1. In November 2023, which country has officially applied for BRICS membership?
(A) Afghanistan
(B) Pakistan
(C) Turkmenistan
(D) Tajikistan
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Pakistan has formally submitted its application for membership in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) grouping.
It is consider as a move coinciding with the bloc’s ambitious expansion plans in 2024 under Moscow’s rotating presidency.
New Member: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2024 summit.
BRICS refers to certain emerging market countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and more—that seek to establish deeper ties between member nations and cooperate on economic expansion, including trade.
The countries act as a counterbalance to traditional Western influence.
2. Assam has celebrated the 401 birth anniversary of which Ahom General on 24th of November?
(A) Lachit Borphukan
(B) Piksai Borphukan
(C) Laluk-sola Borphukan
(D) Lahon Borphukan
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Assam has celebrated the 401 birth anniversary of one of the state’s greatest sons, 17th-century Ahom general Lachit Borphukan on 24 November.
Borphukan is known for his leadership in the 1671 ‘Battle of Saraighat’ on Brahmaputra that thwarted a drawn-out attempt by the mighty Mughal forces, led by Raja Ramsingh-I, to take back Assam.
The National Defence Academy has been awarding its best cadet with the Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal every year since 1999 and a statue of him was later established in the complex, located near Pune.
3. Martyrdom Day of ninth guru of Sikhs Guru Teg Bahadur has been observed on which day of November 2023?
(A) 23 November
(B) 24 November
(C) 25 November
(D) 26 November
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
24 November marks the martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, who stood up against Mughal oppression and was executed under Aurangzeb’s reign in 1675.
Born on 21st April 1621, in Amritsar to Mata Nanaki and Guru Hargobind, Guru Tegh Bahadur’s life is a testament to courage, conviction and the unwavering commitment to protect the Sikh faith.
In his early years, Guru Tegh Bahadur, then known as Tyagamal.
After the death of the eighth Guru, Harkrishna Sahib Ji, in March 1665, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib ascended to the throne of the Guru in Amritsar.
4. Which company has received the “Best Employer for Policies in Diversity & Inclusion”?
(A) Power Finance Corp
(B) Redington
(C) REC Limited
(D) NTPC Limited
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
REC Limited, a Maharatna CPSE under Ministry of Power, received the “Best Employer for Policies in Diversity & Inclusion” Award at the 4th Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Awards and Conclave organized by Assocham.
REC Limited, a Maharatna CPSE established in 1969, under Ministry of Power, provides long term loans and other finance products for Power-Infrastructure sector.
5. Who has recently become the second youngest to win National Squash Champion?
(A) Saurav Ghosal
(B) Dipika Pallikal
(C) Anahat Singh
(D) Ramit Tandon
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
In a remarkable achievement, 15-year-old Anahat Singh secured the women’s title at the Senior National Squash Championship in Chennai, becoming the second-youngest player to accomplish this feat.
Anahat emerged victorious against Tanvi Khanna, who had to retire due to an injury.
Velavan Senthilkumar clinched the men’s title by defeating Abhay Singh.
6. UP government has decided to transform which expressway into the state’s first solar expressway?
(A) Bundelkhand Expressway
(B) Agra – Lucknow Expressway
(C) Yamuna Expressway
(D) Purvanchal Expressway
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
As part of its ongoing efforts to promote solar energy, the Yogi Adityanath government plans to transform the Bundelkhand Expressway into the state’s first solar expressway.
The project will be executed on a public-private participation (PPP) model, targeting the generation of 550 megawatt of solar power.
For this initiative, the government has identified 1,700 hectares of land on the Bundelkhand Expressway.
The expected lifespan of this project is 25 years, with a payback period set at 10 to 12 years.
The Bundelkhand Expressway provides an excellent opportunity for the development of solar power plants.
The primary reason is the easy availability of land in this region.
Additionally, it is a dry region, and along with clear weather, it receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 800-900 mm.
The Bundelkhand Expressway is also counted among the modern and well-equipped expressways.
7. The recently organised National Gopal Ratna Awards 2023 in Assam is related to which field?
(A) Poultry farming
(B) Dairy Sector
(C) Organic farming
(D) Health Sector
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala will confer the National Gopal Ratna Awards -2023 at Guwahati in Assam.
National Gopal Ratna Award is one of the highest National Awards in the field of livestock and dairy sector.
Chief Minister, Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma will also be present in the award ceremony.
The dairy sector also contributes about five percent to the country’s GDP and provides livelihood to about eight crore families in India.
8. Global Professional Accountants Convention inaugurated in which city?
(A) Mumbai
(B) Chandigarh
(C) Gandhinagar
(D) Gurugram
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (C)
Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar has inaugurated the Global Professional Accountants Convention at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
This event expected the participation of over 4000 delegates hailing from more than 25 countries, gathered to discuss the evolution of the global accountancy profession.
These sessions cover a wide range of topics central to the field of accountancy.
9. Who has been honoured with the National Metallurgist Award?
(A) Dr Debashish Bhattacharya
(B) Dr Rameshwar Sah
(C) Dr Niloy Kundu
(D) Dr Ramesar Prasad
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
The National Metallurgist Awards 2022 were presented at an event organized by the Steel Ministry.
In this, Dr Debashish Bhattacharya was honored with the National Metallurgist Award.
Dr Niloy Kundu was honored with the Young Metallurgist (Environment) Award.
Also Dr Kamachi Mudali Uthandi was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
10. Who has become the fourth Indian to be honored with Pakistan’s highest civilian award?
(A) A R Rahman
(B) Mohammad Hamid Ansari
(C) Mohammed Burhanuddin
(D) Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin is the head of the Mumbai-based Dawoodi Bohra sect of Islam.
Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin will be honored with Pakistan’s highest civilian award ‘Nishan-e-Pakistan.
He will become the fourth Indian to be honored with Pakistan’s highest civilian award.
Morarji Desai was the first Indian to be honored with Pakistan’s highest civilian award.