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1. How much amount has RBI decided to give to the Central Government as dividend for the financial year 2023-24, which is a record so far?
a. ₹ 2.11 lakh crore
b. ₹ 1.13 lakh crore
c. ₹ 87,416 crore
d. ₹ 76,456 crore
Answer: a. ₹ 2.11 lakh crore
– This decision was made in the RBI board meeting on May 22, 2024.
– Under this, the RBI will give 2.11 lakh crore rupees to the central government.
– This amount is setting a new record.
– This amount is 141% more compared to the previous financial year (2022-23), when 87,416 crore rupees were given.
– The record dividend payment will help the government meet the budget deficit target of 5.1% of the gross domestic product.
Contingency Risk Buffer Increased
– The RBI has decided to increase the contingency risk buffer from 6 percent to 6.5 percent.
– Contingency risk buffer refers to the coverage for various types of economic risks.
– What is RBI’s Dividend / Surplus Amount
In fact, the Reserve Bank of India does not have to pay any tax on its income.
– The amount left after meeting its needs, making necessary provisions, and investments is called surplus.
– The Reserve Bank of India has to give this surplus to the government.
– The main sources of RBI’s income are the interest received from bonds and loans given to banks.
– How RBI Provided a Record Dividend
According to experts, one reason for the sharp increase in the surplus amount is the income from forex holdings by the Reserve Bank.
– Experts said that the higher-than-expected surplus is good news for the central government as it will support the central government’s liquidity surplus and subsequent expenditure.
– RBI Governor: Shaktikanta Das
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2. Who represented India in Iran to express condolences on the demise of late President Ebrahim Raisi and others?
a. Narendra Modi
b. Draupadi Murmu
c. Jagdeep Dhankhar
d. S Jaishankar
Answer: c. Jagdeep Dhankhar (Vice President)
– An official ceremony was held in Tehran on May 22 to express condolences for the death of Ebrahim Raisi (the late President) in Iran.
– Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar represented India at this ceremony.
Note: After the death, Mohammad Mokhber became the new interim president of Iran.
How and When Did the Death Occur?
– In Iran, Ebrahim Raisi’s (the late president) 45-year-old helicopter crashed on May 19, 2024.
– The foreign minister and other officials were also present with him.
– The official announcement of his death was made the next day, on May 20, 2024.
– The Government of India declared a state of mourning on May 21, 2024, for Ebrahim Raisi’s death, and the Indian flag was flown at half-mast.
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3. Which three countries together announced to recognize Palestine as a country in May 2024?
a. Australia, Norway, Spain
b. USA, Canada, Ireland
c. UK, Norway, Spain
d. Norway, Ireland, Spain
Answer: d. Norway, Ireland, Spain
– On May 22, 2024, Norway, Ireland, and Spain announced that they are recognizing Palestine as a country in a historic move.
– This decision is seen in the context of international outrage over civilian deaths and the humanitarian crisis following Israel’s attack on the Gaza Strip.
Norway
– Capital: Oslo
– Monarch: Harald V
– Prime Minister: Jonas Gahr Støre
– Currency: Norwegian Krone
– Neighboring countries: Sweden, Finland, Russia
Ireland
– Capital: Dublin
– Prime Minister: Simon Harris
– Neighboring country: United Kingdom
Spain
– Capital: Madrid
– Monarch: Felipe VI
– Prime Minister: Pedro Sánchez
– Currency: Euro
Israel Recalled Ambassadors
– Israel immediately ordered its ambassadors to be recalled from these countries. It stated that recognizing Palestine is akin to rewarding terrorism.
– Israel condemned this decision, while Palestinians expressed joy.
– Formal recognition will be given on May 28.
– However, more than 140 countries, including India, have already recognized Palestine.
Israel
– President: Isaac Herzog
– Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
– Capital: Jerusalem
– Currency: New Shekel
Palestine
– It is divided into two parts: West Bank and Gaza
– Capital: Jerusalem
– President: Mahmoud Abbas
– Prime Minister: Mohammad Mustafa
– Currency: Egyptian Pound, Israeli New Shekel, Jordanian Dinar
Palestine is a Non-Member State at the UN
– More than 140 countries worldwide have recognized Palestine, but it has not yet become a full member of the United Nations.
