31. ‘Urja Ganga Pipeline’ is an ambitious initiative of which country?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] India
[C] Nepal
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
Urja Ganga Pipeline is an ambitious project of India that seeks to take CNG to far-flung areas. This has helped expand the adoption of cleaner fuels to the hinterlands.
In 2016, work on laying a 2,655-km pipeline from Uttar Pradesh to West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha began. The line was extended to Assam from Bihar, a length of 726 km, to take the fuel to unconnected states in the East.
32. As of 2023, a woman who adopts a child at the age below three months old is entitled for maternity leave of how many weeks?
[A] Eight
[B] Twelve
[C] Sixteen
[D] Twenty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Twelve]
Notes:
The Section 5(4) of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 allows woman who adopts a child at the age below three months old to be entitled for 12 weeks of maternity leave.
The Supreme Court has recently agreed to hear a petition challenging this provision.
33. Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) is a spring harvest festival primarily celebrated in which state?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Punjab
[C] West Bengal
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Punjab]
Notes:
Baisakhi is a spring harvest festival celebrated primarily in northern parts of India. It marks the start of the month of Vaisakh.
Vaisakhi is a spring festival which happens in the month of April every year. It is a day to celebrate 1699 – the year when Sikhism was born as a collective faith. Vaisakhi has been a harvest festival in Punjab for a long time, even before it became so important to Sikhs.
34. 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.
35. ‘Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (FINE) 2023’ was organised by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of MSME
[B] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[C] Ministry of Science and Technology
[D] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Science and Technology]
Notes:
Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (FINE) 2023 was organized by the National Innovation Foundation – an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
It included five round tables covering different aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in India.
36. ‘Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve’ is located in a region spanning across which states?
[A] Tamil Nadu- Kerala
[B] Andhra Pradesh -Telangana
[C] Andhra Pradesh- Tamil Nadu
[D] Maharashtra- Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Andhra Pradesh -Telangana]
Notes:
Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve is the largest tiger reserve in India, spanning across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
To ensure smooth traffic flow, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has enabled FASTag-based payments at forest entry points across Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR).
37. Which Union Ministry is set to draft the ‘SOPs for Safety and Security of Journalists’?
[A] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[D] Ministry of Communication
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Home Affairs]
Notes:
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for the safety and security of journalists will be drafted by the Union Home Ministry.
The decision comes after three assailants posing as journalists killed gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj while they were speaking to journalists.
38. The PTP-NER Scheme has been launched by which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Tribal Affairs]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched a new Central Sector Scheme “Marketing and Logistics Development for Promotion of Tribal Products from North -Eastern Region (PTP-NER)”.
The scheme with a substantial outlay of Rs.143 crore is intended to benefit Scheduled Tribes of North-eastern India. programme has been designed to strengthen the opportunities for tribal craftsmen to support their livelihoods.
39. Where is ‘Mt Annapurna’ situated?
[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] Bangladesh
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nepal]
Notes:
The Mt Annapurna is situated in the Annapurna mountain range of Gandaki Province of Nepal. It is the tenth highest mountain in the world at 8,091 metres above sea level.
The mountain was recently in news as, an Indian climber Anurag Maloo, who went missing after falling into a deep crevasse on Mount Annapurna, has been found alive in critical condition by rescuers.
40. Which state in India has become the first to adopt Water Budget?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kerala]
Notes:
The state Government of Kerala has introduced the first of its kind Water Budget which aims to address water scarcity in the state through proper utilization of the resources and prevention of wastages.
Thee first phase of the project would cover 94 gram panchayats and 15 block panchayats of the state.