Awards, Honours & Persons In News Current Affairs MCQs

Awards, Honours & Persons In News Current Affairs MCQs

1. Professor Mahadeva Lal Schroff, who was seen in the news, is associated with which field?

[A] Sports
[B] Pharmacy
[C] History
[D] Photography

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pharmacy] Notes:
National Pharmacy Education Day is celebrated on March 6th, in honor of the birth anniversary of Professor Mahadeva Lal Schroff, who established pharmacy education in India. The day, designated by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), included the launch of Pharma Anveshan 2023, providing a platform for academic and industry research exchange, along with the introduction of the ‘One Stop-Non Stop’ digital job portal.

2. Salhoutuonuo Kruse made history by becoming the first woman Cabinet minister of which state?

[A] Sikkim
[B] Nagaland
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Bihar

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nagaland] Notes:
Nagaland’s first woman Minister, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, assumed office on Women’s Day eve. She made history by becoming Nagaland’s first woman minister, securing the position in the cabinet led by Neiphiu Rio, five days after being elected as one of the first women MLAs of the State, representing the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP).

3. Who is the first woman in India to receive the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) award?

[A] Jyotirmayee Mohanty
[B] Ritu Karidhal
[C] Tessy Thomas
[D] Minal Rohit

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jyotirmayee Mohanty] Notes:
Jyotirmayee Mohanty, a scientist at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, is the first woman in India to receive the IUPAC award. She was honored with the IUPAC 2023 Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering for her outstanding contributions to the field of chemistry.

4. ‘Governor of the Year’ Award for 2023 was conferred recently to the Governor of which country?

[A] Sri Lanka
[B] India
[C] Bangladesh
[D] United Kingdom

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India] Notes:
The ‘Governor of the Year’ Award for 2023 was recently conferred to RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das by the international publication Central Banking. The award recognized Das’s leadership in the capital markets during the challenging times of the COVID-19 crisis and the Ukraine war.

5. Which state bagged the highest number of awards in the ‘National Panchayat Awards 2023’?

[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Telangana
[C] Odisha
[D] Rajasthan

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Telangana] Notes:
Telangana received the highest number of awards in the ‘National Panchayat Awards 2023,’ recognizing the best-performing Panchayats in various categories aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Winning 8 out of 27 categories of the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar (DDUPSVP) for the years 2021 – 2022, Telangana led the awards, followed by Kerala with 4, Jammu and Kashmir with 3, and Maharashtra with 3.

6. Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, who passed away recently, was the public health pioneer of which country?

[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Sri Lanka

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bangladesh] Notes:
Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury, a veteran Liberation War fighter and public health activist, passed away at the age of 81 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He founded the Gonoshasthaya Kendra in 1972, providing affordable and quality treatment to underprivileged people. Dr. Chowdhury was a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1985 and the Right Livelihood Prize in 1992.

7. ‘Princess of Asturias award’ is a famous prize conferred in which country?

[A] Spain
[B] Italy
[C] USA
[D] Australia

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Spain] Notes:
The ‘Princess of Asturias Award’ is a renowned prize conferred in Spain. It is one of the eight prizes awarded by the foundation named for Spanish Crown Princess Leonor, recognizing achievements in various fields such as the arts and science. Recently, American actress Meryl Streep received the award for her outstanding performances in a career spanning over 50 years.

8. Pablo Picasso was a famous painter from which country?

[A] USA
[B] France
[C] Spain
[D] UAE

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Spain] Notes:
Pablo Ruiz Picasso, a famous painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, and theatre designer, was from Spain. The Celebration Picasso 1973-2023 marks the fiftieth death anniversary of Picasso, with joint exhibitions presented by the governments of Spain and France across Europe and America.

