11. Which Indian state organised the ‘Food Conclave 2023’ brainstorming event?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Telangana
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Telangana]
Notes:
The Food Conclave 2023 is a two-day event that will be organized by Telangana government. It will focus on agri-food sector and its challenges.
It is the inaugural edition of the State government’s annual brainstorming event for the agri-food sector. The event will bring together the top 100 agri-food industry thought leaders.
12. ‘Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell’ functions under the aegis of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[B] Ministry of Coal
[C] Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
[D] Ministry of Power
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas]
Notes:
Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell is the data backbone of the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
It recently celebrated its 22nd foundation day. After the dismantling of Administered Pricing Mechanism (APM) in petroleum sector, Oil Coordination Committee (OCC) was abolished and a new cell called Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) was created effective 1st April 2002.
13. Catanduanes Island, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Indonesia
[B] Japan
[C] Philippines
[D] Singapore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Philippines]
Notes:
Catanduanes Island is the 12th largest island in the Philippines. A shallow earthquake of 6.2 magnitude struck this island recently.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), tsunami waves will arrive and last for hours.
14. What is the repo rate as of April 2023, after the Monetary Policy Committee Meeting?
[A] 6.2 per cent
[B] 6.5 per cent
[C] 6.8 per cent
[D] 7.2 per cent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [6.5 per cent]
Notes:
After raising repo rate in six consecutive policies, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), decided to pause its rate hike cycle amid rising concerns over global financial stability.
The Monetary Policy Committee decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent in this meeting.
15. ‘Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project’ is located in which Indian state?
[A] Assam
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project involves the setting up of India’ largest nuclear power station in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
A pressuriser was delivered for Reactor 5 of this power plant by AEM-Technologies Izhora, which is part of the machine-building division of Rosatom – Atomenergomash.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. ‘Milius is a guided missile destroyer of which country’s Navy?
[A] India
[B] Russia
[C] USA
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [USA]
Notes:
USS Milius is a guided missile destroyer of the US Navy. Recently, it conducted an operation to assert navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands.
The US Navy destroyer’s operation occurred while the Chinese military exhibited its power for the third consecutive day around Taiwan.
19. 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.
20. Melolontha arunachalensis, which was seen in the news, belongs to which species?
[A] Spider
[B] Beetle
[C] Butterfly
[D] Snake
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Beetle]
Notes:
Two new species of beetle were found in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh and they were named Melolontha lachugensis and Melolontha arunachalensis.
These two new beetle species have been discovered in India after 127 years in the genus Melolontha, bringing the total number of Indian species to 12.