11. Which institution funds the project which has developed a robot to clean oil tanks?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Oil India
[C] IOCL
[D] BPCL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Oil India]
Notes:
Bengaluru -based start-up, Beta Tank Robotics, has developed a robot which can operate in oil tanks in petroleum refineries.
It was incubated at IIT Guwahati, and the project was funded by State-owned Oil India Limited. The robot does the job similar to a vacuum cleaner and thereby eliminates risks to human beings.
12. India agreed to constitute task force to boost cooperation in semiconductor industry with which country?
[A] USA
[B] Israel
[C] Australia
[D] Finland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
India and the USA have agreed to constitute task force to boost cooperation in semiconductor industry.
The task force will involve India’s Semiconductor Mission, India Electronics Semiconductor Association and the US Semiconductor Industry Association. This was announced during the inaugural meeting of the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).
13. ‘World Interfaith Harmony Week’ is being observed in which month?
[A] January
[B] February
[C] March
[D] April
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [February]
Notes:
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated the first seven days of February as World Interfaith Harmony Week in 2010.
The idea of World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the United Nations in 2010 by Jordan’s King Abdullah II. UNGA encourages all countries to voluntarily disseminate the message of interfaith tolerance and goodwill in accordance with their religious traditions.
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. 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.
16. Which Union Ministry implements the ‘FAME (faster adoption and manufacturing of electric vehicles) scheme’?
[A] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[B] Ministry of Heavy Industries
[C] Ministry of Science and Technology
[D] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Heavy Industries]
Notes:
Ministry of Heavy Industries implements the ‘FAME (faster adoption and manufacturing of electric vehicles) scheme’.
The government has nearly doubled its budgetary allocation for the FAME scheme to subsidise the purchase of electric vehicles. As per the budget, the subsidy under FAME scheme for fiscal 2024 is projected at Rs 5,172 crore, compared to the revised estimate of Rs 2,897 crore in the current fiscal year. This is the highest allocation under the scheme since its launch in 2020.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. ‘Eagle 44 (Oghab 44)’ is the first underground air force base of which country?
[A] Iran
[B] North Korea
[C] Israel
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Iran]
Notes:
The Eagle 44 (Oghab 44) is the first underground air force base of Iran. It is capable of housing fighter jets equipped with cruise missiles.
The unveiling of the Oghab 44 is seen as a display of Iran’s aerial military strength in response to a joint drill conducted by the US and Israel. It will host jets and drones equipped with long-range cruise missiles to destroy adversary targets in case of attack.
20. Which institution released regulatory measures on climate risks and sustainable finance?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Reserve bank of India
[C] Securities Exchange Board of India
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Reserve bank of India]
Notes:
The Reserve bank of India (RBI) has recently announced regulatory measures on climate risks and sustainable finance.
The new guidelines focused on creating a broad framework for promoting the acceptance of green deposits, a disclosure framework on financial risks associated with the climate crisis and guidelines for climate scenario analysis and stress testing.