Q1.Which Union Ministry launched the ‘Prajjwala Challenge’?
[A] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs[B] Ministry of Rural Development
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
B – Explanation:
- Ministry of Rural Development’s Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has launched the Prajjwala Challenge.
Under the challenge, ideas are invited from individuals, Enterprises, Start ups, Private Sector, Civil Society and others to transform the rural economy.
Q2.Which institution has urged stock exchanges to set up Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) platform?
[A] RBI[B] SEBI
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] Supreme Court
B – Explanation:
- Markets regulator SEBI has asked stock exchanges to set up an Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) platform
The platform will give investors an opportunity to square off their position or cancel pending orders in case of disruption of trading services. There is a rise in instances of glitches in systems of trading members, some of which lead to disruption of trading services.
Q3.What is the target for agricultural and processed food products from India for 2022-23?
[A] USD 3.56 billion[B] USD 13.56 billion
[C] USD 23.56 billion
[D] USD 43.56 billion
C – Explanation:
- India’s agricultural and processed food products exports rose by 16 per cent in the first eight months (April-November) of the current financial year 2022-23 on an annual basis.
For the year 2022-23, an export target of $23.56 billion has been fixed for the agricultural and processed food products basket. At present, the agricultural exports attained 74 per cent of its annual export target.
Q4.Which Department under the ‘Ministry of Finance’ notifies changes in rates on small savings schemes?
[A] Department of Expenditure[B] Department of Economic Affairs
[C] Department of Revenue
[D] Department of Financial Services
B – Explanation:
- Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance notifies changes in rates on small savings schemes.
Recently, the government hiked the interest rates on various small savings schemes including senior citizen savings scheme for the January to March quarter. The PPF will continue to earn 7.10%, while Sukanya Samriddhi account scheme will continue to earn 7.6% interest rate.
Q5. New Jalpaiguri, which was in the news related to Vande Bharat Express, is located in which state?
[A] Assam[B] West Bengal
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
B – Explanation:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off the Vande Bharat express connecting Howrah and New Jalpaiguri. It is a railway station in Siliguri, West Bengal and is considered as the gateway to the northeast.
The Vande Bharat Express covers a distance of 564 km in 7.45 hours, will save three hours of travel time. The Vande Bharat express will be preferred by tea industry executives and tourists travelling to the Himalayas in North Bengal and Sikkim.
Q6. ‘Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee – National Institute of Water and Sanitation (DSPM – NIWAS)’ has been inaugurated in which state?
[A] Uttar Pradesh[B] West Bengal
[C] Telangana
[D] Karnataka
B – Explanation:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid foundation stone and projects worth more than ₹7,800 crore in West Bengal.
He also virtually inaugurated Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee – National Institute of Water and Sanitation (DSPM – NIWAS). It will serve as an apex body in the country on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the country, serving as a hub of information and knowledge for Central, State and local governments.
Q7. Election Commission of India has developed a prototype of a remote electronic voting machine (RVM) for which category of people?
[A] Non Resident Indians[B] Domestic Migrant Workers
[C] Elderly citizens above 80 years
[D] Persons with Disabilities
B – Explanation:
- The Election Commission of India has developed a prototype of a remote electronic voting machine (RVM) for domestic migrant voters.
It has invited political parties for a demonstration. If implemented, migrant voters do not need to travel to their home district to exercise their franchise and this will be a major move to increase voter participation.
Q8. Which state commenced India’s first Nilgiri Tahr project?
[A] Kerala[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Odisha
[D] Karnataka
B – Explanation:
- Tamil Nadu government has issued orders to conserve the Nilgiri tahr, the state animal, at a cost of Rs 25.14 crore.
This is regarded as the first Nilgiri Tahr conservation project in the country. The project would be implemented during a 5-year period from 2022-2027, and follow a strategy including synchronised surveys to estimate numbers of the tahrs. The tahr is an endangered species and is protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972.
Q9.Which Indian Armed Force successfully test-fired the extended-range version of BrahMos Air-Launched missile?
[A] Indian Army[B] Indian Navy
[C] Indian Air Force
[D] Indian Coast Guard
C – Explanation:
- Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test-fired the extended-range version of BrahMos Air-Launched missile.
It was test fired against a ship target from a frontline SU-30MKI aircraft. The maiden test of the extended range of the Brahmos Air Launched missile was conducted on May 12. BrahMos missiles are designed, developed and produced by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture company set up by India’s DRDO and Russia’s Mashinostroyenia.
Q10.The Indian Army has handed over first-ever 3D printed houses for soldiers at which city?
[A] Leh[B] Ahmedabad
[C] Jaisalmer
[D] Tawang
B – Explanation:
- The Indian Army has offered the first 3D printed houses for soldiers at Ahmedabad Cantt. They are constructed by the Military Engineering Services (MES) in collaboration with MiCoB Pvt Ltd.
The dwelling unit, with a ground floor plus one configuration are not only cheap but can be constructed in less time. Construction work of the dwelling unit with garage space and first floor was completed in 12 weeks.
