41. As per a recent report, which sector has the maximum number of delayed projects?
[A] Railways
[B] Transport and highways sector
[C] Tele- communication
[D] Housing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Transport and highways sector]
Notes:
As per a recent report by the Centre, Transport and highways sector has the maximum number of delayed projects.
Of the 769 projects of the sector, 358 projects are delayed. The total original cost of implementation of the projects when sanctioned, was ₹4,33,744 crore, but this was subsequently anticipated at ₹4,60,524 crore with a cost overrun of 6.2%.
42. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) detected anomalies in updation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in which state/UT?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Assam]
Notes:
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has detected large-scale anomalies in the updation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam.
It also flagged the risk of data tampering due to improper software development for the exercise. The updation process of the 1951 NRC for Assam was done under the supervision of the Supreme Court. The updated final NRC was released on August 31, 2019 and it left out 1.9 million of the 33 million applicants on suspicion of their claims as Indian citizens.
43. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated banks in the country to renew their locker agreements by which date?
[A] January 1, 2023
[B] January 31, 2023
[C] March 31, 2023
[D] August 31, 2023
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [January 1, 2023]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated banks in the country to renew their locker agreements with existing locker customers by January 1, 2023.
All the existing locker depositors are required to furnish proof of eligibility for a renewed locker arrangement. RBI also advised the banks to install CCTV camera at entry and exit points of strong room and preserve its recording for a period of not less than 180 days.
44. Which Union Ministry released a policy draft for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics — Extended Reality (AVGC-XR)?
[A] Information and Broadcasting Ministry
[B] Science and Technology Ministry
[C] Electronics and IT Ministry
[D] Finance Ministry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Information and Broadcasting Ministry]
Notes:
Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry released a policy draft for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics — Extended Reality (AVGC-XR).
It has an aim to boost India’s domestic capacities and develop opportunities in AVGC-XR sector. The policy at state and national levels talks about the framing of a new curriculum at school and college levels, under ‘Create in India’ campaign and creating more job opportunities. The taskforce on AVGC-XR was formed under the aegis of I&B Ministry secretary Apurva Chandra.
45. 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.
46. Which institution has been named as ‘G20 Science working group’s secretariat’?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IIT Bombay
[C] IIT Delhi
[D] IISc Bengaluru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [IISc Bengaluru]
Notes:
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has been named as the secretariat for Science 20 (S20), one of the G20’s groupings.
The G20 is being presided over by India and the theme of the S20 in 2023 is ‘Disruptive Science for Innovative and Sustainable Development’. Discussions will take place throughout the year in various regions of India.
47. 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.
48. ‘Daksh’ is the payments fraud reporting module maintained by which institution?
[A] SEBI
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] RBI
[D] SBI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [RBI]
Notes:
Daksh is the advanced supervisory management system maintained by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
RBI recently announced that it is migrating the payments fraud reporting module to Daksh on January 1, 2023. The move aims to streamline reporting, enhance efficiency and automate the payments fraud management process.
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).