Q1: What is the rank of India in terms of investments received by startups offering artificial intelligence (AI)-based products and services last year?
a) 7th
b) 5th
c) 6th
d) 4th
Solution: option b.)
India ranked fifth in terms of investments received by startups offering artificial intelligence (AI) – based products and services last year, according to Stanford University’s annual AI Index report.
AI startups in India received a total investment of $3.24 billion, surpassing countries such as South Korea, Germany, Canada, and Australia.
Q2: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recently discovered a new species of frog, Amolops siju, in the South Garo Hills of which state?
a) Nagaland
b) Meghalaya
c) Manipur
d) Mizoram
Solution: option b.)
Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of frog from deep inside a cave in Meghalaya’s South Garo Hills district which was recently published in an international journal.
This discovery is the second time that a frog was discovered from inside a cave in the country, the first being the discovery of the Micrixalus spelunk in 2014 from a cave in Tamil Nadu.
Meghalaya Capital: Shillong
Meghalaya CM: Conrad Sangma
Q3: Which country has invited the Election Commission of India to see the referendum regarding the constitution-making?
a) Tajikistan
b) Kyrgyzstan
c) Kazakhstan
d) Uzbekistan
Solution: option d.)
Uzbekistan has invited India’s Election Commission to witness a “historic” referendum it is holding on April 30 on a series of amendments to the country’s Constitution.
Uzbekistan’s ambassador to India Dilshod Akhatov said the constitutions of 190 countries including that of India were studied to bring holistic and comprehensive changes to the Constitution of the country.
Uzbekistan Capital: Tashkent
Uzbekistan Currency: Uzbekistani sum
Uzbekistan President: Shavkat Miriziyo
Q4: Author Betel leaves, (locally known as vertical) of which state got the GI Tag?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Karnataka
c) Bihar
d) Uttrakhand
Solution: option a.)
Author betel leaves, or vertical as it is locally known has finally attained the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
The distinct pungency and spiciness of these leaves are attributed to the uniqueness of water in the Thamirabarani River, the main irrigation source for the fields here.
The three varieties of the leaf are nattukodi, karpoori, and pachaikodi.
• Nattukodi leaves are small in size, dark green in color, and have a spicy and strong taste. They are also used in traditional medicine.
• Pachaikodi leaves are larger in size than Nattukodi leaves and have a fresh and minty flavor.
• Karpoori leaves have medicinal properties, light green color, and a camphor-like unique flavor.
Tamil Nadu CM: M.K Stalin
Tamil Nadu Governor: R.N Ravi
Q5: Which country ranked as the world’s least free country by the Freedom House Index?
a) China
b) Tibet
c) Somalia
d) Nigeria
Solution: option b.)
Global watchdog Freedom House has released its ‘Freedom in the World Index’ for 2023, ranking Tibet as the “world’s least free country” along with South Sudan and Syria.
This is the third annual report after the 2021 and 2022 Freedom House reports.
According to the report, both Chinese and Tibetans living in Tibet lack basic rights.
A number of issues relating to the human rights of the Tibetan people require serious and urgent attention from the international community. People living in Tibet are not even getting basic human rights.
The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights raised the issue of serious human rights violations in Tibet in its third Periodic Review Report.
Q6: How many total medals India has won in the Women’s Asian Wrestling Championship?
a) 10
b) 9
c) 8
d) 7
Solution: option d.)
Indian women wrestlers have bagged seven medals – two silver and five bronze – in Asian Wrestling Championships at Astana in Kazakhstan and finished 3rd in the Women’s Teams Ranking.
In the last edition, India won 5 medals and settled for the 4th spot. Antim Panghal won silver in the 53-kg category.
Nisha Dahiya also claimed silver in the 68-kg category. Anshu Malik, Sonam Malik, Manisha, and Reetika bagged bronze medals.
Q7: Where is the W-20 International meeting held?
a) New Delhi
b) Guwahati
c) Jaipur
d) Varanasi
Solution: option c.)
