1. Which country has passed a bill which criminalises the citizens travelling abroad to pursue surrogacy arrangements?
[A] USA
[B] Italy
[C] Finland
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Italy]
Notes:
The Italian parliament has given its approval to a contentious bill that makes it a criminal offense for citizens to travel abroad to pursue surrogacy arrangements.
This law, which has faced significant opposition, is specifically aimed at discouraging Italians from participating in surrogacy arrangements, and it carries the possibility of substantial fines exceeding USD 1 million and potential prison sentences of up to two years for those found guilty.
2. Rajkot International Airport has been inaugurated in which state?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Punjab
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurated Rajkot International Airport and various development initiatives amounting to over Rs 860 crores in Rajkot, Gujarat.
The projects encompass Sauni Yojana Link 3 Package 8 and 9, upgrading of Dwarka Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS), preservation, renovation, and progress of Uparkot Fort Phase I & II, among others.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Which country has won the Spanish Federation hockey tournament?
[A] Spain
[B] India
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
The Indian women’s hockey team defeated the hosts Spain 3-0 and win the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation – International Tournament.
Vandana Katariya (22nd minute), Monika (48th) and Udita (58th) were the goal scorers as India remained unbeaten in the tournament.
6. Who is the highest goal scorer with headers in football history, as of 2023?
[A] Lionel Messi
[B] Cristiano Ronaldo
[C] Gerd Muller
[D] Kylian Mbappé
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cristiano Ronaldo]
Notes:
Cristiano Ronaldo recently scored his 145th headed goal, breaking the long-standing record of late German striker Gerd Muller.
Ronaldo achieved the feat when he scored his first goal of the season for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr with a header against Tunisian club Monastir in a 2-1 win.
7. ‘MPOWER Measures’, which are seen in the news, are associated with which organisation?
[A] UN Women
[B] World Health Organization
[C] World Bank
[D] International Monetary Fund
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Health Organization]
Notes:
A new World Health Organization (WHO) report revealed that over the past 15 years, 71% of the global population, approximately 5.6 billion people, are now protected by at least one of the measures, five times more than in 2007.
The WHO’s MPOWER measures aim to monitor tobacco use and prevention policies, protect people from tobacco smoke, provide assistance to quit tobacco, warn about the dangers of tobacco, enforce bans on tobacco advertising, and raise taxes on tobacco products.
8. 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.
9. Which Asian country recorded a 27% rise in tiger population since 2015?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Bhutan
[D] Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bhutan]
Notes:
On International Tiger Day, it was revealed that Bhutan’s Tiger population has grown by 27% since the previous count in 2015.
The announcement was made following the culmination of Bhutan’s National Tiger Survey 2021-22.
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.