1. Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) is a joint venture of Education Ministry and which bank?
[A] State Bank of India
[B] HDFC Bank
[C] Canara Bank
[D] ICICI Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Canara Bank]
Notes:
Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) is a joint venture of Education Ministry, Government of India and Canara Bank for financing creation of capital assets in premier institutions.
A Parliamentary panel has recently directed the Education Ministry to fast track the process of disbursing sanctioned loans by the HEFA.
2. The ‘Foundational Literacy and numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT)’ is organised under which program?
[A] Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan
[B] New India Literacy Programme
[C] Scheme of Vocational Education
[D] National Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New India Literacy Programme]
Notes:
The first ‘Foundational Literacy and numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT)’ is organised under under Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme).
The Test was held across 10 States and UTs in the country to assess the basic Reading, Writing and Numeracy skills of the neo-literates.
3. What is the percentage fee levied for normal UPI payments, as per NPCI?
[A] 0 %
[B] 0.20 %
[C] 0.40 %
[D] 1.00 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [0 %]
Notes:
As of 2023, there is no fees levied on regular bank-to-bank UPI transactions, as per the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
NPCI, which owns and runs the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), said that it has implemented fees on UPI transactions on only Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) merchant transactions.
4. IMF’s Extended Fund Facility has been reently approved for which country?
[A] Pakistan
[B] Afghanistan
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Ukraine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ukraine]
Notes:
The International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility is intended for countries experiencing serious medium-term BoP issues due to structural weakness that require time to address. It was recently approved for Ukraine to meet the urgent funding requirements amid the war with Russia.
5. ‘DAGGER computer model’ is an AI-based computer model, which is used in which field?
[A] Cryptocurrency
[B] Geo-magnetics
[C] Geo-politics
[D] Sports
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Geo-magnetics]
Notes:
DAGGER (Deep Learning Geomagnetic Perturbation) computer model can forecast geomagnetic disturbances 30 minutes in advance at the global level.
This AI model will help with the rapid and accurate prediction of the solar storm.
6. Izu-Ogasawara Trench is located in which ocean?
[A] Atlantic Ocean
[B] Pacific Ocean
[C] Arctic Ocean
[D] Antarctic Ocean
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pacific Ocean]
Notes:
The Izu–Ogasawara Trench is an oceanic trench in the western Pacific Ocean. Recently, scientists have set a record for the deepest fish ever caught on camera and the deepest catch ever made.
A juvenile snail fish was filmed recently swimming at 8,336 m in the Izu-Ogasawara Trench.
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 type of paint uses the nanoscale structural arrangement of aluminum and is the lightest paint in the world?
[A] Plasmonic paint
[B] Alumina paint
[C] Structural paint
[D] Pigment paint
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Plasmonic paint]
Notes:
The plasmonic paint makes use of nanoscale structural arrangement of aluminum and aluminum oxide and not traditional pigments to create different colors. It has been recently created by Florida-based researchers.
It is believed to be the lightest paint in the world. It is also the first environmentally friendly, large-scale and multicolor alternative to pigment-based colorants.
9. What is the repo rate as of April 2023, after the Monetary Policy Committee Meeting?
[A] 6.2 per cent
[B] 6.5 per cent
[C] 6.8 per cent
[D] 7.2 per cent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [6.5 per cent]
Notes:
After raising repo rate in six consecutive policies, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), decided to pause its rate hike cycle amid rising concerns over global financial stability.
The Monetary Policy Committee decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent in this meeting.
10. ‘TOPS’ scheme, which was seen in the news, is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of External Affairs
[B] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports]
Notes:
Target Olympic Podium Scheme’s purpose is to identify, groom and prepare potential candidates for Olympic medals.
The Sports Ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell recently gave nod for financial assistance under this scheme for 12 para-badminton players, who are set to participate in the upcoming Brazil Para-Badminton International.