Q1. Which of the following states has launched “LEAP Coworks” (Launch, Empower, Accelerate, Prosper)?
(a) Kerala
(b) Karnataka
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) Maharashtra
(e) Gujarat
Q2. In August 2023, the Indian Army inducted the indigenously developed Weapon Locating Radar (WLR-M) called “Swathi Mountains.” It has been developed by which of the following organizations?
(a) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
(b) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
(c) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
(d) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
(e) Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
Q3. As of January 2024, the traditional AYUSH medicine systems that have been included in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 11 as Module 2 by the World Health Organization are:
(a) Ayurveda
(b) Siddha
(c) Unani
(d) b & c
(e) a, b & c
Q4. Which Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) recently (December 2023) signed a MoU with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to improve food security, nutrition, climate resilience, and livelihoods in India?
(a) IIT Delhi
(b) IIT Kanpur
(c) IIT Bombay
(d) IIT Madras
(e) IIT Kharagpur
Q5. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently (August 2023) approved a USD 40.5 million loan for an integrated project focusing on Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Maternal Mental Health in which of the following states?
(a) Assam
(b) Manipur
(c) Mizoram
(d) Meghalaya
(e) Tripura
Q6. The Indira Sagar Dam, a multipurpose project, is situated on which river in Madhya Pradesh?
(a) Narmada
(b) Betwa
(c) Chambal
(d) Sone
(e) Sindh
Q7. On January 8, 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the minimum capital requirement for Small Finance Banks (SFBs) from:
(a) Rs 50 crore to Rs 150 crore
(b) Rs 100 crore to Rs 200 crore
(c) Rs 100 crore to Rs 250 crore
(d) Rs 150 crore to Rs 300 crore
(e) Rs 200 crore to Rs 400 crore
Q8. The President of the Awami League and incumbent Prime Minister of Bangladesh has (In January 2024) been re-elected as the Prime Minister for the _____ time.
(a) 3rd
(b) 4th
(c) 5th
(d) 6th
(e) 7th
Q9. In January 2024, the Board of Directors of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) approved the proposal to acquire up to what percentage of equity stake in a company promoted by the National Housing Bank (NHB)?
(a) 5%
(b) 7%
(c) 10%
(d) 12%
(e) 15%
Q10. Which of the following is a Domestic Systemically Important Insurer (D-SII) in India as per the 2022-23 list released by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)?
(a) Life Insurance Corporation of India
(b) General Insurance Corporation of India
(c) New India Assurance Company
(d) b & c
(e) All a, b & c
Solutions
S1. Ans. (a)
Sol. The state of Kerala has launched “LEAP Coworks”, an initiative aimed at boosting the innovation ecosystem within the state.
The LEAP Coworks spaces offer state-of-the-art infrastructure, well-designed workspaces, and various amenities essential for a productive work environment, intending to nurture innovation, encourage networking, and facilitate startup success.
S2. Ans. (a)
Sol. The “Swathi Mountains” Weapon Locating Radar (WLR-M), inducted by the Indian Army in August 2023, was developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in collaboration with the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), a lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
This advanced system is a lighter version of the original Swathi WLR, optimized for use in mountainous terrains.
S3. Ans. (e)
Sol. The Ministry of AYUSH in collaboration with the World Health Organization has prepared a classification of diseases used in Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems under the TM-2 module of the ICD-11 series.
This inclusion is a significant recognition of the global relevance and growing popularity of these traditional Indian medicine systems. It marks a step forward in integrating these systems with mainstream healthcare and enhancing their visibility and credibility on the global stage.
S4. Ans. (c)
Sol. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IITB) have signed a MoU to improve food security, nutrition, climate resilience, and livelihoods in India.
S5. Ans. (d)
Sol. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 40.5 million loan for an integrated project focusing on Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Maternal Mental Health in Meghalaya.
S6. Ans. (a)
Sol. The Indira Sagar Dam is located on the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh.
This multipurpose project plays a crucial role in the state’s irrigation, power generation, and other water resource management activities. The dam is an important part of the Narmada Valley Development Project and is one of the key structures for harnessing the river’s resources.
S7. Ans. (b)
Sol. The Reserve Bank of India announced on January 8, 2024, an increase in the minimum capital requirement for Small Finance Banks (SFBs).
The requirement was raised from Rs 100 crore to Rs 200 crore, aiming to ensure better financial stability and operational strength for these banks. Furthermore, the RBI has allowed Payments Banks to upgrade to Small Finance Banks, offering them a broader range of banking services and greater operational scope.
Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) transitioning to Small Finance Banks (SFBs) need an initial net worth of Rs 100 crore, to be increased to Rs 200 crore within five years.
S8. Ans. (c)
Sol. The President of the Awami League and incumbent Prime Minister of Bangladesh has been re-elected for her 5th term.
This victory marks her 4th consecutive term in office, underlining her continued political influence and leadership in Bangladesh. Leading the Awami League, she has been a prominent figure in the country’s political landscape and has played a significant role in its development and governance.
S9. Ans. (c)
Sol. the Board of Directors of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) approved a significant proposal to acquire up to 10% equity stake in a company promoted by the National Housing Bank (NHB). This move signifies LIC’s strategic investment and interest in the housing finance sector, which is a crucial part of the Indian economy.
S10. Ans. (e)
Sol. As per the 2022-23 list released by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), the Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) in India include the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re.), and New India Assurance Company.
These insurers are identified as systemically important due to their size, market importance, and interconnectedness in the Indian financial system, meaning their distress or failure would have a significant impact on the country’s economic stability and financial sector.