1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The United Nations welcomed the first commercial flight from ‘Sanaa Airport’ to Egypt. Where is ‘Sanaa Airport’ located?
[A] Israel
[B] Yemen
[C] South Sudan
[D] Uganda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Yemen]
Notes:
The United Nations has welcomed the first commercial flight from Yemen’s Sanaa airport to Egypt, as per a UN spokesman.
This was the seventh flight operating under the terms of the UN brokered two-month nationwide treaty. Around 2500 Yemenis have travelled so far between Sanaa, Amman and Cairo. As per the UN, nearly 19 million people will go hungry this year and more than 160,000 will face famine-like conditions in Yemen.
4. Which is the 20th European country to adopt the euro currency from 2023?
[A] Monaco
[B] Malta
[C] Croatia
[D] Luxembourg
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Croatia]
Notes:
Croatia is set to adopt the euro currency from the start of 2023 after meeting all the criteria to join the European Commission.
This move will make Croatia the 20th European country to use the single currency. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement that Croatia has made a step towards adopting the Euro common currency.
5. What is the name of the new model schools proposed by the Union Education Ministry?
[A] PM Model schools
[B] PM Shri schools
[C] Atmanirbhar schools
[D] Bharat Gaurav schools
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [PM Shri schools]
Notes:
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the National Education Ministers’ Conference in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar with a focus on implementation of the new National Educational Policy 2020.
He announced that the Education Ministry is in the process of establishing ‘PM Shri schools’ as the laboratory of NEP 2020. The schools will be fully equipped to prepare students for the future.
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. When is the ‘International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression’ observed every year?
[A] June 2
[B] June 4
[C] June 6
[D] June 8
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [June 4]
Notes:
The United Nations General Assembly had decided to mark June 4 as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression in 1982.
The day acknowledges the pain and suffering experienced by the children who are victims of emotional, physical and mental abuse. According to the United Nations, every child should get the proper environment to develop a good personality.
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.