1. Which company is involved in the advanced-stage clinical trial of skin cancer vaccine?
[A] Dr Reddys
[B] Bharat Biotech
[C] Moderna
[D] Serum Institute of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Moderna]
Notes:
Recently, Moderna and its collaborator Merck announced the commencement of patient enrolment for an advanced-stage clinical trial.
This trial aims to test their customized mRNA-based vaccine for skin cancer, in combination with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer.
2. Which is the headquarters of the ‘Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT)’?
[A] Bangkok
[B] Singapore
[C] New Delhi
[D] Colombo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bangkok]
Notes:
The Asia Pacific Telecommunity was founded on the joint initiatives of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and the International Telecommunication Union.
An important gathering of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) is set to take place in Brisbane, with the primary objective of determining the future allocation of the 6 GHz spectrum band for 5G services in India.
3. Which country’s population decreased by around 800,000 individuals in 2022 when compared to previous year?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] Indonesia
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Japan]
Notes:
In a historic decline, Japan’s population decreased in all 47 prefectures for the first time, while the number of foreign residents reached a record high of nearly three million people.
The population of Japanese nationals decreased by around 800,000 individuals, or 0.65%, to 122.4 million in 2022 compared to the previous year, marking the 14th consecutive year of decline.
4. Which institution has released the guidelines on Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF)?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] Finance Ministry
[D] BSE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SEBI]
Notes:
The capital markets regulator – SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has released the guidelines for the Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF).
The fund’s purpose is to serve as a backstop facility, facilitating the purchase of investment-grade corporate debt securities during times of market stress, thereby boosting confidence among participants in the corporate debt market.
5. 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.
6. Parkachik Glacier is located in which state/UT?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Ladakh
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ladakh]
Notes:
Researchers from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology have conducted a recent study, indicating the potential formation of three glacial lakes near Parkachik Glacier in Ladakh due to rapid ice melting.
The increasing glacial melt is concerning as it raises the risk of glacial lake outbursts and may also cause water scarcity, given that glaciers serve as the main water source for the region.
7. Which country is the host of the World University Games 2023?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Australia
[D] USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
The compound mixed archery team of Aman Saini and Pragati clinched a gold medal, India’s fourth in the event, at the World University Games in Chengdu, China.
The Indian archers have also won two more medals in archery in men’s and women’s compound team events.
8. Which Union Ministry has launched the ‘Company Law Committee (CLC)’?
[A] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of MSME
[D] Ministry of Justice
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Corporate Affairs]
Notes:
The Company Law Committee (CLC) has been established in 2019 by the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
It is expected to explore the implementation of regulatory measures specific to startups. This initiative comes in response to growing concerns about corporate governance matters within startup entities.
9. As per recent Home Ministry data, which state recorded the most number of missing girls between 2019 and 2021?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Manipur
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Over 13.13 lakh girls and women went missing in the country between 2019 and 2021, with Madhya Pradesh reporting the highest cases at nearly two lakhs, followed by West Bengal.
The data, which was presented by the Union Ministry of Home Ministry (MHA), revealed that 10,61,648 women above 18 years and 2,51,430 girls below that age went missing between 2019 and 2021 across the country. The data was compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau.
10. Civitavecchia, which was seen in the news, is a city in which country?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Italy
[C] Myanmar
[D] Papua New Guinea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Italy]
Notes:
Italian authorities from the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage reported the discovery of an ancient cargo ship wreckage off the port in Civitavecchia, near Rome.
The ship, dating back to the 1st or 2nd century BC, contains hundreds of well-preserved Roman jars, known as amphorae, found using a remotely operated robot.