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November 2023 > 3rd Week Top 60 > Flashcards

3rd Week Top 60 Flashcards

1
Q
  1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the visit of Dharmendra
    Pradhan, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to the
    United Arab Emirates (UAE) in November 2023?
    A) India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have expanded their educational cooperation by
    signing an MoU in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
    B) NSDC International has signed an agreement with We One, a subsidiary of DP World, to
    support the skill development and employment opportunities for the front-line workforce.
    C) National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and EFS Facilities Services Group have
    entered into an MoU to facilitate Skilled International Workforce Mobility (IWM) for Indian
    nationals, with a specific emphasis on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
    1) All A, B & C
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) Only A
A

Answer- 1) All A, B & C
Explanation:
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education(MoE) and Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) embarked on a significant 3-day visit to the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) from November 1-3, 2023.
• India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have expanded their educational cooperation by
signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
· The MoU aims to enhance collaboration in education, including student and faculty mobility,
exchanging educational information, and fostering academic partnerships between institutions in
both countries.
• NSDC International has signed an agreement with We One, a subsidiary of DP World, to
support the skill development and employment opportunities for the front-line workforce.
· DP World is a Dubai-based multinational logistics company providing smart end-to-end logistics
Solutions.
• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and EFS Facilities Services Group, a UAE-
based Facilities Management Firm, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
to facilitate Skilled International Workforce Mobility (IWM) for Indian nationals, with a specific
emphasis on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

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2
Q
  1. Who has recently (in Nov ‘23) received the first-ever “Lifetime Disturbing the Peace Award”?
    1) Vikram Seth
    2) Salman Rushdie
    3) Kiran Desai
    4) Aravind Adiga
    5) Rohinton Mistry
A

Answer- 2) Salman Rushdie

Explanation:
Indian-born British-American author Salman Rushdie received the first-ever “Lifetime Disturbing
the Peace Award” presented by the Vaclav Havel Center in Manhattan, New York, United States of
America (USA).
i. He has authored many novels and book of stories including Midnight’s Children which was awarded
the Booker Prize in 1981.
ii. In 2008, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to literature.

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3
Q
  1. As of November 2023, which bank is set to get 7.71% equity from Jaiprakash Associates
    Limited (JAL) and associated trusts as Payment Obligation?
    1) IndusInd Bank
    2) Axis Bank
    3) YES Bank
    4) HDFC Bank
    5) ICICI Bank
A

Answer- 5) ICICI Bank
Explanation:
Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) and associated trusts are set to transfer 7.71% equity or over
18.93 crore shares to ICICI Bank as part of a settlement agreement between the JAL and the bank,
amid loan repayment default.
i. The move is part of JAL’s efforts to reduce its debt with the bank. The 7.71% stake is worth Rs 366
crore at the current market price.
ii. The trust associated with JAL includes: Gujarat Anjan Cement Limited(GACL) Trust, Jaiprakash
Enterprises Limited(JEL) Trust, Jaypee Cement Limited(JCL) Trust, and Jaypee Hotels Limited (JHL)
Trust.
• JAL failed to repay a loan worth Rs 4,258 crore, comprising a principal sum of Rs 1,733 crore
and an interest of Rs 2,525 crore.
• These loans, involving fund-based working capital, non-fund-based working capital, term
loans, and FCCB (Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds), were owed to various banks.

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4
Q
  1. Which Institute of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently (in Nov ‘23)
    launched “DISHA” – DIagnostic Services in Healthcare : Availability & Geo-mapping of
    Laboratory services in India portal to assist the public to identify and locate nearest diagnostic
    health facilities?
    1) National Institute of Pathology
    2) National Institute of Medical Statistics
    3) National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research
    4) Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences
    5) National Institute of Immunohaematology
A

Answer- 1) National Institute of Pathology
Explanation:
The Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) National Institute of Pathology (NIP) in New Delhi,
Delhi launched “DISHA” – DIagnostic Services in Healthcare : Availability & Geo-mapping of
Laboratory services in India portal (www.icmrdisha.in) to assist the public to identify and locate
nearest diagnostic health facilities.
• The free and dynamic DISHA portal lists the diagnostic public healthcare facilities across India.
• ICMR-NIP is gathering data on diagnostic public healthcare facilities and creating a user-
friendly online map to access suitable laboratory facilities.
i. The portal also identifies areas with an imbalance between population densities and diagnostic
facilities.
ii. The data from the portal can help public health experts and government policymakers to empower
existing labs, and create new facilities where necessary.

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5
Q
  1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the 37th edition of the National
    Games held in Goa from 26th October to 9th November 2023?
    A) Maharashtra won the Raja Bhalindra Singh Trophy for the overall championship in the
    National Games 2023 & it is also the first time Maharashtra has topped the medal tally (228
    medal) since 1994.
    B Jyothi Yarraji (Andhra Pradesh) won the gold medal in the women’s 100m hurdles with the
    national games record timing of 13.22 seconds.
    C) The 14-year-old swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu of Karnataka won seven gold medals including
    her win in the 100 m freestyle event with a new national games record of 57.87 Seconds.
    1) Only A
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) All A, B & C
A

Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
Maharashtra Finished top in the medal tally with 228
medals (80 gold, 69 silver, and 79 bronze) in the 37th
edition of the National Games held in Goa from
October 26th to November 9th, 2023.
• Maharashtra won the Raja Bhalindra Singh
Trophy for the overall championship in the
National Games 2023, and it is also the first
time Maharashtra has topped the medal tally
since 1994.
• Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) finished in second place with 126 medals (66 gold, 27
silver, and 33 bronze) while Haryana finished in third place with 192 medals (62 gold, 55
silver, and 75 bronze).
• Beach football, roll ball, golf, sepaktakraw, sqay martial arts, kalliyarapattu, pencak silat,
Yachtin gand taekwondo were added to the Goa National games.
• Best Male Athlete: Srihari Nataraj(Karnataka) won ten medals(8 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze)
in the swimming event.
• Best Female Athlete: It was jointly awarded to gymnasts Sanyukta Prasen Kale(Maharashtra)
and Pranati Nayak(Odisha). Both of them won Five medals each(four golds and one silver).
• Jyothi Yarraji(Andhra Pradesh), a silver medallist at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, won the gold medal in the women’s 100m hurdles with the national games record timing of 13.22 seconds.

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6
Q
  1. The Children’s Day/Bal Divas 2023 was observed across India on 14th November 2023 to
    mark the ________ birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
    1) 120th
    2) 134th
    3) 129th
    4) 130th
    5) 128th
A

Answer- 2) 134th
Explanation:
Children’s Day also known as Bal Divas is annually observed across India on November 14 to honour
the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s 1st Prime Minister, who was known
for his love and affection for children.
• The day aims to emphasise the significance of nurturing and celebrating the vibrant spirit of
the younger generation.
• 14th November 2023 marks the 134th birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
i. In 1955, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, was awarded the Bharat Ratna by
then-President Rajendra Prasad.
ii. As a tribute to the memory of the late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his lifelong dedication
to the cause of world peace and international understanding, the Government of India instituted the
Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in 1965.

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7
Q
  1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the visit of Prime Minister(PM)
    Narendra Modi to Jharkhand in November 2023?
    A) During PM Narendra Modi visit to Jharkhand, he addressed the event, organised to mark the
    celebration of 5th Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas 2023 on 13th November 2023 to commemorate the
    birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.
    B) PM Modi laid the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 7,200 crores in
    various sectors like rail, road, education, coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
    C) PM Narendra Modi unveiled a decommissioned Mikoyan Gurevich (MiG-211) fighter jet at
    the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi.
    1) Only A
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) All A, B & C
A

Answer- 3) Only B & C
Explanation:
Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi paid a 2-day visit to Jharkhand from 15th to 16th November
2023. During his visit, PM Modi participated in the event organised to mark Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas,
2023 in Khunti, Jharkhand.
• He also greeted the people of Jharkhand on the foundation day of Jharkhand (15th November).
• PM Modi addressed the event organised to mark the celebration of 3rd Janjatiya Gaurav
Diwas/ Tribal Pride Day 2023 on 15th November 2023 in Khunti, Jharkhand to
commemorate the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, an iconic freedom fighter.
• PM Modi laid the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 7,200 crores in various
sectors like rail, road, education, coal, petroleum, and natural gas. These projects aim to
enhance infrastructure and services in Jharkhand.
• During this visit, PM Modi launched two significant initiatives, namely the ‘Viksit Bharat
Sankalp Yatra‘ and the ‘PM Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)’ from Jharkhand.
• PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Pradhan Mantri Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PM
PVTG) Mission, allocating Rs 24,000 crore for the comprehensive development of
approximately 28 lakh individuals belonging to 75 PVTGs across India.
• During the 3rd Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, PM Modi digitally released the 15th instalment of the
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme at Birsa College in Khunti,
Jharkhand.
• PM Narendra Modi unveiled a decommissioned Mikoyan Gurevich (MiG-211) fighter jet at the
Raj Bhavan in Ranchi. The event was attended by Jharkhand Governor CP Radhakrishnan and
Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