– In contrast, Israel received permanent membership in the UN in 1947.
– In 2012, Palestine was made a non-member state of the UN.
– These are countries that can present their case at the UN but cannot vote.
– Besides Palestine, Vatican City is also a non-member state.
– In April 2024, during a vote in the UNSC (Security Council) to make Palestine a country and a UN member, the United States vetoed it, preventing the proposal from passing.
– Following this, in May 2024, the issue reached the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where the proposal was passed. India also voted in favor. However, without UNSC approval, Palestine cannot become a UN member.
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4. Where was the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in May 2024, in which diplomat Dammu Ravi participated from the Indian side?
a. Beijing, China
b. Tehran, Iran
c. Astana, Kazakhstan
d. Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Answer: c. Astana, Kazakhstan
What Was Discussed in the Meeting?
– The meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the SCO was held on May 21, 2024.
– The meeting discussed preparations for the upcoming summit of the SCO Council of Heads of State.
– During the meeting of foreign ministers/representatives of Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries, China’s foreign minister called on the group’s members to pursue an autonomous foreign policy and prevent Eurasia from becoming a geopolitical battleground for external powers.
SCO: The World’s Largest Organization
– The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is a political, economic, international security, and defense organization.
– In terms of geographic scope and population, it is the world’s largest regional organization, covering about 80% of Eurasia and 40% of the world’s population.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
– Established: June 15, 2001
– Headquarters: Beijing, China
Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
– China
– Russia
– Kazakhstan
– Kyrgyzstan
– Tajikistan
– Uzbekistan
– India
– Pakistan
– Iran (joined in 2022 and became a permanent member in 2023)
Note: The 19th annual meeting of the SCO Security Council was held in Astana, Kazakhstan, in April 2024.
Kazakhstan
– It is a country located in Eurasia.
– Most of it is in Central Asia, and a part of it is in Eastern Europe.
– It is the ninth largest country in the world by land area and the largest landlocked country.
– Capital: Astana
– Currency: Kazakhstani Tenge
– Population: 19.6 million (2022)
– Continents: Europe, Asia
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5. What is the rank of India in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024?
a. 39th
b. 30th
c. 40th
d. 35th
Answer: a. 39th
– The 2024 index includes 119 countries.
– The report focuses on the fact that global tourism activities have returned to pre-COVID levels.
– India ranked 39th.
– India is the highest-ranked country in South Asia and among low-middle-income economies.
– The previous report was released in 2021, and at that time, India was ranked 54th in the index.
– The Index is Based on These Points
The index scores a country based on 17 pillars and 102 individual indicators. The maximum score is 7, while the minimum score is 1.
India’s Performance
– Based on the points included in the index, India ranked 18th globally for high price competitiveness.
– It ranked 26th in air transport and 25th in land and port matters.
– Additionally, India ranked 6th in natural resources, 9th in cultural resources, and 9th in non-leisure resources.
– India is one of the three countries with a top-10 ranking in all resource pillars.
Top 10 Ranking Countries
– United States
– Spain
– Japan
– France
– Australia
– Germany
– United Kingdom
– China
– Italy
– Switzerland
– WEF Headquarters: Cologny (Geneva, Switzerland)
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6. In the forests of which North American country, cases of rare species of howler monkeys falling from trees and dying due to extreme heat were reported?
a. Greenland
b. Cuba
c. Mexico
d. Canada
Answer: c. Mexico
– In the heat, it’s not just humans whose condition deteriorates; other animals also suffer.
– Due to intense heat and temperatures soaring beyond 45 degrees Celsius in the jungle of the Comalcalco region in southeastern Mexico, howler monkeys are dying there.
– The severe heat at this time and the prolonged drought have left these monkeys in a very bad condition.
– So far, 85 howler monkeys have died due to the heat.
– Some monkeys were rescued by local residents. Dr. Sergio Valenzuela, who treated them, said, “They arrived in a serious condition with dehydration and fever.”
– Additionally, from March 17, 2024, to May 11, 2024, 26 people have also died due to the heatwave.
