Q1: Which Bank makes the Positive Pay system Mandatory for cheques payment worth Rs 5 Lakh and above March in 2023?
a) PNB
b) ICICI
c) SBI
d) HDFC
Show solution
Solution: option a.)
In a move to safeguard customers from fraudulent payment of cheques, state-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) has made the Positive Pay System (PPS) compulsory for cheque payments worth Rs 5 lakh and above. This will come into effect from April 5, 2023, PNB said in a statement.
Earlier, the mandatory submission of cheque details in PPS was set at Rs 10 lakh and above.
The PPS is a system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which requires customers to reconfirm essential details (account number, cheque number, cheque alpha code, issue date, amount, and beneficiary name) when issuing cheques of a certain amount, it said.
It said this adds an extra layer of security against any potential risk while processing such cheques.
Q2: Which Indian actress has been invited to present the award in the Oscar ceremony in 2023?
a) Kiara Advani
b) Kriti Senon
c) Deepika Padukone
d) Sara Ali Khan
Show solution
Solution: option c.)
his time the Oscars awards gets a little more exciting as a pretty Indian actress and ‘ProjectK’ heroine Deepika Padukone will act as one of the presenters at the 95th Oscar Awards Ceremony. By now the Academy’s official social media handle has announced it tweeting, “Meet your first slate of presenters for the 95th Oscars. Tune into ABC to watch the Oscars LIVE on Sunday, March 12th at 8e/5p! #Oscars95”
The news will be a little more exciting for Tollywood film fans as for the first time a Telugu film song gets nominated under the ‘Best Original Song’ category list at the Oscars awards 2023.
Q3: Exercise Dustlink (DUSTLIK) 2023 is being organized between India and which country?
a) Uzbekistan
b) Singapore
c) Kyrgyzstan
d) Oman
Show solution
Solution: option a.)
The Indian Army and the soldiers of Uzbekistan are participating in an ongoing joint military exercise scheduled at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. The exercise aims to strengthen the bond between the two nations in all aspects, including military and bilateral relations. Defence cooperation between both countries has acquired a new level of intensity after the then Defence Minister of Uzbekistan Major General Abdusalam Azizov visited India in September 2018, and after the visit of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Uzbekistan, later in November 2019.
About exercise: Dustlik 2023
The fourth edition of the joint military exercise ‘Dustlik’ between the armies of India and Uzbekistan kicked off on Monday, February 20, in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
As part of a military-to-military exchange programme between both countries, the biennial training exercise will culminate on March 5 with a validation exercise.
Q4: RBI imposes _____ monetary policy on Amazon India.
a) Rs 1 Crores
b) Rs 2 Crores
c) Rs 3 Crores
d) Rs 4 Crores
Show solution
Solution: option c.)
On Friday, the Reserve Bank of India said that it imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 3.06 crore on Amazon Pay (India) Private Limited for non-compliance with certain provisions.
In a statement on Friday, the RBI said: “The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 3, 06,66,000 on Amazon Pay (India) Private Limited for non-compliance with certain provisions of the Master Directions on Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) and the Master Direction – Know Your Customer (KYC) Direction, 2016 dated February 25, 2016.”
The penalty was imposed in the exercise of powers vested in RBI under Section 30 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
This action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement entered into by the entity with its customers.
Q5: Which Nobel Peace Prize winner has been sentenced to 10 years in Belarus?
a) Nadia Murad
b) Abi Ahmed
c) Ales Baliatski
d) Maria Rasa
Show solution
Solution: option c.)
Ales Bialiatski, Belarus’s top human rights advocate and one of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize winners, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Minsk on Friday.
Bialiatski and three other top figures of the Viasna human rights centre he founded were convicted of financing anti-government protests. They were arrested and jailed after massive protests over a 2020 election that gave authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko a new term in office.
Lukashenko — in office since 1994 — has suppressed opposition and cracked down on independent news media. The 2020 protests persisted for several months, the largest wave of protest to hit Belarus, and authorities took harsh action.
More than 35,000 people were arrested, and thousands were beaten by police.
Q6: The Supreme Court has constituted a committee under whose chairmanship to investigate the Adani group case.
a) Nandan Nilekani
b) D.Y Chandrachud
c) Y.Y.Chandrachud
d) A.M. Sapre
Show solution
Solution: option d.)
The Adani-Hindenburg row has been a topic of controversy and debate in India recently, with many calling for action against the Adani Group. In response to these concerns, the Supreme Court of India has constituted a six-member committee to investigate the matter.
