Current News and Affairs

Who among the following is the author of the book, “Pakistan Paradox: Instability and Resilience”?

[amp_mcq option1=”Christophe Jaffrelot” option2=”G Parthasarthy” option3=”Imran Khan” option4=”Mamnoon Hussain” correct=”option1″]

“Pakistan Paradox: Instability and Resilience” is a widely acclaimed book analyzing the political, social, and economic trajectory of Pakistan since its independence. The author of this book is Christophe Jaffrelot. He is a renowned French political scientist specializing in South Asia, with numerous publications on India and Pakistan.

Christophe Jaffrelot is the author of the book “Pakistan Paradox: Instability and Resilience”, which offers a comprehensive analysis of Pakistan’s complex history and present.

Christophe Jaffrelot’s work often focuses on nationalism, democracy, ethnic and religious conflicts, and social movements in India and Pakistan. “Pakistan Paradox” explores the apparent contradiction of Pakistan’s enduring instability coexisting with its resilience as a state. Other individuals listed are not known for authorship of such a prominent academic work on Pakistan’s politics.

Who among the following is the author of the book *Why Bharat Matters* ?

[amp_mcq option1=”L.K. Advani” option2=”S. Jaishankar” option3=”Mohan Bhagwat” option4=”Pranab Mukherjee” correct=”option2″]

The book *Why Bharat Matters* is authored by Dr. S. Jaishankar.

Dr. S. Jaishankar is the current External Affairs Minister of India. The book explores India’s foreign policy and its role in the world.

The book was published in January 2024 and covers various aspects of India’s diplomatic approach, historical context, and future challenges and opportunities on the global stage.

In February 2024, Government of India has decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and :

[amp_mcq option1=”Myanmar” option2=”Bhutan” option3=”Bangladesh” option4=”Nepal” correct=”option1″]

In February 2024, the Government of India decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border.

The FMR allowed people living within 16 km on either side of the India-Myanmar border to cross with minimal documentation. The decision was made citing security concerns, including insurgency, drug trafficking, and illegal migration. India is also planning to fence the entire border.

The FMR was implemented in 2018 based on the historical context of ethnic ties between communities living along the border. The border between India and Myanmar is 1,643 km long.

In January 2024, India’s first all-girls’ Sainik School was inaugurated at :

[amp_mcq option1=”Bhopal” option2=”Kohima” option3=”Vrindavan” option4=”Namsai” correct=”option3″]

India’s first all-girls’ Sainik School, named ‘Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School’, was inaugurated in January 2024 at Vrindavan, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh.

The inauguration was part of the initiative to allow girls to join Sainik Schools, promoting inclusivity in defense education. It was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Sainik Schools are joint ventures between the central government and state governments/UT administrations. They are established to prepare students for entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Indian Naval Academy (INA).

Consider the following statements about INS Sagardhwani :

• It is an oceanographic research vessel of Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of DRDO.
• Recently it embarked on the Sagar Maitri Mission-4 to establish long-term scientific partnerships with Indian Ocean Rim countries in Ocean Research and Development.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

Both statements 1 and 2 are correct.

INS Sagardhwani is a dedicated oceanographic research vessel playing a crucial role in India’s marine scientific research and international collaborations.

1. INS Sagardhwani is indeed an oceanographic research vessel operated by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi, which is one of the laboratories of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). So, statement 1 is correct.
2. The ‘Sagar Maitri’ Missions are scientific endeavors by DRDO to foster collaboration with friendly countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) through scientific exchanges and research cruises. INS Sagardhwani is the vessel used for these missions. Sagar Maitri Mission-4 commenced in 2023, visiting countries like Oman, Egypt, Sri Lanka, etc., focusing on collaborative oceanographic research. So, statement 2 is correct.

Which of the following statements is/are correct ?

• In India, 12th March is celebrated as the National Youth Day.
• National Youth Day is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

Select the answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option2″]

Statement 1 is incorrect, but statement 2 is correct.

National Youth Day in India is celebrated annually to honour the ideals and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda, who is considered a source of inspiration for the youth.

1. National Youth Day in India is celebrated on January 12th, not March 12th. So, statement 1 is incorrect.
2. The Government of India declared in 1984 that January 12th would be observed as National Youth Day throughout the country. This date was chosen to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda (born January 12, 1863). So, statement 2 is correct.

Exercise Desert Cyclone is a joint military exercise between India and :

[amp_mcq option1=”Kuwait” option2=”Saudi Arabia” option3=”United Arab Emirates” option4=”Oman” correct=”option3″]

Exercise Desert Cyclone is a joint military exercise between India and United Arab Emirates.

Joint military exercises like ‘Desert Cyclone’ are crucial for enhancing interoperability and cooperation between friendly nations’ armed forces.

The inaugural edition of the joint military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone’ was held in January 2024 in Mahajan, Rajasthan, between the Indian Army and the Land Forces of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The exercise focused on enhancing interoperability in Sub-Conventional Operations in desert and semi-desert terrain.

Tableaux of which one of the following States was adjudged the best in the Republic Day Parade, 2023 ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Uttarakhand” option2=”Punjab” option3=”Gujarat” option4=”Uttar Pradesh” correct=”option1″]

The tableau of Uttarakhand was adjudged the best in the Republic Day Parade, 2023.

The tableau of Uttarakhand won the first prize among the States and Union Territories at the Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2023. The theme of the tableau was ‘Manaskhand’ (based on the Kedarkhand Puran), showcasing various religious sites and natural beauty of the state, including the Char Dham Yatra, Hemkund Sahib, and Jim Corbett National Park.

Tableaux from different states and central ministries participate in the Republic Day Parade, depicting themes related to their culture, history, achievements, and developmental projects. Awards are given based on criteria like visual appeal, theme representation, and overall impact.

Which one among the following villages was recently declared as India’s first 24 × 7 solar-powered village ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Mawlynnong, Meghalaya” option2=”Modhera, Gujarat” option3=”Ziro village, Arunachal Pradesh” option4=”Malana, Himachal Pradesh” correct=”option2″]

Modhera, Gujarat was recently declared as India’s first 24 × 7 solar-powered village.

Modhera village in the Mehsana district of Gujarat achieved the distinction of becoming India’s first village to be powered round-the-clock by solar energy. A ground-mounted solar power plant and a battery energy storage system were commissioned, providing solar power to the village households even after sunset.

Modhera is also known for its Sun Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya, built by King Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty in 1026-27 CE. The solar project adds another feather to its cap, linking its historical reverence for the sun with modern renewable energy technology.

The 4th edition of joint military exercise ‘DUSTLIK’ between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army was held in :

[amp_mcq option1=”Ranikhet” option2=”Gangtok” option3=”Pithoragarh” option4=”Leh” correct=”option3″]

The 4th edition of the joint military exercise ‘DUSTLIK’ between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army was held in Pithoragarh.

The DUSTLIK exercise is an annual joint military training exercise between India and Uzbekistan, focusing on counter-terrorism operations in mountainous and semi-urban terrain. The 4th edition took place in February 2023 at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India.

Joint military exercises like DUSTLIK aim to enhance interoperability, share best practices, and promote military-to-military cooperation between participating nations. The exercise involves troops from infantry battalions of both armies.