1. Saleemul Huq, who passed away recently, was associated with which profession?
[A] Scientist
[B] Climate Change Expert
[C] Economist
[D] Writer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Climate Change Expert]
Notes:
Professor Saleemul Huq, a prominent advocate for climate justice and the director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) in Dhaka, passed away at the age of 71.
He was an esteemed expert in the fields of climate change, environment, and development. Professor Huq dedicated his work to establishing connections between climate change mitigation, adaptation, and sustainable development, with a focus on developing countries, especially the least developed nations (LDCs).
2. India’s first-ever Lavender Farm is constructed in which state/UT?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
India’s first-ever Lavender Farm is coming up at Challa village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district. It is spread over two hectares of land owned by the Department of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare.
A native of Europe, lavender was introduced by the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) in the temperate regions of the Jammu division under the CSIR-Aroma Mission in 2018, and Doda became the birthplace of India’s purple revolution.
3. Which institution along with Tel Aviv University, Israel developed an aerogel adsorbent to remove trace pollutants from wastewater?
[A] IISc Bengaluru
[B] IIT Madras
[C] IIT Delhi
[D] IIT Kharagpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIT Madras]
Notes:
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and Tel Aviv University, Israel, have developed an aerogel adsorbent that can remove trace pollutants from wastewater.
The aerogel is made of graphene-modified silica and can remove small particles and microorganisms from wastewater.
4. With reference to Indian military, what is ‘Prachand’?
[A] Drones
[B] Light Combat Helicopter
[C] Anti-ship missile
[D] Submarine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Light Combat Helicopter]
Notes:
The Indian Army’s Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), known as ‘Prachand,’ has achieved a significant milestone by successfully conducting live firing exercises with 70mm rockets.
These exercises were conducted in both day and night conditions at a firing range located near Likabali in Assam, showcasing the LCH’s capabilities and versatility.
5. Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited functions under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Ayush
[B] Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers
[C] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[D] Ministry of Ayush
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Ayush]
Notes:
The Indian government has received numerous expressions of interest for the strategic sale of Indian Medicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Limited (IMPCL).
IMPCL is currently under the administrative control of the Ministry of Ayush, and the government holds a 98.11% stake in the company. This move is part of the government’s efforts to divest its holdings in certain public sector enterprises.
6. Which country has dispatched a new scientific expedition team to build its fifth research station in Antarctica?
[A] India
[B] USA
[C] China
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Notes:
China has dispatched a new scientific expedition team to build its fifth research station in Antarctica. The expedition includes two Chinese icebreaker research ships and a cargo ship carrying more than 460 personnel.
The team will conduct climate change studies and help complete construction of the station. The station will provide communications for China’s scientific polar observation satellites.
7. Which city is the host India-US 2+2 meeting in 2023?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Chennai
[C] New York
[D] Chicago
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
The India-US 2+2 meeting is scheduled to be held in New Delhi in November 2023. The meeting will be held amid global turbulence and it will address differences over Canada’s allegations against India.
US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin will be visiting India next week for the India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will host the two visiting US Cabinet ministers.
8. Cradle of Humankind, which was seen in the news, is a heritage site located in which country?
[A] China
[B] South Africa
[C] Greece
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [South Africa]
Notes:
In South Africa, paleontologists have made a finding, challenging the notion that humans created the world’s oldest known burial site.
The research has unveiled the presence of remains belonging to small-brained distant relatives of humans at this burial site. These Stone Age hominids, known for their tree-climbing abilities, were unearthed approximately 100 feet underground in a cave system within the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO world heritage site near Johannesburg.
9. India recently signed a Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement with which country?
[A] Italy
[B] Israel
[C] Ukraine
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Italy]
Notes:
India and Italy sign Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement to facilitate movement of workers, students.
With a population of around 1,80,000, the Indian diaspora in Italy is the third-largest in Europe, following the UK and the Netherlands.
10. Which is the first foreign company that has bagged 100% FDI in India’s defence projects?
[A] Boeing
[B] Lockheed Martin
[C] Saab
[D] General Dynamics
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Saab]
Notes:
Sweden’s Saab has become the first foreign company that has bagged 100% FDI in India’s defence projects.
According to a report, Sweden’s Saab will set up a new facility in the country that will manufacture shoulder-fired rockets. Currently, India allows only 74% FDI in the defence sector under the automatic route. Beyond that, clearance can be obtained on a case-by-case basis.