11. Which country has invited Prime Minister to visit as a guest at the annual Bastille Day parade?
[A] France
[B] USA
[C] Ukraine
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [France]
Notes:
France has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Paris as a guest at the annual Bastille Day parade in July.
The Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to discuss a number of major agreements including those on the Indo-Pacific region, nuclear power and defence, as the two countries mark the 25 th year of their strategic partnership.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. ‘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.
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 state approved agreement with KfW for a loan to fund the ‘Kerala Green Energy Corridor’?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Telangana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala Green Energy Corridor seeks to synchronize electricity produced from renewables with conventional power stations in the grid.
The state cabinet recently approved the agreement with the German development bank, KfW, for a loan to fund this project.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. Which state/UT launched the ‘Directorate of Paribar’ to have better connect with the people of the state within country and across the world?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Odisha
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Odisha]
Notes:
The establishment of the Directorate of Odisha Paribar was approved recently by the state cabinet. It will be the one-stop point of contact and support system for Odias dwelling in other parts of India and across the world.
The Directorate of Odisha Parivar will be under the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture to have better connect with Pravasi Odias within the country and across the world.
20. 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.