Weekly Current Affairs Questions and Answers: 18 March to 24 March 2024

This week, we have compiled 10 weekly current affairs questions and answers relevant for government exams, including topics such as World Happiness Report 2024, India's new ambassador to Russia, Paris Olympics 2024 and others. 

1. According to the World Happiness Report 2024, which is the happiest country in the world?

(a) Denmark

(b) Germany

(c) Finland

(d) Iceland

2. Where is 'Start-up Mahakumbh' being organised?

(a) Bengaluru

(b) Mumbai

(c) New Delhi

(d) Kolkata

3. Who has been appointed as the new Ambassador of India to Russia?

(a) Vinay Kumar

(b) Parsottam Rupala

(c) Ajay Nagar

(d) RK Aggarwal

4. Which app has ISRO launched to assist the Gaganyaan crew?

(a) 'SAKHI'

(b) 'MADAD'

(c) 'AKASH'

(d) 'SHAKSHAM'

5. Recently 'Yaunde Declaration' was in discussion, it is related to which of the following?

(a) Cyber security

(b) Artificial Intelligence

(c) Maritime security

(d) Malaria disease

6. Who has been chosen by the Election Commission of India as the National Disability Icon?

(a) Sheetal Devi

(b) Arunima Sinha

(c) Dev Rathi

(d) Jai Kumar

7. 'Kovind Committee' which was in discussion recently is related to which of the following?

(a) Appointment of judges

(b) simultaneous elections

(c) Electoral bond

(d) Uniform Civil Code

8. Who has been selected as the flag bearer for India at Paris Olympics 2024?

(a) Manika Batra

(b) Sharat Kamal

(c) Saurabh Chaudhary

(d) Neeraj Chopra

9. ISRO successfully tested the landing mission of the reusable launch vehicle, what is it called?

(a) 'PUSHAPAK'

(b) 'SARTHAK'

(c) 'AKASH YAAN'

(d) 'VIKRAM'

10. Who has recently been appointed as the new captain by Chennai Super Kings?

(a) Ravindra Jadeja

(b) Ruturaj Gaikwad

(c) Ajinkya Rahane

(d) Shivam Dubey

Answer:-

1. (c) Finland

According to the World Happiness Report 2024, the European country Finland is the happiest country in the world. Finland remains the happiest country in the world for the seventh consecutive year. Like last year, India remains at 126th position in the World Happiness Index. Whereas India's neighboring country Pakistan is at 108th place and Sri Lanka is at 128th place.  America is at 23rd place.  

2. (c) New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Start-up Mahakumbh at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. On this occasion, he also visited the exhibition displayed. On this occasion, PM Modi said that India has the third largest startup ecosystem with 1.25 lakh startups, which includes 12 lakh youth.

3. (a) Vinay Kumar

The Ministry of External Affairs has appointed the country's senior diplomat Vinay Kumar as the next Ambassador of India to Russia. Vinay Kumar is currently serving as the Ambassador of India to Myanmar. Vinay Kumar is a 1992 batch IFS officer. India has long-term and extensive cooperation with Russia in the field of defence. India imports most of its weapons from Russia.

4. (a) 'Sakhi'

Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) located at Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram has launched a multi-purpose app 'Sakhi' (Space-borne Assistant and Knowledge Hub for Crew Interaction-SAKHI) to assist the Gaganyaan crew. This app will help in monitoring the health of astronauts and maintaining communication with ISRO on Earth. ISRO can launch Gaganyaan human mission in the year 2025.

5. (d) Malaria disease

Recently, the Yaounde Declaration has proved to be an important milestone in the fight against malaria. Under this, the health ministers of 11 African countries pledged to end deaths due to malaria. The objective of this declaration is to strengthen health infrastructure, expand capacity of personnel and enhance program implementation. Yaoundé is the capital of the African country Cameroon.  

6. (a) Sheetal Devi

Para archer and Arjuna Awardee Sheetal Devi has been appointed as the National Disability Icon by the Election Commission of India (ECI). In view of the Lok Sabha elections, ECI and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) organized an exhibition cricket match to promote voter education.

7. (b) simultaneous elections

A committee was formed under the leadership of former President Ram Nath Kovind to evaluate the feasibility of 'One Nation, One Election'. Recently the committee has submitted its report to President Draupadi Murmu.     

8.  (b) Sharat Kamal

Khel Ratna Award winner and two-time Commonwealth Games champion table tennis player Sharath Kamal will be India's flag bearer in the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has recently announced this. Sharath Kamal will be India's 19th flag bearer in the Olympics. Former Indian men's hockey team captain Manpreet Singh and Mary Kom led India as flag bearers in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.   

9. (a) 'Pushpak'

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully tested the landing mission of its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) named 'Pushpak' from the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Challakere, Karnataka. This was the third landing mission of RLV.

10. (b) Ruturaj Gaikwad

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has appointed opening batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad as its new captain. It is noteworthy that Mahendra Singh Dhoni has left the captaincy after his successful tenure. Ruturaj made his IPL debut in the year 2020. He was retained by CSK for Rs 6 crore in the 2022 edition.