1. ‘REWARD Program’ is assisted by which institution in India?
[A] World Bank
[B] WEF
[C] IMF
[D] WTO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [World Bank]
Notes:
Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development (REWARD) program is a World Bank-assisted initiative that is being implemented from 2021 to 2026.
Its implementation was reviewed recently by Secretary, Department of Land Resources (DoLR) and the World Bank team.
2. Daam, which was seen in the news, is a?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Malware
[C] Super computer
[D] Cryptocurrency
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Malware]
Notes:
The Indian government has recently issued an advisory against the malware called Daam. This virus is capable of hacking call records, contacts, history and camera.
The national cyber security agency advisory has warned that the ‘Daam’ virus is capable of bypassing anti-virus programs and deploying ransomware on the targeted devices.
3. RBI has recently sanctioned the merger of which Co-op banks?
[A] Cosmos Co-op and Maratha Co-op
[B] Saraswat Co-op and Cosmos Co-op
[C] Bharat Co-op and Maratha Co-op
[D] SVC Bank and Maratha Co-op
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cosmos Co-op and Maratha Co-op]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has sanctioned the merger of Maratha Co-op Bank with Cosmos Co-op Bank.
The Scheme has been sanctioned in exercise of the powers conferred under Sub-Section (4) of Section 44A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. All branches of Maratha Sahakari Bank will function as branches of The Cosmos Co-operative Bank.
4. Which state is set to develop the Konark Sun Temple Complex?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Odisha
[C] Assam
[D] Chhattisgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Odisha]
Notes:
The Odisha government has recently decided to develop the Konark Sun Temple Complex with an outlay of Rs.209 crore.
It will be developed as part of the Konark Heritage Area Development Plan (KHADP), under the Integrated Development of Heritage & Monuments and Tourist Destination Scheme.
5. Which state government launched the ‘Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Yojana’?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Yojana was rolled out recently by the Maharashtra government.
The scheme is on the lines of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi under which farmers get ₹6,000 a year as minimum income support. Once approved, the farmers in the state will be able to get a sum of ₹12,000 every year.
6. What is Hvaldimir, which is being suspected of being a Russian spy?
[A] Robot
[B] Whale
[C] Eagle
[D] Horse
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Whale]
Notes:
Hvaldimir is the name given to a beluga whale that is suspected of being a Russian spy. It was spotted recently off the Swedish coast.
It was earlier spotted in northern Norway in April 2019 wearing a camera harness. US Navy used dolphins and sea lions as spies.
7. Which institution launched ‘e-Appeal scheme 2023’?
[A] CBDT
[B] CBIC
[C] RBI
[D] SEBI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [CBDT]
Notes:
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) recently launched “e appeal” scheme announced in the budget.
Its aim is to minimize pendency of appeals related to Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) default issues and tax collection at source (TCS). The scheme empowers the Joint Commissioner (Appeals) for disposing of appeals filed before it or allocated or transferred to it.
8. Which country leads the ‘Combined Maritime Forces’ coalition?
[A] Russia
[B] USA
[C] UK
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
Combined Maritime Forces is a US-led maritime coalition involved in securing tense Gulf waterways. The UAE recently withdrew from this coalition.
The coalition is tasked with securing tense Gulf waterways that are vital to the global oil trade. The coalition had 38 member states.
9. Which institution launched the ‘National Mission for Mentoring’?
[A] AICTE
[B] NCTE
[C] NASSCOM
[D] NITI Aayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NCTE]
Notes:
The National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) is an initiative aimed at creating a pool of outstanding professionals willing to provide mentoring for school teachers and promote their professional development.
National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) launched NMM in Pilot mode in selected 30 Central Schools across the country. As part of this initiative, the NCTE organized a capacity building workshop for 60 mentors.
10. 62 Desiccation-Tolerant Vascular Plant Species have been recently discovered in which country?
[A] India
[B] Myanmar
[C] Nepal
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
As many as 62 Desiccation-Tolerant Vascular plant species have been discovered in the Western Ghats in India.
These species have potential applications in agriculture, especially in regions where there is scarcity of water.