41. ‘Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of which country?
[A] Bangladesh
[B] Nepal
[C] Maldives
[D] Mauritius
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nepal]
Notes:
Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari appointed CPN-Maoist Centre chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ as the new Prime Minister of Nepal.
Prachanda has been appointed as the Prime Minister of Nepal as per the Article 76 Clause 2 of the Constitution. There has been an understanding between Prachanda and Oli to lead the government on rotation basis.
42. Which institution has set up ‘Central Excise and Service Tax Settlement Commission’?
[A] SEBI
[B] CBIC
[C] CBDT
[D] Enforcement Directorate
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [CBIC]
Notes:
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has constituted Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax Settlement Commission.
It aims to resolve and settle the show-cause notices issued under the Customs Act, Central Excise Act and Service Tax regime. This move would ensure speedy disposal of cases under the old indirect tax regime.
43. Sitiveni Rabuka has been elected as the Prime Minister of which country?
[A] Maldives
[B] Fiji
[C] Indonesia
[D] Singapore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fiji]
Notes:
Sitiveni Rabuka has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Fiji, after his People’s Alliance party secured the backing of Social Liberal Democratic party.
Frank Bainimarama’s reign as leader of Fiji has ended almost 16 years since he made himself as the Prime Minister after a coup in 2006.
44. Which country’s President outlined a 10-point peace plan recently?
[A] Russia
[B] Ukraine
[C] USA
[D] North Korea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ukraine]
Notes:
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has outlined a 10-point peace plan to end the war with Russia.
He has been promoting his 10-point peace plan, discussing it with U.S. President Joe Biden among others. He also urged the the world leaders to hold a Global Peace Summit based on it. Zelenskiy announced his peace formula at a November summit of the Group of 20 major economies.
45. International Carbon Exchange Private Ltd (ICX) is the wholly-owned subsidiary of which institution?
[A] Power Exchange India Limited
[B] Indian Energy Exchange
[C] NTPC Limited
[D] REC Limited
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Energy Exchange]
Notes:
Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) announced to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary, International Carbon Exchange Private Ltd (ICX).
ICX will enable participants to buy and sell voluntary carbon credits at competitive prices through its platform and facilitate reduction of global green house gases emission by 45% by 2030.
46. Which country has ordered its judges to fully enforce aspects of ‘Sharia system’?
[A] Iran
[B] Iraq
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Afghanistan]
Notes:
Afghanistan’s supreme leader has ordered judges to fully enforce aspects of the Sharia system. It is the Islamic law that include public executions, stonings, floggings and the amputation of limbs for thieves among others.
‘Hudud’ refers to offences for which certain types of punishment are mandated under Islamic Law, while ‘Qisas’ is translated as retaliation in kind.
47. 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.
48. The first consignment under the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) was flagged off which state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The first consignment under the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) was flagged off from Chennai.
Another flagging off ceremony of the export consignments from Tamil Nadu under ECTA was held on at Ennore Adani Container Terminal, in Tamil Nadu. The pact will boost overall bilateral trade and benefit various labour intensive sectors of India as import duty from existing 5% becomes zero.
49. As per the report by Save the Children, which country is amongst the most hungry countries in the world?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Afghanistan
[C] South Sudan
[D] Central African Republic
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Afghanistan]
Notes:
According to a report by Save the Children, the number of people facing hunger in Afghanistan increased from 2.25 million people in 2019 to 6.6 million in 2022.
Afghanistan is suffering from a severe hunger crisis and is now counted amongst the top eight countries worst hit by hunger. The eight countries include Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, DRC, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen.
50. Election Commission has initiated the delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies in which state?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Assam
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Assam]
Notes:
The Election Commission has initiated the delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Assam.
It will use the 2001 census figures for the readjustment of seats. The move to redraw the assembly and parliamentary seats of Assam as per Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 has been initiated after a request from the Union Law Ministry.