1. Which company has partnered with the Spain-based Stark Future SL, in the field of electric motorcycles?
[A] Hero Motorcorp
[B] Eicher Motors
[C] TVS Motors
[D] Honda Motors
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Eicher Motors]
Notes:
Automobile firm Eicher Motors, the parent company of Royal Enfield, announced a strategic collaboration in the space of electric motorcycles with Spain-based Stark Future SL.
As part of this collaboration, the board of Eicher Motors has approved an investment of 50 million euros for 10.35% equity stake in Stark Future. Stark Future is a European electric motorcycle manufacturer with focus in the area of performance electric motorcycles.
2. Common Mormon, which was seen in the news recently, belongs to which species?
[A] Snake
[B] Butterfly
[C] Spider
[D] Turtle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Butterfly]
Notes:
A recent study by scientists of the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) have discovered that butterflies warn, fool, and escape their predators using traits such as wing colour patterns and even flight behaviour.
The study investigated the butterfly mimetic communities of the Western Ghats over five years. The female Common Mormon mimics the toxic Common Rose. In mimicry, a palatable organism resembles an unpalatable organism to deceive predators.
3. What is the name of the annual state-level Youth Festival organised in Kerala?
[A] Keralotsavam
[B] Kerala Sahavu
[C] Malayala Manorama
[D] Mallu Magic
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Keralotsavam]
Notes:
Keralotsavam is the state-level Youth Festival of Kerala. It is coordinated by Kerala State Youth Welfare Board.
Palakkad emerged the overall champions of the state-level sports competitions held as a part of Keralotsavam. Kozhikode and Kannur stood in the second and third positions. The government provides support for setting up training grounds in all village panchayats.
4. Which year has been declared as the ‘International Year of Millets (IYM)’?
[A] 2021
[B] 2022
[C] 2023
[D] 2024
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2023]
Notes:
Government of India sponsored the proposal for International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Embassies of India across more than 140 countries will be participating in celebration of IYM during 2023. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, organized an opening ceremony for the International Year of Millets – 2023 at Rome, Italy.
5. Which city is the host of the ‘VIRAASAT’ festival organised by the Ministry of Textiles?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Tiruppur
[C] Ahmedabad
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [New Delhi]
Notes:
The second phase of the Sari Festival ‘VIRAASAT’- celebrating 75 hand-woven Saris of India is hosted at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi.
The Ministry of Textiles is organizing the festival, while the first phase was held in December 2022. Handloom saris drawn from several exotic locations of India including Jamdani, Ikat, Pochampally, Chanderi, Lalitpuri and Patola are on display and sale at the exhibition.
6. In which year, the decision of Demonetisation was announced in India?
[A] 2014
[B] 2016
[C] 2017
[D] 2018
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2016]
Notes:
A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has upheld by a 4-1 majority the Centre’s 2016 decision to withdraw from circulation currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations.
The majority, comprising Justices S Abdul Nazeer, B R Gavai, A S Bopanna, V Ramasubramanian, held that the Centre’s notification was valid and satisfied the test of proportionality. Justice BV Nagarathna in her dissenting view held that though demonetisation was well-intentioned and well thought of, it has to be declared unlawful on legal grounds.
7. Which institution declares ‘Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs)’ in India?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Reserve Bank of India
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] Supreme Court
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Reserve Bank of India]
Notes:
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lists Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs) of India, that are too big to fail.
In the recent list, RBI listed the top three Indian lenders – State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, and HDFC Bank – as Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs). They attract closer supervision and regulation from RBI.
8. Scientists from which country has developed a new technology to filter micro-plastics from water?
[A] India
[B] South Korea
[C] Australia
[D] UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [South Korea]
Notes:
Scientists from South Korea have developed a new water purification system that can efficiently filter out microplastics.
The polymer used is inexpensive with excellent adsorption performance and photo-thermal properties. In a recent experiment, over 99.9 per cent of contaminants were taken out of the water in 10 seconds.
9. Which institution conducts the ‘Systemic Risk Survey (SRS)’ in India?
[A] State Bank of India
[B] Reserve Bank of India
[C] Bombay Stock Exchange
[D] National Stock Exchange
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Reserve Bank of India]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India conducts the Systemic Risk Survey (SRS) in India. As per the recent survey, confidence of respondents in Indian financial system improved as 93.6 per cent of them remaining fairly or highly confident of the stability of the Indian financial system.
The 23rd round of the RBI’s Systemic Risk Survey was conducted in November 2022. The survey captured perception of risk to financial stability from external sector and their views on the likelihood of a global recession in 2023.
10. India started probe into dumping of which products by China and Hong Kong?
[A] Plastic Toys
[B] Phone Display Panels
[C] Printed Circuit boards
[D] Power Banks
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Printed Circuit boards]
Notes:
India’s Commerce Department has initiated an investigation into dumping allegations on imports of certain printed circuit boards (PCBs) originating from China and Hong Kong.
The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), part of the Commerce and Industry Ministry, said the Indian Printed Circuit Association (IPCA) had alleged that domestic PCB industry has been hit by dumping.