1.

1. Central Bureau of Investigation

2. Niti Aayog

3. National Commission for Minorities

4. Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas

How many of these are Statutory Bodies in India?

(a) Only two

(b) Only one

(c) All the four

(d) Only three

2.

1. It is known for the Royal Bengal Tigers.

2. Its vegetation is specially filled with Sal Forest in the valleys.

Which of the above statements is/are correct w.r.t.  Bandhavgarh National Park?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

3.

1. Most of the tropical cyclones develop in the doldrums region.

2. The eye is a region of mostly calm weather at the center of tropical cyclones.

(a) Only (1) is true

(b) Only (2) is true

(c) Both (1) & (2) are true

(d) Neither (1) Nor (2) is true

4.

Attorney General of India can

1. Take part in the proceedings of the Lok Sabha

2. Be a member of a committee of the Lok Sabha

3. Speak in the Lok Sabha

4. Vote in the Lok Sabha

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 2 and 4

5.

Consider the following statements regarding ‘Comptroller and Auditor General of India’:

1. The CAG is an agent of the Parliament and conducts audit of expenditure on behalf of the Parliament.

2. CAG submits his audit reports relating to the accounts of state to the President.

3. CAG holds office for a period of five years or up to the age of 65 years.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

6.

Consider the following statements w.r.t. Arsenic and Fluoride.

1. Fluoride is added to toothpaste as it is good for a healthy tooth.

2. Fluoride pollution changes skin pigmentation.

3. Arsenic pollution leads to crippling skeletal damage.

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

7.

Consider the following statements with respect to National Population Register (NPR).

1. The NPR is being prepared under provisions of the Citizenship Act 1955.

2. The NPR will collect only demographic data.

3. It is mandatory for every “usual resident of India” to register in the NPR.

4. A “usual resident of the country” is one who has been residing in a local area for the past 6 months or more.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?.

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3, and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

8.

i) Only companies with a three-year sound financial record can get access to GDRs.

ii) They are non-negotiable financial instruments.

iii) They can be denominated as multiple forms of freely convertible currency.

How many of the above statements is/are correct w.r.t. “Global Depository Receipts (GDRs)”?.

(a) Only two

(b) Only one

(c) All the three

(d) None of these

9.

I. One of the 11 fundamental duties mentioned under Article 51A was inducted during the Vajpayee government.

II. The inclusion of Fundamental Duties brought our Constitution in line with article 29 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?.

(a) Only I

(b) Only II 

(c) Both I and II 

(d) Neither I nor II

10.

Open RAN Security Report was released by

(a) NATO

(b) SCO

(c) ASEAN

(d) QUAD

11.

The correctly matched pairs are

I. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary - Madhya Pradesh.

II. Mukundara Tiger Reserve - Rajasthan.

III. Bhainsroggarh Wildlife Sanctuary – Madhya Pradesh

IV. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary - Gujarat

(a) II and IV

(b) I and III 

(c) I, II, III, and IV

(d) I and II

o 12.

Which of the following assets are included in the level of India''s foreign exchange reserves?

1. Gold

2. Special Drawing Rights

3. Foreign Currency Assets

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

13.

Which of the following is/are true?

1. Mitochondrial diseases are only passed on by the mother.

2. Passing on mitochondrial diseases from parent to child can be prevented by mitochondria replacement therapy either before or after in vitro fertilization of the egg.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

14.

With reference to Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP) initiative, consider the following statements;

1.It is an intergovernmental organistaion to support Pacific islands and to boost diplomatic, and economic ties in the pacific region.

2. It is launched by Russia and China.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

15.

1. Iran

2. Mongolia

3. Pakistan

4. Srilanka

Members of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation include

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4

(b) 1, 2 and 4 

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 2 and 3

16.

1. Item-67 of the Union List

2. Item-12 of the State List

3. Item-40 of the Concurrent List

Which of the above in Indian Constitution deal with the India’s heritage?.

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

17.

1. Spindles Transfer

2. Pronuclear Transfer

3. Polar Body Transfer

4. Acrosome Transfer

Which of the above are used in Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy?.

(a) 2 and 3

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 2, 3 and 4

18.

Consider statements w.r.t. National Ganga council:

1. It is a statutory body.

2. It is headed by Minister of Environment.

3. It has on board the chief ministers of five Ganga basin states besides several Union ministers.

Which of the above statements are correct?

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

19.

Consider the following statements regarding Election Commissioners of India: -

1) Appointment of election commissioners is made by the President while appointment of regional election commissioners is made by Chief election commissioner.

2) Retiring election commissioners is not eligible for any further appointment by the government.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

20.

Consider the following statements w.r.t. El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO):

1. Southern Oscillation is its oceanic component.

2. El Niño was first recognized by fishers off the coast of Peru.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

21.

Forest Advisory Committee is a/an

(a) semi-autonomus body

(b) excutive body

(c) adhoc body

(d) statutory body

22.

I. Central Asian Flyway is a major migratory route for birds, covering 30 countries from the Arctic Ocean to the Indian Ocean.

II. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals known as Bonn Convention is an environmental treaty under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme.

Which of the above statements is/are true?.

(a) Only

(b) Only II

(c) Both I & II

(d) Neither I nor II

23.

I. The “Water Bodies First Census Report” is a broader version of the sixth minor irrigation census.

II. Since 1986, India has conducted a census of minor irrigation every five years, exclusively on rural water bodies.

Which of the above statements is/are true?.

(a) Only I

(b) Only II

(c) Both I & II

(d) Neither I nor II

24.

Pratima Murthy Committee has been constituted by

(a) Securities and Exchange Board of India

(b) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority

(c) Minsitry of Panchayat Raj

(d) Minsitry of Defence

25.

The scientific view is that the increase in global temperature should not exceed 2 °C above pre-industrial level. If the global temperature increases beyond 3°C above the pre-industrial level, what can be its possible impact/impacts on the world?

1. Terrestrial biosphere tends toward a net carbon source

2. Widespread coral mortality will occur.

3. All the global wetlands will permanently disappear.

4. Cultivation of cereals will not be possible anywhere in the world.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3, and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

1.

https://iasgoogle.com/editorial/constitutional-bodies-and-non-constitutional-bodies

Statutory Bodies in India - These are non-constitutional bodies as they do not find any mention in the Constitution.

·       They are created by an Act of Parliament.

·       These are also termed non-constitutional bodies that make rules & regulations and take decisions on behalf of the government.

·       They are called ‘statutory’ since statutes are laws made by the Parliament or the legislature.

·       Since these bodies derive their power from statutes or laws made by the Parliament, they are known as statutory bodies.

·       Some examples of statutory bodies are National Commission for Women, National Human Rights Commission, National Green Tribunal, etc.

A

2.

https://iasgoogle.com/current_affair/may-20-2023-current-affairs

C 

3.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/imd-cyclone-mocha-formation-details-explained-8596533/

https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/anatomy-of-a-cyclone/

C

4.

Attorney General has the right to speak and to take part in the proceedings of both the Houses of Parliament or their joint sitting and any committee of the Parliament of which he may be named a member but without a right to vote. He enjoys all the privileges and immunities that are available to a Member of Parliament.

A

5.

https://iasgoogle.com/editorial/abc-of-comptroller-and-auditor-general-of-india-cag

A   

6.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/parliamentary-panel-alerts-centre-of-contamination-of-arsenic-fluoride-other-heavy-metals-in-ground-and-drinking-water-across-multiple-states-4678118

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/even-limited-arsenic-exposure-mars-cognitive-function/article66869761.ece

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/ngt-notice-to-kerala-on-groundwater-contamination-high-levels-of-fluoride-and-arsenic/articleshow/106393366.cms

D

7.

https://iasgoogle.com/editorial_detail/national-population-register-all-you-need-to-know

·     Migrants belonging to the six non-Muslim minority communities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, while applying for long-term visas (LTVs), can also produce National Population Register (NPR) enrolment slips as proof of duration of their stay in India.

·     The National Population Register (NPR) is a Register of usual residents of the country.

·     It is being prepared at the local (Village/sub-Town), sub-District, District, State and National level under provisions of the Citizenship Act 1955 and the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003.

·     It is mandatory for every usual resident of India to register in the NPR.

·     The NPR will collect both demographic data and biometric data.

·     A usual resident is defined for the purposes of NPR as a person who has resided in a local area for the past 6 months or more or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next 6 months or more.

·     The NPR was first compiled in 2010 simultaneously with the decadal Census exercise and later updated in 2015.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explained-how-can-citizens-file-census-details-online/article66901868.ece

C 

8.

They are negotiable financial instruments.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/direct-listing-foreign-exchanges-indian-companies-9012238/

Global Depository Receipts (GDRs)

• It is a foreign currency-denominated negotiable financial instrument issued by a depositary bank. 
• GDRs are certificates issued by a depository bank, which purchases foreign company shares and deposits them in the account. 
• GDRs are commonly used to raise capital from international investors through public stock offerings or private placement.
• Purpose:
• Indian companies can only get their shares listed on foreign exchanges through Global Depository Receipts (GDR).
• GDRs help Indian companies get foreign funds and gain access to international capital. 
• The depository bank is the intermediary that acts as the custodian of the shares issued by the Indian company.
• The depository bank can convert GDRs into shares and trade them on the domestic stock exchanges.
• GDRs are instruments denominated in foreign currencies. The shares are denominated in the deposit receipt issuer''s local currency.
• The value of a GDR depends on the value of the underlying share.
• GDRs are issued to investors throughout the country since they can be denominated as multiple forms of freely convertible currency.
• Only companies with a three-year sound financial record can get access to GDRs.
• Thus, Indian companies should get clearance from the Ministry of Finance and Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) to obtain GDRs.

https://iasgoogle.com/current_affair/may-19-2023-current-affairs

A

9.

