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. Which company signed deal with Indian Army for procuring ‘Akash Weapon System’?
[A] Bharat Dynamics
[B] BEL
[C] BHEL
[D] DRDO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bharat Dynamics]
Notes:
Akash Weapon System is a short-range surface to air missile air defence system. The Indian government has signed a contract to procure this system for the Indian Army.
Defence PSU Bharat Dynamics won orders worth over Rs 8,400 crore for production and supply of Akash Weapon System to two regiments of the Indian Army.
3. 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.
4. Palm Sunday is an event associated with which religion?
[A] Islam
[B] Sikhism
[C] Christianity
[D] Jainism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Christianity]
Notes:
Palm Sunday is the Christian moveable feast that occurs on the Sunday before Easter. It was observed on April 2 this year.
The feast commemorates Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. Its name originates from the palm branches waved by the crowd to greet and honour Jesus Christ as he entered the city.
5. 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.
6. ‘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.
7. Which country has recently voted to ban rental e-scooters?
[A] USA
[B] India
[C] France
[D] Finland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [France]
Notes:
In a non-binding referendum held in France, 89.03% of the votes cast were opposed to the freestanding scooters, which are booked on a short-term basis through apps.
The rental e-scooters, which were introduced in 2018 to promote green alternative for cars. The city will completely ban these devices by September 1 this year.
8. 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.
9. Which neighbouring country of India has posted highest-ever annual inflation at 35.37% in March?
[A] Afghanistan
[B] Pakistan
[C] Myanmar
[D] Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pakistan]
Notes:
Consumer price inflation in Pakistan jumped to a record 35.37% in March from a year earlier, the statistics bureau said.
At least 16 people were killed in stampedes for food aid. The inflation number was 31.5% in February. The food, beverage and transport prices surged up to 50% year-on-year.
10. 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.