1. The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023 aims to expand the scope of the Forest (Conservation) Act enacted in which year?
[A] 1972
[B] 1980
[C] 1992
[D] 2002
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1980]
Notes:
The Lok Sabha has recently passed the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023. It aims to expand the scope of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
The Bill acknowledges India’s international commitments and the national target set by the country for achieving Net Zero Emission by 2070.
2. Which leader initiated the motion of no-confidence against the Union Government, which was accepted by the Lok Sabha Speaker?
[A] Pradyut Bordoloi
[B] Gaurav Gogoi
[C] Abdul Khaleque
[D] Jyotsna Mahant
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gaurav Gogoi]
Notes:
A no-confidence motion is a step typically taken by an Opposition party to compel the current government to demonstrate its majority in the House.
Recently, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accepted a motion of no-confidence against the government, which was initiated by Congress Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, after fulfilling the requisite headcount of 50 MPs as mandated by the rules.
3. Which state implements the ‘Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana’?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Under ‘Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana’, underprivileged women between 23 and 60 years were eligible for ₹1,000 every month.
However, after distributing two instalments the government decided that those completing 21 years from January this year would also be included. They should be married and fulfil the other existing eligibility criteria.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Which country has launched the ‘Young Professional Scheme’ for visas to Indians aged between 18 and 30?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Australia
[D] Canada
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UK]
Notes:
The British government has opened its second ballot under the UK-India Young Professional Scheme. This is a scheme for Indians aged between 18 and 30 years with graduate-level qualifications for visas to the United Kingdom.
It offers eligible young Indians the opportunity to live, work or study in UK for up to two years. This joint scheme between UK and India was formally launched this year in February. This scheme will enable candidates to enter the UK at any time while their visa is valid and leave or return anytime during their stay.
8. 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.
9. Which city hosted the ‘UK-India Defence and Military Technology Cooperation workshop’?
[A] New Delhi
[B] London
[C] Pune
[D] Liverpool
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [London]
Notes:
Recently, International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a London-based think tank, in collaboration with India’s Bharat Shakti defense platform, organized the UK-India Defence and Military Technology Cooperation workshop in London.
The workshop aimed to explore joint initiatives in defense research and industrial production, focusing on various themes such as the changing strategic context of UK-India defense relations, perspectives on India’s Atmanirbhar program, and the UK’s defense technology partnerships.
10. What is the name of the new forum created by OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Anthropic?
[A] Frontier Model Forum
[B] Learning Model Forum
[C] Knowledge Model Forum
[D] Public Model Forum
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Frontier Model Forum]
Notes:
OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Anthropic have teamed up to create the Frontier Model Forum, aiming to regulate the development of large machine learning models, particularly “frontier AI models” that surpass current advanced capabilities.
These foundation models pose potential risks to public safety, and the forum will focus on ensuring their safe and responsible development, collaborating with policymakers, academics, and companies to advance AI safety research and establish best practices for deploying such models.