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. World Bank approved 100 million USD loan for implementation of State Capability and Resilient Growth Program of which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Kerala
[C] Goa
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
The World Bank approved 100 million USD loan for the implementation of the Odisha State Capability and Resilient Growth Program.
This program will help the state strengthen early forecasting system for disaster management and provide social protection coverage for vulnerable households.
3. ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice’ is associated with which country?
[A] USA
[B] Australia
[C] Greece
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Australia]
Notes:
First Peoples of Australia are people who lived in the Australia’s continental mainland and surrounding islands for tens of thousands of years before the arrival of first Europeans in the early 17th century.
A referendum will be issued this year by the Australian government to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. It will decide whether these people should be formally consulted in the law making process.
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. At present, how many percentage of inhabited villages in India have declared themselves ODF plus?
[A] 20 per cent
[B] 25 per cent
[C] 40 per cent
[D] 50 per cent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [40 per cent]
Notes:
An ODF Plus Village is the one that sustains is ODF status and ensures management of solid and liquid wastes while remaining visually clean.
Currently, more than 40 percent of inhabited villages in India have declared themselves ODF plus.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Which country launched the ‘Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative’?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Australia
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative was launched by the US to increase Ukraine’s capacity to defend itself from Russia’s aggression.
Under this initiative, USD 2.6 billion military aid package was announced by the US. USAI is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry.
9. Al-Aqsa Mosque, which was seen in the news, is in which country?
[A] Israel
[B] UAE
[C] Iran
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Israel]
Notes:
Al-Aqsa Mosque is a congregational mosque situated close to various historical and holy sites of Christianity and Judaism in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Clashes were reported in this site recently. At least 12 people were injured during clashes in and around the mosque.
10. Which state/UT has launched the ‘Family Doctor Programme’?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Andhra Pradesh is set to introduce a first-of-its-kind healthcare service for the rural population called ‘Family Doctor’ programme.
It seeks to provide a continual and comprehensive preventive healthcare service.