Which organization and DRDO have signed a contract for the realization of two Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System Modules for Kalvari Class of submarines of the Indian Navy on June 22?
(A)
Larsen & Toubro (L&T)
(B)
ITC Limited
(C)
Tata Group
(D)
Infosys
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: A contract has been signed between Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on June 22.
2.
Who has been appointed as the Chairman of Alibaba with effect from September 2023?
(A)
Joseph Tsai
(B)
Daniel Zhang
(C)
Eddie Wu
(D)
Zack Ma
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Alibaba announced a new Chairman and CEO as part of a major change.
3.
Who has been appointed as chairperson of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission?
(A)
Kamlesh Prasad
(B)
Umesh Kumar
(C)
Harish Kumar
(D)
Rajiv Kumar
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Umesh Kumar has been appointed as chairperson of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC).
4.
Which of the following statements is correct about the Artemis Accords?
1. Artemis Accords was established in 2022 by NASA in association with the US Department of State.
2. India joined the Artemis Accords for space exploration.
Select the correct code:
(A)
1 only
(B)
2 only
(C)
1 and 2
(D)
None of the above
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: India joined the Artemis Accords for space exploration, On 22 June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed the Artemis Accords to make India a global space power.
5.
Recently, a submersible vessel Titan imploded near the site of the sinking of the British passenger liner, the Titanic, in _______.
(A)
1910
(B)
1912
(C)
1911
(D)
1913
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: The submersible vessel Titan imploded near the site of the sinking of the British passenger liner, the Titanic, in 1912.
6.
Who has been appointed as president of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) women vertical?
(A)
Sushila Singh
(B)
Dimple Kaushik
(C)
Shabana Nasim
(D)
Ruby Sinha
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: Ruby Sinha has been appointed as President of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) women vertical for three years.
7.
India signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement with which country for authorized economic operators (AEOs)?
(A)
UAE
(B)
USA
(C)
Iran
(D)
Canada
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: India and UAE signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement for authorized economic operators (AEOs) of both countries.
8.
"Bharat in Paris" campaign is related to _____________.
(A)
Spread awareness about Paris Olympic Games.
(B)
Promote sports before the Commonwealth Games of 2024.
(C)
Include Cricket in Paris Olympic Games 2024.
(D)
None of the above
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The "Bharat in Paris" campaign has been flagged off by Union Minister Anurag Thakur at JL Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
9.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The newly-developed Indian Standard (IS 18267:2023) will be for Agri By-Product Utensils.
2. The use of biodegradable agri by-product utensils will contribute to environmental safety, the conservation of natural resources, and the promotion of a circular economy.
Select the correct code:
(A)
1 only
(B)
2 only
(C)
1 and 2
(D)
None of the above
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: BIS released standards for agricultural by-product utensils, To reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainability, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has released standards for agricultural by-product utensils.
10.
Who among the following has won the Bal Sahitya Puraskar in the Hindi language category for his collection of short stories, ‘Kotuk App’?
(A)
Suryanath Singh
(B)
Vishakha Vishwanath
(C)
Sudha Murty
(D)
Balwan Singh
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Sahitya Akademi has announced the winners of Bal Sahitya Puraskar and Yuva Puraskar for 2023.
11.
With reference to Gender Gap Index, 2023 consider the following statements
1. Global Gender Gap Report is released biennially by the World Economic Forum.
2. India was ranked 127 out of 146 countries in terms of gender parity in the 2023 index.
3. According to the report, India had attained parity in enrolment across all levels of education.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(A)
Only one
(B)
Only two
(C)
All three
(D)
None
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Global Gender Gap Report is released annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF) since 2006. It measures gender parity in 146 countries and across four areas: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival and political empowerment. India was ranked at 127 out of 146 countries in terms of gender parity, an improvement of eight places from last year.
12.
Consider the following statements with reference to Asia Pacific Plant Protection Commission
1. It is an intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation among countries in the Asia-Pacific region to enhance plant health and plant protection.
2. The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization provides the secretariat to coordinate the work of the Commission.
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: (C)
Explanation: It is an intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation among countries in the Asia-Pacific region to enhance plant health and plant protection. It was established in 1956 as a regional body approved by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
13.
Consider the following statements with reference to Black Cocaine
1. It is a rare drug, which is typically white in color but mixed with charcoal to give it a black rubbery appearance.
2. Pure cocaine is recovered from black cocaine by extraction using methylene chloride or acetone.
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: (D)
Explanation: Black cocaine is rare drug, which is typically white in colour but it is the additional substance that makes it black in colour. It is a designer drug wherein cocaine is mixed with charcoal and other chemicals to give it black rubbery appearance. It cannot be even detected by sniffer dogs. The pure cocaine base is then recovered from the mixture by extraction using common organic solvents such as methylene chloride or acetone.
14.
Consider the following statements with reference to BepiColombo Spacecraft
1. It is a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
2. It aims to study and understand the composition and geophysics of Mercury.
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: It is a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Launched in – 2018. Launch Vehicle – Ariane 5.
15.
Beki River, recently seen in the news is a tributary of which of the following river?
(A)
Narmada River
(B)
Mahanadi River
(C)
Brahmaputra River
(D)
Periyar River
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: The Beki River originates in Bhutan, and it is one of the right-bank tributaries of the Brahmaputra River. This river is also known as the Kurisu River in Bhutan. A large portion of the Beki River flows in the state of Assam and ultimately mixes with Bay of Bengal.It flows through the Manas National Park.
