Q1.A rare low-altitude basalt plateau in the Western Ghats has been discovered in which state?
[A] Goa[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Maharashtra
D – Explanation:
- Scientists at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) in Pune have found a rare low-altitude basalt plateau in the Western Ghats.
This new plateau found by ARI team in Thane, Maharashtra could hold clues to how plant species globally survive climate change.
Q2.Sports For All (SFA) sporting services joined as the powered-by sponsor of which event?
[A] Women U-19 World cup[B] Khelo India Youth Games
[C] FIH Women’s Hockey
[D] Khelo India University Games
B – Explanation:
- Sports For All (SFA), India-based multi-sport tech driven competition organisers, joined Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) mission as a powered-by sponsor for the next five years.
Through this partnership, SFA will invest ₹12.5 crores over the next five years to contribute in developing India’s sporting culture.
Q3.Which city hosted the first Employment Working Group meeting under G-20 Presidency?
[A] Mumbai[B] New Delhi
[C] Jodhpur
[D] Bengaluru
C – Explanation:
- Under India’s G20 Presidency, the First Employment Working Group meeting is organized at Jodhpur from 2-4 February 2023.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment is leading the discussions for the Employment Working Group (EWG). Delegates from the G20 countries, Guest countries, International and National Organisations and other international and national experts attended the discussion.
Q4.Which country is the partner country for Telangana’s flagship event, BioAsia 2023?
[A] USA[B] UK
[C] UAE
[D] Australia
B – Explanation:
- The United Kingdom will be the partner country for Telangana’s flagship pharma – biotech event, BioAsia 2023.
With the theme of ‘Advancing for ONE: Shaping the next generation of humanized healthcare’, BioAsia is set to be held in February 2023 in Hyderabad.
Q5.Which is the first Asian country to receive financing under Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) of the IMF?
[A] India[B] Bangladesh
[C] Pakistan
[D] Nepal
D – Explanation:
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board approved a total of USD 4.7 billion loan for Bangladesh.
It includes USD 3.3 billion under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and USD 1.4 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Bangladesh is the first country in Asia to receive financing under the RSF.
Q6.What is the sanctioned judicial strength of the Supreme Court of India?
[A] 25[B] 28
[C] 30
[D] 34
D – Explanation:
- The five-member Supreme Court collegium led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud recommended to the government two High Court Chief Justices for appointment as apex court judges.
The Supreme Court has seven vacancies now while it has a sanctioned judicial strength of 34. The central government is expected to clear the names of three high court chief justices and two HC judges. With this, the working strength of the Supreme Court will go up to 32. Currently, it is 27.
Q7.As per the Economic Survey, what is the estimated economic growth rate in 2023-24?
[A] 5.5 %[B] 6.0 %
[C] 6.5 %
[D] 7.0 %
C – Explanation:
- Chief Economic Advisor, CEA Dr V. Anantha Nageswaran said that the Indian economy is expected to grow at 6.5 per cent in 2023-24.
The range of growth is projected between 6 and 6.8 per cent while India is expected to be 5 trillion dollar economy by 2025-26. IMF in its World Economic Outlook Update, maintained India’s GDP forecast for current Financial Year at 6.8 per cent.
Q8.Which state/UT launched a ‘Real-time source apportionment supersite’ to tackle pollution?
[A] New Delhi[B] Maharashtra
[C] West Bengal
[D] Telangana
A – Explanation:
- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched the real-time source apportionment ‘supersite’. It is a joint venture of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Kanpur and TERI.
The supersite will share details of sources of pollution on an hourly basis as well as forecast for the next three days. The mobile van will go to a particular place and the data collected will be analysed at the supersite.
Q9.Which state has mandated one-year work experience for recruitment in state government departments?
[A] Odisha[B] Goa
[C] Gujarat
[D] Uttarakhand
B – Explanation:
- Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that one-year work experience would be made compulsory for recruitment in state government departments.
The practice would help the government in getting skilled manpower. The Chief Minister also launched ‘Har Ghar Dhyan’ organized by the Directorate of Art and Culture in collaboration with Art of Living.
Q10.Which country emerged as the India’s third largest exports destination after the US and UAE during April-December 2022?
[A] Netherlands[B] Russia
[C] China
[D] Australia
A – Explanation:
- Netherlands emerged as India’s third largest exports destination after the US and UAE during April-December 2022.
The change is due to a surge in shipment of goods such as petroleum products, electronic items, chemicals, and aluminium goods. India’s trade surplus with the Netherlands has also increased from USD 1.5 billion in 2017 to USD 12.3 billion in 2022.
