Top 100 Flashcards
- In which city, National Health Authority (NHA) has recently (in August ‘23) launched India’s
first Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) microsite?
1) Bengaluru, Karnataka
2) Aizawl, Mizoram
3) Ahmedabad, Gujarat
4) New Delhi, Delhi
5) Pune, Maharashtra
Answer- 2) Aizawl, Mizoram
Explanation:
On 23rd August 2023, National Health Authority (NHA) launched India’s first Ayushman Bharat
Digital Mission (ABDM) microsite in Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram. With this, Mizoram became
the 1st State in India to operationalise ABDM microsite project.
i. Mizoram has appointed Youth for Action as the Interfacing Agency for implementing the ABDM
Microsite in Aizawl.
• Microsites are clusters of ABDM-enabled small and medium-scale healthcare facilities, such as
clinics, nursing homes, hospitals (with less than 10 beds), laboratories, and pharmacies,
offering digital health services to patients like linking the health records generated at these
facilities with their Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHAs).
• These records can be accessed and shared using ABDM-enabled Personal Health Record (PHR) applications on patients’ phones.
- In August 2023, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) set up a 9-member
committee of experts headed by ____________, to maintain the Defence Research and Development
Organization (DRDO).
1) V. K. Saraswat
2) Ajay K. Sood
3) Rajagopala Chidambaram
4) Manjul Bhargava
5) K Vijay Raghavan
Answer- 5) K Vijay Raghavan
Explanation:
Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) has set up a 9-member committee of experts
to maintain the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The committee will be
headed by Prof K Vijay Raghavan, former Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India (GoI).
i. The 9-member committee has been tasked with the mission to review and redefine the role of
various departments within DRDO and submit a report within 3 months.
Note: Prof Vijay Raghavan was one of the key architects of the National Research Foundation (NRF).
- Who has been recently (in August ‘23) named as the ‘National Icon’ for voter awareness and
education for the Election Commission of India (ECI)?
1) Manoj Bajpayee
2) Mary Kom
3) Sachin Tendulkar
4) Mahendra Singh Dhoni
5) Pankaj Tripathi
Answer- 3) Sachin Tendulkar
Explanation:
Former Indian cricketer and Bharat Ratna awardee Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar was named as the
‘National Icon’ for voter awareness and education for the Election Commission of India(ECI).
• Sachin and ECI entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a period of 3 years at
the event held in New Delhi, Delhi, in the presence of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC),
Rajiv Kumar, and Election Commissioners Shri Anup Chandra Pandey and Shri Arun Goel.
i. Sachin Tendulkar is the recipient of Bharat Ratna(2014), Padma Vibhushan(2008), Padma
Shri(1999) for his achievement in sports. He has also received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna(1997) and
Arjuna Award(1994) for cricket.
ii. ‘Playing it my Way’ co-authored by Boria Majumdar and Sachin is the official autobiography of
Sachin.
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the Chandrayaan-3 (Moon
Craft) developed by Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO), as of August 2023?
A) India successfully landed Chandrayaan-3 near the moon’s south pole by the Vikram(Valour)
Lander Module (LM).
B) With this successful landing, India became the 4th country to soft land on the moon and
became the first country to land a spacecraft near Moon’s South Pole at 70 degrees latitude.
C) The mission life of LM & Rover is One lunar day (~14 Earth days), and their Landing Site
(Prime) is 4 km x 2.4 km 69.367621 S, 32.348126 E.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
August 23, 2023 will always be remembered for the successful soft landing near moon’s South Pole by
the Vikram(Valour) Lander Module (LM) of ‘Chandrayaan-3 (Moon Craft)’, making India the first
country to land spacecraft near Moon’s South Pole at 70 degrees latitude.
• It was Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) third lunar mission which resulted in an
unprecedented milestone in space exploration. Chandrayaan 1 was launched in 2008, and
Chandrayaan 2 in 2019.
• With this successful landing, India became the 4th country to soft land on the moon after the
United States (US) with its Surveyor 1 in 1966; Soviet Union/Russia’s Luna 9 in 1966, and
China with Chang’s 3 in 2013.
• Developed by ISRO, Chandrayaan-3 consists of indigenous LM Vikram, Propulsion Module (PM)
and Rover named Pragyaan (Wisdom).
• As Vikram settles on the moon, Pragyaan rover comes out from the LM and rolls onto the lunar
surface to start analyzing lunar soil and rocks.
• The mission life of LM & Rover is One lunar day (~14 Earth days), and their Landing Site
(Prime) is 4 km x 2.4 km 69.367621 S, 32.348126 E.
• Namakkal, a district in Tamil Nadu (TN), played a pivotal role in this achievement. Its unique
soil, similar to the Southern Pole of lunar surface’s ‘Anorthosite‘ (a type of intrusive igneous
rock) type, was supplied to ISRO for testing purposes.
- Indian-American Statistician and mathematician ________________, who won Padma Vibhushan
(2001) in the field of science and Engineering passed away in August 2023.
1) CR Rao
2) K. R. Parthasarathy
3) S. R. Srinivasa Varadhan
4) Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis
5) Veeravalli S. Varadarajan
Answer- 1) CR Rao
Explanation:
Renowned Indian-American Statistician and
mathematician Calyampudi Radhakrishna Rao (CR
Rao) passed away at the age of 102 in Buffalo, New
York, the United States of America(USA).
i. He was awarded the 2023 International Prize in
Statistics which is equivalent to the Nobel Prize in
statistics in April 2023. He worked in India at the
Indian Statistical Institute(ISI) for 40 years (1941-
1979).
• He was the founder of CR Rao Advanced Institute of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer
Sciences (CR Rao AIMCS) at the University of Hyderabad, Telangana.
• He served as chairman of the Committee on Statistics (1962-69), and chairman of the
Demographic and Communication for Population Control (1968-69).
ii. Awards: He was honoured with Padma Bhushan(1968 ) and Padma Vibhushan (2001) in the
field of science and Engineering.
• He was also awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1963) and the India Science Award
(2009).
• He was awarded the National Medal of Science (2002) by then President George Bush in the
USA.
