ANSWER: A

 ANSWER: D

 ANSWER: B

 ANSWER: A

• Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) met recently to speed up efforts on proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India.
• It would give India market access to resource-rich Eurasia.
  • FTA is a pact between two or more nations to reduce barriers to imports and exports among them.

ABOUT EAEU

• The Eurasian Economic Union is an international organization for regional economic integration.
• It came into existence on 1^st January 2015.
• Member states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz, and Russia.
• The EAEU provides for free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor within its borders.
• It pursues, coordinates, & harmonizes the policies in the sectors determined by the Treaty and international agreements within the Union.

 ANSWER: D

• The protesting wrestlers at Jantar Mantar have expressed their willingness to undergo narco analysis tests, provided that it is monitored by the Supreme Court and broadcasted live for the entire country to witness.

ABOUT NARCO TESTS

• In a narco analysis test, a drug called sodium pentothal is injected into the body of the accused, which transports them to a hypnotic or sedated state in which their imagination is neutralised.
• In such state, the accused is understood as being incapable of lying and is expected to divulge the truth.
  • In India, Narco analysis tests were notably used in the 2002 Gujarat riots case, and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case.

ABOUT SODIUM PENTOTHAL-

• Sodium pentothal, or sodium thiopental, is a fast-acting, short-duration anaesthetic used in larger doses to sedate patients during surgery.
• It is also referred to as a “truth serum”

ABOUT POLYGRAPH OR LIE DETECTOR TEST-

• It measures and records several physiological indicators– blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while a person is asked and answers a series of questions.
• This test is based on the assumption that physiological responses that are triggered when a person is lying are different from what they would be otherwise.
• A numerical value is assigned to each response to conclude whether the person is telling the truth, is deceiving, or is uncertain.

 ANSWER: C

• The German economy has suffered an unforeseen setback, plunging the country into a formal recession, according to newly released data.
• The Federal Statistical Office’s report of Germany revealed a 0.3% decline in Germany’s gross domestic product (GDP) during the first quarter of 2023.
• This follows a 5% contraction in the previous quarter of 2022.
• These two consecutive quarters of decline fulfil the criteria for technical definition of a recession.
• This is significant because Germany is Europe’s largest and World’s 4^th largest economy.

WHAT IS A RECESSION?

• A recession is defined as a time when economic activity experiences a downturn.
• A recession is identified by two consecutive quarters of decline in a country’s real (inflation-adjusted) GDP, which takes inflation into account.
• Note- brief declines are not classified as recessions.

 ANSWER: A

• The Ministry of Finance has announced the launch of a special ₹75 coin to commemorate the inauguration of India’s new parliament building.
• The circular coin will have a diameter of 44 millimeters and 200 serrations along its edges.
• It will weigh 35 grams and be composed of a four-part alloy, consisting of 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel, and 5% zinc.
• The newly minted ₹75 coin will feature the iconic Lion Capital of the Ashoka Pillar on one side, with the words “Satyamev Jayate” below it.
• The coin will bear the inscription “Bharat” in Devanagari script on the left side and “India” in English on the right.
• It will also display the rupee symbol and the denomination value of 75 in international numerals beneath the Lion Capital.
• On the reverse side, an image of the parliament complex will be depicted, with “Sansad Sankul” written in Devanagari script on the upper periphery and “Parliament Complex” in English on the lower periphery.

 ANSWER: C

• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has established an 11-member Cheetah Project Steering Committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Rajesh Gopal, secretary general of Global Tiger Forum, has been appointed as its chairman.
• The decision was taken after six cheetahs, which were brought as part of the translocation project, died in the last two months.
• The panel will be in force for two years and hold at least one meeting every month.
• It will provide suggestions on community interface and their involvement in project activities.
• It will also provide suggestions on opening the cheetah habitat for eco-tourism and regulations in this regard.

 ANSWER: A

• Kerala has become the first full ‘e-governed state’ in India.
• It has digitized a range of government services, ensuring prompt and transparent delivery to its citizens.
• Kerala’s total e-governance initiative emphasizes the inclusion of all sections of society, including the less privileged and marginalized.
• Initiatives of Kerala:
  • Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) project, which has made internet access a citizen’s right.
  • e-Sevanam, a single portal for 900 public services to taluk-level offices.
  • e-Office File Flow system has been introduced, enabling seamless digital workflows even at the village office level.

 ANSWER: D

• USA has recently approved the sale of $285 million worth NASAMS Air Defence System to Ukraine.
• National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) is a highly adaptable combat-proven medium-range air defense solution.
• It has the ability to destroy fixed and rotary wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and emerging cruise missile threats.

 ANSWER: D

• RECENTLY, Chief Justice of India condemned the practice of forum shopping.
• When litigants or lawyers attempt to deliberately move their case to a particular judge or Court where they think the judgment could be more favourable, they are said to be “forum shopping.”
• The Supreme Court in 1988 in Chetak Construction Ltd. vs. Om Prakash held that a litigant cannot be permitted choice of the forum.