1. What is the estimated amount that the government will borrow for the first half of financial year 2023-24?
[A] Rs 5.55 lakh crore
[B] Rs 8.88 lakh crore
[C] Rs 11.11 lakh crore
[D] Rs 13.33 lakh crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rs 8.88 lakh crore]
Notes:
The Centre plans to raise ₹ 8.88 lakh crore through market borrowing in the April-September period of 2023-24 to fund the revenue gap to push economic growth.
The Finance Ministry announced this after consultation with the Reserve Bank of India.
2. World Health Organisation (WHO) certified which countries as Malaria-free recently?
[A] India and Sri Lanka
[B] Azerbaijan and Tajikistan
[C] Pakistan and Afghanistan
[D] Nepal and Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Azerbaijan and Tajikistan]
Notes:
Recently, the World Health Organisation certified Azerbaijan and Tajikistan as Malaria-Free Countries.
They succeeded in eliminating the Anopheles mosquito-borne disease in their territories. In Tajikistan and Azerbaijan, the last cases of regional spread of Plasmodium vivax malaria were discovered in 2012 and 2014.
3. ‘National Maritime Week’ is observed in India in which month?
[A] March
[B] April
[C] May
[D] June
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [April]
Notes:
To mark the moment of the first Indian Steamship “S.S. LOYALTY”, Mumbai, venturing into international water on her maiden voyage from Mumbai to London (UK) in 1919, April 5 was marked as “National Maritime Day.”
The government is celebrating National Maritime Week from March 30, 2023, to April 5, 2023, paying tribute to the services of seafarers.
4. Which country rejected the proposal to organize a second referendum for Scotland’s independence?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Australia
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UK]
Notes:
British Prime Minister rejected a call from the First Minister of Scotland to organize a second referendum for Scotland’s independence. This proposed referendum will provide people in Scotland the right to decide on an independent country.
The last referendum to decide the issue of Scottish independence was carried out in 2014.
5. Which country has banned English and other foreign languages in official communication?
[A] Italy
[B] Germany
[C] Australia
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Italy]
Notes:
Italy has banned English and other foreign languages in official communication. Italians who use English and other foreign words in official communications could face fines of up to 100,000 Pounds or 108,705 Dollars.
While the legislation encompasses all foreign languages, it is particularly geared at Anglomania or use of English words.
6. Which Indian state organised the ‘Food Conclave 2023’ brainstorming event?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Telangana
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Telangana]
Notes:
The Food Conclave 2023 is a two-day event that will be organized by Telangana government. It will focus on agri-food sector and its challenges.
It is the inaugural edition of the State government’s annual brainstorming event for the agri-food sector. The event will bring together the top 100 agri-food industry thought leaders.
7. Which institution released the ‘Infertility Prevalence Estimates, 1990–2021’ Report?
[A] WHO
[B] UNICEF
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] CDC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [WHO]
Notes:
The ‘Infertility Prevalence Estimates, 1990–2021’ report was released recently by the World Health Organization (WHO).
It provides the estimates of global and regional prevalence of infertility. According to this report, around 1 in 6 people experience infertility across the world.
8. Which Union Ministry notified amendments to the ‘Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics code) rules, 2021’?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Electronics and IT]
Notes:
Ministry of Electronics and IT has notified amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
These rules seek to create an open, safe, trusted and accountable internet. It seeks to enforce greater due diligence by online gaming and social media intermediaries.
9. ‘Hikikomori’ is a phenomenon of living in isolation, prevalently found in which country?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] South Korea
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Japan]
Notes:
In Japan, an estimated 1.5 million working-age people are living in isolation, a phenomenon known as hikikomori.
Due to the phenomenon, they avoid social contact, further raising worries about their mental health and social well-being. According to a survey, the COVID-19 pandemic has been linked to about one-fifth of the specific incidents, with the most common reason being “quitting jobs”.
10. ‘Siren sphagnicola’ which was discovered recently, looks like which species?
[A] Turtle
[B] Eel
[C] Spider
[D] Cattle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Eel]
Notes:
Siren sphagnicola is a newly discovered species of Siren. Sirens are elongated eel-like aquatic salamanders.
The species was found in the seepage areas in the eastern Gulf Coastal Plain of the US. One of these species, Siren reticulata, was recently described.