Q1: ‘Utkal Diwas’ is the statehood day of which state?
a) Bihar
b) Jharkhand
c) Odisha
d) Andhra Pradesh
Solution: option c.)
Every year, Odisha Day, also called as Utkala Dibasa, is celebrated all over the state of Odisha on April 01 to commemorate the formation of the state as a separate state on 1 April 1936.
Odisha was carved out as a politically separate state under British rule on a linguistic basis, comprising Odia-speaking districts of Bihar and Orissa Province with the addition of Koraput and Ganjam from the Madras Presidency.
ODISHA CM: Naveen Patnaik
ODISHA Governor: Ganeshi Lal
Q2: As part of Prevention of Blindness Week this year in 2023, the Government of India is conducting a campaign from _______ 2023 to bring Awareness among people and educate them about the prevention of blindness.
a) April 5 to 12
b) April 7 to 14
c) April 1 to 7
d) April 4 to 11
Solution: option c.)
During this week, everything will be explained in detail about how to protect our eyes, what kind of food should be taken, and what mistakes we generally make that affect our eyesight.
National Society for the Prevention of Blindness Week was founded in 1960 (Under the Societies Registration Act of 1860) with Jawaharlal Nehru and Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur being its founding patrons.
Q3: What is its rank of India in the passport index?
a) 140
b) 144
c) 142
d) 148
Solution: option b.)
India fell six places to the 144th position in the annual passport index for 2023, from 138th a year ago.
The Passport Index 2023 has been published by financial advisory services firm Arton Capital which ranks passports of 199 countries. calculated on provisions like a visa-free visit, visa on arrival, an eVisa (if used within three days) and electronic travel authorisation. According to the report, Indians can only travel to 59 countries without needing a visa.
The United Arab Emirates topped the individual passport ranking with a mobility score of 181. It is followed by Sweden, Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria with a joint mobility score of 174.
Henley Passport Index 2023: India ranked 85; topped by Japan.
World Happiness Index 2023: India ranked 126th; topped by Finland; Last Afghanistan.
Global Terrorism Index 2023 – India ranked 13th, topped by Afghanistan.
Q4: In which city, PM Modi will attend the combined commanders, Conference 2023?
a) Mumbai
b) Bengaluru
c) Bhopal
d) New Delhi
Solution: option c.)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal on April 1 to take part in the ongoing Combined Commanders’ Conference and also flag off a Vande Bharat Express service to Delhi.
Q5: Which city is recognized among the ‘2022 Tree City of the World’ by FAO?
a) Mumbai
b) Hyderabad
c) Ooty
d) New Delhi
Solution: option a.)
India’s commercial capital Mumbai has been included in the World Tree City 2022 list, for the second consecutive year, for promoting best practices in urban forestry.
The United Nations Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and Arbor Day Foundation (ADF) conduct the TCW programme.
The Tree Cities of the World (TCW) recognition began in 2019, to recognise efforts of cities globally that strive to balance the trees and environment and are included in the TCW list.
FAO (H.Q): ROME
Q6: Defence Ministry signs contract for how many next-generation OPVs?
a) 10
b) 12
c) 11
d) 9
Solution: option c.)
The Defence Ministry signed contracts with Indian shipyards worth Rs 19,600 crore for the acquisition of 11 next-generation offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and six next-generation missile vessels.
The contract for the acquisition of 11 OPVs under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category was signed with Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) of Kolkata for a total of Rs 9,781 crore.
A contract was signed with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for the acquisition of six Next Generation Missile Ships (NGMVs) for Rs 9,805 crore. The deliveries of these ships will commence in March 2027.
Q7: India targeting defence exports worth Rs 40,000 crore by which year?
a) 2026
b) 2027
c) 2029
d) 2028
Solution: option a.)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the ‘Rising India Conclave’ in New Delhi on March 30, 2023.
During the event, he informed that India aims to achieve defence equipment exports target worth 40 thousand crore rupees by 2026.
In the last few years, defence exports have witnessed a quantum jump from 900 crore rupees to 14 thousand crore rupees (FY23). He also highlighted the progress made by the country in all sectors.
Q8: Which country will become the 31st member of NATO?
a) Norway
b) Finland
c) Ukraine
d) Sweden
Solution: option b.)
Finland will become the 31st member of NATO after Turkey’s parliament finally approved its application to join the alliance. The decision ends months of delay as Helsinki’s neighbour, Russia, continues its war against Ukraine, now in its second year.
Finland PM: Sanna Marin
Finland Capital: Helsinki
Finland Currency: Euro
Q9: Who has been appointed by Star Sports as its new brand ambassador?
a) Salman Khan
b) Ranvir Shorey
c) Ranbir Kapoor
d) Ranveer Singh
Solution: option d.)
