1. 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.
2. 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.
3. When is the ‘International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action’ observed?
[A] April 2
[B] April 4
[C] April 7
[D] April 8
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [April 4]
Notes:
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is observed annually on April 4. It raises awareness about landmines and promote steps towards removing them.
The theme for this year is ‘Mine Action Cannot Wait’. On this day, UN Departments, specialised agencies, funds, and programs come together to play a significant role in to work on mine action program.
4. Central Bureau of Investigation is set up under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of External Affairs
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Home Affairs]
Notes:
Central Bureau of Investigation is a premier investigative agency set up under the Ministry of Home Affairs on April 1, 1963.
Its Diamond Jubilee Celebrations was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on April 3 this year.
5. Which country has banned English and other foreign languages in official communication?
[A] Italy
[B] Germany
[C] Australia
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Italy]
Notes:
Italy has banned English and other foreign languages in official communication. Italians who use English and other foreign words in official communications could face fines of up to 100,000 Pounds or 108,705 Dollars.
While the legislation encompasses all foreign languages, it is particularly geared at Anglomania or use of English words.
6. Which institution released the ‘World Energy Transitions: Outlook 2023’ report?
[A] International Renewable Energy Agency
[B] International Monetary Fund
[C] World Bank
[D] United Nations Environment Programme
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [International Renewable Energy Agency]
Notes:
The “World Energy Transitions: Outlook 2023” Report was released recently by the International Renewable Energy Agency.
According to this report, while significant progress has been made towards increasing renewable energy generation, the global energy transition is still falling short of the 1.5°C pathway.
7. Which state/UT hosted the ‘5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure’?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Mumbai
[C] Chennai
[D] Jaipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
The 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure is being organized this year in New Delhi.
The theme for this event is ‘Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure: Pathways for Risk Informed Systems, Practices and Investments’. The 50-million-dollar Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund was announced last year.
8. 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.
9. Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry signed agreement with which company to boost India’s creative economy?
[A] IBM
[B] Amazon India
[C] Google
[D] Microsoft
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Amazon India]
Notes:
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Amazon India have signed a collaboration agreement in New Delhi to boost India’s creative economy and promote creative talent in the country.
As part of the agreement, Amazon Prime Video will sponsor scholarships, create internship programmes, and offer job opportunities for students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute.
10. ‘Gaia Mission’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which space agency?
[A] ISRO
[B] NASA
[C] ESA
[D] JAXA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ESA]
Notes:
Gaia Mission, the ESA’s project, seeks to understand the formation of the Milky Way and its present nature.
With this mission’s data, the space agency has discovered a new family of black holes. These two black holes are believed to be the closest to the Earth.