The Adani Group has been accused of various wrongdoings, including fraud and corruption. The allegations were brought to light by a report released by Hindenburg Research, which claimed that the Adani Group had inflated prices, misrepresented facts, and engaged in other unethical practices.
The report caused a stir in India, with many calling for action against the Adani Group. The matter was taken up by the Supreme Court, which decided to form a committee to investigate the allegations. The committee is comprised of experts from various fields, including finance, law, and management.
The committee will investigate the allegations made against the Adani Group and submit its findings to the Supreme Court. The court will then decide on any further action that needs to be taken.
Q7: For the 1st time, at which place has the Women’s Premier League started?
a) Chennai
b) Kolkata
c) Navi Mumbai
d) Mumbai
Show solution
Solution: option c.)
The most awaited opening ceremony of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) will be held today 4 March 2023 at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.
In the inaugural edition of WPL 2023, five cricket teams including the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Mumbai Indians (MI), UP Warriors, Delhi Capitals, and Gujarat Giants are in the fray to be the champions of the WPL Trophy 2023.
The first-ever women’s cricket league in India ‘WPL’ will be introduced with a grand opening ceremony in which the country’s renowned performers and actors will participate to make the event exciting and memorable.
Let us read about the date, time, ticket booking, full schedule, performers, guests, and live-streaming details of the WPL 2023 Opening Ceremony.
Q8: Yuva UTSAV – India 2047 has been launched in which institute?
a) IIT Ropar
b) IIT Madras
c) IIT Mumbai
d) IIT Delhi
Show solution
Solution: option a.)
Union minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday described the youth as the “builders of tomorrow” and urged them to commit themselves to the growth of the country by picking one social cause and working to find solutions for the issues associated with it.
Addressing a gathering after launching the Yuva Utsav-India@2047 event, he said India is the world’s biggest yuva shakti (youth power) and it must strive to achieve its immense potential.
“You should not live your life just for yourself, for your career and your family. Let us commit ourselves to the growth of this country, for the making of this country,” he said, asking them to be the changemakers.
“You are not only the present but you are the builders of tomorrow,” he said.
The minister of youth affairs and sports also urged students to pick one social cause each and work to find solutions to it. He spoke about the sacrifices of freedom fighters and urged the youth to make them proud.
Q9: On which day the World Hearing Day celebrated?
a) 2 March
b) 3 March
c) 4 March
d) 6 March
Show solution
Solution: option b.)
What is World Hearing Day?
Each year, on March 3rd, the World Health Organization (WHO) raises awareness about hearing loss and its impact on people’s lives. World Hearing Day is an opportunity to promote action to prevent avoidable deafness and hearing loss and to provide access to rehabilitation services for those with hearing loss.
According to the WHO, more than 360 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, including 32 million children. Of these, only one in five people who could benefit from a hearing aid uses one.
Hearing loss can have a profound effect on a person’s ability to communicate, learn, and earn a living. It can also lead to social isolation and depression. In older adults, it can exacerbate cognitive decline and increase the risk of falls and accidents.
There are many causes of hearing loss, including genetic factors, exposure to loud noise, certain infections and illnesses, and ageing. But in many cases, hearing loss is preventable.
The WHO recommends that all countries implement a strategy for the prevention of avoidable deafness and hearing loss by 2025. This includes measures to:
– Reduce exposure to loud noise
–Improve childhood immunization rates
–Prevent ear infections
– Promote early detection and intervention for age-related hearing loss
– Improve access to affordable hearing care.
Q10: Who won the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix?
a) Jim Clark
b) Mario Andretti
c) Max Verstappen
d) Lewis Hamilton
Show solution
Solution: option c.)
World champion Max Verstappen claimed his maiden season-opening victory and first at the Sakhir circuit on Sunday when he led Sergio Perez home in a dominant Red Bull one-two at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The defending double world champion led from start to finish, bar the pit stops, to establish himself as a strong favourite for a third consecutive drivers’ crown this year.
It was his first win in the Gulf state on the 10th attempt.
Behind the two Red Bulls, two-time champion Fernando Alonso continued to make light of his 41 years by storming his way to a rousing third place for Aston Martin in his first appearance with the team since succeeding the retired four-time champion Sebastian Vettel.
It was his record-increasing 356th race in Formula One in a career that started 22 years earlier, to the weekend, in Melbourne at the 2001 Australian Grand Prix.
Q11: World’s 1st 200 meters long Bamboo Crash Barrier “Bahu- Balli” was installed in which state?
a) Gujrat
b) Maharashtra
c) Tamil Nadu
d) Telangana
Show solution
Solution: option b.)