At Present we have 11 Fundamental Duties.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-what-are-the-fundamental-duties-of-indias-citizens-7785426/

C   

10.

https://iasgoogle.com/current_affair/may-21-2023-current-affairs

D

11.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/cheetahs-second-home-in-india-gandhi-sagar-wildlife-sanctuary-almost-ready-officials/article67775977.ece

https://iasgoogle.com/n/May-08-2023-current-affairs

D  

12.

Foreign exchange reserves are assets held on reserve by a central bank in foreign currencies, which can include bonds, treasury bills and other government securities. It needs to be noted that most foreign exchange reserves are held in US dollars.

India’s Forex Reserve include:

· Foreign Currency Assets

· Gold reserves

· Special Drawing Rights

· Reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/banking-and-finance/reserve-banks-gold-reserves-rose-4-5-to-794-64-tonnes-in-2022-23-8598814/#:~:text=The%20latest%20WGC%20report%20showed,)%20during%20January%2DMarch%202023.&text=The%20Reserve%20Bank%20of%20India,reserves%20to%20794.64%20metric%20tonnes.

D   

13.

https://iasgoogle.com/current_affair/may-15-2023-current-affairs 

C

14.

It is an “informal mechanism” to support Pacific islands and to boost diplomatic, and economic ties in the pacific region.

It is launched by US, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United Kingdom.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-us-partners-in-the-blue-pacific-initiative-counter-china-7994547/

D 

15.

https://iasgoogle.com/n/May-05-2023-current-affairs

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/iran-co-new-member-explained-8741027/     

https://iasgoogle.com/editorial_detail/abc-of-shanghai-cooperation-organisation

C

16.

https://iasgoogle.com/current_affair/may-21-2023-current-affairs

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/antiquities-abroad-indian-international-laws-metropolitan-museum-of-art-subhash-kapoor-8495034/#:~:text=In%20India%2C%20Item%2D67%20of,deal%20with%20the%20country''s%20heritage. 

D

17.

MRT include different techniques like spindles transfer (ST), pronuclear transfer (PNT) or polar body transfer (PBT). Transmission of defective mitochondrial DNA to the next generation can also be prevented by using these approaches.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/babys-got-three-parents-explaining-mitochondrial-donation-treatment/article66841615.ece

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/baby-born-three-peoples-dna-united-kingdom-mitochondria-diseases-8601790/

C 

18.

National Ganga Council is not a statutory body. It is an authority created under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016.

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was registered as a society on 12th August 2011 under the Societies Registration Act 1860.

It acted as implementation arm of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was constituted under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986.

NGRBA has since been dissolved with effect from the 7th October 2016, consequent to constitution of National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of River Ganga (referred as National Ganga Council)

National Ganga Council under chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/the-guardians-of-the-ganga/article66877758.ece

B

19.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/picking-election-commissioners-9149779/

https://iasgoogle.com/editorial/selection-and-appointment-of-election-commissioners

D

20.

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/el-nino/

The Southern Oscillation is the atmospheric component of ENSO. This component is an oscillation in surface air pressure between the tropical eastern and the western Pacific Ocean waters. The strength of the Southern Oscillation is measured by the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI).

https://iasgoogle.com/current_affair/may-17-2023-current-affairs

B 

21.

Forest Advisory Committee - It is a statutory body which was constituted by the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980. It comes under the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC). It considers questions on the diversion of forest land for non-forest uses such as mining, industrial projects, townships and advises the government on the issue of granting forest clearances. However, its role is advisory.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/fac-seeks-revised-proposal-for-etalin-hydro-project-in-arunachal-pradesh/article66396079.ece

D

22.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/historic-un-meet-on-migratory-species-concludes-with-adopting-indias-major-initiative-on-a-central-asian-flyway/articleshow/107784378.cms

https://iasgoogle.com/n/May-06-2023-current-affairs

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-gears-up-for-a-leadership-role-in-central-asian-flyway-for-conserving-migratory-birds-and-their-habitats/articleshow/100041778.cms

C 

23.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/water/india-s-first-census-of-waterbodies-is-a-much-awaited-one-but-experts-question-the-methodology-here-is-why-89234#:~:text=The%20findings%20show%20that%20there,created%20under%20water%20conservation%20schemes.

C

24.

https://www.thehindu.com/business/irdai-forms-expert-panel-for-advice-on-mental-health-cover/article66847262.ece

B 

25.

·      Taiga and temperate forests act as an important carbon sink. Global warming by 3°C will turn these forests into carbon source.

·      Corals are very sensitive to temperature changes. 3°C rise in global temperature will lead to widespread coral mortality.

·      3°C rise in global temperature will lead to submergence of many low-lying coastal wetlands (not all) due to rise in sea levels. Inland wetlands like Keoladeo Ghana National Park will not be effected (it is 100s of kilometers away from coast).

·      Because of the slow inertia, long response time for parts of the climate system, it has been estimated that we are already committed to a sea-level rise of approximately 2.3 metres (7.5 ft) for each degree Celsius of temperature rise within the next 2,000 years.

·      Cultivation of cereals in tropics will take a hit. But in temperate regions their production increases in the short run

A