Q1. The Government has approved Rs 28.11 crore to extend the interest-free loan to tobacco farmers of which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Kerala
[D] Karnataka
B – Explanation:
- The government has approved Rs 28.11 crore to extend the interest-free loan to tobacco farmers Andhra Pradesh.
This measure will help the Flue Cured Virginia tobacco farmers overcome the damage caused by Mandous Cyclonic rains, as per the Commerce Ministry. The interest-free loan to the eligible farmers will be administered by the Tobacco Board.
Q2.Which country has generated a record 87.6 % of power from zero-carbon sources?
[A] Canada[B] Singapore
[C] UK
[D] Norway
C – Explanation:
- The United Kingdom announced that a record 87.6% of power generated into the grid came from zero-carbon sources like wind, nuclear and hydropower.
This was announced by National Grid Plc’s Electricity System Operator. 67% of Britain’s power came from wind, with 19% from nuclear and 9.5% from gas-fired power stations. A wind generation record was also set with almost 21 gigawatts of output.
Q3.Which Union Ministry conducts ‘Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM)’?
[A] Ministry of MSME[B] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Electronics and IT
B – Explanation:
- The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship conducts the ‘Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM)’.
PMNAM will be conducted across 242 districts across states and union territories this year. The event will see participation of several local businesses that will provide local youth the opportunity of apprenticeship training.
Q4.Which Insurance company launched an ‘Organ donation initiative’ and relay marathon called Zindagi Express?
[A] Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance[B] Aditya Birla Sun life Insurance
[C] Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance
[D] Max Life Insurance
A – Explanation:
- Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance commenced a three-week long organ donation initiative. As part of the initiative, a relay marathon called Zindagi Express is organised to tour nearly 5,500 km across the country to raise awareness about organ donation.
For the fourth year in a row, it joined hands with Mohan Foundation, an NGO working in the organ donation landscape.
Q5.Afghanistan signed agreement with which country’s company to extract oil from Amu Darya basin?
[A] India[B] Pakistan
[C] China
[D] Russia
C – Explanation:
- The ruling Taliban has signed a deal with a Chinese company to extract oil from northern Afghanistan’s Amu Darya basin.
The agreement is the first major international energy extraction deal the Taliban signed since taking control of Afghanistan in 2021.
Q6.ISRO has partnered with which company to promote space-tech startups in India?
[A] Tesla[B] Microsoft
[C] Google
[D] Apple
B – Explanation:
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Microsoft signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the growth of space-tech startups in India.
The MoU seeks to empower space tech startups across the country with technology tools and platforms, market support and mentorship. The space-tech startups identified by ISRO will be onboarded onto the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub platform.
Q7.Kilauea Volcano, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Indonesia[B] Philippines
[C] Hawaii (USA)
[D] Japan
C – Explanation:
- Kilauea Volcano, located in the Hawaii state of the USA is considered as one of the most active volcanoes on the planet.
The summit of Kilauea is located inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Kilauea volcano has started erupting after a brief pause. Its neighbour named the Mauna Loa, the largest volcano in the world, erupted for the first time in 38 years last month.
Q8.What is the purpose of the ‘Aamantran’ Portal, which was recently launched?
[A] Grievance Redressal[B] Invitation Management
[C] Issuance of Electoral Bonds
[D] Donation to Places of Worship
B – Explanation:
- As part of the Government’s e-governance initiative, an online Invitation Management Portal was launched
The Aamantran portal can be used to extend e-Invitations to dignitaries/guests and Online Sale of Tickets to general public for witnessing Republic day and Independence day events.
Q9.M Pranesh, who was seen in the news, is associated with which sports?
[A] Badminton[B] Chess
[C] Swimming
[D] Boxing
B – Explanation:
- M Pranesh from Tamil Nadu recently became India’s 79th chess Grandmaster, after winning the title in Rilton Cup at Stockholm, the first tournament of the FIDE Circuit.
The 16-year-old Indian seeded 22ndwon eight games and finished a full point ahead of IM Kaan Kucuksari (Sweden) and GM Nikita Meshkovs (Latvia). The tournament saw participation from a total of 136 players from 29 nations.
Q10.Which Indian city is the host of the International Kite Festival 2023?
[A] Pune[B] Jaisalmer
[C] Kolkata
[D] Ahmedabad
D – Explanation:
- The International Kite Festival 2023 recently commenced in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Governor Acharya Devvrat inaugurated the festival at Sabarmati Riverfront.
The festival is being organized by Gujarat Tourism on the G20 theme of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future. International Kite festival will also be organized in Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Dwarka, Somnath, Dhordo, and Kevadia.