1. Which of the following organization publishes and continually updates the model tax convention which serves as a template for bilateral negotiations regarding tax coordination and cooperation?
[A] Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
[B] Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation APEC
[C] G20
[D] UN
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)]
Notes:
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 37 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade. It is headquartered at Paris, France. The OECD publishes and updates a model tax convention that serves as a template for allocating taxation rights between countries.
2. Where is the Secretariat of the International Chamber of Commerce situated?
[A] Geneva
[B] London
[C] New York
[D] Paris
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Paris]
Notes:
The secretariat of the International Chamber of Commerce is located in Paris, France. Founded in 1919, the International Chamber of Commerce represents businesses from more than 130 countries. It plays a significant role in arbitration and has a wide reach in areas involving trade and business law. This international non-governmental organization assists in streamlining international trade rules, thereby promoting economic growth.
3. On which date International Women’s Day was observed?
[A] March 8
[B] March 11
[C] March 18
[D] March 28
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [March 8]
Notes:
International Women’s Day is observed on March 8 each year. This date was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1977, although its roots trace back to the early 20th century, with the first official celebration occurring in 1911. The day highlights women’s achievements and advocates for gender equality globally.
4. Which among the following is NOT a SAARC member?
[A] Myanmar
[B] Maldives
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Myanmar]
Notes:
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Its headquarters is at Kathmandu, Nepal.
5. Headquarters of which among the following are located in Moscow?
[A] Collective Security Treaty Organization CSTO
[B] Southeast Asia Treaty Organization SEATO
[C] Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
[D] None of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Collective Security Treaty Organization CSTO]
Notes:
The correct answer is the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Established in 1992, the CSTO is a military alliance of several former Soviet republics, aimed at mutual defense and security cooperation. Its headquarters are indeed located in Moscow, Russia. In contrast, the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was formed in 1954 and dissolved in 1977, while the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was founded in 2001 with its headquarters in Beijing, China.
6. Who among the following was the author of Ashiqa?
[A] Amir Khusrau
[B] Abul Fazal
[C] Inayat Khan
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Inayat Khan]
Notes:
The famous Sufi poet, Amir Khusrau was the author of the poem “Ashiqa”, a tragic love story of Khizr Khan (son of Alauddin Khilji) and Deval Rani (Princess of Gujarat). Excerpts of the works done by him are Tughluq Nama, Wast-ul-Hayat, Nuh Sipihr, Laila Majnun, etc. He was the court poet of Alauddin Khilji and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya, Delhi.
7. Which of the following books were written by Amir Khusro?
[A] Nuh Sipihr
[B] Ashiqa
[C] Tughluq Nama
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All of the above]
Notes:
The famous Sufi poet, Amir Khusro was the court poet of Alauddin Khilji and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya, Delhi. He wrote in many verse forms viz. ghazal, masnavi, qata, rubai, do-baiti and tarkib-band. Excerpts of the works done by him are Tughluq Nama, Wast-ul-Hayat, Nuh Sipihr, Ashiqa, Khamsa, Baqia-Naqia, etc.
8. Who among the following authors wrote “Prabodha Chandrodaya”?
[A] Jina Sena
[B] Padmagupta
[C] Padma Shankar
[D] Krishna Misra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Krishna Misra]
Notes:
During 11th century, a spiritual drama, Prabodha Chandrodaya (Rise of the moon of intellect) was written by Krishna Misra to teach the Advaita doctrine to those who were interested in Kavya and not philosophy. He belong to the period of the Chandela ruler, Kirti Varman.
9. Which of the following countries is not among the "Plus Three" members of ASEAN Plus Three?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] India
[D] South Korea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [India]
Notes:
ASEAN+3 include the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam) plus the China, Japan, and Korea.
10. The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is a programme of which country/organization?
[A] China
[B] U.S.A
[C] India
[D] SAARC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [U.S.A]
Notes:
The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) is the U.S. government's signature program to strengthen leadership development and networking in Southeast Asia. It builds the leadership capabilities of youth in the region and promotes cross-border cooperation to solve regional and global challenges.