Monday, November 18, 2024
Banking QuizCA Quizzes (English)

Current Affairs Quiz: March 30, 2024

  1. Which disease is targeted by India’s first homegrown indigenous Hydroxyurea oral suspension recently announced by Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited, offered at 1 percent of the global price?
    A) Diabetes
    B) Asthma
    C) Sickle cell disease
    D) Malaria
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    The pharmaceutical manufacturer Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited has announced India’s first homegrown indigenous Hydroxyurea oral suspension for the treatment of sickle disease in children at 1 per cent cost of the global price.
  2. Who recently released the book titled “A Compendium on Non-Native Organisms of India” at a function held at T.K. Madhava Memorial (TKMM) College, Nangiarkulangara near Haripad?
    A) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
    B) Animal Husbandry Minister J. Chinchurani
    C) Environmental Minister S. Rajeshwari
    D) Education Minister K. Ganesh
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    Animal Husbandry Minister J. Chinchurani released a book titled A Compendium on Non-Native Organisms of India in a function held at T.K. Madhava Memorial (TKMM) College, Nangiarkulangara near Haripad recently.
  3. Who recently submitted a report on developing the Gujarat International Finance Tech-City International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC) as a ‘Global Finance and Accounting Hub’ to the Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA)?
    A) The Prime Minister of India
    B) The Chief Minister of Gujarat
    C) The Expert Committee
    D) The Finance Minister of India
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    The Expert Committee on developing the Gujarat International Finance Tech-City International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC) as ‘Global Finance and Accounting Hub’ has submitted its report to Chairperson, International Financial Services Centre Authority, (IFSCA).
  4. Who is the CEO of Government e-Marketplace (GeM), which recently achieved a record Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of Four Lakh Crore rupees, doubling its performance from the previous fiscal year?
    A) P K Singh
    B) Narendra Modi
    C) Raghuram Rajan
    D) Mukesh Ambani
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option A
    Explanation:

    The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has closed the current financial year with a record Four Lakh Crore rupees in Gross Merchandise Value GMV. It has doubled its GMV as compared to the previous Fiscal Year.P K Singh, CEO of GeM said, this testifies to the GeM portal’s unique digital capabilities and functionalities that have facilitated greater efficiency, transparency and seamlessness in public procurement.
  5. Who has recently assumed the role of Executive Director at Union Bank of India (UBI), consequently raising the total count of Executive Directors to four?
    A) Pankaj Dwivedi
    B) Raghuram Rajan
    C) Narendra Modi
    D) Mukesh Ambani
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option A
    Explanation:

    Pankaj Dwivedi has taken charge as an Executive Director at Union Bank of India (UBI).With his appointment, the total number of Executive Directors at UBI has increased to 4.
  6. What range of bank credit growth does CareEdge Ratings estimate for the financial year 2024-25 in India?
    A) 12-13%
    B) 14-14.5%
    C) 16-17%
    D) 18-19%
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    CareEdge Ratings estimates bank credit growth in India to be in the range of 14-14.5 per cent in financial year 2024-25. In current financial year 2023-24, credit offtake is anticipated to close with a growth of around 16 per cent excluding the HDFC merger.
  7. Which banking institution has recently received approval to establish a branch in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, aimed at facilitating the flow of Japanese investments into India with reduced regulatory obstacles?
    A) Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG)
    B) Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC)
    C) Mizuho Financial Group
    D) Japan Post Bank
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsubishi Banking Corp. (SMBC) has obtained approval to open a branch in the GIFT City in Gandhinagar, which would help it funnel Japanese investments into India with less regulatory hurdles.
  8. In a recent development, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur’s Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) has collaborated with which defense public sector undertaking to foster innovation in healthcare?
    A) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
    B) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
    C) Gliders India
    D) None of these
    E) Indian Ordnance Factories
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur’s Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) has entered into a partnership with defence public sector undertaking Gliders India to drive innovation in healthcare.
  9. What is the name of the trilateral exercise recently concluded in Nacala, Mozambique, involving the navies of India, Mozambique, and Tanzania?
    A) Operation Blue Trident
    B) Exercise Sea Guardian
    C) IMT TRILAT 24
    D) Joint Maritime Endeavor
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    The India-Mozambique-Tanzania Trilateral Exercise, known as IMT TRILAT 24, recently concluded in Nacala, Mozambique. This week-long exercise aimed to enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability among the navies of India, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
  10. Who has been elected as the new Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), the national industry body for the automotive tyre sector in India?
    A) Arnab Banerjee
    B) Ramesh Kumar
    C) Priya Patel
    D) Sanjay Singh
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option A
    Explanation:

    Arnab Banerjee, Managing Director & CEO of CEAT Ltd, has been elected as the new Chairman of Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), the national industry body for the automotive tyre sector in India.
  11. Who recently passed away at the age of 87, known for his roles in “Roots,” “An Officer and A Gentleman,” and HBO’s “Watchmen” adaptation, is also an Oscar winner?
    A) Denzel Washington
    B) Morgan Freeman
    C) Louis Gossett Jr.
    D) Sidney Poitier
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    Oscar winning actor Louis Gossett Jr., who starred in Roots, An Officer and A Gentleman and HBO’s Watchmen adaptation, has died at the age of 87
  12. What penalty has Bank of India (BoI) recently disclosed receiving from the Income Tax Department, Assessment Unit, concerning Assessment Year (AY) 2018-19?
    A) ₹56.44 crore
    B) ₹564.44 crore
    C) ₹5644.44 crore
    D) ₹5644.44 lakh
    E) ₹564.44 lakh
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    Bank of India (BoI) said it has received an order from the Income Tax Department, Assessment Unit, pertaining to AY 2018-19, in which a penalty of ₹564.44 crore has been imposed on various disallowances made.
  13. Which two prominent space associations recently entered into a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and progress in the space sector?
    A) NASA and ISRO
    B) ESA and CNSA
    C) SIA-India and ABRASAT
    D) SpaceX and Blue Origin
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    SIA-India, India’s leading space association, and ABRASAT, Brazil’s prominent Satellite Communications Association, have forged a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to enhance cooperation and progress in the space sector of both countries.
  14. At which Madame Tussauds location was the wax statue of superstar Allu Arjun unveiled?
    A) Madame Tussauds London
    B) Madame Tussauds New York
    C) None of these
    D) Madame Tussauds Dubai
    E) Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
    View Answer
    Option D
    Explanation:

    Superstar Allu Arjun unveiled his wax statue at Madame Tussauds Dubai in the presence of his family members. The statue features Allu Arjun’s iconic and oh-so-popular “Jhukega Nahi” pose from his smash hit Pushpa: The Rise.
  15. What is the current status of India’s foreign exchange reserves according to the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?
    A) $620.532 billion
    B) $642.631 billion
    C) $580.724 billion
    D) $700.819 billion
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    India’s foreign exchange reserves rose for the fifth straight week to hit a fresh all-time high of $642.631 billion in the week ending on March 22, as per the latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  16. Who are the two players appointed as co-chairs of the International Hockey Federation’s new FIH Athletes Committee?
    A) PR Sreejesh and Rupinder Pal Singh
    B) Camila Caram and Carla Rebecchi
    C) PR Sreejesh and Camila Caram
    D) Rani Rampal and Vandana Katariya
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    Indian team’s star goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and defender Camila Caram from Chile women’s side are the two players appointed as co-chairs of the International Hockey Federation’s new FIH Athletes Committee.
  17. In which Indian state was the world’s first Om-shaped temple, known as ‘Om Aakar’ temple, inaugurated?
    A) Maharashtra
    B) Rajasthan
    C) Gujarat
    D) Madhya Pradesh
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    The World’s first-ever Om-shaped temple inaugurated in the village of Jadan in Rajasthan’s Pali district. The ‘Om Aakar’ temple spans across a vast expanse of 250 acres in Jadan Village.
  18. Who administered the oath of office to Justice Mohammad Yousuf Wani, appointing him as an Additional Judge of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh?
    A) Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
    B) President of India
    C) Chief Justice Justice N. Kotiswar Singh
    D) Prime Minister of India
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    Justice Mohammad Yousuf Wani was administered oath as Additional Judge of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Chief Justice Justice N. Kotiswar Singh administered the oath of office to Justice Wani in Srinagar.
  19. Which Asian country defied geopolitical crises and expectations of an extended higher interest rate regime by attracting the highest foreign funds flow in March?
    A) China
    B) India
    C) Japan
    D) South Korea
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    India has beaten rest of the Asian markets by attracting the highest foreign funds flow in March, defying geopolitical crises and concerns that the higher interest rate regime will continue for some more time.

