11. Which Asian country has been elected to UN Statistical Commission for a 4-year-term?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] China
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
The UN Statistical Commission is the highest decision-making body for international statistical activities. Shigeru Kawasaki of Japan is the current chair of the Commission.
India has recently been elected to this body for a 4-year term starting from January 1, 2024.
12. Which institution released the ‘Government Trends Report’?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Deloitte Center for Government Insights
[C] Oxfam International
[D] Amnesty International
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Deloitte Center for Government Insights]
Notes:
The ‘Government Trends Report’ was released recently by the Deloitte Center for Government Insights.
It highlighted 9 trends that are reshaping how the governments deliver solutions to the common citizen. The report cites six shifts that have emerged as factors behind this transition in the government’s approach towards delivering public value.
13. ‘Support for Poor Prisoners Scheme’ is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Defence
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Home Affairs]
Notes:
The ‘Support for Poor Prisoners Scheme’ is set to be launched by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Under this scheme, state government will receive financial support from the Home Ministry to help underprivileged prisoners who are unable to get bail or secure release from prisons due to financial constraints.
14. ‘Rayyanah Barnawi’ is set to become the first woman astronaut from which country?
[A] UAE
[B] Saudi Arabia
[C] Israel
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
Rayyanah Barnawi is set to become the first woman astronaut from Saudi Arabia. Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni will take off from Florida on a private mission to the International Space Station.
There are two other astronauts who will join Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni in their voyage. They are Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and John Shoffner, a businessman from Tennessee who will serve as pilot.
15. Which country has organised the ‘United Sharp Sword’ exercise?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Russia
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
United Sharp Sword is being conducted by People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command in Taiwan Strait.
It would involve police patrol drills to the north and south of Taiwan and in the sea and airspace of the eastern part of Taiwan.
16. ‘AlUla Declaration’, which was seen in the news, is related to which country?
[A] Russia
[B] Qatar
[C] Israel
[D] Iran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Qatar]
Notes:
A fourth joint meeting between the delegates of the UAE and Qatar was held in Abu Dhabi to follow up on the implementation of the AlUla Declaration.
The AlUla Declaration, which was signed in 2021, resolved the dispute with Qatar and called for unity and the strengthening of relations among GCC countries.
17. Ranthambore National Park is located in which state/UT?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Assam
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajasthan]
Notes:
Ranthambore National Park is situated in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district. The state government is set to create 85 new posts in the ‘Special Tiger Protection Force’ (STPF), which is being run under the Ranthambore National Park.
Under this proposal, there will be one post of Assistant Forest Conservator, three posts of Regional Forest Officer and 81 posts of Forest Guard.
18. ‘Prasthan Exercise’ the bi-annual coordinated exercise, held near which city in 2023?
[A] Chennai
[B] Panjim
[C] Mumbai
[D] Kolkata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mumbai]
Notes:
Prasthan Exercise is a bi-annual coordinated exercise held among Indian defence, state and civilian agencies twice a year.
It was conducted recently in the offshore development area off Mumbai. It validates the measures to address contingencies that may occur in oil production platforms.
19. India held a ‘Business Summit’ recently, to commemorate 25 years of friendship with which country?
[A] Russia
[B] France
[C] Germany
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
The India-France Business Summit was organised to commemorate 25 years of India-France Friendship.
It will focus on themes like building a green future, emerging technologies, defence cooperation and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific regions. The Embassy of India, Paris, France, in association with India’s CII, France’s MEDEF and the Indo French Chamber of Commerce and Industry(IFCCI), organised the Summit and CEOs Roundtable.
20. Which state/UT launched the ‘Directorate of Paribar’ to have better connect with the people of the state within country and across the world?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Odisha
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Odisha]
Notes:
The establishment of the Directorate of Odisha Paribar was approved recently by the state cabinet. It will be the one-stop point of contact and support system for Odias dwelling in other parts of India and across the world.
The Directorate of Odisha Parivar will be under the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture to have better connect with Pravasi Odias within the country and across the world.