General Awareness Quiz for Bank Mains Exams 2024-21st March

Q1. National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) as an autonomous organization has been set up under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to establish, endow, maintain, control and manage the schools. Which type of educational institutions does the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) specifically focus on establishing and managing?
(a) Establishing Tribal Art and Craft Centers & Funding Tribal Language Preservation Programs
(b) Managing Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) & Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools (EMDBS)
(c) Funding Tribal Language Preservation Programs & Setting up Tribal Cultural Heritage Museums
(d) Setting up Tribal Cultural Heritage Museums
(e) Organizing National Tribal Festivals and Exhibitions

Q2. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500 million loan to Maharashtra. What long-term healthcare goal is the Asian Development Bank (ADB) supporting through its $500 million loan?
(a) To eliminate infectious diseases by 2030
(b) To provide affordable and accessible tertiary health care to all by 2030
(c) To establish a state-wide network of multispecialty hospitals by 2030
(d) To fully digitize health care records and systems by 2030
(e) To achieve universal health insurance coverage by 2030

Q3. Which statements are true regarding India’s involvement with the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) and its sugar industry?
I. India became the Chair of the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) in 2024.
II. India is the largest producer of sugar in the world.
III. India achieved a 12% ethanol blending with petrol in ESY 2022-23.

(a) Only I and II
(b) Only II and III
(c) Only I and III
(d) Only II
(e) I, II, and III

Q4. IndusInd Bank Limited has partnered with Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) to promote the Digital Rupee (e₹), the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) launched by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). What is a key feature that distinguishes Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) from traditional cryptocurrencies?
(a) CBDCs are primarily used for online shopping.
(b) CBDCs are issued and regulated by a country’s central bank.
(c) CBDCs are decentralized digital currencies.
(d) CBDCs have a variable value based on market demand.
(e) CBDCs are only used in international trade.

Q5. The Indian Mission to ASEAN in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare organized the ASEAN-India Millet Festival 2023, in Indonesia from 22nd November to 26th November 2023. Which of the following countries is NOT a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)?
(a) Thailand
(b) Malaysia
(c) Singapore
(d) Taiwan
(e) Indonesia

Q6. Which birth anniversary of Pranab Mukherjee, the former President of India, was commemorated on the release date of the book “Pranab, My Father: A Daughter Remembers” on 11th December 2023?
(a) 85th birth anniversary
(b) 86th birth anniversary
(c) 87th birth anniversary
(d) 88th birth anniversary
(e) 89th birth anniversary

Q7. Where was the 2nd edition of the joint military exercise “AUSTRAHIND-23” between the Indian Armed Forces and the Australian Army held in 2023?
(a) New Delhi, India
(b) Canberra, Australia
(c) Perth, Australia
(d) Mumbai, India
(e) Sydney, Australia

Q8. Under which sections of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, did the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) exercise its powers to supersede the board of directors of Abhyudaya Cooperative Bank Limited?
(a) Sections 36 AAA and 56
(b) Sections 35AA and 36
(c) Sections 45 and 47
(d) Sections 36 AAA and 51
(e) Sections 22 and 24

Q9. Which country won the Davis Cup 2023, marking their 2nd title in the tournament’s history?
(a) Spain
(b) France
(c) Australia
(d) Italy
(e) United States

Q10. What word was announced as the Word of the Year for 2023 by Merriam-Webster?
(a) Innovation
(b) Resilience
(c) Authentic
(d) Virtual
(e) Sustainability

Solutions

S1. Ans. (b)
Sol. The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, primarily focuses on the educational upliftment of tribal students. Its key initiative includes managing Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools (EMDBS), along with Centres of Excellence for Sports.
Details:

• These institutions are dedicated to providing quality education and facilities to tribal students, aiming to enhance their academic and overall development.

S2. Ans. (b)
Sol. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $500 million loan to enhance the quality and affordability of tertiary health care and medical education in Maharashtra.
Details:

• ADB has been working with the state government of Maharashtra to achieve its vision of providing affordable and accessible tertiary health care to all by 2030 and strengthen a cadre of quality and professional medical practitioners.

S3. Ans. (c)
Sol. Statement I is true as India became the Chair of the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) for 2024, as announced during the 63rd council meeting of ISO in London, United Kingdom.
Statement II is incorrect because India is not the largest producer of sugar in the world; it is the second-largest producer, with about 20% of global sugar production.
Statement III is true as India successfully achieved a 12% ethanol blending with petrol in ESY (Ethanol Supply Year) 2022-23.
In its 63rd council meeting, International Sugar Organisation (ISO), headquartered in London, has announced India to be the Chair of the organisation for 2024.
This is a huge achievement for the country to lead the global sugar sector and reflection of growing stature of the country in this domain.

S4. Ans. (b)
Sol. A defining feature of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) is that they are issued and regulated by a country’s central bank, which sets them apart from traditional cryptocurrencies.
Details:

• IndusInd Bank has collaborated with Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) to facilitate the acceptance of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) for payments of compressed natural gas (CNG) bills in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR).
• According to the bank’s regulatory filing, the customers at select IGL stations will be allowed to make payments using the e-Rupee.

S5. Ans. (d)
Sol. Taiwan is not a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Details:

• ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries, which include Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and others.
• Taiwan, despite being in the broader East Asian region, is not a part of this organization.

S6. Ans. (d)
Sol. The book “Pranab, My Father: A Daughter Remembers,” written by Sharmishtha Mukherjee, is scheduled to be released on 11th December 2023, coinciding with the 88th birth anniversary of Pranab Mukherjee, the former (13th) President of India.
Details:

• Former President late Pranab Mukherjee’s daughter Sharmistha Mukherjee in her book ‘Pranab, My Father – A Daughter Remembers’ has claimed that the former Congress stalwart expressed concerns on whether the Gandhi scion was the right person to lead the party post the 2014 debacle.

S7. Ans. (c)
Sol. The 2nd edition of the joint military exercise “AUSTRAHIND-23,” involving the Indian Armed Forces and the Australian Army, took place in Perth, Australia, from November 22nd to December 6th, 2023.
Details:

• This exercise is part of an annual event aimed at fostering stronger military ties and exchange of best practices between India and Australia.
• The exercise alternates locations between India and Australia each year, and in 2023, it was hosted in Perth, Australia, highlighting the ongoing collaboration and partnership between the two countries in defense and military training.

S8. Ans. (a)
Sol. These actions, RBI said, were done under Section 36 AAA read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
Details:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) superseded the Board of Directors of Mumbai-based Abhyudaya Cooperative Bank Ltd, for a year.
• This central bank’s action comes as it observed certain material concerns emanating from poor governance standards in the bank.

S9. Ans. (d)
Sol. Italy won the Davis Cup 2023, securing their second title in the tournament’s history.
Details:

• The Italian team, captained by Filippo Volandri, emerged victorious in the finals by defeating the Australian team, which was captained by Lleyton Hewitt. The final match took place at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena in Malaga, Spain.

S10. Ans. (c)
Sol. Merriam-Webster, a renowned dictionary publisher in the United States, announced “Authentic” as the Word of the Year for 2023.
Details:

• The word is defined as “not false or imitation” and “true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character,” highlighting its significance in contemporary discourse.