41. 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.
42. The text of UN biodiversity pact, which was released recently, has how many action-oriented global targets?
[A] 17
[B] 23
[C] 35
[D] 42
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [23]
Notes:
After the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by 196 parties was agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the final text of the framework has been released.
The framework, released Montreal city in Canada, includes four goals and 23 action-oriented global targets for urgent action to be achieved by 2030. It also has four long-term goals for 2050 related to the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity.
43. 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.
44. ‘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.
45. India has planned to drop use of US dollar, euro in bilateral trade, with which country?
[A] China
[B] Russia
[C] Japan
[D] UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
Russia and India planned to drop all use of the US dollar and the euro in bilateral settlements and conduct all trade transactions in rupee and rouble.
As per the officials, it is necessary to address the imbalance in trade for a full-fledged transition to national currencies.
46. 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.
47. Who is the only Indian player in the top 25 in Forbes’ annual list of the highest-paid female athletes in the world?
[A] Mary Kom
[B] P V Sindhu
[C] Mirabai Chanu
[D] Sania Mirza
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [P V Sindhu]
Notes:
Indian badminton star PV Sindhu is the only Indian player in the top 25 in Forbes’ annual list of the highest-paid female athletes in the world.
The 27-year-old made 7 million US Dollars of her earnings, after having won a singles gold and doubles silver at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year in Birmingham. Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka tops the list, for the third straight year.
48. 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.
49. 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.
50. What species is ‘Solanum scalarium’ which was recently discovered in Australia?
[A] Potato
[B] Tomato
[C] Onion
[D] Turmeric
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tomato]
Notes:
The newly-discovered species named ‘Solanum scalarium’ belongs to Solanum, a large genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae.
Solanum is the most species-rich genus in the family Solanaceae and among the largest in the angiosperms or flowering plants. Solanum includes the potato, the tomato and the eggplant (brinjal or aubergine).