31. ‘Cheiraoba’ is a festival celebrated in which state?
[A] Tripura
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Manipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Manipur]
Notes:
Cheiraoba is considered to be one of the most important festivals of Manipur and it marks the beginning of the lunar new year for the people of Meitei community of Manipur and across the globe.
The festival is also called as Sajibu Nongma Pānba which means “First day of Sajibu Month”.
32. When is World Hemophilia Day observed every year?
[A] April 10
[B] April 17
[C] April 21
[D] May 1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [April 17]
Notes:
April 17 is observed as the World Hemophilia Day and the theme for this year is “Access for All: Prevention of bleeds as the global standard of care”.
Hemophilia is a rare genetic blood disorder that inhibits the clotting of blood, leading to significant bleeding during injuries and surgeries. Every year, the World Hemophilia Day is observed to raise awareness about this disorder.
33. As per the UNFPA Report, which country is expected to be the most populated by mid-2023?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] USA
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
As per the ‘United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s State of World Population 2023’ report, India’s population is expected to reach 1.429 billion by the end of the year, according to the U.N. China will be at second place, with 1.426 billion people.
This will make India the most populous country in the world for the first time. This number is expected to be 2.96 million more than the population of China.
34. Who has been conferred with the ‘Malcolm Adiseshiah Award 2023’?
[A] Urjit Patel
[B] Shaktikanta Das
[C] Amartya Sen
[D] Utsa Patnaik
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Utsa Patnaik]
Notes:
Utsa Patnaik, a famous economist, has been chosen for the Malcolm Adiseshiah Award 2023. The award is conferred every year by the Malcolm & Elizabeth Adiseshiah Trust to honour social scientists.
Utsa Patnaik, a renowned Indian Marxian economist, taught at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
35. Which state passed a bill to provide reservation in state government jobs from 60 percent to 77 percent?
[A] Kerala
[B] Jharkhand
[C] West Bengal
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jharkhand]
Notes:
Jharkhand Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (Amendment) Bill, 2022 proposes a raise in reservation in state government jobs from 60 percent to 77 percent for SC, ST and OBC communities as well as the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
Jharkhand Governor recently returned this bill to the government, directing it to be reviewed.
36. Which Union Ministry has launched the ‘SATHI Portal and Mobile App’?
[A] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[B] Ministry of Defence
[C] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[D] Ministry of Power
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare]
Notes:
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the SATHI (Seed Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory) Portal and Mobile App.
It is a Centralized Online System for seed traceability, authentication and inventory designed to deal with the challenges of seed production, quality seed identification and seed certification. It has been developed by the NIC in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
37. Which Asian country is set to launch the ‘Digital Highway Network’?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Nepal
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
The National Highways Logistics Management (NHLML), a fully-owned special purpose vehicle of the Indian Government, is set to develop a digital highway network by setting up integrated utility corridors along national highways.
As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has designed 1,367 km of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and 512 km of the Hyderabad-Bangalore Corridor as pilot routes for digital highway development.
38. Who is the first Indian woman to be named as a ‘Wisden Cricketer of the Year’?
[A] Smriti Mandana
[B] Harmanpreet Kaur
[C] Mithali Raj
[D] Deepti Sharma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Harmanpreet Kaur]
Notes:
Harmanpreet Kaur became the first Indian woman to be named as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year. She led Mumbai Indians to win the inaugural Women’s Premier League in March.
Suryakumar Yadav was named Wisden’s Leading T20 Cricketer of the Year. At present, Suryakumar Yadav remains at number one position in the ICC T20 men’s rankings.
39. Which state adopted a resolution urging the Centre to extend quota for Dalit Christians?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Tamil Nadu Assembly has recently adopted a resolution urging the Centre to extend quota for Dalit Christians.
The resolution urged the Centre to amend the Constitution to extend statutory protection, rights, and concessions, including reservation, to Scheduled Caste members who have converted to Christianity.
40. As per the ‘Special Marriage Act (SMA) of 1954’, a public notice of the intended marriage is to be displayed before how many days?
[A] 13
[B] 15
[C] 30
[D] 60
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [30]
Notes:
The Special Marriage Act (SMA) of 1954 provides legal framework for civil marriage between people belonging to different religions or castes.
The Act requires marriage officers to display a public notice inviting objections to an intended marriage 30 days prior to the ceremony. The Constitution Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud termed the 30-day notice period under this Act ‘patriarchal’.