9. Which airport has been recognized as the world’s most punctual airport, as per the recent report released by Cirium?

[A] Chennai Airport
[B] Hyderabad Airport
[C] Mumbai Airport
[D] New Delhi Airport

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Hyderabad Airport] Notes:
Hyderabad airport has been recognized as the world’s most punctual airport according to a recent report by Cirium. With a record 90.43 percent on-time performance, Hyderabad Airport is the only airport globally to surpass the 90 percent On-Time Performance mark.

10. Which documentary won the “Best Long Documentary Award” at the South Asian Film Festival of Montreal 2023?

[A] Gujarat
[B] Gauri
[C] Scam
[D] Bharat Mata Ki

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gauri] Notes:
The documentary ‘Gauri,’ based on journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, won the “Best Long Documentary Award” at the South Asian Film Festival of Montreal 2023. The film festival aims to promote cultural harmony and recognized ‘Gauri’ for its exceptional portrayal of the life and work of Gauri Lankesh.

11. Who was awarded ‘BET Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023’?

[A] A R Rahman
[B] Busta Rhymes
[C] Bob Dylan
[D] Jennifer Lopez

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Busta Rhymes] Notes:
American rapper Busta Rhymes received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award for 2023. The award, presented by the Black Entertainment Television (BET) network, recognizes his significant contributions to hip hop. Throughout his career, Busta Rhymes has released nine studio albums and has received 12 Grammy Awards nominations.

12. Who was conferred with the ‘Points of Light honour’ by the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak?

[A] Narendra Modi
[B] Rajnath Singh
[C] Rajindar Singh Dhatt
[D] Bipin Singh Rawat

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rajindar Singh Dhatt] Notes:
Rajindar Singh Dhatt, one of the few remaining Sikh soldiers who participated in World War II, was honored with the ‘Points of Light’ honor by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. At 101 years old, Dhatt received recognition for his service and leadership of the “Undivided Indian Ex-Servicemen’s Association.”

13. Karuvattu Mana Vasudevan Namboothiri, who was seen in the news, is associated with which profession?

[A] Sports person
[B] Politician
[C] Artist
[D] Business person

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Artist] Notes:
Renowned artist Karuvattu Mana Vasudevan Namboothiri, also known as artist Namboothiri, passed away. He was known for illustrating characters of top Malayalam writers and was recognized as a painter, sculptor, and art director.

14. Who has been chosen as the recipient of 41st Lokmanya Tilak Award?

[A] Narendra Modi
[B] Amit Shah
[C] Dr K.Sivan
[D] Dr.Mayilsamy Annadurai

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Narendra Modi] Notes:
The 41st Lokmanya Tilak National Award will be conferred upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust on 1st August 2023. This prestigious award is given annually by the Trust on the death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak, recognizing Modi’s exceptional leadership and efforts in fostering patriotism.

15. Oommen Chandy, who passed away, was the former Chief Minister of which state/UT?

[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] West Bengal
[D] Odisha

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala] Notes:
Former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy passed away at the age of 79. He served as the Chief Minister from 2004 to 2006 and 2011 to 2016. Chandy, who entered politics through the Kerala Students Union (KSU) and the Youth Congress, also held positions such as Home Minister, Finance Minister, and Labour Minister.

16. Which Chief Minister created a record as the second longest-serving Chief Minister in India?

[A] Mamata Banerjee
[B] Naveen Patnaik
[C] Pinarayi Vijayan
[D] Yogi Adityanath

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Naveen Patnaik] Notes:
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik equaled former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu’s record as the second longest-serving Chief Minister in India. Patnaik held the position for 23 years and 138 days, with the title of the longest-serving CM belonging to Pawan Kumar Chamling, the former CM of Sikkim.

17. Phangnon Konyak, who was seen in the news, is a Member of Parliament from which state/UT?

[A] Nagaland
[B] Manipur
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Sikkim

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Nagaland] Notes:
Phangnon Konyak, the first female representative from Nagaland, made history by assuming the position of Rajya Sabha Chairperson. In 2022, she became the first woman elected to the Rajya Sabha from Nagaland and the second woman from the state to be elected to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, or the state Assembly.

