11. India resumed negotiations for Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ECTA), with which country after five years?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Indonesia
[C] Singapore
[D] Malaysia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sri Lanka]
Notes:
India and Sri Lanka have resumed negotiations for the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ECTA) after a five-year hiatus.
The 12th round of negotiations took place in Sri Lanka recently, signalling renewed efforts to advance economic and technological cooperation between the two countries.
12. ‘Mukhya Mantri Ujjwal Jharkhand Yojana’ is associated with which facility?
[A] Education
[B] Electricity
[C] Nutrition
[D] Water
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Electricity]
Notes:
The Jharkhand state Cabinet has given its approval for the implementation of the Mukhya Mantri Ujjwal Jharkhand Yojana, with a budget allocation of Rs 1,485.39 crore.
This scheme aims to provide electricity to rural hamlets and households that currently lack access to electricity, as well as to cover the remaining unserved urban areas.
13. Which storm has recently hit hits north-west Europe with torrential rains and winds?
[A] Storm Ciaran
[B] Storm Tiara
[C] Storm Fusia
[D] Storm Euro
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Storm Ciaran]
Notes:
Storm Ciaran battered north-west Europe with torrential rains and winds upto 200 kilometres per hour.
Dozens of people have been injured and seven people died across Europe so far. The storm hit French shores with winds of more than 190 kilometres per hour slamming the northern tip of France’s Atlantic coast. In the UK, Channel Islands were among the worst-hit areas.
14. 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.
15. The businessline’s Changemaker of the Year award was awarded to which institution?
[A] SEBI
[B] RBI
[C] NABARD
[D] SIDBI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [RBI]
Notes:
The businessline’s Changemaker of the Year award was awarded to the Reserve Bank of India for steering India through the turbulent period of the pandemic, which had a large impact of the global economy.
Amul, was crowned iconic changemaker of the year. Power minister R K Singh gave away the awards at the fifth edition of the event.
16. ‘M-Kavach 2’ is a bot removal tool developed by which institution?
[A] NIC
[B] C-DAC
[C] HAL
[D] EIL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [C-DAC]
Notes:
The name of C-DAC Hyderabad developed Android devices bot removal tool is ‘M-Kavach 2’. The name of e-Scan developed bot removal tool for Android devices is ‘eScan CERT-In Bot Removal’.
Bots are automated software programs that are designed to perform repetitive tasks automatically. They can be used for various purposes, such as spamming, data scraping, or performing malicious activities.
17. What is the FY24 budgetary outlay for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)?
[A] ₹40,000 crore
[B] ₹60,000 crore
[C] ₹80,000 crore
[D] ₹90,000 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [₹60,000 crore]
Notes:
The Finance Ministry released ₹10,000 crore in urgent assistance for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
The funds were released to meet unexpected increased expenditure under the rural job guarantee scheme. The funds will be available until the first batch of supplementary demands for grants is approved by parliament at its next session. The unusual move came after 95% of the FY24 budgetary outlay of ₹60,000 crore for the MGNREGS was exhausted well before the commencement of the winter session of parliament.
18. According to a survey published by McKinsey Health Institute, what is the rank of India in employee well-being?
[A] First
[B] Second
[C] Fifth
[D] Tenth
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Second]
Notes:
According to a survey published by McKinsey Health Institute, India is the second-best country in the world for employee well-being.
Turkey stands first in the survey with 78% score, while India has the second highest score of 76%, closely followed by China. The survey measured employee well-being by assessing physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. The global average was 57%. Researchers found that individuals aged 18 to 24, employees of smaller enterprises, and non-managerial professionals exhibit elevated rates of burnout symptoms.
19. Lampreys, which are seen in the news, belong to which species?
[A] Gecko
[B] Fish
[C] Spider
[D] Bee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fish]
Notes:
Chinese paleontologists have made a new discovery, identifying two previously unknown species of lampreys from fossils estimated to be around 160 million years old.
Lampreys are jawless fish that bear a resemblance to eels in appearance. Generally, these are thought of as parasitic organisms, that use their disc-shaped mouths and sharp teeth to latch onto prey and suck their blood.
20. Which country is the host of ‘World Local Production Forum’?
[A] The Netherlands
[B] India
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [The Netherlands]
Notes:
An Indian delegation, headed by Bhagwant Khuba, Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, is taking part in the second World Local Production Forum, which is being held in the Netherlands.
The World Local Production Platform was established under the auspices of the WHO (World Health Organization) with the objective of expanding access to medicines and various other health technologies.