1. Which state implements the ‘Ladli Behna Scheme’?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Goa
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Madhya Pradesh raised the financial aid given to women in the Ladli Behna Scheme from ₹1,000 to ₹1,250 per month.
About 1.25 crore women will be benefited from this decision. Women in the 23-60 age group get the assistance if they are not income tax payees and the annual income of their families is less than ₹2.5 lakh annually. The Chief Minister also announced 35 percent reservation for women in government jobs.
2. What is the name of India’s first space-based observatory, to be launched in September 2023?
[A] Arun-L1
[B] Aditya-L1
[C] Kathir-L1
[D] Surya-L1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Aditya-L1]
Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch Aditya-L1 on September 2 to study the sun.
The Aditya-L1 mission is the first space-based observatory-class Indian solar mission to study the Sun. It will be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrangian point (L1) of the Sun-Earth system.
3. Which country has been recently hit by tropical storm Idalia?
[A] Cuba
[B] South Africa
[C] Australia
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cuba]
Notes:
Western Cuba was lashed by tropical storm Idalia and is likely to turn into a major hurricane as it moves towards the Gulf Coast in Floria.
Evacuations have been ordered by the officials. Idalia was churning around 80 miles off Cuba’s western tip.
4. As per the annual lightning report, which state recorded the highest number of flashes in 2022- 23?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Mizoram
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Madhya Pradesh is found to be the lightning hub of India with maximum flashes of 987,095 in 2022- 23 and highest deaths of 340 per year, according to the fourth annual lightning report.
It highlights that the country recorded more than 20 million lightning strikes in 2022-23, 60% increase in cloud-to-ground lightning from 2019-20. The Lightning Resilient India Campaign is a collaborative endeavour between the climate resilient observing systems promotion council (CROPC) and the India meteorological department (IMD).
5. Gabon, which was seen in the news, is located in which region?
[A] Africa
[B] Europe
[C] Australia
[D] Asia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Africa]
Notes:
Rebel soldiers in Central African nation Gabon claim to have ousted their President Ali Bongo Ondimba.
Rebel officers in the oil-rich central African state of Gabon announced they had seized power following disputed elections in which President Ali Bongo Ondimba, in power since 2009, had been declared victorious.
6. The DFL (Deutsche Fußball Liga) has entered into a collaboration with which Indian state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Odisha
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The DFL (Deutsche Fußball Liga) has entered into a collaboration with the Government of the State of Maharashtra, after a MoU was signed as part of the prestigious Shree Shiv Chhatarapati Awards ceremony in Pune, India.
The MoU lays out three core elements to support the advancement of football within the state of Maharashtra: improving the technical and sporting expertise at all levels within clubs, associations, colleges and schools; strengthening football structures across the Indian subcontinent; and specifically supporting the progression of football within the Maharashtra district.
7. NITI Aayog signed a MoU with which institution on fast tracking SDGs?
[A] UNDP
[B] UNEP
[C] World Bank
[D] WEF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [UNDP]
Notes:
NITI Aayog and UNDP India have signed, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise a framework of cooperation on a range of areas, including SDG localisation, data-driven monitoring, Aspirational Districts and Blocks, among others.
The MoU was signed for a period of five years. NITI Aayog is the nodal Institution for coordinating the adoption and monitoring of SDGs at the national and sub-national levels. UNDP plays the integrator role in coordinating efforts to fast-track progress on the SDGs within the UN system.
8. ‘Rashtriya Poshan Maah’ is observed in which month in India?
[A] August
[B] September
[C] October
[D] November
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [September]
Notes:
Ministry of Women and Child Development is celebrating the 6th Rashtriya Poshan Maah throughout September 2023.
Several activities are organised across the country with themes like ‘Improving Nutrition through Mission LiFE & ‘Exclusive Breastfeeding & Complimentary Feeding’.
9. ‘Advance Pricing Agreement (APA)’ is a programme associated with which institution?
[A] CBDT
[B] CBIC
[C] NASSCOM
[D] GST Council
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [CBDT]
Notes:
The Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) programme is an initiative for promoting an investor-friendly and non-adversarial tax regime in India.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has recently released the fourth and fifth annual APA reports. The reports present key data and statistics pertaining to the APA programme.
10. The Adopt a Heritage 2.0 Programme operates under which of these policy / legiislative arrangaments?
[A] Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972
[B] Indian Treasure Trove Act, 1878
[C] National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA)
[D] Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act), 1958
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act), 1958]
Notes:
Adopt a Heritage 2.0 Scheme is a government initiative aimed at enhancing amenities at historical monuments in India through corporate involvement and their CSR funds. This program is a revamped version of the 2017 scheme and operates under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR Act) of 1958. Interested stakeholders can adopt specific monuments or amenities through the dedicated web portal, providing comprehensive information and financial requirements. To promote heritage awareness, an Indian Heritage App will be launched, showing monuments with details, photos, amenities, geotagged locations, and a citizen feedback mechanism. This initiative is collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, and the Archaeological Survey of India.