1. The 'Viksit Bharat 2047' initiative launched by the Indian government is mainly intended to do what?
Answer: B. Viksit Bharat 2047 aims to make India a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of independence, through work in infrastructure, education, health and governance.
2. Which well-known Indian cardiologist, called the 'Doyen of Angioplasty', died recently?
Answer: D. Dr. Mathew Samuel Kalarickal, a pioneer who helped introduce and popularise angioplasty in India, was the cardiologist who passed away.
3. What significant change has the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) made concerning GST registration?
Answer: D. CBIC reworked the GST registration framework by adding biometric Aadhaar authentication, which tightens verification and curbs fraudulent registrations.
4. What instruction did the Finance Ministry give banks about eNWR lending?
Answer: E. The ministry urged banks to lend more against eNWRs so credit flows better to agriculture and farmers get better prices for their produce.
5. What is the GST position on UPI transactions above ₹2,000?
Answer: A. UPI transactions are exempt from GST whatever the amount, and the government clarified this includes those over ₹2,000 to encourage digital payments.
6. Why do family offices favour the Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) route in GIFT City over Family Investment Funds (FIFs)?
Answer: C. Family offices pick the AIF route because its regulatory processes are streamlined, whereas the FIF framework is relatively complicated.
7. What is the main goal of the ₹2,250 crore Export Promotion Mission launched by the Indian government?
Answer: D. The ₹2,250 crore mission seeks to raise India's export competitiveness through financial help, infrastructure development and policy support for exporters.
8. Which body is in charge of implementing the Export Promotion Mission?
Answer: D. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry leads the mission and works with different stakeholders on strategies to lift India's export performance.
9. What effect is the Export Promotion Mission expected to have on India's trade balance?
Answer: E. By pushing exports up, the mission is expected to improve India's trade surplus and strengthen the country's economic standing globally.
10. The Natyashastra, recently inscribed by UNESCO, is attributed to which figure and subject?
Answer: C. The Natyashastra is attributed to Bharata Muni and deals with drama, dance, music and aesthetics. The Gita is attributed to Vyasa.
11. The Director-General of the IBCA Secretariat is appointed by which Indian ministry?
Answer: D. The Secretariat head is appointed by India's Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
12. Why is the new protection for DPS Flamingo Lake considered a first?
Answer: C. The notes describe it as the first wetland connected to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary to receive such protection.
13. Which three agencies developed the James Webb Space Telescope, launched in December 2021?
Answer: B. JWST was developed by NASA, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.
14. Which set of sites formed India's first World Heritage listings in 1983?
Answer: B. The notes list Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves as India's first four listings in 1983.
15. Which US official said Washington could move on from Russia-Ukraine peace efforts if no progress came in days?
Answer: A. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the remark in Paris.