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8
Q
  1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the 1st Australia India
    Education and Skill Council (AIESC) meeting held in November 2023?
    A) Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education and Skill Development and
    Entrepreneurship co-chaired the 1st Australia India Education and Skill Council (AIESC)
    meeting with Australian Ministers- Jason Clare, Education Minister and Brendan O’Connor,
    Skills & Training Minister.
    B) During the 1st AIESC meeting, 5 MoUs were exchanged between Indian and Australian
    Higher education institutions (HEIs) to facilitate greater research collaborations.
    C) Both country Ministers announced the opening of two Australian Universities campuses of
    Wollongong and Deakin University in GIFT City, Gandhinagar (Gujarat).
    1) Only A
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) All A, B & C
A

Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Ministry of Education(MoE) and Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship(MSDE) co-chaired the 1st Australia India Education and Skill Council (AIESC) meeting with Australian Ministers- Jason Clare, Education Minister and Brendan O’Connor, Skills &
Training Minister.
• The meeting was held at the Indian Institutes of Technology(IIT) Gandhinagar in Gujarat on 6th
November 2023.
• During the 1st AIESC meeting, 5 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged
between Indian and Australian Higher education institutions (HEIs) to facilitate greater
research collaborations in areas like Agriculture, Water Management, Critical Minerals,
Healthcare, AI, Renewable Energy and Climate Change.
• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Australian Education Minister Jason Clare
and both countries agreed to increase research collaborations in priority areas including mines
and minerals and critical minerals.
• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Australian Education Minister Jason Clare
announced the opening of two Australian Universities campuses of Wollongong and Deakin
University in GIFT City(Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), Gandhinagar (Gujarat).

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9
Q
  1. In November 2023, Innovations for Defence Excellence(iDEX), Government of India and the
    United States Department of Defence (USDoD), Government of the United States of
    America(USA) organised the ______India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X)
    Investors Meet at New Delhi, Delhi.
    1) 5th
    2) 2nd
    3) 1st
    4) 4th
    5) 3rd
A

Answer- 3) 1st
Explanation:
Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under the Department of Defence Production(DDP),
Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India and the United States Department of
Defence (USDoD), Government of the United States of America(USA) organised the 1st India-US
Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) Investors Meet on 8 November 2023 in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The meet was organised as a pre-cursor of the 5th annual India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
held on 10th November 2023 in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The INDUS-X Educational Series (Gurukul) was also launched during the event.
i. The first-ever INDUS-X Investors Event generated the interest of investors in the start-ups and
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the defense sector.
ii. The meeting also clarified the growing opportunities under the INDUS-X initiative.

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10
Q
  1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the Federation of Indian
    Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) Healthcare Excellence Awards presented in
    November 2023?
    A) The 15th Edition of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI)
    Healthcare Excellence Awards was held in New Delhi, Delhi.
    B) Dr. Yash Paul Bhatia, Chairman & Managing Director, Astron Groups won the FICCI
    Healthcare Excellence Awards 2023 List (Individuals Awards) under Lifetime Achievement in
    Healthcare Industry Category.
    C) Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad (Gujarat) won the FICCI HealthCare Awards 2023 – Excellence
    in Patient Safety & Care under Private Hospitals Sub-Category.
    1) All A, B & C
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) Only A
A

Answer- 1) All A, B & C
Explanation:
The 15th Edition of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) Healthcare
Excellence Awards was held in New Delhi, Delhi. List of Awards and Recipients.
i. The award is given to recognize and felicitate organizations and individuals for their outstanding
contributions to the Indian healthcare sector.
ii. Dr. Yash Paul Bhatia, Chairman & Managing Director, Astron Groups won the FICCI Healthcare
Excellence Awards 2023 List (Individuals Awards) under Lifetime Achievement in Healthcare
Industry Category.
iii. Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad (Gujarat) won the FICCI HealthCare Awards 2023 – Excellence in
Patient Safety & Care under Private Hospitals Sub-Category.

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11
Q
  1. Which NGO/Foundation has been recently (in Nov ‘23) awarded with the 2023 Olympic Cup
    by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)?
    1) Welthungerhilfe
    2) Save the Children Fund
    3) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
    4) International Rescue Foundation
    5) Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation
A

Answer- 5) Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation
Explanation:
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the 2023 Olympic Cup to the Taekwondo
Humanitarian Foundation (THF) in recognition of its long-term commitment to empowering refugee
athletes and refugees worldwide through taekwondo.
• Thomas Bach, IOC President, presented the Olympic Cup to World Taekwondo President
Chungwon Choue in a ceremony at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.
• The unique Olympic Cup award was created by the IOC’s founder Pierre de Coubertin in 1906.
The Olympic Cup honors an organisation that promotes the ideals of the Olympic Movement.
i. About the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation(THF):
• The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation(THF) was founded by World Taekwondo President
Chungwon Choue at the United Nations headquarters in New York(United States) in 2015.
• THF aims to empower refugees worldwide through taekwondo and helping them to improve
their quality of life, develop their life skills, learn Olympic values, and pursue their dreams.
• THF is also one of the implementing partners of Terrains d’Avenir, a programme co-financed
by the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) and the French Sports Ministry.

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12
Q
  1. In which city, the 9th edition of the joint military exercise of India and Sri Lanka, MITRA
    SHAKTI-2023 was commenced on 16th November 2023?
    1) Siliguri, West Bengal
    2) Auli, Uttarakhand
    3) Chennai, Tamil Nadu
    4) Pune, Maharashtra
    5) Umroi, Meghalaya
A

Answer- 4) Pune, Maharashtra
Explanation:
MITRA SHAKTI-2023, the 9th edition of the joint military exercise between the armed forces of
India and Sri Lanka, commenced on 16th November 2023 at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh,
Pune, Maharashtra. The 14-day exercise is set to conclude on 29 November 2023.
• The exercise will foster strong bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka.
• Indian Army: Contingent of 120 personnel from India, primarily representing the Maratha
Light Infantry Regiment. Sri Lankan Army: Personnel from the 53rd Infantry Division
• Additionally, 15 members from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and 5 from the Sri Lankan Air Force
are also partaking in this joint exercise.
i. Objectives:
• To promote close relations between armies of both countries and enhance interoperability and
sharing of best practices in Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism (CI-CT) operations.
• To collectively practise sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations
(UN) Charter, focusing on coordinated responses during CT operations.

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13
Q
  1. In November 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) barred ___________ (company) from
    sanctioning and disbursing loans under its eCOM and Insta EMI Card products.
    1) Aditya Birla Finance Limited
    2) Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited
    3) Bajaj Finance Limited
    4) Muthoot Finance Limited
    5) Tata Capital Financial Services Limited
A

Answer- 3) Bajaj Finance Limited
Explanation:
On November 15, 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) exercise of its powers under section
45L(1)(b) of the RBI Act, 1934 barred Bajaj Finance Limited from sanctioning and disbursing loans
under its two lending products viz. eCOM and Bajaj Insta EMI Card, with immediate effect.
i. The reason behind this action is the non-adherence of Digital lending guidelines of RBI by the
company, specifically by not providing Key Fact Statements to borrowers for two lending products.
• Additionally, Bajaj Finance will rectify the key fact statement for eCOM and Insta EMI Card.
ii. RBI restrictions on lending via the eCOM and Bajaj Insta EMI Card will not have a “material financial
impact” on the organisation.
Note- RBI returned Mastercard-backed fintech Instamojo‘s application for a payment aggregator (PA)
license amid not meeting the eligibility criteria. Instamojo is based in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The aggregator/ payouts function will now be undertaken in partnership with other licensed
PAs while its payment gateway continues to be fully functional.

