21. ‘Project-SMART’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which Union Ministries?
[A] Ministry of Urban Affairs- Railways
[B] Ministry of Agriculture- Rural Development
[C] Ministry of MSME- Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Cooperation- Jal Shakti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Urban Affairs- Railways]
Notes:
Union Urban Affairs and Railways Ministries have signed an MoU with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for ‘Station Area Development along Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail’ (Project-SMART).
The proposed project seeks to develop surrounding areas of Mumbai – Ahmedabad High Speed Railway (MAHSR) Stations.
22. Cyber Surakshit Bharat is the initiative of which institution/Union Ministry?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] NASSCOM
[C] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Electronics and IT]
Notes:
The 36th CISO Deep-Dive training programme was organized by the National e-Governance Division (NeGD).
Cyber Surakshit Bharat is the initiative of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). It was conceptualised with the mission to spread awareness about cyber-crime and build capacities of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs).
23. Which space agency has developed the ‘Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS)’?
[A] ISRO
[B] JAXA
[C] NASA
[D] ESA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [NASA]
Notes:
Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) is a snake-like robot that is developed by NASA. It will examine the surface of Saturn’s moon, Enceladus, and study its icy features.
EELS uses a rotating propulsion unit that act as tracks, gripping mechanisms and propeller units underwater.
24. ‘Fakhar Zaman’ who was named as the ‘ICC Men’s Player of the Month’, is from which country?
[A] India
[B] Pakistan
[C] Bangladesh
[D] UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pakistan]
Notes:
International Cricket Council (ICC) recently named Pakistani cricketer Fakhar Zaman as ICC Men’s Player of the Month for April 2023.
This comes after Zaman produced match-winning performance for Pakistan in ODI.
25. Fossil remains of a giant pilosaur was discovered in which country recently?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] England
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [England]
Notes:
Fossil remains of a giant pilosaur was discovered in England recently. Pilosaur is a marine reptile that was a distant cousin of modern turtles.
Fossilised bones from the gigantic sea creature that lived 150 million years ago have been found in a drawer at Oxfordshire’s Abingdon County Hall Museum.
26. The invasion of a tiny insect named ‘Eretmoptera murphyi’ is changing the ecosystem of which continent?
[A] Australia
[B] Antarctica
[C] Asia
[D] Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Antarctica]
Notes:
Eretmoptera murphyi is a flightless midge. It is currently changing Antarctica’s Signy Island soil and ecosystem by feasting on dead organic matter.
It has led to faster plant decomposition, thus increasing the soil nitrate levels by three-five times compared to places on the island where the midge is absent.
27. Sittwe Port, which was recently inaugurated, is in which country?
[A] Nepal
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Myanmar
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Myanmar]
Notes:
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister jointly inaugurated the Sittwe Port in Myanmar and received the first Indian cargo ship. Sittwe Port has been developed as a part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) funded under grant in aid assistance from Government of India.
The port will provide an alternative connectivity between Mizoram and Haldia in West Bengal or any Indian port through the Kaladan river in Myanmar.
28. Rhythm Sangwan, who was seen in the news, plays which sports?
[A] Wrestling
[B] Cricket
[C] Shooting
[D] Hockey
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Shooting]
Notes:
India’s Rhythm Sangwan has won the bronze medal in the women’s 10-metre air pistol event at the ISSF World Cup 2023 for rifle and pistol shooters in Baku, Azerbaijan.
It was Rhythm Sangwan’s first individual senior medal at the shooting World Cup. She has won medals in Shooting World Cups and Shooting Championship at junior as well as at senior level.
29. Where is the ‘Great Grandfather Tree’ located?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Greece
[D] Chile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chile]
Notes:
The “Great Grandfather” tree is currently in the process of being organized as the oldest tree in the world. Situated in Chile, this tree is believed to be around more than 5,000 years old.
The sample which was extracted and other dating methods suggest the tree is up to 5,484 years old. The current record-holder is a 4,853 year old bristlecone pine tree in California.
30. Which department launched the ‘Automated Return Scrutiny Module for GST returns’?
[A] CBIC
[B] NASSCOM
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] RBI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [CBIC]
Notes:
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) recently launched the Automated Return Scrutiny Module for GST return.
The newly rolled out module will help officers scrutinize GST returns of Centre Administered Taxpayers based on identified risks and data analytics.