PDF Download: Click here
1. According to the report by the economic think tank GTRI, which country did China surpass to become India’s largest trade partner (financial year 2023-24)?
a. France
b. Japan
c. USA
d. Germany
Answer: c. USA
– In the fiscal year 2023-24, China has emerged as India’s largest trading partner, surpassing the United States (USA).
– The Economic Think Tank ‘Global Trade Research Initiative’ (GTRI) has released figures in this regard.
– Bilateral trade between India and China stood at $118.4 billion, slightly lower than the $118.3 billion trade with the United States.
Trade Increase with China
– In the fiscal year 2023-24, there has been an increase in imports from China, reaching $101.7 billion, which is a 3.24% increase.
– However, India’s exports also increased by 8.7%, reaching $16.67 billion.
– The key sectors driving this growth include iron ore, cotton yarn/fabrics/made-ups, handicrafts, spices, fruits and vegetables, and plastics and linoleum.
– Despite this increase, the trade deficit in imports and exports is substantial.
Decline in Exports to the USA
– In 2023-24, India’s exports to the USA decreased by 1.32% to $77.5 billion.
– While there was a significant decrease of almost 20% in imports from the USA, which amounted to $40.8 billion.
– Despite the decline in exports, India’s trade with the USA is advantageous.
– India’s trade surplus with the USA increased to $36.74 billion.
India’s Major Trading Partners
– China: $118.4 billion
– USA: $118.3 billion
– Russia: $65.7 billion
– Saudi Arabia: $43.4 billion
– Singapore: $35.6 billion
————–
2. According to WMO’s ‘State of the Climate Asia 2023’ report, floods in which Indian state were among Asia’s worst climate disasters in 2023?
a. Kerala
b. Assam
c. Sikkim
d. Odisha
Answer: c. Sikkim
————–
3. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report ‘State of the Climate Asia 2023’, which of the following was one of the worst climate disasters in Asia?
a. lightning fall in bihar
b. Flood due to glacial lake explosion in Sikkim
c. Flood in mumbai
d. Flood and landslide in Himachal Pradesh
Answer: b. Flood due to glacial lake explosion in Sikkim (glacial lake outburst flood)
– Name of the report: State of the Climate Asia 2023
– Who issued: World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
– When released: 23 April 2024
Impact of Climate Events on Asia
– According to The Hindu newspaper, in the year 2023, over 2,000 people were killed and more than nine million (90 lakh) people were affected by extreme climate events across Asia.
– More than 80% of these incidents were related to storms and floods.
– The report also states that severe heatwaves are occurring in many regions, resulting in numerous deaths.
– In India, intense heatwaves during April and June claimed the lives of nearly 110 people due to heatstroke.
– Heatstroke is a condition where the body temperature rises above 40 degrees Celsius.
Note: – Heat-related mortality rates have been widely underreported.
Sikkim Disaster of 2023
– In October 2023, floods occurred in Sikkim due to a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) event, rendering thousands of people homeless.
– Many lives were also lost.
– The impact of this flood lasted for a considerable period.
Which Lake Became the Cause of Floods
– The South Lhonak Lake situated in the northwestern region of Sikkim became the cause of the flood. It is a glacial lake.
– The ‘Glacial Lake Outburst Flood’ event occurred in this lake, leading to the devastation of several districts.
– The lake is located at an altitude of 5,200 meters (17,100 feet) in northern Sikkim.
Which Hydropower Projects Are Damaged
– 1,200-megawatt Teesta-III
– 510-megawatt Teesta-V
– 500-megawatt Teesta-VI
Note: Teesta-III was the largest hydropower project in Sikkim.
– This project was located in the Chungthang village and sub-district of Sikkim.
Expansion of Glacial Lakes
– According to The Hindu newspaper, satellite images from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) show significant changes in the extent of glacial lakes in the Indian Himalayan river basins from 1984 to 2023.
– From 2016 to 2017, significant expansion was observed in 676 lakes out of 2,431 lakes identified, each larger than 10 hectares since 1984.
How Many Lakes Are in India
– Out of these, 130 lakes are located within India.
– 65 lakes in the Indus River Basin.
– 7 lakes in the Ganges River Basin.
– 58 lakes in the Brahmaputra River Basin.
[ ISRO Link: https://www.nrsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/pdf/DMSP/Cartosat3-Chungthang%20Dam_13oct2023.pdf ]
What is Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)?
– GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) is a sudden and potentially devastating flood or event.
– In this event, a mass of water present in a glacier melts and bursts out. This is called a jökulhlaup.
– Several reasons could cause such events, such as earthquakes, excessive rainfall, and glacial avalanches.
How are Glaciers and Lakes Formed?
– Glaciers consist mostly of ice, also known as an ice cap.
– They appear like rivers and flow very slowly.
– It takes many years for glaciers to form.
They form in places where snow falls but does not melt.
– Some glaciers are small, like a football field.
– Some are very large, ranging from dozens to hundreds of kilometers long.
– Glaciers cover about 10 percent of the Earth’s total land area, and about 30 percent of land near the sea.
How Many Glaciers are at Risk
– According to a study conducted by the United Nations in 2022, one-third of the world’s heritage glaciers are at risk.
– As per The Hindu newspaper, the study suggests that if global temperatures increase by 1.5 degrees Celsius, two-thirds of the glaciers could be saved.
Which Continent Doesn’t Have Glaciers
– According to The Hindu newspaper, glaciers are found on every continent except Australia.
– Most of them are thousands of years old.
They are formed from compressed layers of snow.
Which flow or “flow” due to the softness of compressed snow relative to gravity and the hardness of rock.
Sikkim
– Chief Minister: Prem Singh Tamang
– Governor: Laxman Prasad Acharya
– Capital: Gangtok
————-
4. In which city, former Indian Army officer Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale, who was working in the United Nations, died on 13 May 2024 amid the Israel-Hamas war?
a. Jerusalem
b. Ramallah
c. Hebron
d. Rafah
Answer: d. Rafah
– The name of the former Indian Army officer was Colonel Vaibhav Anil Kale. He passed away on May 13, 2024, in the city of Rafah.
– He had joined the UN three weeks earlier as a Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).
– Rafah is the southernmost city of the Gaza Strip, adjacent to the border with Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.
How and Where the Incident Occurred
– Former army officer Colonel Vaibhav Anil Kale, who was working with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).
– Colonel Vaibhav was escorting another injured staff member of UNDSS to the hospital in Rafah city on May 13, 2024. – During this time, the vehicle was attacked.
– In the attack, Colonel Vaibhav lost his life, and one employee was injured.
– Rafah is the southernmost city of the Gaza Strip, adjacent to the border with Sinai Peninsula, Egypt.
– They were traveling in a United Nations vehicle with stickers.
What Did António Guterres Say
– In a post, he stated that there was an attack on a UN vehicle in Gaza, resulting in the death of one of our colleagues and injuring another.
– More than 190 United Nations personnel have been killed in Gaza.
– The security of humanitarian workers should be ensured.
– He further said that he condemns all attacks on United Nations personnel and reiterates his immediate appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all detainees.
Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale
– Colonel Kale was originally from Nagpur, but in 2022, he had moved to Pune.
– He played a crucial role in thwarting the Pathankot terrorist attack.
– Colonel Kale was an infantry officer of the Indian Army’s 11 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Regiment.
– He had taken premature retirement two years ago, after which he worked with multinational companies before joining the United Nations last month. He is survived by his wife and two teenage children who reside in Pune.
Three Lakh People Left Rafah City
– According to The Hindu newspaper, following evacuation orders in Israel, nearly three lakh people out of more than ten lakh who had taken shelter there have fled the city.
– On May 12, 2024, the Israeli army initiated a severe missile attack in Rafah.
– Rafah city is considered the last stronghold of Hamas.
Israel and Hamas Conflict Update
– A war has been ongoing between Israel and Hamas for the past seven months.
– In this conflict, more than 1,500 people from Israel have been killed, and around 35,000 Palestinians have lost their lives.
– Israel has been carrying out continuous attacks to eliminate Hamas.
– The current armed conflict between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip began on October 7, 2023.
Israel
– Capital: Jerusalem
– Major City: Tel Aviv
– Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
– Currency: New Shekel
Palestine
– It does not have the status of a country in the UN; it is recognized as an observer state.
– Capital: Jerusalem
– Administrative Center: Ramallah
– Divided into two parts: West Bank (population approximately 4 million) and Gaza (population 2 million)
– President: Mahmoud Abbas
– Prime Minister: Mohammad Mustafa
– Currency: Egyptian Pound, Israeli New Shekel, Jordanian Dinar
————-
5. Which Indian player broke the women’s shot put national record by throwing 18.41 meters in the National Federation Athletics Championships?
a. Sonia Singh
b. Abha Khatua
c. Manpreet Kaur
d. Kiran Thakur
Answer: b. Abha Khatua (28 years old)
– Abha Khattua is a professional shot putter from India.
– She hails from West Bengal, and her father is a farmer.
– On May 13, 2024, Abha Khattua set a new national record by throwing 18.41 meters.
– She achieved this record on her 5th attempt.
– Abha Khattua won the gold medal in this competition.
– Previously, in 2022, she set a national record of 18.06 meters in women’s shot put jointly with Manpreet Kaur.
– Despite breaking several records, she could not qualify for the Paris Olympics.
– The qualifying mark for the Paris Olympics is 18.80 meters.
What is shot put?
– Shot put is a track and field event.
– It involves throwing (putting) a heavy spherical object or shot.
– The shot is put as far as possible.
– It is thrown within a circle.
– Weight of men’s shot put: 7.26 kilograms (16.0 pounds)
– Weight of women’s shot put: 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds)
————–
6. Where was the 7th edition of India-France joint military exercise ‘Shakti’ held?
a. Nantes, France
b. Paris, France
c. Umroi, Meghalaya
d. Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh
Answer: c. Umroi, Meghalaya
– The inauguration ceremony of this military exercise was attended by His Excellency Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France, and Major General Prasanna Sudhakar Joshi, Commanding Officer of 51 Sub Area.
– The main objective of the power exercise is to enhance the joint military capability of both sides for various sector operations in a semi-urban and mountainous terrain as per Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate.
– The joint exercise will focus on operations in semi-urban and mountainous areas.
– Both countries have 90-90 military personnel in their respective contingents.
Military Exercise “Shakti” Details
– When to be held: 13 to 26 May 2024
– Location: Umroi, Meghalaya
– Edition: Seventh
– Participating Countries: India-France
– This war exercise is part of a biennial training program.
– It alternates between being hosted in India and France.
– The previous edition was held in France in November 2021.
Other Military Exercises Between India and France:
– Army: Shakti War Exercise
– Air Force: Garuda War Exercise
France:
– Capital: Paris
– Currency: Euro
– President: Emmanuel Macron
————–
7. Punjabi poet and writer Surjit Patar passed away on 11 May 2024, in which year did he receive the Padma Shri award?
a. 2012
b. 2015
c. 2019
d. 2023
Answer: a. 2012 (in the field of literature and education)
– Members of his family stated that Surjeet Patar passed away in his sleep on May 11, 2024.
– His family includes his wife and two sons.
Key Works of Surjeet Patar:
– Some of Patar’s notable poetry works include “Hawa Vich Likhe Harf”, “Hanere Vich Sulagdi Varnamala”, “Patajhar Di Pajeb”, “Lafzaan Di Dargah”, and “Surjameen”.
Surjit Patar’s Accolades:
– He was honored with the Padma Shri in 2012 for his contributions to literature and education.
– Additionally, he has been recognized with awards such as the Sahitya Akademi Award, Panchanad Award, Saraswati Samman, and Kusumagraj Literature Award.
– Patar served as the Chairman of the Punjab Arts Council.
– He also held the position of Chairman of the Punjab Sahitya Akademi.
————–
8. Who has won the Superbet Rapid & Blitz Chess Tournament 2024?
a. D Gukesh
b. Anish Giri
c. Magnus Carlsen
d. R. Praggnanandhaa
Answer: c. Magnus Carlsen
– The Superbet Rapid and Blitz Tournament took place in Poland in May 2024.
– India’s R. Praggnanandhaa performed well in this tournament, securing the fourth position.
– Magnus Carlsen topped the leaderboard in the Blitz category on the last day, earning 8 out of 9 points. He has a total of 26 points.
– Magnus Carlsen defeated all 9 players, including 3 Indian talents, consecutively to win the competition.
– The players at the top of this tournament receive a prize money of $40,000.
– Players at the second position receive a prize money of $30,000.
————–
9. When is the International Day of Living Together in Peace celebrated?
a. 13 May
b. 14 May
c. 15 May
d. 16 May
Answer: d. 16 May
– This day has been declared by the United Nations.
– The day was established in the year 2018.
————-
10. When is World Telecommunication Day celebrated?
a. 15 May
b. 16 May
c. 17 May
d. 18 May
Answer: c. 17 May
Theme 2024
– Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development.
– This day is known as World Telecommunication Day in commemoration of the establishment of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on May 17, 1865.
PDF Download: Click here
