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. 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 Supreme Court set aside the orders of I&B Ministry and Kerala High Court, which refused to renew license of which channel?
[A] Alt News
[B] Media One
[C] News Minute
[D] Scroll
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Media One]
Notes:
The Supreme Court set aside the orders passed by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) on January 31, 2022, and the Kerala High Court on March 2, 2022, refusing to renew Malayalam news channel Media One’s broadcast license.
The apex court recently quashed the ‘sealed cover’ ban on Media One after the channel argued that it went against the principles of natural justice.
15. 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.
16. Vibrant Villages Programme is implemented by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of External Affairs
[C] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[D] Ministry of Rural Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Home Affairs]
Notes:
Vibrant Villages Programme has been launched by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah during his visit to Arunachal Pradesh. It is implemented by the Home Ministry.
It is a centrally sponsored scheme that will provide for the comprehensive development of 2,967 villages situated at the northern border in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and UT of Ladakh.
17. India held a ‘Business Summit’ recently, to commemorate 25 years of friendship with which country?
[A] Russia
[B] France
[C] Germany
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
The India-France Business Summit was organised to commemorate 25 years of India-France Friendship.
It will focus on themes like building a green future, emerging technologies, defence cooperation and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific regions. The Embassy of India, Paris, France, in association with India’s CII, France’s MEDEF and the Indo French Chamber of Commerce and Industry(IFCCI), organised the Summit and CEOs Roundtable.
18. ‘Es Càrritx Cave’, which was seen in the news, is found in which country?
[A] Germany
[B] Spain
[C] Greece
[D] Turkey
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Spain]
Notes:
Es Càrritx Cave, situated on the Spanish island of Menorca, was a funeral site for around six centuries until 800 BCE.
Researchers have found the presence of hallucinogenic drugs on this site, creating a possibility of people consuming them 3 millennia ago.
19. Which country has recently passed ‘Anti-Terrorism Bill’ to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] USA
[C] Australia
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sri Lanka]
Notes:
Sri Lanka’s Anti-Terrorism Bill was introduced recently to replace the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act.
There has been immense international pressure, including from the UN Human Rights Council, on Sri Lanka to repeal the 1978 law. It provides the police with broad powers to search, arrest, and detain suspects. The proposed legislation is facing criticism due to its broad definition of terrorist act.
20. Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) is associated with which country?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Japan
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [United Kingdom]
Notes:
Government Communications Headquarters, commonly known as GCHQ, is an intelligence and security organisation of the United Kingdom which is responsible for providing signals intelligence and information assurance (IA) to the government and armed forces of UK.
Anne Keast-Butler has been announced as the new director of GCHQ, thereby becoming the first woman to lead the UK’s intelligence, cyber and security agency.