11. What is the total a capital outlay allotted for the Railways in the Union Budget 2023?
[A] Rs 1.4 lakh crore
[B] Rs 2.4 lakh crore
[C] Rs 3.4 lakh crore
[D] Rs 4.4 lakh crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rs 2.4 lakh crore]
Notes:
The Indian Railways has been allocated a capital outlay of Rs 2.4 lakh crore in the Union Budget 2023-24.
This is the highest ever allocation to the national transporter. Last year, a gross budgetary support of Rs 1.37 lakh crore was allotted in fiscal 2022-23.It is estimated that there is a need to lay 1 lakh kilometres of tracks over the coming 25 years as more goods movement shifts from roads to railways.
12. 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.
13. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently found 1,200-year-old idols in Nalanda, in which state?
[A] Bihar
[B] Gujarat
[C] Punjab
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bihar]
Notes:
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recently found 1,200-year-old idols in Nalanda in Bihar. They were found from a waterbody close to the ancient Nalanda University during desilting of a pond.
Nalanda Mahavihara is a world heritage site about 88 km from this place. The idols were found during desilting under Bihar government’s ‘Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali’ project launched to protect and conserve water and the environment.
14. India recently jumped to its highest spot of which rank in International Boxing Association’s (IBA) world ranking?
[A] First
[B] Second
[C] Third
[D] Fifth
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Third]
Notes:
India jumped to the third spot in the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) latest world ranking.
Indian boxing teams consistently finished amongst the top 5 countries at global multi-nation tournaments such as World Championships, Asian Games and the Common wealth games.
15. Ministry of Textiles is implementing ‘Enhancing Circularity and Sustainability’ project in collaboration with which institution?
[A] UNICEF
[B] UNEP
[C] World Bank
[D] UNESCO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UNEP]
Notes:
Ministry of Textiles is implementing ‘Enhancing Circularity and Sustainability’ project in collaboration with United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
The main objective of the project is to minimize the negative environmental impacts of Indian Textile by promoting sustainable practices and mainstreaming knowledge on circular production based practices in the Textiles and Apparel sectors. Government also approved 20 strategic research projects in the areas of Specialty fibres and geo textiles.
16. 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.
17. Which city launched ‘Digital India Van’ as a part of the meeting of G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG)?
[A] Pune
[B] Lucknow
[C] Ahmedabad
[D] Kochi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lucknow]
Notes:
Lucknow will host the first meeting of the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG). A Digital India Mobile Van has been introduced with respect to the meeting.
The Digital India Mobile Van will tour other cities in the country, enlightening citizens about G20 DEWG and Digital India’s key initiatives including PMJDY, DigiLocker, Aadhaar, UMANG, e-Way Bill, e-Aushadhi, Aarogya Setu, Co-WIN, e-Rupi, and India Stack Global.
18. Which country is India’s top destination for goods exports during April-Dec 2022?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] USA
[C] UAE
[D] Singapore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that the US has emerged as India’s top destination for merchandise exports during April-December this fiscal at USD 59.7 billion.
The US was followed by UAE (USD 23.31 billion); Netherlands (USD 14.1 billion); China (USD 11 billion); Singapore and Bangladesh (about USD 9 billion each).
19. Which state budget announced a road map for setting up green hydrogen hubs with outlay of Rs 200 crores?
[A] Telangana
[B] Kerala
[C] Assam
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
The Budget presented by Kerala announced a road map for setting up green hydrogen hubs in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram in the next two years.
A scheme of ₹200 crore has been announced for viability gap funding/grant/equity support to set up the green hydrogen hubs. An amount of ₹20 crore is earmarked additionally for the purpose in the Budget.
20. When is the ‘International Day of Human Fraternity’ observed?
[A] February 2
[B] February 4
[C] February 6
[D] February 8
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [February 4]
Notes:
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity in 2020.
It celebrates the values of compassion, religious understanding, and mutual respect. On the occasion, the UN chief called for renewed commitment to form an ‘alliance of peace’ amid a surge in hate speech, sectarianism and strife.