11. As per the ‘Indian Space Policy 2023’, which institution focusses on research and development of space technologies?
[A] NSIL
[B] ISRO
[C] DRDO
[D] IN-SPACe
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ISRO]
Notes:
The ‘Indian Space Policy 2023’ was approved recently by the Union Cabinet. It seeks to streamline the process of private participation in the Indian Space Sector.
The policy will see Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) focusing on research and development of advanced space technologies. It delineates responsibility to ISRO, New Space India Limited (NSIL, a space sector PSU), and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe).
12. As per the ‘Global Energy Monitor’s 9th Annual Survey’, which country accounted for the highest coal capacity as of 2023?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] USA
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
As per the report released by US-based Global Energy Monitor, the operating coal fleet grew by 19.5 gigawatt in 2022 globally.
As per the report, the war between Russia and Ukraine resulted in a slowdown of coal retirements. China accounted for 59 per cent of the new coal capacity while Bangladesh ranked the 9th among the rest of the countries after India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Indonesia, among others.
13. When is the ‘National Maritime Day’ celebrated in India?
[A] April 2
[B] April 5
[C] April 7
[D] April 10
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [April 5]
Notes:
‘National Maritime Day’ is celebrated on April 5 across the country to commemorate the sailing of the first Indian commercial vessel, SS Loyalty.
The ship sailed from Mumbai to London. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the ‘Maritime India Vision 2030’ in November 2020 at the Maritime India Summit. It is a 10-year blueprint for the development of the Indian maritime sector.
14. ‘Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of Pollution Instrument’ is a device of which space agency?
[A] ISRO
[B] NASA
[C] ESA
[D] JAXA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NASA]
Notes:
Tropospheric Emissions Monitoring of Pollution Instrument is a new NASA device that will track pollution over North America.
It will enable scientists to monitor air pollutants and their sources from space. The spectrometer designed to measure air pollution across greater North America at a high resolution and on an hourly basis.
15. Genome India Project aims to sequence how many Indian human genomes?
[A] 1000
[B] 10000
[C] 1 lakh
[D] 1 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [10000]
Notes:
Genome India Project is an initiative of the Central Government that involves sequencing of 10,000 Indian human genomes and creating a database.
The Department of Biotechnology has sequenced close to 7,000 genomes and 3,000 of these are already available for public access.
16. ‘Rayyanah Barnawi’ is set to become the first woman astronaut from which country?
[A] UAE
[B] Saudi Arabia
[C] Israel
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
Rayyanah Barnawi is set to become the first woman astronaut from Saudi Arabia. Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni will take off from Florida on a private mission to the International Space Station.
There are two other astronauts who will join Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni in their voyage. They are Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut and John Shoffner, a businessman from Tennessee who will serve as pilot.
17. Ranthambore National Park is located in which state/UT?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Assam
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajasthan]
Notes:
Ranthambore National Park is situated in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district. The state government is set to create 85 new posts in the ‘Special Tiger Protection Force’ (STPF), which is being run under the Ranthambore National Park.
Under this proposal, there will be one post of Assistant Forest Conservator, three posts of Regional Forest Officer and 81 posts of Forest Guard.
18. CSIR scientists has recently found rare-earth elements (REEs) in which state/UT?
[A] Chhattisgarh
[B] Assam
[C] Sikkim
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Scientists at the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) facility, reported the presence of rare-earth elements (REEs) in Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh.
These elements are key components in many electronic devices and whose industrial applications span sectors like imaging, aerospace, and defence.
19. ‘Cyber Surakshit Bharat’ is the initiative of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Electronics and IT]
Notes:
Cyber Surakshit Bharat is an initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) that seeks to spread awareness about cyber-crime and strengthen capacities of frontline IT officials and chief information security officers across all government departments.
Under this initiative, the National E-Governance Division (NeGD) is organizing the 35th Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) Deep-Dive training programme.
20. Melolontha arunachalensis, which was seen in the news, belongs to which species?
[A] Spider
[B] Beetle
[C] Butterfly
[D] Snake
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Beetle]
Notes:
Two new species of beetle were found in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh and they were named Melolontha lachugensis and Melolontha arunachalensis.
These two new beetle species have been discovered in India after 127 years in the genus Melolontha, bringing the total number of Indian species to 12.