General Knowledge - MCQ Practice Questions

Swami Vivekananda, a chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897.

V. Anantha Nageswaran was appointed as the Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India in 2023.

Stephen Hawking, the renowned British physicist, authored 'A Brief History of Time' published in 1988.

# Solution: Youngest Indian Chess Grandmaster (2024)

This question tests knowledge of recent achievements in Indian chess history.

Step 1: Understanding the Achievement

D Gukesh (Gukesh Dommaraju) became a Grandmaster at an exceptionally young age in 2024, breaking previous records set by Indian chess players. He surpassed the previous record holder Viswanathan Anand, who was the youngest Indian GM before this milestone.

Step 2: Identifying the Correct Answer

Among the given options, Gukesh Dommaraju is the only player who achieved the grandmaster title as the youngest in 2024. Arjun Erigaisi, Anish Giri, and Viswanathan Anand are all accomplished players, but none of them hold this specific record for 2024.

Final Answer: (A) D Gukesh (Gukesh Dommaraju) — He became India's youngest chess grandmaster in 2024, achieving this prestigious title at an age younger than any Indian player before him.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828, a major socio-religious reform movement in India.

Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic gold medalist javelin thrower, served as an ambassador for Indian sports during Paris 2024.

'Discovery of India' is a seminal work written by Jawaharlal Nehru, published in 1946.

Multiple IAS officers were appointed as Chief Secretaries across different states in 2024; specific appointments vary by state.

# Solution: First Woman to Receive Bharat Ratna

The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award, and determining the first woman recipient requires examining the chronological order of awardees.

Step 1: Understanding the Bharat Ratna Award

The Bharat Ratna was instituted in 1954 and is awarded to individuals for exceptional service to the nation in any field. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to art, science, public services, and literature.

Step 2: Identifying the First Woman Recipient

Indira Gandhi, who served as Prime Minister of India from 1966-1977 and 1980-1984, became the first woman to receive the Bharat Ratna in 1971. This was awarded in recognition of her political leadership and contributions to the nation.

Final Answer: (A) Indira Gandhi — She received the Bharat Ratna in 1971, making her the first woman to receive India's highest civilian honor.

Chiranjeevi, the renowned Telugu and Hindi film actor, received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2023.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society in 1905 to promote social reforms and education.

S. Somanath has been serving as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 2022 onwards.

G. Sankara Kurup received the first Sahitya Akademi Award in 1955 for his work in Malayalam literature.

Fermat's Last Theorem was proved by Andrew Wiles in 1995, though not an Indian mathematician.

# Solution: CBFC Chairman Appointment 2024

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is India's regulatory body responsible for classifying and certifying films for public exhibition, and its leadership changes periodically based on government appointments.

Step 1: Understanding the CBFC Role

The CBFC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that examines films and grants certificates before theatrical or digital release in India.

Step 2: 2024 Appointment

Shri Shashi Shekhar Vempati was appointed as the Chairman of CBFC in 2024. He is a senior IAS officer with extensive experience in media, culture, and public administration, replacing the previous chairman.

[Final Answer: (D) Shri Shashi Shekhar Vempati]

# Bharat Ratna Award in Sports

The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian honor, and only one sports personality has received it as the first recipient in the sporting category.

Step 1: Understanding the Bharat Ratna Award

The Bharat Ratna was instituted in 1954 and is awarded to individuals for exceptional service to the nation. In 2021, the eligibility criteria were expanded to include athletes, making sports personalities eligible for the first time.

Step 2: Identifying the First Sports Recipient

Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, became the first athlete to receive the Bharat Ratna Award in 2023. He was honored for his outstanding contributions to cricket and his role in bringing global recognition to India through his extraordinary career spanning 24 years.

Sachin Tendulkar is the correct answer (A).

Sonal Mansingh, renowned Bharatanatyam dancer, was appointed as UNESCO's Cultural Ambassador for India in 2024.

Raghuram Rajan received international recognition in 2024 for his work on financial systems and economic policy.

Jay Shah, Secretary of BCCI, was elected as ICC Chairman in 2024, marking a significant achievement for Indian cricket administration.

The International Booker Prize is one of the world's most prestigious literary awards, recognizing the best translated fiction from around the globe.

Step 1: Understanding the International Booker Prize

The International Booker Prize is awarded annually to the best work of fiction translated into English, celebrating outstanding literary achievement and promoting diverse global voices in literature.

Step 2: Identifying the 2025 Winner

Banu Mushtaq, an Indian author, won the International Booker Prize in 2025 for her outstanding contribution to literature. This recognition highlights India's growing presence in global literary excellence and the importance of translated works reaching international audiences.

Final Answer: (B) Banu Mushtaq