21. Visva-Bharati University, which was seen in the news recently, is located in which state?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Bihar
[C] West Bengal
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [West Bengal]
Notes:
UNESCO is set to announce Visva-Bharati University as a heritage university and it is set to become the world’s first living heritage university.
It was founded by Rabindranath Tagore in 1921, as a center for culture, promoting the arts, language, humanities, music, and culture studies. Rabindranath Tagore’s philosophy of open-air education is followed at the university.
22. ‘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.
23. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘Digital Payments Utsav’?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[C] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]
Notes:
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, launched a comprehensive campaign plan, ‘Digital Payments Utsav, in New Delhi.
Digital Payments Utsav, has been planned this year to promote Digital Payments across the country and to celebrate the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and G20 Presidency. Digital Payment Sandesh Yatra was also flagged off to make citizens aware of digital payment solutions. DigiDhan awards were presented to banks that perform well in digital payments.
24. After the RBI Monetary Policy Statement announced in February 2023, what is the repo rate?
[A] 5.50 %
[B] 5.75 %
[C] 6.25 %
[D] 6.50 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [6.50 %]
Notes:
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India hiked the key policy rate, the Repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.50 per cent in a bid to control the retail inflation.
The RBI has increased the repo rate by a cumulative 250 basis points to 6.50 per cent since May this year. The RBI has projected GDP growth for the next fiscal (FY2024) at 6.4 per cent.
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 article of the Indian Constitution deals with the appointment of Governors for each state in India?
[A] Article 142
[B] Article 153
[C] Article 27
[D] Article 52
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Article 153]
Notes:
Article 153 of the Indian Constitution deals with the appointment of Governors for each state in India.
President of India Droupadi Murmu appointed governors in 12 states and a Union Territory while accepting the resignation of two. Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais is now Governor of Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh governor B D Mishra has been appointed as L-G of Ladakh.
28. Tanimbar corella, which was seen in the news, are cockatoos found exclusively in which country?
[A] India
[B] Indonesia
[C] China
[D] Argentina
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indonesia]
Notes:
The Tanimbar corella, which is also referred to as Goffin’s cockatoo, is a type of cockatoo that is found exclusively in the forests of Yamdena, Larat, and Selaru islands in the Tanimbar Islands archipelago in Indonesia.
It was later introduced to the Kai Islands, Singapore, and Puerto Rico. A new study found that Goffin’s cockatoos are capable of combining multiple tools to achieve a complex task that is only been recorded in humans and chimpanzees.
29. ‘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.
30. Which company launched India’s First drone air traffic management system?
[A] Garuda
[B] Drona
[C] Skye Air
[D] Pixxel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Skye Air]
Notes:
Skye Air, a Gurugram-based drone solutions provider, launched traffic management system for drones in India.
The software was launched in the presence of Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India Nitin Gadkari. It will allow drone operators to plan routes, make flight plans and assess risks before running drone-based operations in the country.