11. Which article of Indian Constitution deals with the right to freedom of speech and expression?
[A] Article 14
[B] Article 16
[C] Article 19
[D] Article 22
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Article 19]
Notes:
Article 19(2) lists down eight grounds on which the right to freedom of speech and expression can be reasonably restricted.
The Supreme Court has ruled with a 4:1 majority that statements made by a minister, even if these statements are traceable to any affairs of the State or for protecting the government, cannot be attributed to the government.
12. Which Union Ministry conducts ‘Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM)’?
[A] Ministry of MSME
[B] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Electronics and IT
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship]
Notes:
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship conducts the ‘Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela (PMNAM)’.
PMNAM will be conducted across 242 districts across states and union territories this year. The event will see participation of several local businesses that will provide local youth the opportunity of apprenticeship training.
13. Fay Weldon, who passed away recently, was a famous writer from which country?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Japan
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UK]
Notes:
British author Fay Weldon known for the famous book ‘The Life and Loves of a She-Devil’, passed away recently.
The author has written over 30 novels, seven non-fiction books, several short stories and various television and radio programmes.
14. India handed over 75 passenger buses to which country as a part of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy?
[A] Bangladesh
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Nepal
[D] Thailand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sri Lanka]
Notes:
India has handed 75 passenger buses to Sri Lanka, as part of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. This is a part of its assistance towards strengthening public transport infrastructure in the cash-strapped country.
Sri Lankan government in May last year declared a debt default on over $51 billion in the foreign loan – a first in the country’s history.
15. Chirag Ghropade, who was seen in the news, plays which sports?
[A] Chess
[B] Motor Racing
[C] Weight Lifting
[D] Archery
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Motor Racing]
Notes:
Bengaluru’s Chirag Ghropade, a 17-year-old racing driver has recently won his second race of the season.
In the Indian National Car Racing Championship, he surpassed Sai Sanjay and Mohammed Ryan.
16. Which Tennis player won the Adelaide International men’s singles title?
[A] Rafael Nadal
[B] Novak Djokovic
[C] Daniil Medvedev
[D] Nick Kyrgios
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Novak Djokovic]
Notes:
Ace Tennis player Novak Djokovic defeated America’s Sebastian Korda in the final to win the Adelaide International men’s singles title.
The 21-time Grand Slam winner also equalled Rafael Nadal’s tally of 92 ATP singles titles in the Open Era. They are only behind Jimmy Connors (109), Roger Federer (103) and Ivan Lendl (94). Djokovic also won his 34th match in a row on Australian soil since 2019.
17. Which city is the host of the Meeting of the First Education Group of G-20 countries?
[A] Kochi
[B] Chennai
[C] Bengaluru
[D] Pune
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chennai]
Notes:
The First Education Group of G-20 countries is scheduled to meet in Chennai, from the 31st of January to the 2nd of February.
The Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the State government and a team from IIT Madras participated in the review meeting.
18. India signed and exchanged letters for ‘Young Professionals Scheme’ with which country?
[A] Australia
[B] UK
[C] USA
[D] Finland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UK]
Notes:
India and the United Kingdom marked the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas by exchanging letters to formalise the Young Professionals Scheme.
The scheme allows up to 3,000 graduates in age bracket of 18-30 to get a two-year visa to study in each other’s countries. It aims to pave a way for the youth to understand the culture of one another. The launch of the ‘Young Professionals’ scheme was announced in November 2022 at G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.
19. What is the name of the short-range ballistic missile which was recently test-launched by India?
[A] Prithvi II
[B] Agni V
[C] Vikas II
[D] Bhim I
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Prithvi II]
Notes:
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out a training launch of a Short-Range Ballistic Missile, Prithvi-II from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the Odisha coast.
The Defence Ministry said that the missile struck its target with high accuracy. The user training launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters of the Prithvi-II missile, which has a range of around 350 kilometres.
20. ‘Year of Enterprises’ Project is a flagship scheme of which Indian state?
[A] Haryana
[B] Odisha
[C] West Bengal
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kerala]
Notes:
The ‘Year of Enterprises’ project of Kerala has been regarded as the best practice model in the second Chief Secretaries National Conference.
It was selected in the ‘Thrust on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)’ category. The project by Kerala Government was started in the current fiscal year with the aim to create one lakh enterprises in a year, while the state achieved the goal in eight months.