General Awareness Questions

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched its 3136 kg GSAT-19 communication satellite with its brand new and heaviest – Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III D-1 (GSLV-Mk III D-1) satellite into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on June 5, 2017. The satellite GSAT-19 has an intended life span of 10 years and is developed to improve telecommunication and broadcasting areas. The GSLV-Mk III is popularly known as “fat boy” and is developed for 15 years at a cost of around Rs 300 crore. The rocket is capable of carrying payloads of up to 4,000 kg into the GTO and 10,000 kg into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The GSLV-Mk III is a three stage rocket. Its first stage is made of two strap on motors filled with solid fuel. The second stage uses the liquid fuel and the third is the cryogenic upper stage “C25”, which is powered by the highly complex indigenous cryogenic engine “CE20”. The number 20 denotes the 20-ton thrust it generates for the rocket to reach the intended height with the heavy mass on board.

The finance ministers of US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan is called as G-7 group. 

The first ever joint military exercise named 'Sagarmatha Friendship-2017' is all set between Nepal and China. Sagarmatha is the Nepali name for Mt Everest, which stands in between both the countries.

With India's pledge to go all electric by 2030, Nagpur will be the first city in the country to adopt electric cabs as the country moves a step closer to its goal.

The pilot project will see around 200 e-cabs in Nagpur with the local body to provide for the charging stations across the city.

Currently, Mahindra and Honda are few of the car-manufacturers who have electric and hybrid vehicles in their line-up. We do hope that the situation changes, as hybrid and electric vehicles will help in the growing pollution in India. Countries such as France, Netherland and Belgium have already started to adopt electric and hybrid vehicles.

Ashwani Lohani is IRSME officer, appointed as new Chairman of the Indian Railway Board soon after A.K. Mittal stepped down from the post. He is former Chairman & Managing Director of Air India.

Saraswat Bank, the largest lender in the co-operative space, has appointed Smita Sandhane as its Managing Director (MD). She is the first woman chief of India's largest urban co-operative bank.
'Service to the common man' is the Motto of Saraswat Bank.