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the Philippine Coast Guard’s
official visit to India in August 2023?
A) A 5 member delegation of the Philippine Coast Guard(PCG) led by Admiral Artemio Manalo
Abu, Commandant of PCG was on an official tour to India
B) The Indian Coastal Guard (ICG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the
PCG on enhanced maritime cooperation.
C) Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff(CNS), Indian Navy, and Admiral
Artemio Manalo Abu, Commandant of PCG signed the Standard Operating Procedure(SOP) for
the exchange of White Shipping Information between the Indian Navy and PCG.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
A 5 member delegation of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) led by Admiral Artemio Manalo Abu,
Commandant of PCG was on an official tour to India from 20th to 24th August 2023.
• On 21st August 2023, the delegates visited Goa and witnessed the operation capabilities of the
Indian Coastal Guard (ICG) Ships and aircraft under “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
• They toured several ICG facilities including the frontline offshore patrol vessel- Indian Coast
Guard Ship(ICGS) Sujeet.
• The aerospace industry capabilities were also showcased along with a customer demonstration
flight (CDF) on the Indian Coast Guard Advance Light Helicopter MK-III (ALH MK 3 helicopter)
by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• ICG and PCG held their first-ever bilateral meeting on a range of maritime issues in Goa & the
Indian Coastal Guard (ICG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the PCG on
enhanced maritime cooperation.
• Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff(CNS), Indian Navy, and Admiral
Artemio Manalo Abu, Commandant of PCG signed the Standard Operating Procedure(SOP) for
the exchange of White Shipping Information between the Indian Navy and PCG, in New Delhi,
Delhi.
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the naval Exercise MALABAR
2023 held in August 2023?
A) The 27th edition of naval Exercise MALABAR 2023 was held at the East Coast of Australia off
Sydney, between the Indian Navy (IN), United States Navy (USN), Japan Maritime Self Defence
Force (JMSDF) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
B) Indian Navy Ship (INS) Tarkash, INS Surat & P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft are
Representatives from India to the Exercise MALABAR 2023.
C) Indian Navy’s INS Vagir, the 5th Kalvari class submarine, sets a new record for the longest
deployment of a scorpene-class submarine, covering 7,000 km to reach Australia for joint
military exercises.
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) Only A
Answer- 4) Only A & C
Explanation:
The 27th edition of naval Exercise MALABAR 2023 was held at East Coast of Australia off Sydney,
between the Indian Navy (IN), United States Navy (USN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF)
and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from August 11-21, 2023.
• The exercise was hosted by RAN and held in Australia for the first time.
i. Indian Navy Ship (INS) Sahyadri– It is the third vessel of the indigenous Project-17 class frigates,
commanded by Capt Rajan Kapoor.
ii. INS Kolkata– It is the first in the Project-15A class destroyers, under the command of Capt Sharad
Sinsunwal.
• Both ships, built at Mumbai, Maharashtra’s Mazagon Dock Ltd, are armed with advanced
weaponry and sensors for comprehensive threat detection and response.
iii. P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft – It was manufactured by Boeing specially for the Indian Navy.
iv. Indian Navy’s INS Vagir, the 5th Kalvari class submarine, sets a new record for the longest
deployment of a scorpene-class submarine, covering 7,000 km to reach Australia for joint military
exercises.
- In August 2023, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) mandated additional
disclosures from Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) that have concentrated holding in a single
company or a group firm w.e.f. November 1, 2023.
FPIs with over 50% of Indian equity Assets Under Management (AUM) in a single corporate
group get ___________ days to reduce holdings, followed by further ownership disclosures.
1) 15
2) 10
3) 30
4) 20
5) 25
Answer- 2) 10
Explanation:
On August 24, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) mandated additional
disclosures from Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) that have concentrated holding in a single
company or a group firm w.e.f. November 1, 2023.
i. Such FPIs will be required to identify all entities with any ownership, economic interest and control
rights.
Key Points:
• FPIs with over 50% of Indian equity Assets Under Management (AUM) in a single corporate
group get 10 days to reduce holdings, followed by further ownership disclosures.
• FPIs with equity AUM exceeding Rs 25,000 crore have 90 days to reduce holdings.
• Accounts of all such FPIs will be blocked for further equity purchases until the holding is
brought below Rs 25,000 crore.
• If investment remains high after deadlines, 30 days for disclosures, then FPI registration
invalid.
• Invalid registration leads to securities liquidation and market exit within 180 days from
invalidation.
- Which of the following points is ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the 69th National Film Awards
(2023) announced in August 2023?
1) Telugu Actor Allu Arjun became the first Telugu actor to win the National Award under Best Actor
category by winning the Best Actor award for the film Pushpa (The Rise Part I) under Rajat Kamal
(Silver Lotus) for feature films.
2) The Best Actress award was shared by Alia Bhatt for Gangubai Kathiawadi and Kriti Sanon for Mimi
under Rajat Kamal(Silver Lotus) for feature films.
3) Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, directed by R Madhavan won the Best Feature Film award under
Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) Award for Feature Film.
4) The Kashmir Files directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film on
National Integration.
5) RRR(Rise Roar Revolt), a Telugu film directed by S. S. Rajamouli has won 8 awards.
Answer- 5) RRR(Rise Roar Revolt), a Telugu film directed by S. S. Rajamouli has won 8 awards.
Explanation:
On 24th August 2023, the winners of the 69th National Film Awards (2023) were announced by the
jury panel during the event held at the National Media Centre, New Delhi, Delhi. Anurag Thakur, the
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, was presented with the list of the winners.
• 69th National Film Awards honoured the best films of 2021 in Indian cinema.
• Telugu Actor Allu Arjun won the Best Actor award for the film Pushpa (The Rise Part I) under
Rajat Kamal(Silver Lotus) for feature films. With this, he became the first Telugu actor to win
the National Award under Best Actor category.
• The Best Actress award was shared by Alia Bhatt for Gangubai Kathiawadi and Kriti Sanon for
Mimi under Rajat Kamal(Silver Lotus) for feature films.
• Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, directed by R Madhavan won the Best Feature Film award under
Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus)Award for Feature Film.
