1. ‘Proba-3 Mission’, which will be launched aboard ISRO’s PSLV, is associated with which space agency?
[A] NASA
[B] ESA
[C] JAXA
[D] CNSA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ESA]
Notes:
The European Space Agency’s Proba-3 Mission will be launched aboard the ISRO’s PSLV in 2024. Its two satellites will study the Sun’s faint corona and surrounding atmosphere.
The 340-kilogram spacecraft will be deployed by PSLV in a high Earth orbit with an orbital period of 19.7 hours.
2. Which institution is to set up the ‘Corporate Debt Market Development Fund’?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] NSE
[D] BSE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SEBI]
Notes:
SEBI decided to set up a corporate debt market development fund in the form of an Alternative Investment Fund.
Corporate Debt Market Development Fund will be set up with an initial corpus of Rs 3,000 crore. It will function as a backstop facility for buying investment grade corporate debt securities during stressful times.
3. Which institution decided to ban the practice of individuals having permanent seats on boards of listed companies?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] Niti Aayog
[D] NSE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SEBI]
Notes:
To ensure more transparency and timely disclosure of material events by listed entities, SEBI decided to amend norms whereby a quantitative threshold will be introduced for determining the materiality of events.
The regulator has decided to do away with the practice of individuals having permanent seats on boards of listed companies.
4. ‘Capulopsyche keralensis’, which was recently discovered in Kerala, belongs to which species?
[A] Spider
[B] Moth
[C] Snake
[D] Bee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Moth]
Notes:
A new genus and species of bagworm moth Capulopsyche keralensis has been discovered from the coffee plantations of Kerala.
Researchers have discovered the new species of bagworm moth, from Idukki district and Palakkad district.
5. Which state is the host of the ‘Cope India Exercise’?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Maharashtra
[C] West Bengal
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [West Bengal]
Notes:
The Air Forces of India and the U.S. are set to conduct the Cope India exercise from April 10 to 21 at the Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal.
The exercise will see intense air manoeuvres aimed at improving interoperability. Japan will be the observer of the exercise.
6. What is the name of the single shape that can be used to cover a surface completely without creating a repeated pattern?
[A] Einstein Tile
[B] Ramanujan Tile
[C] C V Raman Tile
[D] Newton Tile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Einstein Tile]
Notes:
The Einstein tile is a single shape that can be used to cover a surface completely without creating a repeated pattern. It was discovered recently by mathematicians.
“Einstein” is a play on German ein stein or “one stone”. A set of tile-types is considered to be aperiodic if copies of these tiles can only form patterns without repetition.
7. ’Squirrelpox virus’ disease is spreading in which country?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] UK
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UK]
Notes:
Squirrelpox virus is a deadly disease affecting the United Kingdom red squirrels. Invasive, non-native grey squirrels from North America are the main carriers of this pathogen.
The pox killed up to 80% of red squirrels over winter at one of just three sites 11,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Welsh government to fund vaccine research.
8. ‘Lean Diabetes’ condition is spreading among the tribal people of which state/UT?
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Chhattisgarh
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
Lean diabetes is a medical condition that involves dual stress of intermittent starvation and overload of carbohydrate metabolism.
Cases of lean diabetes is seen spreading among tribals in Chhattisgarh. The rise of non-communicable diseases (NCD), including diabetes, has been recognised as a problem area in India.
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. Places of Worship Act protects the character of the places of worship as it stood on which date?
[A] August 15, 1947
[B] January 26, 1950
[C] December 31, 1950
[D] January 1, 1947
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [August 15, 1947]
Notes:
Places of Worship Act, 1991 is a law that protects the character of the places of worship as it stood on August 15, 1947 and prevent any changes that could compromise the character.
The Supreme Court’s 3-judge bench will hear petitions challenging this law in July 2023.