1. Which institution released the Environmental Guidelines for Stone Crushing units?
[A] NGT
[B] CPCB
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] NAEB
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [CPCB]
Notes:
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recently released the Environmental Guidelines for Stone Crushing units.
The guidelines are based on the recommendations of the New Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment. CPCB is a statutory organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
2. 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.
3. Which institution reconstituted intermediary advisory committee for legal framework?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] NPCI
[D] IRDAI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SEBI]
Notes:
Capital Market Regulator SEBI has recently reconstituted its intermediary advisory committee.
This committee is responsible for providing recommendations on matters concerning changes in legal framework and increasing transparency in systems and procedures of market intermediaries like stock brokers, clearing members and depository participants.
4. Which country has granted approval to include TOEFL test as a valid option for Student Direct Stream program?
[A] China
[B] Canada
[C] Australia
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Canada]
Notes:
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has granted approval to include TOEFL test scores as a valid option for the Student Direct Stream program in Canada.
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is a program designed to accelerate the processing of study permit applications for international students intending to enroll in designated learning institutions for post-secondary education in Canada.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Which state/UT launched the ‘Operation ‘OP Clean’?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Punjab
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Punjab]
Notes:
Operation ‘OP Clean’ was launched recently by the Punjab Police. Its aim is to make the state drug free.
650 police teams comprising over 5,000 personnel raided more than 2,000 locations across the state to keep a tab on activities of people involved in smuggling of commercial quantities of drugs.
8. Which institution notified ‘Indian Standards Related to AYUSH Herbs and Products’?
[A] FSSAI
[B] BIS
[C] AYUSH Ministry
[D] FAO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [BIS]
Notes:
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recently notified 31 Indian standards related to Ayush herbs and products.
It includes 30 herbs and one product including a stainless steel neti pot. An additional department was earlier established with a dedicated focus on Ayush at BIS.
9. Which country demonstrated Asia’s first performance-based navigation for helicopters?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Singapore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) is an Indian satellite-based augmentation system that provides accuracy needed to rely on GPS for flight.
Recently, Asia’s first demonstration of performance-based navigation for helicopters was conducted by India using the GAGAN satellite technology.
10. Kafue National Park (KNP), which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Zambia
[B] Latvia
[C] Egypt
[D] Chile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Zambia]
Notes:
Zambia’s Kafue National Park (KNP) is the third largest national park in Africa. New reports reveal that lion and leopard population in this region are rebounding, after 50 years of poaching.
Scientists found leopard densities in southern KNP increased threefold — from about 1.5 leopards in 2019 to approximately 4.4 leopards per 100 square kilometres in 2022. This was due to rigorous counter-poaching operations for four years.