18. The book titled ‘Memories Never Die, was launched as a tribute to?

[A] Atal Bihari Vajpayee
[B] Abdul Kalam
[C] Pranab Mukherjee
[D] Manmohan Singh

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Abdul Kalam] Notes:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the book titled ‘Memories Never Die’ as a tribute to former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Co-authored by Dr. APJM Nasima Maraikayar and scientist Dr. Y. S. Rajan, the book was launched during Shah’s visit to the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu.

19. Which Union Ministry has invited applications for National Metallurgist Awards (NMA) 2023?

[A] Ministry of Steel
[B] Ministry of Coal
[C] Ministry of Power
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Steel] Notes:
The Ministry of Steel has invited applications for the National Metallurgist Awards (NMA) 2023 from Indian nationals in the Industry, Research, and Academia sectors. The awards will be presented in four categories — Lifetime Achievement Award, National Metallurgist Award, Young Metallurgist Award, and Environment and Metal Science Award for Research and Development in the Iron and Steel Sector.

20. Who was Dr. V S Arunachalam, who passed away recently?

[A] Sportsperson
[B] Politician
[C] Former Naval Admiral
[D] Former DRDO Director General

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Former DRDO Director General] Notes:
Dr. V S Arunachalam, the former Director General of DRDO, passed away in the USA at the age of 87. He held the position of the head of DRDO and was the Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister from 1982-92. In 2015, he was honored with DRDO’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to scientific research and technology.

21. Ian Wilmut, who was seen in the news, was associated with which profession?

[A] Scientist
[B] Sports person
[C] Politician
[D] Social Worker

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Scientist] Notes:
Sir Ian Wilmut, known for leading the scientific team behind the creation of Dolly the sheep, the world’s first cloned mammal, has passed away at the age of 79. Wilmut’s groundbreaking research continued in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine. He was knighted in 2008 for his contributions to science.

22. Which state Chief Minister has been awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship?

[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Tamil Nadu

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Assam] Notes:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has been honored with the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship for his significant contributions to the development of Assam. The fellowship, named after Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, is awarded to individuals who have made noteworthy contributions to their nation’s development and bilateral relations with Singapore.

23. Which city was selected as the ‘Best Smart City’ in India in ‘India Smart Cities Conclave 2023’?

[A] Bengaluru
[B] Indore
[C] Mysuru
[D] Varanasi

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indore] Notes:
Indore was honored as the ‘Best Smart City’ in India at the India Smart Cities Conclave 2023. The prestigious award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu. Gujarat’s Surat secured the second position, and Agra in Uttar Pradesh secured the third position. Madhya Pradesh was also recognized as the Best State, with Tamil Nadu securing the second position and Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh jointly securing the third position.

24. Namira Salim, who was recently in news, is from which country?

[A] Malaysia
[B] Indonesia
[C] Pakistan
[D] Bangladesh

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pakistan] Notes:
Namira Salim, a Pakistani, became the first woman from the country to travel to space. She was part of Virgin Galactic’s fourth commercial spaceflight, Galactic 04, which took off from Spaceport America in New Mexico. The previous three commercial spaceflights took place in June, August, and September.

25. Professor Claudia Goldin was conferred the Nobel Prize in Economics 2023 for her research in:

[A] Women’s labour market outcomes
[B] Behavioural Economics
[C] Poverty
[D] Unemployment among women

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Women’s labour market outcomes] Notes:
Professor Claudia Goldin was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics 2023 for her extensive research on women’s contribution to the labor market. An American economic historian and labor economist, Claudia Goldin is currently a Professor of Economics at Harvard University.

