11. 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.
12. Which country hosted the ‘High-Level Conference on Accelerating Rail Digital Transformation in Asia and Pacific Region’?
[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Thailand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
A High-Level Conference on Accelerating Rail Digital Transformation in Asia and Pacific Region was held recently in New Delhi.
It was jointly organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Union Ministry of Railways.
13. ‘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.
14. Indian companies signed MoUs with which country during ‘Invest in Maharashtra Conference’?
[A] USA
[B] Germany
[C] France
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [France]
Notes:
Invest in Maharashtra Conference was organized recently in Mumbai by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce. During this event, Indian and French companies signed MoUs and Letters of Intent to invest in India.
Indian and French companies signed Memorandums of Understanding and Letters Of Intent in Mumbai during the ‘Invest in Maharashtra’ conference, organized by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce – (IFCCI).
15. Which state/UT introduced the ‘Vacant land tax’ for assets registration?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Gujarat
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Maharashtra government introduces vacant land tax for assets registration, in a bid to combat irregularities in the registration of properties.
The state government has also made it mandatory the incorporation of the title owner in the adangal copy for agricultural land.
16. 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.
17. ‘Cyber Surakshit Bharat’ is the initiative of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Electronics and IT]
Notes:
Cyber Surakshit Bharat is an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) that seeks to spread awareness about cyber-crime and strengthen capacities of frontline IT officials and chief information security officers across all government departments.
Under this initiative, the National E-Governance Division (NeGD) is organizing the 35th Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) Deep-Dive training programme.
18. Which Union Ministry is associated with the draft ‘Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up Policy’?
[A] Ministry of Power
[B] Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
[C] Ministry of Coal
[D] Ministry of Steel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]
Notes:
Draft ‘Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up Policy’ was released recently by the Indian Government. It seeks to nurture start-ups and other entities to co-create the future of India’s growing maritime sector.
The Draft policy seeks the creation of digital Portal based selection of startups ensuring a transparent process.
19. Which state has passed a resolution which asks the Centre to set time limit for Governor for clearing Bills?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] West Bengal
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly adopted a resolution moved by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin urging the Union Government and President Droupadi Murmu to issue appropriate instructions to Governor R.N. Ravi, to give his assent to Bills passed by the Assembly, within a specific period.
In January 2023, the Assembly moved a resolution disapproving of the Governor’s selective deviation from the prepared text, of his customary address to the House.
20. Which Indian chess player has won the World Chess Armageddon Asia & Oceania?
[A] R Praggnanandhaa
[B] D Gukesh
[C] Arjun Erigaisi
[D] Nihal Sarin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [D Gukesh]
Notes:
Teenaged Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh stunned former world rapid champion Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan in the final to win the World Chess Armageddon Asia & Oceania.
The 16-year-old Indian won in a field that included former world classical champion Vladimir Kramnik, Daniil Dubov, Yangyi Yu (China), Vidit Gujrathi and Karthikeyan Murali (both India) and Param Maghsoodloo (Iran), apart from Abdusattorov.