41. As per the All India Services Amendment Rules, 2023, which entity has the authority to act against IAS, IPS, IFoS pensioners?
[A] Governors
[B] District Magistrates
[C] Central Government
[D] High Courts
Answer
Answer: C [Central Government]
Notes:
The Central government has amended the All-India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Amendment Rules, 2023.
With this, the Centre has the authority to take action against IAS, IPS, and IFoS pensioners by withholding or withdrawing their pension, even without the involvement of the state government, if they are found guilty of grave misconduct or convicted of a serious crime.
42. Which Union Ministry issued the ‘IRC codes and guidelines’?
[A] Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
[B] Ministry of MSME
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Defence
Answer
Answer: A [Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]
Notes:
The IRC (Indian Road Congress) codes and guidelines were issued recently by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
These guidelines, approved by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, aim to improve road safety by incorporating best practices and global standards, providing better visibility and intuitive guidance to drivers.
43. Which state/UT released draft rules for implementation of ‘Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act’?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Bihar
[D] Assam
Answer
Answer: B [Jharkhand]
Notes:
The Jharkhand government released draft rules for the effective implementation of The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, commonly known as PESA, which was enacted in 1996.
The purpose of PESA is to establish self-governance through gram sabhas for the residents living in Scheduled Areas.
44. Which north-eastern state exported over 1.3 tonnes of Pineapples to the Middle East?
[A] Assam
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Mizoram
Answer
Answer: C [Meghalaya]
Notes:
Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Government of Meghalaya and Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) has recently facilitated market linkages of over 1.3 tonnes of Pineapples to the Middle East.
The pineapples from Meghalaya are being sold across malls in Dubai, Kuwait and Sharjah.
45. India provides financial assistance of Rs 45 crore to support digital identity project of which country?
[A] Bangladesh
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Laos
[D] Cambodia
Answer
Answer: B [Sri Lanka]
Notes:
India has handed over ₹45 crore in advances to Sri Lanka to fund its unique digital identity project.
It constitutes 15 per cent of the total funds required for the successful implementation of the project as an advance payment. The project aims to collect biographic and biometric information, including facial, iris, and fingerprint data, which will be stored in a centralised system.
46. Which Union Ministry formulated the ‘National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism’?
[A] Ministry of Tourism
[B] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Culture
Answer
Answer: A [Ministry of Tourism]
Notes:
National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism was formulated by the Union Tourism Ministry to promote medical tourism.
It is undertaking various media campaigns under the ‘Incredible India’ brand-line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country.
47. Mediation Bill, 2023, aims to cut down the time to complete the mediation proceedings to how many days?
[A] 90 days
[B] 120 days
[C] 180 days
[D] 270 days
Answer
Answer: C [180 days]
Notes:
The Mediation Bill, 2023 has been recently passed by the Rajya Sabha. It aims to cut down the time to complete the mediation proceedings to 180 days.
The bill halves the time for completing mediation proceedings. Under the other key recommendation of the Parliamentary committee accepted by the government, pre-litigation mediation has been made voluntary instead of mandatory.
48. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has flagged irregularities in which scheme?
[A] PM KISAN
[B] Bharatmala programme
[C] Sagarmala programme
[D] PM DISHA
Answer
Answer: B [Bharatmala programme]
Notes:
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has found irregularities in the awarding of projects by agencies implementing central government-funded highway projects.
NHAI’s decision to opt for an elevated carriageway on the Haryana portion of the expressway has pushed up the construction cost to Rs 251 crore per km from the originally approved Rs 18.2 crore per km. NHAI is building the expressway in question under the Bharatmala programme.
49. Which state is planning to set up a Centre for Advanced Manufacturing, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Answer
Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The government of Tamil Nadu is planning to establish a Centre for Advanced Manufacturing in Chennai, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.
The state hosted a public-private discussion recently which brought together over 20 business leaders to deliberate on establishing the ‘India Centre for Advanced Manufacturing’ in Chennai to support companies in their innovation, sustainability, and R&D endeavors.
50. Goa Shipyard Ltd signed an MoU for capacity building and collaboration in ship design and construction with which country?
[A] Australia
[B] France
[C] Kenya
[D] UAE
Answer
Answer: C [Kenya]
Notes:
Goa Shipyard Ltd and Kenya Shipyard Ltd signed an MoU for capacity building and collaboration in ship design and construction.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Bare Duale held bilateral talks in New Delhi to promote military industry cooperation and deepen maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.