1.The annual business event, colloquially called Russian Davos is held every year in which city of Russia?
Correct Answer: D [St. Petersburg]
Notes:
St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is an annual Russian business event held in St. Petersburg since 1997, under the Russian President’s auspices since 2006. It gathers 10,000+ participants from 120+ countries, including CEOs, heads of state, and ministers. The Forum aims to bridge barriers between Russia and other countries including India, attract foreign investment, and promote Russia as a business-friendly nation. SPIEF is often compared to the World Economic Forum in Davos and called Russian Davos. It was held recently.
St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is an annual Russian business event held in St. Petersburg since 1997, under the Russian President’s auspices since 2006. It gathers 10,000+ participants from 120+ countries, including CEOs, heads of state, and ministers. The Forum aims to bridge barriers between Russia and other countries including India, attract foreign investment, and promote Russia as a business-friendly nation. SPIEF is often compared to the World Economic Forum in Davos and called Russian Davos. It was held recently.
2.From January 1, 2024, in which country, same-sex marriage received legal recognition?
Correct Answer: B [Estonia]
Notes:
Estonia legalised same-sex marriage from January 1, 2024, allowing consenting adults to marry regardless of gender. This provides equal rights and responsibilities for such couples on par with heterosexual marriages. Same-sex couples earlier had the option to register civil partnerships in Estonia. The new law enables their seamless transition to marriage.
Estonia legalised same-sex marriage from January 1, 2024, allowing consenting adults to marry regardless of gender. This provides equal rights and responsibilities for such couples on par with heterosexual marriages. Same-sex couples earlier had the option to register civil partnerships in Estonia. The new law enables their seamless transition to marriage.
3.Which organization issues electoral bonds in India?
Correct Answer: D [State Bank of India]
Notes:
India’s electoral bond scheme sees authorized SBI branches issue these interest-free bearer bonds to protect donor anonymity. As per provisions, only political parties securing over 1% votes can encash them. Recently, the Finance Ministry granted SBI permission for the 30th phase sale of electoral bonds from Jan 2-11, 2023 across 29 branches. But some criticize electoral bonds for non-transparency, alleging misuse.
India’s electoral bond scheme sees authorized SBI branches issue these interest-free bearer bonds to protect donor anonymity. As per provisions, only political parties securing over 1% votes can encash them. Recently, the Finance Ministry granted SBI permission for the 30th phase sale of electoral bonds from Jan 2-11, 2023 across 29 branches. But some criticize electoral bonds for non-transparency, alleging misuse.
4.Which company recently secured a contract to survey India’s first PRT metro corridor using drones?
Correct Answer: C [IG Drones]
Notes:
IG Drones, an Indian drone technology company, has won a contract to survey the construction progress of India’s first Personal Rapid Transit system metro corridor in Uttarakhand using drones. Its UAVs equipped with high-resolution cameras and other sensors will conduct aerial mapping of the project considered India’s first “Neo Metro.” The drones’ data analytics capabilities will enable tracking the building progress in real-time. Companies like IG Drones are playing an increasing role in efficient monitoring of large infrastructure projects, reducing costs and delays.
IG Drones, an Indian drone technology company, has won a contract to survey the construction progress of India’s first Personal Rapid Transit system metro corridor in Uttarakhand using drones. Its UAVs equipped with high-resolution cameras and other sensors will conduct aerial mapping of the project considered India’s first “Neo Metro.” The drones’ data analytics capabilities will enable tracking the building progress in real-time. Companies like IG Drones are playing an increasing role in efficient monitoring of large infrastructure projects, reducing costs and delays.
5.What is the full form of FMR as mentioned in the news regarding India’s border with Myanmar?
Correct Answer: D [Free Movement Regime]
Notes:
FMR refers to the Free Movement Regime operational on India’s border with Myanmar. It allows tribal communities living along both sides of the boundary to travel up to 16 km across the border without visas. However, amidst rising illegal immigration and security challenges tied to cross-border crime, India plans to discontinue the FMR scheme and mandate visas for Myanmarese nationals’ entry. Concerns around FMR facilitating entry of non-tribals abusing its lax regulations prompted this reassessment of the agreement after 75 years.
FMR refers to the Free Movement Regime operational on India’s border with Myanmar. It allows tribal communities living along both sides of the boundary to travel up to 16 km across the border without visas. However, amidst rising illegal immigration and security challenges tied to cross-border crime, India plans to discontinue the FMR scheme and mandate visas for Myanmarese nationals’ entry. Concerns around FMR facilitating entry of non-tribals abusing its lax regulations prompted this reassessment of the agreement after 75 years.
6.Who has been appointed as India’s ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva?
Correct Answer: B [Senthil Pandian C]
Notes:
Senthil Pandian C, an IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre from the 2002 batch, has been appointed as India’s ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva. His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on January 5, 2024, and is set for a tenure of three years from the date of assumption of charge. This appointment follows the end of Brajendra Navnit’s tenure as India’s ambassador to the WTO. Senthil Pandian’s new role comes at a crucial time when the world is grappling with challenges like inflation, high interest rates, and geopolitical tensions. His experience and expertise will be pivotal in representing and advocating India’s interests in the global trade arena, especially at the upcoming WTO ministerial conference and in ongoing negotiations on various trade-related issues.