Union minister Nitin Gadkari for Road Transport & Highways on Saturday said a 200-meter-long bamboo crash barrier has been installed on a highway connecting Chandrapur and Yavatmal districts in Maharashtra. Gadkari added that it was the first of its kind anywhere around the world.
Calling it a “remarkable achievement” for the country and its bamboo sector, the minister said this crash barrier offers a perfect alternative to steel and addresses environmental concerns. “An extraordinary accomplishment towards achieving #AatmanirbharBharat has been made with the development of the world’s first 200-meter-long Bamboo Crash Barrier, which has been installed on the Vani-Warora Highway.
Q12: Who has been appointed as the new MD of Pramerica Life Insurance?
a) Anuj Gupta
b) Dhiraj Gupta
c) Neeraj Gupta
d) Pankaj Gupta
Show solution
Solution: option d.)
Pankaj Gupta has been appointed as the MD & CEO of Pramerica Life Insurance. Gupta will succeed Kalpana Sampat.
He will be responsible for driving strategic growth-led transformation to bring Pramerica Life among the leading life Insurance companies in India.
Gupta joins Pramerica Life Insurance from HDFC Life, where he was the Group Head – Distribution Strategy & Alliances and was part of HDFC Life’s top Leadership team.
Q13: AM Ahmedi Passed away was a/an ___?
a) Chief Justice of India
b) Poet
c) Actor
d) Politician
Show solution
Solution: option a.)
Former Chief Justice of India A.M. Ahmadi passed away in Delhi on Thursday, following an age-related illness.
As per sources, he died at a private hospital in the national capital.
Born in Surat, Justice Ahmadi entered the legal profession in 1954 with his enrolment in Bombay.
Ahmadi was the chief justice from 1994 to 1997. He was the only Chief Justice of India who started at the very lowest rank to rise to the highest position of the Indian judiciary and became the third Muslim ever to serve as chief justice of India.
He received the degree of Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) from six of the most reputable Indian universities and also was one of the authors of numerous path-breaking judgements.
During his time at the Supreme Court, Justice Ahmadi authored 232 judgments and was a part of 811 benches.
Q14: 1st Labour 20 (L20) will be held at which place?
a) Mumbai
b) Amritsar
c) Patna
d) Surat
Show solution
Solution: option b.)
The 1st Labour 20 (L20) meeting is scheduled to be held in Amritsar, Punjab, from 19 th to 20th March 2023.
L20 is one of the engagement groups under G20. It comprises leaders and representatives of trade union centres G20 countries who provide analyses and policy recommendations aimed at addressing lab labour-related uses. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) is the lead national trade union centre for organising the L20 inception meeting under In the dia G20 presidency. Apart from the meeting, the participants of the L20 meeting would be taken to various excursion sites to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Amritsar.
Q15: Which state Government signs Rs 5,000 crore MoU with Tata Technologies to upgrade ITIsTI’s?
a) Uttar Pradesh
b) Uttrakhand
c) New Delhi
d) Maharashtra
Show solution
Solution: option a.)
▪ UP government has signed a Memorandum of Association (MoA) of over Rs 5,000 crore with Tata Technologies to upgrade 150 ITIs in the state.
▪ To help the youth upgrade their skills and make them fit for the modern-day industry.
▪ This MoA will also help in the skill development of the youth of the state and hetaheta kinging ward the programs of Tata Technologies.
▪ The trained youth will be able to get jobs in prestigious institutions of Tata and abroad.
Q16: ____ launches LLaMA model, a mightier research tool than OpenAI’s GPT-3?
a) Alphabet
b) Meta
c) Google
d) Space X
Show solution
Solution: option b.)
▪ After OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google BARD, now Meta Platforms, Inc. has introduced a new research tool that will soon aid in building AI-based chatbots.
▪ The company has publicly released its Large Language Model Meta AI (LLaMA). ▪ LLaMA is a state-of-the-art foundational language model.
▪ It is developed to assist researchers in their work in the subfield of AI.
▪ This would be Meta’s third LLM after Glactica and Blender Bot 3 that were shut down immediately after incorrect results.
Q17: _____ team becomes the second team after West Indies wins the Test match by one run.
a) England
b) Australia
c) Pakistan
d) New Zealand
Show solution
Solution: option d.)
▪ The Tim Southee -led New Zealand team has established work by defeating England by 1 run in the second Test.
▪ New Zealand has become the second team in the world to win the match by the lowest run in Test cricket.
▪ Earlier in 1993, West Indies set this record by winning 1 run against Australia in Adelaide. ▪ England had declared their first innings for 435 runs after which the New Zealand team was dismissed for 209 runs. ▪ Ben Stokes decided to follow the hosts with a lead of 266 runs.