16.
Consider the following statements, with reference to the Kathakali dance
1. It is a classical dance of Kerala state.
2. It is a blend of dance, music, and acting and dramatizes stories from the Indian epics.
3. Pandit Birju Maharaj who recently passed was a famous Kathakali dancer of India
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A)
1 only
(B)
1 & 3 only
(C)
2 & 3 only
(D)
1, 2 & 3
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct
Kathakali is one of the classical dances form from the Indian state of Kerala.
Basic components and distinct features of this form of classical dance can be traced back to the ancient Sanskrit Hindu text- ‘Natya Shastra’.
Kathakali also derives its textual sanction from Balarama Bharatamand Hastalakshana Deepika Dance-drama art form called ‘Krishnanattam’ and Ramanattam based on Mahabharata and Ramayana are precursor of ‘Kathakali’.
Statement 2 is correct
Features of the dance:
Kathakali is a blend of dance, music and acting and dramatizes stories, which are mostly adapted from the Indian epics.
The dance form combines four aspects of abhinaya – Angika, Aharya, Vachika, Satvikaand the Nritta, Nritya and Natya are combined perfectly.
The dancer expresses himself through codified hasta mudras and facial expressions, closely following the verses (padams)that are sung
Statement 3 is not correct:
Brijmohan Mishra - also known as Pandit Birju Maharaj is a famous 'Kathak' dancer of India. 'Kathak' is one of the 8 classical dances recognized by the Sangeet Natak Academy
17.
Consider the following statements, with respect to Mineral Security Partnership (MSP)
1. It is a US-led collaboration of 14 countries that aims to catalyze public and private investment in critical mineral supply chains globally.
2. Recently, India has been inducted into Mineral Security Partnership.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(A)
1 only
(B)
2 only
(C)
Both 1 and 2
(D)
Neither 1 nor 2
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), a US-led collaboration of 14 countries that aims to catalyse public and private investment in critical mineral supply chains globally.
It aims to attract investment from governments and private sector for strategic opportunities, across the full value chain that will be as per the highest environmental, social, and governance standards.
18.
Consider the following statements
1. Rare earth comprises 17 elements that are classified as light rare earth elements and heavy rare earth elements
2. India has a complete dependency on the import of rare earth metals
3. China is a leading producer of RE with an estimated 70 percent of the global production
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(A)
1 only
(B)
2 & 3 only
(C)
1 & 3 only
(D)
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct:
Rare earth comprises 17 elements and are classified as light RE elements (LREE) and heavy RE elements (HREE).
Statement 2 is not correct:
Some REs are available in India such as lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, and samarium, while others such as dysprosium, terbium, and europium that are classified as HREE are not available in Indian deposits in extractable quantities.
Production of Monazite the primary source of rare earth minerals in India is around 4000 MT per annum.
Though IREL(India) Limited, formerly India Rare Earths Limited has installed the capacity to process about 10,000 MT of rare earth-bearing mineral
Statement 3 is correct:
Currently, there is an overwhelming dependence on countries such as China for HREE, which is one of the leading producers of RE with an estimated 70 percent of the global production.
19.
Recently, India decided to import MQ-9 Reaper, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from which country
(A)
USA
(B)
Israel
(C)
Russia
(D)
Australia
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Recently, Apex body responsible for clearing all capital acquisitions for the Indian Armed Forces, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of armed Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), an aeronautics company based in the United States
20.
Shikoku Henro pilgrimage site is located in which country
(A)
South Korea
(B)
Japan
(C)
China
(D)
India
Correct Answer: (B)
21.
Which sector showed the highest growth in merchandise exports in May 2023 compared to May 2022?
(A)
Electronic Goods
(B)
Spices
(C)
Oil Meals
(D)
Iron Ore
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The provided information states that Electronic Goods exports increased by 73.96% in May 2023 compared to the same month in 2022, which is the highest growth rate among the given options.
22.
What is Fitch’s revised GDP forecast for India for the financial year 2023-24?
(A)
6.0%
(B)
6.1%
(C)
6.2%
(D)
6.3%
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: Fitch has revised its GDP forecast for India to 6.3% for the financial year 2023-24.
23.
What is the main objective of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between GE Aerospace and HAL?
(A)
To produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force (IAF)
(B)
To develop advanced technology for commercial aircraft
(C)
To establish a joint venture between GE Aerospace and HAL
(D)
To improve bilateral trade between India and the United States
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: To produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The MoU aims to facilitate the joint production of fighter jet engines for the IAF, signifying a new era in the India-US defense partnership.
24.
What milestone did the UK’s public sector net debt reach in May 2023?
(A)
120% of GDP
(B)
110% of GDP
(C)
90% of GDP
(D)
100% of GDP
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: The UK’s public sector net debt exceeded 100% of GDP for the first time since 1961, reaching £2.567 trillion, or 100.1% of GDP.
25.
How might the high debt and inflation impact government spending?
(A)
Increased debt interest payments
(B)
Decreased debt interest payments
(C)
Decreased spending on benefits and tax credits
(D)
Reduced pressure on the government
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The high debt and inflation are likely to drive up government spending through increased debt interest payments and adjustments to inflation-linked benefits and tax credits.