Singh will also be part of campaigns for other sporting events coming up on the network including the World Test Championship Final, Premier League, Pro Kabaddi, Asia Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup.
Last week, the Bollywood actor became the most valued celebrity for endorsements in 2022, replacing Indian batter Virat Kohli.
Q10: Sarah Thomas passed away was a/an ___?
a) Actress
b) Singer
c) Poet
d) Novelist
Solution: option d.)
The content is about the passing of renowned writer Sarah Thomas, who died at the age of 88. She authored 17 novels and over 100 short stories and received various recognitions, including the prestigious Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for her work Narmatipupadava.
One of her novels, Murippadul, was adapted into a film named Manimuzhakkam, which won the National Film Award. Sarah Thomas’s first novel was ‘River of Life,’ and she produced works such as God’s Sons and Servants that were highly acclaimed by the people of Wayanad.
Q11: Which country approved to build 135 MW solar power project in a joint venture with NTPC?
a) Bangladesh
b) Bhutan
c) Maldives
d) Sri Lanka
Solution: option d.)
Sri Lanka has given the clearance to build a 135 MegaWatt solar power plant in Sampur, Trincomalee as a joint venture between the state-run Ceylon Electricity Board and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation.
The 114.5 million US dollar plant is expected to be completed in two stages in 2024 and 2025.
The first stage will be a 42.5 million dollar 50MW solar farm. The second is a 72 million US dollar, 85MW farm.
A 23.6 million dollar, the 40-kilometre transmission line will be built from Sampoor to Kappalthure for stage one power export and a 76 kilometre, 42 million dollar 220kV line from Kappalthure to New Habarana for the second stage.
Sri Lanka PM: Dinesh Gunawaarddena
Sri Lanka Currency: Rupees
Sri Lanka President: Ranil Wickramsinghe
Q12: 2nd tourism Working group meeting of G20 will begin in which place?
a) Mussorie
b) Siliguri
c) Shimla
d) Nainital
Solution: option b.)
Siliguri, popularly known as the gateway to the northeast, sits in the foothills of the Himalayas, surrounded by tea gardens and forests. The city is also famous for its hospitality. It is expecting a tourism boost from the Second G20 Tourism Working Group from April 1 to 3.
The three-day second Tourism Working Group Global (TWG) meeting, under India’s G20 presidency, is scheduled to begin in Siliguri and Darjeeling from April 1 to 3.
West Bengal CM: Mamta Banerjee
West Bengal Governor: CV Ananda
West Bengal Capital: Kolkata
Q13: Where was the opening match of IPL 2023 played?
a) Eden Garden Stadium
b) Arun Jaitley Stadium
c) Chinnaswamy Stadium
d) Narendra Modi Stadium
Solution: option d.)
Shubman Gill scored a half-century (63) as Gujarat Titans (GT) registered a five-wicket win against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at Narendra Modi Stadium here on Friday.
Shubman Gill struck 63 off 36 while Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan hammered crucial boundaries off the final over as Gujarat Titans started the defence of their title on a winning note here.
Q14: Which country signed an agreement to join a trade pact with 11 Asia and Pacific nations?
a) UK
b) Australia
c) USA
d) Russia
Solution: option a.)
Britain signed a deal to join a trade deal with 11 Asia and Pacific countries on 31 March 2023, three years after officially leaving the European Union.
An overview of the news
• According to the government’s estimates, joining the bloc would increase the size of the UK economy by only 0.08 per cent.
• The trade area covers a market of around 500 million people.
• The UK said it is the country’s biggest post-Brexit trade deal and is the first European country to join the CPTPP since it came into force in 2018.
• The agreement is expected to be formally signed by the end of this year following approval by Parliament and 11 member states.
• The deal would cut tariffs on exports of food, drink and cars, and provide access to a market of some 500 million people.
• The UK will be worth 15% of global GDP once it joins the trade bloc.
Q15: Which Bollywood star gets Odisha’s Rugby Stadium named after him?
a) Akshay Kumar
b) Vidyut Jamwal
c) Rahul Bose
d) Dinu Moriya
Solution: option c.)
• Veteran Bollywood actor Rahul Bose inaugurated a rugby stadium in Odisha, named after him.
• It must be noted that Rahul Bose currently serves as the President of the Indian Rugby Football Union (Rugby India).
• Rugby India is the governing body for the sport of rugby union in India. Its headquarter is situated in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Rahul had been a rugby player and represented India in 17 international rugby matches.