11. ‘TOPS’ scheme, which was seen in the news, is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of External Affairs
[B] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports]
Notes:
Target Olympic Podium Scheme’s purpose is to identify, groom and prepare potential candidates for Olympic medals.
The Sports Ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell recently gave nod for financial assistance under this scheme for 12 para-badminton players, who are set to participate in the upcoming Brazil Para-Badminton International.
12. ‘Lumpy Skin Disease’ causes high fever in which type of species?
[A] Cattle
[B] Poultry
[C] Fish
[D] Human Beings
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cattle]
Notes:
Lumpy Skin Disease is a highly contagious viral infection of cattle and buffalo that causes high fever, large lymph nodes and multiple nodules on the skin and mucous membrane. The Indian Government is expecting stagnation in milk production and a possible scarcity due to the Lumpy Skin Disease, which resulted in deaths of over 1.89 lakh cattle recently.
13. What is India’s growth forecast for this fiscal year, as per the World Bank?
[A] 6.1 %
[B] 6.3 %
[C] 6.7 %
[D] 7.2 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [6.3 %]
Notes:
The World Bank has forecast a 6.3% economic growth rate for India in the current fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, in its South Asia Economic Focus: Expanding Opportunities: Toward Inclusive Growth report.
This is a downgrade of 0.7 percentage points since its October forecast. The primary reasons for this are high borrowing costs and slower income growth causing weaker consumption, as well as the government tightening fiscal expenditure.
14. The ‘Draft National Curriculum Framework for School Education’ provides frame work for children of which age group?
[A] 3-18
[B] 5-15
[C] 5-10
[D] 6-18
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [3-18]
Notes:
The Draft National Curriculum Framework for School Education provides framework for educational curriculum for children age groups 3 to 18 years.
The pre-draft of this framework was released recently and the Ministry of Education invites suggestions and public opinion.
15. Which state is associated with the ‘Electronic Knowledge Network’?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Assam
[C] Bihar
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bihar]
Notes:
RailTel Corporation of India Limited recently bagged an order worth around ₹76.10 crores from Bihar State Electronics Development Corporation (BSEDC) to implement and manage Electronic Knowledge Network (100 Mbps internet connectivity, wi-fi system and Smart Classes).
This project will be implemented in the Academic/Administrative buildings of Government Engineering Colleges and Polytechnic Institutes within the state.
16. Which country signed several economic agreements in energy, agriculture among other sectors, with China?
[A] France
[B] Germany
[C] UK
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [France]
Notes:
France and China have signed several economic agreements involving major companies in sectors such as transport, energy, agriculture, culture and science during President Emmanuel Macron’s trip to China.
One of the deals will create a new assembly line in French aircraft manufacturer Airbus’ Tianjin factory so the company can double its production capacity of A320 models.
17. Which country recently legalized ‘Human Composting’ burial option?
[A] USA
[B] Italy
[C] Germany
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
Human Composting, also known as natural organic reduction, is a burial method involving the reduction of human body into nutrient rich soil.
New York recently became the 6th state of the United States to legalize this a burial option.
18. 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.
19. Which state/UT launched the project Sanjeevani to empower dairy farmers?
[A] Punjab
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
Himachal Pradesh state government has launched a project named Sanjeevani that helps in empowering the livelihood of small dairy farmers and livestock owners.
It will enhance the lives of farmers by providing them convenient and quality care for livestock at their doorsteps. For this a collaboration was signed by the Animal Husbandry Department with Bharat Financial Inclusion Ltd. (BFIL), a subsidiary of IndusInd Bank.
20. 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.