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Banking QuizCA Quizzes (English)

Current Affairs Quiz: May 25, 2024

  1. Where is the world’s highest astronomical observatory, as certified by the Guinness World Record, located?
    A) The Himalayas, India
    B) The Alps, Switzerland
    C) The Andes, Peru
    D) The Atacama Desert, Chile
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option D
    Explanation:

    The University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory (TAO) is the highest astronomical observatory in the world as certified by the Guinness World Record. TAO sits at an altitude of 5,640m on the summit of a mountain in northern Chile’s Atacama Desert.
  2. Who was awarded the First-Class Medal of Independence by the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan?
    A) The Ambassador of Brazil
    B) The Ambassador of Paraguay
    C) The Ambassador of Argentina
    D) The Ambassador of Chile
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan awarded the First-Class Medal of Independence to Jose Aguero Avila, Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay to the UAE, on the occasion of the end of his tenure as ambassador to the country.
  3. Which airport in India has recently been recognized for achieving the Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL) accolade?
    A) Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi
    B) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
    C) Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru
    D) Thiruvananthapuram International Airport
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option D
    Explanation:

    Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has made history by becoming the first airport in India to achieve the Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL) accolade.
  4. Which company has recently acquired the AI-powered women’s wellness platform SocialBoat?
    A) Fitbit
    B) Garmin
    C) Noise
    D) Apple
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    Noise, a prominent smartwatch brand, has announced the acquisition of SocialBoat, an AI-powered women’s wellness platform, for an undisclosed amount. This move is part of Noise’s strategy to advance innovation in smart rings, particularly its premium wearable, the Luna Ring.
  5. Which prominent global bank recently made an investment in CCIL IFSC Limited (CCIL IFSC), a financial institution operating within the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City)?
    A) Standard Chartered
    B) Barclays
    C) Citibank
    D) HSBC
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option D
    Explanation:

    HSBC, a leading global bank and financial services major, has through its branch in Gift City executed transaction documents to acquire 6.125 per cent equity stake in CCIL IFSC Limited (CCIL IFSC). The investment value for this transaction stood at ₹6.125 crore.
  6. What substance did the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) not find in spice samples after conducting a pan-India testing drive of key spice brands?
    A) Lead
    B) Ethylene oxide
    C) Pesticides
    D) Microplastics
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which undertook a pan-India testing drive of key spice brands, found no traces of ethylene oxide (EtO) in spice samples, as per officials.
  7. What regulatory step has Liminal Custody, a Singapore-based digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure platform, recently taken in India?
    A) It has applied for a banking license with the Reserve Bank of India.
    B) It has partnered with local cryptocurrency exchanges for market expansion.
    C) It has registered its Indian entity with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of India.
    D) It has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a new investment scheme.
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    Liminal Custody, a Singapore-based digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure platform, announced the registration of its Indian entity ‘First Answer India Technologies Private Limited’ with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of India.
  8. What is the projected expansion of the Data Centre (DC) industry in India by 2026, according to a report by JLL?
    A) Addition of 500 MW of capacity and $3 billion in investments
    B) Addition of 791 MW of capacity and $5.7 billion in investments
    C) Addition of 1 GW of capacity and $7 billion in investments
    D) Addition of 300 MW of capacity and $2.5 billion in investments
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    The Data Centre (DC) industry in India is expected to expand, adding 791 MW of capacity by 2026, according to a report by real estate and investment management company JLL. This growth will require 10 million square feet of space and will attract $5.7 billion in investments.
    The surge is due to the rising use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). With the growing use of AI, the demand for Indian data centres is projected to reach between 650 and 800 MW from 2024 to 2026.
  9. What specific area of technology is the collaboration between IIT Madras and SilTerra Malaysia focused on_____________
    A) Development of next-generation solar panels
    B) Research on advanced materials for aerospace applications
    C) Joint development of silicon photonic processor chips for quantum computing and communication systems
    D) Exploration of biotechnology solutions for agricultural productivity
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    The Silicon Photonics Centre of Excellence – Centre for Programmable Photonic Integrated Circuits and Systems (Silicon Photonics CoE-CPPICS) at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is partnering with SilTerra Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. for joint development of programmable silicon photonic processor chips. This is especially for quantum computing and communication system level applications.
  10. Who has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Air India, effective June 10th, succeeding Vinod Hejmadi?
    A) Rajiv Bansal
    B) Rakesh Jhunjhunwala
    C) Sanjay Sharma
    D) None of these
    E) Sanjay Kapoor
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    Air India appoints Sanjay Sharma as its new chief financial officer (CFO), effective June 10th. Sharma will succeed Vinod Hejmadi, who is retiring after more than three decades with Air India.
  11. Who has decided to step down as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Pictures Networks India after 25 years with the company?
    A) Rajiv Bansal
    B) Rakesh Jhunjhunwala
    C) Sanjay Sharma
    D) None of these
    E) NP Singh
    View Answer
    Option E
    Explanation:

    Sony Pictures Networks India said that its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer NP Singh has decided to step down from the post after 25 years of being associated with the company.
  12. Who won the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award at the Prince’s Trust Awards in London?
    A) Rajni
    B) Kavita
    C) Arti
    D) None of these
    E) Meera
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    Arti, 18-year-old rickshaw driver from a village in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh received the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award, named after the world-renowned human rights barrister, at the Prince’s Trust Awards in London followed by a meeting with the 75-year-old monarch.

  13. What recent action has the Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry taken regarding the Food and Nutrition Board?
    A) Expanded its functions to include child welfare programs
    B) Merged it with another governmental body
    C) Dissolved the board as part of a government rationalisation plan
    D) Relocated its headquarters to Mumbai
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    The Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry has officially dissolved the Food and Nutrition Board. This board, which provided technical and logistical support for community nutrition programmes, has been shut down as part of a government plan to rationalise various bodies. The Food and Nutrition Board was a technical wing of the ministry, headquartered in Delhi.
  14. What significant change in driving license regulations will take effect in India from June 1, 2024?
    A) Driving tests will be mandatory at government Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) only.
    B) Driving licenses will be issued without any test requirements.
    C) Private institutions are now authorised to conduct driving tests and issue certificates for licenses.
    D) The minimum age for obtaining a driving license has been increased.
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has announced new regulations that will be in effect from June 1, 2024. Individuals don’t need to take the driving test at the government Regional Transport Office (RTO), instead private institutions are now authorised to conduct the tests and issue certificates saying the people they trained can be given driving licences.
  15. Which bank holds the largest amount of unclaimed deposits in India post-Covid, according to the recent RBI data?
    A) HDFC Bank
    B) Punjab National Bank
    C) State Bank of India
    D) ICICI Bank
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    Unclaimed deposits in India soared 2.5x post-Covid, reaching ₹42,270 crore, according to recent data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). State Bank of India leads, followed by Punjab National Bank and ICICI Bank.
  16. What recent amendment has the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) made to facilitate ease of doing business for firms planning Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)?
    A) Allowing non-promoter shareholders to contribute towards the minimum promoters’ contribution in an IPO without being identified as promoters.
    B) Requiring all IPO applicants to have a minimum promoter contribution.
    C) Mandating all IPO applicants to have at least one non-promoter shareholder.
    D) Increasing the minimum promoter contribution requirement for IPOs.
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option A
    Explanation:

    The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has announced the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018 (“SEBI ICDR Regulations”) to allow non-promoter shareholders to contribute towards the shortfall in minimum promoters’ contribution in an initial public offering (IPO) without being identified as a promoter.
  17. Which organization has signed a deal with Burgan Bank to modernize its core banking technology?
    A) Infosys
    B) Wipro
    C) Accenture
    D) Tata Consultancy Services
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option D
    Explanation:

    Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has signed a deal to modernize the core banking technology of Burgan Bank, a leading commercial bank in Kuwait.
  18. Who has the Delhi High Court appointed as the Chairperson of the ad-hoc Administrative Committee for the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI)?
    A) Justice Ranjan Gogoi
    B) Justice Indu Malhotra
    C) Justice Najmi Waziri
    D) Justice Dipak Misra
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    The Delhi High Court has appointed its retired judge, Justice Najmi Waziri, as the Chairperson of ad-hoc Administrative Committee constituted to supervise the administration of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI).
  19. Where will the control center for India’s first research testbed to study Nor’westers be located?
    A) Kolkata, West Bengal
    B) Ranchi, Jharkhand
    C) None of these
    D) Bhubaneswar, Odisha
    E) Chandbali, Odisha
    View Answer
    Option E
    Explanation:

    Meteorologists will soon be able to deploy drones, mobile vans and high-end instruments to track the monstrous nor’westers, or Kalbaisakhi, that affect the east and northeast regions of India every summer.The proposed multi-crore rupees research testbed facility will cover a large area adjoining West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand. The control centre will be at Chandbali in the Bhadrak district of Odisha, about 130 km east of Bhubaneswar.
  20. What collaboration between Cisco and Tata Communications was recently launched in India?
    A) Webex Video Conferencing
    B) Webex Teams
    C) Webex Calling
    D) Webex Meetings
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    Cisco and Tata Communications launched their Webex Calling solution in India with cloud public switched telephone network (PSTN), aimed at helping enterprises move from on-premises phone systems to a global cloud calling system.
  21. Who has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Chad by President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno?
    A) Allamaye Halina
    B) Ahmed Zubeir
    C) Fatimé Sakine
    D) Ibrahim Déby
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option A
    Explanation:

    Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno appointed Allamaye Halina as the new prime minister.
  22. What was the theme of the 10th World Water Forum inaugurated by Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center?
    A) “Water for Sustainable Development”
    B) “Water for Life”
    C) “Water for Shared Prosperity”
    D) “Water and Climate Change”
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    Indonesian President Joko Widodo officially opened the 10th World Water Forum With the theme “Water for Shared Prosperity” at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) in Bali, Indonesia . The Forum’s Fair and Expo also launched with a total of 160 participants from 17 countries.
    The World Bank released the report “Water for Shared Prosperity,” at the 10th World Water Forum. It highlights the alarming global water crisis and its implications for human and economic development worldwide.
  23. Which country is the only one among the top five largest steel producers in the world to witness growth in production according to the World Steel Association?
    A) China
    B) Japan
    C) India
    D) United States
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option C
    Explanation:

    According to the World Steel Association, India is the only country amongst the world’s top five crude steel-producing countries to record positive growth in production during April 2024. India, which is the second largest producer of crude steel in the world, recorded a growth rate of 3.9 per cent in April 2024 as compared to April 2023.
  24. Which film by Chidanand Naik, a student of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), won the La Cinef Award for Best Short at the 77th Cannes Film Festival?
    A) “The Silent Sunflowers”
    B) “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know”
    C) “Golden Petals”
    D) “The Blossoming Sun”
    E) None of the above
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation:

    “SUNFLOWERS WERE THE FIRST ONES TO KNOW”, a course end film by Chidanand Naik, a student of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), received the Cannes’ La Cinef Award for Best Short at 77th Cannes Film Festival in France.
  25. Which organization was honored with ‘The Economic Times HR World Future Ready Organization Award 2024-25’?
    A) NHPC
    B) Tata Consultancy Services
    C) None of these
    D) Reliance Industries Limited
    E) Infosys
    View Answer
    Option A
    Explanation:

    NHPC, India’s premier hydropower company, has been conferred with the prestigious ‘The Economic Times HR World Future Ready Organization Award 2024-25’. The Award was received by Director (Personnel), NHPC, Uttam Lal along with Executive Director (HR), Lucas Guria and a team of NHPC officers at a glittering Awards Ceremony held in Mumbai.
  26. What is the name of the cyclone expected to hit West Bengal, as warned by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)?
    A) Remal
    B) Amphan
    C) None of these
    D) Varsha
    E) Nisarga
    View Answer
    Option A
    Explanation:

    The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning against severe Cyclone Remal, which is expected to hit West Bengal. The weather department said the cyclone will bring extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds to coastal regions of Bangladesh and West Bengal on May 26.
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