21. 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.
22. 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.
23. Which country leads the International Biofuels Alliance?
[A] India
[B] France
[C] USA
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
The US and Brazil, two of the world’s largest biofuels markets, are joining an India-led initiative of International Biofuels Alliance.
The Alliance will aim to boost demand for the lower-emissions energy source. India has also earmarked 350 billion rupees (USD 4.3 billion) in its union budget to promote energy security.
24. 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’.
25. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, which was seen in the news, is used to treat which disease?
[A] Polio
[B] Cancer
[C] Tuberculosis
[D] Diabetes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cancer]
Notes:
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is the latest innovation in the field of medicine, to treat cancer.
Rather than relying on drugs, like chemotherapy or immunotherapy, the CAR T cell therapy treatments utilise a patient’s own cells that have been altered in a lab to stimulate T-cells and attack tumour cells. Currently, CAR T-cell therapy has received clearance for treating leukemia and lymphoma types of cancer.
26. What is the CPI-based inflation recorded in January 2023?
[A] 4.52 %
[B] 5.52 %
[C] 6.52 %
[D] 7.00 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [6.52 %]
Notes:
The Indian government announced that retail inflation increased to 6.52% in January from 5.72% in December 2022, mainly due to the rise in food prices.
Retail inflation is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The Reserve Bank of India’s household survey on inflation expectations forecasts that retail inflation will remain elevated in the next year due to a general increase in prices across different sectors.
27. ‘Presidents’ Day’ which was seen in the news, is associated with which country?
[A] USA
[B] China
[C] Brazil
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday in the US that is celebrated on the third Monday of February every year.
The holiday is a tribute to past US presidents, particularly George Washington, who was born on February 22. The significance of the holiday is to pay tribute to the leaders who have served the country.
28. How many satellites were placed in the orbit aboard the SSLV D2 launch vehicle of ISRO?
[A] One
[B] Three
[C] Five
[D] Seven
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Three]
Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its second developmental flight of a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle — SSLV-D2.
It placed three satellites into a 450 km-circular orbit, which are ISRO’s Earth Observation Satellite – EOS 07, U.S.-based firm Antaris’ Janus-1 and Chennai-based space start-up SpaceKidz’s AzaadiSAT-2.
29. Which company launched the World’s first satellite-based two-way messaging system?
[A] Meta
[B] Qualcomm
[C] AMD
[D] Samsung
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Qualcomm]
Notes:
Snapdragon Satellite, which was launched recently, is the world’s first ‘satellite-based, two-way capable messaging solution’.
The solution works for smart-phones developed by Qualcomm in partnership with Iridium Inc. The technology was initially introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023. On a Snapdragon Satellite, emergency messaging will be activated on the next-gen smart-phones.
30. ISRO commenced the training for crew module recovery for its Gaganyaan Mission, along with which Armed Force?
[A] Indian Army
[B] Indian Navy
[C] Indian Air Force
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Navy]
Notes:
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), along with the Navy, started training for crew module recovery when it splashes down in the sea after re-entering the atmosphere.
This training was done as a part of preparation for its first human spaceflight (Gaganyaan). The training aims to finalise the standard operating procedure for the recovery of the crew members as soon as possible. The trials commenced at the water survival test facility of the Navy in Kochi.