11. As per the Economic Survey, what is the budgeted expenditure on healthcare, as a percentage of GDP in FY23?
[A] 2.5 %
[B] 2.1 %
[C] 1.9 %
[D] 1.5 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2.1 %]
Notes:
As per the Economic Survey 2022-23, the central and state governments’ budgeted expenditure on healthcare touched 2.1 % of GDP in FY23 and 2.2% in FY22.
In FY21, the figure was only 1.6% in FY21. The Survey said that the share of expenditure on health in total expenditure on social services has risen from 21% in FY19 to 26 % in FY23 (BE). Out of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) as a percentage of total health expenditure has declined from 64.2% in FY14 to 48.2% in FY19.
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 implements the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana’ scheme?
[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Skill Development
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Minority Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Skill Development]
Notes:
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) implemented by National Skill Development Corporation.
The Union Budget 2023 aims to give a push to job creation through proposals such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 and setting up of 30 Skill India international centres to encourage expansion in businesses and industry.
14. What is the fixed interest rate of the ‘Mahila Samman Bachat Patra’ announced recently?
[A] 6.5%
[B] 7.0%
[C] 7.5%
[D] 8.0%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [7.5%]
Notes:
In the Union Budget 2023, Finance Minister announced Mahila Samman Bachat Patra, a one-time new small savings scheme, for a two-year period up to March 2025.
This initiative will avail a deposit facility for a woman up to Rs 2 lakh for two-year period at a fixed interest rate of 7.5% with partial withdrawal option. Maximum deposit limit of Senior Citizens’ Saving Scheme was increased from ₹15 lakh to ₹30 lakh.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. Vani Jairam, who passed away recently, was associated with which profession?
[A] Politician
[B] Sportsperson
[C] Singer
[D] Scientist
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Singer]
Notes:
National Award-winning legendary playback singer Vani Jairam passed away recently at the age of 78.
In a career spanning more than 50 years, Vani Jairam sang over 10,000 songs in several languages. The legendary singer was named for the Padma Bhushan the third-highest civilian award of the country by the Government of India, this year. Vani Jairam has won three National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer.
20. National Research Foundation is an autonomous agency that comes under the aegis of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Science and Technology
[B] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Education
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Science and Technology]
Notes:
National Research Foundation is an autonomous agency that comes under the aegis of Ministry of Science and Technology (DST).
The Union Budget 2023-24 has earmarked Rs.2,000 crore as an outlay for the National Research Foundation to boost research and innovation within India.