LECTURE 10

CURRENT AFFAIRS
On the sidelines of a joint Army exercise between India and Japan, “Dharma
Guardian”, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri
with the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) in Japan

● In this year’s edition of the air exercise, the Indian Air

Force’s contingent is being represented by one C-17
Globemaster III aircraft.
● Exercise Shinyuu Maitri with JASDF comes at a time
when IAF’s heavy lift transport aircraft fleet is also
participating in Exercise Desert Flag VIII in UAE and
Exercise Cobra Warrior in the UK.
Joint Air Exercise Shinyuu Maitri was held between India and which of the following
countries?

A. Japan

B. Singapore

C. Philippine

D. South Korea
India’s indigenously-made light combat aircraft Tejas will be participating in an
international multilateral air exercise — Exercise Desert Flag VIll — in the UAE

Indian Air Force’s (IAF) LCA Tejas participated in Exercise Desert Flag VIII. It is being
held in which of the following countries?

A. UAE

B. Australia

C. Saudi Arabia

D. Oman
India’s indigenously-made light combat aircraft Tejas will be participating in an
international multilateral air exercise — Exercise Desert Flag VIll — in the UAE

Indian Air Force’s (IAF) LCA Tejas participated in Exercise Desert Flag VIII. It is being
held in which of the following countries?

A. UAE

B. Australia

C. Saudi Arabia

D. Oman
The Government of Bangladesh has signed an agreement with the International
Solar Alliance (ISA) to increase the use of solar energy in the country.

• The agreement is to be implemented by December 2026.

• The government of Bangladesh has set up a target of generating 40
percent of its total energy through renewable sources by 2041.
• Bangladesh aims to produce 4000 MW of solar power by the end of
2030 for which various projects have been taken up.
 Which country has signed an agreement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to
increase the use of solar energy?

A. Pakistan

B. Bangladesh

C. Sri Lanka

D. Nepal
The U.S.-led "Fab 4" or ‘Chip 4’ semiconductor alliance of Taiwan, the United
States, Japan and South Korea held its first video meeting of senior officials.

● It includes four of the world’s top producers of

semiconductors: the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, and Korea.
● The "Fab" in the name refers to a shorthand industry expression
for the fabrication plants where chips, used in everything from
fridges and smartphones to fighter jets, are made.
The “Fab 4” (Chip 4) semiconductor alliance held its first video meeting of senior
officials. It is an alliance of the USA, Taiwan, Japan and which of the following
countries?

A. India

B. China

C. South Korea

D. Australia
The government of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), one of the seven emirates of the
United Arab Emirates, has announced plans to establish RAK Digital Assets
Oasis, the world's first free zone dedicated to digital and virtual asset
companies.

● RAK Digital Assets Oasis will be a purpose-built, true

innovation-enabling free zone for non-regulated
activities in the virtual assets sector.
● It is intended to be the only free zone in the world
solely dedicated to digital and virtual assets service
providers innovating in new and emerging sectors of
the future including metaverse, blockchain, utility
tokens, virtual asset wallets, NFTs, DAOs, DApp, and
other Web3-related businesses.
Which of the following companies has announced to establish the world's first free
zone dedicated to digital and virtual asset companies?

A. Australia

B. Netherlands

C. United Kingdom (UK)

D. UAE
India and Lithuania have agreed to work in the areas of deep tech startups as
well as forge lasting ties in the manufacturing of semiconductor chips.

● Lithuania has robust know-how and capacities in life sciences,

biotechnology and other STEM areas and is keen to have
cooperation between the two countries in high-tech startups.
● A global MNC from Lithuania, "Teltonika" is working with Taiwan
for the manufacturing of sophisticated chips and the company
has a presence in India also and can take a collaboration of
chip-making to a new height in years to come.
India and which of the following countries have agreed to work in the areas of deep
tech startups and the manufacturing of semiconductor chips?

A. Estonia

B. Sweden

C. Lithuania

D. Finland
The world's longest river cruise MV Ganga Vilas reached Dibrugarh, concluding
its 50-day river journey that began from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

● On January 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the

cruise from Varanasi.
● During its journey, the cruise crossed 5 states namely Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam.
The world's longest river cruise MV Ganga Vilas reached Dibrugarh, concluding its 50-
day river journey. It was flagged off from which of the following cities?

A. Lucknow

B. Prayagraj

C. Varanasi

D. Patna
INS Sindhukesari has become the first Indian submarine to dock in Indonesia.
The 3,000-tonne conventional diesel-electric submarine made its way to the
Indonesian capital of Jakarta to dock after traversing through the nearby Sunda
Strait.

• The exercise was part of INS Sindhukesari's first

operational turnaround.
• It is also part of the diplomatic and military outreach
from India towards ASEAN countries.
• INS Sindhukesari is part of the Russian-made
Sindhughosh-class submarines.
 Which of the following has become the first Indian submarine to dock in Indonesia?

A. INS Khanderi

B. INS Kalvari

C. INS Sindhuvijay

D. INS Sindhukesari
The Union Cabinet has approved the procurement of 70 HTT-40 basic trainer
aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

● The approval was given to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

● The aircraft will be supplied over a period of six years.
● The aircraft, being an indigenous solution, is configurable for
upgrades to incorporate the futuristic requirements of the IAF.
The Union Cabinet has approved the procurement of 70 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft
from which of the following companies?

A. Boeing India

B. Larsen and Toubro (L&T)

C. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

D. Garuda Aerospace
The Government of India has approved the estimated investment of $3.9 billion
for the 2,880-megawatt Dibang project in Arunachal Pradesh

● The project will be developed by the state-

run hydropower producer NHPC Ltd.
● India has classified hydropower
as renewable energy and sees it as key in
its transition away from coal to help manage
the fluctuations caused by intermittent solar
and wind supplies.
$3.9 billion 2,880-megawatt Dibang project has been approved by the Government of
India in which of the following states?

A. Sikkim

B. Arunachal Pradesh

C. Assam

D. Uttarakhand
It was informed that the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA)
— a radio telescope comprising 66 antennas is located in the Atacama Desert
of northern Chile.

● It will help it collect much more data and produce

sharper images than ever before
● The most significant modernisation made
to ALMA will be the replacement of its correlator, a
supercomputer that combines the input from
individual antennas and allows astronomers to
produce highly detailed images of celestial objects.
● Today, ALMA’s correlators are among the world’s
fastest supercomputers.
It was informed that the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) will
get software and hardware upgrades. It is in which of the following countries?

A. Peru

B. Argentina

C. Chile

D. Brazil
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched a
digital platform titled Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC)

● It is a faceless dispute resolution mechanism that would make

all platforms — big and small — accountable to digital citizens
(DigitalNagriks)
● The Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC), which will
investigate users’ complaints about content and other issues,
was established in an effort to give millions of social media
users in India more influence.
Which of the following ministries has launched a digital platform titled “Grievance
Appellate Committee” (GAC)?

A. Ministry of Home Affairs

B. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

C. Ministry of Finance

D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity)

India has received the 2023 'Government Leadership Award' at the GSMA's
Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023 event in Barcelona, Spain

● The GSMA is an association representing mobile

operators and the global mobile industry, and the
organiser of the MWC.
● Mobile World Congress (MWC) is an annual trade
show and conference for the mobile
telecommunications industry.
● In addition to the exhibition, the conference
features keynote speeches, panel discussions, and
educational sessions covering topics such
as 5G, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things
(IoT), and mobile security.
India has received the 2023 “Government Leadership Award” at the GSMA's Mobile
World Congress (MWC) 2023. It was held in which of the following countries?

A. Spain

B. Germany

C. France

D. India
Japan’s eminent hospitality group Hotel Management International Company
Limited (HMI) has signed an MoU with the UP government to invest Rs 7200
crore at the UP Global Investors Summit

● The Group will expand its hotel chain in 30 major

places including Agra, Varanasi and Ayodhya.
● There has been an unprecedented increase in
investment in Uttar Pradesh in sectors like health,
energy, logistics, hotel, artificial intelligence, textile,
steel, real estate, leather etc.
● Also, the Japan Industrial Township is under
development at Greater Noida.
Japan’s Hotel Management International Company Limited (HMI) has signed an MoU
with which of the following states to invest Rs 7200 crore?

A. Gujarat

B. Uttar Pradesh

C. Odisha

D. Karnataka
India and Australia have signed a Framework Mechanism for the Mutual
Recognition of Qualifications

● It will help ease the mobility of students and

professionals between the two countries.
● While the two countries will recognise the
degrees, professional registrations of engineering,
medicine and law pass-outs will remain outside
the framework's ambit.
India and which of the following countries have signed a Framework Mechanism for
Mutual Recognition of Qualifications?

A. United Kingdom (UK)

B. Canada

C. Australia

D. Singapore
The poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGT) is a part of the International
Monetary Fund (IMF).

● The Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) is an arm of the International
Monetary Fund which lends to the world's poorest countries.
● It was created on September 16, 1999, replacing the Enhanced Structural
Adjustment Facility.
Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGT) is a part of which of the following
organizations?

A. International Monetary Fund (IMF)

B. World Bank

C. G-20

D. World Economic Forum (WEF)

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated the
7th International Dharma Dhamma Conference 2023 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

● The three-day conference with the theme ‘Eastern

Humanism for the New Era’ has been organised by
India Foundation in collaboration with Sanchi
University of Buddhist-Indic Studies
● It aims to bring together religious, political and
thought leaders from Dharma-Dhamma traditions
to ponder over building a philosophical framework
for the emerging new world order.
Smt Droupadi Murmu has inaugurated the 7th International Dharma Dhamma
Conference 2023 in which of the following cities?

A. Indore

B. Guwahati

C. Bhopal

D. Patna
The United States of America and South Korea have conducted the 8th U.S-
South Korea Deterrence Strategy Committee Table-Top Exercise (DSC TTX) at
the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

● This was the 8th U.S. and South Korean deterrence strategy
committee table-top exercise, known as DSC TTX, and the first
edition since they agreed last year to hold the drills annually.
● The U.S. and South Korean delegations focused their
discussion on Alliance deterrence to maintain peace and
stability on the Korean Peninsula and potential options for
responding to DPRK nuclear weapons use.
8th Deterrence Strategy Committee Table-Top Exercise (DSC TTX) was held between
USA and which of the following countries?