26. Which actor won the ‘Satyajit Ray Excellence in Film Lifetime Award’ of India?

[A] Michael Douglas
[B] Morgan Freeman
[C] Tom Hanks
[D] Will Smith

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Michael Douglas] Notes:
Hollywood veteran Michael Douglas has been selected for the prestigious Satyajit Ray Excellence in Film Lifetime Award at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Goa 2023. The festival is scheduled to take place from November 20 to 28, and this award recognizes Douglas’s outstanding contributions to the film industry.

27. Raghubar Das, the new Governor of Odisha, is the former Chief Minister of which state/UT?

[A] West Bengal
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Assam
[D] Karnataka

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jharkhand] Notes:
Raghubar Das, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, has been appointed as the new Governor of Odisha by President Droupadi Murmu. He is set to take over the position from Ganeshi Lal, who has been serving as the governor of Odisha since May 2018.

28. Saleemul Huq, who passed away recently, was associated with which profession?

[A] Scientist
[B] Climate Change Expert
[C] Economist
[D] Writer

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Climate Change Expert] Notes:
Professor Saleemul Huq, a prominent advocate for climate justice and the director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) in Dhaka, passed away at the age of 71. He dedicated his work to establishing connections between climate change mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable development, with a focus on developing countries.

29. Who is the recipient of the first-ever ‘Lifetime Disturbing the Peace Award’?

[A] Salman Rushdie
[B] Arundhati Roy
[C] Joe Biden
[D] Rory Stewart

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Salman Rushdie] Notes:
Renowned author Salman Rushdie has been honored with the first-ever ‘Lifetime Disturbing the Peace Award’ by the Vaclav Havel Center. This award recognizes Rushdie’s significant contributions to literature and his unwavering commitment to freedom of expression.

30. How many Indians feature in the ‘BBC 100 Women List 2023’?

[A] Three
[B] Four
[C] Six
[D] Seven

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Three] Notes:
The ‘BBC 100 Women List 2023,’ focusing on women’s rights globally, includes three Indian women: Bollywood actress Dia Mirza, captain of India’s national women’s cricket team Harmanpreet Kaur, and National Geographic photographer Arati Kumar-Rao.

31. Who was named the 2023 ITF World Champions by the International Tennis Federation (ITF)?

[A] Carlos Alcaraz
[B] Daniil Medvedev
[C] Novak Djokovic
[D] Rajeev Ram

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Novak Djokovic] Notes:
Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka were honored as the 2023 ITF World Champions by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Their exceptional performances at the year’s Grand Slam events, reaching at least the semifinals at all four tournaments, earned them this recognition.

32. Who has been recently awarded the SASTRA-Ramanujan Awards 2023?

[A] Yunqing Tang
[B] Ruixiang Zhang
[C] Shai Evra
[D] Will Sawin

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ruixiang Zhang] Notes:
The SASTRA-Ramanujan Awards for 2022 and 2023 were presented to two mathematicians from the University of California, Berkeley. Ruixiang Zhang received the 2023 award during the ceremony at the SASTRA campus in Kumbakonam.

33. Who has been recently named Health ambassador for Salaam Bombay Foundation?

[A] Deepika Padukone
[B] Amrita Raichand
[C] Alia Bhatt
[D] Pankaj Tripathi

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Amrita Raichand] Notes:
Celebrity chef Amrita Raichand has been appointed as the Health Ambassador for the Salaam Bombay Foundation’s Preventive Health Education Programme. Her role involves educating adolescents about the importance of proper nutrition and fitness.

34. Who has recently won the “Great Arab Minds Award” in the field of literature and arts?

[A] Sukrita Paul
[B] Waciny Laredj
[C] Pradip Kumar
[D] Michelle Zarate

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Waciny Laredj] Notes:
Professor Waciny Laredj has been honored with the ‘Great Arab Minds Award’ in the field of literature and arts by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This award is also known as the ‘Arab Nobel.’

