11 January 2023

Q1.Which state received the largest outlay in the total expenditure of Rs 13,000 crore on cleaning the Ganga since 2014?

B – Explanation:

• The Union government spent more than Rs 13,000 crore on cleaning the Ganga since 2014. The Ganga Council recently met in Kolkata and Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the meeting through video conference.
  Uttar Pradesh received the largest outlay among states at 4,205 crore. Bihar is in second place at 3,516 crores. Bengal (1,302 crore), Delhi (1,253) and Uttarakhand (1,117) are the other regions in the top five states.

Q2.Which institution launched its Medium-term Strategy Framework named ‘Utkarsh 2.0’?

B – Explanation:

• The Reserve Bank of India’s Medium-term Strategy Framework for the period 2023-2025 named ‘Utkarsh 2.0’ was launched by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.
  The first strategy framework (Utkarsh 2022) covering the period 2019-2022 was launched in July 2019. Utkarsh 2.0 retains the six Vision statements as well as Core Purpose, Values, and Mission statement of the 2022 version.

Q3.Where is the headquarters of the Theosophical Society (TS) located?

B – Explanation:

• The Theosophical Society was founded in 1875 by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and others. It is a worldwide body with the aim to advance the ideas of Theosophy.
  The 147th International Convention of the Theosophical Society (TS) was organised at its international headquarters in Adyar. “The theme of this conference is ‘Our Responsibility in the Interconnected World’.

Q4.Which sports authority recently introduced ‘Yo-Yo and Dexa Tests’ in team selection criteria?

B – Explanation:

• Ahead of the ICC Men’s World Cup that takes place in India in October, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has instructed that Yo-Yo and Dexa Tests will be a part of the team selection criteria.
  Dexa test or DXA test is Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, which measures bone density using low dose X-rays. The Yo-Yo test is an aerobic endurance fitness test, involving running between markers at increasing speeds.

Q5.XBB.1.5 Covid variant has caused a huge rise in new cases in which country?

C – Explanation:

• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that XBB.1.5 has more than doubled its share of the Covid-19 figures each week.
  In the Northeast region of the country, XBB.1.5 is causing 75% of new cases. The XBB.1.5 strain is a relative of the Omicron XBB variant, which is a recombinant of the Omicron BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 subvariants.

Q6.Which Ministry has been appointed as the nodal ministry for matters relating to online gaming with monetary risks?

A – Explanation:

• The Centre recently appointed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) as the nodal ministry for matters relating to online gaming with monetary risks.
  As per a notice by the ministry, online companies may be required to practice self regulation. They will also be required to practice due diligence.

Q7.Anil Kumar Lahoti has taken over the charge of new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of which institution?

B – Explanation:

• Anil Kumar Lahoti has taken over the charge of new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Railway Board, Ministry of Railways.
  Prior to this, Anil Kumar Lahoti worked as Member (Infrastructure) of the Railway Board. He was behind the planning and construction of Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi and the Ajmeri Gate side station building. He was also associated with planning for redevelopment of New Delhi station as a World Class station.

Q8.Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recently took charge as the President of which country?

A – Explanation:

• Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office for a third term as Brazil’s President, after the divisive election in October.
  The outgoing leader of the Latin America’s biggest economy is Jair Bolsonaro. The 77-year-old ex-metalworker Lula da Silva previously led Brazil from 2003 to 2010.

Q9.Which country recently switched to euro from its kuna currency and became the 20th member of the Eurozone?

B – Explanation:

• Croatia switched to the euro and entered Europe’s borderless zone as Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic called a historic moment for his country.
  The Balkan nation bid farewell to its kuna currency and became the 20th member of the Eurozone. It is now the 27th nation in the passport-free Schengen zone. It is the world’s largest zone which enables more than 400 million people to move freely around its members. The country of 3.9 million people joined the European Union in 2013.

Q10.Which city is the host of the ‘VIRAASAT’ festival organised by the Ministry of Textiles?

D – Explanation:

• The second phase of the Sari Festival ‘VIRAASAT’- celebrating 75 hand-woven Saris of India is hosted at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi.
  The Ministry of Textiles is organizing the festival, while the first phase was held in December 2022. Handloom saris drawn from several exotic locations of India including Jamdani, Ikat, Pochampally, Chanderi, Lalitpuri and Patola are on display and sale at the exhibition.