Q1.Which institution conducted the ‘G20 Cyber Security Exercise and Drill’?
[A] NASSCOM[B] CERT-In
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] CDAC
B – Explanation:
- The Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), inaugurated the G20 Cyber Security Exercise and Drill.
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) conducted the Cyber Security Exercise and drill in hybrid mode under India’s G20 presidency. Over 400 domestic and international participants attended the drill.
Q2.The Union Budget announced a Mission to eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia by which year?
[A] 2025[B] 2030
[C] 2035
[D] 2047
D – Explanation:
- Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while presenting the Union Budget 2023-24 that the Centre will work in mission mode to eliminate sickle cell anaemia by 2047.
This programme will include awareness creation and universal screening of 7 crore people in 0 – 40 years age group in affected tribal areas and counselling through collaboration of central ministries and state governments.
Q3.What is the expansion of PVTG, with respect to Government schemes?
[A] particularly vulnerable tribal groups[B] primarily vulnerable tribal groups
[C] particularly valuable tribal groups
[D] primarily valuable tribal groups
A – Explanation:
- Finance Minister stated that the Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission will be launched, to improve socio-economic conditions of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs).
15,000 crore will be made available to implement the Mission in the next three years under the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes.
Q4.Scientists from which institution sequenced the draft genome of four native Indian cow breeds?
[A] IIT Madras[B] IISc Bengaluru
[C] IISER Bhopal
[D] NIV Pune
C – Explanation:
- Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, have sequenced the draft genome of four native Indian cow breeds.
For the first time, the genetic makeup of four native Indian cow breeds — Kasaragod Dwarf, Kasaragod Kapila, Vechur, and Ongole has been unravelled.
Q5.‘World Interfaith Harmony Week’ is being observed in which month?
[A] January[B] February
[C] March
[D] April
B – Explanation:
- The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated the first seven days of February as World Interfaith Harmony Week in 2010.
The idea of World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the United Nations in 2010 by Jordan’s King Abdullah II. UNGA encourages all countries to voluntarily disseminate the message of interfaith tolerance and goodwill in accordance with their religious traditions.
Q6.Which state has initiated serious action on child marriage and arrested over 2000 people?
[A] West Bengal[B] Assam
[C] Odisha
[D] Jharkhand
B – Explanation:
- Assam state government has initiated action on child marriage. The state police have so far arrested nearly 2,500 people for marrying minor girls or facilitating such marriages.
Assam Cabinet earlier decided to book men who marry girls aged below 14 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Those who marry girls in the age group of 14-18 years will be tried under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
Q7.Which state/UT is the host of the ‘Surajkund International Crafts Mela’?
[A] Jammu and Kashmir[B] Haryana
[C] Bihar
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
B – Explanation:
- The 36th Surajkund International Crafts Mela was inaugurated by Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar in Faridabad, Haryana.
For this year, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is the participating international entity while eight northeast states, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, are the theme states. The artists of these states will come together to showcase their art, handicrafts, and cuisines on a single platform.
Q8.Under the FAME scheme, which state topped the list of states buying Electric vehicles?
[A] Gujarat[B] Maharashtra
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Rajasthan
B – Explanation:
- Maharashtra tops the list in sales of electric vehicles across all segments which have availed of the FAME II subsidy.
It is followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The top five states collectively account for over 56 per cent of the 0.85 million electric vehicles bought through the scheme, according to government data. Under the FAME II scheme, the government earmarked Rs 10,000 crore as a subsidy to electric vehicles. The scheme has been extended till March-end 2024.
Q9.As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), 300 children lost lives due to cough syrups made in which country?
[A] China[B] India
[C] USA
[D] Australia
B – Explanation:
- As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), 300 children in three countries lost lives due to cough syrups made in India.
WHO is investigating whether there is any connection between manufacturers of the contaminated cough syrups. The deaths of children from acute kidney injury began in July 2022 in Gambia, followed by cases in Indonesia and Uzbekistan.
Q10.India recently jumped to its highest spot of which rank in International Boxing Association’s (IBA) world ranking?
[A] First[B] Second
[C] Third
[D] Fifth
C – Explanation:
- India jumped to the third spot in the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) latest world ranking.
Indian boxing teams consistently finished amongst the top 5 countries at global multi-nation tournaments such as World Championships, Asian Games and the Common wealth games.