35. Who is the first woman officer to be appointed as Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)?

[A] Shubhra Singh
[B] Nina Singh
[C] Binita Thakur
[D] Roli Singh

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nina Singh] Notes:
Nina Singh, a senior IPS officer, has made history by becoming the first woman to take charge as the Director General of the CISF. With over three decades of diverse policing roles, her appointment marks a significant milestone for the 1.65 lakh strong force responsible for securing vital infrastructure.

36. Who heads the committee set up to examine the issue of holding simultaneous elections in India?

[A] Laxmikant Bajpai
[B] Baburam Nishad
[C] Vijaypal Singh Tomar
[D] Ramnath Kovind

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ramnath Kovind] Notes:
Former President Ram Nath Kovind leads the high-level committee established to examine the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections in India. This committee aims to streamline the election process and reduce expenditure by conducting Lok Sabha and state assembly elections together.

37. Who is the current (2024) CEO of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)?

[A] Sanjay Kundu
[B] Rajesh Kumar
[C] Rakesh Asthana
[D] Ajay Bhalla

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajesh Kumar] Notes:
Rajesh Kumar, the CEO of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), has shared statistics revealing that over ₹10,300 crore were siphoned off by cybercriminals from India since April 2021. The I4C, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, provides a framework for law agencies to combat cybercrime.

38. Who is the author of “Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology”?

[A] Yuval Noah Harari
[B] Malcolm Gladwell
[C] Chris Miller
[D] Walter Isaacson

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chris Miller] Notes:
Chris Miller, the author of “Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology,” has been invited to address Tamil Nadu’s Global Investors Meet. His presence is expected to energize youth and stimulate policy discussions in the semiconductor sector.

39. Who is the fourth Secretary General of Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)?

[A] Indra Mani Pandey
[B] Tenzin lekhpal
[C] Abdul Motaleb Sarker
[D] Shabana Fyyaz

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indra Mani Pandey] Notes:
Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, a senior Indian diplomat, has assumed the position of the fourth Secretary General of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). He will serve in this role for a period of three years.

40. Which award is given to recognize and encourage young scientists who made an exceptional contribution in the given field of Science and Technology?

[A] Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) award
[B] Vigyan Team (VT) award
[C] India Science Award
[D] C.V. Raman Birth Centenary Award

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) award] Notes:
The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) award is bestowed to recognize and encourage young scientists who have made exceptional contributions in the field of Science and Technology. Nominations for the 2024 Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in Science, Technology, and Innovation, are open until February 28.

41. ‘Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which state?

[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Gujarat
[D] Odisha

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu] Notes:
Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of Alt News, received the 2024 Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award from the Tamil Nadu government. Established in 2000, the award acknowledges remarkable contributions to fostering harmony. Presented annually on Republic Day by the Chief Minister, it honors individuals in Tamil Nadu for outstanding efforts in promoting communal harmony. The award includes a Rs. 2000 medal, Rs. 25,000 cash, and a certificate recognizing their services.

42. Who has been appointed as the first woman Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court?

[A] Ritu Bahri
[B] Hima Kohli
[C] Indira Banerjee
[D] Ruma Pal

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ritu Bahri] Notes:
Justice Ritu Bahri made history by becoming the first woman Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court, taking the oath administered by Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh. Previously a senior judge in Punjab and Haryana High Court, Bahri’s appointment marks a milestone for Uttarakhand. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj, Higher Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat, and Chief Secretary Radha Raturi were present at the swearing-in ceremony.

43. Hage Geingob, who passed away recently, was a President of which country?

[A] Angola
[B] Botswana
[C] Zambia
[D] Namibia

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Namibia] Notes:
Namibia’s President, Hage Geingob, has died at 82 following cancer treatment. The first prime minister post-independence, he became Namibia’s third president in 2014, securing re-election in 2019. Geingob, a key figure since independence from South Africa, held the record for Namibia’s longest-serving prime minister before assuming the presidency. His passing marks the end of a significant era in Namibian political history.

