11. Who is the head of the Finance Ministry committee set up to review the pension system for government employees?
[A] Nirmala Sitharaman
[B] T V Somanathan
[C] Shaktikanta Das
[D] M K Jain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [T V Somanathan]
Notes:
The Union Finance Ministry notified the formation of a committee to review the pension system for government employees.
The four-member committee is headed by Finance Secretary T V Somanathan. It will also have Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT); Special Secretary, Department of Expenditure; and Chairman of Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) as its members.
12. Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease is prevalently spreading in which country?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] New Zealand
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [New Zealand]
Notes:
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus is a contagious and deadly viral hepatitis that affects adult domesticated and wild rabbits.
The rabbits are threatening the bio-diversity and agriculture of the southern region of Central Otago. New Zealand is currently considering the use of the virus that causes this disease to cull the rabbits, which are turning into a plague.
13. ‘Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of Pollution Instrument’ is a device of which space agency?
[A] ISRO
[B] NASA
[C] ESA
[D] JAXA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NASA]
Notes:
Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of Pollution Instrument is a new NASA device that will track pollution over North America.
It will enable scientists to monitor air pollutants and their sources from space. The spectrometer designed to measure air pollution across greater North America at a high resolution and on an hourly basis.
14. ‘Rayyanah Barnawi’ is set to become the first woman astronaut from which country?
[A] UAE
[B] Saudi Arabia
[C] Israel
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
Rayyanah Barnawi is set to become the first woman astronaut from Saudi Arabia. Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni will take off from Florida on a private mission to the International Space Station.
There are two other astronauts who will join Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni in their voyage. They are Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and John Shoffner, a businessman from Tennessee who will serve as pilot.
15. Namda, is the centuries-old traditional craft, is associated with which state/UT?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Assam
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
Namda is a type of rug made using felted wool. This centuries-old traditional craft from the Jammu and Kashmir is at the brink of extinction.
Namda is made in several stages and requires skilled craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.
16. ‘Prasthan Exercise’ the bi-annual coordinated exercise, held near which city in 2023?
[A] Chennai
[B] Panjim
[C] Mumbai
[D] Kolkata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mumbai]
Notes:
Prasthan Exercise is a bi-annual coordinated exercise held among Indian defence, state and civilian agencies twice a year.
It was conducted recently in the offshore development area off Mumbai. It validates the measures to address contingencies that may occur in oil production platforms.
17. Which country chairs the 2nd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] USA
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in Washington DC to attend the 2023 Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), along with G20 meetings, Investor/ Bilateral meetings, and other associated meetings.
Finance Minister Sitharaman and RBI Shaktikanta Das will jointly chair the 2nd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting.
18. ‘Bihu Naas’ is a dance form prevalently practised in which state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Bihar
[C] Assam
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Assam]
Notes:
The Bihu naas (dance) is the defining feature of Rongali Bihu, or Bohag Bihu, which marks the Assamese New Year.
The state government of Assam is planning to bring together 11,140 artistes from all districts of the state to perform this dance at Guwahati’s Sarusajai Stadium to create a Guinness Record.
19. Dogri language is prevalently spoken in which state/UT?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Telangana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
Dogri is an Indo-Aryan language primarily spoken in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir. Union Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju released the first edition of the Dogri version of the Constitution of India at University of Jammu.
Dogri language was added in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution back in 2003.
20. 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.