1. Morbi Bridge on the Machchu river is located in which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Gujarat
[C] Assam
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
Over 140 people including 40 women and 34 children were killed in the collapse of a 135-year-old suspension bridge on Machchhu river in Morbi.
The 754-feet bridge on the Machchu river was built during British rule in the 19th Century. It collapsed four days after it was reopened, after being closed for over seven months for repair and renovation work. It is a popular tourist attraction known as Julto Pul (swinging bridge).
2. What is the TB incidence of India (per 1 lakh population) for the year 2021, as per the Global TB Report 2022?
[A] 101
[B] 210
[C] 510
[D] 1200
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [210]
Notes:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) released the Global TB Report 2022, which notes the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis, treatment and burden of disease for TB.
India’s TB incidence for the year 2021 is 210 per 100,000 population, compared to the baseline year of 2015. There has been an 18% decline which is 7 percentage points better than the global average of 11%. India is placed at 36th position in terms of TB incidence rates.
3. The United Nations agreed to implement a Black Sea grain deal with which countries?
[A] Turkey and Ukraine
[B] India and Iran
[C] Afghanistan and Iran
[D] Azerbaijan and Armenia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Turkey and Ukraine]
Notes:
The United Nations, Turkey and Ukraine agreed to implement a Black Sea grain deal despite Russia’s withdrawal from the agreement.
Black Sea grain Initiative was launched by Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Nations in July 2022 to enable the resumption of exports from Ukraine of grains, food products and fertilizer through a humanitarian corridor from Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea.
4. Who represented India in the Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government?
[A] Narendra Modi
[B] Dr S Jaishankar
[C] Amit Shah
[D] Rajnath Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dr S Jaishankar]
Notes:
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar represented India in the Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government.
Dr. Jaishankar also expressed interest in expanding India-SCO trade on the basis of fair market access. A Joint Communique of SCO Heads of Government and other Decisions were adopted at the conclusion of the Meeting.
5. Which month’s GST collection reached the second highest mark after April 2022?
[A] July 2022
[B] August 2022
[C] September 2022
[D] October 2022
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [October 2022]
Notes:
Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose to Rs 1,51,718 crore for October, for sales in September.
This the second highest level since the roll-out of the indirect tax regime in July 2017, after April 2022, as per the data released by the Finance Ministry. Monthly GST revenues have been above the Rs 1.4 lakh crore mark for the last eight months in a row.
6. Which state launched ‘Ladli Laxmi 2.0 financial assistance scheme’?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the state government’s flagship ‘Ladli Laxmi 2.0’ financial assistance scheme.
The scheme aims to encourage girls to pursue higher education and make them independent. The state had launched the ‘Ladli Laxmi’ scheme in 2007, to provide monetary benefits to the eligible girl children to ensure they get good education.
7. Which country’s President will be the Chief Guest at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention?
[A] Australia
[B] Israel
[C] Guyana
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Guyana]
Notes:
Guyana President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali will be the chief guest at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention.
It will be held in January 2023 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The External Affairs Ministry also said that Zaneta Mascarenhas, Member of Parliament of Australia, will be the guest of honour at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. The theme of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is – Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal.
8. Which state/UT is the host of the ‘Purple Fest: Celebrating Diversity’?
[A] Jammu and Kashmir
[B] Goa
[C] Sikkim
[D] Nagaland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Goa]
Notes:
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant unveiled the logo for the ‘Purple Fest: Celebrating Diversity’, to be held in Panaji in January 2023.
It is a first-of-its-kind inclusive festival for persons with disabilities. The Goa State Commission for Persons with Disabilities will host the Purple Fest in association with the Directorate of Social Welfare and Entertainment Society of Goa.
9. What was introduced in the 103rd Constitutional Amendment, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] Constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC)
[B] Constitutional status to the National Commission for Women (NCW)
[C] 10 percent quota for Economically weaker sections (EWS)
[D] Goods and Services Tax
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [10 percent quota for Economically weaker sections (EWS)]
Notes:
The Central Government introduced the provision for EWS reservation in admissions and public services, through the 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019.
The Supreme Court pronounced the judgement on a batch of pleas challenging the validity of the amendment. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit upheld the 10 percent quota for EWS in a 3:2 split verdict. Though the Chief Justice had struck down the amendment, the majority bench upheld the act.
10. Which state/UT hosted the ‘Army Commanders’ Conference’?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Assam
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
The Ministry of Defence announced that the Army Commanders’ Conference has been inaugurated in New Delhi.
It aims to brainstorm on current and emerging security and administrative aspects and chart the future course for the Indian Army. It is an apex-level biannual event and is an institutional platform for conceptual level deliberations to make important policy decisions for the Indian Army.