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14
Q
  1. Name the bank that has recently (in Nov ‘23) launched two Digital Gold Loan schemes for
    the retail segment and agriculture segment.
    1) Bank of Maharashtra
    2) Union Bank of India
    3) Canara Bank
    4) Indian Bank
    5) Punjab National Bank
A

Answer- 5) Punjab National Bank
Explanation:
Punjab National Bank (PNB) launched two PNB Digital Gold Loan schemes namely PNB Gold Loan
for the retail segment and PNB Swarnim for the agriculture segment.
i. The schemes aim to provide customers with hassle-free access to credit to meet their personal and
agricultural needs by using gold jewellery as collateral for the loan.
ii. The Streamlined digital process eliminating paperwork hassles is one of the key features of this
Digital scheme.
• PNB Digital Gold Loan offers a modern banking experience with competitive interest rates.
• The schemes offer loans ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 25 lakhs to support personal needs, and
agriculture & allied activities.
• Borrowers seeking short-term production or investment credit for agricultural activities and
allied activities are eligible for loans of minimum Rs 10,000 to maximum Rs 2 lakh.

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15
Q
  1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the Asian Power Magazine, as
    of November 2023?
    A) Asian Power Magazine presented The 19th Asian Power Awards, 3rd Asian Oil & Gas
    Awards, and inaugural Asian Water Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in November 2023.
    B) GAIL India Limited won the ‘Innovation Award – India’ and also won ‘Midstream Project of
    the Year – India’ under the Asian Oil & Gas Awards.
    C) Kirloskar Brothers Limited won the Community-Based Water Project of the Year – India
    under the Asian Water Awards.
    1) All A, B & C
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) Only A
A

Answer- 1) All A, B & C
Explanation:
Asian Power Magazine presented the 19th Asian Power Awards, 3rd Asian Oil & Gas Awards, and
inaugural Asian Water Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in November 2023. List of Indian Winners
at Asian Oil & Gas Awards, Asian Power Awards, and Asian Water Awards.
i. GAIL India Limited won the ‘Innovation Award – India’ for reduction in LNG Shipping cost &
emissions through Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) with backhauling.
• It also won ‘Midstream Project of the Year – India’ for the installation of the first floating
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP).These awards are
presented under the Asian Oil & Gas Awards.

ii. Kirloskar Brothers Limited won the Community-Based Water Project of the Year – India under
the Asian Water Awards.
iii. Adani Electricity Mumbai Ltd. (AEML) won the Power Utility of the Year for Transmission and
Distribution under the Asian Power Awards.

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16
Q
  1. Which country has recently (in Nov ‘23) re-elected Pedro Sánchez as the Prime Minister
    (PM)?
    1) Norway
    2) Italy
    3) Belgium
    4) Spain
    5) Hungary
A

Answer- 4) Spain
Explanation:
On 16th November 2023, Pedro Sánchez of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party(Spanish acronym:
PSOE) was re-elected as the Prime Minister (PM) of Spain, officially President of the Government of
Spain.He was elected for the 2nd term with a majority in the Spanish parliament. He got 179 votes in
the 350-seat lower house of the Parliament.
• He has been serving as the Acting PM of Spain since 25th July 2023.
• He served as the PM of Spain/President of the Government of Spain from 2018 to 2023.
• In July 2023, he was appointed as the caretaker Prime Minister after no party got a majority in
the general election held on 23rd July 2023.
• PSOE finished second with 121 seats while the centre-right Popular Party (PP) finished first
with 137 seats but fell short of the majority to form government.

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17
Q
  1. Name the 4th Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC) that was launched
    by the Indian Navy (IN) in Kattupalli, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
    1) Androth
    2) Abhay
    3) Amini
    4) Anjadip
    5) Andaman
A

Answer- 3) Amini
Explanation:
On November 16, 2023, the Indian Navy (IN) launched ‘Amini‘, the 4th in a series of eight Anti-
Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC), at shipbuilding facility of Larsen & Toubro
(L&T) in Kattupalli, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE).
i. Features:
• Amini, a Arnala class ship, is named after Amini island in Lakshadweep due to its strategic
significance.
• It is designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters and low intensity maritime
operations (LIMO), and mine laying operations.
• It is a 77-meter ship with a 900-ton displacement, capable of reaching a maximum speed of 25
knots and covering 1,800 nautical miles.

Note- The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence
(MoD) and GRSE on April 29, 2019.
• As a part of contract, on June 13, 2023, INS (Indian Naval Ship) Anjadip, the 3rd of eight
indigenously built ASW-SWC was launched.
• The first ASW-SWC namely INS Arnala was launched in December 2022 while the second one
INS Androth was launched on March 21, 2023.

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18
Q
  1. In November 2023, Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya, former Governor of __________ (state)
    in the period of July 2014 – July 2019, passed away.
    1) Meghalaya
    2) Nagaland
    3) Sikkim
    4) Odisha
    5) West Bengal
A

Answer- 2) Nagaland
Explanation:
Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya (PB Acharya or PB), former Governor of Nagaland(July 2014 –
July 2019) and Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra, at
the age of 92. He was born on 8th October 1931, in Udupi, Karnataka.
Note- While serving as the governor of Nagaland, he has also held the additional charge as the
governor of Tripura(2014-2015), Assam(2014-2016), Manipur (2019) and Arunachal Pradesh(2017).
• He served as All India National Secretary of the BJP and in-charge of North Eastern States from
1995-2002.
• He founded Indian National Fellowship Centre (INFC), a Non-Government Organisation (NGO)
in 1975, to strengthen brotherhood/fellowship and Nationalism in the NorthEast region.

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19
Q
  1. Which country has recently (in Nov ‘23) signed two agreements with India to boost youth
    mobility & cultural exchange?
    1) Germany
    2) France
    3) Spain
    4) Italy
    5) Australia
A

Answer- 4) Italy
Explanation:
Dr. S Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) has signed two agreements with the Italian
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani to boost youth mobility &
cultural exchange during his two-day visit to Italy on 2nd-3rd November 2023.
i. The Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement to enable seamless movement of workers,
students and professionals.
ii. The Executive Programme on Cultural Cooperation(EPCC) agreement for the period 2023-27.
• Through EPCC, Italy and India will undergo multiple cultural exchange programs including
exchange of students in language programmes and other academic courses.
• The last EPCC was signed between two countries for the period of three years 2017-2020.

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20
Q
  1. Which of the following personalities has/have been appointed as the directors of Jio
    Financial Services Limited after the approval granted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in
    November 2023?
    1) Isha Ambani
    2) Anshuman Thakur
    3) Hitesh Kumar Sethia
    4) Both 1 & 2
    5) All 1, 2 & 3
A

Answer- 5) All 1, 2 & 3
Explanation:
On 15th November 2023, the Reserve Bank of India
(RBI) has granted approval for the appointment of
Isha Ambani, Anshuman Thakur, and Hitesh
Kumar Sethia as Directors of Jio Financial Services
Limited, a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)
backed by Reliance Industries Limited(RIL).
• The approval is valid for only 6 months with
effect from the 15th November 2023.
Note- If the company fails to implement the proposed
changes within this timeframe, it will need to reapply with reasons for the delay.

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21
Q
  1. Which company has unveiled two flagship initiatives: Bridge and Scale on its 8th
    Foundation Day on 16th November 2023?
    1) Startup Village
    2) Technology Hub
    3) UnLtd India
    4) The Indus Entrepreneurs
    5) Ennovent
A

Answer- 2) Technology Hub
Explanation:
As a part of its 8th Foundation Day (16th November 2023), Telangana government led incubator,
Technology Hub (T-Hub) unveiled two flagship initiatives: T-Bridge and T-Scale, aimed at further
propelling the growth and success of Indian startups.
i. T-Bridge: It is the International Wing of T-Hub, designed to facilitate global market access for
startups and enable them to expand their reach beyond India’s borders.
ii. T-Scale: It is a collaborative program with Factoryal Business Incubator Private Limited that will
guide 25 promising startups through a 12-month journey to Series-A funding readiness.
Note- T-Hub, which was incorporated in 2015, is a premier innovation hub and ecosystem enabler
which is headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana.

