1. Who launched the National Geology Data Repository Portal?
(A) Anurag Thakur
(B) Smriti Irani
(C) RK Sinha
(D) Prahlad Joshi
(E) Narendra Modi
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched the National Geology Data Repository Portal in New Delhi and also inaugurated a road show on important minerals.
It is a comprehensive online platform to access, share and analyze geospatial information across India.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was established in 1851 primarily to find coal reserves for the railways.
2. Recently, India has started its first winter scientific expedition in which area?
(A) Arctic region
(B) Pacific region
(C) Antarctica region
(D) Atlantic region
(E) Arabian region
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju flagged off India’s first winter scientific expedition to the Arctic region.
Raman Research Institute will participate in the first winter Indian expedition to the Arctic region.
Since 2008, India has operated a research station called ‘Himadri’ in the Arctic which operates mostly during summer (April to October).
3. Who was recently awarded Bhutan’s prestigious National Order of Merit Gold Medal?
(A) S Jaishankar
(B) Mamata Banerjee
(C) Jaya Bachchan
(D) Poonam Khetrapal Singh
(E) Hema Malini
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, has been awarded Bhutan’s prestigious National Order of Merit Gold Medal for distinguished services.
Poonam is a retired IAS officer of Punjab cadre.
Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck honored him at the 116th National Day celebrations of Bhutan.
4. When has the International Human Solidarity Day celebrated?
(A) 18 December
(B) 19 December
(C) 20 December
(D) 21 December
(E) 22 December
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
International Human Solidarity Day is celebrated every year on 20 December.
On this day, people resolve to adopt methods to eliminate poverty, hunger and diseases.
On December 20, 2002, the UN established the World Solidarity Fund.
International Human Solidarity Day 2023: “Advocate for Change” is this year’s theme.
5. Which bank has recently raised Rs 7,425 crore through infrastructure bond issue?
(A) State Bank of India
(B) HDFC Bank
(C) Punjab National Bank
(D) Federal Bank
(E) ICICI Bank
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
HDFC Bank has recently raised Rs 7,425 crore through infrastructure bonds issue.
The bank has raised these funds for financing infrastructure and affordable housing projects.
7,42,500 bonds of face value Rs 1,00,000 were issued to raise Rs 7,425 crore.
Infrastructure bond is a type of bond issued both by private corporations and by state-owned enterprises to finance the construction of an infrastructure facility (highways, ports, railways, airport terminals, bridges, tunnels, pipelines, etc.)
6. How many people will be honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023?
(A) 02
(B) 03
(C) 04
(D) 05
(E) 06
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has announced the National Sports Awards 2023.
These awards will be presented by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 09, 2024.
This time Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award will be given to badminton players Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty and Rankireddy Satwik Sai Raj.
This time 26 players will be honored with the Arjuna Award.
The Khel Ratna Award, officially known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is the highest sporting honour of India.
It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
The award from 1991-2021 was named after Rajiv Gandhi (1944-1991), the 6th Prime Minister of India.
7. Which country has topped global remittance charts at $125 billion in 2023?
(A) India
(B) Mexico
(C) China
(D) Philippines
(E) Egypt
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
The World Bank’s latest Migration and Development Brief revealed the report.
Remittances to low-and middle-income countries grew by an estimated 3.8% in 2023, totaling USD 669 billion.
First – India (USD 125 billion).
Second – Mexico (USD 67 billion).
Third – China (USD 50 billion).
Fourth – Philippines (USD 40 billion).
Fifth – Egypt (USD 24 billion).
8. Who has recently taken over as The Director General of Prisons?
(A) Sarda Nand Singh
(B) Maheshwar Dayal
(C) R N Batara
(D) Ghanshyam Singh
(E) E G Pettengill
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Senior IPS officer Maheshwar Dayal has assumed his new role as Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services.
Dayal brought vast experience, having served as Superintendent of Police across several districts.
Prior to his new appointment, he was the ADGP and held notable positions such as Inspector General of Police for Anti-Naxal Operations and Economic Offences in Tamil Nadu.
9. Which Indian organisation has been bestowed with the esteemed Leif Erikson Lunar Prize by the Husavik Museum?
(A) Indian Space Research Organisation
(B) Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
(C) Department of Atomic Energy
(D) Defence Research & Development Organisation
(E) Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been bestowed with the esteemed Leif Erikson Lunar Prize by the Husavik Museum.
Indian Ambassador Balasubramanian Shyam accepted the prestigious prize on behalf of ISRO.
This achievement positioned India as the fourth nation, following the United States, China, and Russia, to achieve a successful lunar landing.
10. Which state government has approved the proposal to build first Advanced Pediatric Center in the state?
(A) Uttar Pradesh
(B) Haryana
(C) Madhya Pradesh
(D) Punjab
(E) Rajasthan
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Uttar Pradesh government is set to establish the state’s first Advanced Pediatric Center at the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences.
The initiative will encompass 20 departments and 6 units with a total of 575 beds.
Facilities at both stages will include a mix of General Pediatrics, Pediatric Oncology, Pediatric Surgery, ICU beds, & specialized pediatric departments.