A. India

B. South Korea

C. Japan

D. Canada
India has extended grant assistance of Rs 2 Billion for the Gyalsung Infra Project
in Bhutan.

● The first tranche of the grant that was presented

will be used for the DeSuung for Gyalsung (DFG)
programme as a special India-Bhutan Friendship
Project.
● Its main objective is to make the capabilities of
Bhutan's youth, enabling them to participate in
nation-building and empowering them to realize
their potential as competent and productive
citizens in service of the Tsawa Sum.
India has extended grant assistance of Rs 2 billion for the Gyalsung Infra Project in
which of the following countries?

A. Bhutan

B. Myanmar

C. Laos

D. Malaysia
Asian Development Bank President Masatsugu Asakawa has met Prime
Minister Narendra Modi. He conveyed ADB's intention to provide USD 20-25
billion in resources over five years to advance India's aspirations for fast,
inclusive, and green growth.

• ADB is now finalising the new five-year country

partnership strategy (CPS) for India following a
comprehensive stakeholder consultation process.
• ADB will provide multifaceted support for India's key
priorities, including the important infrastructure push
under the PM's Gati Shakti (National Master Plan for
multimodal connectivity) initiative, building future
cities, mobilising domestic resources, and
strengthening basic services in disadvantaged
districts.
 Recently, which of the following organisations has proposed to provide USD 20-25
billion in resources over five years to India?

A. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

B. Asian Development Bank (ADB)

C. World Bank

D. European Investment Bank

US President Joe Biden has nominated former Mastercard Chief Executive Ajay
Banga as the president of the World Bank after its current chief David Malpass
announced plans to step down early. The president of the World Bank is
typically American, while the leader of the International Monetary Fund is
customarily European. Banga's nomination comes amid a push for development
lenders to revamp and address global problems like environmental issues more
effectively.
 US President Joe Biden nominated has appointed which among the following as the
president of the World Bank?

A. Gita Gopinath

B. Raghuram Rajan

C. Arvind Krishna

D. Ajay Banga
NTPC Limited, the country’s largest power-generating company, has been
ranked No.1 Independent Power Producers and Energy Traders Globally in the
S&P Global Commodity Insights Top 250 Global Energy Company Rankings®-
2022.
• These rankings are based on four key metrics- asset worth, revenues, profits and
return on investment.
• NTPC is not just India’s largest power producer; it is one of the key pillars sustaining
India’s economic growth and development.
 Which company has been ranked No.1 Independent Power Producers and Energy
Traders Globally in the Top 250 Global Energy Company Rankings®-2022?

A. Adani Power

B. NHPC

C. NTPC Limited

D. Power Grid Corporation of India

The UK has surpassed India as the world's sixth-largest equity market for the
first time in almost nine months The combined market capitalization of primary
listings in the UK, excluding ETFs and ADRs, reached about $3.11 trillion, some
$5.1 billion higher than their Indian equivalents. The US stock market is the
world’s most valuable with a market cap of $51.3 trillion, followed by China,
Japan, Hong Kong $6.52 trillion, France and UK
 Which country has surpassed India as the world's sixth-largest equity market?

A. Singapore

B. UK

C. Germany

D. Switzerland
India has urged the member nations to stay dedicated to the conservation and
preservation of the oceans and its biodiversity during the ongoing session (Feb-
March 2023) Of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC)i.e., IGC-5 of
Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), New York.

• India supported the high-ambition coalition for the early conclusion of

the International Legally Binding Instrument of BBNJ under the United
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS ).
• The “BBNJ Treaty”, also known as the “Treaty of the High Seas”, is an
international agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of
marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction within
the framework of the UNCLOS.
 The Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) “IGC-5 of Biodiversity Beyond National
Jurisdiction (BBNJ)” was held in which city?

A. New Delhi

B. Berlin

C. London

D. New York
Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi has been appointed as the new Drug Controller
General of India (DCGI), Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

• Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi is a former Indian

Pharmacopoeia Commission secretary-cum-scientific
director.
• The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has
recommended to the government his name as the
successor to Dr V G Somani, whose extended tenure
will end in mid-February.
 Who has been appointed as the new Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)?

A. DR V G Somani

B. Dr Jai Prakash

C. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi

D. Dr M Srinivas
Central Excise Day is celebrated on 24th February every year in India. It is
observed to recognise and honour the contributions made by the Central Board
of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

• The purpose of Central Excise Day is to honour the commitment and hard work of
the employees who fight to collect taxes, stop smuggling, and stop fraud.
• The Central Excise and Salt Act was passed on February 24, 1944, to make changes
in the law related to salt and Central duties.
 Central Excise Day is celebrated on which of the following days every year in India?

A. 24th February

B. 25th February

C. 26th February

D. 23rd February
Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA)
participated in the 28th edition of Gulfood 2023, Dubai, UAE.

• GULFOOD is a platform that connects food and beverage

sectors around the globe, providing ample opportunities to
Indian exporters.
• The India Pavilion was inaugurated by Pashupati Kumar
Paras, Union Minister of Food Processing
• APEDA is organising promotions, tasting campaigns,
sampling of millet products & biryani, arranging B2B
interactions between start-ups, and exporters with identified
Supermarkets, and awareness cum capacity-building
programs.
 Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) participated
in the 28th edition of Gulfood 2023. It was held in which of the following countries?

A. UAE

B. Saudi Arabia

C. Oman

D. Qatar
Mohiniyattam exponent Kanak Rele, besides propagating female roles in
Kathakali, has passed away. She was 85. Kanak Rele (11 June 1937 – 22
February 2023) was an Indian dancer, choreographer, and academic best known
as an exponent of Mohiniyattam. She was the founder-director of the Nalanda
Dance Research Centre and the founder-principal of the Nalanda Nritya Kala
Mahavidyalaya in Mumbai.

Kanak Rele has passed away. She was primarily associated with which dance forms?

A. Odissi

B. Bharatnatyam

C. Kuchipudi

D. Mohiniyattam
Sajjan Jindal, chairman and managing director of the JSW Group, has been
named the EY Entrepreneur of the year 2022. A seven-member jury led by K V
Kamath, former chairman of ICICI Bank, adjudged Jindal as the winner for his
“exceptional entrepreneurial journey in scaling the global conglomerate with
presence in steel, cement, infrastructure, energy, and paints to a revenue of $22
billion globally; employing over 40,000 people.”

Who has been named the EY Entrepreneur of the year 2022?

A. Deepak Bagla

B. Sajjan Jindal

C. KP Singh

D. V Vaidyanathan
Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has been selected as the
external auditor of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Geneva for a four-
year term from 2024 to 2027. Girish Chandra Murmu is the incumbent CAG.
CAG will take over from the incumbent external auditor of ILO, the Supreme
Audit Institution of the Philippines
Comptroller and Auditor General of India has been selected as the external auditor of
the International Labour Organization (ILO), Geneva. Who is the incumbent
Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)?

A. Girish Chandra Murmu

B. Vivek Singh

C. T V Somanathan

D. Sanjay Malhotra
Sri Lanka has approved a $442 million wind power project by Adani group's
Adani Green Energy in the country. This is the first major foreign investment by
cash strapped country.
• Sri Lanka's Board of Investment said Adani Green Energy, part of the business
empire led by Gautam Adani, will set up two wind farms in the island's north.
• The total investment will reach $442 million and the two plants will be supplying
power to the national grid by 2025.
• The project comes after Sri Lanka awarded Adani a $700 million strategic port
terminal project in Colombo in 2021.
 Which country has approved $442 million wind power project by Adani Green
Energy?

A. Maldives

B. Sri Lanka

C. Mauritius

D. Bangladesh
The Union ministry of education has directed all states and Union territories to
fix the minimum age for admission in Class 1 as six years in line with the
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The foundational stage, according to NEP-
2020, consists of five years of learning opportunities for all children (between 3
to 8 years) that includes three years of preschool education followed by Classes
1 and 2.
 What is the minimum age for admission in class 1 fixed by the Union Ministry of
Education?

A. 4 years

B. 5 years

C. 6 years

D. 7 years
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the
extension of the term of the 22nd Law Commission of India up to August 31,
2024. On November 7, 2022, the Central Government appointed Justice Rituraj
Awasthi, retired High Court Chief Justice of Karnataka, as chairperson of the
22nd Law Commission, along with five other members.

• The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body,

constituted by the Government of India from time to
time.
• The first Law Commission was established during the
British Raj era in 1834 by the Charter Act of 1833 and
was chaired by Lord Macaulay.
 The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the term of the 22ndLaw
Commission of India. Who amongst the following is the chairperson of the
Commission?

A. Justice (retired) Rituraj Awasthi

B. Justice K T Sankaran

C. Professor Anand Paliwal

D. Professor D P Verma
Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh has released the revised guidelines on
MPLADS 2023 (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme).
These guidelines have been prepared by the Ministry of Statistics and
Programme Implementation (MOSPI). He also launched a new Web Portal for
the Revised Fund Flow Procedure under MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local
Area Development Scheme). The new MPLADs guidelines and the web portal
will come into effect from April 1, 2023.
 Which of the following ministries has released the revised guidelines on MPLADS
2023 (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme)?

A. Ministry of Finance

B. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

C. Ministry of Home Affairs

D. Ministry of Statistics and Programme

Implementation
The Government of India has approved a Rs 463 crores project called
“Innovative Extension Approaches for Revitalising Agriculture in J&K”.

• The project is to be implemented in five years. The project was

recommended by the UT Apex committee.
• The Government of India has allocated Rs 463 crores for this project.
• Two thousand Kissan Khidmat Ghars will be created. They are to be
created at Panchayat levels and will act as One-stop Centre for all
agriculture-related issues.
• Problems will be addressed through RS-GIS-driven advisories. RS-GIS
is a cyber-based problem redressal facility.
 The Government of India has approved a Rs 463 crores project called “Innovative
Extension Approaches for Revitalising Agriculture” in which state/union territory?

A. Ladakh

B. Uttarakhand

C. Jammu and Kashmir

D. Sikkim
China has launched the Zhongxing-26 satellite (ChinaSat-26) into
geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) at a cost of 333 million USD.

• It was launched on Long March 3B rocket.

• The main objective of the satellite is to provide broadband connectivity
for aviation and ship-related operations.
• Zhongxing-26 is based on the DFH-4E satellite bus and uses chemical
and electric propulsion.
 Which of the following countries has launched the Zhongxing-26 satellite?

A. Japan

B. South Korea

C. Singapore

D. China
India has announced joining the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate. The
Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate is a joint initiative of the US and UAE.
The US and the United Arab Emirates launched AIM4C in November 2021. The
AIM4C initiative has successfully increased these investments to more than 8
billion US dollars globally

• The main objective of the initiative is to address

hunger and climate change.
• This is to be achieved by inviting countries and
other private organisations to invest in innovative
and climate-smart agricultural systems.
• Key Focus of the mission: Gender Equity,
Inclusion, and Equity
 India has announced joining the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate. It was
jointly launched by which of the following countries?

A. UAE and USA

B. France and UK

C. Japan and Australia

D. Brazil and Argentina

The Kerala government has launched a robotic scavenger, Bandicoot, to clean
sewages in this temple town, Guruvayur, becoming the first state in the country
to use robotic technology to clean all its commissioned manholes

• Bandicoot has been launched under the Guruvayur Sewerage Project in

Thrissur district by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), as part of the
100-day action plan of the state government.
• With the launch of the project in Guruvayur, manual scavenging in
Kerala has ended
 Which state has launched a robotic scavenger, Bandicoot, becoming the first state to
use robotic technology to clean all its commissioned manholes?

A. Kerala

B. Tamil Nadu

C. Rajasthan

D. Gujarat
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has received final approval from the
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to set up a Social Stock Exchange
(SSE) as a separate segment of the NSE.
• The SSE aims to provide a new avenue for social enterprises to finance
social initiatives, give them visibility, and increase transparency in fund
mobilisation and utilisation by social enterprises.
• Any social enterprise, Non-Profit Organisation (NOPs) or For-Profit
Social Enterprise (FPEs), that establishes its primacy of social intent
can get registered or listed on the Social Stock Exchange segment.
 Which stock exchange has received the final approval from the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to set up a Social Stock Exchange (SSE)?

A. India International Exchange

B. BSE Limited

C. Madras Stock Exchange

D. National Stock Exchange (NSE)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has unveiled a 9-point Crypto Action plan
to safeguard monetary sovereignty in the world. The action plan will help
countries to frame their crypto policies. The IMF quoted El Salvador as an
example. The country lost more than 60 million USD during its bitcoin
experiment. It spent 375 million USD in implementing the experiment. Due to
this, the country faced an economic crisis and a very high deficit. The country
implemented bitcoin.
Which organisation has unveiled a 9-point Crypto Action plan?

A. World Bank

B. World Economic Forum (WEF)

C. Bank for International Settlements (BIS)

D. International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Amazon has announced plans to join the Indian government’s ONDC (Open
Network for Digital Commerce) platform. ONDC is a government-backed project
aimed at enabling small merchants and kirana stores in parts of the country to
access processes and technologies typically deployed by large e-commerce
platforms. It is an open e-commerce protocol set up by the Ministry of
Commerce’s Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
ONDC’s very purpose is to “democratise” e-commerce in India which is largely
captured by Amazon and Flipkart.
 Amazon has announced plans to join the ONDC (Open Network for Digital
Commerce) platform. ONDC has been set by which of the following?

A. Ministry of Finance

B. Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

C. Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

D. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

Maharashtra’s Aurangabad and Osmanabad cities have been renamed
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Dharashiv respectively, after approval from the
Ministry of Home Affairs. The decision to rename Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar
and Osmanabad as Dharashiv was taken by a cabinet meeting of the Maha
Vikas Aghadi government on June 29, 2022, hours before Uddhav Thackeray
stepped down as chief minister

Which city has been renamed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar?

A. Osmanabad

B. Aurangabad

C. Kolhapur

D. Nagpur
Recently, plans to revive Adi Ganga (the original channel of River Ganga passing
through the city of Kolkata) have been announced. The National Mission for
Clean Ganga has allocated around Rs 650 crore to revive the ancient river and it
has been included in a multi-country South Asian River project on combating
pollution.

Recently, plans to revive Adi Ganga have been announced. It was the original channel
of River Ganga passing through which of the following cities?

A. Kolkata

B. Varanasi

C. Allahabad

D. Rishikesh
The 31st edition of the New Delhi International Book Fair 2023 has started. The
book fair will host France as the guest country with the participation of 16
French authors, including the Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux will be displayed in
all major Indian languages and English.

• It is a key publishing calendar event that has been taking place for the past 50 years.
• The event is organised by the National Book Trust India, an autonomous body of the
Government of India under the Ministry of Education
 The 31st edition of the New Delhi International Book Fair 2023 has started. Which is
the guest country in the event?

A. Germany

B. United Kingdom (UK)

C. France

D. Spain
It was informed that the Churchgate railway station in Mumbai will be renamed
after the first governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) CD Deshmukh.

• The station will be called 'Chintamanrao

Deshmukh station'.
• The first national executive meeting of Shiv Sena
under Eknath Shinde passed a resolution
demanding that the Churchgate train station in
Mumbai be named for former RBI governor and
finance minister CD Deshmukh.
 It was informed that Churchgate railway station in Mumbai will be renamed after who
amongst the following?

A. Sukumar Sen

B. Sir CD Deshmukh

C. Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar

D. C. Rangarajan
Russia has launched an uncrewed Soyuz spacecraft on a rescue mission to
return two cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut from the International Space
Station (ISS).

• The Soyuz MS-23 vessel blasted off successfully

from the Russian-operated Baikonur Cosmodrome
in Kazakhstan.
• The three arrived at the ISS in September 2022
onboard the MS-22 spacecraft and were originally
to stay about six months until the end of March.
• But the MS-22 began to leak coolant in December
2022 after an apparent micro-meteorite punctured
an external radiator.
 Which country has launched an uncrewed Soyuz spacecraft on a rescue to the
International Space Station (ISS)?

A. USA

B. China

C. Russia

D. France
Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has announced that the Supreme
Court will adopt a “neutral citation system” for its judgments. The Delhi, Kerala,
and Madras HCs have already introduced neutral citations. The first part will be
till January 1, 2023, then the other part will be till judgments from 2014 and then
finally from 1950. So, all judgments will now have neutral citations
 Which court has announced to adopt a “neutral citation system” for its judgments?

A. Ministry of Law

B. Supreme Court of India

C. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

D. Allahabad High Court

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority
(APEDA), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Lulu Hypermarket to harness the export potential of
millets to the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCCs).

• APEDA aims to promote millet

products and value-added products
around the world in association with
Lulu Group
• Lulu Group is an international retail
hypermarket chain that operates stores
and shopping malls across Bahrain,
Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and
the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, India
and Far East.
 Which Indian organisation has signed an MoU with Lulu Hypermarket to promote
millets in the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCCs)?

A. Export Promotion Council

B. Rajesh Exports

C. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

D. ASSOCHAM
META has launched its new chatbot called LLaMA.

• LLaMA is a large language model developed by META that is similar to

ChatGPT. The main objective of the model is to assist researchers in
the field of AI.
• LLaMA is the third large language model developed by META. The first
was Glactica, and the second was Blender.
• However, unlike its predecessors, LLaMA requires fewer resources
and computing power.
 Which company has announced the launch of its new chatbot called LLaMA?

A. Meta

B. Apple

C. Samsung

D. Sony
Global financial crime watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has
suspended Russia's membership, saying Moscow's war in Ukraine violated the
organisation's principles.

• The Russian Federation's actions unacceptably run

counter to the FATF core principles aiming to promote
security, safety, and the integrity of the global
financial system.
• They also represent a gross violation of the
commitment to international cooperation and mutual
respect
• Separately, the FATF has added South Africa to its
"grey list" of countries under special scrutiny to
implement standards to prevent money laundering
and terrorism financing and took Morocco out of the
grey list.
 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has suspended the membership of which country?

A. Pakistan

B. Russia

C. South Africa

D. Afghanistan
Recently, for the first time, the road to Sinthan Top was opened in the month of
February 2023 with an aim to promote tourism to this off-beat destination in
Jammu and Kashmir.

• Sinthan Top is a high mountain pass

• It is located between the Breng valley in Anantnag district and
Kishtwar of J&K which connects Kashmir to Chenab Valley.
• Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is a Union Territory, located in the country’s
northern part and a global tourist destination.
• Jammu is famous for its temples, while Kashmir Valley is known for its
lakes and gardens
 Sinthan Top is High Mountain Pass in which of the following state/union territories?

A. Ladakh

B. Sikkim

C. Uttarakhand

D. Jammu and Kashmir

A deadly malaria vector from Asia “Anopheles Stephensi” has been detected in
Kenya. Kenya is now the sixth and latest country in Africa to report an invasion
of the deadly malaria species. Anopheles Stephensi originated in Southeast
Asia, West Asia and the Arabian Peninsula.

• The species has been expanding its geographic range

over the last decade, with detections in Africa first
reported in Djibouti (2012), Ethiopia and Sudan (2016),
Somalia (2019), and Nigeria (2020).
• It also poses a significant threat because, unlike other
main malaria-causing mosquito vectors that primarily
breed in rural areas, Anopheles Stephensi is highly
adaptive and can thrive in urban environments.
• Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne blood disease
caused by plasmodium parasites.
 A vector named “Anopheles Stephensi” has been detected in Kenya. It is related to
which disease?

A. Malaria

B. Typhoid

C. Dengue

D. Lymphatic filariasis
SS Rajamouli’s directorial, ‘RRR’ has bagged the ‘Best International Film’ award
at the Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards 2023.

• It has also won three more awards at the HCA film awards.
• Before bagging the ‘Best International Film’ award, ‘RRR’ won three awards
at HCA – ‘Best Action Film’, ‘Best Stunts’, and ‘Best Original Song’.
• ‘RRR’ song ‘Naatu Naatu has been nominated for the Oscars in the ‘Original
Song’ category.
 Which Indian film has won the ‘Best International Film’ award at the Hollywood Critics
Association Film Awards 2023?

