1. Which company signed deal with Indian Army for procuring ‘Akash Weapon System’?
[A] Bharat Dynamics
[B] BEL
[C] BHEL
[D] DRDO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bharat Dynamics]
Notes:
Akash Weapon System is a short-range surface to air missile air defence system. The Indian government has signed a contract to procure this system for the Indian Army.
Defence PSU Bharat Dynamics won orders worth over Rs 8,400 crore for production and supply of Akash Weapon System to two regiments of the Indian Army.
2. Which institution developed a pocket-friendly device to detect milk adulteration in 30 seconds?
[A] IISc Bengaluru
[B] IIT Madras
[C] IIT Delhi
[D] NIT Tiruchirappalli
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIT Madras]
Notes:
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) Researchers have developed a three-dimensional (3D) paper-based portable device that can detect adulteration in milk within 30 seconds.
The test could be even performed at home. It can detect multiple substances commonly used as adulterating agents including Urea, detergents, soap, starch, hydrogen peroxide, sodium-hydrogen-carbonate, and salt, among others.
3. 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.
4. Who is the first Ex-President of the United States to be charged with crime?
[A] Bill Clinton
[B] Donald Trump
[C] George Bush
[D] Joe Biden
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Donald Trump]
Notes:
Former US President Donald Trump becomes first ex-President to be charged with crime. He will be charged over hush money payments made to a porn star just before the 2016 presidential election.
The former President is also being investigated in several other cases. They include probes into his role in the US Capitol riot of January 2021, his efforts to overturn his loss in the state of Georgia in the 2020 election, and his handling of classified documents after leaving office.
5. After recent revision in March 2023, what is the rate of interest of Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme?
[A] 7.5 %
[B] 7.75 %
[C] 8.0 %
[D] 8.2 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [8.0 %]
Notes:
The government has raised the interest rates across all small savings schemes except the post office savings deposit and the Public Provident Fund (PPF) for the April-June 2023 quarter.
The Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme too will enjoy a higher rate of interest – up from the existing 7.6 percent to 8 percent. The interest rate on the National Savings Certificate (NSC) has been hiked from 7 percent to 7.7 percent for the April – June 2023 quarter.
6. Salim Durani, who was seen in the news, was associated with which profession?
[A] Business-person
[B] Sports-person
[C] Politician
[D] Scientist
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sports-person]
Notes:
Salim Aziz Durani was an Afghan-born Indian cricketer who took part in 29 Test matches from the years 1960 to 1973. He passed away recently at the age of 88.
Durani was a part of India’s successful victory against England in 1961-62 where he picked up eight wickets against English team.
7. Which state/UT developed ‘Solar Rooftop Online Portal’?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Assam
[C] Goa
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Goa]
Notes:
Goa Solar Rooftop Online Portal was developed by Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) in collaboration with the Electricity Department and the Department of New & Renewable Energy.
It was appreciated recently by Prime Minister Modi as a good step towards harnessing solar energy and furthering sustainable development.
8. Ukraine recently placed an order to procure ‘Rosomak multi-purpose armoured vehicle’ from which country?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Germany
[D] Poland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Poland]
Notes:
Ukraine has recently placed an order to procure 100 Rosomak multi-purpose armoured vehicles from Poland.
These multi-purpose armoured vehicle is the licensed variant of the Finnish Patria AMV. The order will be financed through funds that Poland has received from the European Union and US funds that Ukraine has received.
9. ’Squirrelpox virus’ disease is spreading in which country?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] UK
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UK]
Notes:
Squirrelpox virus is a deadly disease affecting the United Kingdom red squirrels. Invasive, non-native grey squirrels from North America are the main carriers of this pathogen.
The pox killed up to 80% of red squirrels over winter at one of just three sites 11,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Welsh government to fund vaccine research.
10. Aroma Mission has been originally launched in which state/UT?
[A] Jammu and Kashmir
[B] Sikkim
[C] Karnataka
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
Aroma Mission, which was started off in Jammu and Kashmir, aims to promote the cultivation of aromatic crops for the manufacture of essential oils, which are in high demand in the aroma industry.
Himachal Pradesh Government is set to collaborate with the Central Government on this initiative to replicate its success seen in the Jammu and Kashmir.