1. ‘Atal Bhujal Yojana’, which was seen in the news, is implemented by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of MSME
[B] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Jal Shakti]
Notes:
The Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal), a central sector water conservation scheme, will continue for an additional two years beyond its original 2025 end date. It is implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The major objective of the Scheme is to improve the management of groundwater resources in select water stressed areas in identified states viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
2. Which Union Ministry unveiled the ‘National Medical Devices Policy, 2023’?
[A] Ministry of Defence
[B] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[C] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[D] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Health and Family Welfare]
Notes:
National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 was unveiled recently by India’s Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
He also launched the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices along with Assistance for Medical Devices clusters for Common Facilities (AMD-CF).
3. Who chairs the governing council meeting of NITI Aayog?
[A] NITI Aayog CEO
[B] Prime Minister
[C] Finance Minister
[D] Supreme Court Chief Justice
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Prime Minister]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 8th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog, at New Delhi.
It was attended by Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governors representing 19 States and 6 UTs. HE urged the Centre, States and UTs should work as Team India and fulfil the dreams and aspirations of people for a Viksit Bharat at 2047.
4. Sabang port, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] India
[B] Myanmar
[C] Indonesia
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indonesia]
Notes:
Sabang port in Indonesia is situated 700 km from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Recently, India and Indonesia completed a joint feasibility study on the development of this port.
The successful development of this port would allow India easier access to the Malacca Straits, a narrow stretch of the sea between Indonesia and Malaysia and one of six chokepoints along the world’s maritime trading routes.
5. What is ‘Gomphonema rajaguruii’, which was discovered recently?
[A] Algae
[B] Bacteria
[C] Fungi
[D] Virus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Algae]
Notes:
Gomphonema rajaguruii is a newly discovered species of oxygen-supplying algae. It is named after a veteran geo-archaeologist, the late Professor S N Rajaguru.
Gomphonema rajaguruii is a freshwater diatom species. The finding is unique because it shows the characteristics of two genus — Gomphonema and Gomphoneis.
6. 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.
7. Which institution released guidelines for Investor Protection Fund (IPF) and Investor Services Fund (ISF)?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] PFRDA
[D] NITI Aayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SEBI]
Notes:
Capital Market Regulator SEBI- the Securities Exchange Board of India has released guidelines for Investor Protection Fund (IPF) and Investor Services Fund (ISF).
These funds are maintained by stock exchanges and depositories. The new changes aim to strengthen investor protection measures and promote financial literacy and participation in the securities market.
8. Which state announced that the Ahmednagar will be renamed Ahilyanagar?
[A] Odisha
[B] Gujarat
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced that Ahmednagar will be renamed Ahilyanagar in an ode to 18th-century Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar.
Ahilyabai Holkar reigned Malwa from 1765 to 1795. She had established Maheshwar (in Madhya Pradesh) as the seat of the Holkar dynasty. In February, the government had renamed Osmanabad as Dharashiv and Aurangabad as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
9. Shanan hydropower project is situated in which state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The British-era 110 MW Shanan hydropower project is situated at Jogindernagar in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.
Commissioned in 1932, the Shanan hydroelectric powerhouse was built under a 99-year lease. Its lease is being disputed between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh governments.
10. Which term refers to the phenomenon when currency in circulation rising when digital payments are rising?
[A] Currency Demand Paradox
[B] Digital Demand Paradox
[C] Bank Note Paradox
[D] Finance Paradox
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Currency Demand Paradox]
Notes:
Currency demand paradox happens when currency in circulation rising when digital payments are rising too. This phenomenon is seen in India.
The RBI has explained the ‘currency demand paradox’ in India. In India, while UPI-led retail digital payments grew at a CAGR of 50 per cent and 27 per cent in terms of volume and value, during 2016-17 to 2021-22, the currency in circulation to GDP ratio also peaked at 14.4 per cent in 2020-21.