A. Kantara

B. Pushpa: The Rise

C. RRR

D. K.G.F: Chapter 2
India has been ranked 42nd amongst the 55 leading global economies in the
International IP Index 2023, released by the U.S. Chambers of Commerce

• It is released annually by the US Chamber of

Commerce.
• The index evaluates IP rights in 55 global
economies across 50 unique indicators.
• The index aims to help nations navigate toward a
brighter economic future marked by greater
innovation, creativity, and competitiveness.
• The United States is ranked first, followed by the
UK and France.
What is the rank of India in the International IP Index 2023 by the U.S. Chambers of
Commerce?

A. 12th

B. 22nd

C. 32nd

D. 42nd
The World Bank has announced $2.5 billion in additional grant financing from
the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to support Ukraine's
budget and maintain essential services.
• It will support salaries in core government functions and sectors such
as healthcare and education while allowing Kyiv to pay pensions and
support internally displaced people.
• The World Bank-facilitated financing under the PEACE program is set
up to minimize the risk of corruption.
 Which of the following organizations has announced an additional grant of USD 2.5
billion to Ukraine under the PEACE Project?

A. International Monetary Fund (IMF)

B. World Bank

C. World Trade Organization (WTO)

D. European Investment Bank

Infosys has announced its collaboration with Microsoft, to help accelerate
enterprise cloud transformation journeys worldwide. Adopting the cloud
improved speed to market and the ability to discover new revenue streams and
resulted in increased profit growth by up to 11.2 percent YoY. The extended
strategic collaboration between Infosys and Microsoft will greatly benefit
enterprises by bringing them the best of Infosys Cobalt cloud offerings and
Microsoft’s cloud computing technologies, led by Azure, across the business
value chain.
Infosys has announced its collaboration with which of the following companies to
accelerate the enterprise cloud transformation journey?

A. Amazon Web Services

B. Google

C. Meta

D. Microsoft
Lt Gen RS Reen has been appointed as the Director General Quality Assurance

• The DGQA is an inter-service organisation functioning under the

Department of Defence Production in the Ministry of Defence.
• It is responsible for second-party quality assurance of all defence
stores and equipment, both imported as well as indigenous, for the
Indian Army, Indian Navy (excluding Naval Armaments) and common
user items for the Indian Air Force procured from private sector and
public sector undertakings.
 Who amongst the following has been appointed as the Director General Quality
Assurance?

A. Lieutenant General B. S. Raju

B. Lieutenant General Saranjit Singh

C. Lieutenant General RS Reen

D. Lieutenant General Sudharshan Shrikant Hasabnis

The 20th edition of BioAsia 2023 was inaugurated in Hyderabad, Telangana

• It is Asia's largest Life Sciences and Healthcare Convention

• It is being organised with the theme, "Advancing for ONE: Shaping the
next generation of humanised healthcare”.
 The 20th edition of BioAsia 2023 was inaugurated in which of the following states?

A. Telangana

B. Andhra Pradesh

C. Karnataka

D. Gujarat
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the 'Kol Janjati Mahakumbh'
organized on the occasion of Shabri Mata Janm Jayanti at Satna, Madhya
Pradesh.

• The Kol tribes belonged to the Proto-Australoid ethnic stratum.

• They consider themselves to be the descendants of Sahara Mata, a
member of the Savaras of epic fame; she is known as the "mother of
the Kol."
• They are concentrated in the northern districts of Madhya Pradesh and
Small Kol populations are also found in Orissa and Maharashtra.
“Kol Janjati Mahakumbh” was organized on the occasion of Shabri Mata Janm
Jayanti in which of the following states?

A. Odisha

B. Jharkhand

C. Madhya Pradesh

D. Chhattisgarh
The President of India Draupadi Murmu formally inaugurated and address the
14th edition of Sanskriti Mahotsav 2023 in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the 14th edition of the Sanskriti Mahotsav
2023 in which of the following cities?

A. Kolkata

B. Patna

C. Lucknow

D. Bikaner
Swedish Olympic champion Armand Duplantis has set a new pole vault world
record, clearing 6.22 metres at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting in
Clermont-Ferrand, France

• The event is organised by 2012 Olympic pole vault

champion Renaud Lavillenie.
• He set the previous record on his way to winning
gold at the World Championships in Eugene,
Oregon, in July 2021.
• It was the sixth time that Duplantis has broken the
world record.
 Who amongst the following has set a new pole vault world record, clearing 6.22
metres?

A. Sam Kendricks

B. Armand Duplantis

C. Ernest John Obiena

D. Piotr Lisek
Australia has won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Trophy 2023 for the sixth
time.

• They defeated South Africa by 19 runs at Newlands

Cricket Ground in Cape Town, South Africa
• The first edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was
held in 2009.
• Australia has won the competition for the sixth time since
that time, and the West Indies have won the ICC Women’s
T20 World Cup Winner title once.
 Which of the following teams have won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023?

A. South Africa

B. England

C. Australia

D. West Indies
India was among 190 countries that participated in Great Backyard Bird Count
2023 from February 17-20. West Bengal reported the highest number of species
(489 species).

• It is an annual event that brings bird enthusiasts,

students and nature enthusiasts together for counting
birds they see around the places where they live, work
or study.
• West Bengal reported the highest number of species
(489 species) followed by Uttarakhand (426), Arunachal
Pradesh (407), Assam (397) and Karnataka (371) during
the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2023.
According to Great Backyard Bird Count 2023 in India, which of the following states
has reported the highest number of species?

A. West Bengal

B. Uttarakhand

C. Arunachal Pradesh

D. Assam
The NSE’s index services subsidiary, NSE Indices Limited has launched India’s
first-ever Municipal Bond Index, Nifty India Municipal Bond Index at a SEBI
workshop on Municipal Debt Securities in Bengaluru.

• The Nifty India Municipal Bond Index tracks the

performance of municipal bonds issued by Indian
municipal corporations across maturities and having an
investment-grade credit rating.
• Presently, the index has 28 municipal bonds issued by
10 issuers all having credit ratings in the AA rating
category.
• The index constituents are assigned weights based on
their outstanding amount
 India’s first ever India Municipal Bond Index has launched by which of the following?

A. NSE Indices Limited

B. BSE Limited

C. Madras Stock Exchange

D. India International Exchange

Indian-born Computer scientist Hari Balakrishnan has been awarded the 2023
Marconi Prize.

• Dr Balakrishnan has been cited “for fundamental

contributions to wired and wireless networking,
mobile sensing, and distributed systems”.
• The Marconi Prize is a top honour for computer
scientists and is awarded by the U.S.-based Marconi
Foundation.
• It is given to those “who have made a significant
contribution to increasing digital inclusivity through
advanced information and communications
technology.”
 Who amongst the following has been awarded the 2023 Marconi Prize

A. Raj Reddy

B. Neeraj Kayal

C. Hari Balakrishnan

D. Avinash Kak
The Kerala government and UN Women have entered into an agreement, to
empower women in tourism.

• Kerala Tourism and UN Women India are committed to promoting

gender-inclusive tourist destinations throughout the State
• In addition to offering advice for baseline research, implementing
women-friendly tourist destinations, and supporting interventions to
change pervasive discriminatory social norms, this will be
accomplished by creating modules and building the capacity of
relevant stakeholders, according to the press release.
 Which of the following states has signed an agreement with UN Women to empower
women in tourism?

A. Karnataka

B. Kerala

C. Assam

D. Meghalaya
The First Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge, Yard 75 (LSAM 7) of the Indian
Navy was launched at Guttenedevi, the launch site of M/s SECON,
Visakhapatnam. With all major and auxiliary equipment/systems sourced from
indigenous manufacturers, this Barge is the proud flag bearer of the “Make in
India '' initiative of the Ministry of Defence.

First Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge, Yard 75 (LSAM 7) of the Indian Navy was
launched at which of the following places?

A. Mumbai

B. Kochi

C. Porbandar

D. Visakhapatnam
World NGO Day is an observance on February 27 every year to recognize the
contributions of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

• It provides an opportunity to advocate for policies that support their

efforts.
• NGOs are non-profit organizations that are independent of the
government and work towards a specific social, environmental, or
cultural goal.
• The Baltic Sea NGO Forum of the Council of the Baltic Sea State
officially recognised this day on April 27, 2010. The event was
accepted by the forum in 2012.
The World NGO day is observed on which of the following days every year?

A. 26th February

B. 27th February

C. 28th February

D. 1st March
The normal trade and movement of people between Pakistan and
Afghanistan have fully resumed after the two sides reopened the Torkham
border crossing

• It was shut down nearly a week ago by Afghanistan’s

Taliban rulers
• The Taliban had claimed Islamabad was not abiding by
an agreement with Kabul to allow sick Afghan patients
and their caretakers to cross into Pakistan without
travel documents for medical care.
• The Torkham border crossing is a vital commercial
artery and a trade route to Central Asian countries for
Pakistan, and the Islamic nation has also accused the
Afghan Taliban of providing sanctuary for Pakistani
militants whose cross-border attacks have led to a
spike in violence in Pakistan.
 Torkham border crossing is between which of the following countries?

A. India-Pakistan

B. Afghanistan-Pakistan

C. Armenia-Azerbaijan

D. Uzbekistan-Afghanistan
The Philippines has ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
(RCEP), completing the process for participation in the world's biggest free
trade agreement.

• Other than Myanmar, the Philippines is the last country to

ratify the deal, which eases market access among signatory
countries.
• RCEP, originally signed in late 2020, brings together the 10
members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
and neighbours Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and
South Korea.
• The huge bloc covers about 30% of the world's gross
domestic product, trade volume and population.
• India had been a part of negotiations for almost nine
years till it pulled out in November 2019, stating that
inadequate safeguards and lowering of customs duties will
adversely impact its manufacturing, agriculture and dairy
sectors.
 Which of the following countries has ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic
Partnership (RCEP)?

A. India

B. Myanmar

C. USA

D. Philippines
Recently, 14 pilot whales were stranded near the shore of Kalpitiya, a town
located on Sri Lanka’s west coast. With the help of a navy team and local
fishermen, 11 of them were rescued but three died. In 2020, the country
witnessed one of the biggest whale strandings in recent history when more
than 100 pilot whales beached on the western coast of Panadura.

