Q1: FIFA has approved a ____ team World Cup that will be played every 4 years from June 2026.
a) 64
b) 35
c) 32
d) 48
Show solution
Solution: option d.)
The 2026 World Cup will have 104 matches instead of the traditional 64 games due to the expanded format with 48 teams taking part, global soccer governing body FIFA said on Tuesday ahead of its Congress in Kigali, Rwanda.
The 2026 edition, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the first edition of the quadrennial tournament where 48 teams are taking part. The final will be held on July 19.
The original plan for the 2026 edition had a total of 80 matches but the decision to increase the number of games to 104 was approved by FIFA’s council at a meeting on Tuesday.
Q2: On which date, we celebrated ‘Ordinance Factories Day’ every year?
a) 17 March
b) 19 March
c) 20 March
d) 18 March
Show solution
Solution: option d.)
Every year on March 18, Ordnance Factory Day commemorates the founding of the first Ordnance Factory in colonial India near Kolkata, in 1801. The Indian Ordnance Factories, Ministry of Defence, observe the day to highlight the country’s ordnance factories’ research, development and production capabilities for a range of guns and ammunition.
Ordnance Factory Day begins with raising the national flag and singing the National Anthem in recognition of the OFBs’ valiant service. Here are some of the ways in which this day is celebrated:
• Several events are planned for Ordnance Factories Day by the government.
• Followed by the flag hoisting a presentation of firearms, ammunition, rifles, artillery, and other military equipment in displays around India takes place.
• The show is open to the public and is free. A procession takes place alongside the display of weaponry and ammunition.
• Every government in today’s world demands a consistent supply of weaponry and ammunition for its armed forces.
• The OFB was in charge of manufacturing a wide range of military equipment, including small guns, explosives and propellants, and ammunition.
Q3: Ashwini Kumar will be the new MD of which Bank?
a) UCO
b) PNB
c) ICICI
d) Axis
Show solution
Solution: option a.)
FSIB, the headhunter for directors of state-owned banks and financial institutions, on Thursday recommended the name of Indian Bank executive director Ashwani Kumar for the post of managing director of UCO Bank.
Before joining Indian Bank, Kumar was serving as chief general manager of the Mumbai Zone of Punjab National Bank (PNB).
Keeping in view their performance in the interface, their overall experience and the extant parameters, the Bureau recommends Ashwani Kumar for the position of MD & CEO in UCO Bank vice Soma Sankara Prasad who is completing his tenure on May 31, 2023,”.
Q4: Who has been appointed as UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan?
a) Suman Kathpal
b) KR Parvathy
c) Sakshi Pahwa
d) Aanchal Sharma
Show solution
Solution: option b.)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Mrs Kavilmadam Ramaswami Parvathy of India as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan, with the host Government’s approval. She takes up her post on 15 March. Parvathy brings more than 30 years of experience in development and humanitarian sectors, focusing on strategic planning, performance, risk management, people management, conflict analysis and humanitarian access negotiations.
Before she was appointed United Nations Resident Coordinator, Parvathy served as Representative and Country Director for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Türkiye, addressing the food and nutrition needs of the most vulnerable people.
Q5: Which city receives the ‘Healthy city’ award for smoking laws?
a) Bengaluru
b) Kolkata
c) Hyderabad
d) Mumbai
Show solution
Solution: option a.)
For its efforts to reduce smoking in public and thereby significantly reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCD), Bengaluru was awarded ‘The Partnership for Healthy Cities Award’ which comes with a cash prize of $150,000. Founded in 2017, the Partnership for Healthy Cities is a global network of 70 cities working together to prevent NCDs.
BBMP Special Commissioner (Health) Dr Thrilok Chandra, who led the delegation to the Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit in London on March 15, received the award. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our BBMP health team, civil society organizations, and residents who have all worked together to create a healthier city.
Q6: Who awarded the President’s Color to INS Dronacharya?
a) Narendra Modi
b) Draupadi Murmu
c) Amit Shah
d) Anurag Thakur
Show solution
Solution: option b.)
• President Droupadi Murmu presented the President’s Colour to INS Dronacharya in Kochi on March 16.
• The award was presented in recognition of the exceptional service that the INS Dronacharya rendered to the nation, both in war and peace.
• The President’s Colour award is considered the highest honour that the President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the three services, bestows on a unit for its exceptional service to the nation.
• The Indian Navy was the first Indian Armed Forces to be awarded the President Colour by Dr Rajendra Prasad on May 27, 1951.
• Last year, President Ram Nath Kovind awarded the President’s Colour to INS Valsura.
Q7: Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Navy will conduct Naval Exercise in Jubail, what is the name of the Exercise?
a) Bold Kurukshetra
b) Agni Warrior
c) Al-Mohammad-Al -Hindi
d) Zayed Talwar
Show solution
Solution: option c.)
Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Forces on Thursday met in Mumbai and gave the final touches to the Indian-Saudi Arabia Naval Exercise planned for May 2023. It will be conducted in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail. This will be the second such exercise, the first one was in August 2021.
“A team of Royal Saudi Naval forces met with the Indian Side in Mumbai giving final touches for the preparations for the India-Saudi Arabia naval exercise, Al-Mohed-Al-Hindi-23 planned for May this year off Jubail in Saudi Arabia.
Q8: Which state’s entire Broad Gauge Network has been electrified by Indian Railway?
a) Uttrakhand
b) Goa
c) Assam
d) Sikkim
Show solution
Solution: option a.)
After the completion of Electrification in Uttar Pradesh recently, Indian Railways has achieved another milestone with the completion of electrification of all broad gauge routes in Uttarakhand.