• The Kashmir Files directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Film
on National Integration.
• RRR(Rise Roar Revolt), a Telugu film directed by S. S. Rajamouli, has won the most number of
awards i.e. 6 at the 69th National Film Awards.
- Which of the following tennis players has been recently (in August ‘23) appointed as the
ambassador of Infosys Limited?
1) Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
2) Rafael Nadal (Spain)
3) Iga Świątek (Poland)
4) Both 1 & 3
5) Both 2 & 3
Answer- 5) Both 2 & 3
Explanation:
Infosys Limited, an Indian multinational information technology (IT) company, has signed a 3 years
partnership with Spanish Tennis Icon Rafael Nadal appointing him as the ambassador for its brand
and Infosys’ Digital Innovation.
• Infosys and Rafael Nadal entered into a three-year partnership.
• This marks Nadal‘s first-ever collaboration with a digital services company.
i. Infosys Limited also signed a multi-year partnership with women’s tennis World No. 1 Iga Świątek
of Poland, appointing him as the ambassador to promote digital innovation and inspire women
worldwide.
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the International Chess
Federation (FIDE) World Chess Cup 2023 held in Baku, Azerbaijan in July and August 2023?
A) Norwegian Grandmaster (GM) and World No. 1 player Magnus Carlsen won his first FIDE
World Cup title by defeating India’s GM Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa in the FIDE Chess World
Cup 2023 finals.
B) Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia won the 2023 FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup title by
defeating Nurgyul Salimova of Bulgaria in the finals.
C) Praggnanandhaa becomes the first Indian since Viswanathan Anand to reach the Chess
World Cup final in 2002 and became the third-youngest player to qualify for this event after
Carlsen and GM Bobby Fischer.
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) Only A
Answer- 1) All A, B & C
Explanation:
Norwegian Grandmaster (GM) and World No. 1 player Magnus Carlsen won his first International
Chess Federation (FIDE) World Cup title by defeating India’s GM Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa
in the FIDE Chess World Cup 2023 finals.
• The 10th edition of the FIDE Chess World Cup 2023 was held from 29th July to 24th August
2023 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
• Fabiano Caruana of the United States of America(USA) defeated Nijat Asabov of Azerbaijan to
secure the 3rd place.
• Carlsen defeated Praggnanandhaa in the tie-breaker after the two classical games ended in a
stalemate.
• Praggnanandhaa becomes the first Indian since Viswanathan Anand to reach the Chess World
Cup final in 2002.
• Praggnanandhaa’s performance in the World Cup earned him a spot in the 2024 FIDE
Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto, Canada.
• Praggnanandhaa (18-year-old) is the third-youngest player to qualify for this event after
Carlsen and GM Bobby Fischer.
• This was the first time four Indians qualified for the quarterfinals including Praggnanandhaa,
Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, D. Gukesh, and Arjun Erigaisi.
• Alongside FIDE World Cup 2023, the 2nd edition of the Women’s only version of the Women’s
World Cup 2023 took place in Baku, Azerbaijan from 29th July to 22nd August 2023.
• Aleksandra Goryachkina of Russia won the 2023 FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup title by
defeating Nurgyul Salimova of Bulgaria in the finals.
- In August 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the upper limit for offline
transactions to Rs _________ from Rs 200.
1) Rs 300
2) Rs 600
3) Rs 800
4) Rs 500
5) Rs 400
Answer- 4) Rs 500
Explanation:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the upper
limit for offline transactions to Rs 500 from Rs 200
w.e.f. August 24, 2023, following its announcement
during the bi-monthly policy review on August 10,
2023.
i. However, the overall limit is retained at Rs 2000 to
contain the risks associated with relaxation of two-
factor authentication.
ii. The information for the same was provided by
RBI under Section 10 (2) read with Section 18 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (Act
51 of 2007)/PSS Act.
iii. PSOs/PSPs are entities authorized by the RBI to operate payment systems enabling transactions
between payers and beneficiaries.
- In August 2023, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi declared that _____________ of every year
will be observed as “National Space Day” in India to commemorate the soft landing of
Chandrayaan 3 on the Moon.
1) 25th August
2) 22nd August
3) 24th August
4) 26th August
5) 23rd August
Answer- 5) 23rd August
Explanation:
On 26th August 2023, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi declared that 23rd August of every year
will be observed as “National Space Day” in India to commemorate the soft landing of Chandrayaan
3 on the Moon.
• The announcement was made while addressing the team of Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) Scientists at the ISRO Telemetry Tracking & Command Network Mission
Control Complex (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The day will celebrate the spirit of Science, Technology, and Innovation, and inspire younger
generations to get involved in the field of science, technology, and space.
i. The successful 3rd lunar mission has made India the 1st nation to reach near the Moon’s South Pole
and the 4th to land a spacecraft on the lunar surface.
ii. PM Narendra Modi also announced that the spot, where the moon lander of Chandrayaan-3,
landed on the lunar surface will be known as ‘Shivshakti’ Point. He also announced that the point on
the Moon where Chandrayaan-2 crash landed in 2019 will be called ‘Tiranga Point‘.
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the 6th census on Minor
Irrigation (MI) schemes released in August 2023?
A) The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), Department of Water Resources (WR), River Development,
and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR) released the report on the 6th census on Minor
Irrigation (MI) schemes.
B) 23.14 million MI schemes have been reported in India, out of which 21.93 million are
Ground Water (GW) and 1.21 million are Surface Water (SW) schemes.
C) As per the report, Gujarat holds the largest number of MI schemes in India.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 2) Only A & B
Explanation:
On 26th August 2023, the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS), Department of Water Resources (WR), River
Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR) released the report on the 6th census on
Minor Irrigation (MI) schemes.
• This report also provides State-wise detailed information on all key parameters of MI projects
in India.
• This report will be useful for planners, researcher scholars, agricultural and groundwater
scientists, and all concerned with the development of irrigation and the agricultural economy
of India.
i. As per the report, 23.14 million MI schemes have been reported in India, out of which 21.93
million are Ground Water (GW) and 1.21 million are Surface Water (SW) schemes.
ii. Uttar Pradesh holds the largest number of MI schemes in India followed by Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
iii. Leading States in GW schemes are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and
Telangana.