Recently, 14 pilot whales were stranded near the shore of Kalpitiya town. It is in
which of the following countries?

A. Sri Lanka

B. Bangladesh

C. Australia

D. New Zealand
NASA announced that it will launch Israel's very first telescope mission, the
Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite (ULTRASAT), which will be launched
into a geostationary orbit in early 2026

• Under the agreement, the United States will help

Israel in its upcoming Astrophysics Mission called
ULTRASAT.
• ULTRASAT is being developed by Israel’s
Weizmann Institute of Science with support from
the Israel Space Agency and the German research
centre DESY.
• Precisely it will look for UV emissions from
mergers (collision of neutron stars) and supernova
explosions.
 NASA informed that it will launch Ultraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite
(ULTRASAT) in 2026. ULTRASAT is the first telescope mission of which of the
following countries?

A. India

B. UAE

C. Japan

D. Israel
Himachal Pradesh has started the commercial cultivation of licorice (Mulethi),
making it the first state in India to have organised the cultivation of Mulethi.

• Mulethi commonly known as licorice is an important

sweet-tasting perennial shrub.
• It has a sweet taste due to the presence of
glycyrrhizin, which is 50 times sweeter than sucrose.
• Suitable climate for cultivation: The plant thrives in a
dry and sunny climate and is cultivated in subtropical
and warm temperate regions.
 Which state has become the first in India to start the commercial cultivation of
licorice (Mulethi)?

A. Uttarakhand

B. Himachal Pradesh

C. Sikkim

D. Assam
The second edition of the India-Africa Joint Military Exercise AFINDEX 2023 will
be held at the FOREIGN Training Node (FTN) of the Indian Army, Aundh Military
Station in Pune, Maharashtra on March 21 and 30, 2023.

• The exercise will focus on Humanitarian Mine

Assistance and United Nations Peacekeeping
Operations.
• The inaugural edition of the Africa-India Field Training
Exercise, AFINDEX, was held at the FTN in March
2019. Participation of 20 African countries is
expected.
 The second edition of the India-Africa Joint Military Exercise AFINDEX 2023 will be
held at the Aundh Military Station in which of the following cities?

A. Jaisalmer

B. Bhopal

C. Lucknow

D. Pune
It was informed that Singareni Thermal Power Plant (STPP) in Pegadapalli,
Mancherial district, Telangana is set to become the first public sector coal-based
power generating station in the South and first among the State PSUs in the
country to have a flue gas desulphurization (FGD) plant.

It was informed that a flue gas desulphurization (FGD) plant is being built in the
Singareni Thermal Power Plant (STPP). It is in which of the following states?

A. Andhra Pradesh

B. Karnataka

C. Telangana

D. Tamil Nadu
It was informed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in the multilateral
air exercise 'Exercise Cobra Warrior' 2023 at the RAF's Waddington Air Force
Base in the UK from March 6 to 24, 2023.

• This year, the IAF is participating in the exercise with

five Mirage 2000 fighters, two C-17 Globemaster III
and an IL-78 mid-air refueller aircraft.
• The aim of the exercise is to participate in diverse
fighter aircraft engagements and learn from the best
practices of various Air Forces
• An Indian Air Force contingent comprising 145 Air
Warriors departed from the Air Force Station in
Jamnagar for the UK to participate in the exercise,
where the RAF and the IAF will be joined by
contingents from Finland, Sweden, South Africa, the
US, and Singapore.
 It was informed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in “Exercise Cobra
Warrior” 2023. It will be held in which of the following countries?

A. France

B. Singapore

C. Germany

D. United Kingdom (UK)

The Ajanta Ellora International Festival 2023 was held from 25th February to 27th
February in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The festival showcases the Ellora and
Ajanta caves' artwork and architecture, as well as performances by local and
international artists. One of the major attractions of the festival was the night
light and sound show that was at the Ajanta and Ellora caves.

The Ajanta Ellora International Festival 2023 was held in which of the following cities?

A. Aurangabad

B. Nashik

C. Pune

D. Nagpur
Defence Secretary Aramane Giridhar has given an extension in service till
October 2024.

• Mr Giridhar, a 1988-batch Indian Administrative

Service (IAS) officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, took
over as the Defence Secretary in November 2022.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has
approved the extension in service for a period up to
31.10.2024
• The Defence Secretary is the administrative head of
the Ministry of Defence.
Who amongst the following is the Defence Secretary of India, who has been recently
given an extension in service till October 2024?

A. Aramane Giridhar

B. Sanjay Mitra

C. Ajay Kumar

D. R.K. Mathur
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) completed 4 years
of its implementation. The financial benefit of Rs 6000/- per year in three equal
instalments, every four months is transferred into the bank accounts of farmers’
families across the country through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode

• The PM-KISAN Yojana was launched by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi on 24 February 2019 in Gorakhpur, Uttar
Pradesh.
• The scheme was initially meant for Small and Marginal
Farmers (SMFs) having landholding up to 2 hectares but
scope of the scheme was extended to cover all
landholding farmers.
 The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) completed 4 years of its
implementation. Under the PM Kisan scheme, the financial benefit of how much
amount is provided per year to each farmer?

A. Rs. 4000

B. Rs. 6000

C. Rs. 8000

D. Rs. 10,000
Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) under the Ministry of Mines will be organising the
75th “Khanij Diwas” to mark the Foundation Day on 1st March 2023 in Nagpur,
Maharashtra.

• The Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) came into existence on the 1st
March 1948 based on the recommendations of the National Mineral
Policy Conference.
• From a small beginning as a purely advisory body, over the years IBM
has emerged as a premier national organisation dealing with various
aspects of the country’s mining and mineral industry.
 Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) will be organizing the 75th “Khanij Diwas” to mark the
Foundation Day on 1st March 2023. Its headquarters is in which of the following
cities?

A. Pune

B. Bhubaneshwar

C. Nagpur

D. Ranchi
The Crew-6 mission was launched from the Kennedy Space Centre of NASA
located in Cape Canaveral to the International Space Station. It is a joint
operation of both NASA and SpaceX. The Crew Dragon capsule will be carried
by the Falcon 9 rocket of SpaceX. The capsule is being sent to the International
Space Station.
The Crew-6 mission was launched to the International Space Station. Crew-6 mission
is a joint operation of NASA and which of the following space agencies?

A. Boeing

B. SpaceX

C. Virgin Galactic

D. Blue Origin
India’s Ola Electric Mobility Pvt. has announced plans to build the world’s
largest electric vehicle hub with an investment of Rs 7,610 crore ($920 million)
in Tamil Nadu.

• It aims to localise the supply chain for cleaner transport.

• It will be located in the Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri
districts of Tamil Nadu
• The hub, spanning 2,000 acres (809 hectares) in the
southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, will be used for
manufacturing electric two-wheelers, cars and battery
cells, in addition to housing vendor and supplier parks
 Which company has announced plans to build the world's largest electric vehicle hub
in Tamil Nadu?

A. Tata Motors

B. Hero Electric

C. Okinawa

D. Ola Electric
The 19th annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), India Zone-3
conference, was inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at Gangtok,
Sikkim.

• The two-day Conference will deliberate on many issues ranging from making
parliament and assembly more accessible to the public.
• Drug abuse and the way forward and Cyberbullying are the core issues, which will be
discussed in this conference.
• Till now, 18 Zonal Conferences have been held in the North Eastern States that include
the Events of North East Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
(NERCPA) and CPA Zone-III.
 The 19th annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), India Zone-3
conference, was inaugurated in which of the following states?

A. Sikkim

B. Arunachal Pradesh

C. Assam

D. Tripura
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Shivamogga airport in Karnataka.
The airport was built for Rs 450 crores. The Passenger Terminal of the airport’s
main building is in the form of a lotus. It can accommodate more than 300
passengers. Apart from this, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone of two
railway projects and a new railway line Shikaripura – Ranebennur.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Shivamogga airport in which state?

A. Maharashtra

B. Karnataka

C. Kerala

D. Telangana
The Karnataka Government has announced plans to build the country's first
Marina or a boat basin offering dockage, at Byndoor in Udupi district to
promote coastal tourism.

• The government will also seek permission from the

Centre for the relaxation of the coastal regulation
zone to take up beach tourism in coastal areas &
pilgrim tourism.
• It was announced at a function to unveil the Seven
Wonders of Karnataka, organised by the Karnataka
Tourism Department.
• The government will collect the history of the
greatest dynasties such as Ganga, Kadamba,
Rashtrakoota, Chalukya, and Hoysala from the
Department of Archaeology and develop the history
of tourism in the state.
 Which of the following states has announced plans to build India's first Marina, a
boat basin offering dockage, at Byndoor?

A. Andhra Pradesh

B. Goa

C. Kerala

D. Karnataka
The Youth 20 India Summit for Environment Conservation was held at the
Maharaja Sayajirao University Vadodara in Gujarat which was attended by more
than 600 delegates from 62 countries.

• The international conference of The Youth 20 India Summit was inaugurated by

Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat.
• The Youth 20 India Summit is organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports,
Government of India to mark the celebration of India’s G20 Presidency
• The focus would be on ‘Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction: Making
sustainability a Way of Life’.
 The Y20 India Summit for Environment Conservation was held in which institutions?

A. Sri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi

B. Banaras Hindu University

C. Maharaja Sayajirao University Vadodara

D. Anna University, Chennai

Bhutan National Digital Identity (NDI) mobile wallet, Royal Highness the Gyalsey
(Prince) Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck has become the first digital citizen of
Bhutan. The system in question uses cutting-edge technology to provide
citizens with safe and verifiable credentials that can prove their identity. The
Bhutan NDI is based on the “self-sovereign identity” model, which in turn relies
on the framework provided by the Decentralised Identity (DID) technology.
 Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck has become the first digital citizen of which country?

A. Bhutan

B. Myanmar

C. South Korea

D. Japan
India’s top oil firm Indian Oil Corporation Limited has announced plans to set up
green hydrogen plants at all its refineries.

