1. Which country has recently agreed to join Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a dialogue partner?
[A] New Zealand
[B] Saudi Arabia
[C] UAE
[D] Egypt
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
Saudi Arabia agrees to join Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a dialogue partner. Saudi Arabia builds a long-term partnership with China despite U.S. security concerns.
The country has approved a memorandum on granting the kingdom the status of a dialogue partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
2. Which payment bank launched ‘WhatsApp Banking Services’?
[A] India Post Payments Bank
[B] Airtel Payments Bank
[C] Jio Payments Bank
[D] NSDL Payments Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India Post Payments Bank]
Notes:
WhatsApp Banking Services was launched recently by the India Post Payments Bank in collaboration with Airtel.
It enables the IPPB customers to access banking service from their mobile phone. The Airtel-IPPB WhatsApp Banking solution aims to provide multi-language support.
3. The ‘Foreign Trade Policy 2023’ aims to boost India’s merchandise and services exports by 2030 by?
[A] USD 1 trillion
[B] USD 2 trillion
[C] USD 5 trillion
[D] USD 10 trillion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USD 2 trillion]
Notes:
The Indian government unveiled its Foreign Trade Policy 2023 which seeks to boost merchandise and services exports by USD 2 trillion by 2030 from the current level of USD 765 billion.
The Policy also seeks to make the Indian Rupee the global currency in settling international trade payments.
4. Salim Durani, who was seen in the news, was associated with which profession?
[A] Business-person
[B] Sports-person
[C] Politician
[D] Scientist
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sports-person]
Notes:
Salim Aziz Durani was an Afghan-born Indian cricketer who took part in 29 Test matches from the years 1960 to 1973. He passed away recently at the age of 88.
Durani was a part of India’s successful victory against England in 1961-62 where he picked up eight wickets against English team.
5. Izu-Ogasawara Trench is located in which ocean?
[A] Atlantic Ocean
[B] Pacific Ocean
[C] Arctic Ocean
[D] Antarctic Ocean
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pacific Ocean]
Notes:
The Izu–Ogasawara Trench is an oceanic trench in the western Pacific Ocean. Recently, scientists have set a record for the deepest fish ever caught on camera and the deepest catch ever made.
A juvenile snail fish was filmed recently swimming at 8,336 m in the Izu-Ogasawara Trench.
6. Which state is the host of the ‘Cope India Exercise’?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Maharashtra
[C] West Bengal
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [West Bengal]
Notes:
The Air Forces of India and the U.S. are set to conduct the Cope India exercise from April 10 to 21 at the Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal.
The exercise will see intense air manoeuvres aimed at improving interoperability. Japan will be the observer of the exercise.
7. Which state/UT hosted the ‘5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure’?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Mumbai
[C] Chennai
[D] Jaipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Delhi]
Notes:
The 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure is being organized this year in New Delhi.
The theme for this event is ‘Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure: Pathways for Risk Informed Systems, Practices and Investments’. The 50-million-dollar Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund was announced last year.
8. ‘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
Show Answer
Correct 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.
9. Habrocestum togansangmai, a new species discovered, belongs to which species?
[A] Spider
[B] Snake
[C] Turtle
[D] Gecko
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Spider]
Notes:
Four new species of jumping spiders were recently discovered from the Meghalaya. One among them is ‘Habrocestum togansangmai’.
It is named after Garo freedom fighter Togan Sangma.
10. Which state/UT has launched the ‘Family Doctor Programme’?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Andhra Pradesh is set to introduce a first-of-its-kind healthcare service for the rural population called ‘Family Doctor’ programme.
It seeks to provide a continual and comprehensive preventive healthcare service.