41. Lok Sabha passed Constitution (ST) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill for inclusion of Scheduled Tribes in which state?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
Lok Sabha passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, for the inclusion of the thirteen communities, in the list of Scheduled Tribes in relation to the state of Chhattisgarh.
The government has identified 75 particularly vulnerable tribal groups, PVTGs across the country. He said, out of these only nine were listed and the Government is working on the remaining communities.
42. Veer Guardian 2023 Exercise is a maiden bilateral air exercise set to be held between India and which country?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] France
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Japan]
Notes:
Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) are set to hold their maiden bilateral air exercise, Veer Guardian 23.
The exercise will be held at Hyakuri air base and Iruma air base in Japan in January 2023. It aims to promote mutual understanding and strengthen defence cooperation between the Air Forces.
43. Which company signed agreements to acquire Metro Cash & Carry?
[A] Tata Consumer Products
[B] Reliance Retail Ventures
[C] Godrej Consumer
[D] Avenue Supermarts
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Reliance Retail Ventures]
Notes:
Reliance Retail Ventures has signed agreements to acquire 100% equity in Metro AG’s Metro Cash & Carry India, for Rs 2,850 crore.
Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd., Metro India was the first company to introduce cash-and-carry business format in the country, when it was launched in 2003. It currently operates 31 large format stores across 21 cities.
44. Which country has announced to provide its key Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine?
[A] USA
[B] China
[C] Israel
[D] UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
The United States has announced that it would provide its key Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine.
The Patriot missile system can be used as a shield against short-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and incoming jets. The package also includes military vehicles, mortars, ammunition for HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems), and small arms.
45. Union Cabinet decided to provide free food-grains to all beneficiaries covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA), till which date?
[A] March 2023
[B] August 2023
[C] December 2023
[D] March 2024
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [December 2023]
Notes:
Union Cabinet decided to provide free food-grains to all 81 crore beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) till December 2023.
The beneficiary families which used to pay ₹1 for coarse cereals, ₹2 for wheat and ₹3 for rice per kg will now get 35kg of food-grains free for the next one year and others will get 5kg for free in a month till December 2023. The Centre has estimated an additional amount of ₹2 lakh crore for the scheme.
46. Which company along with World Economic Forum (WEF) launched ‘Aquapreneur’ Global Fresh Water Innovation Challenge?
[A] Tata Motors
[B] HCL
[C] Amazon
[D] Meta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [HCL]
Notes:
HCL Corporation and World Economic Forum (WEF) launched the ‘Aquapreneur’ Global Fresh Water Innovation Challenge.
HCL Corporation partnered with UpLink, the open innovation platform of the World Economic Forum, to announce the five-year-long Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative. The USD 15 million ‘Aquaprenuer-Global Fresh Water Innovation Challenge’ is attracting interest from startups from regions like India and the rest of the world.
47. Who has been appointed as the Chairman of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)?
[A] Naresh Kumar
[B] Santosh Kumar Yadav
[C] Ajay Bhadoo
[D] Vibhu Nayar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Santosh Kumar Yadav]
Notes:
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has appointed senior bureaucrat Santosh Kumar Yadav as Chairman.
Santosh Kumar Yadav, a 1995-batch IAS officer is currently additional secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
48. As per IMF’s recent Article IV Consultation report, what is the forecast for India’s economic growth in FY24?
[A] 6.1 %
[B] 7.1 %
[C] 8.1 %
[D] 8.5 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [6.1 %]
Notes:
As per the Article IV Consultation report is based on International Monetary Fund bilateral discussions with the Indian authorities.
As per the report, for India’s economic growth is expected to moderate to 6.1% in FY24 from 6.8% estimated for the current fiscal because of high oil prices, weaker external demand, and tighter financial conditions. IMF cautioned that the emergence of a more contagious coronavirus variant could impact trade and growth further.
49. As of 2022, what is the minimum wage fixed for labourers in India?
[A] Rs 148 per day
[B] Rs 178 per day
[C] Rs 202 per day
[D] Rs 308 per day
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rs 178 per day]
Notes:
In India, the minimum wage for labourers has been fixed at Rs 178 per day. The labour ministry is considering a shift from the minimum wage to a living wage.
As per reports, India could seek help from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to arrive at living wages. A minimum wage is the amount required for subsistence and is set by law while the living wage is necessary for workers to meet their basic living requirements. The difference between the two may range from 10 to 25 per cent.
50. As per the report by Save the Children, which country is amongst the most hungry countries in the world?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Afghanistan
[C] South Sudan
[D] Central African Republic
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Afghanistan]
Notes:
According to a report by Save the Children, the number of people facing hunger in Afghanistan increased from 2.25 million people in 2019 to 6.6 million in 2022.
Afghanistan is suffering from a severe hunger crisis and is now counted amongst the top eight countries worst hit by hunger. The eight countries include Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, DRC, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen.