11. ‘Siren sphagnicola’ which was discovered recently, looks like which species?
[A] Turtle
[B] Eel
[C] Spider
[D] Cattle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Eel]
Notes:
Siren sphagnicola is a newly discovered species of Siren. Sirens are elongated eel-like aquatic salamanders.
The species was found in the seepage areas in the eastern Gulf Coastal Plain of the US. One of these species, Siren reticulata, was recently described.
12. Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in which state/UT?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Assam
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Arunachal Pradesh]
Notes:
Idu Mishmi is a sub-tribe of the larger Mishmi group in Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet.
Idu Mishmi people are currently opposing National Tiger Conservation Authority’s proposal to notify Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh as a tiger reserve due to concerns regarding access to the forest.
13. 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.
14. Genome India Project aims to sequence how many Indian human genomes?
[A] 1000
[B] 10000
[C] 1 lakh
[D] 1 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [10000]
Notes:
Genome India Project is an initiative of the Central Government that involves sequencing of 10,000 Indian human genomes and creating a database.
The Department of Biotechnology has sequenced close to 7,000 genomes and 3,000 of these are already available for public access.
15. Which Union Ministry appointed the ‘Committee on Digital Competition Law’?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Corporate Affairs]
Notes:
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs had appointed 10-Member Committee on Digital Competition Law, consisting of lawyers representing the Big Tech.
It is set to meet shortly to discuss provisions of the draft Digital Competition Law. The committee is responsible for examining the need for an ex-ante regulatory mechanism for digital markets via a separate legislation.
16. 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.
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. 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.
19. 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).
20. Where is Zojila tunnel being constructed?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Assam
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Jammu and Kashmir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
The Zojila Tunnel, which would be Asia’s longest tunnel once completed, is being constructed in Jammu & Kashmir to establish all weather connectivity for Ladakh. 19 tunnels are being constructed in Jammu and Kashmir at a cost of Rs.25000 crore, of which the major one is the Zojila Tunnel.
With the construction of this 14.15 km tunnel, there will be all-weather connectivity for Ladakh, which will cut down travel time to cross the Zojila Pass from three hours to 20 minutes.