• It aims to pivot a Rs 2-lakh crore green transition plan

to achieve net-zero emissions from its operations by
2046.
• The company intends to expand its refining capacity to
106.7 million tonnes per annum from 81.2 million
tonnes as it sees India’s oil demand climbing from 5.1
million barrels per day to 7-7.2 million bpd by 2030 and
9 million bpd by 2040.
• Hydrogen — the cleanest known fuel that discharges
only oxygen and water when burnt — is being touted
as the fuel of the future, but its relatively higher cost
than alternate fuel currently limits its usage in
industries.
 Which company has plans to set up green hydrogen plants at all its refineries?

A. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)

B. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)

C. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)

D. Reliance Industries Limited

The Irinjadappilly Sri Krishna Temple in Kerala's Thrissur district has introduced a
mechanical elephant.

● The elephant was gifted to the temple by PETA India with the
support of actor Parvathy Thiruvothu.
● PETA India designed the robotic elephant
Irinjadappilly Sri Krishna Temple in which of the following states has introduced a
mechanical elephant?

A. Karnataka

B. Tamil Nadu

C. Kerala

D. Odisha
The USA has released its new Commercial Arms Transfer (CAT) policy

● It says it will have an increased emphasis on human rights, as rights groups

launched a project to pressure the administration to alter its arms policies and
increase transparency measures.
● The new Commercial Arms Transfer (CAT) policy covers a review of security
assistance, government-to-government weapons transfers, and licensed
commercial sales of US-origin military equipment and services overseen by the
State Department as well as the Defence and Commerce Departments.
Which of the following countries has released its new Commercial Arms Transfer
(CAT) policy?

A. USA

B. Russia

C. India

D. France
National Science Day is celebrated on 28th February every year in India

● It honours Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman as C.V.

Raman, an Indian scientist and physician, for
discovering the “Raman Effect.”
● Raman received the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics for
the discovery and was the first Asian to receive a
Nobel Prize in any branch of science.
National Science Day is celebrated on which of the following days every year?

A. 28th February

B. 1st March

C. 2nd March

D. 27th February
Union Minister Dr Jitendra inaugurated the North East Region first International
Conference on Biotechnology, involving over 700 International and National
delegates representing over 35 countries, in Imphal, Manipur

● Theme: “Reimagine Ethnopharmacology: Globalisation of Traditional Medicine''.

● This programme encouraged many entrepreneurs to promote unique bio-resources
and traditional knowledge of this region.
The North East Region first International Conference on Biotechnology “International
Bio-resource Conclave” 2023 was held in which of the following states?

A. Assam

B. Manipur

C. Meghalaya

D. Sikkim
Former bureaucrat Shailesh Pathak has been appointed as the new Secretary
General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).

● Established in 1927, FICCI is the largest and

oldest apex business organisation in India.
● FICCI provides a platform for networking and
consensus building within and across sectors and
is the first port of call for Indian industry,
policymakers and the international business
community.
Who amongst the following has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)?

A. Sanjiv Mehta

B. Ghanshyam Das Birla

C. Arun Chawla

D. Shailesh Pathak
'National Protein Day' is celebrated every year on 27 February in India.

● Right to Protein, a national-level public health

initiative, organised the first-ever Protein Day in
India on February 27, 2020
● Theme: Easy Access to Protein for All
● The main purpose of organising this day is to
spread awareness regarding the nutritional
benefits of protein.
National Protein Day is celebrated on which of the following days every year in India?

A. 1st March

B. 2nd March

C. 28th February

D. 27th February
The foundation stone of North East Region First Compressed Bio Gas (CBG)
Plant was laid at Domora Pather in Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati, Assam

● The biogas unit in Sonapur, being set up under

the Centre’s SATAT scheme, will be operational
by November 2023.
● 'SATAT’ (Sustainable Alternative Towards
Affordable Transportation) scheme on
Compressed Biogas (CBG) was launched in
2018.
● Under the SATAT scheme, entrepreneurs shall set
up CBG plants, and produce & supply CBG to Oil
Marketing Companies (OMCs) for sale as
automotive & industrial fuels.
Foundation stone of North East Region First Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) Plant was
laid in which of the following states?

A. Meghalaya

B. Assam

C. Arunachal Pradesh

D. Mizoram
Researchers have discovered the new fifth layer of the planet Earth which is a
solid ‘metallic ball’ that sits within the centre of the inner core.

● The team of researchers from the Australian

National University measured the speeds at
which these seismic waves penetrate and pass
through the Earth’s inner core.
● The team believes that this has presented
evidence of a distinct layer inside Earth known as
the innermost inner core.
Researchers have discovered the new fifth layer of the planet Earth “Innermost Inner
Core”. What is its state of matter?

A. Liquid

B. Gas

C. Plasma

D. Solid
Lake Garda, in northern Italy, has recorded its lowest water levels, with the
small island of San Biagio now accessible via an exposed pathway.

● The country has faced a drop in rainfall,

particularly in the north, with Venice facing low
tides and dried-up canals.
● Tourists in large numbers, on bike or foot,
streamed across a narrow path which connected
the edge of Lake Garda to a small island, a clear
example of northern Italy being hit by a winter
drought.
A small island of San Biagio in Lake Garda is now accessible via an exposed pathway
due to low water levels. It is in which of the following countries?

A. Spain

B. France

C. Italy

D. Portugal
Le Clot, an ancient crater, has been discovered in France.

● Currently, only 3 structures have been recorded - Rochechouart

in France, Nördlinger Ries and Steinheimer Becken, both in
Germany.
● The presence of the le Clot was confirmed after finding the
presence of iron oxide spherules, shock micro diamonds, and a
magnetic low within the crater.
● The study of impact craters can provide valuable insights into
the geology and history of a region, as well as the impact
events themselves.
Le Clot, an ancient crater, has been discovered in the Domaine du Meteore vineyard.
It is in which of the following countries?

A. France

B. Germany

C. Spain

D. Italy
In the first Prime Ministerial visit from Italy to India in five years, Giorgia Meloni
will visit India from March 2 to 3 and will also be the chief guest and keynote
speaker at the 8th Raisina Dialogue 2023

● A bilateral defence cooperation agreement is likely to

be announced that will also have a framework for
Government-to-Government (G-to-G) deals
● The Raisina Dialogue is a multilateral conference held
annually in New Delhi, India.
● Since its inception in 2016, the conference has
emerged as India's flagship conference on
geopolitics and geo-economics
Who amongst the following will be the chief guest and keynote speaker at the 8th
Raisina Dialogue 2023?

A. Olaf Scholz

B. Giorgia Meloni

C. Emmanuel Macron

D. Rishi Sunak
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered a 1,300-year-old stupa
right in the middle of a mining site in Odisha’s Jajpur district from where
Khondalite stones were supplied for the beautification project around the 12th
Century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.

● Khondalite stones were widely used in ancient

temple complexes.
● Khondalite stones are proposed to be used widely to
maintain the aesthetic value of some projects such
as the heritage security zone, Jagannath Ballav
pilgrim centre, Puri Lake development project,
Atharnala heritage project and Matha Development
Initiative.
1,300-year-old stupa has been discovered at the Khandolite mining site, in Jajpur. It is
in which of the following states?

A. Odisha

B. Jharkhand

C. Chhattisgarh

D. Madhya Pradesh
The United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union(EU) have agreed on a new
trading arrangement for Northern Ireland.

● UK government reached a landmark deal

‘Windsor Framework’ with the European Union
(EU) on post-Brexit trade rules that will govern
Northern Ireland.
● The move is aimed at ending years of friction
caused by Brexit and allowing greater
cooperation between both sides at a time of
mounting geopolitical risk to Europe from
Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The European Union (EU) and which of the following countries have signed an
agreement on a new trading arrangement for Northern Ireland?

A. USA

B. India

C. United Kingdom (UK)

D. Australia
A Bird Survey was conducted in the Dharoi Wetland in Gujarat.

● The Gujarat Forest Department, BCSG (Bird

Conservation Society of Gujarat), and the Adams
Nature Retreat Resort together organized the bird
survey in Dharoi Gujarat.
● The wetland is located in the trijunction of the
Mehsana, Banaskantha, and Sabarkantha districts.
A Bird Survey was conducted in the Dharoi Wetland. It is in which of the following
states?

A. Rajasthan

B. Madhya Pradesh

C. Uttar Pradesh

D. Gujarat
The union culture ministry has announced to launch the year long celebrations
marking the 284th birth anniversary of the reformer Sant Sevala Maharaj

● He was a spiritual guru and a socio-religious

reformer from the Banjara community.
● He fought for the traditional rights and the land
rights of the Banjara Community. The Britishers call
him the Siva Rathod
● The Banjara people are also known as the Lambadi
or the Labana or Gour Rajput. They were nomadic
and are believed to have come from the Mewar
region of Rajasthan.
Union Ministry of Culture has announced to celebrate the 284th birth anniversary of
the reformer Sant Sevala Maharaj. He belonged to which of the following
communities?

A. Banjara

B. Santhal

C. Bhil

D. Gond
The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted permission to
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to build Hindustan 228 variant aircraft
“Hindustan-228-201W”

● Widely, the planes were used for surveying purposes,

monitoring purposes, guard duties, and saving people during
disasters.
● The variant is being brought in to support the UDAN scheme
and increase local connectivity.
The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted permission to which of the
following companies to build “Hindustan-228-201W” aircraft?

A. Boeing India

B. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)

C. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

D. Lockheed Martin India

Bihar government has approved $50,000 for developing fog alert system with
US National Center for Atmospheric Research (US-NCAR)

● An Early warning system aims to reduce the

damages caused by extreme weather conditions.
● It is the main element of climate change adaptation
and disaster risk reduction.
● The Bihar Mausam Seva Kendra (BMSK) is
developing an app under which early warning for
dense fog and cold wave conditions will be
provided to citizens.
Which of the following states has approved $50,000 for developing fog alert system
with US National Center for Atmospheric Research (US-NCAR)?

A. Uttar Pradesh

B. Bihar

C. Rajasthan

D. Uttarakhand
Lionel Messi has been awarded the FIFA Men’s player of the year 2022.

● Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni won the Best

Men's Coach Award
● Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez won the Best Men's
Goalkeeper Award
● Alexia Putellas of Spain won the Best FIFA
Women's Player Award 2022 for the second time in
a row.
Who amongst the following has been awarded the FIFA Men’s player of the year
2022?

A. Lionel Messi

B. Kylian Mbappe

C. Cristiano Ronaldo

D. Luka Modric
India and the UK have launched the Young Professionals Scheme

● It will allow degree-holding Indian

nationals (between 18-30 years) to live
and work in Britain for up to two
years.
● Indian citizens between 18 and 30
years of age can enter the ballot if they
meet other relevant criteria.
India and which of the following countries have launched the Young Professionals
Scheme?

A. Australia

B. United Kingdom (UK)

C. Canada

D. USA
Zero Discrimination Day is observed on 1 march every year

● Zero Discrimination Day aims to promote inclusion, equality,

and tolerance worldwide.
● The aim was to raise awareness about discrimination and its
impact on individuals, communities, and societies.
● This year, UNAIDS highlighted the theme “Save lives:
Decriminalise".
Zero Discrimination Day is observed on which of the following days every year?

A. 1st March

B. 2nd March

C. 3rd March

D. 28th February
The annual “Attukal Pongala”, one of the largest all-women religious
congregations, has begun in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

● Attukal Pongala is a 10-day religious festival celebrated at

the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram in
Kerala.
● Women prepare a divine food made of rice in earthen pots and
offer it to the Attukal Amma (Goddess of the Temple).
Every year, the annual “Attukal Pongala” is celebrated in which of the following states?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Telangana

C. Kerala

D. Karnataka
The Council of Ministers of Madhya Pradesh led by Chief Minister Shri Shivraj
Singh Chouhan has approved the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana-2023.
● On the 10th of every month, ₹ 1000 per month will be
transferred to the bank account linked to the Aadhaar number
of the beneficiary women.
● It is mandatory for a woman to be married. Abandoned,
divorced and widowed women are also under the purview of
the scheme.
Which of the following states has approved the implementation of the Mukhyamantri
Ladli Behna Yojana?

A. Rajasthan

B. Uttar Pradesh

C. Karnataka

D. Madhya Pradesh
Tata Technologies has signed a 10-year Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with
the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government to upgrade and modernise government-
owned Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

● Following upgradation, these ITIs will cater to the advanced skill

requirements for both students and employers, and also
become technology hubs for MSMEs.
● The upgraded ITIs will offer six new trades and 23 new short-
term courses, catering to Industry 4.0 demands.
Tata Technologies has signed a 10-year agreement with which of the following states
to upgrade and modernise government-owned Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)?

A. Rajasthan

B. Uttar Pradesh

C. Madhya Pradesh

D. Bihar
India’s first short-haul coastal container feeder service has started between
Chennai and Puducherry.

● Global Logistics Solutions India launched the twice-

weekly transhipment feeder service named Hope
Seven linking Chennai Port to Pondicherry Port
● It will ensure quick, direct, transit to the terminals at
Chennai and Pondicherry while reducing costs, port
congestion, and pollution on the roads.
India’s first short-haul coastal container feeder service has started between Chennai
and which of the following cities?

A. Kochi

B. Thiruvananthapuram

C. Visakhapatnam

D. Puducherry
The 22nd edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2023,
hosted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) was held in New Delhi.

● It will bring together stakeholders from across the

planet on a single platform to deliberate on the
critical theme of ‘Mainstreaming Sustainable
Development and Climate Resilience for Collective
Action.’
● The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is
a research institute in New Delhi that specializes in
the fields of energy, environment and sustainable
development.
The 22nd edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2023 was
hosted by which of the following institutions?

A. The Energy Resource Institute (TERI)

B. IIT, Delhi

C. Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)

D. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

It was informed that Deakin University from Australia will become the first
foreign university to set up a campus in India.

● The independent campus is slated to come up in Gujarat

International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) City.
● Deakin University has already applied to the International
Finance Services Centers Authority (IFSCA) to set up its
campus.
It was informed that Deakin University from Australia will become the first foreign
university to set up a campus in India. It will be set up in which of the following cities?

A. New Delhi

B. Bengaluru

C. GIFT City, Gujarat

D. Lucknow
Every year 1st March is celebrated as World Civil Defence Day.

● The theme for 2023 is ‘Uniting the world’s leading

industry specialists for the safety & security of future
generations.’
● The aim of celebrating this day is to raise awareness
about the importance of civil defence and emergency
preparedness.
● International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
proposed the idea of an annual day to promote civil
defence and emergency preparedness.
World Civil Defence Day is observed on which of the following days every year?

A. 1st March

B. 2nd March

C. 3rd March

D. 28th February
Senior Indian Information Service (IIS) officer Rajesh Malhotra has been
appointed as the Principal Director General of the Press Information Bureau
(PIB).
● In his new role, he will be the principal spokesperson of
the government of India.
● Meanwhile, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry
also named Priya Kumar as the Director General of
Doordarshan News (DD News).
Who amongst the following has been appointed as the Principal Director General of
the Press Information Bureau (PIB)?

A. Priya Kumar

B. Satyendra Prakash

C. Rajesh Malhotra

D. Hemant Kumar
It was announced that Mizoram will export the ‘bird’s eye chilli’ of the state to
the United States for the first time

● This was due to the initiative called FOCUS. FOCUS means

Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming System.
● Surprisingly FOCUS promotes the production of bird’s eye
chillies through Jhum cultivation.
Which of the following states has announced to export “bird’s eye chilli” to the United
States of America for the first time?

A. Nagaland

B. Mizoram

C. Odisha

D. Telangana
Researchers at the Scientists of Institute of Advanced Study in Science and
Technology (IASST) have found that Borthekera, also known as Garcinia
pedunculata, has heart-protective properties. It is a medicinal plant commonly
found in Assam.

● The dried pulp of the ripe fruit from Borthekera has been
used for centuries for both medicinal and culinary
purposes.
● Researchers at IASST found that the administration of
dried pulp of the ripe fruit from Borthekera minimized
cardiac hypertrophy indicators and oxidative stress,
which are associated with heart ailments.
Researchers have found that Borthekera, also known as Garcinia pedunculata, has
heart-protective properties. It is commonly found in which of the following states in
India?

A. Assam

B. Kerala

C. Rajasthan

D. Telangana
The Union Home Ministry has directed all states and Union Territories to
nominate three candidates for the Senior Mission Leaders’ (SML) course. The
Senior Mission Leaders’ (SML) course will be held in Tokyo, Japan from June
19-30, 2023.

● The SML course aims to prepare senior personnel for future

roles and responsibilities as mission leaders in United Nations
(UN) peacekeeping operations, enabling them to plan, manage,
and lead such missions.
● The course is designed to deepen the understanding of
contemporary United Nations peace operations and prepare
participants for leadership positions in peacekeeping missions.
 The Union Home Ministry has directed all states and Union Territories to nominate
three candidates for the Senior Mission Leaders’ (SML) course 2023 of the United
Nations (UN). The course will be held in which of the following countries?

A. USA

B. Ghana

C. Japan

D. India
Bola Tinubu has been elected as Nigeria's new president.

● Bola Tinubu has been associated with the ‘All

Progressive Congress Party’ from which he has been
winning elections.
● He will become Nigeria’s fifth president since the
country returned to democratic rule in 1999,
emerging as a winner for the country’s top job on his
first attempt.
Bola Tinubu has been elected as the new president of which of the following
countries?

A. Mali

B. Nigeria

C. South Africa

D. Madagascar
Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi took charge as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief
(FOC-in-C) of the Mumbai-headquartered Western Naval Command (WNC).

● Prior to taking over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-

Chief, Vice Admiral Tripathi served as the Chief of
Personnel at the Integrated Headquarters of the
Ministry of Defence (Navy).
● On promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served
as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) at
the Integrated headquarters of the Ministry of
Defence (Navy) and as the Flag Officer Commanding
Eastern Fleet
Who amongst the following has taken charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-
Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Western Naval Command (WNC)?

A. Vice Admiral Sanjay Mahindru

B. Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani

C. Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi

D. Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh

World Seagrass Day is celebrated annually on 1st March to raise awareness
about seagrass and its important functions in the marine ecosystem.

● The seagrasses are grass-like plants that live close to

the sea.
● They act as the best carbon sink and provide food for
marine life.
● Seagrasses are marine flowering plants that are found
in shallow waters in many parts of the world, from the
tropics to the Arctic circle.
World Seagrass Day is celebrated on which of the following days every year?

A. 1st March

B. 2nd March

C. 3rd March

D. 4th March
Uttarakhand Health Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat has announced the
establishment of the country's first government mother milk bank for Orphan
children in the state at Amar Ujala's Emerging Leaders of Garhwal program.

● This will be the first milk bank of its kind in the country.
● Through this milk bank, milk will be made available to
those newborn babies whose mother dies during delivery.
● Lactating women will be able to donate milk to this bank.
Which of the following states has announced the establishment of India’s first
government mother milk bank for Orphan children?

A. Himachal Pradesh

B. Madhya Pradesh

C. Karnataka

D. Uttarakhand
On the occasion of “National Science Day” (28th February) the government has
launched VAIBHAV Fellowship scheme for the Indian Diaspora abroad.

● The fellowship offers NRI researchers an opportunity to work

for a minimum of one month to a maximum of two months a
year with a research institution or an academic institution in
India.
● Aim: Improving the research ecosystem of India’s Higher
Educational Institutions by facilitating academic and research
collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best
institutions in the world.
Which of the following ministries has launched the VAIBHAV Fellowship scheme for
the Indian Diaspora abroad?

A. Ministry of External Affairs

B. Ministry of Science and Technology

C. Ministry of Earth Sciences

D. Ministry of Education
Asia's longest-ever cycle race was flagged off from Srinagar in Jammu and
Kashmir.

● The race, after covering a distance of more than three thousand

kilometres, will culminate at Kanyakumari.
● The race which has been accorded the status of Asian
Ultracycling Championship by the world Ultracycling
Association was flagged in Srinagar.
Asia's longest-ever cycle race was flagged off from which of the following cities?

A. Srinagar

B. Kohima

C. Shillong

D. Ahmedabad
The Union Cabinet has approved to sign a contract with Larsen and Toubro (L&T)
for the acquisition of three cadet training ships at an overall cost of ₹ 3,108.09
crores, under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and
Manufactured) category.
● The delivery of ships is scheduled to commence in 2026.
● These ships will cater to the training of officer cadets, including
women, at sea after their basic training to meet the future
requirements of the Indian Navy.
 The Union Cabinet has approved signing a contract with which of the following
companies for the acquisition of three cadet training ships at an overall cost of ₹
3,108.09 crore?

