What is India’s rank in the Global Gender Gap Index for 2023?
(A)
125
(B)
127
(C)
120
(D)
130
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: The World Economic Forum (WEF) recently released the annual Gender Gap Report for 2023, which measures the gender disparity in various aspects of society. India has shown progress by moving up eight places to rank 127 out of 146 countries in terms of gender parity.
2.
In which dimension does India lag behind in the Global Gender Gap Index?
(A)
Economic Participation and Opportunity
(B)
Educational Attainment
(C)
Health and Survival
(D)
Political Empowerment
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: India lags behind in the dimension of Economic Participation and Opportunity in the Global Gender Gap Index.
3.
Which country holds the top position for gender equality in the world?
(A)
Iceland
(B)
India
(C)
Pakistan
(D)
China
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Iceland holds the top position for gender equality in the world and has held this position for 14 consecutive years.
4.
Which of the following is the primary goal of the Artemis Accords?
(A)
Establishing a permanent human settlement on the Moon
(B)
Promoting international cooperation in lunar missions
(C)
Expanding space exploration to Mars and beyond
(D)
Ensuring the peaceful utilization of space resources
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: The Artemis Accords aim to foster collaboration among participating countries in the exploration of the Moon and lay the foundation for future space exploration endeavors.
5.
In addition to signing the Artemis Accords, what other collaboration has been agreed upon between NASA and ISRO?
(A)
Formation of a joint space agency between India and the US
(B)
Construction of a lunar base on the Moon
(C)
Joint mission to Mars in 2024
(D)
Joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: In addition to signing the Artemis Accords, NASA and ISRO have agreed to launch a joint mission to the International Space Station in the year 2024, further strengthening their cooperation in space exploration.
6.
How does India’s projected GDP growth rate for FY24 compare to the previous fiscal year (FY23)?
(A)
Lower
(B)
Higher
(C)
Same
(D)
Cannot be determined
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The projected GDP growth rate of 6.3% for FY24 represents a decline from the 7.2% expansion witnessed in FY23.
7.
Lloyds Banking Group is setting up a technology centre in which city?
(A)
London
(B)
Manchester
(C)
Hyderabad
(D)
Birmingham
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: Lloyds Banking Group is establishing a technology centre in Hyderabad, India, to enhance its digital capabilities.
8.
Which US chipmaker has received approval from the Indian cabinet to set up a semiconductor testing and packaging unit in Gujarat?
(A)
Micron Technology
(B)
Intel Corporation
(C)
Qualcomm Incorporated
(D)
NVIDIA Corporation
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The Indian cabinet has given its approval to Micron Technology’s plan to invest $2.7 billion to set up a semiconductor testing and packaging unit in Gujarat.
9.
Who has been appointed as the president of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry Women’s Vertical (BRICS CCI WE)?
(A)
Ruby Sinha
(B)
Shabana Nasim
(C)
Komal Verma
(D)
Neha Gupta
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Ruby Sinha has been appointed as the president of BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry Women’s Vertical (BRICS CCI WE).
10.
International Widows Day is observed on June 23 each year. What is the theme for International Widows Day 2023?
(A)
Strengthening Support Systems for Widows
(B)
Breaking the Cycle of Discrimination
(C)
Empowering Widows for a Better Future
(D)
Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: The reported theme for International Widows Day 2023 is “Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.”
11.
Which country announced the ‘Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme’?
(A)
Ireland
(B)
France
(C)
Germany
(D)
UK
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Ireland announced the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme recently for those who own a desolate house in one of its 20 islands on the western coast.
12.
India gifted indigenously-built in-service Missile Corvette INS Kirpan to which country?
(A)
Nepal
(B)
Sri Lanka
(C)
Myanmar
(D)
Vietnam
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: India recently gifted indigenously-built in-service Missile Corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam.
13.
A Mesolithic period rock painting depicting a person tilling a piece of land has been found in which state?
(A)
Andhra Pradesh
(B)
Tamil Nadu
(C)
Kerala
(D)
Karnataka
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: A Mesolithic period rock painting depicting a person tilling a piece of land has been found in Orvakallu village in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
14.
TRAI has recently recommended ‘essential services’ status which entity?
(A)
Submarine cables
(B)
Unmanned Air Vehicles
(C)
Broadband Cables
(D)
OTT platforms
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: 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.
15.
Which Indian institution nudged Google and Apple to secure mobile devices for financial transactions?
(A)
Reserve Bank of India
(B)
NPCI
(C)
NASSCOM
(D)
Securities Exchange Board of India
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India has prepared a 10-point action plan for strengthening cyber security in financial transactions.
16.
In June 2023, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) extended the deadline for ‘Development of Solar Parks and Ultra-Mega Solar Power Projects’ till __________.
(A)
2026
(B)
2027
(C)
2025
(D)
2024
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) extended the deadline for ‘Development of Solar Parks and Ultra-Mega Solar Power Projects’ by two years i.e. till 2026.
17.
In which state, Union Minister of Defence, Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Integrated Simulator Complex (ISC) “Dhruv” in June 2023?
(A)
Kerala
(B)
Maharashtra
(C)
Tamil Nadu
(D)
Gujarat
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Integrated Simulator Complex (ISC) “Dhruv” at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi, Kerala. The ISC Dhruv hosts modern and advanced indigenously-built simulators which will significantly improve the practical training of Indian Navy personnel.
18.
Name the company that has recently (in June ‘23) signed an MoU with the Directorate-General for Resettlement (DGR) under the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Department, Ministry of Defence (MoD) to generate employment for ex-servicemen.
(A)
Klaxon India Private Ltd
(B)
TeamLease Services Ltd
(C)
Kelly Services India Private Ltd
(D)
Adecco India Private Ltd
Correct Answer: (D)
Explanation: On 21st June 2023, The Directorate-General for Resettlement (DGR) under the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Department, Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with M/s Adecco India Private Ltd in New Delhi, Delhi to generate employment for ex-servicemen.
19.
Which organisation/Bank has recently (in June ‘23) approved an additional USD 150 million loan to support the Resilient Kerala Program?
(A)
Asian Development Bank
(B)
World Bank
(C)
International Monetary Fund
(D)
United Nations Environment Programme
Correct Answer: (B)
Explanation: The World Bank (WB) through its lending arm International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has approved an additional USD 150 million loan to support the Resilient Kerala Program to strengthen Kerala’s preparedness against natural disasters, climate change impacts, disease outbreaks, and protect lives.
20.
In June 2023, Fitch Ratings increased its forecast for India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to _________ for the current fiscal year 2023–2024 (FY24).
(A)
6.6%
(B)
6.1%
(C)
6.3%
(D)
6.5%
Correct Answer: (C)
Explanation: In June 2023, the Fitch Ratings increased its forecast for India’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth by 0.3% points to 6.3% for the current fiscal year 2023–2024 (FY24) from its prior prediction of 6% due to near-term momentum and a stronger outturn in the first quarter of FY24.