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. The child helpline is being integrated with which Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) pan-India number?
[A] 101
[B] 112
[C] 1200
[D] 1800
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [112]
Notes:
The government has said that integration of child helpline with Emergency Response Support System, ERSS -112 has been completed in nine States in the first phase.
These States are Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Ladakh, Puducherry, and Mizoram. A 24×7 dedicated WCD Control Room is set up for Child Helpline in each State and Union Territory and integrated with ERSS-112.
3. 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.
4. Indian companies have been allowed to list on foreign exchanges through which institution?
[A] SEBI
[B] IFSC
[C] RBI
[D] NSE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IFSC]
Notes:
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government has decided to enable listed and unlisted domestic companies to directly list their equity shares on the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at Ahmedabad.
The decision will facilitate access to global capital and result in a better valuation of the Indian companies. The Finance Minister also launched Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF) and AMC Repo Clearing Ltd (ARCL).
5. Which African country has recently witnessed a Coup (in 2023)?
[A] South Africa
[B] Kenya
[C] Niger
[D] Congo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Niger]
Notes:
A Coup by group of soldiers is currently underway in Niger. Soldiers appeared on state TV to announce they had removed the President from power, seized control of the government and suspended the constitution.
Recently, the commander of the guard, Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani has declared himself the leader of Niger in a televised address.
6. What number of Income Tax Returns were filed for AY 2023-2024 in India?
[A] 4.77 crore
[B] 5.77 crore
[C] 6.77 crore
[D] 7.77 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [6.77 crore]
Notes:
The Income-tax Department announced that there is a surge in filing of Income-tax Returns (ITRs), resulting in a new record of ITRs filed.
The total number of ITRs for AY 2023-24 filed till 31st July, 2023 are more than 6.77 crore, which is 16.1% more than the total ITRs for AY 2022-23 (5.83 crore) filed till 31st July 2022. Over 64.33 lakh ITRs were filed on a single day-on 31st July, 2023.
7. Which country has unveiled its first nuclear reactor built from scratch in decades?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Ukraine
[D] USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [USA]
Notes:
The first nuclear reactor in seven years has recently entered service in Georgia in the United States. At its full output of 1,100 megawatts of electricity, Unit 3 can power 500,000 homes and businesses.
The unit which is now in commercial operation, entered seven years late and USD 17 billion over budget. A number of other utilities in Georgia, Florida and Alabama are receiving the electricity, in addition to the 2.7 million customers.
8. Which institution introduced the ‘AI/ML-based Finger Minutiae Record – Finger Image Record (FMR-FIR)’?
[A] RBI
[B] UIDAI
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UIDAI]
Notes:
To counter AePS fraud involving spoofed fingerprints in Aadhaar authentication, the UIDAI has introduced an in-house AI/ML-based Finger Minutiae Record – Finger Image Record (FMR-FIR) system.
This technology verifies the authenticity of a fingerprint by detecting cloned fingerprints during the authentication process.
9. Jim Skea has been elected as the Chair of which institution?
[A] FAO
[B] IPCC
[C] WMO
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IPCC]
Notes:
Jim Skea of the United Kingdom has been elected as the new Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
WMO and the United Nations Environment Programme are co-sponsors of the IPCC. The main responsibility of the IPCC Chair is to supervise the reports published in every assessment cycle.
10. UNESCO has suggested adding which city to its list of world heritage centres in danger?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Rome
[C] Venice
[D] Paris
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Venice]
Notes:
UNESCO, the United Nations cultural agency, has suggested adding Venice to its list of world heritage in danger, urging Italian authorities to intensify efforts to safeguard the historic city and its lagoon. The recommendation highlights the concerns about potential “irreversible” harm caused by factors such as climate change and over-tourism.