Who has been appointed as the new chief of India's external intelligence agency RAW on 19 June?
(A)
Rameshwar Nath Kao
(B)
Ravi Sinha
(C)
Anil Dhasmana
(D)
Rajinder Khanna
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: On 19 June, senior IPS officer Ravi Sinha has been appointed as the new chief of India's external intelligence agency RAW.
2.
Which of the following three new categories will be added at the Grammy Awards?
1. Best African Music Performance
2. Best Global Music Performance
3. Best Pop Dance Recording
4. Best Alternative Jazz Album
Select the correct code:
(A)
1, 2 and 3
(B)
2, 3 and 4
(C)
1, 3 and 4
(D)
1, 2 and 4
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: The three new categories will be added to the Grammy Awards.
3.
What is the name of the mascot of the 37th National Games?
(A)
Bholu
(B)
Moga
(C)
Gattu
(D)
Morgan
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: “Moga”, the 37th National Games mascot, has been launched by the Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant.<
4.
Who is set to become America's first Muslim female federal judge?
(A)
Nusrat Choudhury
(B)
Sujata Manohar
(C)
Ruma Pal
(D)
Gyan Sudha Misra
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Nusrat Choudhury is set to become America's first Muslim female federal judge.
5.
Which of the following countries have reopened embassies to restore diplomatic ties in June 2023?
(A)
UAE and Qatar
(B)
Kuwait and Oman
(C)
Bahrain and Kuwait
(D)
Qatar and Saudi Arabia
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: UAE and Qatar have reopened embassies in Abu Dhabi and Doha, respectively.
6.
PM Modi has recently called for full membership of G20 for which of the following international grouping?
(A)
European Union
(B)
African Union
(C)
Gulf Cooperation Council
(D)
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: PM Modi has called for full membership of G20 for African Union.
7.
Which country’s Prime Minister will address a joint sitting of the US Congress on June 22?
(A)
Japan
(B)
United Kingdom
(C)
Canada
(D)
India
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: PM Narendra Modi started his five-day visit to US and Egypt.
8.
In June 2023, India gifted an indigenously-built in-service missile corvette INS Kirpan to which country?
(A)
Vietnam
(B)
Malaysia
(C)
Cambodia
(D)
Bangladesh
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: India gifted an indigenously-built in-service missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam to enhance its Naval capabilities.
9.
As per a new study, which of the following cause has further tilted Earth’s spin?
(A)
Increase in sea level
(B)
Groundwater extraction
(C)
Submergence of tectonic plates
(D)
Increased number of volcanic eruptions
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: As per a study, the pumping out of groundwater has further tilted Earth’s axis.
10.
Who among the followings has won the men's doubles title at the Indonesia Open?
(A)
Srikanth Kidambi and Lakshya Sen
(B)
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty
(C)
Prannoy H. S and Chirag Shetty
(D)
Chetan Anand and Lakshya Sen
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: The Indian duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty creates history by winning the men's doubles title at the Indonesia Open.
11.
Consider the following statements, with respect to Gandhi Peace Prize
1. Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted by the Government of India in 1995
2. The award is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed, or gender.
3. Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2021 is being conferred on Gita Press, Gorakhpur
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A)
2 and 3 only
(B)
3 only
(C)
2 only
(D)
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct:
Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted by the Government of India in 1995, on the occasion of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as a tribute to the ideals espoused by Mahatma Gandhi.
Statement 2 is correct:
The award is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed, or gender.
The award carries an amount of Rs. 1 crore, a citation, a plaque, and an exquisite traditional handicraft/handloom item.
Statement 3 is correct:
The Jury headed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi after due deliberations on 18th June 2023 unanimously decided to select Gita Press, Gorakhpur as the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2021, in recognition of its outstanding contribution towards social, and economic, and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.
12.
Which of the following nations are part of ‘The Minerals Security Partnership (MSP)’:
1. USA
2. South Korea
3. Japan
4. India
Select the correct answer using the code given below
(A)
1, 2, and 3 only
(B)
1 and 3 only
(C)
2 and 3 only
(D)
1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: It is a US -lead global group that currently has 11 partners — Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the European Commission.
13.
Which of the following countries are members of the ‘Chip 4’ alliance
1. USA
2. Taiwan
3. Japan
4. India
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(A)
1, 2, and 3 only
(B)
1 & 3 only
(C)
2 & 3 only
(D)
1, 2, 3 and 4
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The “Chip 4” or “Fab 4” alliance includes four of the world’s top producers of semiconductors: the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, and Korea.
14.
Consider the following statement, with respect to heat wave
1. Heatwave is considered if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40° C or more for Plains and at least 30° C or more for Hilly regions.
2. A Severe Heat Wave situation is declared when the actual maximum temperature is more than 47° C at least in 2 stations in a Meteorological sub-division for at least two consecutive days.
3. Heatwave for the coastal area is declared when the maximum temperature departure is 4.5° C or more from normal
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A)
2 and 3 only
(B)
3 only
(C)
1 & 2 only
(D)
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: What is heat wave? Qualitatively, heat wave is a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to human body when exposed. Quantitatively, it is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of actual temperature or its departure from normal. I
15.