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22
Q
  1. Who has been recently (in Nov ‘23) appointed as the Director, Managing Director (MD) &
    Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Key Managerial Personnel of the Kotak Mahindra Bank, for 3
    years?
    1) Uday Shankar
    2) Dipak Gupta
    3) Ashok Vaswani
    4) Prakash Apte
    5) C. Jayaram
A

Answer- 3) Ashok Vaswani
Explanation:
Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) has appointed Ashok Vaswani as a Director, Managing
Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Key Managerial Personnel of the Bank, for 3
years, with effect from January 1, 2024.
• The appointment received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in October 2023.
• He will succeed Dipak Gupta, whose term as the MD & CEO, and Key Managerial Personnel of
KMBL ends on December 31, 2023.
• Dipak Gupta took over as the interim CEO of KMBL for 2 months from September 2023 till
December 2023, after founder-CEO Uday Kotak stepped down in September 2023.
• Uday Kotak, who is the Founder and Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank, served as the MD and
CEO of the bank since its inception in 2003.

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23
Q
  1. In November 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Hinduja Group entity
    IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL) to acquire __________ (company).
    1) Reliance Capital
    2) Reliance Home Finance
    3) Reliance Infrastructure
    4) Reliance Power
    5) Reliance Communications
A

Answer- 1) Reliance Capital
Explanation:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the resolution plan for debt-ridden Reliance Capital,
and enabled Hinduja Group entity IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL) to acquire Reliance
Capital.
• The Administrator of Reliance Capital received a “No objection” from the RBI on November 17,
2023.
• IIHL emerged as the highest bidder in the second round of the auction, offering Rs 9,650 crore
to take over Reliance Capital.
Note- Reliance Capital is the third non-banking financial company (NBFC) against which the RBI
initiated bankruptcy proceedings.

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24
Q
  1. The renowned art historian and Padma Awardee Brijinder Nath Goswamy passed away in
    November 2023.
    In which field did he receive the Padma Bhushan Award in 2008?
    1) Public Affairs
    2) Literature and Education
    3) Art
    4) Social Work
    5) Medicine
A

Answer- 2) Literature and Education
Explanation:
The renowned art historian and Padma Awardee Brijinder Nath Goswamy passed away in Chandigarh at the age of 90. He was born on 15th August 1933 in Sargodha(now in Punjab province
of Pakistan).
i. He was the recipient of the Padma Shri Award (1998) and the Padma Bhushan Award (2008) in the field of Literature and Education.
ii. He has written more than 26 books on the subjects of Pahari paintings, miniature paintings, court painters, and masters of Indian paintings.
iii. Pahari paintings means a painting from the ‘hilly’ regions, (pahar means hill), it is from the lower Himalayan hill kingdoms and the plains of Punjab, covering kingdoms include Nurpur, Kangra, and Guler, etc.

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25
Q
  1. Booker Prize-winning British Author Dame Antonia Susan Byatt passed away in November
    2023.
    Her book, ___________ won the Booker Prize for Fiction In 1990.
    1) The Children’s Book
    2) The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye
    3) Shadow of a Sun
    4) Possession: A Romance
    5) Elementals: Stories of Fire and Ice
A

Answer- 4) Possession: A Romance
Explanation:
Booker Prize-winning British Author, Critic, and Poet Dame Antonia Susan Byatt, known most
commonly as AS Byatt, passed away at the age of 87 in London, the United Kingdom (UK). She was
born on August 24, 1936, in Yorkshire, England, UK.
• The award-winning sequel of the quartet, Still Life (1985), earned the prestigious
PEN/Macmillan Silver Pen Award in 1986, followed by Babel Tower (1996), and the 4th (and
final) novel in the quartet is A Whistling Woman (2002).
• Her most successful book, Possession: A Romance (1990), won the Booker Prize for Fiction
in 1990 and the Irish Times International Fiction Prize.
• She was honoured as the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1990 and the
Damehood of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1999.
• Her book, The Children’s Book (2009), was shortlisted for the 2009 Man Booker Prize for
Fiction and won the 2010 James Tait Black Memorial Prize (for fiction).

26
Q
  1. Which state/UT’s Seabuckthorn has recently (in Nov ‘23) got Geographical Indication (GI)
    tag status?
    1) Uttarakhand
    2) Jammu and Kashmir
    3) Himachal Pradesh
    4) Ladakh
    5) Sikkim
A

Answer- 4) Ladakh

Explanation:
The Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), a thorny shrub or small tree in the Union Territory
(UT) of Ladakh received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag under “Agriculture” goods category. This
becomes the 4th GI product of Ladakh.
i. The GI tag was granted by the GI Registry, operating under the Department for Promotion of
Industry & Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI).
ii. With this, the Department of Industries & Commerce, Leh, UT Ladakh is the registered proprietor
of the G.l. “Ladakh Seabuckthorn” in respect of Seabuckthorn falling in Class – 31.
iii. Sea buckthorn, an actinorhizal plant of the family Elaegnaceae has the unique characteristics to
grow in marginally fertile soil of cold desert. It is also known as Sandthorn, Sea berry, Golden Bush,
and Leh berry.

27
Q
  1. Which organisation/Association has recently (in Nov ‘23) signed a Traditional and
    Complementary Medicine ‘Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA)’ with the Ministry of Ayush?
    1) Indian Medical Association
    2) United Nations Children’s Fund
    3) World Health Organization
    4) Indian Council of Medical Research
    5) Global Health Council
A

Answer- 3) World Health Organization
Explanation:
On November 17, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush
(Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) signed a Traditional and
Complementary Medicine ‘Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA)’ during an event organized in
Geneva, Switzerland.
i. Under this partnership, WHO will prepare Traditional Medicine Global Strategy 2025-34 with
the support of the Ministry of Ayush .
ii. The 1st phase of the PCA, 2023-28, will prove to be a milestone in the global development of the
Traditional and Complementary Medical System.
iii. Aim of PCA:
· To standardize and integrate Traditional and Complementary Medical Systems into the National
Health System, disseminating them globally.
· To advance traditional and complementary medicine by modernizing it into a globally accepted,
evidence-based healthcare while preserving its rich heritage for global well-being.

28
Q
  1. Who has recently (in Nov ‘23) crowned with the Miss Universe at the 72nd Miss Universe
    Beauty Pageant 2023 held in San Salvador, Republic of El Salvador?
    1) Moraya Wilson (Australia)
    2) Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo (Nicaragua)
    3) Anntonia Porsild (Thailand)
    4) Shweta Sharda (India)
    5) R’Bonney Gabriel (United States of America)
A

Answer- 2) Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo (Nicaragua)

Explanation:
Miss Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo (23) from Nicaragua was crowned Miss Universe at the
72nd Miss Universe Beauty Pageant 2023 in San Salvador, Republic of El Salvador. She is the first
woman from Nicaragua to win the Miss Universe crown.
· She was crowned by the United States’ (US) R’Bonney Gabriel, who held the title of Miss Universe
for 2022. The first runner-up was Miss Anntonia Porsild of Thailand, and the second runner-up was
Miss Moraya Wilson of Australia.
· Miss India Shweta Sharda made it to the top 20 but didn’t reach the top 10 (evening gown
round).
· Three Indians have won the Miss Universe crown, Sushmita Sen in 1994, Lara Dutta in 2000 and
Harnaz Sandhu in 2021.
Note- The next Miss Universe, the 73rd edition, will be held in Mexico.

29
Q
  1. Which of the following associations has been recently (in Nov ‘23) awarded with the Indira
    Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2022?
    1) Indian Medical Association
    2) Trained Nurses Association of India
    3) National Integrated Medical Association
    4) Both 1 & 2
    5) Both 2 & 3
A

Answer- 4) Both 1 & 2
Explanation:
On November 19, 2023, the Indira Gandhi Prize for
Peace, Disarmament and Development 2022 was
jointly awarded to the New Delhi, Delhi headquartered
Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the New Delhi
based Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI) as
representatives of the COVID-19 warriors in India.
· The award for the same was presented to Dr.
Sharad Kumar Agarwal, President, IMA, and Professor
(Dr.) Roy K. George, President, TNAI by Former Vice-President Hamid Ansari.
· This award acknowledges every doctor, nurse, paramedic and karamchari for their selfless
service during challenging times.
Note- Indira Gandhi Peace Prize established in 1986 by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, it is given
annually to recognize individuals or organizations contributing to international peace, disarmament,
and development.

