31. Which is the first state in the country to introduce a welfare fund for MGNREGS workers?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Telangana
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala recently became the first state in the country to introduce a welfare fund for Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) workers.
Under this initiative, individuals above the age of 60 will be eligible for pension under this fund. The welfare fund has been formed as per the Kerala Employment Guarantee Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 2021.
32. Which institution released the ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects report’?
[A] UN
[B] WEF
[C] IMF
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [UN]
Notes:
World Economic Situation and Prospects report was released recently by the UN. According to this report, the global economic growth is expected to 2.3 percent in 2023.
The report also expected a 2.5 per cent growth in 2024. The growth rate is still well below the average growth rate in the two decades before the pandemic of 3.1%.
33. Sea butterflies belong to a sub order of which species?
[A] Butterfly
[B] Snail
[C] Fish
[D] Turtle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Snail]
Notes:
Sea butterflies belong to a suborder of sea snails. This group’s smallest species, shelled pteropods, is threatened due to the acidification of ocean.
As the sea absorbs an increasing quantity of carbon dioxide (CO2) that turns the water more acidic, the thin outer casing, or the ‘homes’ of these small sea butterflies, dissolve.
34. Which city is the National Ayush Mission Conclave?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Mumbai
[C] Mysuru
[D] Varanasi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the two-day National Ayush Mission Conclave in New Delhi.
National Ayush Mission (NAM) is the flagship program of Ministry of Ayush and with active cooperation of states and UT governments. The two days conclave will pave way for coordination among stakeholders and strengthen functioning of AHWCs.
35. Which state has recently commenced removal of dotted lands in the state from prohibited list?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Gujarat
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
A dotted land is a disputed land that does not have a clear ownership documents. The Andhra Pradesh government has recently commenced the removal of dotted lands in the state from prohibited list.
Over 2 lakh acres of the British-era dotted lands have been identified for permanent denotification.
36. Which institution released the ‘Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update’?
[A] UNEP
[B] UNFCCC
[C] WMO
[D] IMD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [WMO]
Notes:
According to a report by the WMO, global temperatures are predicted to reach record highs within the next five years, with at least one year becoming the warmest on record.
The report also highlights a 66% likelihood of the annual average near-surface global temperature exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for at least one year between 2023 and 2027.
37. Which institution proposed a ‘Framework for Unexplained Suspicious Trading Pattern’?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] NPCI
[D] IRDAI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SEBI]
Notes:
The Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has recently proposed a regulatory framework to respond to unexplained suspicious trading pattern around the presence of material non-public information.
The framework would deal with malpractices by market participants, who use new-age technologies by way of encrypted or vanishing messages, and modus operandi to evade the law.
38. What is the sixth submarine of the first batch of six Kalvari-class submarines for the Indian Navy?
[A] Virat
[B] Varun
[C] Vaghsheer
[D] Vrindavan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vaghsheer]
Notes:
The sixth submarine of the first batch of six Kalvari-class submarines for the Indian Navy under Project-75 is Vaghsheer.
The submarine is expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy in early 2024. The submarine was launched in 2022 by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).
39. The US signed a defence cooperation agreement with which country?
[A] Indonesia
[B] Papua New Guinea
[C] Australia
[D] Singapore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Papua New Guinea]
Notes:
The United States and Papua New Guinea have recently signed a defence cooperation agreement recently.
It will enhance the Pacific island nation’s defence capabilities and make it easier for the United States to train its forces.
40. Which institution will launch the ONDC Academy?
[A] SEBI
[B] EXIM Bank
[C] ONDC
[D] ECGC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ONDC]
Notes:
The ONDC Academy will be launched by the Open Network for Digital Commerce to raise awareness about various processes and to train network partners.
Its purpose is to develop a robust ecosystem of certified buyers, sellers and logistics network partners across the country.