11. 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.
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. The government has agreed to convert Interest on dues of which company into Equity?
[A] Air India
[B] Vi
[C] Oppo
[D] Thomas Reuters
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vi]
Notes:
The government has agreed to convert Vodafone Idea’s accrued interest worth over Rs 16,000 crore on deferred adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues into equity at Rs 10 a share.
Earlier In October 2022, market regulator SEBI approved the conversion of Vodafone Idea dues into equity.
14. Under the FAME scheme, which state topped the list of states buying Electric vehicles?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Maharashtra tops the list in sales of electric vehicles across all segments which have availed of the FAME II subsidy.
It is followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The top five states collectively account for over 56 per cent of the 0.85 million electric vehicles bought through the scheme, according to government data. Under the FAME II scheme, the government earmarked Rs 10,000 crore as a subsidy to electric vehicles. The scheme has been extended till March-end 2024.
15. 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.
16. 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.
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. What is the expansion of ‘GLOFs’, which are sudden and powerful releases of water?
[A] Global Level Outburst Floods
[B] Glacial Lake Outburst Floods
[C] Glacier Local Outburst Floods
[D] Geological Lake Outburst Floods
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Glacial Lake Outburst Floods]
Notes:
Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, or GLOFs, are sudden and powerful releases of water from glacial lakes due to the failure of a dam made of glacial materials.
GLOFs are dangerous in mountainous areas, where they can lead to flash floods, landslides, and other environmental risks. According to a new study, over 3 million individuals in India are at risk from GLOF.
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.