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 country launched the ‘Overseas Security Assistance (OSA) programme’?
[A] USA
[B] Japan
[C] Australia
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Japan]
Notes:
Japan’s Overseas Security Assistance (OSA) programme was announced recently. It will provide financial assistance to help foreign nations strengthen their defences.
As per the foreign ministry, since the help would be offered as grants, only poor nations will be able to receive it.
13. ‘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.
14. Which NBFC firm has raised USD 750 million through issuance of green bonds?
[A] REC
[B] PFC
[C] Bajaj Finance
[D] Aditya Birla Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [REC]
Notes:
State-owned non-banking finance firm REC recently raised USD 750 million through issuance of green bonds
The net proceeds from the issue of the bonds will be applied to finance, in whole or in part, the eligible green projects in accordance with the approvals granted by the Reserve Bank of India from time to time and in accordance with the ECB guidelines.
15. CSIR scientists has recently found rare-earth elements (REEs) in which state/UT?
[A] Chhattisgarh
[B] Assam
[C] Sikkim
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Scientists at the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) facility, reported the presence of rare-earth elements (REEs) in Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh.
These elements are key components in many electronic devices and whose industrial applications span sectors like imaging, aerospace, and defence.
16. As per a recent report of the NSO, what per centage of communicable disease deaths in 2021 was due to respiratory ailments?
[A] 18 %
[B] 38 %
[C] 58 %
[D] 78 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [78 %]
Notes:
As per the latest data released by National Statistical Office (NSO), the share of respiratory infections in deaths caused by communicable diseases rose by 10 per cent to 78 per cent in 2021 from 68 per cent in 2020,
This means about four out of five deaths due to communicable diseases were caused by the respiratory ailments.
17. India highlighted the significance of UNCLOS along with which country?
[A] Vietnam
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Nepal
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vietnam]
Notes:
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which was adopted in 1982, governs world’s oceans and seas.
India and Vietnam recently highlighted the significance of UNCLOS and reiterated their commitment to resolve any disputes based on this international law.
18. The UN Democracy Fund was founded in which year?
[A] 1992
[B] 2003
[C] 2005
[D] 2010
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2005]
Notes:
At the World Summit during the UN General Assembly in September 2005, USA and India co-sponsored a fund-raising event for UNDEF.
Majority of this fund goes to the local civil society organizations. It gives grants to NGOs funded by George Soros, while he is put on the watchlist in India.
19. Which Union Ministry is associated with the draft ‘Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up Policy’?
[A] Ministry of Power
[B] Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
[C] Ministry of Coal
[D] Ministry of Steel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]
Notes:
Draft ‘Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up Policy’ was released recently by the Indian Government. It seeks to nurture start-ups and other entities to co-create the future of India’s growing maritime sector.
The Draft policy seeks the creation of digital Portal based selection of startups ensuring a transparent process.
20. Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) is the information database of which international organisation?
[A] World Bank
[B] Bank for International Settlement
[C] International Atomic Energy Agency
[D] Central Bureau of Indirect Taxes and Excise
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [International Atomic Energy Agency]
Notes:
Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB) is International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) information system of incidents of unauthorized activates and illicit trafficking involving radioactive materials outside the purview of regulatory control.
As per the recently released annual fact sheet of ITDB a total of 146 incidents of illegal or unauthorized activities involving nuclear and other radioactive material were reported in the year 2022.