The second Women 20 (W20) international meeting was held on 13 April in Jaipur, Rajasthan and the meeting was attended by 120 women leaders from 18 G20 countries.
An Overview of the News
The purpose of this meeting is to address the issues of gender inequality and promote the economic empowerment of women globally.
The Women-20 is an official G20 engagement group, and the meeting focuses on the theme of “Women-led development: Leveraging the untapped potential of women to accelerate an inclusive and sustainable future”.
W20 was established in 2015 under the Turkish Presidency with the primary objective of women’s empowerment, advocacy of women’s rights and creating a common platform for them to voice their opinion.
The agenda of the two-day meeting focuses on five key priorities: women entrepreneurship, grassroots women leadership, bridging the gender digital divide, education and skill development and climate change.
About the G20
It is an international forum of the world’s leading economies established in 1999.
Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.
The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.
About Rajasthan
It is a state located in northwestern India and it is the largest state in India by area.
Chief Minister – Ashok Gehlot
Capital – Jaipur (Executive Branch)
Governor – Kalraj Mishra
Q8: In which country has Foreign Minister S Jaishanker launched the ‘ Tulsi Ghat Restoration Project’?
a) Uganda
b) Egypt
c) Namibia
d) Somalia
Solution: option a.)
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on April 13 launched the ‘Tulsi Ghat Restoration Project’ of Varanasi, during his visit to Uganda’s Kampala.
Taking to Twitter, Mr Jaishankar, who is on a three-day visit to Uganda, appreciated the initiatives of Overseas Friends of BJP-Uganda’s initiative to contribute to further beautifying the oldest living city in the world.
“Living in a land of the Nile, their commitment to a ghat on the Ganga reflects the confluence of our two cultures. The conservation of Varanasi’s heritage underlines the cultural revival of India. This has profound global implications,” he said.
Q9: Who is the author of the book “Courting India: England, Mughal India and the Origin of Empire”?
a) Nandita Das
b) Shashi Tharoor
c) Nandini Das
d) Ruskin Bond
Solution: option c.)
The book titled “Courting India: England, Mughal India and the Origin of Empire” is authored by Nandini Das, Professor of English Literature at the University of Liverpool.
The book explores the cultural and literary exchange between England and Mughal India in the early modern period.
The book focuses on Thomas Roe’s four-year mission as the English ambassador to the court of the Mughal emperor Jahangir in India in 1615.
Q10: Uttara Baokar passed away was a/an ____?
a) Poet
b) Politician
c) Writer
d) Actress
Solution: option d.)
• Veteran film and television actress Uttara Baokar passed away at 79 in Pune, Maharashtra.
• In 1984, she won India’s National Academy for Acting, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
• She has played various roles in different plays such as Padmavati in Mukyhamantri and Mena in Mena Gurjari.
Q11: How many folk dancers and drummers in Guwahati enter Guinness World Records for performing Bihu?
11000
13000
10000
12000
Solution: option a.)
After nearly a month of hard work, the most beloved cultural event of Assam, that is Bihu has been performed in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries at Sarusajai stadium in Guwahati on Friday. The Prime Minister said, “Rongali Bihu is a festival of heart and soul for the people of Assam”. He added that the festival “Removes differences and is a symbol of perfect harmony between humans and nature.
Yesterday 11304 Bihua and Bihuwati performed Bihu Dance at the same venue and entered into the Guinness World Records in the category of the largest Bihu dance in a single venue. Also, 2,548 doulas or drummers created history by entering into the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest number of drummers performed at a single venue.
Q12: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal was visiting which country on 14 April 2023 for new MoU agreements?
a) Portugal
b) Italy
c) Germany
d) USA
Solution: option b.)
An Overview of the News:
Shri Goyal met Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Government of Italy to review all aspects of bilateral trade and economic relations.
Both the Ministers exchanged views on leveraging the India-Italy trade and economic partnership for development in various sectors.
After the state visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to India on 2 March 2023, efforts were made to elevate the bilateral relationship to the level of a strategic partnership.
