1. Etalin hydroelectric project, which was seen in the news, is proposed to be set up in which state/UT?
[A] Punjab
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Arunachal Pradesh]
Notes:
Etalin hydroelectric project is proposed to be set up in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The 3,097-MW project requires diversion of over 1100 hectares of forest land and felling of over 280,000 trees.
Wildlife scientists and conservationists in the state have written to Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), about the threats to local biodiversity from the project
2. What is the fiscal deficit recorded in India for 2021-22 (in percentage of GDP)?
[A] 7.51 %
[B] 7.01 %
[C] 6.71 %
[D] 6.21 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [6.71 %]
Notes:
The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) released the fiscal deficit for 2021-22, which improved to 6.71 per cent of the GDP over the revised budget estimate of 6.9 per cent. The fiscal deficit in absolute terms was Rs 15,86,537 crore (provisional).
The increase was mainly on account of higher tax realisation. The tax receipts during the fiscal stood at Rs 18.2 trillion as against the revised estimates (RE) of Rs 17.65 trillion.
3. Which state/UT hosted the ‘National Conference of School Education Ministers’ in 2022?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Gujarat
[C] New Delhi
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended the ‘National Conference of School Education Ministers’ in Gujarat.
The Conference was organised by the Department of School Education & Literacy of Union Education Ministry and Education Ministry of Gujarat. It aims to focus on strengthening the education ecosystem in the country with a focus on the implementation of National Education Policy 2020, skilling in schools, and digital initiatives.
4. Which is the only Indian institution in the top-50 list of 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IIT Bombay
[C] IISc Bengaluru
[D] IIT Roorkee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IISc Bengaluru]
Notes:
The Times Higher Education (THE) released the 2022 edition of the Asia University Rankings with universities from 31 countries and territories.
India is the third most-represented country, with 71 universities making it to the list. Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore is the only institute to make the top-50 list at 42nd rank. JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (65th), IIT Ropar (68) and IIT Indore (87) were in top 100 list.
5. Which country has recently voted to join the European Union’s Defence policy?
[A] Switzerland
[B] Denmark
[C] Malta
[D] Vatican City
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Denmark]
Notes:
Denmark is set to join the European Union’s defence policy after it held a referendum for the decision. Denmark is the only EU member that is not part of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
The Denmark government has succeeded in abolishing an exemption secured in a 1993 referendum on the Maastricht Treaty. Sweden and Finland also placed historic bids to join NATO, which will be taken up at the upcoming summit.
6. Bhajan Sopori, who passed away recently, was associated with which field?
[A] Sports
[B] Business
[C] Music
[D] Politics
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Music]
Notes:
Santoor maestro Bhajan Sopori, also called as the ‘saint of santoor’ and ‘King of strings’ passed away recently at the age of 73.
The veteran musician received multiple awards throughout his career, including the Padma Shri in 2004, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992 and the Jammu and Kashmir State Lifetime Achievement Award.
7. What is the new rate of interest ratified by the Government for the ‘employees’ provident fund (EPF) deposits for 2021-22’?
[A] 8. 7 %
[B] 8. 5 %
[C] 8. 1 %
[D] 7. 5 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [8. 1 %]
Notes:
The Government has approved 8.1 per cent rate of interest on employees’ provident fund (EPF) deposits for the year 2021-22, from 8.5 per cent provided in the previous year.
The 8.1 per cent EPF rate of interest is the lowest since 1977-78, when it stood at 8 per cent. The interest rate on EPF deposits was decided by the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) and was ratified by the finance ministry 2021.
8. What is the objective of the ‘Farishtey Dilli Ke’ scheme?
[A] Providing Nutrition kit to children
[B] Encouraging people to rescue people from road accidents
[C] Skill Development to Urban Poor
[D] Financial assistance to pregnant women
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Encouraging people to rescue people from road accidents]
Notes:
‘Farishtey Dilli Ke’ scheme was launched in October 2019, to encourage people to rescue those who have met with road accidents.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that about 13,000 lives have been saved by good samaritans under the ‘Farishtey Dilli Ke’ scheme. Under the scheme, the Delhi government incurs the expenditure for treating eligible road accident victims and gives incentives to those who helped them.
9. What is the name of the new national portal launched for credit-linked government schemes?
[A] PM Atmanirbhar Portal
[B] Jan Samarth Portal
[C] Jan Sandesh Portal
[D] Bharat Samarth Portal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jan Samarth Portal]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the national portal for credit-linked government schemes named ‘Jan Samarth Portal’.
Jan Samarth Portal is a one-stop digital portal linking government credit schemes, to connect beneficiaries to lenders. It provides people with the right government benefits through simple and easy digital processes.
10. ‘Ex SAMPRITI-X’ is a joint military training exercise between India and which country?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Japan
[C] Bangladesh
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bangladesh]
Notes:
‘Ex SAMPRITI-X’, a joint military training exercise between India and Bangladesh commenced in Bangladesh, as part of bilateral defence cooperation.
The military training exercise is aimed at strengthening the features of interoperability and cooperation between both armies. The Indian contingent is represented by a battalion of the Dogra regiment.