30
Q
  1. Which country has recently (in Nov ‘23) elected Javier Milei as the new president?
    1) Poland
    2) Lithuania
    3) Finland
    4) Ecuador
    5) Argentina
A

Answer- 5) Argentina

Explanation:
On November 19, 2023, Javier Milei (53) of Libertarian Party was elected as the new president of
Argentina. He will succeed the current Argentina President Alberto Fernández after assuming office
on December 10, 2023.
· Milei won the election with 56% votes against 44% for his rival, Peronist Economy Minister
Sergio Massa.
· He authored many books and Journal articles. His book ‘The End of Inflation: Eliminate the
Central Bank, End the Inflation Tax Scam, and Return to Being a Serious Country’ released in 2023
· His biography is ‘El Loco’ by the journalist Juan Luis González.

31
Q
  1. Which of the following points is ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the International Cricket Council
    (ICC) Men’s One Day International (ODI) Cricket World Cup(CWC) 2023 held in November
    2023?
    1) The Australian Men’s cricket team led by Pat Cummins won the 15th edition of the ICC Men’s ODI
    CWC 2023 by India and claimed their 8th ODI World Cup title.
    2) The 2023 ODI World Cup highest run-scorer Virat Kohli has scored 765 runs and he also broke
    Tendulkar’s (49 centuries) record of the most number of centuries in ODI matches by scoring 50th
    century against New Zealand in the semi-final.
    3) Mohammed Shami became the first Indian bowler in an ODI match to take seven wickets, and also
    made the record for the most number of wickets for India in a single edition of the ODI World Cup
    with 24 wickets in the 2023 edition.
    4) Glenn Maxwell (Australia) made the record by hitting the fastest century in ODI World Cup history
    where he scored 100 runs in 40 balls against the Netherlands.
    5) England bowler David Jonathan Willey has announced retirement from all forms of international
    cricket at the end of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
A

Answer- 1) The Australian Men’s cricket team led by Pat Cummins won the 15th edition of the
ICC Men’s ODI CWC 2023 by India and claimed their 8th ODI World Cup title.
Explanation:
The Australian Men’s cricket team led by Pat Cummins won the 13th edition of the International
Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s One Day International (ODI) Cricket World Cup(CWC) 2023 by defeating
Rohit Sharma led India in the finals held in Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
· The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 was hosted by India across 10 venues from 5th October to
19th November 2023.
· This win for Australia marks their sixth ODI World Cup title including 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007,
2015, and 2023.
· The 2023 ODI World Cup highest run-scorer Virat Kohli has scored 765 runs, the most runs
scored ever in a single edition of an ODI World Cup, and breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record of
673 runs set in the 2003 edition.
· Virat Kohli also broke Tendulkar’s (49 centuries) record of the most number of centuries in ODI
matches, while Kohli scored his 50th century against New Zealand in the semi-final.
· Virat Kohli became the second-highest run-scorer in ODI World Cups with 1792 runs in 37
matches.
· He overtook Ricky Ponting (Australia) (1743 runs) and was behind Sachin Tendulkar (2278) in the
top run-scorers in the Men’s ODI World Cup list.

Mohammed Shami becomes the first Indian bowler in an ODI match to take seven wickets, having
achieved this feat against New Zealand in the semifinal.
· Mohammed Shami also made the record for the most number of wickets for India in a single
edition of the ODI World Cup with 24 wickets in the 2023 edition by surpassing Zaheer Khan’s record
of 21 wickets in the 2011 ODI World Cup edition.
· Mohammed Shami also became the first Indian to take three five-wickets in this ODI World Cup.
· Glenn Maxwell(Australia) made the record by hitting the fastest century in ODI World Cup history
where he scored 100 runs in 40 balls against the Netherlands.
· England bowler David Jonathan Willey has announced retirement from all forms of international
cricket at the end of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

32
Q
  1. In November 2023, ___________, the former (18th) Governor of the Reserve Bank of India
    (RBI), passed away.
    1) Subrahmanyam Venkitaramanan
    2) Y. V. Reddy
    3) Bimal Jalan
    4) R. N. Malhotra
    5) Amitav Ghosh
A

Answer- 1) Subrahmanyam Venkitaramanan
Explanation:
Subrahmanyam Venkitaramanan or S. Venkitaramanan, the former (18th) Governor of the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) passed away at the age of 92 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He was born on
28 January 1931 in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu.
· He served as the 18th Governor of RBI from December 1990 to December 1992.
· After his retirement, he remained active as the Chairman of Ashok Leyland Investment Services,
New Tirupur Area Development Corporation, and Ashok Leyland Finance.
· Additionally, he has also served on the boards of Reliance Industries Limited(RIL), Society for
Promotion of IT in Chandigarh (SPIC), Piramal Healthcare, Tamil Nadu Water Investment Co., and
HDFC.

33
Q
  1. The National Integration Day 2023 was celebrated across India on 19th November 2023 to
    commemorate the birth anniversary of __________________.
    1) Indira Gandhi
    2) Chandra Shekhar Azad
    3) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
    4) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
    5) Lal Bahadur Shastri
A

Answer- 1) Indira Gandhi
Explanation:
National Integration Day, also known as Quami Ekta Divas, is observed annually on November 19
across India to mark the birth anniversary of India’s First Female Prime Minister (PM), Indira
Priyadarshini Gandhi, popularly known as Indira Gandhi (Iron Lady of India).
i. 19th November 2023 marks the 106th birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi. The Day marks the
beginning of National Integration Week (Qaumi Ekta Week) which is observed from November 19 to
25 every year.

· The first ever National Integration Day was observed on 19th November 2013.
· She served as the third PM of Independent India from January 1966 to March 1977 and again from
January 14, 1980, till her assassination on October 31, 1984.
· She was India’s second-longest-serving PM after Nehru (August 15, 1947 – May 27, 1964).
· She was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1971 and Lenin Peace Prize in
1984.

34
Q
  1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the Senior Citizens Savings
    Scheme(SCSS)?
    A) In November 2023, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), under the Ministry of Finance,
    notified 7 changes in the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme(SCSS).
    B) The government has provided 6 months to invest in SCSS for individuals aged above 52 but
    below 62.
    C) The notification has relaxed the norms on premature withdrawals from SCSS, as now, 1% of
    the deposit will be deducted if the account is closed before the expiry of 1 year of the
    investment.
    1) All A, B & C
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) Only A
A

Answer- 4) Only A & C
Explanation:
On 7th November 2023, Department of Economic Affairs(DEA), under the Ministry of Finance, notified
7 changes in the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme(SCSS), a government-sponsored savings instrument
for individuals aged 60 years or employees aged 55 years or more but less than 60 years.
· The government has provided 3 months to invest in SCSS for individuals aged above 55 but
below 60. At present, the investment has to be made within 1 month of receipt of retirement benefits.
· The maximum deposit limit for SCSS has been enhanced to Rs 30 lakh from Rs 15 lakh effective
from 1st April 2023. This was announced in Budget 2023.
· The notification has relaxed the norms on premature withdrawals from SCSS. Now, 1% of the
deposit will be deducted if the account is closed before the expiry of 1 year of the investment.
· Previously, if the account was closed before the expiry of 1 year, interest paid on the deposit in the
account was to be recovered from the deposit and the entire balance was paid to the account holder.

35
Q
  1. In November 2023, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD),
    Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), has announced a _______ interest rate
    rebate for divyang, receive financial support through the National Divyangjan Finance and
    Development Corporation (NDFDC).
    1) 5%
    2) 3%
    3) 1%
    4) 2%
    5) 4%
A

Answer- 3) 1%

Explanation:
Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD),
under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), has announced a 1% interest rate
rebate for divyang (Persons with Disabilities- PwDs) who receive financial support through the
National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC).
i. This aims to promote financial inclusion and foster economic empowerment among the divyangjan.
ii. This rebate under NDFDC loan is for timely repayment, and subject to specific terms and conditions.
iii. This initiative highlights the Central Government’s goal is to make financial assistance more
accessible and affordable for PwDs, and uplift and empower every section of society.

