1. Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal researchers have conducted the first genome sequencing which tree?
(A) Jamun
(B) Rose‑apple
(C) Blackberries
(D) Jackfruit
(E) Surinam Cherry
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal have conducted the first-ever genome sequencing of the jamun tree (Syzygium cumini).
Jamun has various genes that make the plant rugged and improves its stress tolerance to factors like weeds and insects that induce damage, heat stress, salinity, and drought.
Major genome sequencing methods are the clone-by-clone method and the whole genome shotgun sequencing.
2. Which company has released the first-ever 1000-Qubit Quantum Chip?
(A) IBM
(B) NVIDIA
(C) Broadcom
(D) Intel
(E) Qualcomm
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
IBM has introduced Condor, its latest quantum computing chip featuring 1,121 superconducting qubits, surpassing the 1,000 qubit milestone.
A qubit, short for a quantum bit, is the basic unit of quantum information in quantum computing.
Unlike classical bits, which can exist in a state of 0 or 1, qubits can exist in a superposition of both 0 and 1 simultaneously.
3. Which Indian dance form has been included in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list?
(A) Kathak
(B) Manipuri
(C) Garba
(D) Kuchipudi
(E) Odissi
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
UNESCO has approved the inclusion of Gujarat’s traditional Garba dance in its `Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’.
India had nominated Garba, performed across Gujarat and in many other parts of the country during the Navratri festival, for inclusion in the list.
4. Who has been selected as the new BBC chairman?
(A) Tim Davie
(B) Dr Samir Shah
(C) Damon Buffini
(D) Dr Taher Shaikh
(E) Muriel Gray
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Dr Samir Shah, an India-born media executive with over 40 years of experience in TV production and journalism, has been named as the UK government’s preferred candidate to take over as the new BBC chairman.
He was honoured with CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 for services to television and heritage.
He will replace Richard Sharp.
5. Who has inaugurated the 59th Fertiliser Association of India Annual Seminar 2023 in New Delhi?
(A) Narendra Modi
(B) Droupadi Murmu
(C) Dr S Jaishankar
(D) Nitin Gadkari
(E) Dr Mansukh Mandaviya
Solution: Option E.)
Ans (E)
Union Mansukh Mandaviya addresses inaugural session of 59th Fertiliser Association of India Annual Seminar 2023 in New Delhi.
India is the first nation to introduce Nano fertilisers such as Nano DAP and Nano Urea through the Indian Research ecosystem.
Government has set up two lakh Model Retail outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras.
6. Recently, USD 175 million loan agreement have been signed with Asian Development Bank for road improvement in which state?
(A) Rajasthan
(B) Uttar Pradesh
(C) Chhattisgarh
(D) Madhya Pradesh
(E) Uttarakhand
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
The GoI and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a 175 million dollar loan agreement to improve connectivity and resilience of roads in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
The project will upgrade about 500 km of state highways and major district roads to a standard two-lane feature.
These roads will incorporate climate- and disaster-resilient design and innovative road safety elements.
7. Armed Forces Flag Day has been observed on which day of December?
(A) 05 December
(B) 06 December
(C) 07 December
(D) 08 December
(E) 09 December
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
Every year, December 7 is observed as the Armed Forces Flag Day in India to honour the martyrs, veterans and serving personnel of the defence forces.
The day has been observed annually since 1949 to remember the services of the Army, Navy and Air Force, and collect funds to ensure their and their family’s well-being.
8. Who has been named ‘Person of the Year’ by Time Magazine?
(A) Narendra Modi
(B) Elon Musk
(C) Georgia Meloni
(D) Taylor Swift
(E) Joe Biden
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Famous singer Taylor Swift has been named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year for 2023.
This underlines the breadth of his music and influences.
Swift, 33, has performed worldwide on her “Eras Tour”, performing music from throughout her career.
Time magazine named Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky its “Person of the Year” for 2022.
9. Who has been chosen as ‘CEO of the Year’ by Time Magazine?
(A) Sundar Pichai
(B) Sam Altman
(C) Tim Cook
(D) Satya Nadella
(E) Elon Musk
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Time Magazine has named OpenAI founder Sam Altman as ‘CEO of the Year’. Sam Altman is the co-founder of ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, which was launched in November 2022.
Argentina’s star football player Lionel Messi has been named 2023 ‘Athlete of the Year’.
10. ‘Marapi’ volcano has recently erupted, in which country is it located?
(A) Malaysia
(B) Kenya
(C) Indonesia
(D) South Africa
(E) Japan
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
Mount Marapi, located in West Sumatra, Indonesia, recently erupted, due to which many people lost their lives and many climbers went missing. The explosion occurred on December 3, 2023.
Indonesia is located on the “Ring of Fire”, an unstable tectonic zone.
Mount Marapi is approximately 2,891 meters (about 9,500 feet) high.