1. Name the former Railway Board chief who has been appointed as TRAI Chairman.
(A) Meenakshi Gupta
(B) Anil Lahoti
(C) Bhaskar Ramamurthi
(D) V Raghunandan
(E) Mahendra Srivastava
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Anil Kumar Lahoti has been appointed as Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Lahoti, former Railway Board Chief, filled the vacancy left by former chairman PD Vaghela.
The appointment has been approved for a three-year term or until Lahoti reaches 65 years of age, by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
2. Which state government launched LABHA, a 100% State-funded MSP scheme for minor forest produce?
(A) Odisha
(B) Jharkhand
(C) West Bengal
(D) Assam
(E) Maharashtra
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Odisha government launched LABHA, a 100% State-funded MSP scheme for minor forest produce.
This scheme aims to benefit the tribal population, comprising 23% of Odisha’s total population.
LABHA Yojana integrates with Mission Shakti’s Women SHGs, managed by Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation Limited of Odisha.
These procurement centers will be managed by SHGs and other agencies.
3. What was the theme of the Ministry of Culture’s Tableau, which got the first spot at the Republic Day Parade 2024?
(A) India: Mother of Democracy
(B) Vikshit Bharat-Samradh Virasat
(C) Bharat-Loktantra ki Matruka
(D) Faith and development
(E) Power Beyond Boundaries
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
IGNCA’s Ministry of Culture tableau secured 1st prize at the Republic Day Celebration Parade 2024.
Theme – “India: Mother of Democracy”
The tableau showcased a blend of tradition and innovation, incorporating the anamorphic technique to highlight Bharat’s heritage.
This achievement reflected the Ministry of Culture’s commitment to preserving and celebrating India’s diverse cultural legacy.
4. Who has authored the recently launched book “KASHMIR: Travels in Paradise on Earth”?
(A) Srinath Raghavan
(B) Vineet Bajpai
(C) Romesh Bhattacharji
(D) Indu Sundaresan
(E) Ravi Subramanian
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
HarperCollins announced the publication of the book “KASHMIR: Travels in Paradise on Earth”, authored by Romesh Bhattacharji.
The book is set to release on February 5, 2024, and will be available in paperback format.
Written by an experienced trekker, the book offers detailed insights into the topography and geography of Kashmir, capturing its pristine beauty before the onset of militancy.
5. Tshering Tobgay has become the Prime Minister of which country in January 2024?
(A) Thailand
(B) Bhutan
(C) Taiwan
(D) Vietnam
(E) Laos
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Tshering Tobgay became PM of Bhutan after the fourth free vote.
Tshering Tobgay began his second term as Bhutan’s prime minister after recent elections.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck formally marked Tobgay’s appointment by handing him a scarf.
Tobgay previously faced the challenge of revamping Bhutan’s economy post-COVID-19 and creating local job opportunities to prevent youth migration abroad.
6. Martyrs’ Day, also known as Shaheed Diwas, has been observed on 30th January to pay homage to whom?
(A) Bhagat Singh
(B) Shivaram Rajguru
(C) Mahatma Gandhi
(D) Sukhdev Thapar
(E) Subhash Chandra Bose
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
Martyrs’ Day, also known as Shaheed Diwas, is observed on 30th January each year to pay homage to the brave souls who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and welfare of the nation.
One of the most significant events associated with this day is the Punyatithi (death anniversary) of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation.
“Death is at any time blessed, but it is twice blessed for a warrior who dies for his cause, that is, truth” – Mahatma Gandhi
Also, Martyrs’ Day is also commemorated on 23rd March to remember the sacrifice of three extraordinary revolutionaries of India – Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar.
7. Who has won gold in the 76 kg category weightlifting at the 6th Khelo India Youth Games?
(A) Sayali Wani
(B) Grishma Thorat
(C) Kunjarani Devi
(D) Sanjana
(E) Harshada Garud
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Sanjana from Haryana set a new national youth record in weightlifting with a 76 kg gold medal.
In 2023, India’s Sanjana won gold in clean and jerk in Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships.
Sayali Wani of Maharashtra staged a comeback to secure the gold in the girls’ singles table tennis event.
Grishma Thorat, also from Maharashtra, secured the silver in the weightlifting competition with a total lift of 167 kg.
The 6th edition of KIYG is being hosted in Tamil Nadu.
8. Who has been nominated by President Draupadi Murmu to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament?
(A) Satnam Singh Sandhu
(B) Anil Ambani
(C) Mahendra Singh Dhoni
(D) Uday Kotak
(E) Mahesh Jethmalani
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
President Draupadi Murmu has nominated Satnam Singh Sandhu for the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament.
Satnam Singh Sandhu founded Chandigarh Group of Colleges (CGC) in Mohali in 2001.
In the year 2012, he established Chandigarh University.
The nomination of members in the Rajya Sabha by the President was borrowed by the constitution of India from Ireland.
Indian President nominates 12 persons having special knowledge in various fields.
12 members are nominated by the President from amongst persons having special knowledge or practical experience in Arts, Literature, Science, and Social service.
9. Which film won the Best Popular Film Award at the Filmfare Awards 2024?
(A) Donkey
(B) Animal
(C) Super 30
(D) 12th fail
(E) Amma Kanakku
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
The film “12th Fail” directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra won the award for Best Film (Popular).
This film is based on the life of IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma.
The Best Director award went to Vidhu Vinod Chopra (12th Fail).
The Filmfare Award for Best Actor was given to Ranbir Kapoor for the film Animal.
10. Recently the book ‘Ek Samandar, Mere Andar’ was published, by whom is it written?
(A) Anil Chauhan
(B) Satya Pal Malik
(C) Ajit Doval
(D) Sanjeev Joshi
(E) Nripendra Misra
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan launched the book “Ek Samandar, Mere Andar” written by Sanjeev Joshi, Deputy CEO of BrahMos Aerospace.
This book is a collection of 75 poems written by Joshi over the last several years.