36
Q
  1. Which of the following is/are “correct” with respect to the visit of Piyush Goyal, Union
    Minister of Commerce and Industry to San Francisco,United States (U.S) in November 2023?
    A) Union Minister Piyush Goyal represented India at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure
    and Investment (PGII) – IPEF Investor Forum meeting on November 16, 2023.
    B) The MoU was signed between India and The U.S. during the roundtable titled “Decoding the
    Innovation Handshake: U.S.-India Entrepreneurship Partnership in San Francisco, U.S.
    C) Minister also represented India at the 30th APEC Leaders’ Summit hosted by the U.S held in
    San Francisco.
    1) All A, B & C
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) Only A
A

Answer- 1) All A, B & C
Explanation:
Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution and Textiles was on a Four-day official visit to San Francisco, United States (U.S) from
November 13-16, 2023.
· He participated in the 3rd in-person IPEF Ministerial meeting from November 13-14, 2023.
· Union Minister Piyush Goyal represented India at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and
Investment (PGII) – IPEF Investor Forum meeting on November 16, 2023.
· Piyush Goyal, Union Minister also represented India at the APEC Economic Leadership
Engagements from 15-16 November, 2023. India has been invited to the 30th APEC Economic Leaders
Meeting 2023 as a Guest Economy.
· The MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed between India and The U.S. during the
roundtable titled “Decoding the “Innovation Handshake :U.S.-India Entrepreneurship Partnership” in
San Francisco ,U.S.
· During the meeting, the first-of-its-kind IPEF Supply Chain resilience agreement was signed by the
minister along with ministers from 14 other IPEF partner countries. The agreement aims to make
IPEF supply chains more resilient, robust and well integrated, and contribute towards economic
development and progress of the region as a whole.
· The U.S. hosted the 30th APEC Leaders Summit which was held in San Francisco. Apart from 21-
member countries of APEC, India attended the summit as Guest Economy. Piyush Goyal, Minister of
Commerce and Industry represented India at the summit.
· Theme APEC Summit 2023: “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All”.

37
Q
  1. On 11th November 2023 (Bima Lokpal Day 2023), Insurance Ombudsman announced that
    it has disposed of over __________ of the complaints received from the insured during financial
    year 2022-23.
    1) 82.87%
    2) 87.34%
    3) 90.21%
    4) 88.45%
    5) 92.28%
A

Answer- 5) 92.28%
Explanation:
On the occasion of Bima Lokpal Day 2023 (11th November 2023), Insurance Ombudsman
announced that it has disposed of over 92.28% of the complaints received from the insured during
Financial year 2022-23 (FY23).
i. The Insurance Ombudsman has settled 51,625 out of 55,946 received complaints across all 17
Insurance Ombudsman Offices.
ii. Bima Lokpal Day is observed annually on November 11, to commemorate the foundation day of the
Insurance Ombudsman, an alternative dispute resolution forum set up to resolve disputes relating to
insurance contracts.
· The insurance ombudsman was established through a government of India notification in
November 1998.

38
Q
  1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the 51st International
    Emmy® Awards (2023) presented by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
    in November 2023?
    A) Indian Comedian & actor Vir Das won the Emmy Award under the Comedy category for his
    show “Vir Das: Landing” and became the first Indian Comedian to win the Emmy Award.
    B) Ektaa R. Kapoor, Co-Founder of Balaji Telefilms was honoured with the International Emmy
    Directorate Award for her contribution to the world of arts and entertainment.
    C) British Screenwriter and producer Jesse Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max
    Content was honoured with the 2023 International Emmy Founders Award.
    1) Only A
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) All A, B & C
A

Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
On 20th November 2023, The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the
winners of the 51st International Emmy® Awards (2023) in New York City, United States of America
(USA).
i. Indian Comedian and actor Vir Das won the Emmy under the Comedy category for his Netflix stand-
up special show “Vir Das: Landing”.
· Vir Das shared the Emmy for Comedy with “Derry Girls – Season 3”, a United Kingdom(UK) origin
web series produced by Hat Trick Productions. With this, he became the first Indian Comedian to
win the Emmy Award.

ii. Ektaa R. Kapoor, Co-Founder of Balaji Telefilms was honoured with the International Emmy
Directorate Award for her contribution to the world of arts and entertainment.
· Ektaa R Kapoor received the award from Author and new age leader Dr Deepak Chopra. She
became the first Indian Woman Filmmaker to win the Directorate Award.
iii. British Screenwriter and producer Jesse Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content
was honoured with the 2023 International Emmy Founders Award.
· He is the creator of the television drama ‘Succession’ and the co-creator of the Channel 4 comedy
series Peep Show, Fresh Meat, and Babylon.
Note- A total of 15 Emmy and 2 Special Awards (Founders Award & Directorate Award) were
presented during the event.

39
Q
  1. In November 2023, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the
    appointment of Vinay M Tonse as the Managing Director (MD) of _____________ (Bank) for two
    years.
    1) Bank of India
    2) Bank of Baroda
    3) Union Bank of India
    4) Indian Bank
    5) State Bank of India
A

Answer- 5) State Bank of India
Explanation:
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi,
has approved the appointment of Vinay M Tonse as the Managing Director (MD) of State Bank of
India (SBI) for two years till November 2025.
· Prior to this appointment, Vinay Tonse was serving as the Deputy MD (Corporate Account Group)
of SBI.
i. Vinay M Tonse was recommended to the post by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) in
September 2023.
ii. The post (MD of SBI) fell vacant in June 2023 after the appointment of Swaminathan Janakiraman
as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India(RBI).

40
Q
  1. Which country has recently (in Nov ‘23) appointed Luc Frieden as the 23rd Prime Minister
    (PM)?
    1) Cambodia
    2) Luxembourg
    3) Finland
    4) Paraguay
    5) Turkey
A

Answer- 2) Luxembourg
Explanation:
On November 17, 2023, Luc Frieden (60), a member of the Christian Social People’s Party (CSV), was
sworn in as the 23rd Prime Minister (PM) of Luxembourg. He succeeds Xavier Bettel of Liberal
Democratic Party (DP), who served as PM of Luxembourg from 2013 to 2023.
· The PM and the new ministers of the coalition government (CSV-Liberal DP) took oaths of office
during a ceremony officiated by Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg(Head of State).

i. Outgoing PM Xavier Bettel was appointed as deputy PM and foreign minister. Gilles Roth of CSV
was appointed as the new Finance Minister of Luxembourg and 7 ministerial positions were given to
DP and 8 were given to CSV.

41
Q
  1. In November 2023, Indian Navy (IN) launched the _________ Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA)
    Barge, LSAM 10 (Yard 78) of the 08 x MCA Barge project, at East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh.
    1) 2nd
    2) 3rd
    3) 4th
    4) 6th
    5) 5th
A

Answer- 3) 4th
Explanation:
On 20th November 2023, Indian Navy (IN) launched the Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge,
LSAM 10 (Yard 78), the 4th vessel in the 08 x MCA Barge project, at Guttenadeevi, East Godavari,
Andhra Pradesh (AP).
i. The launching Ceremony was presided over by Cmde Shanmugam Sabesan, CRO (East).
ii. The barge was built by the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) Shipyard, M/s SECON
Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd (SEPPL), Visakhapatnam (AP).
· The availability of these Barges would provide impetus to the operational commitments of IN by
facilitating Transportation, Embarkation, and Disembarkation of articles/ ammunition to IN Ships
both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.
· These Barges are indigenously designed and built under relevant Naval Rules and Regulations of
the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

42
Q
  1. What was the theme of World Fisheries Day 2023, observed across the globe of 21st
    November 2023?
    1) Celebrating the Wealth of Fisheries and Aquaculture
    2) Investing in social protection to secure equitable Blue Transformation
    3) Partnerships and Innovation for Climate Change-Resistant Fisheries
    4) Social Responsibility in the fisheries value chain
    5) Fisheries, Sustainability and Innovation
A

Answer- 1) Celebrating the Wealth of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Explanation:
The 26th World Fisheries Day 2023 was observed across the globe on 21st November 2023 with
the theme of “Celebrating the Wealth of Fisheries and Aquaculture.”
i. On 21st November 1997, the working fishermen and women representing the World Forum of Fish
Harvesters & Fish Workers met at New Delhi, Delhi and established the World Fisheries Forum (WFF).
ii. The first ever World Fisheries Day was observed on 21st November 1998.

43
Q
  1. In which state, the 14th edition of the India – United States of America (USA) Joint Special
    Forces exercise ‘Vajra Prahar 2023’ was commenced on 21st November 2023?
    1) West Bengal
    2) Uttarakhand
    3) Gujarat
    4) Maharashtra
    5) Meghalaya
A

Answer- 5) Meghalaya
Explanation:
The 14th edition of the India – United States of America(USA) Joint Special Forces exercise, Vajra
Prahar 2023, commenced at the Joint Training Node in Umroi Cantonment, located in Ri Bhoi district
of the north eastern state of Meghalaya.
i. The 2023 edition is a 21-day (3-week) training program happening from 21st November 2023 to
11th December 2023.
ii. The Indian Army (IA) contingent is led by Special Forces personnel from the Eastern Command.
iii. The US contingent is being represented by personnel from the 1st Special Forces Group (SFG) of US
Special Forces.

