1. ‘Lynx-U2 System’ is an indigenously developed naval gun fire control system, manufactured by which institution?
[A] HAL
[B] DRDO
[C] BEL
[D] BHEL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [BEL]
Notes:
Lynx-U2 System is an indigenously developed naval gun fire control system. The Union Defence Ministry recently signed a contract with BEL for the procurement of 13 of these systems for the Indian Navy.
The purchase under the Buy Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured) category will be placed on new-gen offshore patrol vessels to be constructed indigenously at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers and Goa Shipyard Limited.
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. 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.
4. Which country recently described India as ‘Friendly Sovereign Global Centres of Power’?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] USA
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Russia]
Notes:
Russia recently announced unveiled a new concept of foreign policy by describing India and China as ‘friendly sovereign global centres of power’.
These countries will be given particular focus by Moscow by comprehensively deepening ties and improving coordination with them.
5. ‘Salar de Atacama’ is the largest salt flat found in which country?
[A] Argentina
[B] Chile
[C] South Africa
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chile]
Notes:
Salar de Atacama is Chile’s largest salt flat. Much of the country’s lithium deposits are found in this region.
Chile is planning to collaborate with India to tap into the lithium value chain. The copper-producing nation- Chile, holds the world’s largest known lithium reserves.
6. ‘Vaikom Satyagraha’ was held in which Indian state in 1924?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Kerala
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kerala]
Notes:
The ‘Vaikom Satyagraha’ began on March 30, 1924 in the temple town of Vaikom, Kerala in the princely state of Travancore, marking the beginning of “temple entry movements” across the country.
Kerala and Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers recently inaugurated the centenary celebrations of anti-caste struggle Vaikom Satyagraha.
7. Which country has launched a law that mandates firms to reveal their gender pay gaps by early 2024?
[A] India
[B] Australia
[C] USA
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Australia]
Notes:
Australia, with gender pay gap of 13.3% as of 2023, has launched a new law that mandates firms with over 100 employees to reveal their gender pay gaps by early 2024.
This is expected to make businesses more accountable and improve working conditions of women in the country.
8. 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.
9. Which country has invited Prime Minister to visit as a guest at the annual Bastille Day parade?
[A] France
[B] USA
[C] Ukraine
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [France]
Notes:
France has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Paris as a guest at the annual Bastille Day parade in July.
The Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to discuss a number of major agreements including those on the Indo-Pacific region, nuclear power and defence, as the two countries mark the 25 th year of their strategic partnership.
10. 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.