- Which of the following is ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the 15th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Summit 2023 held in August 2023?
A) The Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi visited Johannesburg, South Africa (SA) to attend the 3 day annual 15th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Summit 2023.
B) During the summit, a loan agreement was inked between the New Development Bank(NDB) and the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) for the implementation of phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), the largest bi-national infrastructure project between Lesotho and South Africa
C) The Indian PM gifted a pair of ‘surahi‘ from Gujarat to SA President Jacob Zuma, and a Assam shawl to his wife and first lady of SA.
1) Only A
2) Only B
3) Only C
4) Only A & B
5) Only B & C
Answer- 3) Only C
Explanation:
The Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi visited Johannesburg, South Africa (SA) from August
22-24, 2023 to attend the 3 day annual 15th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa)
Summit 2023 at the invitation of Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of SA.
• It should be noted that, the SA President Cyril Ramaphosa is the Chair of 15th BRICS Summit.
• On August 23, 2023, PM Narendra Modi attended the 15th BRICS Summit held under SA’s
chairship, in Sandton in Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.
• The theme of 15th BRICS summit was ‘BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated
Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism’.
• During the summit, a loan agreement was inked between the New Development Bank(NDB),
formerly the BRICS Development Bank, and the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) for
the implementation of phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), the largest bi-
national infrastructure project between Lesotho and South Africa
• As per it, NDB will provide a project loan of 3.2 billion South African Rand (USD 173 million) to
TCTA under the sovereign guarantee of SA.
• SA President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the expansion of BRICS with the inclusion of 6 new
members’ viz. Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) as
its full time members.
• The membership will come into force from January 1, 2024.
• The Indian PM gifted a pair of ‘surahi‘ from Telangana to SA President Cyril Ramaphosa, and
a Nagaland shawl to his wife and first lady of SA.
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the visit of Prime Minister
(PM) of India Narendra Modi to Greece in August 2023?
A) Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of Greece honoured PM Narendra Modi with The Grand
Cross of the Order of Honour, with this He became the first Indian PM to receive the honours.
B) PM Modi highlighted India and Greece’s plan to double the bilateral trade between India and
Greece by 2030 and announced an agreement in the field of agricultural production.
C) India and Greece have decided to strengthen their bilateral relations into a strategic
partnership for the benefit of the people of India and Greece.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi embarked on a one-day visit to Greece on 25th August
2023 at the invitation of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister (PM) of Greece.PM Modi’s visit to Greece
marks the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Greece in 40 years.
• He paid tributes at the ‘Tomb of Unknown Soldier’, a war memorial dedicated to the Greek
soldiers killed during various wars, in Athens, Greece.
i. Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of Greece honoured PM Narendra Modi with The Grand Cross
of the Order of Honour. He became the first Indian PM to receive the honours.
• He is also the 1st foreign head of government to be awarded the honour since 2017.
• The Order of Honour, established in 1975, is the second-highest civilian honour in Greece.
ii. During his visit to Greece, PM Modi highlighted India and Greece’s plan to double the bilateral
trade between India and Greece by 2030 and announced an agreement in the field of agricultural
production.
• The bilateral trade stood at nearly USD 2 billion in 2022-23.
iii. India and Greece have decided to strengthen their bilateral relations into a strategic partnership
for the benefit of the people of India and Greece.
- In August 2023, Emmerson Mnangagwa was re-elected as the President of ___________
(country) for the second term of 5 years.
1) Rwanda
2) Zimbabwe
3) Tanzania
4) Ghana
5) Ethiopia
Answer- 2) Zimbabwe
Explanation:
Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe, re-
elected to the post for the second term of 5 years(ie.,
2023-28) and final term. He belongs to the Zimbabwe
African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF)
political party.
i. He secured 52.6 percent of the vote against his
opponent Nelson Chamisa of political party Citizens’
Coalition for Change (CCC) who secured 44 percent
votes.
ii. He is known as ‘The Crocodile’ for his ruthlessness.
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the World Athletics
Championships 2023 held in August 2023?
A) The 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra has won the gold medal in the men’s
javelin with an 88.17 meter (m) throw in the World Athletics Championships 2023.
B) Indian men’s 4x400m relay team comprising Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amob Jacob,
Muhammed Ajmal and Rajesh Ramesh finished fifth in the finals.
C) Indian men’s 4x400m relay team also set an Asian record in the men’s 4x400m relay event
in the qualifying round by taking 2:59.05 seconds and surpassed Japan (2:59.51 seconds).
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) Only A
Answer- 1) All A, B & C
Explanation:
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra has won the gold medal in the men’s javelin
with an 88.17 meter (m) throw in the World Athletics Championships 2023.
• The 19th edition of the World Athletics Championships (2023) was held in (Venue – The
National Athletics Centre) Budapest, Hungary from 19th to 27th August 2023.
i. Indian men’s 4x400m relay team comprising Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amob Jacob, Muhammed
Ajmal and Rajesh Ramesh finished fifth in the finals.
• The United States of America(USA) finished first followed by France and the United Kingdom in
second and third place respectively in the finals of men’s 4x400m.
• They also became the first Indian men’s 4x400m relay team to reach a World Championship
finals.
ii. They set an Asian record in the men’s 4x400m relay event in the qualifying round by taking 2:59.05
seconds and surpassed Japan(2:59.51 seconds).
iii. India’s Parul Chaudhary finished 11th in the finals of the Women’s 3000m steeplechase & India’s
Jeswin Aldrin finished 11th in the Men’s long jump finals with a 7.77 m Jump.
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), a National Mission for Financial Inclusion (FI)
completed ___________ years of successful implementation on 28th August 2023.
1) 7
2) 9
3) 5
4) 6
5) 8
Answer- 2) 9
Explanation:
On 28th August 2023, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), a National Mission for Financial
Inclusion (FI) completed 9 years of successful implementation.
i. PMJDY, the biggest financial inclusion initiative in the world, was introduced by Prime Minister (PM)
Narendra Modi on 15th August 2014 (Independence Day) and was launched on 28th August 2014.
About Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY):
• PMJDY aims to ensure access to financial services, namely, basic savings & deposit accounts,
remittance, credit, insurance, and pension in an affordable manner to all households in India.
• Under the scheme, a basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) account can be opened in any bank
branch or Business Correspondent (Bank Mitra) outlet, by persons not having any other
account.
• Accident Insurance Cover of Rs.1 lakh (enhanced to Rs. 2 lakh for new PMJDY accounts opened
after 28th August 2018) is available with a RuPay card issued to the PMJDY account holders.
• An overdraft (OD) facility up to Rs. 10,000 to eligible account holders is available.
- In August 2023, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister, Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways(MoRTH) launched the world’s first prototype of BS-VI(Bharat Stage Six) Stage
II compliant “Electrified Flex Fuel vehicle”
Which company developed the Electrified Flex Fuel vehicle?
1) MG Motor India Private Limited
2) Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private
3) Mahindra & Mahindra Limited
4) Maruti Suzuki India Limited
5) Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited
Answer- 5) Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited
Explanation:
Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways(MoRTH) launched the
world’s first prototype of BS-VI(Bharat Stage Six) Stage II compliant “Electrified Flex Fuel
vehicle”, Toyota Innova Hycross.It is a variant of Toyota’s Innova, developed by Toyota Kirloskar
Motor Private Limited(Toyota Kirloskar).
i. This is also India’s first flex-fuel electrified vehicle that can run in either electric mode or 100%
ethanol.
ii. This launch is in line with India’s target to increase ethanol blending in petrol by 20% by 2025-
2026.
iii. The new Electrified Flex Fuel vehicle(FFV) is based on the Innova Hycross and is designed and
developed to comply with the emission standards of India.
- Name the bank that has recently (in August ‘23) launched ‘Infinity Savings Account’, a first-
of-its-kind fully Digital fixed fee-based savings account with no paperwork or branch visits.
1) HDFC Bank
2) ICICI Bank
3) Axis Bank
4) YES Bank
5) IndusInd Bank
Answer- 3) Axis Bank
Explanation:
Axis Bank Limited launched ‘Infinity Savings Account’, a first-of-its-kind fully Digital fixed fee-based
savings account with no paperwork or branch visits. We are able to open completely in digital through
the Video Know Your Customer (KYC) process.
i. This account is designed for customers who are comfortable using digital services and often sign up
for subscription-based services.
ii. Any Resident Indian who is 18 years and above with Initial Funding of Rs 5,000.
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the 46th Annual General
Meeting of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) held in August 2023?
A) Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (Jio) is all set to launch ‘Jio AirFiber’, a new Fixed Wireless
Access (FWA) internet service for homes and offices, on September 19, 2023.
B) Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani, and Anant Ambani were appointed as the Non-Executive
Directors on the board of RIL.
C) RIL will set up 100 Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants to convert agri-waste into gas.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
On August 27, 2023, the 46th Annual General Meeting of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) was held
through video-conferencing where Managing Director (MD) and Chairman Mukesh Ambani of RIL
made key announcements.
• RIL’s consolidated revenues stood at Rs 9,74,864 crore, while Earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for FY23 was Rs 1,53,920 crore. The net profit was Rs
73,670 crore.
• Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (Jio) is all set to launch ‘Jio AirFiber’, a new Fixed Wireless
Access (FWA) internet service for homes and offices, on September 19, 2023.
• The new and the demerged financial services company of RIL, Jio Financial Services Limited
(JFSL), will foray into insurance segment including life, general and health, using predictive
data analytics to co-create contextual products.
• Isha Ambani (31), Akash Ambani (31), and Anant Ambani (28), the children of Mukesh and
Nita Ambani, were appointed as the Non-Executive Directors on the board of RIL.
• Mukesh Ambani will continue as chairperson-MD for 5 more years i.e. till 2028, and mentor the
next generation leaders.
• RIL will set up 100 Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants to convert agri-waste into gas. It has
already set up two demo units for CBG at Jamnagar while it has commissioned the first
commercial scale CBG plant at Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh (UP).
• Reliance has become India’s largest Bio-energy producer.
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the winners of the India
Smart Cities Award Contest (ISAC), announced by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
(MoHUA) in 2023?
A) Indore topped the National Smart City Award, followed by Surat and Agra in second and
third place respectively.
B) Madhya Pradesh topped the state award, followed by Tamil Nadu in second place.
C) Delhi has been awarded the best Union Territory award & Ahmedabad took the top spot for
built environment in the Project Awards category.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 2) Only A & B
Explanation:
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has announced the winners of the India Smart
Cities Award Contest (ISAC) organised under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM), MoHUA.
• Indore topped the National Smart City Award, followed by Surat and Agra in second and
third place respectively.
• Madhya Pradesh topped the state award, followed by Tamil Nadu in second place, and
Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh in third place.
• Chandigarh has been awarded the best Union Territory award.
i. In the Project Awards category, Coimbatore took the top spot for built environment, Ahmedabad
for the culture and Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) themes, Jabalpur for economy,
Chandigarh for governance and mobility, Indore for sanitation, water and urban environment,
Vadodara for social aspects.
ii. The 4th edition of the ISAC was launched in April 2022 during the ‘Smart Cities-Smart Urbanization’
event in Surat, Gujarat.
- Which country has recently (in August ‘23) signed an MoU with the Government of India for
an Open Sky Policy?
1) United Arab Emirates
2) New Zealand
3) France
4) Australia
5) United States of America
Answer- 2) New Zealand
Explanation:
On August 29, 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Government
of India and the Government of New Zealand for an Open Sky Policy, allowing more flights between
various cities in the two countries.
i. This will further boost the bilateral relationship between both nations in civil aviation by scheduling
of new routes, code share services, traffic rights and capacity entitlement.
ii. Under this, New Zealand’s designated airline(s) can operate unrestricted services with any type of
aircraft, holding third and fourth freedom traffic rights to/from six Indian cities: New Delhi (Delhi),
Mumbai (Maharashtra), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Hyderabad (Telangana), and
Kolkata (West Bengal). This is set to amplify bilateral civil aviation relations.
