21. 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.
22. What is the theme of the ‘World Pulses Day’ 2023?
[A] Pulses for a Sustainable Future
[B] Pulses for Malnutrition
[C] Pulses for a Healthier Future
[D] Pulses for a Scalable Future
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pulses for a Sustainable Future]
Notes:
‘World Pulses Day’ is observed on February 10 to raise global awareness about the importance of pulses as a stable global food source that delivers nutritional and environmental security across the world.
The theme for World Pulses Day 2023 is ‘Pulses for a Sustainable Future’.
23. Which country recently partnered with Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Joint Business Council?
[A] Australia
[B] India
[C] USA
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
India signed a MoU with Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Joint Business Council (IMT-GT JBC), to promote adoption of energy efficiency.
The MoU was signed during the Working group meeting of G20 on energy transition at Bengaluru. The MoU aims to further promote the adoption of energy efficiency and sustainable practices. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) signed MoU with IMT-GT JBC coinciding with the India Energy Week celebrations.
24. Which state approved a new policy for industries and the electric vehicles focussing on MSMEs, infrastructure and power?
[A] Kerala
[B] Punjab
[C] Odisha
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Punjab]
Notes:
The Punjab Cabinet has approved a new policy for industries and the electric vehicles effective from October 17, 2022, for a period of five years.
The industrial policy of the state focuses particularly on the three key sectors – Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), infrastructure and power. Under the new policy, the state will develop 15 industrial parks covering general and sector specific requirements of various industrial sectors and 20 rural clusters across the state.
25. Nebraska’s Sand Hills, where a new type of quasi-crystal was discovered, is located in which country?
[A] China
[B] Turkey
[C] USA
[D] Ukraine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [USA]
Notes:
Quasicrystal is a substance that has atoms orderly arranged like a crystal but its atomic structure is more complex and does not repeat periodically in all directions. This unique complex pattern makes it different from a normal crystal.
Recently, a new type of quasicrystal was discovered in the north central Nebraska’s Sand Hills in the USA. It had 12-fold symmetry. It may have been created during an accidental electrical discharge because of a downed power line or a lightning strike.
26. ‘Smart Cities Mission’ is an initiative of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Rural Development
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[D] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]
Notes:
Smart Cities Mission is the Indian Government’s urban renewal program that seeks to create sustainable and citizen-centric smart cities.
It is being implemented by the Union Ministry of Housing Urban Affairs in collaboration with the state governments. As many as 22 smart cities are expected to complete all projects under the Smart Cities Mission. The remaining 78 smart cities under this mission are expected to complete their projects in the next 3 to 4 months.
27. Keeladi, which was seen in the news, is an excavation site found in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Punjab
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Sangam age was believed to be between 300 BCE to 300 CE. As per the recent findings by the Archaeological Survey of India at Keeladi, the Sangam age has been pushed to 800 BCE.
Keeldai is a small village along the Vaigai River, about 13 km from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The eport is based on the archaeological findings from the first two phases of excavation carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India.
28. Which is the first Fintech company to support RuPay Credit Cards on UPI?
[A] Razorpay
[B] PayTm
[C] Mobikwik
[D] PhonePe
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mobikwik]
Notes:
MobiKwik has become the first fintech app to support RuPay Credit Cards on UPI. The facility will help millions of customers who use UPI for their daily transactions.
With RuPay Credit Cards now linked directly to UPI IDs, customers can easily make payments to merchants by scanning the UPI QR code and using UPI PIN for payment authentication.
29. IMF has called for comprehensive reforms of which country’s growth model?
[A] China
[B] Russia
[C] India
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [China]
Notes:
IMF has again called for comprehensive reforms of China’s growth model saying that China’s potential growth has started falling.
This is IMF’s second warning in a week when it called for reforms to sustain growth highlighting the diminishing returns of China’s investment-led growth.
30. Natalia Gavrilita stepped down from the position of Prime Minister of which country?
[A] Moldova
[B] Malta
[C] France
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Moldova]
Notes:
Moldovan Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita stepped down from her position citing a lack of support in the country.
Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe and a former Soviet Republic. The pro-Western government had been in power for just 18 months. Moldova’s President Maia Sandu accepted Gavrilita’s resignation.