Senthil Pandian C, an IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre from the 2002 batch, has been appointed as India’s ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva. His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on January 5, 2024, and is set for a tenure of three years from the date of assumption of charge. This appointment follows the end of Brajendra Navnit’s tenure as India’s ambassador to the WTO. Senthil Pandian’s new role comes at a crucial time when the world is grappling with challenges like inflation, high interest rates, and geopolitical tensions. His experience and expertise will be pivotal in representing and advocating India’s interests in the global trade arena, especially at the upcoming WTO ministerial conference and in ongoing negotiations on various trade-related issues.
7.What is the primary focus of the “Harit Nauka – Guidelines for Green Transition of Inland Vessels” initiative recently unveiled?
Correct Answer: B [Adoption of Eco-Friendly Practices for Inland Vessels]
Notes:
The primary focus of the “Harit Nauka – Guidelines for Green Transition of Inland Vessels” initiative, unveiled at the inaugural Inland Waterways Development Council meeting, is the adoption of eco-friendly practices for inland vessels. This initiative aims to contribute to sustainable development in waterway transportation by encouraging environmentally responsible operations and practices within the sector. The guidelines are designed to facilitate a transition towards greener and more sustainable methods in the operation and maintenance of inland water vessels, aligning with broader environmental objectives and sustainable development goals. This initiative reflects a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of waterway transportation and promoting sustainability in the industry.
The primary focus of the “Harit Nauka – Guidelines for Green Transition of Inland Vessels” initiative, unveiled at the inaugural Inland Waterways Development Council meeting, is the adoption of eco-friendly practices for inland vessels. This initiative aims to contribute to sustainable development in waterway transportation by encouraging environmentally responsible operations and practices within the sector. The guidelines are designed to facilitate a transition towards greener and more sustainable methods in the operation and maintenance of inland water vessels, aligning with broader environmental objectives and sustainable development goals. This initiative reflects a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of waterway transportation and promoting sustainability in the industry.
8.Which calendar do certain Eastern Orthodox churches follow, leading to Christmas being celebrated on January 7th?
Correct Answer: C [Julian Calendar]
Notes:
Certain Eastern Orthodox churches, including Russian and other traditions, observe Christmas on January 7th due to their adherence to the ancient Julian calendar. This calendar runs 13 days behind the widely-used Gregorian calendar, causing the date of December 25th in the Julian calendar to fall on January 7th in the Gregorian calendar.
Certain Eastern Orthodox churches, including Russian and other traditions, observe Christmas on January 7th due to their adherence to the ancient Julian calendar. This calendar runs 13 days behind the widely-used Gregorian calendar, causing the date of December 25th in the Julian calendar to fall on January 7th in the Gregorian calendar.
9.Which company has recently announced an initiative “AI Odyssey” to skill 100,000 developers in India on AI technology?
Correct Answer: B [Microsoft ]
Notes:
Microsoft has announced an initiative named AI Odyssey to skill 100,000 developers in India in artificial intelligence technologies and tools. This will enable developers to solve complex real-world problems and create value by building AI solutions aligned to business outcomes. The program aims to promote AI fluency and adoption in the country by imparting comprehensive AI training to the developers over a month.
Microsoft has announced an initiative named AI Odyssey to skill 100,000 developers in India in artificial intelligence technologies and tools. This will enable developers to solve complex real-world problems and create value by building AI solutions aligned to business outcomes. The program aims to promote AI fluency and adoption in the country by imparting comprehensive AI training to the developers over a month.
10.Siamang gibbons, that were recently making news, are primarily known for?
Correct Answer: C [Their singing voices]
Notes:
Siamang gibbons (Symphalangus syndactylus), native to the rainforests of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, are primarily known for their unique and powerful singing voices. These vocalizations, a distinctive feature of the species, serve essential purposes such as communication and territory marking. The Siamang’s large throat sacs amplify their calls, making them the loudest of all gibbons. Unfortunately, this remarkable singing ability, coupled with their beauty, has made Siamangs a prime target in the illegal wildlife trade, particularly for use as exotic pets. The rescue and subsequent release of these gibbons back into the wild, as undertaken by the Aspinall Foundation in South Sumatra, is not only a conservation success story but also a poignant reminder of the threats faced by these endangered primates. This effort highlights the importance of preserving natural habitats and wildlife, as well as the ongoing challenges in combating illegal wildlife trade.
Siamang gibbons (Symphalangus syndactylus), native to the rainforests of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, are primarily known for their unique and powerful singing voices. These vocalizations, a distinctive feature of the species, serve essential purposes such as communication and territory marking. The Siamang’s large throat sacs amplify their calls, making them the loudest of all gibbons. Unfortunately, this remarkable singing ability, coupled with their beauty, has made Siamangs a prime target in the illegal wildlife trade, particularly for use as exotic pets. The rescue and subsequent release of these gibbons back into the wild, as undertaken by the Aspinall Foundation in South Sumatra, is not only a conservation success story but also a poignant reminder of the threats faced by these endangered primates. This effort highlights the importance of preserving natural habitats and wildlife, as well as the ongoing challenges in combating illegal wildlife trade.
