41. 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.
42. 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.
43. Which state/UT celebrates the Losar Festival, to mark the Ladakhi New Year?
[A] Ladakh
[B] Assam
[C] West Bengal
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ladakh]
Notes:
Ladakh is celebrating Losar Festival on December 24, to mark the Ladakhi New Year. The Losar festivities continue for nine more days from the new year.
This is the major socio-religious festival of Ladakh celebrated in winter. The New Year is welcomed with dough Models of Ibex Sun and Moon and flour-painted lucky signs on the walls of the kitchen.
44. 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.
45. Which company has recently bagged 255 MW Hybrid (wind and solar) Project in Karnataka?
[A] ONGC
[B] Tata Power
[C] Reliance Power
[D] Adani Power
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tata Power]
Notes:
Tata Power’s subsidiary, Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL) has received the letter of award (LoA) from Tata Power Delhi Distribution to set up 255 megawatt (MW) hybrid (wind and solar) power project in Karnataka.
Tata Power Delhi Distribution (Tata Power-DDL) is a joint venture of Tata Power and the Government of NCT of Delhi.
46. Which country launched the ‘G20 Digital Innovation Alliance (G20-DIA)’?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Italy
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
As part of India’s G20 presidency, the Minister for Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw has launched the ‘G20 Digital Innovation Alliance” (G20-DIA)’.
He also launched the ‘Stay Safe Online’ campaign to increase awareness about the safe practices to be used while being online. MeitY is the Nodal Ministry for the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG). During India’s G20 presidency, MeitY will focus on three priority areas, namely Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Cyber Security, and Digital Skill Development.
47. What is the theme of the official Government of India Calendar for 2023?
[A] Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas
[B] Naya Varsh, Naye Sankalp
[C] Vikas Aur Vishwas
[D] New Hopes of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Naya Varsh, Naye Sankalp]
Notes:
Union Information and broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur released the Official Government of India Calendar for the year 2023.
It has 12 themes for the 12 months to highlight the efforts made by the Government towards public welfare. The calendar will showcase the achievements of the Government so far and the commitment for future, with the theme ‘Naya Varsh, Naye Sankalp’. It will be made available in 13 languages.
48. Which state assembly has recently passed ‘Lokayukta Bill’?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Gujarat
[C] Haryana
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The Maharashtra Assembly unanimously passed the Maharashtra Lokayukta Act, 2022, which will give additional powers to the Lokayukta to direct state agencies to probe public servants, including the chief minister and state ministers.
The government has accepted all the recommendations made by the committee led by social activist Anna Hazare. The Act will now be presented in the Legislative Council for approval.
49. U Kiang Nangbah, whose death anniversary was observed recently, was a freedom fighter from which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Meghalaya]
Notes:
Leaders and people of Meghalaya paid rich tribute to the Freedom Fighter U Kiang Nangbah on his 160th death anniversary.
U Kiang Nangbah had revolted against the British when Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills region were not part of India. He was hanged publicly at in Jowai town on December 30, 1862.
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.