1. Recently, which ministry issued an advisory to the Artificial Intelligence industry?
[A] Ministry of Communications
[B] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[C] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[D] Ministry of Law and Justice
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ]
Notes:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued an advisory to the AI industry, particularly targeting major platforms like Google. It requires platforms to submit an action report within 15 days. Key points include needing permission for testing AI models, explicit approval for under-tested or unreliable AI, and proper labeling of potential errors. Startup founders criticized this, calling it demotivating.
2. What is AI Hume, recently seen in news?
[A] Use of AI to find and predict financial frauds
[B] World’s first conversational AI with emotional intelligence
[C] It provides real time update on election results
[D] Humanoid robot
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World’s first conversational AI with emotional intelligence]
Notes:
Hume, a New York-based research lab, unveiled the first emotionally intelligent conversational AI named Empathic Voice Interface (EVI). It utilizes live audio input, returning both audio and transcripts with vocal expression measures. Powered by an empathic large language model (eLLM), it understands tones and word emphasis, optimizing human-AI conversations. Trained on human reactions, EVI learns from users to enhance positive expressions. By analyzing speech nuances, it can determine when to speak and generate empathic language.
3. Recently, which port in India emerged as the top cargo-handling port in India in 2023-24?
[A] Karaikal port
[B] Paradip port
[C] Kandla port
[D] Kochi port
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Paradip port]
Notes:
Paradip Port Authority in Odisha surpassed Deendayal Port Authority in Kandla as India’s top cargo-handling major port in 2023-24. Handling 145.38 MMT of cargo, it registered a 7.4% growth from the previous year. It’s capable of handling 289 MMT. Notably, it excels in coastal shipping, handling 59.19 MMT of coastal traffic and achieving highest productivity among major ports. Established in 1962, it became India’s 8th major port in 1966, now under the Ministry of Ports.
4. Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) initiative, recently seen in news, is related to which disease?
[A] Dengue
[B] HIV/AIDS
[C] Tuberculosis
[D] Malaria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [HIV/AIDS]
Notes:
The completion of twenty years of the Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) initiative marks a significant milestone in HIV/AIDS treatment. Started on April 1, 2004, it provides vital treatment for Persons living with HIV (PLHIV). This initiative utilizes a combination of drugs to suppress HIV replication, drastically reducing HIV prevalence and new infections globally. In 2023, HIV prevalence in 15-49 year-olds dropped to 0.20%, with India’s share in PLHIV decreasing to 6.3%.
5. What is ‘bridge fuel’, recently seen in news?
[A] Natural gas
[B] Coal
[C] Wind energy
[D] Solar energy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Natural gas]
Notes:
Natural gas is often termed a ‘bridge fuel’ aiding countries in transitioning from coal and oil to renewable energy. As society shifts towards cleaner energy, bridge fuels like natural gas aim to minimize environmental impact. Debates center on the duration and source of this transition. While natural gas emits less greenhouse gases, its role as a bridge fuel also hinges on factors like enhancing energy independence and reducing pollution costs.
6. Caracal, recently seen in news due to verge of extinction, belongs to which species?
[A] Wild cat
[B] Leopard
[C] Fish
[D] Kangaroo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Wild cat]
Notes:
The caracal, a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, Middle East, and parts of Asia, including India, faces extinction due to habitat loss, hunting, and illegal trade. In India, it’s called Siya gosh, meaning ‘black ear’. Known for its distinctive long ears and hunting prowess, the caracal primarily preys on small mammals and birds. Despite being listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, conservation efforts are crucial to safeguard its population.
7. Recently, who has taken over as president of industry body ASSOCHAM for 2024-25?
[A] Vineet Agarwal
[B] Sanjay Nayar
[C] Deepak Sood
[D] Sunil Kanoria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sanjay Nayar]
Notes:
Sanjay Nayar, former chairman of Sorin Investment Fund, assumes presidency at ASSOCHAM for 2024-25, succeeding Ajay Singh of SpiceJet. Nayar, with extensive global financial experience, notably at Citigroup and KKR, retired in 2023. He played pivotal roles in establishing KKR India operations and serves on Nykaa’s board. Active in various industry bodies, Nayar aims to bolster sustainability initiatives during his tenure, aligning with India’s developmental objectives.
8. Perungamanallur Massacre, recently seen in news, is associated with which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Karnataka
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Political outfits and leaders honored the 104th anniversary of the Perungamanallur massacre in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. On April 3, 1920, 16 Piramalai Kallar community members were killed, protesting the oppressive Criminal Tribes Act of 1911. The massacre symbolizes resistance against colonialism. Britishers used the Act for fingerprinting and population control. Eventually repealed after Independence, the Act underwent amendments over the years, marking progress in mitigating its draconian measures.
9. Papikonda National Park, recently seen in news, is located in which state?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Gujarat
[C] Kerala
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The Andhra Pradesh government is taking measures to prevent forest fires in Papikonda National Park (PNP), receiving technical assistance. PNP, located in the Eastern Ghats, is crucial for high precipitation and hosts the River Godavari. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1978 and upgraded to a national park in 2008, it’s recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. The region also boasts a unique dwarf goat breed, the “kanchu mekha.”
10. BASEL III Endgame, recently seen in the news, is related to which sector?
[A] Environmental sector
[B] Health sector
[C] Agricultural sector
[D] Banking sector
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Banking sector]
Notes:
The U.S. Federal Reserve announces significant alterations to the “Basel III endgame” proposal, aimed at imposing stricter bank capital requirements. The changes, favoring Wall Street banks, come after intense lobbying against the rules, which would affect banks with assets exceeding $100 billion. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, formed in 1974 to bolster financial stability, oversees these regulations. India became a member in 2009. The committee operates under the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland.