c) d) None of these

Immaterial to the
reforms

Current Affairs Including General Knowledge

Passage – 1

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) conducted the third big test part of the ambitious
development of the Gaganyaan Mission to send Indian astronauts into space. The liquid-propelled single-
stage Test Vehicle (TV-D1) lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on a brief yet consequential
flight carrying a homegrown system that would be crucial for the safety of the Indian astronauts - the
Crew Escape System.

The test validated the motors that will be used during this mission, which included low-altitude motors,
high-altitude motors, and jettisoning motors that will be put to use to safely eject astronauts away from
the vehicle in case of an emergency. Isro chief S Somnath declared the mission complete and the
objectives achieved. The launch was initially halted due to an anomaly, which was corrected, and the
spacecraft lifted-off at 10 a.m.

The flight sequence began with the launch of the TV-D1. Six seconds into the flight, the fin enabling
system was activated, followed by the activation of the Crew Escape System Pillbox at a speed of Mach
number of 1.25, at an altitude of 11.8 km. The High Energy Motor (HEM) then fired, propelling the vehicle
further into the atmosphere.

Nearly 61.1 seconds after the launch, when the vehicle reached a Mach number of 1.21 at an altitude of
11.9 km, the Crew Escape System separated from the rocket booster. The Crew Module separated from
the Crew Escape System at an altitude of 16.9 kilometers as it travels at a speed of 550 kilometers per
hour. The drogue parachute is deployed next, slowing the vehicle's descent. "Mission Gaganyaan TV D1
Test Flight is accomplished. Crew Escape System performed as intended. Mission Gaganyaan gets off
on a successful note," Isro said.
Q 26. 5282350 Where will the astronauts short-listed for the Gaganyaan mission to be trained?

a) In the United States b) In Russia c) In India d) In China

Q 27. 5282350 What is the primary objective of the Gaganyaan mission?

a) To explore the Moon

b) To study Earth's atmosphere

c) To demonstrate India's capability to launch human beings into space

d) To search for extraterrestrial life

Q 28. 5282350 Which of the following countries was the first to send a human into space?

a) Japan b) China c) The United States d) Russia

Q 29. 5282350 Which of the following launch vehicles will be used in the Gaganyaan mission?

a) GSLV Mk II b) PSLV-C48 c) LVM-3 d) PSLV-C50

Q 30. 5282350 What is Vyommitra?

a) An Indian astronaut b) A type of spacecraft c) A humanoid robot d)

A spacecraft propulsion
system

Q 31. 5282350 What was the purpose of the Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT)?

a) Testing the Gaganyaan launch vehicle b) Testing astronaut training facilities

c) d)

Testing the Parachute Deceleration System (PDS) Testing the spacecraft's communication systems

Passage – 2

The inaugural India-UK '2+2' foreign and defence dialogue saw the two sides focusing on ways to boost
cooperation in a range of key areas such as trade and investment, defence, critical technologies, civil
aviation, health and energy. At the senior official-level dialogue, the two sides also discussed international
developments including in the Indo-Pacific region and considered the possibility of enhancing anti-terror
collaboration, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The 2+2 dialogue at senior official level is a mechanism to discuss and review all aspects of India-UK
comprehensive strategic partnership. The dialogue took place as the two sides are exploring the
possibility of a visit to India by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak later this month.

"The officials had an opportunity to exchange assessments about recent international developments
including in the Indo-Pacific region, given their shared vision for peace, stability and prosperity and for a
free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region," the ministry said in a statement "They also considered
possibility of enhancing collaboration in areas of counterterrorism, HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and
Disaster Relief) and maritime security," it added. The India-UK relationship was elevated to a
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the India-UK virtual summit held between Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and his then British counterpart Boris Johnson in May 2021.

