1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Which institution decided to ban the practice of individuals having permanent seats on boards of listed companies?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] Niti Aayog
[D] NSE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SEBI]
Notes:
To ensure more transparency and timely disclosure of material events by listed entities, SEBI decided to amend norms whereby a quantitative threshold will be introduced for determining the materiality of events.
The regulator has decided to do away with the practice of individuals having permanent seats on boards of listed companies.
4. 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.
5. Which country is associated with the ‘Anti-Spyware Declaration’?
[A] USA
[B] China
[C] India
[D] South Korea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
The First-Ever Anti-Spyware Declaration was issued recently by the United States and 10 other countries. It includes Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
This is in recognition of the misuse of the commercial spyware and the need for a stringent domestic and international controls on the proliferation and the use of spyware technology.
6. ‘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.
7. 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.
8. ‘Mahila Nidhi’ is the first ever women’s cooperative fund launched by which state/UT?
[A] Kerala
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Karnataka
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajasthan]
Notes:
Mahila Nidhi is the first-ever women’s cooperative fund launched by Rajasthan. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved a proposal for giving 8% interest subsidy on loans obtained by the members of women’s self-help groups (SHGs) from Mahila Nidhi.
Mahila Nidhi is operated entirely by women and acts as a complementary body with the formal banking system.
9. Which state/UT repealed the ‘Loktantra Prahari Samman Act’?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Assam
[C] Gujarat
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The Himachal Pradesh recently repealed the Loktantra Prahari Samman Act.
The Act provides a monthly pension of Rs 20,000 and Rs 12,000 to the people who lodged in jails during the Emergency from 1975 to 1977. The repeal of the Act shall not affect the previous operations of the said Act.
10. ‘Caltoris bromus sadasiva’, which was discovered recently, belongs to which species?
[A] Snake
[B] Butterfly
[C] Spider
[D] Turtle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Butterfly]
Notes:
Caltoris bromus sadasiva is a newly discovered butterfly sub-species. It was discovered from the fringes of Akkulam and Vembanad lakes in Kerala.
Caltoris bromus sadasiva is the first Bromus swift butterfly to be documented in the Western Ghats.