.
The company is under the administrative control of the Department of Space, Government of India.
- Which state government in India has become the first to provide cash to adolescent girls for buying sanitary napkins under its Sanitation and Hygiene scheme?
(A) Maharashtra
(B) Uttar Pradesh
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Karnataka
(E) Rajasthan
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
The Dr Mohan Yadav government in Madhya Pradesh is the first in India to give cash to adolescent girls for buying sanitary napkins.
This cash is provided under the state’s Sanitation and Hygiene scheme.
School girls from classes seventh to twelfth are eligible to receive Rs 300 for one year.
Over 57 crore rupees have been transferred to more than 19 lakh beneficiary girls.
The Udita Scheme, launched on 1 November 2016, addresses menstrual myths and taboos.
The scheme is implemented through Anganwadi workers and assistants.
It began in Gwalior, Indore, and Badwani before expanding to all districts in Madhya Pradesh.
The Udita Scheme covers adolescents and women aged 18 to 49 years.
- Recently, who has flagged off the “Har Ghar Tiranga” bike rally from Bharat Mandapam?
(A) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
(B) President Droupadi Murmu
(C) Home Minister Amit Shah
(D) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar
(E) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar flagged off the Har Ghar Tiranga Bike Rally from Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The rally was end at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
The ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign is part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, designed to bring the tricolor into homes across the nation.
The Flag Code of India is a set of guidelines and rules governing the display and use of the national flag of India.
It was last amended in 2002 after the launch of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
It was amended in 2002 to allow for the national flag to be flown even at night.
Earlier, the tricolour could be hoisted only between sunrise and sunset.
The Flag Code of India upholds the dignity and honour of the national flag.
- Big Cricket League (BCL) has signed a long-term broadcasting deal with which national broadcaster?
(A) All India Radio
(B) Prasar Bharati
(C) Doordarshan
(D) Star Sports
(E) ESPN
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
The Big Cricket League (BCL), a franchise-based T20 event, has partnered with national broadcaster Prasar Bharati in a long-term deal.
The inaugural edition of BCL will take place in September this year in Lucknow.
BCL will be broadcast live on DD Sports across India and promoted by Prasar Bharati across its network.
The league’s first season will be televised internationally in more than 30 countries.
The league will feature six teams: Awadh Lions, Northern Challengers, Rajasthan Kings, Mumbai Marines, Southern Spartans, and Bengal Rhinos.
A council of former cricketers, led by League Commissioner Dilip Vengsarkar, will oversee the league.
Former Indian pacer Rudra Pratap Singh is the President, and legendary West Indian fast bowler Courtney Walsh is the Vice-President of BCL.
- In August 2024, which bank has launched the ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card for visually impaired customers?
(A) State Bank of India
(B) Bank of Baroda
(C) Canara Bank
(D) Punjab National Bank
(E) ICICI Bank
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Punjab National Bank has launched the PNB ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card for visually impaired customers.
The card is a contactless National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) available on the RuPay network.
The new Braille debit card reflects the bank’s commitment to inclusivity and financial accessibility.
This initiative aims to enhance financial independence and convenience for visually impaired individuals.
The card is designed to empower visually impaired customers to manage their finances with greater ease and confidence.
- Who won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for July 2024?
(A) Jamie Smith
(B) Shoaib Bashir
(C) Gus Atkinson
(D) Chris Woakes
(E) James Anderson
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
The ICC Players of the Month for July 2024 are England’s Gus Atkinson and Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu.
He is the first English cricketer to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award since Chris Woakes in July 2023.
Chamari Atapattu (Sri Lanka) won the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for July 2024.
- In August 2024, Sandeep Paundrik took charge as the Secretary of which ministry?
(A) Ministry of Steel
(B) Ministry of Power
(C) Ministry of Coal
(D) Ministry of Mines
(E) Ministry of Ayush
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Shri Sandeep Poundrik has assumed charge as Secretary of the Ministry of Steel at Udyog Bhawan.
He is a 1993-batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre.
Previously, he was Additional Chief Secretary in the Industries Department of Bihar and held additional charges in other positions in the Government of Bihar.
He has also served as Advisor in the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
After assuming charge, he reviewed the progress of the steel sector with senior officers of the Ministry.
- Which initiative is being implemented in collaboration with Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC)?
(A) Digital Ticketing System
(B) One India – One Ticket
(C) Seamless Travel Network
(D) Green Travel Initiative
(E) National Transit Integration
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
NCRTC and IRCTC have collaborated on the ‘One India – One Ticket’ initiative to enhance the travel experience for passengers on the Namo Bharat trains along the Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut RRTS Corridor.
The RRTS project by NCRTC provides a dedicated, high-speed, high-capacity commuter service connecting regional nodes in the National Capital Region.
Currently, the Sahibabad – Modinagar North section of the RRTS is operational, with ongoing work to connect additional cities to Delhi.
The ‘One India – One Ticket’ initiative aims to provide a seamless travel solution, integrating booking and travel across Indian Railways and RRTS services.
This initiative promotes digitalization, environmentally friendly practices, and ensures a comprehensive travel experience for passengers.
- Which team won the Hockey India Junior Academy Women’s title and who did they defeat?
(A) Odisha, defeated Punjab
(B) Punjab, defeated Odisha
(C) Bihar, defeated Jharkhand
(D) Odisha, defeated Tripura
(E) Punjab, defeated Bihar
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Odisha Naval Tata Hockey HPC won the Hockey India Junior Academy Women’s title, defeating Roundglass Punjab in a penalty shootout (5-3) after a 2-2 draw.
Prabhjot Kaur and Surekha Bahala scored for Odisha, while Rubby and Ribka scored for Punjab.
Ghumanhera Riser’s Academy secured third place, with Priya scoring a hat-trick.