1. What is the primary focus of the maiden Joint Cooperation Committee meeting between India and Rwanda held in Feb 2024?
(A) Economic Cooperation
(B) Cultural Exchange
(C) Defence Cooperation
(D) Environmental Sustainability
(E) Scientific Cooperation
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
Defence Cooperation is the primary focus of the maiden Joint Cooperation Committee meeting between India and Rwanda held in Feb 2024.
India and Rwanda held their first Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, on February 8, 2024.
The meeting aimed to discuss opportunities for enhancing defense cooperation between the two countries.
Detailed discussions were conducted on various aspects, including training cooperation, joint military exercises, and defense industrial cooperation.
The Indian delegation highlighted the growing capabilities of Indian defense manufacturers and their potential to export to friendly nations.
Rwanda expressed keen interest in strengthening training cooperation and collaborating with the Indian defense industry.
Bilateral relations between India and Rwanda have been cordial and have seen steady growth over the years.
2. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research celebrated its Foundation Day on which day of February 2024?
(A) 09 February
(B) 12 February
(C) 11 February
(D) 10 February
(E) 13 February
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research celebrated its Foundation Day on 10th February.
The CSIR is a leading scientific and technology research organization that offers specialized sci-tech services directly to industry and others.
Parent institution: Ministry of Science and Technology
Director General: N. Kalaiselvi
3. Which Northeastern state becomes the first to restore the Old Pension Scheme in Feb 2024?
(A) Meghalaya
(B) Sikkim
(C) Nagaland
(D) Tripura
(E) Arunachal Pradesh
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Sikkim government, led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, announced the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for state government employees appointed on or after April 1, 2006.
This decision makes Sikkim the first state in Northeast India to restore the OPS.
The move aims to bring employees appointed after April 1, 2006, under the provisions of Sikkim Services (Pension) Rules, 1990, similar to those appointed before March 31, 2006.
The official notification confirming this decision was signed by the Secretary to the Government of Sikkim, Rimzing Chewang Bhutia.
OPS is a defined pension scheme offering retirees half of their last drawn salary as a pension.
Dearness Relief (DR) under OPS is revised semi-annually, mirroring the adjustments made for serving employees’ Dearness Allowance (DA).
4. What is the motive of NASA’s PACE satellite that has launched recently?
(A) To study solar system
(B) To study weather patterns
(C) To study black holes
(D) To study climate change
(E) To study asteroid belt
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
NASA’s PACE Satellite launched to study climate change
NASA’s PACE satellite successfully launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral.
The satellite will spend at least three years studying the oceans from 420 miles (676 kilometers) up, as well as the atmosphere.
PACE will provide valuable data for understanding climate change and its impacts on the planet.
5. Where has the sports minister Anurag Thakur inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Nutritional Supplements Testing for Sportspersons (CoE-NSTS)?
(A) New Delhi
(B) Gandhinagar
(C) Gurugram
(D) Bangalore
(E) Lucknow
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the Center of Excellence for Nutritional Supplements Testing at the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Thakur emphasized the importance of fair play, integrity, and the role of NADA in strengthening India’s anti-doping framework.
CoE-NSTS will test supplements for athletes to ensure they are dope free.
NADA organized a conference on anti-doping in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics 2024.
India’s two leading sportspersons – para athlete Ranjeet Bhati, who competed at the Tokyo Paralympics in the F57 category, and men’s number one judoka in 60kg, Mohsin Gulab Ali, have been banned for four years each by Nada’s anti-doping disciplinary panel after finding them guilty of consuming performance-enhancing drugs.
6. In which region did UPSC inaugurate a dedicated exam center?
(A) Kargil
(B) Sonamarg
(C) Leh
(D) Srinagar
(E) Gulmarg
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
UPSC established a dedicated examination center in Kargil, responding to the demands of UPSC aspirants in the Frontier District.
The new center will be operational for the upcoming Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination.
This move is aimed at addressing the challenges faced by aspirants in remote areas and providing them with a fair platform to pursue their dreams of civil service.
Constitutional Provisions regarding UPSC –
Article 315: Constitution of Public Service Commissions (PSC) for the Union and for the States of India.
Article 316: Appointment and term of office of members of UPSC as well as SPSC.
Article 317: Removal and suspension of a member of both the UPSC or SPSC.
Article 318: Power to make regulations for the conditions of service of members and staff of the Commission.
Article 319: Prohibition of holding the office by members of the Commission upon ceasing to be such members.
Article 320: States the functions of Public Service Commissions.
Article 321: Power to extend the functions of Public Service Commissions.
Article 322: Expenses of Public Service Commissions.
Article 323: Reports of Public Service Commissions.
7. Who has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the Fit India Movement?
(A) Sushil Chandra
(B) Narendra Kumar Yadav
(C) Govind Mishra
(D) Pramod Chandra Mody
(E) Krishan Mohan
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Narendra Kumar Yadav, an IRS officer, has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the Fit India Movement.
Yadav is a fervent fitness enthusiast and certified fitness trainer and nutritionist.
Through his new role, Yadav aims to amplify the message of health and fitness and inspire individuals across the nation to prioritize their physical and mental well-being.
8. Ajay Kumar Choudhary has been appointed as non-executive chairman of NPCI for how many years from 2024?
(A) Three
(B) Five
(C) One
(D) Eight
(E) Ten
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Ajay Kumar Choudhary has been appointed as non-executive chairman of NPCI for three years from February 8, 2024.
Choudhary succeeded Biswamohan Mahapatra, who held the position since 2018.
Choudhary has over three decades of experience at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), specializing in banking regulation, supervision, and fintech.
9. In February 2024, the Cabinet has approved which scheme for MSMEs in fisheries?
(A) PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana
(B) PM Matsya Sampada Yojana
(C) PM Nishadraj Boat Subsidy Scheme
(D) PM Kisan Credit Cards (Aquaculture & Fisheries)
(E) PM Fishermen Welfare Fund
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana for micro and small enterprises in fisheries approved.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund extended for 3 years up to 2025-26 with a fund size of Rs 7,522.48 crore and budget support of Rs 939.48 crore.
It aims to boost fisheries infrastructure development, leveraging financial resources and encouraging private sector investment.
10. Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd. has signed an MoU with which Enterprise Incubation Centre recently for the incubation of start-ups.
(A) Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
(B) Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow
(C) Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta
(D) Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode
(E) Indian Institute of Management, New Delhi
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., a PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, signed an MoU with IIM Lucknow Enterprise Incubation Centre (IIML EIC) for incubating startups.
The MoU was signed on February 6, 2024, by Balmer Lawrie’s Directors and the Managing Director of IIML EIC.
Balmer Lawrie launched its startup fund in May 2017 as part of the ‘Startup India’ initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016.
The collaboration aims to promote innovation by creating a conducive ecosystem for the growth of startups.
IIML EIC has a structured framework including accelerator programs, seed capital, mentoring, and training to support startups.