44
Q
  1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the State Educational
    Achievement Survey (SEAS) 2023 conducted in November 2023?
    A) The SEAS 2023 was successfully conducted by Performance Assessment, Review and
    Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH), among students in grades 3, 6, and
    9 to identify areas where learning needs improvement.
    B) The survey was conducted in collaboration with the Central Board of Secondary Education
    (CBSE) to track the learning progress and Quality of Teaching.
    C) The State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and the Samagra Shiksha
    Abhiyan (SSA) were responsible for organising the survey in the sampled schools in their
    respective states.
    1) Only A
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) All A, B & C
A

Answer- 4) Only A & C
Explanation:
The State Educational Achievement Survey (SEAS) 2023 was successfully conducted on 3rd November 2023 among students in grades 3, 6, and 9 to identify areas where learning needs improvement.
• This is the 1st survey conducted by the Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development (PARAKH), the national assessment regulator.
• Objective: To assess the learning competencies of students at the end of each educational stage, i.e., foundational, preparatory, and middle with a primary focus on Language and Mathematics
i. The SEAS 2023 surveyed 80 lakh students, 6 lakh teachers, and over 3 lakh field investigators in 5917 blocks across India. All states and Union Territories(UTs), excluding six states – Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan and West Bengal (WB), participated in the survey.
ii. The survey was conducted in collaboration with National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi, under the aegis of the Ministry of Education (MoE) to track the learning progress.
iii. The State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) were responsible for organising the survey in the sampled schools in their respective
states.

45
Q
  1. In November 2023, the Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission of ___________ (state) was selected
    for the global list of Case Studies of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
    1) Maharashtra
    2) Tamil Nadu
    3) Kerala
    4) Uttar Pradesh
    5) Gujarat
A

Answer- 3) Kerala
Explanation:
Responsible Tourism (RT) Mission of Kerala was selected for the global list of Case Studies of
United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). UNWTO’s recognition will further inspire
Kerala’s RT mission to promote eco-friendly tourism.
i. Apart from Kerala’s RT Mission, Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve project is the only
other Indian case study to be featured in this UNWTO list.
ii. The 2 Indian case studies are among the 7 G20 (group of 20) countries to feature on the UNWTO list
which includes Mexico, Germany, Mauritius, Turkey, Italy, Brazil and Canada, being the others.

46
Q
  1. Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the recent
    launch/announcement made by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in November
    2023?
    A) Madhabi Puri Buch, the Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI),
    has officially launched the Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) platform at the Bombay
    Stock Exchange (BSE).
    B) The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced the elimination of the
    requirement to freeze folios lacking PAN, KYC details, and nominations for all holders of
    physical securities.
    C) Unifi Capital announced that it has received in-principle approval from the capital markets
    regulator, SEBI, to establish a mutual fund house.
    1) All A, B & C
    2) Only A & B
    3) Only B & C
    4) Only A & C
    5) Only A
A

Answer- 1) All A, B & C
Explanation:
Madhabi Puri Buch, the Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has
officially launched the Investor Risk Reduction Access (IRRA) platform at the Bombay Stock
Exchange (BSE).
• The IRRA platform, initiated by Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) under SEBI’s
guidance, aims to reduce risks faced by investors in the event of technical glitches at Trading
Member (TM) ends, both at the Primary and Disaster Recovery sites.

• The soft launch of the IRRA platform took place on October 3, 2023, with official launch
occurring on November 20, 2023 for the benefit of investors.
• This platform is specifically designed for trading members supporting Internet-based trading
(IBT) and Security Trading through Wireless Technology (STWT) for their investors.
i. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the capital markets regulator, announced the
elimination of the requirement to freeze folios lacking PAN, KYC details, and nominations for all
holders of physical securities.
ii. Portfolio management firm Unifi Capital announced that it has received in-principle approval from
the capital markets regulator, SEBI, to establish a mutual fund house.
• The company had submitted an application to SEBI in December 2020 seeking a mutual fund
licence.
• Unifi Capital, based in Chennai, stated that it has obtained SEBI’s in-principle approval to
initiate its mutual fund business.

47
Q
  1. Name the book that was originally written in Tamil as “Aalanda Patchi” by Perumal
    Murugan, won the 2023 JCB Prize for Literature in November 2023.
    1) Poonachi or the Story of a Goat
    2) Seasons of the Palm
    3) Fire Bird
    4) I Named my Sister Silence
    5) A Lonely Harvest
A

Answer- 3) Fire Bird
Explanation:
Fire Bird, originally written in Tamil as “Aalanda Patchi” by renowned Tamil Writer Perumal
Murugan won the 2023 JCB Prize for Literature. The book was translated into English by Janani
Kannan and was published by Penguin Random House India.
i. The book explores themes of displacement and the human desire for stability in a changing world.
ii. Fire Bird is the 5th translated work to win JCB Prize for Literature.
Note: Aalanda Patchi was first published in 2012 by Kalachuvadu Publications Pvt Ltd

48
Q
  1. Name the personality who has recently (in Nov ‘23) appointed as the Brand Ambassador of
    West Bengal?
    1) Sourav Ganguly
    2) Shah Rukh Khan
    3) Leander Paes
    4) Mithun Chakraborty
    5) Amartya Sen
A

Answer- 1) Sourav Ganguly
Explanation:
Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister (CM) of West Bengal (WB) named former Indian cricketer and
Padma Shri Awardee Sourav Ganguly as the “Brand Ambassador of West Bengal ‘’ and handed over
the Appointment letter.
• The announcement was made during the 7th edition of the Bengal Global Business Summit
(BGBS 2023) held in Kolkata(WB).

• Sourav Ganguly, popularly known as “Dada ‘’ or “Prince of Kolkata ‘’, represented India from
1992 to 2008. In 1998, he received the Arjuna Award(Cricket), for his outstanding
achievements in sports.
• In 2004, he was honoured with the Padma Shri in the field of Sports.
Note: Prior to this appointment, renowned Bollywood Actor Shah Rukh Khan has been serving as the
brand ambassador of Bengal since 2012.

49
Q
  1. In November 2023, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) & the
    Indian Navy (IN) successfully conducted the 2nd Flight test of Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Short
    Range (NASM-SR) from IN’s __________ Maritime Helicopter.
    1) Sikorsky SH-3
    2) Kamov Ka-25
    3) Hawk Mk 132
    4) Seaking 42B
    5) Ilyushin Il-38
A

Answer- 4) Seaking 42B
Explanation:
On 21st November 2023, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in cooperation
with the Indian Navy (IN) successfully tested the indigenously designed & developed Guided Naval
Anti-Ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR) from IN’s Seaking 42B Maritime Helicopter.
• This marked the 2nd test of the missile, which was first tested at the Integrated Test Range
(ITR) in Balasore, Odisha on 18 May 2022, from an IN Seaking Mk42B helicopter.
• The test involved the firing of the missile from a Seaking 42B helicopter, showcasing its
precision guidance technology.
i. The NASM-SR is a helicopter-fired missile capable of destroying small boats or Offshore Patrol
Vessels (OPVs) at a maximum range of 55 kilometers while traveling at 0.8 Mach (slower than the
speed of sound).
ii. It is the first indigenous air-launched anti-ship missile system developed for the Indian Navy and is
India’s version of the Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile.

50
Q
  1. In November 2023, the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced a “stop clock” in
    men’s One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket matches.
    The bowling teams in men’s ODIs and T20Is will be imposed a _______ (run) penalty, if the
    bowler fails to bowl the next over within _________ (Time) after the completion of the previous
    over for the third time in an innings.
    1) 6 run; 60 seconds
    2) 5 run; 40 seconds
    3) 10 run; 50 seconds
    4) 5 run; 60 seconds
    5) 6 run; 40 seconds
A

Answer- 4) 5 run; 60 seconds
Explanation:
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a “stop clock” in men’s One Day International
(ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket matches to regulate the time taken between overs.

