UPSC CAPF

‘Operation Kaveri’ is a rescue operation launched by the Government of India to evacuate Indian citizens who were stranded in:

[amp_mcq option1=”Kuwait” option2=”Ukraine” option3=”Afghanistan” option4=”Sudan” correct=”option4″]

‘Operation Kaveri’ was a large-scale evacuation operation launched by the Government of India in April 2023. Its primary objective was to rescue Indian citizens who were stranded in Sudan amidst a major power struggle between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

– The operation was undertaken to evacuate Indians from Sudan due to intense fighting and deteriorating security conditions.
– It involved coordination between the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
– Evacuees were brought back to India via Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which served as a transit point.

India deployed naval ships (like INS Sumedha, INS Teg, INS Tarkash) and Indian Air Force aircraft (C-130J) for the evacuation effort. Several thousand Indian citizens and some foreign nationals were safely brought back to India under this operation.

The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela is organized at:

[amp_mcq option1=”Kabaw Valley” option2=”Kashmir Valley” option3=”Dah Hanu Valley” option4=”Upper Dibang Valley” correct=”option2″]

The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela is a significant religious festival celebrated by the Kashmiri Pandit community. It is primarily organized at the Ragnya Devi temple in Tulmulla, Ganderbal district, in the Kashmir Valley.

– The festival is held at the Goddess Ragnya Devi temple, commonly known as Kheer Bhawani temple.
– The main shrine is located in Tulmulla, Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.
– The mela attracts devotees, particularly Kashmiri Pandits, from across the country and abroad.

The name ‘Kheer Bhawani’ comes from the offering of kheer (rice pudding) made to the goddess. The mela is a symbol of religious harmony and cultural significance in the region. Other locations in Kashmir Valley also have Kheer Bhawani shrines, such as Mata Kheer Bhawani Asthapan in Tikker, Kupwara, and Kheer Bhawani temples in Laktipora Aishmuqam (Anantnag) and Manzgam (Kulgam), which also hold smaller congregations during the mela.

The journey of the First Phase of Sagar Parikrama Yatra, an initiative of the Government of India, was started from:

[amp_mcq option1=”Andaman and Nicobar Islands” option2=”Maharashtra” option3=”Karnataka” option4=”Gujarat” correct=”option4″]

The Sagar Parikrama Yatra is an initiative launched by the Government of India to interact with fishermen, coastal communities, and stakeholders, aiming to understand their challenges and aspirations, and to promote sustainable fishing practices and coastal development. The first phase of the Sagar Parikrama Yatra commenced on March 5, 2022, starting from Mandvi in Gujarat, covering coastal areas of Gujarat. Subsequent phases have covered other coastal states and Union Territories.

Sagar Parikrama is an outreach program by the Indian government focused on coastal areas and the fisheries sector, with the first phase originating from Gujarat.

The Yatra is undertaken by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, National Fisheries Development Board, and state fisheries departments. It aims to assess the impact of government schemes and promote responsible fisheries.

Exercise Ajeya Warrior is a biennial training event between the Indian Army and the army of:

[amp_mcq option1=”Nepal” option2=”United Kingdom” option3=”Russia” option4=”Japan” correct=”option2″]

Exercise Ajeya Warrior is a joint military training exercise conducted biennially between the Indian Army and the British Army (United Kingdom). It is one of several bilateral exercises between India and the UK, which also include Exercise Konkan (Navy) and Exercise Indra Dhanush (Air Force).

Military exercises between countries are named events aimed at enhancing interoperability, sharing best practices, and strengthening defense cooperation. Exercise Ajeya Warrior is specific to India and the UK.

India conducts joint military exercises with numerous countries. Examples include Exercise Surya Kiran with Nepal, Exercise Dharma Guardian with Japan, and Exercise Indra (though less frequent now) with Russia.

Consider the following statements about Khelo India University Games (KIUG):

• 1. The first edition of KIUG was held in Odisha.
• 2. The name of the mascot of the third edition of KIUG was Jeetu.
• 3. The first edition of KIUG was postponed due to COVID.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 2 only” option4=”3 only” correct=”option3″]

Statement 1 is correct: The first edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) was held in February-March 2020 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Statement 2 is correct: The third edition of KIUG was held in Uttar Pradesh in 2023 (officially designated as KIUG 2022 due to calendar year). The mascot for the third edition was Jeetu, representing the Barasingha (swamp deer), the state animal of Uttar Pradesh. Statement 3 is incorrect: The first edition of KIUG was successfully completed in February-March 2020, just before the nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was imposed in India. Subsequent editions or other sporting events might have been postponed, but the first KIUG was not.

The Khelo India University Games is a national-level multi-sport event for athletes from Indian universities, initiated by the Government of India. The first edition was held in Odisha, and subsequent editions have featured specific mascots.

The KIUG is part of the Indian government’s Khelo India initiative, aimed at promoting grassroots sports and identifying young talent. The second edition of KIUG was held in Karnataka in 2022, with the mascot ‘Veera’.

Consider the following statements about IPL cricket tournament :

• 1. Two teams won the tournament five times each.
• 2. Chennai Super Kings remained runner-up in five editions of the tournament.
• 3. On three occasions, the final was played abroad.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 2 only” option4=”3 only” correct=”option3″]

Statement 1 is correct: As of the 2023 IPL season (the last completed season before the question might have been set), two teams, Mumbai Indians (MI) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), had won the tournament five times each. Statement 2 is correct: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been runners-up in the IPL final on five occasions: 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2019. Statement 3 is incorrect: The IPL final has been played outside India on two occasions: 2009 (South Africa) and 2020 (UAE). The 2014 season had initial matches and playoffs in the UAE, but the final was held in Bengaluru, India. Thus, the final was played abroad only twice.

The IPL has seen multiple winners, with Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings being the most successful teams historically in terms of title wins (5 each, up to 2023). IPL finals have rarely been held outside India.

The IPL started in 2008. The 2009 season was entirely shifted to South Africa due to general elections in India. The 2014 season’s first phase was held in the UAE for similar reasons, but the final was in India. The 2020 season was held entirely in the UAE due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the final.