11. Dholavira, which was seen in the news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Assam
[B] West Bengal
[C] Gujarat
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gujarat]
Notes:
Dholavira is believed to have been occupied around 3500 BC (pre-Harappan) till around 1800 BC. It was also named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2021.
The first G20 Tourism Working Group meeting will be held in Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. During the occasion, delegates will be taken on an excursion to Dholavira, the southern centre of the Harappan Civilisation. Representatives from United Nations’ World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), and International Labour Organisation (ILO) will also participate in the meeting.
12. Dust particles in which state are recently found to have heavy concentration of toxic metals?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] New Delhi
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jharkhand]
Notes:
Dust particles in Jamshedpur and adjoining areas in Jharkhand have a heavy concentration of toxic metals.
Though they are not carcinogenic, the particles pose a high health risk, especially for children. Thgis was revealed at a conference held by the state pollution control board and Ranchi Municipal Corporation in association with ASAR, an organisation working on clean air and environment. As of now, Ranchi does not have any government-operated continuous air quality monitoring system.
13. Union Sports Ministry formed an Oversight Committee to probe allegations against federation of which sports?
[A] Chess
[B] Wrestling
[C] Hockey
[D] Badminton
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Wrestling]
Notes:
Union Sports Ministry formed an Oversight Committee to probe allegations against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).
Former wrestler Babita Phogat has joined the Oversight Committee panel. The Oversight Committee is also conducting an enquiry into the allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, intimidation, financial irregularities and administrative lapses of WFI.
14. Who are the beneficiaries of the PM-VIKAS scheme announced in the Union Budget 2023?
[A] Teachers
[B] MSMEs
[C] Artisans
[D] Students
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Artisans]
Notes:
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new initiative for empowering the Vishwakarma community.
The PM VIKAS (Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman) yojana will provide support by providing skills training to artisans and craftsmen people engaged in traditional and skilled professions. The special package will help integrate them with MSME value chain.
15. Scientists from which institution sequenced the draft genome of four native Indian cow breeds?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IISc Bengaluru
[C] IISER Bhopal
[D] NIV Pune
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IISER Bhopal]
Notes:
Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, have sequenced the draft genome of four native Indian cow breeds.
For the first time, the genetic makeup of four native Indian cow breeds — Kasaragod Dwarf, Kasaragod Kapila, Vechur, and Ongole has been unravelled.
16. As per the recent guidelines of 2023, what is the minimum download speed of Broadband in India?
[A] 512 kbps
[B] 1 mbps
[C] 2 mbps
[D] 5 mbps
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2 mbps]
Notes:
According to a recent gazette notification, the government has revised the definition of broadband connectivity, specifying a higher minimum download speed of 2 megabits per second.
Earlier, the definition notified by the Telecom Department in 2013 had benchmarked it to 512 kbps (kilobits per second) as minimum download speed. As of November 30, 2022, India had about 825.4 million broadband subscribers, of which 793.5 million were wireless broadband users.
17. The government has agreed to convert Interest on dues of which company into Equity?
[A] Air India
[B] Vi
[C] Oppo
[D] Thomas Reuters
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vi]
Notes:
The government has agreed to convert Vodafone Idea’s accrued interest worth over Rs 16,000 crore on deferred adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues into equity at Rs 10 a share.
Earlier In October 2022, market regulator SEBI approved the conversion of Vodafone Idea dues into equity.
18. India agreed for trilateral cooperation initiative, in fields including energy, defence, economy, with which courtiers?
[A] France and UAE
[B] UAE and USA
[C] UAE and Israel
[D] Japan and Singapore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [France and UAE]
Notes:
India, France, UAE agreed to establish a formal trilateral cooperation, in fields including energy, defence, economy
The three countries said that they will explore the possibility of working with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to pursue actionable projects on clean energy, environment and biodiversity.
19. Ministry of Cooperation signed MoU with which Ministry to enable Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) function as Common Service Centers?
[A] Ministry of Science and Technology
[B] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[C] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[D] Ministry of Rural Development and Entrepreneurship
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Electronics and IT]
Notes:
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, NABARD and CSC e-Governance Services India Limited.
It aims to enable Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to provide services offered by Common Service Centers. Over 300 services will be made available to the rural population including 13 crore farmer members of PACS.
20. Which is the first Indian retailer to introduce Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)?
[A] Reliance Retail
[B] Titan
[C] Big Bazaar
[D] Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Reliance Retail]
Notes:
Reliance Retail has become the first Indian retailer to introduce Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), also known as digital rupee.
The company has piloted the use of Digital Rupee in one store in Mumbai, and is planning to make this facility available in all its stores in Mumbai within the next three to four months, in accordance with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) norms.