The correct answer is Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir.

Key Points

The Fourth Buddhist Council

• The Fourth Buddhist Council was held in 72 AD in Kundalavana (near Srinagar, Kashmir)
• It was patronized by the Kushan king Kanishka and presided over by Vasumitra with Asvaghosa as his deputy
• The purpose of the council was to resolve a critical dispute between the Gandhara and Sarvastivada teachers of Kashmir
• The council divided Buddhism into two sects: Mahayana and Hinayana. Hence, option (2) is correct.
• The council consisted of two separate Buddhist councils; one in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka (traditionally ascribed to 1st century BCE) and the other in Kundalavana, Kashmir
• The council aimed to resolve differences peacefully and democratically among Buddhist followers
• The council resulted in the creation of the Mahavibhasa, a compilation of Sarvastivadin beliefs with three large commentaries on the Pitakas
• The four Buddhist councils are considered milestones in the history of Buddhism.​

Key Points

The correct answer is Infrastructure.

Key Points

• Infrastructure refers to the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, including transportation, communication, and distribution networks.
• Supporting services in industrial and agricultural production require infrastructure such as roads, rail networks, ports, and airports to transport goods and raw materials.
• Domestic and foreign trade and commerce require infrastructure such as telecommunications networks, internet connectivity, and financial institutions to facilitate transactions.
• Education and communication are also important for economic development, but they are not directly related to providing support services in the main areas of production and trade.

Additional Information

• Education: Education is important for human capital development and innovation, which can contribute to economic growth. However, it is not a direct supporting service in the main areas of production and trade.
• Communication: Communication is essential for the exchange of information and ideas, but it is not a physical infrastructure required for production and trade.
• Trade: Trade refers to the exchange of goods and services between countries or regions, and it requires infrastructure such as transportation and communication networks to facilitate transactions.
• Infrastructure: Infrastructure includes physical structures such as roads, bridges, ports, and airports, as well as organizational structures such as financial institutions and regulatory frameworks. It is essential for economic development and growth.

The correct answer is Statements no.1,3 and 4 only.

In News

• 13th Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu received the Padma Vibhushan Award in 2024.

Key Points

• Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu, born on July 1, 1949, served as the 13th Vice President of India from 2017 to 2022.
  • Hence statement no. 2 is incorrect and statement no. 3 is correct.
• He holds the distinction of being the first Indian Vice President born in independent India. 
  • Hence statement no. 4 is correct.
• Naidu has a diverse political career, having served as a minister in various capacities, including Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Urban Development, and Information and Broadcasting.
• Prior to his vice presidency, Naidu was actively involved in politics, serving as the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from 2002 to 2004.
• His political journey began as a student leader, and he rose through the ranks due to his oratory skills, activism for farmers' rights, and development initiatives in backward areas.
• Naidu was elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha multiple times, representing Karnataka.
• He is known for his contributions to rural development, including his tenure as the Union Cabinet Minister for Rural Development during the government led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Additional Information

The Correct Answer is Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

In News

• The book “An Uncommon Love: The Early Life of Sudha and Narayana Murthy” released.

Key Points

• The book “An Uncommon Love: The Early Life of Sudha and Narayana Murthy,” authored by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.
• The book offers an intimate view into the lives of one of India’s most respected couples, Sudha and Narayana Murthy, the co-founders of Infosys. 
• The biography details their early life, love story, and the foundational years of Infosys.

The correct answer is Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar.

Key Points

• 2001-2011 Census of India:-
  • The 2001-2011 Census of India was the 14th and 15th censuses of India, respectively. The 2001 census was conducted on February 1, 2001, and the 2011 census was conducted on March 1, 2011.
  • Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar recorded a very high population growth rate during the 2001-2011 Census of India.
  • Meghalaya recorded the highest population growth rate of 27.8% during this time period.  
  • Arunachal Pradesh recorded a population growth rate of 25.9% which was the second highest in the country.
  • Bihar also recorded a high population growth rate of 25.1% during this time period.
  • Sikkim, Rajasthan, Haryana, West Bengal, and other states did not record as high population growth rates during the 2001-2011 Census of India.