44. Recently, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak became the Prime Minister of which country?

[A] Jordan
[B] Iraq
[C] Iran
[D] Yemen

Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Yemen] Notes:
Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak became the prime minister of Yemen. He is also the country’s Foreign Minister and was previously the Yemenian Ambassador to the United States.

45. Who became the first Nationalist First Minister of Northern Ireland?

[A] Norma Foley
[B] Catherine Martin
[C] Michelle O’Neill
[D] Helen McEntee

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Michelle O’Neill] Notes:
Michelle O’Neill, a member of Sinn Féin, became the first Irish nationalist first minister of Northern Ireland. O’Neill’s appointment came after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) agreed to a new deal with the British government on post-Brexit trade rules. The DUP’s Emma Little-Pengelly is the deputy first minister. Northern Ireland’s government is a result of the 1998 Good Friday peace accord, which equally shares power between the two main communities in the region. These communities are British unionists who want to remain in the U.K., and Irish nationalists who want to unite with Ireland.

46. Who has been appointed as the non-executive chairman and independent director of the NPCI?

[A] Ajay Kumar Choudhary
[B] Shailendra Trivedi
[C] Biswamohan Mahapatra
[D] Noopur Chaturvedi

Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ajay Kumar Choudhary] Notes:
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) announced the appointment of Ajay Kumar Choudhary as the non-executive chairman of its board and independent director. He is a central banker with a career at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) spanning over three decades. NPCI is an organization that was founded in 2008 to oversee and operate India’s retail payments and settlement systems. These systems include platforms like IMPS, UPI, and RuPay cards.

47. Recently, which country won the 9th GovTech Prize for AI Powered Government Services at the World Government Summit 2024?

[A] UAE
[B] India
[C] Qatar
[D] Turkey

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India] Notes:
India won the 9th GovTech Prize at the 2024 World Government Summit in Dubai for its innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing government services. The award recognizes the Government of India’s Ministry for Road Transport and Highways’ transformative project, iRASTE. The Emirates Government Service Excellence Program (EGSEP) manages the annual GovTech Prize and the “M-Gov Award”.

48. Which of the following litterateurs have been named the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award?

[A] Kiran Desai and Arvind Adiga
[B] Kedarnath Singh and Vikram Seth
[C] Gulzar and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya
[D] Vikram Seth and Arvind Adiga

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gulzar and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya] Notes:
Renowned Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been announced as the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award by the Jnanpith selection committee. This prestigious award is recognition of their significant contributions to literature. In 2022, the award was conferred upon Goan writer Damodar Mauzo, adding to the distinguished list of laureates. The Jnanpith Award, established in 1961, is one of the highest literary honors in India, celebrating outstanding writers in various Indian languages.

49. Pey Jal Survekshan Awards, recently seen in the news, is an initiative of which ministry?

[A] Ministry of Rural Development
[B] Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of Agriculture
[D] Ministry of Jal Shakti

Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs] Notes:
The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs recently announced the inaugural Pey Jal Survekshan Awards, comprising 130 awards in various categories. Awards include Pey Jal Gold, Silver, and Bronze City Awards based on population categories. Other categories encompass Best Water Body, Sustainability Champion, Water Quality, and more. Parameters for evaluation cover access, coverage, water quality, sustainability, and infrastructure. Cities will receive star ratings based on performance, ensuring clean water through independent lab testing and transparent data collection via GIS-enabled web portal.

50. Recently, who has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the National Security Guard (NSG)?

[A] Anup Kumar Singh
[B] Sudhir Pratap Singh
[C] Daljit Singh Chaudhary
[D] Subhash Joshi

Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Daljit Singh Chaudhary] Notes:
Daljit Singh Chaudhary, a 1990 batch IPS officer, has been appointed as the Director General of the National Security Guard (NSG), a crucial role in India’s security. Currently the DG of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), he takes on the added responsibility of leading the NSG, known as the “black cats.” This move signifies a significant development in India’s security apparatus, enhancing Chaudhary’s role in shaping and overseeing critical aspects of national defense.