1. Which Indian Institute of Technology has been awarded a patent for a pioneering lightweight, compact inverter, aiming for self-reliance in portable power?
(A) IIT Kanpur
(B) IIT Delhi
(C) IIT Patna
(D) IIT Roorkee
(E) IIT Bengaluru
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
IIT-Patna was awarded a patent for its cost-effective inverter.
IIT Patna has been awarded a patent for a pioneering lightweight, compact inverter, aiming for self-reliance in portable power.
The patented product, developed under the ‘Portable Power Technology’ startup scheme, integrates battery and inverter in one unit, emphasizing clean energy and improved durability.
IIT-Patna’s academic dean: A K Thakur
2. Who has been appointed as Director of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)?
(A) Manoj Kumar Mahar
(B) Roshani Mohan Garg
(C) Navneet Manohar
(D) Pratima Singh
(E) Surabhi Ahluwalia
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Pratima Singh, a 2009-batch IRS officer, has been appointed as Director of the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Her appointment, effective for a five-year term or until further notice, falls under the Central Staffing Scheme as per the DoPT order.
The DPIIT is a central government department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in India.
Founded: 1995
3. Who has been honored by the Vice President of India Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar for her “Outstanding Contribution to the Cause of Corporate Social Responsibility”?
(A) Dr Bina Modi
(B) Alok Kumar Modi
(C) Dr Amrit Kapur
(D) Dr Kamal Gupta
(E) Kanwaljit Singh
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Dr. Bina Modi, Chairperson and Managing Director of Modi Enterprises – KK Modi Group, was honored by the Vice President of India, Sh. Jagdeep Dhankar, for her ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Cause of Corporate Social Responsibility’.
The event marked the inauguration of the new building for the Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF), with the Vice President gracing the occasion as the chief guest.
4. Which country has received USD 84 Million in humanitarian aid from the World Bank?
(A) Sri Lanka
(B) Afghanistan
(C) Ukraine
(D) Palestine
(E) Russia
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Afghanistan received $84 mn from the World Bank for humanitarian aid amid the crisis, targeting economic stabilization, women’s support, and climate change.
Funds to aid livelihood projects, vulnerable groups, migrant reintegration, enhancing rural and urban community services and institutions.
It started in 2022 with an initial $265 mn grant from the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF).
5. According to Goldman Sachs, Global Services Export of India will reach $800 billion by which year?
(A) 2027
(B) 2032
(C) 2026
(D) 2030
(E) 2034
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Goldman Sachs forecasts India’s services exports to grow to $800 billion by 2030, strengthening against supply shocks and reducing rupee volatility.
India’s IT industry revenue surged to $245 billion by FY23, driven by digital services demand, with employment reaching 5.4 million.
India’s services exports grew to nearly $340 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate of 11% from 2005.
6. NPCI International has partnered with which bank to develop a UPI-like instant payment system in Namibia?
(A) Bank of Namibia
(B) Nedbank Namibia
(C) Standard Bank
(D) MTC Namibia
(E) Agricultural Bank of Namibia
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
NPCI International partnered with the Bank of Namibia to develop a UPI-like instant payment system, enhancing Namibia’s financial infrastructure.
The collaboration aims at improving accessibility, affordability, and interoperability in Namibia’s financial ecosystem.
Bank of Namibiawill leverage India’s UPI tech and insights from NIPL for digital welfare and inclusive economic growth.
7. India has granted USD 61.5 million to fully fund the renovation of which port of Sri Lanka?
(A) Port of Colombo
(B) Port of Hambantota
(C) Kankesanthurai Port
(D) Trincomalee Harbour
(E) Kalpitiya Port
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
India pledges USD 61.5 million to fully fund the renovation of Sri Lanka’s Kankesanthurai Port in the Northern Province.
The project aims to enhance connectivity, with direct ship service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai reducing travel time.
Initial project approval in 2017, with discussions on Public Private Partnership methods due to exceeding original estimates.
8. World Press Freedom Day has been observed on which day of May 2024?
(A) 01 May
(B) 02 May
(C) 03 May
(D) 04 May
(E) 05 May
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
World Press Freedom Day has been observed on 3rd May.
After the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991, the United Nations General Assembly in 1993 established Press Freedom Day to be observed every year on May 3.
The first Press Freedom Day was observed in 1994.
The day is established to ensure freedom of the press and also to remember and honor the journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty.
9. Paul Auster, who has passed away recently, was the author of which of the following books?
(A) A Leaf Turns Yellow
(B) The New York Trilogy
(C) The Casual Vacancy
(D) Half A Rupee Stories
(E) Saving Capitalism
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Paul Auster, US author of The New York Trilogy, passed away at 77
U.S. novelist and screenwriter Paul Auster died of complications from lung cancer at his home in Brooklyn.
He was 77 years of age.
The New Jersey-born writer was known for a string of acclaimed works including “The New York Trilogy” and “The Book of Illusions”.
10. Who has recently been awarded the title of Grandmaster by the International Chess Federation?
(A) Koneru Humpy
(B) Vaishali Ramesh Babu
(C) Nihal Sarin
(D) R Praggnanandhaa
(E) Harika Dronavalli
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
The International Chess Federation has awarded the title of Grandmaster to India’s young chess player Vaishali Ramesh Babu. Vaishali is the third Indian woman Grandmaster after Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli. Vaishali had achieved the 2500 ELO points required for Grandmaster in the Llobregat Open tournament in Spain last year.