41. Which Ministry is associated with ‘One Rank One Pension (OROP)’ scheme?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Defence
[C] Ministry of Finance
[D] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Defence]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved pending One Rank One Pension (OROP) revision for retirees from armed forces and their families.
The scheme has been delayed since July 2019. Arrears will be paid from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022 which is approximately ₹23,638 crore. As per the Defence Ministry, over 25.13 lakh people, including over 4.52 lakh new beneficiaries, armed forces pensioners and family pensioners will benefit.
42. Which businessperson is the major stake holder of NDTV, as of December 2022?
[A] Ratan Tata
[B] Gautam Adani
[C] Mukesh Ambani
[D] Uday Kotak
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gautam Adani]
Notes:
New Delhi Television Ltd (NDTV) founders Prannoy Roy and his wife Radhika Roy said that they have decided to transfer most of their shares in the company to billionaire Gautam Adani.
With this the control of about 65% of the news broadcaster will be transferred to Adani, while Radhika and Prannoy Roy will retain a combined 5% stake in NDTV.
43. ‘Veer Bal Diwas’ observed to mark the martyrdom of the sons of which Sikh Guru?
[A] Guru Gobind Singh
[B] Guru Arjan
[C] Guru Hargobind
[D] Guru Tegh Bahadur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Guru Gobind Singh]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid respects to Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, the sons of Tenth Sikh Guru Guru Gobind Singh’s sons who laid down their lives while defending their faith.
December 26 is observed as Veer Bal Diwas in Idia. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee as well as Akal Takht, the highest temporal body of the Sikhs, opposed the government’s initiative.
44. Which institution has recently cautioned that India’s fiscal space is at risk?
[A] World Bank
[B] IMF
[C] WEF
[D] ADB
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IMF]
Notes:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) cautioned that India’s fiscal space is at risk, in its Article IV consultation report.
IMF also called for a more ambitious and well-communicated consolidation to ensure medium-term fiscal sustainability. It called for further structural reforms, including addressing the adverse impact of climate change, to secure strong and sustainable growth.
45. The ‘National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS)’ is an initiative of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Rural Development
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
[C] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[D] Ministry of Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Rural Development]
Notes:
National Mobile Monitoring Software (NMMS) App was launched by the Minister of Rural Development in 2021.
Digitally capturing the attendance of workers employed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGREGS) has been made universal from January 1, 2023. The attendance is captured through National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) mobile application.
46. What are ‘Samudra Shaudhikama and Samudra Kaustabh’, which were seen in the news?
[A] Naval Drones
[B] Surveyor ships
[C] Battle Ship
[D] Anti-submarine warfare carrier
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Surveyor ships]
Notes:
The Union Mines Ministry approved the purchase of two new surveyor ships, to replace RV Samudra Shaudhikama and RV Samudra Kaustabh.
The new ships would conduct marine surveys for the Geological Survey of India (GSI). The RV Samudra Shaudhikama and RV Samudra Kaustabh were built in the Netherlands and commissioned in 1984.
47. India signed USD 125 million loan deal with which institution to improve urban services in Tamil Nadu?
[A] ADB
[B] AIIB
[C] World Bank
[D] WEF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ADB]
Notes:
The Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a USD 125 million loan to improve urban services in Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu Urban Flagship Investment Program seeks to develop climate-resilient sewage collection and treatment, and drainage and water supply systems in three cities in the state. This is the third and the last tranche of the USD 500 million multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) for the Program approved by ADB in 2018.
48. Which Union Ministry has been approved as the nodal ministry for matters relating to online gaming?
[A] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Science and Technology
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Electronics and IT]
Notes:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has been appointed as the nodal ministry for matters relating to online gaming with monetary risks.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has been tasked with regulating esports (video games not involving money). India’s gaming market is currently estimated at USD 2.6 billion and expected to be worth USD 8.6 billion by 2027.
49. The Indian Army has handed over first-ever 3D printed houses for soldiers at which city?
[A] Leh
[B] Ahmedabad
[C] Jaisalmer
[D] Tawang
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ahmedabad]
Notes:
The Indian Army has offered the first 3D printed houses for soldiers at Ahmedabad Cantt. They are constructed by the Military Engineering Services (MES) in collaboration with MiCoB Pvt Ltd.
The dwelling unit, with a ground floor plus one configuration are not only cheap but can be constructed in less time. Construction work of the dwelling unit with garage space and first floor was completed in 12 weeks.
50. Which Indian institution’s degree won silver prize in ‘Best Online Program’ category in Wharton-QS Reimagine Education Awards?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IIT Bombay
[C] IISc Bengaluru
[D] IIT Kharagpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [IIT Madras]
Notes:
The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras’ (IIT-M) BS in Data Science and Applications has won a silver prize in the ‘Best Online Program’ category in the Wharton-QS Reimagine Education Awards.
It is also referred to as ‘the Oscars of Education.’ NPTEL (National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning), a joint initiative of IITs and IISc, won the Gold in the ‘Lifelong Learning category.’ NPTEL is led by IIT Madras and is funded by the Ministry of Education.