11. Which company unveiled the laser systems to shoot down incoming unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] India
[D] USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Japan]
Notes:
In a first, two Japanese firms recently unveiled their respective laser systems which will be used to shoot down incoming unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ 10-kilowatt laser system is an anti-drone weapon. It is capable of neutralising drones at a distance of 1.2 km within 2 to 3 seconds.
12. Which country has become the 31st member of the NATO security alliance?
[A] Norway
[B] Finland
[C] Denmark
[D] The Netherlands
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Finland]
Notes:
Finland has become the 31st member of the NATO security alliance, doubling the length of member states’ borders with Russia.
Finland’s accession is seen as a setback for Russia’s Vladimir Putin. He had repeatedly complained of NATO’s expansion before his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
13. Which state/UT hosted the ‘5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure’?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Mumbai
[C] Chennai
[D] Jaipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
The 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure is being organized this year in New Delhi.
The theme for this event is ‘Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure: Pathways for Risk Informed Systems, Practices and Investments’. The 50-million-dollar Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund was announced last year.
14. Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry signed agreement with which company to boost India’s creative economy?
[A] IBM
[B] Amazon India
[C] Google
[D] Microsoft
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Amazon India]
Notes:
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Amazon India have signed a collaboration agreement in New Delhi to boost India’s creative economy and promote creative talent in the country.
As part of the agreement, Amazon Prime Video will sponsor scholarships, create internship programmes, and offer job opportunities for students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute.
15. The ‘Stand Up India Scheme’ has been extended till which year?
[A] 2025
[B] 2027
[C] 2030
[D] 2050
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [2025]
Notes:
The Stand up India Scheme was launched in 2016 to promote entrepreneurship focusing on economic empowerment and job creation. The scheme has been extended till 2025.
Over Rs 40,700 crore was sanctioned under the Stand Up India Scheme over the seven years of its implementation. Around 80 percent of the loans under this scheme were provided to women.
16. 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.
17. ‘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.
18. As per the ‘Global Energy Monitor’s 9th Annual Survey’, which country accounted for the highest coal capacity as of 2023?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] USA
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
As per the report released by US-based Global Energy Monitor, the operating coal fleet grew by 19.5 gigawatt in 2022 globally.
As per the report, the war between Russia and Ukraine resulted in a slowdown of coal retirements. China accounted for 59 per cent of the new coal capacity while Bangladesh ranked the 9th among the rest of the countries after India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Indonesia, among others.
19. 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.
20. 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.