1. Which state/UT released draft rules for implementation of ‘Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act’?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Bihar
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jharkhand]
Notes:
The Jharkhand government released draft rules for the effective implementation of The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, commonly known as PESA, which was enacted in 1996.
The purpose of PESA is to establish self-governance through gram sabhas for the residents living in Scheduled Areas.
2. Which state has announced the establishment of ‘Mangrove Cell’?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] West Bengal
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [West Bengal]
Notes:
West Bengal, which is home to about 40% of mangrove forests in India, announced the setting up of a ‘Mangrove Cell’ in the State, on the occasion of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.
This platform will bring continuity to the efforts of State government in mangrove management. The Cell has an annual action plan for the plantation of mangroves and it will look at maintenance and coordinate with NGOs.
3. As per the J&K Re-organisation Bill passed, who has the authority to appoint two Kashmiri migrants to the legislative assembly?
[A] Prime Minister
[B] Lieutenant Governor
[C] Vice President
[D] DGP of J&K
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lieutenant Governor]
Notes:
Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is one of the four bills introduced by the Centre in the Lok Sabha recently.
The bill grants authority to the Lieutenant Governor to appoint two members, with one being a woman, from the Kashmiri migrant community, and one member from the displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) to the legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir.
4. Which country conducted the Han Kuang (Han Glory) military exercise?
[A] China
[B] Ukraine
[C] Taiwan
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Taiwan]
Notes:
Taiwan staged its first-ever military drill at Taoyuan International Airport, halting commercial traffic as soldiers practised defending the facility against a simulated attack by Beijing.
The exercise is part of Taiwan’s week-long massive wargames, the annual “Han Kuang” (Han Glory) drills. This is the first such drill held at Taiwan’s biggest airport near the capital since it opened in 1979.
5. Which city hosted the ‘Global ESG Conclave 2.0’ event?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Dubai
[C] New York
[D] Malaysia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dubai]
Notes:
The Global ESG Conclave 2.0, organised by Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India was held in Dubai.
The sessions were aimed to shed light on integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into strategic business decisions and quantifying their impact on financial infrastructure and sustainability.
6. Which institution has released guidelines for livestock telemedicine in India?
[A] AIIMS
[B] National Institution for Telemedicine
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] National Dairy Development Board
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [NITI Aayog]
Notes:
The Government of India’s Think Tank – NITI Aayog has come out with advisory guidelines for livestock telemedicine in India. The guidelines suggest for allocation of a unique user ID to registered veterinary practitioners and animal keepers, with mandatory consent from the animal keepers.
However, the framework grants registered veterinary practitioners immunity from any penalties if they are unable to establish a veterinarian-client-animal relationship during telemedicine consultations in emergency situations.
7. Which country grants stapled visas to Indian nationals from Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir?
[A] Myanmar
[B] China
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
A stapled visa is an unstamped paper attached to a passport page using a pin or staples, which can be easily torn off or removed as desired.
China has adopted a policy of granting stapled visas to Indian nationals from Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. While China considers these visas as valid documents, the Government of India has consistently rejected this stance.
8. ‘Secondary Towns Development Sector Project’ is associated with which state/UT?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Manipur
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajasthan]
Notes:
Recently, the Indian government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have entered into an agreement, securing a USD 200 million loan as extra funding for the existing Rajasthan Secondary Towns Development Sector Project.
The loan aims to extend water supply and sanitation systems, boost urban resilience, and preserve the heritage in chosen towns.
9. Which badminton player has clinched the Japan Open 2023 singles men’s title?
[A] Kidambi Srikanth
[B] Viktor Axelsen
[C] Lakshya Sen
[D] Chen Long
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Viktor Axelsen]
Notes:
The Danish World No.1 Viktor Axelsen clinched victory in the Japan Open final after defeating Jonatan Christie of Indonesia.
In women’s singles, world number two An Se-Young of South Korea beat He Bing Jiao of China to clinch the title. She also replaced replacing Japan’s reigning world champion Akane Yamaguchi to bag the World No. 1 spot.
10. Norway, Germany and Finland reported which disease on fur farms and mammals?
[A] Anthrax
[B] Avian Influenza
[C] Foot and mouth disease
[D] Blue tongue
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Avian Influenza]
Notes:
Finland’s Food Authority reported H5N1 on two more fur farms, both housing foxes, raising the number of outbreaks to 14.
Norway reported the virus in a red fox pup while Germany reported the virus on a seal. Similar detections in seals and sea lions have occurred in multiple parts of the world.