21. Which company launched India’s first Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2ICE) technology?
[A] Tata Motors
[B] Reliance Industries
[C] Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
[D] Mahindra and Mahindra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Reliance Industries]
Notes:
India’s first Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2ICE) technology was launched by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) for heavy-duty trucks.
It was developed by RIL in collaboration with vehicle partners like Ashok Leyland and others and was launched during the India Energy Week 2023. The H2ICE technology minimizes carbon emissions and delivers better performance when compared with conventional diesel trucks.
22. Which country is being hit by devastating forest fires following a blistering heat wave?
[A] Argentina
[B] Chile
[C] Brazil
[D] Uganda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chile]
Notes:
In Chile, at least 23 people were killed in devastating forest fires which occurred after a blistering heat wave in the central part of the country.
The state of emergency has been extended in the South American country. According to an official briefing on Saturday at least 979 people have been affected following the calamity.
23. 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.
24. ‘Paris Club’ an informal group of creditor nations, are the members of which organisation?
[A] OPEC
[B] OECD
[C] G-20
[D] G-7
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [OECD]
Notes:
The Paris Club is an informal group of creditor nations that functions as a platform for official creditors that resolves payment issues faced by debtor countries. All of its 22 member states belong to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The Paris Club has recently decided to offer financial support to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for Sri Lanka’s debt.
25. As per a UNSC report, which country stole more cryptocurrency assets to support its ballistic missile and weapons of mass destruction programmes?
[A] North Korea
[B] USA
[C] Australia
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [North Korea]
Notes:
North Korea stole more cryptocurrency assets in 2022 than in any other year, as per a recent report by United Nations.
As per the report, most of the money stolen was used to support its ballistic missile and weapons of mass destruction programmes. North Korea-linked hackers stole virtual assets worth USD 630 million while its cyber currency heist stood at USD 1 billion.
26. 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’.
27. As per FAO recent database, which country ranked first in milk production across the world?
[A] Brazil
[B] India
[C] China
[D] Argentina
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
According to production data of Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT), India ranks first in the world contributing twenty-four percent of global milk production in the year 2021-22.
The milk production of India has registered fifty-one percent increase between 2014-15 and 2021-22 and increased to twenty-two crore tonne in the year 2021-22.
28. 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.
29. Which state/UT is the host of ‘India’s First Frozen Lake Marathon’?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Ladakh
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ladakh]
Notes:
India’s first “frozen-lake marathon” is going to be organised at Pangong Tso lake in the union territory of Ladakh.
This event will be held at an altitude of 13,862 feet and cover a distance of 21 kilometers. The marathon will start at Lukung and end at Maan village. The Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will oversee the event. This marathon is called the ‘Last Run’ to highlight the issue of climate change.
30. Which state recently announced a 100 percent increase in Annual Statement of Rates for registration of real estate property?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gujarat]
Notes:
The state government of Gujarat has recently announced a 100 percent increase in Annual Statement of Rates.
The Annual Statement of Rate (ASR), also known as the Jantri rate, is the minimum rate set by state governments for registering real estate property when it changes ownership. These rates differ between cities and places based on the type, location, and size of the property.