11. ‘Order of White Eagle’ is the highest distinction of which country?
[A] USA
[B] France
[C] Poland
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Poland]
Notes:
Order of White Eagle is Poland’s highest distinction. It was received recently by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Order of the White Eagle is the oldest and highest decoration of the Republic of Poland. Zelenski received the award in recognition of his merits in deepening relations between Poland and Ukraine, for his activities for security, and his steadfastness in defending human rights.
12. ‘Parambikulam Tiger Reserve’ is situated in which state/UT?
[A] Kerala
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kerala]
Notes:Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is situated in Kerala in the Western Ghats. A Division Bench of the Kerala HC has ordered the wild elephant locally called ‘Arikompan’ to be captured, radio-collared and translocated to this protected area.
The Forest department approached the Assam government to procure a Satellite Radio Collar to be attached to the wild tusker in Idukki before it is translocated from Idukki to Parambikulam.
13. ‘Muthuvans’ are tribal cultivators in the hills of which state?
[A] Kerala- Tamil Nadu
[B] Odisha- Jharkhand
[C] Bihar- Jharkhand
[D] Karnataka- Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kerala- Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Muthuvans are tribal cultivators in the hills of Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore and Kerala’s Adimali and Devikulam forest regions.
According to an expert committee appointed by the Kerala High Court regarding human-animal conflict and the wild tusker Arikompan, the Muthuvan tribal community have coexisted with the wild animals in Chinnakkanal, However, the subsequent unscientific resettlements in the region triggered an increase in human-animal conflict.
14. How many villages are covered under the ‘My Village My Heritage Programme’?
[A] 1 thousand
[B] 10 thousand
[C] 1 lakh
[D] 10 lakh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1 lakh]
Notes:
My Village My Heritage Programme is implemented under the aegis of the National Mission for Cultural Mapping (NMCM).
NMCM seeks to develop a comprehensive database of art forms, artists and other resources across India. Over 1 lakh villages have been covered under this programme.
15. ‘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.
16. ‘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.
17. 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.
18. Which state/UT introduced the ‘Vacant land tax’ for assets registration?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Gujarat
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Maharashtra government introduces vacant land tax for assets registration, in a bid to combat irregularities in the registration of properties.
The state government has also made it mandatory the incorporation of the title owner in the adangal copy for agricultural land.
19. 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.
20. Which country manufactures the ‘Spike Anti-Tank Missiles’?
[A] USA
[B] Israel
[C] Russia
[D] Ukraine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Israel]
Notes:
Spike Anti-Tank Missiles is a fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile and anti-personnel missile developed by Israel.
Israel signed a defense deal with Greece to provide it with over USD 400 million worth of Spike anti-tank missiles. According to Rafael, the missiles can be launched from around 45 different platforms, on land, in the air, and at sea.