30. Which company has launched skill development programme for quantum computing in India?
[A] Microsoft
[B] AWS
[C] Google
[D] Apple
Answer
Answer: B [AWS]
Notes:
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched two skill development programmes for quantum computing in India.
The company is collaborating with academic institutions and learning platforms to integrate Amazon Braket — a fully managed quantum computing service
31. TRAI has recently recommended ‘essential services’ status which entity?
[A] Submarine cables
[B] Unmanned Air Vehicles
[C] Broadband Cables
[D] OTT platforms
Answer
Answer: A [Submarine cables]
Notes:
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended adding a section in the Indian Telecommunication Bill, 2022, to promote, protect and prioritise submarine cables and cable landing stations (CLS) since they are critical assets.
It also suggested that the operation and maintenance of CLS and submarine cables should be accorded ‘essential services’ status.
32. Which company has signed MoU with India’s Tourism Minister to showcase heritage stays?
[A] Makemytrip
[B] Airbnb
[C] GT Holidays
[D] Expedia
Answer
Answer: B [Airbnb]
Notes:
Airbnb has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Ministry of Tourism to showcase India’s heritage stays and promote cultural tourism.
The company will partner with the ministry to promote inbound tourism as part of the ‘Visit India 2023’ initiative.
33. ‘BBMP Restructuring Committee’ is associated with which state/UT?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Odisha
[C] West Bengal
[D] Assam
Answer
Answer: A [Karnataka]
Notes:
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Restructuring Committee had convened recently. Its goal is to split the BBMP into multiple corporations for ease of administration.
The committee has been given a larger mandate to reimagine Bengaluru’s governance and the administration.
34. What is the name of the type of electricity tariff which includes lower tariff during daytime and higher rates during peak hours?
[A] Differential time-based tariff
[B] Dynamic Electricity tariff
[C] Static Electricity Tariff
[D] Peak power Tariff
Answer
Answer: A [Differential time-based tariff]
Notes:
The government has indicated its intention to introduce differential time-based electricity tariffs, involving lower prices during an eight-hour period in the daytime and higher rates during peak power consumption hours.
The Ministry of Power recently announced amendments to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, which include the incorporation of provisions for time-of-day (ToD) tariffs.
35. In which Nuclear Power Plant in India, the core catcher has been installed recently?
[A] Kudankulam Nuclear Power
[B] Kalpakkam Nuclear Power
[C] Tarapore Nuclear Power
[D] Narora Nuclear Power
Answer
Answer: A [Kudankulam Nuclear Power]
Notes:
In the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, the core catcher which is an integral component of the safety system for handling severe accidents has been installed recently.
The system is installed beneath Power Unit No. 5 and weighs over 156 metric tons. The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is located in Tamil Nadu and is based on the Russian WWER-1000 reactor design.
36. Which state/UT has approved two ‘Obra D thermal power plants’?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Odisha
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Bihar
Answer
Answer: C [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
With an aim to ensure affordable electricity for the residents of Uttar Pradesh, the government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has given its approval for two ‘Obra D’ thermal power projects.
These power plants, with a capacity of 800MW each, will be constructed in Obra, Sonbhadra at an estimated cost of Rs 18,000 crore.
37. P. indicus, which was seen in the news, belongs to which species?
[A] Snake
[B] Turtle
[C] Shrimp
[D] Dolphin
Answer
Answer: C [Shrimp]
Notes:
Aquaculture scientists in India have successfully decoded the genome of an indigenous white shrimp variety called P. indicus.
This development is expected to enhance self-sufficiency and increase export earnings. The country currently relies on imported Pacific white shrimp, but this breakthrough aims to reduce dependence on a single species and promote the use of indigenous species for the benefit of the shrimp industry and farmers.
38. ‘Schedule M’ which was seen in the news, is associated with which field?
[A] Automobile
[B] Pharmaceutical
[C] Finance
[D] Defence
Answer
Answer: B [Pharmaceutical]
Notes:
Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya has directed regulatory authorities to conduct risk-based inspections and audits of manufacturing plants. He also added that Schedule M shall be made compulsory for the MSME pharma sector in a phased manner.
Schedule M part of Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 deals with ‘Good Manufacturing Practices’ for pharmaceuticals that should be followed by pharmaceutical manufacturing units in India
39. The Centralised aviation security control centre has been inaugurated in which state/UT?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Punjab
[D] Sikkim
Answer
Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a centralised aviation security control centre at New Delhi.
The Centre will monitor all threats and social media chatter for the 66 civil airports currently under the CISF’s security cover. The aviation security control centre (ASCC) will access 24×7 real-time data monitoring and trend analysis of passengers and air traffic.
40. What are the denominations of the Commemorative coins to mark India’s G20 presidency?
[A] Rs 75 and Rs 100
[B] Rs 100 and Rs 200
[C] Rs 200 and Rs 500
[D] Rs 500 and Rs 1000
Answer
Answer: A [Rs 75 and Rs 100]
Notes:
In honor of India’s G20 presidency, the government is set to unveil two special commemorative coins, valued at Rs 100 and Rs 75, respectively.
Both coins will adhere to a standard weight of 35 grams each and have a diameter of 44 millimeters. The face of both the coins will bear the lion capital of Ashoka Pillar in the centre with the legend ‘Satyamev Jayate’ inscribed below, flanked on the left periphery with the word ‘Bharat’ in Devnagri script and on the right periphery with the word ‘India’ in English.