11. Which is the headquarters of the ‘Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)’?
[A] Saudi Arabia
[B] Israel
[C] UAE
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was founded in 1969 to protect the interests of the Muslim world.
The Indian government recently criticised the OIC after the organization’s secretariat issued statement alleging the targeting of Muslim community in several states during Ram Navami processions.
12. The ‘Stand Up India Scheme’ has been extended till which year?
[A] 2025
[B] 2027
[C] 2030
[D] 2050
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [2025]
Notes:
The Stand up India Scheme was launched in 2016 to promote entrepreneurship focusing on economic empowerment and job creation. The scheme has been extended till 2025.
Over Rs 40,700 crore was sanctioned under the Stand Up India Scheme over the seven years of its implementation. Around 80 percent of the loans under this scheme were provided to women.
13. What is ‘Raccoon Stealer’ which was seen in the news?
[A] Animal
[B] Malware
[C] Crypto-currency
[D] Super computer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Malware]
Notes:
Raccoon Stealer is an information stealing malware that is usually delivered via email. It was used to target 8 central government entities of India, including the IT Department and central paramilitary forces.
National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), a specialised intelligence agency under the National Security Advisor, wrote to the affected agencies informing them of the attack.
14. 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.
15. Idaho, which was seen in the news, is a state of which country?
[A] USA
[B] Australia
[C] UK
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
Idaho is a rocky mountain state in the United States. Idaho recently introduced an abortion trafficking law to restrict travel for abortions.
The bill makes it illegal for an adult to help minor get an abortion without parental consent.
16. As per the ‘Global Energy Monitor’s 9th Annual Survey’, which country accounted for the highest coal capacity as of 2023?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] USA
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
As per the report released by US-based Global Energy Monitor, the operating coal fleet grew by 19.5 gigawatt in 2022 globally.
As per the report, the war between Russia and Ukraine resulted in a slowdown of coal retirements. China accounted for 59 per cent of the new coal capacity while Bangladesh ranked the 9th among the rest of the countries after India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Indonesia, among others.
17. Which state bagged the highest number of awards in the ‘National Panchayat Awards 2023’?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Telangana
[C] Odisha
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Telangana]
Notes:
National Panchayat Awards 2023 were conferred recently by Panchayati Raj Ministry to recognize best performing Panchayats in the areas that align with the 17 SHGs.
Telangana won 8 out of 27 various categories of the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar (DDUPSVP) for the years 2021 – 2022. It was followed by Kerala with 4, Jammu and Kashmir with 3, and Maharashtra with 3.
18. Which NBFC firm has raised USD 750 million through issuance of green bonds?
[A] REC
[B] PFC
[C] Bajaj Finance
[D] Aditya Birla Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [REC]
Notes:
State-owned non-banking finance firm REC recently raised USD 750 million through issuance of green bonds
The net proceeds from the issue of the bonds will be applied to finance, in whole or in part, the eligible green projects in accordance with the approvals granted by the Reserve Bank of India from time to time and in accordance with the ECB guidelines.
19. Which state/UT has announced to set up the ‘Education Service Selection Commission’?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The UP-Education Service Selection Commission will be set up by the Uttar Pradesh Government for the teacher recruitment in the state.
It will be responsible for conducting the UP Teachers Eligibility Test (UPTET) exam. Teachers in basic, secondary, higher and technical colleges in the state will be selected through the autonomous commission.
20. As per the 5th Cycle of India’s Tiger Census, how many tigers are in India, as of 2023?
[A] 1167
[B] 2167
[C] 3167
[D] 4167
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [3167]
Notes:
The 5th Cycle of India’s Tiger Census was released recently by Prime Minister Modi. This census revealed that India’s tiger population stands at 3,167 in the wild.
This figure is 200 more than it had four years ago. India is estimated to have more than 70% of the world’s tigers.