• This announcement was one of the decisions made at a board meeting of ICC at
Ahmedabad(Gujarat) on 20th November 2023.
i. About the Stop Clock rule:
• The bowling teams in men’s ODIs and T20Is will be imposed a five-run penalty if the bowler
fails to bowl the next over within 60 seconds after the completion of the previous over for the
third time in an innings.
• The Stop Clock will be introduced on a trial basis from December 2023 to April 2024.
ii. ICC also announced equal match-day pay for both female and male umpires from January 2024.
iii. According to new gender eligibility regulation, male-to-female participants who have undergone
male puberty will not be eligible to compete in the international women’s game, irrespective of any
surgical or gender reassignment treatment they may have undertaken.
• By the new rule, transgender players are not able to play in women’s international cricket.
Following this ICC decision, Australian-born transgender cricketer Danielle McGahey who
played for Canada announced her retirement from international cricket.
• Danielle McGahey was the first transgender cricketer to take part in an official international
match when she played for Canada against Brazil in September 2023.

51
Q
  1. Which start-up company has recently (in Nov ‘23) named as the winner of the ‘Smarter
    Climate Farmers Challenge’ in November 2023?
    1) Dvara E-Registry
    2) AgVisi
    3) Agrigator
    4) AgroNxt Services
    5) Agri Fi
A

Answer- 1) Dvara E-Registry
Explanation:
Dvara E-Registry has been adjudged as one of the winners of the ‘Smarter Climate Farmers
Challenge’, organised by UpLink, the open innovation platform of the World Economic Forum.
• Dvara E-Registry is an ag-fintech start-up building a digital platform to improve access to
agricultural services, both financial and advisory, for all stakeholders in the agri value chain
• The company’s digital platforms are paving the way for a new era of sustainable farming and
financial inclusion for smallholder farmers across India.
• With its innovative digital platforms designed to bolster climate-smart farming, Dvara E-
Registry now joins the ranks of UpLink’s venerated community of Top Innovators.

52
Q
  1. Which of the following personalities is not appointed as the Distinguished Fellows for a
    period of one year by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog?
    1) S. Venkatasubramanian
    2) V. Lakshmikumaran
    3) O.P Agarwal
    4) Anoop Singh
    5) Ajai Chowdhry
A

Answer- 1) S. Venkatasubramanian

Explanation:
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, the premier policy think tank of the
Government of India, recently appointed four Distinguished Fellows for a period of one year. The four
new members of NITI Aayog will bring along significant work experience, coupled with their
understanding and expertise of key social, economic and technical issues. The four distinguished
individuals joining the ranks of NITI Aayog are:
• Prof. (Dr.) Anoop Singh
• Dr. O.P Agarwal
• Dr. Ajai Chowdhry
• Sh. V. Lakshmikumaran

53
Q
  1. Name the bank that has recently (in Nov ‘23) stopped online Immediate Payment System
    (IMPS) transfers as funds from transactions.
    1) State Bank of India
    2) UCO Bank
    3) Bank of Maharashtra
    4) Bank of India
    5) Indian Overseas Bank
A

Answer- 2) UCO Bank
Explanation:
The government-owned UCO Bank has temporarily stopped online Immediate Payment System
(IMPS) transfers as funds from transactions initiated by customers of other banks were credited to
account holders of UCO Bank, but the bank did not actually receive the money.
• The incidents occurred between November 10 and 13, The bank, as a precautionary measure,
has made the IMPS channel offline and is working closely with stakeholders to resolve the
issue and restore the IMPS services at the earliest.

54
Q
  1. Which company has recently (in Nov ‘23) collaborated with Amadeus to drive travel
    experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
    1) BharatPe
    2) PhonePe
    3) Paytm
    4) Razorpay
    5) Freecharge
A

Answer- 3) Paytm
Explanation:
Paytm(One97 Communications Limited) announced a partnership with Amadeus, under which it will
integrate Amadeus’ travel platform and optimise travel experience from search to booking, and
payment.
• The company has partnered with global travel technology company Amadeus to redefine travel
experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• This partnership brings together Paytm’s vast user base and Amadeus’s expertise to provide
travellers with a more seamless and efficient booking experience

55
Q
  1. Who has recently (in Nov ‘23) became the First Woman to Skydive from 21,500 ft of height
    in front of the world’s highest peak, Mt Everest?
    1) Priya Suman
    2) Shital Mahajan
    3) Archana Sardana
    4) Shweta Parmar
    5) Sonali Aggarwal
A

Answer- 2) Shital Mahajan
Explanation:
Indian skydiver Shital Mahajan jumped off a helicopter from the height of 21,500 ft in front of the
world’s highest peak, Mt Everest. She became the first woman to do so.
i. Mahajan landed at Kalapatthar peak at an altitude 17,444ft. Mahajan is a well-known Indian
skydiver who holds several skydiving records and is the recipient of the fourth highest civilian award,
the Padma Shri in 2001.

56
Q
  1. Which country has recently (in Nov ‘23) issued free visas to India, China, Russia, Malaysia,
    Japan, Indonesia and Thailand?
    1) Maldives
    2) Sri Lanka
    3) Singapore
    4) Vietnam
    5) Cambodia
A

Answer- 2) Sri Lanka
Explanation:
Sri Lanka Cabinet approved issuing of free visas to India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia
and Thailand with immediate effect as a pilot project till 31 March.
• Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry stated that the pilot project, which
commenced immediately, will extend until March 31, 2024.

57
Q
  1. Which state government has recently (in Nov ‘23) signed a USD 200 million project with the
    World Bank to increase power sector reforms?
    1) Uttarakhand
    2) Himachal Pradesh
    3) West Bengal
    4) Odisha
    5) Jharkhand
A

Answer- 2) Himachal Pradesh
Explanation:
In a significant move towards green energy expansion, the Government of India, the Government of
Himachal Pradesh, and the World Bank have signed a USD 200 million project aimed at advancing
power sector reforms in Himachal Pradesh.
i. According to a press release by the World Bank, the project will focus on increasing the share of
renewable energy (RE) in the state’s electricity generation, aligning with Himachal Pradesh’s goal to
add 10,000 megawatts of additional RE capacity.

58
Q
  1. In November 2023, The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) declared about the
    development of Cyclone Midhili in the northwest Bay of Bengal.
    The name ‘Midhili’ was given by the _______________.
    1) Maldives
    2) Sri Lanka
    3) Yemen
    4) Myanmar
    5) Thailand
A

Answer- 1) Maldives
Explanation:
In November 2023, The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) declared about the development of
Cyclone Midhili in the northwest Bay of Bengal.
· Cyclone Midhili is the second cyclone to hit the Bangladesh coast in quick succession after
cyclone Hamoon.
· The name ‘Midhili’ was given by the Maldives. Countries affected by the Arabian Sea and Bay of
Bengal cyclones rotationally give names of cyclones in a sequence. On October 25, 2023 cyclone
Hamoon had crossed near southern Chittagong.
· Under the influence of Cyclone Midhili, heavy rainfall is forecasted in the coastal regions of
Odisha, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram with wind speed blowing in the range between 40 kmph
and 70 kmph.

59
Q
  1. On November 5, 2023, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked
    measures under Stage 4 of the GRAP after the Nation Capital Region’s Air Quality Index (AQI)
    deteriorated to the ‘severe’ category.
    In GRAP, what does ‘A’ stand for?
    1) Air
    2) Action
    3) Access
    4) Accurate
    5) Atmosphere
A

Answer- 2) Action
Explanation:
With the Nation Capital Region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorating to the ‘severe’ category, the
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for formulating
strategies to combat pollution in the region, on November 5, 2023 invoked measures under Stage 4 of
the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect.
· GRAP is a set of emergency measures that kick in to prevent further deterioration of air quality
once it reaches a certain threshold in the Delhi-NCR region.
· Approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 and notified in 2017, the plan was formulated after
several meetings that the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) held with
state government representatives and experts.
· The result was a plan that institutionalised measures to be taken when air quality deteriorates.
GRAP is incremental in nature and thus, when the air quality dips from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor,’ measures
listed under both sections have to be followed.

60
Q
  1. Who is the present (as of Nov ‘23) Chairman-cum-Managing Director of National Divyangjan
    Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC)?
    1) Naveen Shah
    2) Jawahar Kumar
    3) Ravideep Singh Chahar
    4) Vanjulavalli Sridhar
    5) Sivagnana Ganesan
A

Answer- 1) Naveen Shah
Explanation:
About National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC):
It is a Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) under the aegis of DEPwDS, MoSJE.
Chairman-cum-Managing Director– Naveen Shah
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Establishment– 1997

November 2023 (19 decks)

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