11. Which state is set to inaugurate the world’s longest river cruise?
[A] Bihar
[B] Assam
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Uttarakhand
Answer
Answer: C [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to flag off the world’s longest river cruise ‘MV Ganga Vilas’ from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
The luxury cruise will cover a distance of more than 3,200 kilometers across 27 river systems in five States in India and Bangladesh. The MV Ganga Vilas vessel has three decks, 18 suites on board with a capacity of 36 tourists, with pollution-free mechanisms and noise control technologies.
12. As per a recent data, which two states were the top investment destinations in the country in 2021-22?
[A] Maharashtra and Gujarat
[B] Gujarat and Rajasthan
[C] Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh
[D] Gujarat and Telangana
Answer
Answer: B [Gujarat and Rajasthan]
Notes:
As per a data by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), Gujarat and Rajasthan are the top Indian states in the area of investments.
Both the states were successful in attracting investments from both domestic and international businesses. Fresh investments worth Rs 3.98 trillion were announced for Gujarat during 2021-22 while Rajasthan attracted new investments worth Rs 2.37 trillion.
13. Which state/UT launched a ‘Real-time source apportionment supersite’ to tackle pollution?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Maharashtra
[C] West Bengal
[D] Telangana
Answer
Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
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.
14. Which country is the host of the ‘International Marine Protected Areas Congress’ in 2023?
[A] Canada
[B] Australia
[C] Chile
[D] Argentina
Answer
Answer: A [Canada]
Notes:
Experts at the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress in Canada have recommended the setting up of Marine Protected Areas.
Marine protected areas are regions in the ocean where human activities are regulated by the government. These protected areas are set up to address issues such as pollution, litter, overfishing, and climate change.
15. ‘EX DHARMA GUARDIAN’ is a joint military exercise held between India and which country?
[A] Australia
[B] Japan
[C] France
[D] Sri Lanka
Answer
Answer: B [Japan]
Notes:
The 4th edition of joint military exercise, ‘EX DHARMA GUARDIAN’, between India and Japan has recently commenced in Japan.
This annual exercise will promote bilateral relations between India and Japan and enhance the level of defence cooperation between the two forces. The last edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian was held in Belgaum, Karnataka in 2022.
16. Which platform has been chosen by NCERT to set up the regulatory platform PARAKH?
[A] NTA
[B] ETS
[C] WES
[D] GMAC
Answer
Answer: B [ETS]
Notes:
PARAKH, India’s first national assessment regulator, aims to standardize assessment for over 60 boards in the country.
ETS (Educational Testing Service), which conducts key tests like TOEFL and GRE, has been chosen by the National Council for Education Research (NCERT) to set up the regulatory platform PARAKH. PARAKH will establish norms, standards, and guidelines for student assessment and evaluation.
17. Which country released ‘14 Guidelines to Address Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC)’?
[A] USA
[B] India
[C] Australia
[D] Brazil
Answer
Answer: B [India]
Notes:
The Indian Government released 14 Guidelines to address Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) recently. These guidelines seek to create a common understanding among key stakeholders required to ensure an efficient mitigation of HWC in the country.
18. Which procedure is used to fast-track financial business by grouping together undiscussed clauses of a bill for voting?
[A] Guillotine Parliamentary Procedure
[B] Georgian Parliamentary Procedure
[C] Whip Parliamentary Procedure
[D] Granted Parliamentary Procedure
Answer
Answer: A [Guillotine Parliamentary Procedure]
Notes:
Guillotine is a parliamentary procedure used to fast-track financial business by grouping together undiscussed clauses of a bill or resolution for voting.
Several MPs have raised concerns recently that the government may guillotine the demands for grants and pass the Finance Bill without any discussions in the Lok Sabha.
19. ‘Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell’ functions under the aegis of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[B] Ministry of Coal
[C] Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
[D] Ministry of Power
Answer
Answer: C [Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas]
Notes:
Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell is the data backbone of the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
It recently celebrated its 22nd foundation day. After the dismantling of Administered Pricing Mechanism (APM) in petroleum sector, Oil Coordination Committee (OCC) was abolished and a new cell called Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) was created effective 1st April 2002.
20. Which Union Ministry is associated with the draft ‘Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up Policy’?
[A] Ministry of Power
[B] Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
[C] Ministry of Coal
[D] Ministry of Steel
Answer
Answer: B [Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]
Notes:
Draft ‘Sagarmala Innovation and Start-up Policy’ was released recently by the Indian Government. It seeks to nurture start-ups and other entities to co-create the future of India’s growing maritime sector.
The Draft policy seeks the creation of digital Portal based selection of startups ensuring a transparent process.