1. 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.
2. Lipizzans, which are seen in the news, belong to which species?
[A] Horse
[B] Dog
[C] Poultry
[D] Cat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Horse]
Notes:
The Lipizzans are horses that are descendants of long stallion lines crossing Spanish, Arabic and Berber horses.
Lipizzans are famous for their “airs above the ground” classical dressage jumps. The tradition of Lipizzan breeding was recently included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The name derives from Lipica where the horses are found in Slovenia.
3. Which institution hosted the plenary on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO)?
[A] NASSCOM
[B] BIS
[C] PIB
[D] NITI Aayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [BIS]
Notes:
The 44th plenary on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO) is a four-day event hosted by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
The ISO countries have renewed their commitment to incorporate the objectives of the SDGs into its standards programme. BIS’s initiatives, such as Manak Manthan, Quality Connect are aimed at enhancing consumer engagement in standardisation.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Ian Hacking, who passed away recently, was associated with which profession?
[A] Politician
[B] Philosopher
[C] Scientist
[D] Musician
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Philosopher]
Notes:
Canadian philosopher Ian Hacking has passed away recently. He is famed for his contributions to the philosophy of science, probability and mathematics.
Professor Hacking wrote several significant works on the philosophy and history of probability, including “The Taming of Chance” (1990).
7. Which Union Ministry implements the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain 2.0 (CITIIS 2.0)?
[A] Ministry of External Affairs
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of MSME
[D] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet has approved the City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain 2.0 (CITIIS 2.0).
CITIIS 2.0 is a program conceived by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), KfW, the European Union (EU), and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). The program will run for a period of four years, from 2023 till 2027.
8. Which city hosted the ‘India-EU Global Gateway Conference’?
[A] Guwahati
[B] Shillong
[C] Kolkata
[D] Itanagar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shillong]
Notes:
India-EU Global Gateway Conference will be held in Shillong focusing on boosting connectivity and infrastructure in the Indian subcontinent.
It will focus on three pillars – digital, energy and transport. Ministry of External Affairs, EU Delegation to India and the Asian Confluence are jointly organizing the India-EU Connectivity Conference.
9. Jyothi Yarraji, who was seen in the news, is associated with which sports?
[A] Javelin Throw
[B] Hockey
[C] Shooting
[D] Hurdles
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Hurdles]
Notes:
National record-holder Jyothi Yarraji won the women’s 100m hurdles gold in 13.08s in the T-Meeting at Tilburg in the Netherlands.
Earlier at the 26th National Federation Cup athletics championships in Ranchi, she had clocked 12.89 seconds in the final.
10. Where is the ‘Mahakal Lok corridor’ located?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Mahakal Lok corridor, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in 2022, is part of the redevelopment project around the Mahakaleshwar temple, Ujjain.
Six out of seven idols of ‘Saptarishis’ installed at the Mahakal Lok corridor have collapsed due to gusty winds. Madhya Pradesh’s Lokayukta has taken suo motu cognisance of the damage that gusty winds caused to six statues installed as part of the Mahakal Lok Corridor Project.