1. The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023 aims to expand the scope of the Forest (Conservation) Act enacted in which year?
[A] 1972
[B] 1980
[C] 1992
[D] 2002
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1980]
Notes:
The Lok Sabha has recently passed the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023. It aims to expand the scope of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
The Bill acknowledges India’s international commitments and the national target set by the country for achieving Net Zero Emission by 2070.
2. Which leader initiated the motion of no-confidence against the Union Government, which was accepted by the Lok Sabha Speaker?
[A] Pradyut Bordoloi
[B] Gaurav Gogoi
[C] Abdul Khaleque
[D] Jyotsna Mahant
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gaurav Gogoi]
Notes:
A no-confidence motion is a step typically taken by an Opposition party to compel the current government to demonstrate its majority in the House.
Recently, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accepted a motion of no-confidence against the government, which was initiated by Congress Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, after fulfilling the requisite headcount of 50 MPs as mandated by the rules.
3. How many deaths were recorded due to manual scavenging in the last five years in India?
[A] 25
[B] 15
[C] 10
[D] 0
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [0]
Notes:
Union government said that India had seen no deaths due to manual scavenging in the last five years, as per the data submitted by the Social Justice Ministry.
It also added that 330 people had died while being engaged in cleaning sewers and septic tanks. Social Justice Ministry says manual scavenging no longer practised in India; Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Bihar among States with all districts reporting free status.
4. Which state is set to launch ‘Shubhayatra’ scheme to provide financial support to overseas emigrants from the State?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
The Kerala state government is set to roll out a unique scheme to provide financial support to first-time overseas emigrants from Kerala.
Titled ‘Shubhayatra’, the project envisages creating a positive and productive migration ecosystem by providing a financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh with a tax holiday for six months and interest subvention to meet the incidental expense of eligible candidates.
5. Which Union Ministry has set up a working group to decriminalise laws to further promote ease of doing business?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of MSME
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Commerce and Industry]
Notes:
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has set up a working group to decriminalise laws to further promote ease of doing business.
The group comprised representatives from industry associations, business chambers, legal professionals, and officials of seven ministries. It would also have representatives of the National Housing Bank, NABARD and CPCB.
6. Which state/ UT saw the highest number of deaths due to rabies in the country in 2022?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] West Bengal
[C] New Delhi
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [New Delhi]
Notes:
As per the information given by the Health Ministry in the Lok Sabha this week, Delhi saw the highest number of deaths due to rabies in the country in 2022.
While Delhi reported 48 fatalities, West Bengal saw 38 deaths, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra at 29 each.
7. DGCA fined which airline for deficiencies in their procedures related to frequent tail strike incidents?
[A] Air India
[B] IndiGo
[C] Spicejet
[D] Akasa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IndiGo]
Notes:
The DGCA fined IndiGo Rs 30 lakhs and issued a show cause notice due to deficiencies in their documentation and procedures related to frequent tail strike incidents on their A321 aircraft.
Tail strikes occur when the tail of an aircraft hits the ground or any stationary object, with a majority happening during landings.
8. Under Free Movement Regime (FMR), tribes living along the border can travel up to what distance inside the other country without a visa?
[A] 5 kilometres
[B] 8 kilometres
[C] 16 kilometres
[D] 20 kilometres
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [16 kilometres]
Notes:
The Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border has complicated the volatile situation in Manipur due to migration of tribal Kuki-Chin people from Myanmar.
The border between India and Myanmar runs for 1,643 km in the four states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. The FMR allows tribes living along the border to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.
9. ‘Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam’ was organised to commemorate the anniversary of which scheme/policy?
[A] Beti Bachao; Beti Padhao
[B] National Education Policy
[C] Samagra Shiksha
[D] Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Education Policy]
Notes:
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. He also released the first instalment of funds under the PM SHRI Scheme.
The two-day conference aligns with the third anniversary of the introduction of National Education Policy -NEP 2020.
10. What is the expansion of ‘CDMDF’ which was launched by the Union Finance Minister recently?
[A] Corporate Debt Market Development Fund
[B] Company Debt Market Development Fund
[C] Client Debt Market Development Fund
[D] Corporate Dual Market Development Fund
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Corporate Debt Market Development Fund]
Notes:
The AMC Repo Clearing Limited (ARCL) and Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF) were inaugurated by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
The CDMDF was announced in the 2021-22 Union Budget to enhance liquidity in the Corporate Bond market during stressed and normal times.