A. Hindustan Shipyard Limited

B. Cochin Shipyard Limited

C. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers

D. Larsen and Toubro (L&T)

Civil Accounts Day was celebrated on 1st March to mark the 47th foundation
day of the Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS).

● The Indian Civil Accounts Service was constituted in 1976 after

the maintenance of Accounts of the Union government was
separated from that of Audit.
● The Office of the Controller General of Accounts is the principal
accounting advisor to the Government of India and oversees
the country’s payment and accounting system.
Civil Accounts Day is celebrated on which of the following days every year in India?

A. 1st March

B. 2nd March

C. 3rd March

D. 4th March
The UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who is in India for the G-20 Foreign
Minister’s meeting, announced that the UK will appoint a special Tech Envoy for
the Indo-Pacific with a specific focus on India.

● The Tech Envoy for Indo-Pacific will be only the second

of his kind, and it demonstrates the UK’s commitment
to the region and tech diplomacy.
● The tech envoy will work in the region to collaborate on
setting global technology standards and helping to
solve challenges through innovative technology.
Which of the following countries has announced to appoint a special Tech Envoy for
the Indo-Pacific?

A. USA

B. United Kingdom (UK)

C. Germany

D. Sweden
Reliance Jio has emerged as the world's 2nd strongest telecom brand according
to the Top 150 most valuable and strongest telecoms operator brands according
to Brand Finance 2023 rankings.

● Swisscom is the strongest telecom brand, which increased

brand value by 5 percent to $6.3 billion. It is the strongest
telecoms brand with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of
92.
● Reliance Jio has climbed up to number two rank — up from
fifth place last year — in a list of the top 10 strongest
telecom brands in the world.
Which of the following companies has emerged as the world’s strongest telecom
brand according to the Brand Finance 2023 rankings?

A. Swisscom

B. Reliance Jio

C. Etisalat

D. Bharati Airtel
Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh has been honoured with the Player-of-the-Year
award by the Asian Chess Federation (ACF).

● In March last year, Gukesh became only the sixth Indian to

break the 2700 Elo-rating mark, and the youngest Grandmaster
from the country to be rated above 2700.
● The All-India Chess Federation (AICF) bagged the ‘Most Active
Federation’ award conferred during the ACF annual summit,
Who amongst the following has been honoured with the Player-of-the-Year award by

A. Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa

B. D Gukesh

C. Vidit Santosh Gujrathi

D. Arjun Erigaisi
State-owned power giant NTPC Limited has commissioned India’s first air-
cooled condenser at the North Karanpura supercritical thermal plant in
Jharkhand, which would help in water conservation.

● This project has been envisaged with Air Cooled

Condenser (ACC) which has almost 1/3rd water
footprint as compared to a conventional Water-Cooled
Condenser.
● This plant is based on one of the most efficient
supercritical technologies and being a pit head plant
will supply economic power to Jharkhand, Bihar, West
Bengal, and Odisha.
Which of the following companies has commissioned India’s first air-cooled
condenser at the North Karanpura thermal plant in Jharkhand?

A. Reliance Power Limited

B. PowerGrid Corporation of India

C. Tata Power

D. NTPC Limited
India A defeated England A in the final of the Women’s Snooker World Cup
2023, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand

● Represented by Amee Kamani and Anupama Ramachandran,

India A exhibited skill and determination as they overcame
established players on the World Women's Snooker Tour -- 12-
time world champion Reanne Evans and current world number
four Rebecca Kenna
● The winner of the tournament will earn a place on the
professional World Snooker Tour from the start of the 2023–24
snooker season.
India defeated England in the final of the Women’s Snooker World Cup 2023. It was
held in which of the following countries?

A. Thailand

B. India

C. Austria

D. France
World Wildlife Day is celebrated on 3rd March every year

● The day holds significance as it coincides with the

adoption of CITES, an international agreement that
aims to prevent the trade of endangered species
from threatening their survival
● This date was chosen to mark the establishment of
CITES, the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, signed
in 1973.
World Wildlife Day is celebrated on which of the following days every year?

A. 1st March

B. 2nd March

C. 3rd March

D. 4th March
Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Rashmi Shukla has been appointed as
the Director-General of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

● SSB is the border-guarding force deployed along Nepal and

Bhutan border.
● It was established as Special Service Bureau in May 1963, in
the aftermath of the Chinese aggression in 1962.
Who amongst the following has been appointed as the Director-General of the
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)?

A. IPS Laxmi Singh

B. IPS Sanjukta Parashar

C. IPS Aparajita Rai

D. IPS Rashmi Shukla

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) held a function to commemorate the
success of “SWAYATT” initiative in New Delhi.

● SWAYATT is a government initiative to promote Start-ups,

Women and Youth Advantage Through eTransactions on
Government eMarketplace (GeM).
● SWAYATT Initiative is to promote the inclusion of various
categories of sellers and service providers on the portal.
 A function was held in New Delhi to commemorate the success of “SWAYATT”
initiative (Start-ups, Women and Youth Advantage Through eTransactions). It is
implemented by which of the following ministries?

A. Ministry of Women and Child Development

B. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

C. Ministry of Finance

D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Siang Unying Festival of the Adi community was celebrated in Boleng,
Arunachal Pradesh.

● The festival of Unying is celebrated to herald the season of

cultivation, the beginning of the Adi community’s new year, the
arrival of spring seasons as well as a great way to strengthen
the bond among the community.
● Unying Aran is basically a hunting festival followed by the Adi
tribesmen. It is the first festival of the Adi ‘new year’.
Adi community of which of the following states celebrated the Siang Unying Festival?

A. Arunachal Pradesh

B. Meghalaya

C. Nagaland

D. Mizoram
Vinod Kumar Shukla has won the PEN/Nabokov America award for lifetime
achievement in literature, one of the most coveted literary prizes worldwide

● The PEN/Nabokov Award for Achievement in

International Literature is given annually to a living
author “whose body of work is of enduring
originality and consummate craftsmanship.”
● It is after decades of composing acclaimed novels
like Naukar Ki Kameez (1979) and poetry
collections like Sab Kuch Hona Bacha
Rahega (1992).
Who amongst the following has won the PEN/Nabokov America award for lifetime
achievement in literature?

A. Rakesh Tiwari

B. Vinod Kumar Shukla

C. Zubair Ali Tabish

D. Geet Chaturvedi
Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT Madras) has signed a pact with
Denmark to take up research projects on next-generation fuels and energy
systems under the 'Indo-Danish Green Strategic Partnership'.

● As part of the deal, four projects were launched under the Indo-
Danish Green Strategic Partnership and they are expected to
accelerate technology development through industry-academia
government partnerships, and collaborations with global
partners to develop technology solutions among others.
● Denmark is collaborating on a plan to establish the first
offshore wind farm in Tamil Nadu.
 Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT Madras) has signed a pact with which of
the following countries for research on next-generation fuels and energy systems?

A. Netherlands

B. Denmark

C. Sweden

D. Italy
Jishnu Barua has been appointed as the new chairperson of the power
regulator Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

● The CERC has been established by the government of India

under the provisions of the Electricity Regulatory Commissions
Act, 1998.
● CERC is the central commission for the purposes of the
Electricity Act, 2003 which has repealed the ERC Act, 1998.
Who amongst the following has been appointed as the chairperson of the Central
Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)?

A. Shilpa Agarwal

B. Sandeep Kumar

C. Arun Goyal

D. Jishnu Barua
Surveys from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) have found gold deposits in
three districts of Odisha.

● The surveys of the Directorate of Mines and Geological Survey

of India (GSI) reveal the presence of gold reserves in three
districts, including Deogarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj
● Currently, India has three working gold mines in the country —
Hutti and Uti mines in Karnataka and the Hirabuddini mines in
Jharkhand.
 The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has found gold deposits in three districts of
Deogarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj. These districts are in which of the following
states?

A. Odisha

B. Jharkhand

C. Karnataka

D. Chhattisgarh
Hekani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse created history in Nagaland, becoming
the first two women to win the Assembly polls.

● Hekani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse are both from

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio's Nationalist Democratic
Progressive Party (NDPP).
● Hekani Jakhalu also got the Nari Shakti Puraskar from the
President of India at Rastrapati Bhavan on International
Women’s Day.
 Hekani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse became the first two women to be elected
to the legislative assembly of which of the following states?

A. Tripura

B. Meghalaya

C. Nagaland

D. Sikkim
A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that a high-
power committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition
in Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India must pick the Chief Election
Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs).

● The appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the

Election Commissioners shall be made by the President on the
advice of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the
Leader of the Opposition of the Lok Sabha, and in case no
leader of the Opposition is available the leader of the largest
opposition Party in the Lok Sabha in terms of numerical
strength, and the Chief Justice of India
● This means that Parliament can undo the effect of the SC
verdict by bringing in a new law on the issue.
 The Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that a high-power committee for the
selection of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs)
will include the Prime Minister (PM), Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and who
amongst the following?

A. Home Minister

B. Chief Vigilance Commissioner

C. Chief Justice of India

D. Speaker of Lok Sabha

The National Assembly (NA) of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam elected Vo Van
Thuong, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, as the
new President of Vietnam for a term running until 2026.

● He took oath as the new president of Vietnam during the

National Assembly’s extraordinary meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam.
● Vo Van Thuong, from the southern province of Vĩnh Long, is the
youngest member of the party’s Politburo, the country’s
highest decision-making body.
Vo Van Thuong has been elected as the president of which of the following countries?

A. Laos

B. Cambodia

C. Thailand

D. Vietnam
The Tamil Nadu government has signed an MoU with the United Nations
Environment Program (UNEP) to implement the urban cooling program in the
state

● It aims to meet the objectives under the Tamil Nadu

State Action Plan on Climate Change.
● The collaboration between the state government and
UNEP will aim to meet the rapidly growing demand for
cooling in cities while supporting the implementation
of initiatives to adapt and combat rising heat.
Which of the following states has signed an MoU with the United Nations
Environment Program (UNEP) to implement the urban cooling program in the state?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Kerala

C. Karnataka

D. Telangana