21. Which country is the host of 2027 Asian Cup Football?
[A] India
[B] Pakistan
[C] Saudi Arabia
[D] Singapore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host of football’s 2027 Asian Cup Tournament at the Asian Football Confederation Congress in Bahrain.
Saudi was the only bid presented at the Congress after India’s withdrawal in December 2022. Qatar will host the next edition of the Asian Cup, from June 26 to July 16, 2023. Qatar will become the first country to host three Asian Cups, after 1988 and 2011.
22. ‘TReDS’ is an electronic platform that facilitates the transactions for which entitites?
[A] Pharma companies
[B] Exporters
[C] MSMEs
[D] Banks
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [MSMEs]
Notes:
The Trade Receivable Discounting System (TReDS) is an electronic platform that facilitates the financing or discounting, trading and settling invoices of the MSMEs.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to expand the scope of the TReDS to allow the use of insurance facilities. This will facilitate secondary market operations on the TReDS.
23. ‘High Mobility Artillery Rocket System’ (HIMARS) is manufactured by which country?
[A] France
[B] Israel
[C] USA
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [USA]
Notes:
The US State Department gave the nod for the sale of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers to Poland.
The HIMARS and the related equipment will be sold to Poland at a cost of around USD 10 billion. HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a type of artillery system that can fire long-range rockets with pinpoint accuracy. It has been used in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
24. 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.
25. Which is the first Fintech company to launch cross-border transaction facility through UPI?
[A] BharatPe
[B] Razorpay
[C] PhonePe
[D] PayTm
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [PhonePe]
Notes:
PhonePe recently became the first Indian fintech company to enable payments abroad. It allows international transactions through Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
With this, Indian travellers can make UPI transactions to foreign merchants using PhonePe platform. Cross-border transaction facility by PhonePe will support all international outlets in UAE, Singapore, Nepal, Bhutan and Mauritius having local QR Code.
26. Which Indian state implements the ‘Pudumai Penn’ scholarship scheme for girl students?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched phase 2 of the ‘Pudumai Penn’ scheme, a scholarship scheme for girl students, in Chennai.
The scheme involves the distribution of a scholarship amount of ₹1,000 per month to girl students pursuing their higher studies after completing their schooling at a government school. The scholarship is provided through the Social Welfare Department.
27. Which Indian reformer found the ‘Arya Samaj’?
[A] Rabindranath Tagore
[B] Dayanand Saraswati
[C] Ramakrishna Paramahams
[D] Shri Aurobindo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dayanand Saraswati]
Notes:
Dayanand Saraswati was an Indian philosopher and social reformer who founded the Arya Samaj, a movement aimed at promoting Hindu reformation and the pursuit of Vedic knowledge.
He believed in the unity of God and rejected the caste system and idol worship. Dayanand Saraswati is known for highlighting the importance of education, particularly for girls and the downtrodden sector. His birth anniversary was recently observed in India.
28. Which Telescope has been selected for the ‘2023 John L. Jack Swigert, Jr.’ Award for Space Exploration?
[A] James Webb Telescope
[B] Hubble Space Telescope
[C] Chandra X-ray Observatory
[D] Spitzer Space Telescope
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [James Webb Telescope]
Notes:
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope team has been selected to receive the ‘2023 John L. Jack Swigert, Jr.’ Award for Space Exploration.
It is a prestigious award from the Space Foundation. This annual award honors a space agency, company, or consortium of organizations in the realm of space exploration and discovery.
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. Bharatpur bird Sanctuary, which was seen in the news, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajasthan]
Notes:
The Rajasthan state Forest Department has proposed to construct a zoo inside Keoladeo National Park, a World Heritage Site popularly known as Bharatpur bird sanctuary.
The Wetland Ex-Situ Conservation Establishment (WESCE) aims to display a range of wetland species, including rhinos, water buffaloes, crocs, dolphins and exotic species. AFD, an arm of the French government, has agreed to fund up to Rs 1,200 crore over eight years. Experts raise questions about the zoo coming up in a significant habitat for migratory birds.