21. 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.
22. ‘National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical System (NM-ICPS)’ is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Science and Technology]
Notes:
National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical System (NM-ICPS) was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2018 at the total outlay of Rs.3660 crores for a period of five years.
The National Workshop on Technology Innovation in Cyber-Physical Systems (TIPS) was organized to deliberate on ways to strengthen NM-ICPS.
23. ‘Es Càrritx Cave’, which was seen in the news, is found in which country?
[A] Germany
[B] Spain
[C] Greece
[D] Turkey
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Spain]
Notes:
Es Càrritx Cave, situated on the Spanish island of Menorca, was a funeral site for around six centuries until 800 BCE.
Researchers have found the presence of hallucinogenic drugs on this site, creating a possibility of people consuming them 3 millennia ago.
24. 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).
25. 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.
26. How many states are in the Front Runner category of the ‘State Energy Efficiency Index 2021-22’?
[A] Three
[B] Five
[C] Seven
[D] Ten
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Five]
Notes:
State Energy Efficiency Index 2021-22 was developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency in collaboration with the Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
In SEEI 2021-22, 5 states – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and Telangana – are in the Front Runner category (>60 points) while 4 states are in the Achiever category. Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and Chandigarh are the top-performing states in their respective state groups. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh showed the most improvement since the last index.
27. 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.
28. What is the rate of interest payable in General Provident Fund (GPF) for the April to June 2023 quarter?
[A] 7.1%
[B] 7.3 %
[C] 7.5 %
[D] 8.1 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [7.1%]
Notes:
The government has retained the interest rate payable on savings in General Provident Fund (GPF) at 7.1% for the April to June 2023 quarter.
Interest rates on General Provident Fund (GPF) are revised periodically according to the government’s issued notifications.
29. What is the name of India’s first semi-high-speed regional rail services which is being implemented in NCR?
[A] Aham Metro
[B] Maha Rail
[C] RAPIDX
[D] Retro Metro
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [RAPIDX]
Notes:
The India’s first semi-high-speed regional rail services has been named ‘RAPIDX’ by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). The RAPIDX trains will run on the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridors, which would connect key urban nodes across the National Capital Region (NCR).
The project is implemented by NCRTC which is a a joint venture company of the Union government and states of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
30. Bathinda military station, which was seen in the news, is located in which state?
[A] Punjab
[B] Assam
[C] West Bengal
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Punjab]
Notes:
The Bathinda military station is the headquarters of the 10 Corps of the Army, also called as the Chetak Corps). Recently, four Army jawans in this military station were killed.
Bathinda Police arrested one solider in connection with a military station firing incident, who has confessed the crime.