1. ‘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.
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. 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. Nevado del Ruiz Volcano, which was seen in the news, is associated with which country?
[A] Columbia
[B] Japan
[C] Indonesia
[D] Philippines
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Columbia]
Notes:
Nevado del Ruiz Volcano is a volcano in Colombia on the Pacific Ring of Fire. It is currently experiencing seismic activities, creating a possibility of eruption in the near future.
It is the highest active volcano in the Andes mountain range.
6. 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.
7. Sea Lamprey, which was seen in the news, belongs to which species?
[A] Turtle
[B] Fish
[C] Snake
[D] Spider
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fish]
Notes:
Sea Lamprey is a rare species of fish that is known to extract blood of its prey. It was recently spotted on the Dutch island of Texel. It was last sighted on the island in 2017.
The sea lamprey is also known as ‘vampire fish’ due to its nature of sucking blood from its host like a parasite.
8. 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.
9. Which state/UT developed ‘Solar Rooftop Online Portal’?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Assam
[C] Goa
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Goa]
Notes:
Goa Solar Rooftop Online Portal was developed by Goa Energy Development Agency (GEDA) in collaboration with the Electricity Department and the Department of New & Renewable Energy.
It was appreciated recently by Prime Minister Modi as a good step towards harnessing solar energy and furthering sustainable development.
10. Hexacentrus ashoka, which was seen in the news, belongs to which species?
[A] Spider
[B] Bush Cricket
[C] Turtle
[D] Snake
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bush Cricket]
Notes:
Three new species of bush cricket was found recently. Two of these species (Hexacentrus tiddae and Hexacentrus ashoka) were found in Haryana. In the local dialect of Haryana, bush crickets are referred to as tiddaes.
The third species found in Meghalaya was named Hexacentrus khasiensis — after the Khasi hills where it was discovered.