11. Indian Railways introduces ‘Garvi tour’ under Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat Scheme to showcase heritage of which state?
[A] Punjab
[B] Gujarat
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
Indian Railways introduced Garvi Gujarat tour under Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat Scheme to showcase heritage of Gujarat.
This Bharat Gaurav Deluxe AC Tourist Train with 1st AC and 2nd AC Class will be operated for eight days inclusive tour. It can accommodate one hundred and 56 tourists onboard. It includes visit to prominent pilgrimage and heritage sites of Gujarat including the Statue of Unity, Champaner, Somnath, Dwarka, Nageshwar, Beyt Dwarka, Ahmedabad, Modhera and Patan.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. Kiruna, which was seen in the news, is a small town located in which country?
[A] Switzerland
[B] Sweden
[C] Argentina
[D] Ukraine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sweden]
Notes:
Kiruna is a town in northern Sweden that houses over 18,000 individuals and a tonne wooden church.
This town is currently under threat of being consumed by the world’s largest iron ore mine that is under the control of the Swedish state-owned company LKAB. This entire town is currently being relocated and it is considered as one of the significant relocations happened in the world.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Which country is the host of the ‘International Marine Protected Areas Congress’ in 2023?
[A] Canada
[B] Australia
[C] Chile
[D] Argentina
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Canada]
Notes:
Experts at the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress in Canada have recommended the setting up of Marine Protected Areas.
Marine protected areas are regions in the ocean where human activities are regulated by the government. These protected areas are set up to address issues such as pollution, litter, overfishing, and climate change.
18. Who is the chairperson of the special committee to examine the need for a separate competition law for digital companies?
[A] Manoj Govil
[B] Ashwini Vaishnaw
[C] Nirmala Sitharaman
[D] Ramesh Chand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Manoj Govil]
Notes:
The government has set up a special committee to examine the need for a separate competition law for digital companies.
Chaired by Corporate Affairs Secretary Manoj Govil, the committee will review whether existing antitrust laws in the country are equipped to deal with the challenges that have emerged from the digital economy, and submit to the government a draft Digital Competition Act within three months.
19. Which institution has released operational guidelines on green bonds?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] IRDAI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SEBI]
Notes:
Capital market regulator SEBI has launched operational guidelines on green bonds asking issuers to make additional disclosures along with its annual report and financial results.
The disclosures are pertaining to environmental sustainability objectives of such debt securities in the offer document. In addition, issuers of green bonds will have to disclose brief details of decision-making process followed for determining the eligibility of projects.
20. ‘Operation Aag’ is associated with which state Police?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala Police have recently arrested 113 people who were accused in various criminal cases, under ‘Operation Aag’.
The raids are being held to arrest those who were placed under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act. Other initiatives of the state police include ‘Pink patrol’ which is specifically for women’s safety, ‘Prasanthi’ for senior citizens among others.