11. Which country launched the ‘Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative’?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Australia
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative was launched by the US to increase Ukraine’s capacity to defend itself from Russia’s aggression.
Under this initiative, USD 2.6 billion military aid package was announced by the US. USAI is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry.
12. What is the name of the Dark Web market place, which was recently shut down?
[A] Hyper Market
[B] Genesis Market
[C] Dark Market
[D] Forum Hack
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Genesis Market]
Notes:
Genesis Market is one of the world’s largest black markets where internet fraudsters can purchase credentials.
The online forum hosted about 80 million credentials and digital fingerprints stolen from more than two million people. It was shut down recently due to a global law enforcement effort, including that of the UK.
13. Which state approved agreement with KfW for a loan to fund the ‘Kerala Green Energy Corridor’?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Telangana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala Green Energy Corridor seeks to synchronize electricity produced from renewables with conventional power stations in the grid.
The state cabinet recently approved the agreement with the German development bank, KfW, for a loan to fund this project.
14. Which institution developed the ‘3D-printed Dhawan II engine’?
[A] ISRO
[B] DRDO
[C] Skyroot Aerospace
[D] Dhruv Aerospace
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Skyroot Aerospace]
Notes:
The 3D-printed Dhawan II engine was developed by Telangana-based private space vehicle company Skyroot Aerospace. It was recently tested-fired for a duration of record 200 seconds.
Skyroot plans to carry out its first orbital flight by the year-end, as the updated Vikram II rocket scheduled to become launch-ready by next year.
15. UAE signed declaration with which country to begin talks on Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement?
[A] Vietnam
[B] Israel
[C] USA
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vietnam]
Notes:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Vietnam have signed a joint declaration of intent to launch talks on establishing a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between the two countries.
The UAE is Vietnam’s largest trade partner in the Arab countries, accounting for 39% of its total trade, and the volume of non-oil trade between the two countries reached USD 8 billion in 2022.
16. Cabinet approves LIGO-India gravitational-wave detector to be built in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Kerala
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Indian government approved a project to build an advanced gravitational-wave detector in Maharashtra at an estimated cost of Rs 2,600 crore.
In the US, there are already two such LIGO observatories. The third such cutting-edge gravitational-wave observatory will be LIGO-India. The facility is expected to be completed by 2030.
17. Which state bagged the highest number of awards in the ‘National Panchayat Awards 2023’?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Telangana
[C] Odisha
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Telangana]
Notes:
National Panchayat Awards 2023 were conferred recently by Panchayati Raj Ministry to recognize best performing Panchayats in the areas that align with the 17 SHGs.
Telangana won 8 out of 27 various categories of the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar (DDUPSVP) for the years 2021 – 2022. It was followed by Kerala with 4, Jammu and Kashmir with 3, and Maharashtra with 3.
18. 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.
19. Which state passed the ‘Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Bill 2023’?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Goa
[C] Odisha
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Goa]
Notes:
The Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Bill 2023 was passed recently by the state legislative assembly.
It seeks to impose restrictions of the sale of agricultural lands in Goa to non-agriculturalists. It aims to save the state’s paddy fields from being taken over by buyers for non-agriculture purposes.
20. ‘Es Càrritx Cave’, which was seen in the news, is found in which country?
[A] Germany
[B] Spain
[C] Greece
[D] Turkey
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Spain]
Notes:
Es Càrritx Cave, situated on the Spanish island of Menorca, was a funeral site for around six centuries until 800 BCE.
Researchers have found the presence of hallucinogenic drugs on this site, creating a possibility of people consuming them 3 millennia ago.