- Name the organisation that has recently (in August ‘23) signed an MoU with the National
Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog to speed up the efforts to achieve the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
1) United Nations Environment Programme India
2) International Labour Organisation India
3) United Nations Children’s Fund India
4) World Health Organization India
5) United Nations Development Programme India
Answer- 5) United Nations Development Programme India
Explanation:
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) India have signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to speed up the
efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The agreement aims to make a clear plan of cooperation on a range of areas, including SDG
localisation, data-driven monitoring, Aspirational Districts and Blocks programme, and SDG
financing.
• The MoU was signed for a period of five years.
• UNDP will also provide support for NITI Aayog’s work on women’s livelihoods, innovation, and
Mission LiFE.
• UNDP plays the integrator role in coordinating efforts to fast-track progress on the SDGs within
the United Nation system.
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the cabinet approval in
August 2023?
A) The Cabinet Committee for Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the reduction of LPG
(Liquefied petroleum gas) cost by Rs 500 per cylinder for all consumers w.e.f. September 30,
2023.
B) The Startup Guidelines for Technical Textiles - Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship
across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT) providing grant-in-aid of up to Rs 50
lakh for up to a period of 18 months has been approved.
C) The Union Cabinet adopted a resolution hailing the soft-landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the
lunar surface, highlighting that the mission’s achievement signifies not only Indian Space
Research Organization’s (ISRO) success but also India’s advancement and global stature.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 3) Only B & C
Explanation:
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved the following
proposals on 29th August 2023:
i. The Cabinet Committee for Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the reduction of LPG (Liquefied
petroleum gas) cost by Rs 200 per cylinder for all consumers w.e.f. August 30, 2023.
• This will also be applicable to Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), which means, PMUY
beneficiaries will now get a total subsidy of Rs 400 per 14.2kg-LPG cylinder.
ii. The Ministry of Textiles has approved the Startup Guidelines for Technical Textiles – Grant for
Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT).
• This initiative offers a grant-in-aid of up to Rs 50 Lakhs, supporting aspiring innovators in the
technical textiles field for 18 months.
iii. The Union Cabinet adopted a resolution hailing the soft-landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar
surface, highlighting that the mission’s achievement signifies not only Indian Space Research
Organization’s (ISRO) success but also India’s advancement and global stature.
• Through this resolution the Cabinet congratulated ISRO on its efforts, and thanked scientists
for making India, the first country to land near the Moon’s South Pole.
• The Cabinet also welcomed the decision to celebrate August 23 as the National Space Day.
- Name the Bank that has been recently (in August ‘23) appointed by the Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) to act as an authorized bank for pension disbursement for civil pensioners on
behalf of the Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO).
1) IndusInd Bank
2) Axis Bank
3) YES Bank
4) Bandhan Bank
5) HDFC Bank
Answer- 4) Bandhan Bank
Explanation:
Bandhan Bank Ltd has been appointed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to act as an authorized
bank for pension disbursement for civil pensioners on behalf of the Central Pension Accounting Office
(CPAO), an entity under the Ministry of Finance.
i. Bandhan Bank will soon be integrating with the office of the CPAO to operationalise the
disbursement process.
- Which of the points is ‘Incorrect’ with respect to the cabinet approval in August 2023?
1) The Cabinet committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves seven multi-tracking projects of
Indian Railways with an outlay of Rs 32,500 crore.
2) The Union Cabinet also approved extension of Digital India programme with an outlay of Rs 14,903
crore.
3) The Central Government has approved a Rs 20,000 crore project for the construction of five Fleet
Support Vessels (FSVs) for the Indian Navy (IN).
4) The Union Cabinet approved the bus scheme ‘PM-eBus Sewa’ for augmenting city bus operation by
10,000 e-buses (electric buses) on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
5) The Union Cabinet has approved the signing and ratification of the Mutual Recognition
Arrangement (MRA) between the Central Board of Indirect taxes (CBI), India, and the Department of
Home Affairs, Indonesia.
Answer- 5) The Union Cabinet has approved the signing and ratification of the Mutual
Recognition Arrangement (MRA) between the Central Board of Indirect taxes (CBI), India, and
the Department of Home Affairs, Indonesia.
Explanation:
On August 16, 2023, the Union Cabinet Chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has
approved the following proposals:
• The Cabinet committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves seven multi-tracking projects of
Indian Railways with an outlay of Rs 32,500 crore. These projects are fully funded by the
Central Government.
• The Union Cabinet has approved the ‘Vishwakarma Yojana’ to benefit individuals skilled in
traditional craftsmanship/artisan works.
• The Union Cabinet also approved extension of Digital India programme with an outlay of Rs
14,903 crore.
• The Central Government has approved a Rs 20,000 crore project for the construction of five
Fleet Support Vessels (FSVs) for the Indian Navy (IN). These will be manufactured by the
Visakhapatnam (AP)-based Hindustan Shipyards Limited (HSL).
• The Union Cabinet approved the bus scheme ‘PM-eBus Sewa’ for augmenting city bus
operation by 10,000 e-buses (electric buses) on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
• The Union Cabinet has approved the signing and ratification of the Mutual Recognition
Arrangement (MRA) between the Central Board of Indirect taxes and Customs (CBIC),
Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and the Department of
Home Affairs, Australian Border Force, Australian Government.
• The Union Cabinet has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in
Sports between the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYAS), India; and the Department of
Health and Aged Care of the Government of Australia.
• The Union Cabinet has also given its approval for the MoU between Central Drugs Standard
Control Organization (CDSCO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), Government
of India and Ministry of Health, Government of the Republic of Suriname on Cooperation in the
field of health and medicine or medical product regulation.
- Which state government has recently (in August ‘23) announced a plan to establish India’s
first Common Testing Centre for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) (drones) under the Defence
Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS)?
