11. Cabinet approves LIGO-India gravitational-wave detector to be built in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Kerala
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Indian government approved a project to build an advanced gravitational-wave detector in Maharashtra at an estimated cost of Rs 2,600 crore.
In the US, there are already two such LIGO observatories. The third such cutting-edge gravitational-wave observatory will be LIGO-India. The facility is expected to be completed by 2030.
12. Which institution launched the ‘cVigil App’?
[A] Supreme Court of India
[B] Election Commission of India
[C] Indian Medical Association
[D] Reserve Bank of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Election Commission of India]
Notes:
cVigil App was launched by the Election Commission of India to fast track complaints regarding the Model Code of Conduct violations.
It is currently playing a critical role in enforcing the Model Code of Conduct and preventing irregularities in the polling process.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Which state passed the ‘Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Bill 2023’?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Goa
[C] Odisha
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Goa]
Notes:
The Goa Restriction on Transfer of Agricultural Land Bill 2023 was passed recently by the state legislative assembly.
It seeks to impose restrictions of the sale of agricultural lands in Goa to non-agriculturalists. It aims to save the state’s paddy fields from being taken over by buyers for non-agriculture purposes.
16. Which state/UT has organised the ‘Baisakhi Mahotsav 2023’?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Kerala
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
Baisakhi Mahotsav 2023 will be organized by Jammu’s Directorate of Tourism. The event celebrates Dogra culture and heritage.
Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, is one of the harvest festivals celebrated in India and in parts of the world largely by the Sikh community.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. When was the ‘Jallianwala Bagh Massacre’ occurred in India?
[A] April 3
[B] April 8
[C] April 13
[D] April 23
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [April 13]
Notes:
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre occurred on April 13, 1919. A large, peaceful crowd had gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab to protest the Rowlatt Act.
A British Colonel named Reginald Edward Harry Dyer ordered troops to surround the compound, launched indiscriminate firing on the assembled men, women and children, which resulted in deaths of over 1,000 people.
20. Which Indian company manufactures the ‘R21/Matrix-M Vaccine’?
[A] Biocon
[B] Serum Institute of India
[C] Dr Reddy Labs
[D] Bharat Biotech
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Serum Institute of India]
Notes:
The R21/Matrix-M vaccine is a malaria vaccine developed by the Oxford University and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
The vaccine, which leverages Novavax’s adjuvant technology, has been licensed for use in Ghana by the country’s Food and Drugs Authority.