At the summit, the two sides adopted a 10-year roadmap to expand ties in the key areas of trade and
economy, defence and security, climate change and people-to-people connections, among others. The
Indian delegation at the dialogue was co-chaired by Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Europe West) at
the MEA and Vishwesh Negi, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) at the defence ministry.
Q 32. 5282350 What is the India-US 2+2 Dialogue?

a) A diplomatic dialogue between India and the United States on climate change
b) A defense and foreign affairs dialogue between the two countries

c) A space exploration partnership

d) A trade agreement between India and the US

Q 33. 5282350 What was the key outcome of the recent 2 + 2 Dialogue between India and the US?

a) Signing of a free trade agreement

b) Launch of a joint space mission

c) Agreement on space situational awareness and defense artificial intelligence

d) A comprehensive free trade deal

Q 34. 5282350 What does the space situational awareness arrangement between India and the US aim
to achieve?

a) Joint space exploration missions b) Cooperation in lunar exploration

c) Advanced cooperation in space activities d) Satellite navigation technology sharing

Q 35. 5282350 What is the significance of the 2 + 2 Dialogue with the US for India?

a) It focuses on climate change agreements. b) It strengthens defense and security cooperation.

c) d)

It primarily addresses trade and economic issues. It promotes cultural exchanges between the two
countries.

Q 36. 5282350 Which of the following major countries is not mentioned as one of India's 2+2 dialogue
partners?

a) Australia b) Japan c) Russia d) China

Q 37. 5282350 What role do the "foundational pacts" such as LEMOA, COMCASA, and BECA play in
India-US cooperation?
a) They focus on climate change initiatives. b) They promote economic collaboration.

c) They facilitate deep military cooperation. d) They primarily address healthcare issues.

Passage – 3

Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, popularly known as M.S. Swaminathan, the legendary agricultural
scientist and a key architect of the country's 'Green Revolution,' passed away at his residence in Chennai
on September 28, 2023 at 11.20 am, following age-related issues.

He is survived by three daughters - Soumya Swaminathan, former chief scientist, World Health
Organisation; Madhura Swaminathan, professor, economic analysis unit, Indian Statistical Institute,
Bengaluru and former chairperson, MSSRF, and Nitya Rao, director, NISD, University of East Anglia, UK.
His wife, Mina Swaminathan, who was Distinguished Chair, Gender and Development, M. S. Swaminathan
Research Foundation (MSSRF), died in March 2022.

The back-to-back severe drought in mid-1960s compelled the political leadership and scientific fraternity
to look for solutions to overcome the "ship-to-mouth" existence when the country was dependent on
foodgrains imported from the U.S.

Dr. Swaminathan worked closely with two Union Agriculture Ministers, C. Subramaniam (1964-67) and
Jagjivan Ram (1967-70 & 1974-77) for the success of the 'Green Revolution,' a programme that paved the
way for quantum jump in productivity and production of wheat and rice through adaptation of chemical-
biological technology. The discovery of Norman Bourlag, a celebrated American farm scientist and 1970
Nobel Laureate, on wheat had played a huge role in this regard.
Q 38. 5282350 Who is often referred to as the "Father of India's Green Revolution"?

a) b) Verghese Kurien c) d) Pattabhi Sitaramayya

Norman Ernest Borlaug Monkomb Sambasivan
Swaminathan

Q 39. 5282350 Which of the following events was occurred in 1942-43 that influenced MS
Swaminathan's decision to study agriculture?

a) b) Partition of Bengal c) d) The Bengal famine

Home Rule Movement Civil Disobedience
Movement

Q 40. 5282350 Who among the following agricultural scientists is known as the "Father of the White
Revolution" in India?
a) MS Swaminathan b) Verghese Kurien c) d) C. Subramaniam
Norman Ernest Borlaug

Q 41. 5282350 What significant achievement is attributed to the "White Revolution" in India?

a) Increased wheat production b) Advancements in rice cultivation

c) Dairy farming industry growth d) Development of high-yielding varieties

Q 42. 5282350 Who among the following American scientists is known for his work on developing high-
yielding wheat and rice varieties and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?

a) Carl Sagan b) Jim Mullins c) d) Thomas Kuhn

Norman Ernest Borlaug

Q 43. 5282350 Which of the following awards did MS Swaminathan receive in 1987 for his contributions
to increasing food supply and preventing famine?

a) Nobel Peace Prize b) Bharat Ratna c) World Food Prize d)

Ramon Magsaysay
Award

Passage – 4

Finland became NATO's newest member on 4 April 2023, upon depositing its instrument of accession to
the North Atlantic Treaty with the United States at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. NATO Allies signed
Finland's Accession Protocol on 5 July 2022, after which all 30 national parliaments voted to ratify the
country's membership.

