Joha rice, which was seen in the news, is from which state/UT?
(A)
Assam
(B)
West Bengal
(C)
Odisha
(D)
Bihar
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology conducted research on the nutraceutical properties of Joha rice, an aromatic rice grown in the Northeastern region of India, especially Assam.
2.
Which Union Ministry announced changes in UAV Export Policy to make it simpler and liberalized?
(A)
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
(B)
Ministry of MSME
(C)
Ministry of Home Affairs
(D)
Ministry of External Affairs
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has made the export policy for civilian drones/UAVs from India simpler and more liberalized, aligning with the focus of India’s Foreign Trade Policy 2023.
3.
Archaeologists have unearthed a 4,000-year-old sanctuary in which country?
(A)
China
(B)
Japan
(C)
Greece
(D)
Netherlands
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: Archaeologists have unearthed a 4,000-year-old sanctuary in the central Netherlands, composed of ditches and burial mounds, believed to have had a similar purpose to Stonehenge.
4.
Heliopolis Memorial, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
(A)
Germany
(B)
USA
(C)
Egypt
(D)
Japan
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Heliopolis War Cemetery in Cairo, Egypt, to honor the memory of around 4,000 Indian soldiers who fought in World War 1 in Egypt and Palestine.
5.
Which country leads the ‘Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)’?
(A)
USA
(B)
India
(C)
Germany
(D)
Italy
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The establishment of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), led by the United States, aims to fast-track the global development of resilient and eco-friendly supply chains for crucial energy minerals.
6.
What action did the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) take regarding Mahalaxmi Cooperative Bank Ltd?
(A)
Revoked its license to operate in Karnataka
(B)
Granted a non-banking institution license
(C)
Cancelled its banking permit
(D)
Provided additional capital investment
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: The RBI announced the cancellation of Mahalaxmi Cooperative Bank Ltd’s banking permit while granting it a non-banking institution license.
7.
What is the purpose of Visa’s acquisition of Pismo?
(A)
To expand its presence in Latin America
(B)
To enhance its payment processing capabilities
(C)
To enter the Brazilian fintech market
(D)
To acquire Pismo’s management team
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The acquisition of Pismo by Visa aims to increase Visa’s footprint in the region and strengthen its position in the Latin American fintech market.
8.
Which ministry is responsible for the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex?
(A)
Ministry of Tourism
(B)
Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways
(C)
Ministry of Culture
(D)
Ministry of Heritage
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The development of the NMHC falls under their purview. The NMHC is being developed as a world-class facility to highlight India’s maritime history from ancient to modern times.
9.
Which of the following is NOT a feature of the National Maritime Heritage Complex?
(A)
India’s Tallest Naval Museum
(B)
World’s Largest Open Aquatic Gallery
(C)
World’s Highest Lighthouse Museum
(D)
Four Theme Parks
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The NMHC includes the world’s highest lighthouse museum, the world’s largest open aquatic gallery, four theme parks, and fourteen galleries highlighting maritime heritage.
10.
What is the interest rate offered under the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, 2023 scheme?
(A)
7.5% per annum compounded quarterly
(B)
5.5% per annum compounded quarterly
(C)
6.7% per annum compounded annually
(D)
9.0% per annum compounded monthly
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The deposits made under the scheme will bear interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum, which will be compounded quarterly, resulting in an effective interest rate of approximately 7.7%.
11.
What is the maximum limit for the deposit in the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, 2023 scheme?
(A)
2,00,000
(B)
1,50,000
(C)
1,00,000
(D)
3,00,000
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The maximum limit for the deposit in the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, 2023 scheme is two lakh rupees.
12.
What is the interest rate for the girl child savings scheme, Sukanya Samriddhi, for the July-September 2023 period?
(A)
7.5%
(B)
7.1%
(C)
8%
(D)
8.1%
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: The interest rate for the girl child savings scheme, Sukanya Samriddhi, stands at the existing level of 8% for the July-September 2023 period.
13.
What is the new interest rate for a five-year recurring deposit (RD) for the July-September 2023 quarter?
