1.What is the theme of ‘International Girls in ICT Day 2023?

[A] Empower girls
[B] Digital Skills for Life
[C] STEM
[D] Science Skills for Life

Correct Answer: B [Digital Skills for Life]
Notes:

‘International Girls in ICT Day’ is observed every year on April 27 to encourage and empower girls and young women to explore and pursue careers in information and communication technology.
The theme for this year is ‘Digital Skills for Life’. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) leads the observation every year.

2.What is the target growth of medical devices industry by 2030, as per the ‘National Medical Devices Policy, 2023’?

[A] 5 billion USD
[B] 25 billion USD
[C] 50 billion USD
[D] 100 billion USD

Correct Answer: C [50 billion USD]
Notes:

The National Medical Devices Policy, 2023 was approved recently by the Union Cabinet. The medical devices sector in India is a sunrise sector which is growing at a fast pace.
The policy is expected to help the medical devices industry grow from the present 11 billion USD to 50 billion USD by 2030. It also aims to rise India’s share to 10-12% in the global market over the next 25 years.

3.As of 2023, what is the interest rate on deposits made under ‘Mahila Samman Saving Certificate Account’?

[A] 6.5 %
[B] 7.5 %
[C] 8.0 %
[D] 8.5 %

Correct Answer: B [7.5 %]
Notes:

Union Budget announced the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC), a new small-savings scheme for women and was launched for investments from April 1, 2023. The interest rate on deposits made under this Program is 7.5% per year.
The Union Minister Smriti Irani opened the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC) account recently.

4.Which institution launched the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) Initiative?

[A] UNICEF
[B] IMF
[C] WHO
[D] WEF

Correct Answer: C [WHO]
Notes:

The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Preparedness and Resilience for Emerging Threats (PRET) Initiative.
This initiative will ensure better preparedness against future outbreaks like the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative was announced at the Global Meeting for Future Respiratory Pathogen Pandemics held in Geneva.

5.What is the expansion of SAF, which was seen in the news?

[A] Supporting Aviation Fuel
[B] Sustainable Aviation Fuel
[C] Sweeping Aviation Fuel
[D] Silent Aviation Fuel

Correct Answer: B [Sustainable Aviation Fuel]
Notes:

The Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or bio-jet fuel is used to power aircraft with minimum carbon footprint.
Recently, the Indian Institute of Petroleum has tied up with Indigo, Spicejet and the three Tata Airlines to support the production of the SAF.

6.Scientists have discovered a cave in which state to confirm that three droughts resulted in destruction of Harappa?

[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Gujarat
[C] Assam
[D] Uttarakhand

Correct Answer: D [Uttarakhand]
Notes:

A stalagmite is a mound of mineral sediments that forms upwards as a result of water dripping onto the cave floor.
Scientists, using a stalagmite from a cave near Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, revealed that three droughts, which occurred 4,200 years ago, each lasting 20 to 90 years, resulted in the destruction of Harappa, Rakhigarhi and Dholavira.

7.Johnson Space Center’s Thermal Vacuum Chamber is located in which country?

[A] Russia
[B] USA
[C] Australia
[D] Israel

Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:

NASA Johnson Space Center’s Thermal Vacuum Chamber has interior conditions that are similar to those found on the Moon.
In this chamber, scientists recently conducted a test to successfully extract oxygen from simulated lunar soil in a vacuum environment.

8.The USA and Canada celebrate the ‘Labor Day’ in which month?

[A] May
[B] June
[C] July
[D] September

Correct Answer: D [September]
Notes:

Labour Day is observed across the world on May 1. It celebrates the contribution of labourers and the working class.
May 1 is marked as May Day, also referred to as International Workers’ Day and Labour Day in different countries across the world. Although the US and Canada observed the first Monday of September as Labor Day.

9.‘All India Vedic Science Conference’ was inaugurated in which state/UT?

[A] Maharashtra
[B] New Delhi
[C] Gujarat
[D] Assam

Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:

The ‘All India Vedic Science Conference’ was inaugurated recently by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The event is held in New Delhi.
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar was also present on the occasion.

10.NITI Aayog released the ‘Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium, 2023’, in collaboration with which institution?

[A] UNICEF
[B] UNESCO
[C] UNDP
[D] UNEP

Correct Answer: C [UNDP]
Notes:

NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the UNDP, recently released the “Best Practices in Social Sector: A Compendium, 2023”.
In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Indian independence, 75 case studies across 14 key social sectors are provided by this compendium.