  20. Which index recorded a significant increase of 6.7 per cent (provisional) in February 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, driven by notable performances across various sectors including Cement, Coal, Crude Oil, Electricity, Fertilizers, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, and Steel?
    A) Consumer Price Index (CPI)
    B) Wholesale Price Index (WPI)
    C) Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)
    D) Index of Industrial Production (IIP)
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) has displayed a notable upsurge of 6.7 per cent (provisional) in February 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023. This growth trajectory was primarily propelled by commendable performances observed across multiple sectors, including Coal, Natural Gas, Cement, Steel, Crude Oil, Electricity, and Refinery Products.
  21. In which Indian state did the Gautam Adani-led group announce the commencement of the first phase of the world’s largest single-location copper manufacturing plant at Mundra, aiding India’s energy transition and reducing dependence on imports?
    A) Maharashtra
    B) Gujarat
    C) Karnataka
    D) Tamil Nadu
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    Billionaire Gautam Adani-led group announced the start of the first phase of the world’s largest single-location copper manufacturing plant at Mundra in Gujarat, which will help cut India’s dependence on imports and aid energy transition.
  22. How has India’s effort to combat tuberculosis (TB) since 2015 impacted TB incidence and mortality rates?
    A) TB incidence has increased by 16% and mortality has decreased by 18%
    B) TB incidence has decreased by 16% and mortality has decreased by 18%
    C) TB incidence has decreased by 18% and mortality has increased by 16%
    D) TB incidence has increased by 18% and mortality has decreased by 16%
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    India’s efforts to ensure early tuberculosis detection and treatment initiation, along with a host of community engagement efforts has resulted in a decline of 16% in TB incidence (new cases emerging each year) and a 18% reduction in mortality due to TB, since 2015.
  23. What is the objective of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ETS India and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)?
    A) To establish joint research programs in the field of renewable energy
    B) To improve healthcare infrastructure in rural areas of India
    C) To enhance India’s workforce readiness for the global market
    D) To promote tourism and hospitality industry in India
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    ETS India, a subsidiary of the US-based Educational Testing Service (ETS), and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have joined hands through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in a stride towards enhancing India’s workforce readiness for the global market.
  24. How many sites have been added to the UNESCO Global Geoparks network by the UNESCO’s Executive Board, thereby increasing the total number of geoparks to 213 in 48 countries?
    A) 10
    B) 15
    C) 18
    D) 20
    E) 22
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    The UNESCO’s Executive Board has endorsed the addition of 18 sites to the UNESCO Global Geoparks network, thus bringing the total number of geoparks up to 213 in 48 countries.
  25. Where was the Stage-2 of the Vikram-1 space launch vehicle, named Kalam-250, successfully test-fired by Skyroot Aerospace, a prominent space-tech company?
    A) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka
    B) Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
    C) Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
    D) National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in Hyderabad, Telangana
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    Skyroot Aerospace, the leading space-tech company, has successfully test-fired the Stage-2 of Vikram-1 space launch vehicle, called Kalam-250, at the propulsion testbed of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), at its Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
  26. Who piloted the first successful sortie of the Tejas Mark-1A fighter aircraft from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Bengaluru?
    A) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman
    B) Group Captain KK Venugopal (Retd)
    C) Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma
    D) Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    The first Tejas Mark-1A fighter aircraft took to the skies from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Bengaluru. The successful sortie, which flew for 18 minutes, was piloted by HAL’s chief test pilot, Group Captain KK Venugopal (Retd).

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