‘Regulations Review Authority 2.0’ is an initiative of which regulatory body/organization
(A)
NITI Ayog
(B)
Reserve Bank of India
(C)
Competition Commission of India
(D)
Securities and Exchange Board of India
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Regulations Review Authority 2.0’ up by the Reserve Bank of India focuses on streamlining regulatory instructions, reducing the compliance burden of the regulated entities by simplifying procedures and reducing reporting requirements, wherever possible. The terms of reference of RRA 2.0 would be as under:
16.
With reference to the Y chromosome in humans, consider the following statements
1. All biological males have X and Y chromosomes and all biological females have two X chromosomes.
2. Men lose the Y chromosome with age and this is associated with a higher frequency of cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and a shorter lifespan.
3. The human Y chromosome is about one-third as big as the X chromosome.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
(A)
Only one
(B)
Only two
(C)
All three
(D)
None
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: In humans, in addition to the 22 pairs of chromosomes in each, we have a pair of sex chromosomes called X and Y. Sex as a specification is determined by these sex chromosomes. They carry sex-determining genes. All biological males have X and Y chromosomes and all biological females have two X chromosomes. The ‘sex-determining region Y’ on the Y chromosome determines the biological male sex.
17.
Which country is set to host the UNFCCC COP 28 in 2023?
(A)
India
(B)
UAE
(C)
China
(D)
Italy
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: The United Arab Emirates would host the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Conference of Parties 28 (COP 28) in the year 2023. This announcement was made at the UNFCCC COP 26 Glasgow summit. Earlier, it was announced that the COP 27 in 2022 would be hosted by Egypt.
18.
With reference to the Dengue virus, consider the following statements
1. There are four types of dengue strains, and types II and IV are considered to be more severe.
2. Nearly 80% of dengue infections are usually asymptomatic.
3. A dengue infection confers lifelong immunity to all the serotypes.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
(A)
Only one
(B)
Only two
(C)
All three
(D)
None
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection, found in tropical and sub-tropical climates worldwide, mostly in urban and semi-urban areas. The virus responsible for causing dengue is called dengue virus (DENV). There are four DENV serotypes, meaning that it is possible to be infected four times. There are four types of dengue strains, and types II and IV are considered to be more severe and normally require hospitalization.
19.
With reference to Gandhi Peace Prize, consider the following statements
1. Gandhi Peace Prize Award for Social, Economic, and Political Transformation through Non-violence was instituted in the year 1995.
2. The Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 will be conferred on Gita Press, Gorakhpur.
3. The award is conferred by the Prime Minister of India.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
(A)
Only one
(B)
Only two
(C)
All three
(D)
None
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: The annual Gandhi Peace Prize was instituted in 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The award carries an amount of ₹1 crore, a citation, a plaque and an exquisite handicraft or handloom item.
20.
With reference to Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), consider the following statements
1. They can be owned by the central or the state government in which 51% or more than 51% of paid-up share capital is owned by the government.
2. Indian Oil Corporation Limited is an example of Navratna PSEs.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(A)
1 only
(B)
2 only
(C)
Both 1 and 2
(D)
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Public Sector Undertakings comprise one of the core elements of the Indian economy that provide public services and benefit the entire society. They can be owned by the central or the state government in which 51% or more than 51% of paid-up share capital is owned by the government. As of Jan 2022, there are 181 scheduled Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
21.
What is the primary objective of the expert committee formed to reform the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, of 1996?
(A)
Reducing court intervention
(B)
Expediting finality of awards
(C)
Developing a competitive environment in arbitration services
(D)
All of the above
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: The primary objective of the expert committee is to reduce court intervention, expedite the finality of awards, and develop a competitive environment in arbitration services.
22.
Which state topped the Best State category at the National Water Awards 2023?
(A)
Rajasthan
(B)
Maharashtra
(C)
Madhya Pradesh
(D)
Karnataka
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: Madhya Pradesh was awarded the first prize in the Best State category at the National Water Awards, recognizing its exceptional efforts in water conservation.
23.
When is the International Day for Countering Hate Speech observed?
(A)
June 17
(B)
June 19
(C)
June 16
(D)
June 18
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: The International Day for Countering Hate Speech is observed on June 18 each year.
24.
Sustainable Gastronomy Day is celebrated on June 18 every year. What is the theme for Sustainable Gastronomy Day 2023?
(A)
Local Flavours, Preserving Global Heritage
(B)
Sustainable Farming Techniques
(C)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction
(D)
Food Security and Well-being
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The theme for Sustainable Gastronomy Day 2023 is ‘Local Flavours, Preserving Global Heritage.’
25.
Who is the World Bank’s Country Director for India?
(A)
Jim Yong Kim
(B)
David Malpass
(C)
Kristalina Georgieva
(D)
Auguste Tano Kouame
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: Auguste Tano Kouame is the World Bank’s Country Director for India and has emphasized the importance of the Resilient Kerala Program in increasing the state’s resilience to climate change.