"We welcome Finland to the Alliance!," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, as Finnish Foreign
Minister Pekka Haavisto deposited Finland's instrument of accession with the government of the United
States, represented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Secretary General then welcomed Finnish
President Sauli Niinistö to NATO Headquarters for a flag-raising ceremony to mark the country's
accession to the Alliance.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, the Secretary General thanked President Niinistö for his outstanding
leadership and for leading Finland into the most successful Alliance in history. "I am deeply proud to
welcome Finland as a fullfledged member of our Alliance and I look forward to also welcoming Sweden
as soon as possible," he said. "Joining NATO is good for Finland, it is good for Nordic security and it is
good for NATO as a whole," he added. The Secretary General also noted that Finland's accession shows
the world that President Putin failed to "slam NATO's door shut." "Instead of less NATO, he has achieved
the opposite; more NATO and our door remains firmly open," he said.
Q 44. 5282350 Why did Finland decide to join NATO?

a) Economic reasons b) Environmental concerns

c) Russia's invasion of Ukraine d) A desire for closer ties with the European Union

Q 45. 5282350 What is NATO's "Article 5" in the context of collective defense?

a) It allows NATO to interfere in civil wars.

b) It states that an attack on one member is an attack on all members.
c) It authorizes NATO to start preemptive wars.

d) It pertains to economic cooperation among NATO members.

Q 46. 5282350 Why is Sweden's path to NATO membership currently blocked?

a) Lack of interest in joining NATO b) Opposition from Finland

c) Opposition from Turkey and Hungary d) Incompatibility with NATO's values

Q 47. 5282350 Which of the following NATO members is critical in approving new applicants to the
alliance?

a) United States b) France

c) United Kingdom d) All existing members of the alliance

Q 48. 5282350 What is the primary purpose of NATO, as stated in its formation in 1949?

a) b)

Economic cooperation among member countries Promoting collective security and mutual defense
c) Advancing cultural exchanges between nations d) Facilitating political alliances

Q 49. 5282350 What criteria must European nations fulfill to be considered for NATO membership?

a) Possession of nuclear weapons b) A strong centralized government

c) d) Membership in the United Nations
A commitment to democratic civil-military relations

Passage – 5

The historic West Bengal town of Santiniketan and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, a series of
12th- and 13th-century temples in Karnataka, have both been added to UNESCO's renowned World
Heritage List. India now has [1] sites on the List after UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, which is
currently meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, added Santiniketan on 17 September and the Sacred
Ensembles of the Hoysalas a day later.
Santiniketan was established in 1901 by Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Prize-winning poet and
philosopher. The town, which includes a residential school, an art centre and a 'world university', was
created based on a vision of the unity of humanity, one that transcends religious and cultural boundaries.

Santiniketan is directly and tangibly associated with the ideas, works and vision of Tagore and his
associates, pioneers of the Bengal School of Art and early Indian Modernism. The Sacred Ensembles of
the Hoysalas - namely the Channakeshava temple in Belur, the Hoysaleshvara temple in Halebidu and the
Keshava temple in Somanathapura -- are considered the most representative examples of temple
complexes from the Hoysala Empire in southern India.
Q 50. 5282350 How many UNESCO's World Heritage sites are there in India at present which has been
redacted with [1] in the passage above?

a) 39 b) 40 c) 41 d) 42

Q 51. 5282350 Which of the following UNESCO World Heritage Sites is associated with the Indus Valley
Civilization and was India's 40th World Heritage Site?

a) Lothal b) Kalibangan c) Dholavira d) Rakhigarh

Q 52. 5282350 Which of the following is Not the first World Heritage sites in India?

a) Agra Fort b) Sun Temple c) Taj Mahal d) Ellora Caves

Q 53. 5282350 India's first and second cities in India designated as UNESCO World Heritage Cities are
___________.

a) Varanasi and Delhi b) Mumbai and Chennai c) Bhopal and Kolkata d)

Ahmedabad and Jaipur

Q 54. 5282350 The Hoysala dynasty, known for its architectural and cultural contributions, ruled over
which regions in India?

a) North India b) South India c) Northeast India d) Central India

Q 55. 5282350 Which of the following Indian states has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage
Sites (as on October 2023)?

a) Maharashtra b) Rajasthan c) Uttar Pradesh d) Tamil Nadu

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