1) Tamil Nadu
2) Maharashtra
3) Odisha
4) Andhra Pradesh
5) Uttar Pradesh
Answer- 1) Tamil Nadu
Explanation:
Tamil Nadu (TN) is set to establish India’s first Common Testing Centre for Unmanned Aerial
Systems (UAS) (drones) under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS). The centre will be established at a cost of Rs 45 crore over an area of 2.3 acres at the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited (SIPCOT) Industrial Park, Vallam Vadagal near Sriperumbudur in
Kanchipuram district, TN.
i. It would be established by the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), which is
the nodal agency for implementing the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor (TNDIC), which aims to provide an ecosystem for the aerospace and defence industry in the region.
ii. The Centre will enable TN to become a significant contributor to the Self-reliance of India in the aerospace & defence sector.
- Name the bank that has recently (in August ‘23) launched Jeevan Dhara, a unique savings
bank account designed for pensioners.
1) Canara Bank
2) Union Bank of India
3) Bank of Baroda
4) Bank of India
5) Indian Bank
Answer- 1) Canara Bank
Explanation:
Canara Bank launched Canara Jeevan Dhara, a unique savings bank account designed for
pensioners and those who are planning for retirement, including all the employees who retired on a
voluntary basis or standard retirement procedures.
Variants:
• Under this scheme, the bank provides two variants based on the amount of pension credit.
• Diamonds account is designed for pension credits of up to Rs 50,000.
• Platinum account caters to pension credits exceeding Rs 50,000.
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the Visit of Droupadi Murmu,
President of India to West Bengal in August 2023?
A) President Droupadi Murmu launched the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vindhyagiri, the sixth ship
of project 17A of Indian Navy (IN) at Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers (GRSE) Limited
facility on the banks of Hooghly river in Kolkata, WB.
B) INS Vindhyagiri is named after the mountain range in Karnataka, it is the sixth of seven
ships being built under Project 17A (Alpha) Frigates.
C) The President launched the ‘My Bengal, Addiction Free Bengal’ Campaign under the ‘Nasha
Mukt Bharat Abhiyan‘, organized by Brahma Kumaris at Raj Bhavan, Kolkata.
1) All A, B & C
2) Only A & C
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & B
5) Only A
Answer- 1) All A, B & C
Explanation:
On 17th August 2023, Droupadi Murmu, President of India, visited West Bengal(WB). This mark’s her
2nd visit to West Bengal as President of India.
• During her 1-day visit to Kolkata, WB, she launched the ‘My Bengal, Addiction Free Bengal’
Campaign and INS (Indian Naval Ship) ‘Vindhyagiri‘(Y – 3024), a Project 17A Frigate (Shivalik
Class).
i. President Droupadi Murmu launched the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vindhyagiri, the sixth ship of
project 17A of Indian Navy (IN) at Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers (GRSE) Limited facility on the
banks of Hooghly river in Kolkata, WB.
ii. INS Vindhyagiri is named after the mountain range in Karnataka, it is the sixth of seven ships being
built under Project 17A (Alpha) Frigates.
iii. The President launched ‘My Bengal, Addiction Free Bengal’ Campaign under the ‘Nasha Mukt
Bharat Abhiyan‘, organized by Brahma Kumaris at Raj Bhavan, Kolkata.
- Name the country that has recently (in August ‘23) signed an MoU for sharing of ‘India
Stack‘, a collection of open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and Digital Public
Goods(DPGs).
1) France
2) United Arab Emirates
3) United Kingdom
4) Trinidad and Tobago
5) United States of America
Answer- 4) Trinidad and Tobago
Explanation:
On 17th August 2023, India and Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) on sharing of ‘India Stack‘, a collection of open Application Programming
Interfaces (APIs), and Digital Public Goods(DPGs) that aim to facilitate identity, data, and payment
services on a large scale.
i. Under this MoU, Both India and T&T have agreed to collaborate in the areas of digital
transformation by means of capacity building, training programmes, exchange of best practices,
exchange of public officials and experts, and development of pilot or demo solutions, among others.
ii. The collection of APIs in the India Stack serves as the foundation upon which external entities can
construct software that taps into government identification, payment networks, and data
repositories.
- Which country’s Air Force has recently (in August ‘23) received the Dornier 228 maritime
surveillance aircraft from the Indian Navy?
1) Seychelles
2) Maldives
3) Sri Lanka
4) Indonesia
5) United Arab Emirates
Answer- 3) Sri Lanka
Explanation:
On August 16, 2023, India presented the Indian Navy’s Dornier 228 maritime surveillance aircraft
to the Sri Lanka Air Force(SALF) at the event in Katunayake SLAF Base, Colombo, SriLanka.
• On the occasion of India’s 77th Independence day celebration,the high commissioner of India,
Gopal Baglay ceremonially handed over the aircraft to Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka, the Chief of Staff
and Senior Adviser to the President on National Security.
i. The 19-seater Dornier 228 aircraft is a highly versatile multi-purpose light transport aircraft.
ii. Dornier 228 was designed and manufactured for the first time by Dornier GmbH (a German aircraft
manufacturer).
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the initiative taken by the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in August 2023?
A) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) commenced its digital lending pilot project for Public Tech
Platform for Frictionless Credit which is developed by Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH).
B) RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das introduced a centralized web portal called “उद्गम UDGAM”
(Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access inforMation) to simplify the process for the public to
locate their unclaimed deposits in various banks through a single platform.
C) Reserve Bank Information Technology Pvt Ltd (ReBIT), Indian Financial Technology & Allied
Services (IFTAS) and participating banks have collaborated to develop this portal.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
On August 17, 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) commenced its digital lending pilot project for
Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit which is developed by Reserve Bank Innovation Hub
(RBIH), a wholly owned subsidiary of RBI.
i. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das introduced a centralized web portal called “उद्गम UDGAM”
(Unclaimed Deposits – Gateway to Access inforMation) to simplify the process for the public to locate
their unclaimed deposits in various banks through a single platform.
ii. Reserve Bank Information Technology Pvt Ltd (ReBIT), Indian Financial Technology & Allied
Services (IFTAS) and participating banks have collaborated to develop this portal.
- Name the bank that has recently (in August ‘23) partnered with Reserve Bank Innovation
Hub (RBIH) to launch Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and unsecured Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSME) loans powered by Public Tech Platform for Frictionless Credit (PTPFC).