The Correct Answer is World's Best Airport.

In News

• Singapore’s airport earns the title Of world’s best airport in 2023.

Key Points

• Changi Airport Reclaims the prestigious title of World’s Best Airport for 2023.
• Award based on customer satisfaction surveys, reflecting excellence in airport services.
• Changi's ability to adapt and its commitment to continuous improvement highlighted.
• The architectural marvel of Jewel, featuring a lush garden, retail outlets, and celebrity endorsements.

The correct answer is 2 i.e. Taxes.

Key Points

Explanation:

• The value of total produced goods and services i.e. national income of any economy is calculated on either of the two parameters - ‘factor cost’ or the ‘market cost’.
• Factor cost is basically the input costs (like raw material, interest on loans if taken, labourer wages, etc)  the producer or the manufacturer has to bear during the process of producing goods. Factor cost is also termed as ‘factory price’. So in a way, it can also be termed as the ‘price’ of the commodity from the producer’s side.
• Now when we add the taxes (indirect) to the factory cost we get ‘market cost’.
• So it means the cost at which the goods reach the market, i.e., showrooms (the tax paid by the producers to the union government in India). After adding the state government taxes (SGST)  to it we get 'market price’ or factor price.
• Before 2015 officially India calculated the national income at factor cost ( however the data regarding market cost was also released) but after 2015, CSO has switched over to calculating it at market price (i.e., market cost).
• The market price is calculated by adding the product taxes (both the state and central taxes) to the factor cost.

The correct answer is Victoria.

Key Points

• The Australian state of Victoria will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
• The 2026 Games will be held in four regional hubs in the towns of Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, and Gippsland.
• The state has confirmed 16 sports for the Games so far, including aquatics, cycling, and Twenty20 cricket.
• The 2022 Commonwealth Games are due to be held in Birmingham, England, from July 28 to August 8, 2022.

Important Points

• It will be the sixth time that Australia has staged the Commonwealth Games and the second time in Victoria after Melbourne hosted the 2006 event.
• The opening ceremony will be held at Australia's largest sports stadium, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which can hold more than 100,000 spectators.

• The Games, held every four years, attract more than 4,000 athletes from the 54 nations of the Commonwealth, almost all of whom are former territories of the British Empire.

Note:

As of today, April 3, 2024, there is no confirmed host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Victoria, Australia was originally selected, but withdrew due to budgeting concerns. The Commonwealth Games Federation is still looking for a host.

The correct answer is Finland.

Key Points

• Finland has been named as the happiest country in the world for the sixth consecutive year, with a score significantly of 7.842.
• Denmark kept its second place.
• Iceland bypassed Israel to take third place and the Netherlands rounded out the top five.

Additional Information

• According to the report, India ranks at 126th position out of 136 countries, making it one of the least happy countries in the world.
• It even lags behind its neighboring nations like Nepal, China, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
• Denmark is at number two, followed by Iceland at number three. The ranking uses six key factors to measure happiness — social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption.
• It rates 150 nations (146 in 2023) based on:
  • Personal well-being.
  • Levels of GDP.
  • Life expectancy, and
  • Other quality of life measures.

The Correct Answer is 206 feet.

In News

• Former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated 206 feet 'Statue of Social Justice'.

Key Points

• Former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is set to unveil a monumental 206-foot tall "Statue of Social Justice", dedicated to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, in Vijayawada.
• The massive statue of Dr BR Ambedkar has been built at Vijayawada’s Swaraj Maidan, along with an experience centre and other amenities, at a cost of Rs 404 crore.
• The 'Statue of Equality' in Maryland is a replica of the world's largest Ambedkar statue in Hyderabad, which stands 125 feet tall.

Confusion Points

• The statue was constructed on an 81-foot pedestal, and the statue is 125 feet tall, taking the total height to 206 feet.

Hence the correct answer is 206ft.