11. What is the agricultural credit target for the current fiscal year 2023-24, as per the Union budget?
[A] Rs 15 lakh core
[B] Rs 20 lakh crore
[C] Rs 25 lakh core
[D] Rs 30 lakh crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rs 20 lakh crore]
Notes:
As per the Union budget 2023-24, the government proposed to increase the agricultural credit target to ₹20 lakh crore with a focus on animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries.
The target has been increased from Rs 18 lakh crore, with an increase of 11.11% year on year. An Agriculture Accelerator Fund will be set up to encourage agri-startups by young entrepreneurs. The agriculture sector has been growing at an average annual growth rate of 4.6 per cent in the last six years.
12. Which institution conducted the ‘G20 Cyber Security Exercise and Drill’?
[A] NASSCOM
[B] CERT-In
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] CDAC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [CERT-In]
Notes:
The Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), inaugurated the G20 Cyber Security Exercise and Drill.
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) conducted the Cyber Security Exercise and drill in hybrid mode under India’s G20 presidency. Over 400 domestic and international participants attended the drill.
13. Which Union Ministry released the ‘E-Waste (Management) Amendment Rules, 2023’?
[A] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[B] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[C] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]
Notes:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), issued the E-Waste (Management) Amendment Rules, 2023.
It seeks to amend the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, by adding Cadmium and lead in Solar panels, solar Photovoltaic panels among others. They will come into force from April 01, 2023.
14. 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.
15. Which state has initiated serious action on child marriage and arrested over 2000 people?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] Odisha
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Assam]
Notes:
Assam state government has initiated action on child marriage. The state police have so far arrested nearly 2,500 people for marrying minor girls or facilitating such marriages.
Assam Cabinet earlier decided to book men who marry girls aged below 14 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Those who marry girls in the age group of 14-18 years will be tried under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
16. BIND Scheme, which was seen in the news, is associated with which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Defence
[B] Ministry of MSME
[C] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[D] Ministry of Power
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]
Notes:
Of the Rs 1,100 crore estimated for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Rs 600 crore has been set aside for the recently announced Broadcasting Infrastructure and Network Development (BIND) Scheme.
The scheme has a total outlay of over Rs 2,500 crore. The scheme aims to boost public sector broadcasting in the country and focuses on infrastructure development of Prasar Bharati, including All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD).
17. Which African country recently joined the India-led International Solar Alliance?
[A] Nigeria
[B] Congo
[C] Morocco
[D] Senegal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Congo]
Notes:
Congo has recently joined the India-led International Solar Alliance. The Ambassador of Republic of Congo signed the International Solar Alliance Framework Agreement.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country in Central Africa bordered by the South Atlantic Ocean. DRC is the second-largest country in Africa by area.
18. 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.
19. ‘High Mobility Artillery Rocket System’ (HIMARS) is manufactured by which country?
[A] France
[B] Israel
[C] USA
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [USA]
Notes:
The US State Department gave the nod for the sale of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers to Poland.
The HIMARS and the related equipment will be sold to Poland at a cost of around USD 10 billion. HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a type of artillery system that can fire long-range rockets with pinpoint accuracy. It has been used in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
20. National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) functions under which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of Rural Development and Entrepreneurship
[D] Ministry of Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Commerce and Industry]
Notes:
National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) is an apex government body that comes under the aegis of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
It is responsible for development of industrial corridors like Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, Bengaluru – Mumbai Industrial Corridor and others. The Indian Government has sanctioned and approved 8 projects under NICDIT.