(A)
6.5%
(B)
6.2%
(C)
6.8%
(D)
7.2%
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The new interest rate for a five-year RD for the July-September 2023 quarter is 6.5%, which increased from the previous rate of 6.2%.
14.
What is the maximum percentage of the eligible balance that an account holder can withdraw during the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, 2023 scheme tenor?
(A)
20%
(B)
40%
(C)
30%
(D)
50%
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Account holders are eligible to withdraw a maximum of up to 40% of the eligible balance in their scheme account during the tenor of the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, 2023 scheme.
15.
Which place is known for its stone craft using the ‘Pyro Flight Stone’?
(A)
Mahoba
(B)
Baghpat
(C)
Kalpi
(D)
Mainpuri
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Mahoba is known for its stone craft using the ‘Pyro Flight Stone,’ a soft and radiant white-colored stone found in the region. The craft is known as Mahoba Gaura Patthar Hastashlip.
16.
According to the European Council's conclusions on China, what is the EU’s approach towards China?
(A)
Partner
(B)
Partner
(C)
Competitor
(D)
All of the above
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: In the European Council’s summit held on 30th June 2023, EU leaders reaffirmed their commitment to reducing the bloc’s dependence on China while exploring ways to strike a balance between cooperation and “de-risking” in various domains, particularly in light of climate change concerns. The European Council recognizes China as a partner, competitor, and systemic rival.
17.
What is the revised threshold for triggering Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS)?
(A)
Rs 7 lakhs
(B)
Rs 8 lakhs
(C)
Rs 10 lakhs
(D)
No threshold for triggering TCS
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The threshold for triggering Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) remains at Rs 7 lakhs. Remittances below this threshold will not be subject to the increased TCS rate.
18.
Which rank did the Indian men’s national football team achieve in FIFA’s latest world rankings?
(A)
100th
(B)
94th
(C)
99th
(D)
96th
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The Indian men’s national football team climbed to the 100th rank in FIFA’s latest world rankings.
19.
National Chartered Accountants Day, also known as CA Day, is observed on July 1. Which organization is responsible for issuing accounting standards guidelines in India?
(A)
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI)
(B)
National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA)
(C)
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
(D)
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is responsible for issuing accounting standards guidelines that need to be followed by accounting and finance organizations in India.
20.
Which country is ranked first in FIFA’s latest world rankings?
(A)
England
(B)
Brazil
(C)
France
(D)
Argentina
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: World Cup 2022 winners Argentina is the top-ranked team with 1843.73 points followed by France and Brazil.
21.
Who has been appointed as the Special Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)?
(A)
Ajay Bhatnagar
(B)
Sharad Agarwal
(C)
Manoj Sashidhar
(D)
None of the above
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Ajay Bhatnagar (IPS) has been appointed as the Special Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) according to a DoPT order. He is a 1989-batch IPS officer of Jharkhand cadre.
22.
What was the total number of Aadhaar-based face authentication transactions recorded in May 2023?
(A)
14 million
(B)
15.86 million
(C)
10.6 million
(D)
14.86 million
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: Total number of Aadhaar-based face authentication transactions reached an all-time high of 10.6 million in May.
23.
International Asteroid Day is annually commemorated on
(A)
February 15th
(B)
June 30th
(C)
January 1st
(D)
December 31st
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: International Asteroid Day is observed on June 30th each year to commemorate the Tunguska impact that occurred in Siberia, Russia, on June 30, 1908.
24.
Every year, June 30th marks the celebration of the International Day of Parliamentarism, a day dedicated to commemorating the formation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). What is the theme for this year’s International Day of Parliamentarism?
(A)
Parliaments for the Planet
(B)
Parliaments for Inclusivity
(C)
Parliaments for Transparency
(D)
Parliaments for Peace
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The theme for this year’s International Day of Parliamentarism is ‘Parliaments for the Planet.’ The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has launched the campaign ‘Parliaments for the Planet’ to emphasize the role of parliaments in addressing climate change.
25.
Which department in India is responsible for the Geographical Indication Registry?
(A)
Department of Commerce
(B)
Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade
(C)
Ministry of Handicrafts
(D)
Department of Handicrafts
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: The Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, Tamil Nadu is under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DIPIT) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI).