1. What is the budgetary outlay of ‘Computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)?
[A] Rs 216 Crore
[B] Rs 2516 Crore
[C] Rs 750 Crore
[D] Rs 7216 Crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rs 2516 Crore]
Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) with a budgetary outlay of ₹2,516 crore.
The objective is to increase efficiency of PACS, bring transparency and accountability in their operations This project proposes computerization of about 63,000 functional PACS over a period of 5 years with Government of India share of ₹1,528 crore. State Cooperative Banks and District Central Cooperative Banks were already automated by NABARD and brought on Common Banking Software.
2. Which organisation manufactures ‘Advanced light helicopter (ALH) MK III’ helicopters?
[A] DRDO
[B] HAL
[C] ISRO
[D] BEL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [HAL]
Notes:
ALH MK III helicopters have been indigenously manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
An advanced light helicopter (ALH) MK III squadron was commissioned in Gujarat’s Porbandar by the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard at the ICG Air Enclave. It includes advanced RADAR, electro-optical sensors, Shakti engines, advanced communication systems among others.
3. Which institution approved two loans of USD 500 million each to support India’s health sector?
[A] ADB
[B] AIIB
[C] World Bank
[D] IMF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [World Bank]
Notes:
The World Bank approved two complementary loans of USD 500 million each to support India’s health sector.
Through this financing of USD 1 billion, the Bank will support India’s flagship Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM). One of the loans will prioritize seven states including Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Meghalaya, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
4. Which Indian has been awarded the Ayurveda Ratna Award by the UK Parliament?
[A] Tanuja Nesari
[B] Abhimanyu Kumar
[C] Rajesh Bhushan
[D] Sanjay Jain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tanuja Nesari]
Notes:
Tanuja Nesari, Director of All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) was awarded with the Ayurveda Ratna Award by the UK Parliament.
The UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Indian Traditional Sciences (ITSappg) conferred the award recognising her contribution to prmoting the growth of Ayurveda in India and abroad.
5. National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) is the initiative of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
[C] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[D] Ministry of MSME
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship]
Notes:
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) announced that the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) will be included in the Direct Beneficiary Transfer (DBT) scheme.
The new facility will provide direct government benefits to all apprentices. Earlier, companies would pay apprentices the full amount and then seek reimbursement from the government. In 2016, the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) was launched to promote apprenticeship training in the country and to provide financial support to establishments pursuing apprenticeships.
6. Yair Lapid, who was seen in the news, is the new Prime Minister of which country?
[A] Afghanistan
[B] Israel
[C] Iran
[D] Iraq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Israel]
Notes:
The 58-year-old Yair Lapid recently took over as Israel’s 14th prime minister after the country’s parliament dissolved.
The journalist-turned politician, has taken over as Israel’s caretaker prime minister as the country preparing to go for polls for the fifth time in four years in November. He built a coalition that ended Benjamin Netanyahu’s record 12 consecutive years in power.
7. Which institution has launched a portal named ‘Pariksha Sangam’?
[A] UGC
[B] CBSE
[C] NTA
[D] IGNOU
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [CBSE]
Notes:
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has launched a new portal named Pariksha Sangam.
The portal will act as a one-stop destination for all exam-related activities, which will include term results and more. It has 3 parts – Schools (Ganga), Regional Offices (Yamuna) and Head Office (Saraswati).
8. What is the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) in India?
[A] 1980
[B] 1998
[C] 1915
[D] 1812
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1915]
Notes:
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has barred hotels and restaurants from adding service charge ‘automatically or by default’ in the food bill.
The consumer may lodge a complaint on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) 1915 or through the NCH mobile application, as per the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
9. As per the recent revision in FCRA rules, what is the limit up to which Relatives living abroad can send money to Indians?
[A] ₹2 lakh
[B] ₹10 lakh
[C] ₹5 lakh
[D] ₹50 lakh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [₹10 lakh]
Notes:
The Union Home Ministry has amended certain rules related to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
As per the new rules, Indians can receive up to ₹10 lakh in a year from relatives staying abroad without informing the authorities. The limit was ₹1 lakh earlier. If the amount exceeds, the individuals will have 90 days to inform the government, instead of 30 days earlier.
10. Which country has committed to invest USD 5.8 million to the Critical Minerals Investment Partnership.?
[A] USA
[B] Japan
[C] Australia
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Australia]
Notes:
Australia has committed USD5.8 million to the three-year India-Australia Critical Minerals Investment Partnership.
Union Minister for coal and mines Pralhad Joshi, who is on a visit to Australia, said that India and Australia will explore investment opportunities in lithium and cobalt mineral assets.