This will result in saving on account of reduced line haul cost (about 2.5 times lower), heavier haulage capacity, increased sectional capacity, reduced operating and maintenance cost of the electric loco, energy-efficient and eco-friendly mode of transportation with reduced dependence on imported crude oil, saving of foreign exchange.
“Indian Railway is working in a mission mode to become the largest Green Railway in the world and is moving towards becoming a “net zero carbon emitter” before 2030.
Q9: Who has been appointed as India’s Ambassador of ‘She Changes Climate’?
a) Priyanka Chopra
b) Marry Kom
c) Dia Mirza
d) Shreya Ghodawat
Show solution
Solution: option d.)
The global non-profit organization launched a special initiative for International Women’s Day titled ‘Embrace Equity’ that aims to amplify the voices of women around the impacts of climate change. Shreya Ghodawat hosted an event at One8 Commune, Pune that witnessed impactful discussions and a special film screening on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
The main objective of the event was to inspire and encourage women to take up more space in climate change conversations and lead innovative climate action solutions.
Q10: Which Asset management company launched the Silver ETF Fund of Fund?
a) SBI Mutual Fund
b) Kotak Mutual Fund
c) Reliance Mutual Fund
d) ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund
Show solution
Solution: option b.)
Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company Ltd today announced the launch of Kotak Silver ETF Fund of Fund which is an open-ended fund of fund scheme that invests in units of the Kotak Silver ETF.
The New Fund Offer opens for public subscription on March 13, 2023, and closes on March 27, 2023.
Nilesh Shah, Managing Director, of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. Ltd said, “We are launching Kotak Silver ETF Fund Fund to make it easier for investors to diversify their portfolios with convenient access to this precious metal, which has various industrial applications. The current Silver prices present a potential opportunity for those interested in allocating funds to this asset in the medium to long term.
Q11: Which Airport has been named the World’s Best Airport in 2023 in the World Airport Awards?
a) Los Angeles
b) Singapore
c) Dubai
d) Tokyo
Show solution
Solution: option b.)
Changi Airport has been named the world’s best airport for the 12th time by London-based research firm Skytrax, regaining its crown after losing out in 2021 and 2022 amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The airport was also named best in Asia, best in the world for leisure amenities, and best in the world for airport dining at the 2023 World Airport Awards ceremony held at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, came in second overall, followed by Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan.
Meanwhile, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport bagged the world’s best airport hotel title for the eighth year in a row at Wednesday’s event.
The awards were given out based on a global survey conducted by Skytrax between August 2022 and February 2023.
Q12: With which bank did Aadhar Housing Finance Ltd make a co-lending partnership in March 2023?
a) Yes Bank
b) Axis Bank
c) ICICI Bank
d) HDFC Bank
Show solution
Solution: option a.)
YES, Bank has entered into a co-lending partnership with Aadhar Housing Finance to offer home loans at competitive interest rates.
Under the partnership, the entities will provide products such as Home Loan for Salaried Employees, Loan for Plot Purchase and Construction, Home Improvement Loan, Loan Against Residential Commercial Property, Balance Transfers and Top Up, among others, to customers from the lower and middle-income group
By the agreement, both parties will offer customers from lower and middle-income groups convenient home financing options, such as home loans for salaried employees, loans for plot purchase and construction, loans for home improvements, loans secured by residential and commercial property, balance transfers, and others.
The agreement complies with the Reserve Bank of India’s co-lending framework, which permits banks and non-banking organizations to cooperatively develop financial solutions.
Q13: PM Modi greets Sikh Community on commencement of Nanakshahi SAMANT ___?
a) 541
b) 560
c) 554
d) 555
Show solution
Solution: option d.)
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the Sikh community around the world on the commencement of Nanakshahi Sammat 555.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“As Nanakshahi Sammat 555 commences, greetings to the Sikh community around the world. May the coming year be filled with happiness, wonderful health and prosperity.”
As Nanakshahi Sammat 555 commences, greetings to the Sikh community around the world. May the coming year be filled with happiness, wonderful health and prosperity.
Q14: In which state will the 4th Asian Kho Kho Championship for Men and Women be held from the 20th to the 23rd of March 2023?
a) Assam
b) Goa
c) Sikkim
d) Karnataka
Show solution
Solution: option a.)
The fourth Asian Kho Kho Championship for men and women is scheduled to be held in Assam from March 20-23.
More than 800 players and officials from 12 countries will participate in the four-day event that will be held in Tamulpur in Bodoland Territorial Region, its chief Promode Boro, who is also the chairman of Assam Kho Kho Association, told reporters here on Sunday.
The event is being organised by the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) and hosted by the Assam Kho Kho Association (AKKA) with support from the BTR council and the state government.
Besides India, the other participating countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea and Sri Lanka.
Q15: Where did the biennial exercise ‘La Perouse’ begin?
a) Arctic Ocean
b) Pacific Ocean
c) Indian Ocean
d) Atlantic Ocean
Show solution
Solution: option c.)
The third edition of the multilateral exercise La Perouse is scheduled to be conducted in the Indian Ocean Region from 13 to 14 March 2023. This edition will witness the participation of personnel, ships and integral helicopters of the Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force, Royal Navy and the United States Navy.
The biennial exercise La Perouse is conducted by the French Navy and is aimed at enhancing maritime domain awareness and optimizing maritime coordination among the participating navies in the Indo-Pacific Region.
The two-day exercise provides an opportunity for like-minded navies to develop closer links in planning, coordination and information sharing for seamless maritime operations. The exercise will witness complex and advanced naval operations including surface warfare, anti-air warfare, air defence exercises, cross-deck landings and tactical manoeuvres.