11. Places of Worship Act protects the character of the places of worship as it stood on which date?
[A] August 15, 1947
[B] January 26, 1950
[C] December 31, 1950
[D] January 1, 1947
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [August 15, 1947]
Notes:
Places of Worship Act, 1991 is a law that protects the character of the places of worship as it stood on August 15, 1947 and prevent any changes that could compromise the character.
The Supreme Court’s 3-judge bench will hear petitions challenging this law in July 2023.
12. Which institution released the ‘Government Trends Report’?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Deloitte Center for Government Insights
[C] Oxfam International
[D] Amnesty International
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Deloitte Center for Government Insights]
Notes:
The ‘Government Trends Report’ was released recently by the Deloitte Center for Government Insights.
It highlighted 9 trends that are reshaping how the governments deliver solutions to the common citizen. The report cites six shifts that have emerged as factors behind this transition in the government’s approach towards delivering public value.
13. ‘Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project’ is located in which Indian state?
[A] Assam
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project involves the setting up of India’ largest nuclear power station in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
A pressuriser was delivered for Reactor 5 of this power plant by AEM-Technologies Izhora, which is part of the machine-building division of Rosatom – Atomenergomash.
14. ‘TOPS’ scheme, which was seen in the news, is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of External Affairs
[B] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports]
Notes:
Target Olympic Podium Scheme’s purpose is to identify, groom and prepare potential candidates for Olympic medals.
The Sports Ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell recently gave nod for financial assistance under this scheme for 12 para-badminton players, who are set to participate in the upcoming Brazil Para-Badminton International.
15. ‘Parambikulam Tiger Reserve’ is situated in which state/UT?
[A] Kerala
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kerala]
Notes:Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is situated in Kerala in the Western Ghats. A Division Bench of the Kerala HC has ordered the wild elephant locally called ‘Arikompan’ to be captured, radio-collared and translocated to this protected area.
The Forest department approached the Assam government to procure a Satellite Radio Collar to be attached to the wild tusker in Idukki before it is translocated from Idukki to Parambikulam.
16. ‘Juice Mission’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which space agency?
[A] NASA
[B] ISRO
[C] ESA
[D] JAXA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ESA]
Notes:
Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) Mission is scheduled to be launched on April 13 this year. It will explore Jupiter and its satellites – Callisto, Ganymede and Europa.
The spacecraft will launch from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana to the biggest planet in the solar system. ‘Juice’ will monitor Jupiter’s complex magnetic, radiation, and plasma environment in depth and its interplay with the moons.
17. ‘Siren sphagnicola’ which was discovered recently, looks like which species?
[A] Turtle
[B] Eel
[C] Spider
[D] Cattle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Eel]
Notes:
Siren sphagnicola is a newly discovered species of Siren. Sirens are elongated eel-like aquatic salamanders.
The species was found in the seepage areas in the eastern Gulf Coastal Plain of the US. One of these species, Siren reticulata, was recently described.
18. Which institution developed the ‘3D-printed Dhawan II engine’?
[A] ISRO
[B] DRDO
[C] Skyroot Aerospace
[D] Dhruv Aerospace
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Skyroot Aerospace]
Notes:
The 3D-printed Dhawan II engine was developed by Telangana-based private space vehicle company Skyroot Aerospace. It was recently tested-fired for a duration of record 200 seconds.
Skyroot plans to carry out its first orbital flight by the year-end, as the updated Vikram II rocket scheduled to become launch-ready by next year.
19. INS Tarmugli is being transferred to which country in line with India’s SAGAR Mission?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Maldives
[C] Nepal
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maldives]
Notes:
INS Tarmugli is being transferred to Maldives in line with India’s SAGAR Mission The vessel was commissioned on May 23, 2016 and was based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command.
It is an indigenously built highly manoeuvrable water jet fast attack craft. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd of Kolkata, INS Tarmugli is the first follow-on water jet fast attack craft (WJFAC).
20. Which country has organised the ‘United Sharp Sword’ exercise?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Russia
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
United Sharp Sword is being conducted by People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theatre Command in Taiwan Strait.
It would involve police patrol drills to the north and south of Taiwan and in the sea and airspace of the eastern part of Taiwan.