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. XPoSat, India’s first polarimetry mission, is being built by which institution?
[A] HAL
[B] DRDO
[C] ISRO
[D] BARC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ISRO]
Notes:
XPoSat (X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite) is India’s first polarimetry mission. It is currently being built by ISRO and Raman Research Institute.
According to ISRO, “XPoSat will study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions” and will carry two payloads. It is only the world’s second polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.
3. Which Asian country released its ‘National Climate Research agenda’?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Nepal
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
India’s National Climate Research agenda was released during the inauguration of the 2-day International Climate Research Conclave. It was organised at Department of Science and Technology’s Centre of Excellence in Climate Studies at IIT Bombay.
Its aim is to coordinate national efforts focusing on the understanding and addressing climate change by 2030 and beyond.
4. Which company will operate and maintain Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro’s line 3, Mumbai’s first fully underground corridor?
[A] Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
[B] Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation
[C] Chennai Metro Rail Corporation
[D] Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Delhi Metro Rail Corporation]
Notes:
Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ Metro’s line 3 is Mumbai’s first fully underground corridor. It will be operated and maintained by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
The contract has been awarded to DMRC for a duration of 10 years for the operation and maintenance of the metro line.
5. Which Union Ministry releases ‘Periodic Labour Force Survey Figures’?
[A] Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
[B] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[C] Ministry of MSME
[D] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation]
Notes:
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation recently released the latest figures from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). These figures indicate that the unemployment rate in Indian cities is at the lowest since the survey started in 2018.
The unemployment rate among men stood at 6.0%, while for women it was 9.2%.
6. What is Justitia, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] Asteroid
[B] Meteor
[C] Exo-planet
[D] Satellite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Asteroid]
Notes:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to send a new spacecraft to an asteroid belt to investigate the history of the solar system and the potential origins of life.
Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA) aims to visit seven different asteroids and land on one of them called (269) Justitia. It is scheduled for launch in 2028.
7. Which institution is set to introduce the ‘Expected Loss-based Approach for Bad Loan Provisioning’?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] EPFO
[D] PFRDA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [RBI]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is planning to introduce expected loss-based approach for provisioning during 2023-24.
It will help strengthen India’s bad loan resolution ecosystem. This will enable banks to design their own credit loss models and spread the higher provisions over a five-year period.
8. 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.
9. Which institution decided to set up the ‘Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention’?
[A] WEF
[B] IMF
[C] WHA
[D] UNICEF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [WHA]
Notes:
The WHA recently decided to set up the Global Alliance for Drowning Prevention. Its purpose is to prevent drowning worldwide.
This is the first alliance to address global public health concerns on the issue until 2029. The resolution asked member states to study national drowning scenarios within each country and implement policies and programmes to reduce risks.
10. Which Asian country joined the ‘Centralised Laboratory Network (CLN)’?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] India
[C] Myanmar
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
India recently joined the Centralised Laboratory Network (CLN) to test vaccines during pandemic and epidemics. This network currently has 15 partner facilities in 13 countries.
CLN is a part of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the Network is the largest global group which has standardised methods and materials for testing.