1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Which personality has said that the Earth has entered an “era of global boiling”?
[A] US President
[B] UN Secretary-General
[C] WMO Chief
[D] IMF Chief
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UN Secretary-General]
Notes:
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a powerful message on climate change, urging immediate radical action to address the record-shattering July temperatures.
He said that this phenomenon indicate that the Earth has entered an ‘era of global boiling’ surpassing warming phase.
5. 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.
6. Which institution barred intermediaries for annuities business?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] PFRDA
[D] IRDAI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [PFRDA]
Notes:
Pension regulator PFRDA has barred Annuity Service Providers (ASPs) from deploying any agency of intermediaries for sourcing annuities business from NPS subscribers upon their retirement or exit from the NPS.
Annuities under National Pension System (NPS) can be issued by ASPs only under direct channels, as per the official sources.
7. 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.
8. Iga Swiatek, who began her 70th straight week as the World No. 1 in the latest WTA Rankings, is from which country?
[A] USA
[B] Poland
[C] Russia
[D] Ukraine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Poland]
Notes:
Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek began her 70th straight week as the World No. 1 in the latest WTA Rankings.
Four-time Major winner Swiatek increased the gap between herself and World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka by winning her maiden WTA 250 title in Warsaw, her home tournament.
9. As per StanC research report, India’s per capita income is likely to grow to what amount, by fiscal 2030?
[A] USD 1000
[B] USD 2000
[C] USD 4000
[D] USD 5000
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [USD 4000]
Notes:
The country’s per capita income is likely to grow by close to 70 per cent to USD 4,000 by fiscal 2030 from USD 2,450 in fiscal 2023.
This will help the country to become a middle-income economy with USD 6-trillion GDP. Per capita income/GDP has risen from USD 460 in fiscal 2001 to USD 1,413 in fiscal 2011 and to USD 2,150 in fiscal 2021. The biggest growth driver will be external trade, followed by household consumption.
10. ‘Unmesha’ and ‘Utkarsh’ festivals were inaugurated in which state/UT?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Goa
[C] Gujarat
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, is scheduled to visit Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, to inaugurate two events: the ‘Unmesha’ International Literature Festival and the ‘Utkarsh’ Festival of Folk and Tribal Performing Arts.
These events are organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Sahitya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi, respectively.