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 state recent passed the ‘Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act’?
[A] Odisha
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Telangana
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttarakhand]
Notes:
The Governor of Uttarakhand, Lt. Gen. (Retired) Gurmit Singh, approved the State’s Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act.
According to the amended bill, forced conversion in the State will come under the category of crime. Apart from a maximum imprisonment of up to ten years, those persons indulging in forceful and unlawful conversion in Uttarakhand will be slapped with a fine of at least Rs 50,000.
43. Which institution recommends the minimum support prices (MSPs) for 22 products in India?
[A] Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices
[B] Food Corporation of India
[C] Agricultural produce market committee
[D] Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices]
Notes:
The minimum support prices are announced by the Government of India at the beginning of the sowing season for 22 crops on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
The Union Cabinet approved minimum support prices (MSPs) for copra for 2023 season, based on recommendations of CACP and prices and views of major coconut-growing states. MSP is fixed at Rs 10,860 per quintal for milling copra and at Rs 11,750 per quintal for ball copra.
44. India has agreed to start negotiations for a free trade agreement with which neighbouring country?
[A] China
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bangladesh]
Notes:
India and Bangladesh agreed to start negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) at an early date. The decision was taken in a meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and his Bangladeshi counterpart Tipu Munshi.
A joint feasibility study on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), has been carried out after the two countries agreed to explore the possibility of negotiating a trade pact. The bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh increased to USD 18.2 billion in 2021-22.
45. 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.
46. 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.
47. Which institution initiated a study of fees and expenses of Mutual Funds?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] PM-EAC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SEBI]
Notes:
Capital markets regulator SEBI said that it has initiated a detailed study of fees and expenses charged by mutual funds.
The study would seek to encourage new participants, encourage adoption of technology, discourage cross subsidisation across schemes, close arbitrage opportunities, and curbing malpractices if any in the practice.
48. Home Affairs Ministry and which state signed cessation of operations agreement with ZUF armed group?
[A] Manipur
[B] Assam
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Manipur]
Notes:
The Union government and the Manipur government have signed a cessation of operations agreement with the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF).
ZUF is a Manipur-based Naga armed group, which has been demanding a separate State for the Zeliangrong Naga tribe. The agreement seeks rehabilitation and re-settlement of the armed cadres.
49. Which neighbouring country of India has recently inaugurated its first ever metro rail line?
[A] Bhutan
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Nepal
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bangladesh]
Notes:
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the country’s first ever metro rail line in its capital city Dhaka.
Dhaka is regarded as one of the world’s most densely populated cities. The Metro project has been mostly funded by Japan and the train network has been in development for nearly 10 years.
50. 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.