11. Which country launched the ‘Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative’?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Australia
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative was launched by the US to increase Ukraine’s capacity to defend itself from Russia’s aggression.
Under this initiative, USD 2.6 billion military aid package was announced by the US. USAI is an authority under which the United States procures capabilities from industry.
12. 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.
13. ‘B-52H strategic bomber’ was recently used in the bilateral air drills between which countries?
[A] South Korea -USA
[B] Japan- South Korea
[C] India – South Korea
[D] India – France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [South Korea -USA]
Notes:
B-52H strategic bomber is a long-range, supersonic, jet-powered strategic heavy bomber capable of carrying nuclear arsenals.
It was recently used during the bilateral air drills between South Korea and the United States. In recent weeks, North Korea has tested an underwater nuclear-capable drone and an intercontinental ballistic missile.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. Which institution manages the unclaimed deposits in India?
[A] SEBI
[B] RBI
[C] Ministry of Finance
[D] BSE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [RBI]
Notes:
After ten years of inactivity from the depositor, the unclaimed deposits are transferred to RBI’s Depositors Education and Awareness Fund.
The RBI has planned to open a web portal to allow depositors search for their unclaimed deposits across banks, and issued norms to make credit information companies (CICs) more accountable, measures aimed at helping consumers.
17. ‘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.
18. Which Indian armed force organised the ‘Rhino Riders’ motorcycle rally?
[A] Indian Army
[B] Indian Navy
[C] Indian Air Force
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Army]
Notes:
The ‘Rhino Riders’ motorcycle rally is being organized by the Indian Army’s Headquarters 101 Area of Eastern Command to commemorate its diamond jubilee.
Headquarters 101 area was raised on April 22, 1963 to provide logistical assistance across the entire Northeast region.
19. 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.
20. UIDAI has partnered with which institution for ‘National Centre of Excellence in Technology for Internal Security’ initiative?
[A] IIT Bombay
[B] IIT Madras
[C] NIT Tiruchirappalli
[D] NIT Warangal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [IIT Bombay]
Notes:
‘Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has joined hands with Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-Bombay) to develop a robust touchless biometric capture system for easier usage by people anytime, anywhere.
As part of the memorandum of understanding, UIDAI and IIT Bombay will carry out joint research to build a mobile capture system for fingerprints along with liveness model integrated with the capture system.