Howler Monkey
– These monkeys are an endangered species in Mexico, known for their loud howling voices.
Generally, howler monkeys are quite fierce and can grow up to 3 feet long.
– Male monkeys weigh more than 13.6 kilograms and can live up to 20 years.
– These monkeys have large jaws and sharp teeth; however, howler monkeys are most recognized for their lion-like roar.
The cause of the monkeys’ death is excessive heat.
– Wildlife biologist Gilberto Pozo explained that the monkeys were found either dead or unconscious on the ground beneath trees.
– He mentioned that the monkeys were falling from trees like apples, suffering from dehydration, and succumbed within minutes. – According to him, the extreme heat, drought, and wildfires are responsible for the monkeys’ deaths.
– The monkeys are unable to find water, shade, and fruits.
Mexico
– Capital: Mexico City
– Population: 127.5 million (2022)
– Language: Spanish
– Currency: Mexican Peso
– President: Andres Manuel Lopez
– Neighboring countries: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Belize, Guatemala
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7. In which state has 33 percent reservation in government contract jobs been made mandatory for women?
a. Andhra Pradesh
b. Karnataka
c. Tamil Nadu
d. Odisha
Answer: b. Karnataka
– This reservation is within the designated quotas for Scheduled Castes/Tribes and other backward communities in government outsourced jobs.
– A government order was issued in this regard on May 21, 2024.
– This order was part of the manifesto announced by the Congress for the previous legislative assembly elections.
– It is in line with the existing reservation policy applicable to permanent government positions.
– Currently, there are more than 75,000 employees in outsourced jobs in government departments.
– The government typically appoints third-party agencies to provide personnel for Group C and Group D positions.
2.5 lakh government positions vacant in Karnataka
– In Karnataka, there are around 2.5 lakh vacant government jobs compared to the approved number of 7.72 lakh positions across 43 departments.
– Capital: Bengaluru
– Chief Minister: Siddaramaiah
– Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot
– Language: Kannada
– Population: 64.1 million (2014)
– Neighboring states: Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
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8. Who became the new President of Vietnam?
a. Lai Ching-te
b. Sai ing-wen
c. To Lam
d. Wen-J
Answer: c. To Lam (66 years old)
– According to The Hindu newspaper, To Lam took the oath of office as President on May 22, 2024.
– He became the 13th President of Vietnam.
– The term of the President of Vietnam is five years.
Note: In March 2024, former President of Vietnam, Van Thuong, resigned from his position.
Vietnam
– Prime Minister: Pham Minh Chinh
– President: To Lam
– Capital: Hanoi
– Currency: Vietnamese Dong
– Population: 100 million
– Neighboring countries: China, Laos, and Cambodia
– Seas: South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand
About To Lam:
– To Lam is a Vietnamese politician and public security general.
– He has worked in the Ministry of Public Security for more than four decades, and in 2016, he became the Minister of Public Security.
– During his tenure, he conducted several police and intelligence campaigns.
– Several human rights groups allege that during his time, fundamental freedoms were systematically suppressed.
– He was accused of violating international law during his covert service.
– He has been a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party’s Political Bureau.
– He became the President on May 22, 2024.
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9. When is International Tea Day celebrated?
a. 21 May
b. 23 May
c. 24 May
d. 25 May
Answer: a. 21 May
– The first celebration of International Tea Day was held in 2005 in major tea-producing countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Kenya, with the aim of focusing on the status of tea producers and the changing tea market.
– Taking note of this issue, in 2019, the United Nations officially declared May 21 as International Tea Day.
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10. Which medal did Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen win in Elorda Cup 2024?
a. Gold
b. Silver
c. Bronze
d. None of These
Answer: a. Gold
– On May 18, Indian boxer Nikhat Zareen clinched the gold medal at the Almaty Cup 2024.
– She participated in the women’s 52-kilogram boxing event.
– Nikhat defeated Kazakhstan’s Zhazira Urakbayeva with a score of 5-0.
– In the Almaty Cup 2024, four Indian boxers won bronze medals in the competition.
– These include Yaifaba Singh Soibam, Abhishek Yadav, Vishal, and Gaurav Chauhan.
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