Q1. What is the estimated GDP Growth of India in 2022-23, as per the NSO first advance estimates?
[A] 6 per cent[B] 7 per cent
[C] 8 per cent
[D] 8.5 per cent
B – Explanation:
- The National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the First Advance Estimates (FAE) of National Income for the financial year 2022-23.
Real GDP or in the year 2022-23 is estimated at ₹157.60 lakh crore. The growth in real GDP during 2022-23 is estimated at 7.0 per cent as compared to 8.7 per cent in 2021-22.
Q2.Which institution awards ‘Eat Right Station’ certification to Railway stations?
[A] Railway Ministry[B] FSSAI
[C] FCI
[D] NITI Aayog
B – Explanation:
- The ‘Eat Right Station’ certification is awarded by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to the railway stations that set benchmarks in providing safe and wholesome food to passengers.
The Varanasi Cantt railway station has been recently awarded a 5- star ‘Eat Right Station’ certification for providing quality and nutritious food to passengers.
Q3.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.
Q4. Which state launched a facility for entrepreneurs to submit complaints using WhatsApp?
[A] Telangana[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
B – Explanation:
- The Industries department of the Kerala government has launched a facility for entrepreneurs to submit their complaints or seek redressals using the WhatsApp platform.
Under this facility, the complaint message will be attended to in 10 minutes and the complaints are expected to be settled within seven days. This is a temporary set-up until the statutory grievance settlement mechanism comes into effect.
Q5.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.
Q6. Which start-up built the ‘AzaadiSAT’ satellite, which is made by 750 school girls?
[A] Dhruv Aerospace[B] Pixxel
[C] Space Kidz India
[D] Astra
C – Explanation:
- Space Kidz India, a Chennai-based space tech start-up is set to launch their satellite made by 750 girls from government schools aboard an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launch vehicle.
A targeted launch date of January 16 has been set for the satellite named AzaadiSAT. Space Kidz India selected 10 girl students from 75 government schools across the country for this mission. The project is also supported by Niti Aayog.
Q7. Which state houses the world’s first Palm-leaf Manuscript Museum?
[A] Karnataka[B] Kerala
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Odisha
B – Explanation:
- The world’s first Palm-leaf Manuscript Museum has been inaugurated in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala.
It is a repository of administrative, socio-cultural and economic facets of Travancore spanning a period of 650 years till the end of the 19th century. The museum also serves as a reference point for historical and cultural research for academic and non-academic scholars.
Q8.Which city is the host of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention 2023?
[A] Varanasi[B] Indore
[C] Pune
[D] Chennai
B – Explanation:
- Narendra Modi will hold bilateral talks with the Presidents of Guyana and Suriname on the sidelines of the two-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Indore.
Guyana President Irfaan Ali and Surinam President Chandrikapersad Santokhi will be the chief guest and special guest of honour at this year’s conclave.
Q9.Which Union Ministry is organising the ‘Startup India Innovation Week’?
[A] Ministry of MSME[B] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
B – Explanation:
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is organising ‘Startup India Innovation Week 2023’ from January 10-16.
It aims to celebrate the Indian startup ecosystem. On the National Startup Day on January 16, DPIIT will felicitate the winners of National Startup Awards.
Q10.The Aspirational Block Programme (ABP), which was launched recently, covers how many districts initially?
[A] 100[B] 200
[C] 500
[D] 1000
C – Explanation:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the government’s Aspirational Block Programme (ABP), to improve performance of blocks lagging on development parameters.
The Aspirational Blocks Programme is on the lines of the Aspirational District Programme that was launched in 2018, covering 112 districts across the country. The new programme will cover 500 districts across 31 states and Union Territories initially.