1) IndusInd Bank
2) HDFC Bank
3) ICICI Bank
4) YES Bank
5) Axis Bank
Answer- 5) Axis Bank
Explanation:
Axis Bank Limited has launched two new financial products, Kisan Credit Card (KCC) and unsecured
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) loans powered by Public Tech Platform for Frictionless
Credit (PTPFC), an initiate of Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), wholly owned subsidiary of the
Reserve Bank of India(RBI)
i. On Pilot basis, the Kisan Credit Cards(KCC) will be introduced in Madhya Pradesh(MP).
ii. Customers can access these cards for amounts up to Rs. 1.6 lakhs.
iii. MSME loans will be made available across India, and this will offer loans up to Rs 10 lakh to
customers.
iv. Both the products will be of fully digital process and require no paperwork.
- Which company has recently (in August ‘23) appointed Parminder Chopra as its first
woman full-time Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)?
1) Power Finance Corporation Limited
2) National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited
3) Rural Electrification Corporation Limited
4) Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
5) Power System Operation Corporation Limited
Answer- 1) Power Finance Corporation Limited
Explanation:
With the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), the Power Finance
Corporation Limited (PFC) has appointed Parminder Chopra as its first woman full-time Chairman
and Managing Director (CMD) effective from (w.e.f) 14th August, 2023.
i. The Ministry of Power has approved Chopra’s appointment “till the date of her superannuation
(April 30, 2027) or until further orders.
ii. Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) is India’s largest non-banking financial company (NBFC)
and a Maharatna Central Public Sector Undertaking(CPSU) under the Ministry of Power.
- Which of the following points is/are “correct” with respect to the assent given by the
President of India Droupadi Murmu in August 2023?
A) The Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Act, 2023 declares IIMs as institutes of
national importance in alignment with the acts governing the Indian Institute Of Technology
(IITs) and other Institutes of National Importance.
B) The National Dental Commission Act, 2023 declares that the National Dental Commission
consists of 33 members,will be formed to replace the existing Dental Council of India (DCI) and
repeal the Dentists Bill, 1948.
C) The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 amends
the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002 (‘OAMDR Act’), to
introduce crucial reforms in India’s offshore mining sector.
1) Only A
2) Only A & B
3) Only B & C
4) Only A & C
5) All A, B & C
Answer- 5) All A, B & C
Explanation:
The President of India Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the following bills during the
Monsoon Session, 2023 of Parliament:
i. The Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Act, 2023 falls under the jurisdiction of the
Ministry of Human Resource Development. It was introduced in Lok Sabha on July 28, 2023, amending
the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) Act, 2017.
• The Act declares IIMs as institutes of national importance in alignment with the acts governing
the Indian Institute Of Technology (IITs) and other Institutes of National Importance.
• The Bill classifies the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai in Maharashtra as IIM, Mumbai, means, NITIE is included in The IIM Act, 2017. Hence, NITIE is India’s proposed 21st IIM.
• The Bill designates the President of India as Visitor of every Institute covered by the Act.
ii. The National Dental Commission Act, 2023 falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare.It was introduced in Lok Sabha on July 24, 2023,it repeals the Dentists Act, 1948.
• The National Dental Commission consists of 33 members,will be formed to replace the existing
Dental Council of India (DCI) and repeal the Dentists Bill, 1948.
iii. The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 falls under
the jurisdiction of Ministry of Mines.It was introduced in Lok sabha on July 27, 2023 ,and it amends
Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002 (‘OAMDR Act’), to introduce crucial
reforms in India’s offshore mining sector.
- In August 2023, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) mandatory to all
finfluencers/Finance Influencers working in the banking, financial services, and insurance
(BFSI) sector offering investment advice to be registered with the _______________(Regulatory
Body) .
1) Reserve Bank of India
2) Small Industries Development Bank of India
3) Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India
4) Securities and Exchange Board of India
5) Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation
Answer- 4) Securities and Exchange Board of India
Explanation:
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) announced that it is mandatory to all finfluencers
or finance influencers working in the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector offering
investment advice to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• The new guidelines are to safeguard consumers from the consequences of advice from non-
experts.
i. Finfluencers who have certifications from recognized institutions need to openly share their
certified expert status and their credentials.
ii. They should display their registration number along with name and qualifications.
iii. For other financial advice, suitable credentials like a licence from the Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority of India (IRDAI), being a chartered accountant (CA) or holding a company
secretaryship are required.
- Who has been recently (in August ‘23) appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of South Indian Bank?
1) Sankara Narayanan
2) P R Seshadri
3) Murali Ramakrishnan
4) Salim Gangadharan
5) Radha Unni
Answer- 2) P R Seshadri
Explanation:
On 17th August 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of P R Seshadri as
the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of South Indian Bank for a period of 3
years with effect from 1st October 2023.
i. He is currently mentoring businesses both at an operating level as well as at the board level at
various companies.
ii. He will replace Murali Ramakrishnan, whose tenure as MD & CEO of South Indian Bank is set to end
by 30th September 2023. He has been serving in the post since 2020.
- In August 2023, India’s first long-range side swing revolver ‘Prabal’ with twice the range of
other revolvers was launched at the Small Arms Factory (SFA) in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Which company manufactured the swing revolver?
1) Astra Microwave Products Ltd
2) Amol Steel Pvt Ltd
3) Bharat Earth Movers Ltd
4) Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd
5) Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd
Answer- 5) Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd
Explanation:
On 18th August 2023, India’s first long-range side swing revolver ‘Prabal’ with “twice the range of
other revolvers”, manufactured by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd. (AW&EIL), was
launched at the Small Arms Factory (SFA) in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh for civilians and arms dealers.
i. AW&EIL, a Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) based fully government-owned enterprise ultimate weapon
system provider
ii. Prabal revolver is a lightweight .32 caliber ‘side swing’ revolver and weight: 675 grams (without
cartridges).
iii. The Prabal revolver uses an innovative side-swing mechanism for loading/unloading bullets,
replacing the traditional tilting or frame-breaking methods. This side-swing cylinder opening is also
lighter by 25 to 50 grams compared to other revolvers.
