11. ‘Hay Fever’ is associated with which country?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] Australia
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Japan]
Notes:
Japan’s Hay Fever is the seasonal allergic reaction caused due to large quantities of pollen from trees during the spring time.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently made commitment to combat this health issue. It is a significant health issue in Japan during the spring months and affects millions of people each year.
12. The Supreme Court set aside the orders of I&B Ministry and Kerala High Court, which refused to renew license of which channel?
[A] Alt News
[B] Media One
[C] News Minute
[D] Scroll
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Media One]
Notes:
The Supreme Court set aside the orders passed by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) on January 31, 2022, and the Kerala High Court on March 2, 2022, refusing to renew Malayalam news channel Media One’s broadcast license.
The apex court recently quashed the ‘sealed cover’ ban on Media One after the channel argued that it went against the principles of natural justice.
13. Who is the head of the Finance Ministry committee set up to review the pension system for government employees?
[A] Nirmala Sitharaman
[B] T V Somanathan
[C] Shaktikanta Das
[D] M K Jain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [T V Somanathan]
Notes:
The Union Finance Ministry notified the formation of a committee to review the pension system for government employees.
The four-member committee is headed by Finance Secretary T V Somanathan. It will also have Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT); Special Secretary, Department of Expenditure; and Chairman of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) as its members.
14. Which country hosted the ‘High-Level Conference on Accelerating Rail Digital Transformation in Asia and Pacific Region’?
[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Thailand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
A High-Level Conference on Accelerating Rail Digital Transformation in Asia and Pacific Region was held recently in New Delhi.
It was jointly organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Union Ministry of Railways.
15. Which Union Ministry appointed the ‘Committee on Digital Competition Law’?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Corporate Affairs]
Notes:
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs had appointed 10-Member Committee on Digital Competition Law, consisting of lawyers representing the Big Tech.
It is set to meet shortly to discuss provisions of the draft Digital Competition Law. The committee is responsible for examining the need for an ex-ante regulatory mechanism for digital markets via a separate legislation.
16. As per the 5th Cycle of India’s Tiger Census, how many tigers are in India, as of 2023?
[A] 1167
[B] 2167
[C] 3167
[D] 4167
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [3167]
Notes:
The 5th Cycle of India’s Tiger Census was released recently by Prime Minister Modi. This census revealed that India’s tiger population stands at 3,167 in the wild.
This figure is 200 more than it had four years ago. India is estimated to have more than 70% of the world’s tigers.
17. Which state/UT has organised the ‘Baisakhi Mahotsav 2023’?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Kerala
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
Baisakhi Mahotsav 2023 will be organized by Jammu’s Directorate of Tourism. The event celebrates Dogra culture and heritage.
Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, is one of the harvest festivals celebrated in India and in parts of the world largely by the Sikh community.
18. Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) is associated with which country?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Japan
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [United Kingdom]
Notes:
Government Communications Headquarters, commonly known as GCHQ, is an intelligence and security organisation of the United Kingdom which is responsible for providing signals intelligence and information assurance (IA) to the government and armed forces of UK.
Anne Keast-Butler has been announced as the new director of GCHQ, thereby becoming the first woman to lead the UK’s intelligence, cyber and security agency.
19. The Government of Maharashtra announced to celebrate which Indian personality’s birthday as “Swatantraveer Gaurav Din”?
[A] Mahatma Gandhi
[B] Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
[C] Jyotirao Phule
[D] Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]
Notes:
The Government of Maharashtra has decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar – May 28th as ‘Swatantraveer Gaurav Din’.
Vinayak Savarkar was born in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, on 28th May 1883. Year 2023 would mark his 140th birth anniversary. Various programs will be organised by the state to promote and propagate the thoughts and works of Veer Savarkar on Swatantraveer Gaurav Divas.
20. Which state has decided to implement State Millet Mission Scheme?
[A] Haryana
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The state cabinet of Madhya Pradesh has decided to implement the Madhya Pradesh State Millet Mission scheme. The duration of the scheme will be of two years (2023-24 and 2024-25) with an expenditure of over Rs 23 crore.
The scheme will be implemented in all the districts through the Director, Farmers’ Welfare and Agriculture Development.