11. ‘Ekushey Boi Mela’ is the largest book fair organised in which country?
[A] Nepal
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Myanmar
[D] Thailand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bangladesh]
Notes:
The biggest book fair of Bangladesh ‘Ekushey Boi Mela’ was inaugurated in Dhaka by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The theme of this year’s book fair is ‘Poro Boi, Goro Desh: Bangbandhur Bangladesh’- Read books, build the country, a country of Bangabandhu’s dream. The Prime Minister also distributed the Bangla Academy Award 2022 in recognition of the literary works in Bangla.
12. Which Union Ministry along with the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment implements the NAMASTE scheme?
[A] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[B] Ministry of Rural Development
[C] Ministry of MSME
[D] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]
Notes:
NAMASTE is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) as a joint initiative of the MoSJE and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
NAMASTE stands for National Action Plan for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem). This year’s Union Budget has allotted Rs 100 crore to the scheme. Finance Minister announced that the government is looking to enable 100% mechanical de-sludging of septic tanks and sewers in all cities and towns.
13. Which state inaugurated the ‘MV Ganga Vihar floating restaurant’?
[A] Bihar
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] West Bengal
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bihar]
Notes:
Bihar Deputy Chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav inaugurated the MV Ganga Vihar at NIT Ghat in Bihar.
The floating restaurant operated by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC). The two-storied floating restaurant has a restaurant on the ground floor with a seating capacity of 48 people along with a VIP lounge and a private lounge on the top floor.
14. Which country announced India as the theme country at its 2025 International Book Fair?
[A] Sweden
[B] Spain
[C] Germany
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Spain]
Notes:
India will be invited as the theme country at the Madrid International Book Fair in 2025, the Ambassador of Spain to the country Jose Maria Ridao.
Spain is the theme country at the 46th International Kolkata Book Fair, which began recently. As part of the cultural exchange between the two countries, Spain has donated books to five universities in Bengal.
15. ‘VIHANGAM’ Web portal, which was seen in the news, is associated with which field?
[A] Digital Currency
[B] Drone technology
[C] E-Sports
[D] Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Drone technology]
Notes:
Coal India arm, Mahanadi Coal Fields (MCL) MCL has introduced drone technology in coal mines for environmental monitoring, volume measurement and digital mapping of mines.
The technology has been introduced through the launch of a web-based portal ‘VIHANGAM’ along with a drone and ground control system. The portal allows an authorised person to access real time drone video from the mine through a dedicated internet lease line near the mines.
16. Medium-density Amorphous Ice, which was seen in the news, was created in a container filled with which material?
[A] Plastic
[B] Stainless Steel
[C] Water
[D] Paper
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Stainless Steel]
Notes:
Medium-density Amorphous (MDA) Ice is a new form of ice that was recently discovered by scientists. This ice has same density and structure as water.
The ice was created by scientists in a container with stainless steel balls at a -200°C. The MDA ice does not have any ordered structure. It will provide the opportunity to improve the understanding of the properties of water.
17. ‘India Energy Week’ is observed in India, during which month?
[A] September
[B] December
[C] February
[D] June
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [February]
Notes:
The India Energy Week is being organized from February 6 to 8 in India. The objective of this week-long event is to showcase India’s influence as a leader in the energy transition.
While inaugurating the 2023 India Energy Week, Prime Minister Modi launched Indian Oil’s ‘Unbottled’ initiative, which involves using recycled polyester and cotton for creating retail customer attendants and LPG delivery personnel uniforms. Indian Oil’s Indoor Solar Cooking System was also rolled out for commercial purposes.
18. Kiruna, which was seen in the news, is a small town located in which country?
[A] Switzerland
[B] Sweden
[C] Argentina
[D] Ukraine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sweden]
Notes:
Kiruna is a town in northern Sweden that houses over 18,000 individuals and a tonne wooden church.
This town is currently under threat of being consumed by the world’s largest iron ore mine that is under the control of the Swedish state-owned company LKAB. This entire town is currently being relocated and it is considered as one of the significant relocations happened in the world.
19. The Union Budget 2023-24 has allocated Rs. 2,516 crore for the computerization of which unit, over the next 5 years?
[A] State Cooperative Banks
[B] District central cooperative banks
[C] Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
[D] Multi-state Cooperative Banks
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Primary Agricultural Credit Societies]
Notes:
The Union Budget 2023-24 has allocated Rs. 2,516 crore for the computerization of 63,000 PACS over the next 5 years.
Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) are village-level cooperative credit societies that act as the last link to the 3-tier cooperative credit structure, which is headed by the State Cooperative Bank or SCB. Credit from the SCB is transferred to the district central cooperative banks (DCCBs), which will then transfer the credit to the PACS.
20. ‘TReDS’ is an electronic platform that facilitates the transactions for which entitites?
[A] Pharma companies
[B] Exporters
[C] MSMEs
[D] Banks
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [MSMEs]
Notes:
The Trade Receivable Discounting System (TReDS) is an electronic platform that facilitates the financing or discounting, trading and settling invoices of the MSMEs.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to expand the scope of the TReDS to allow the use of insurance facilities. This will facilitate secondary market operations on the TReDS.