11. Which institution releases ‘Food Price Index’ which tracks the most globally traded food commodities?
[A] World Bank
[B] FAO
[C] World Economic Forum
[D] NITI Aayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [FAO]
Notes:
The United Nations food agency, the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) price index tracks the most globally traded food commodities.
As per the recent FAO Food Price Index (FFPI), World food prices decline for 10th month as recorded in January- FAO Food Price Index (FFPI). The index averaged 131.2 points in January against 132.4 for December.
12. Which tech major has invested nearly USD 400 million in artificial intelligence start-up Anthropic AI?
[A] Samsung
[B] Microsoft
[C] Meta
[D] Google
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Google]
Notes:
Google has invested nearly USD 400 million in artificial intelligence start-up Anthropic AI. The two companies announced a partnership that will see the AI start-up use Google’s cloud computing services.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei announced that they would use Google Cloud to build reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems and to create a robust AI platform.
13. Ministry of Textiles is implementing ‘Enhancing Circularity and Sustainability’ project in collaboration with which institution?
[A] UNICEF
[B] UNEP
[C] World Bank
[D] UNESCO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UNEP]
Notes:
Ministry of Textiles is implementing ‘Enhancing Circularity and Sustainability’ project in collaboration with United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).
The main objective of the project is to minimize the negative environmental impacts of Indian Textile by promoting sustainable practices and mainstreaming knowledge on circular production based practices in the Textiles and Apparel sectors. Government also approved 20 strategic research projects in the areas of Specialty fibres and geo textiles.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
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. The GDP growth rate of which neighbouring country of India was recorded at 7.10 percent for FY22?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Pakistan
[D] Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bangladesh]
Notes:
Bangladesh recorded a 7.10 percent GDP growth rate for the Financial Year (FY) 2022 which marks an increase from 6.94 percent in FY 2021 and 3.45 percent in FY 2020.
As per the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the per capita income of Bangladesh is USD 2793. The service sector in the Bangladesh economy has the highest share of 51.48 percent.
19. Tejaswin Shankar, who was seen in the news, is associated with which sports?
[A] Weight lifting
[B] High jump
[C] Cricket
[D] Chess
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [High jump]
Notes:
Commonwealth Games 2022 bronze medallist Tejaswin Shankar won the men’s high jump event at New Balance Indoor Grand Prix 2023 in Boston, USA.
At the World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold event, Tejaswin Shankar claimed first place with a jump of 2.26 metres. He beat the 38-year-old Donald Thomas of the Bahamas, a 2007 world champion.
20. Which institution launched the ‘Zero-Draft’ of the Pandemic Treaty?
[A] World Bank
[B] World Health Organisation
[C] World Economic Forum
[D] International Monetary Fund
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Health Organisation]
Notes:
The ‘zero-draft’ of the pandemic treaty was launched recently by the World Health Organization’s Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB).
The international treaty is expected to be presented at the World Health Assembly in 2024. The aim of the pandemic treaty is to strengthen national and international-level preparedness against future pandemics.