Suggestion for the formation of a Joint Working Group:
Tajani suggested setting up a joint working group in strategic areas such as space, technology, defense, agriculture, etc. to keep abreast of important developments in these areas.
Bilateral trade with Italy:
Bilateral trade between India and Italy to be around US$ 16 billion in 2022.
Shri Goyal briefed about the progress made in India-EU FTA negotiations. Both the Ministers underlined the importance of a free, balanced, and fair Free Trade Agreement and hoped that it would be concluded soon.
Q13: Which country has recently launched an initiative to license crypto firms?
a) Colombia
b) Singapore
c) Panama
d) El Salvador
Solution: option d.)
Central American country El Salvador has started an initiative to license crypto firms.
* Cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex has become the first cryptocurrency company to receive an official license in El Salvador.
* This license will allow Bitfinex to provide crypto-related services in the country as per the legal provisions of the country.
* El Salvador became the first country in the world to accept Bitcoin as a payment option in 2021.
El Salvador Capital: San Salvador
El Salvador Currency: Colon,Bitcoin,Peso
El Salvador President: Nayib bukele
Q14: According to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), which state CM is the wealthiest among all?
a) Andhra Pradesh
b) Assam
c) Arunachal Pradesh
d) Telangana
Solution: option a.)
• Andhra Pradesh’s CM Jagan Mohan Reddy has the highest assets totaling Rs 510 crore, followed by Arunanchal Pradesh’s Pema Khandu (over Rs 163 crore) and Odisha’s Naveen Patnaik (over Rs 63 crore).
• While West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee has the lowest total assets of about Rs 15 lakh.
• Out of the 30 CMs analyzed, 29 are crorepatis with the average assets being Rs 33.96 crore for every CM.
Q15: The Kibithoo village, which is termed as India’s first village by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is in which state?
a) Tripura
b) Arunachal Pradesh
c) Assam
d) Meghalaya
Solution: option b.)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday urged people to visit Kibithoo — “India’s first village” — in Arunachal Pradesh to enjoy its natural beauty and take inspiration from its history.
Shah visited and stayed overnight in Kibithoo, which is India’s easternmost forward post, along the border with China, on April 10.
Posting a video showing the snow-clad mountains, waterfalls, river, and valleys in the village, Shah wrote on Twitter:
“Captured the beautiful landscapes during my visit to Kibithoo, India’s first village. Arunachal Pradesh is blessed with immense natural beauty. I urge all to visit Arunachal Pradesh, especially Kibithoo, to be inspired by its history and stunned by nature’s marvels”.
Arunachal Pradesh Governor: Lt. Gen. Parnaik
Arunachal Pradesh Capital: Itanagar
Arunachal Pradesh CM: Pema Khandu
Q16: Which company has recently been given the Miniratna Category-I status?
a) RailTel Corporation
b) Solar Energy Corporation of India
c) IRCTC
d) Rail Vikas Nigam Limited
Solution: option a.)
RailTel received the Governance Now PSU award in the category of ‘Use of emerging technologies-Cloud’ in the 9th PSU awards and conference.
RailTel’s RailCloud is a MeitY impanelled reliable cloud service.
RailTel received the Governance Now PSU award in the category of ‘Use of emerging technologies-Cloud’ in the 9th PSU awards and conference. RailTel’s RailCloud is a MeitY impanelled reliable cloud service.
Q17: Which Bank signs with the Export-Import Bank of Korea for $300 million?
a) SBI
b) Axis
c) ICICI
d) HDFC
Solution: option d.)
â–ª HDFC Bank has signed a “Master Inter Bank Credit Agreement” with the Export-Import Bank of Korea for a USD 300 million line of credit.
â–ª The pact was signed by the two entities at GIFT City in Gujarat’s capital Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
â–ª It will help the bank to raise foreign currency funds which it would extend to Korea-related businesses.
â–ª It can be utilized towards funding requirements of consumers for the purchase of cars manufactured by Korean companies.