11. ‘Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell’ functions under the aegis of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[B] Ministry of Coal
[C] Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
[D] Ministry of Power
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas]
Notes:
Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell is the data backbone of the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
It recently celebrated its 22nd foundation day. After the dismantling of Administered Pricing Mechanism (APM) in petroleum sector, Oil Coordination Committee (OCC) was abolished and a new cell called Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC) was created effective 1st April 2002.
12. Catanduanes Island, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Indonesia
[B] Japan
[C] Philippines
[D] Singapore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Philippines]
Notes:
Catanduanes Island is the 12th largest island in the Philippines. A shallow earthquake of 6.2 magnitude struck this island recently.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), tsunami waves will arrive and last for hours.
13. Which country launched the ‘Overseas Security Assistance (OSA) programme’?
[A] USA
[B] Japan
[C] Australia
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Japan]
Notes:
Japan’s Overseas Security Assistance (OSA) programme was announced recently. It will provide financial assistance to help foreign nations strengthen their defences.
As per the foreign ministry, since the help would be offered as grants, only poor nations will be able to receive it.
14. Project CAVForth is the first registered service of which country to use full-sized autonomous buses?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] India
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UK]
Notes:
Project CAVForth was launched in 2019 to provide fully autonomous full-sized bus service across the Forth Road Bridge.
CAVForth is a joint project of various institutions and it is part funded by the UK Government’s Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. It will be the first registered service in the UK to use full-sized autonomous buses. Bus services under this project will be launched in Scotland soon.
15. Which Union Ministry notified amendments to the ‘Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics code) rules, 2021’?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Electronics and IT]
Notes:
Ministry of Electronics and IT has notified amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
These rules seek to create an open, safe, trusted and accountable internet. It seeks to enforce greater due diligence by online gaming and social media intermediaries.
16. The Supreme Court set aside the orders of I&B Ministry and Kerala High Court, which refused to renew license of which channel?
[A] Alt News
[B] Media One
[C] News Minute
[D] Scroll
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Media One]
Notes:
The Supreme Court set aside the orders passed by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) on January 31, 2022, and the Kerala High Court on March 2, 2022, refusing to renew Malayalam news channel Media One’s broadcast license.
The apex court recently quashed the ‘sealed cover’ ban on Media One after the channel argued that it went against the principles of natural justice.
17. Which country signed several economic agreements in energy, agriculture among other sectors, with China?
[A] France
[B] Germany
[C] UK
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [France]
Notes:
France and China have signed several economic agreements involving major companies in sectors such as transport, energy, agriculture, culture and science during President Emmanuel Macron’s trip to China.
One of the deals will create a new assembly line in French aircraft manufacturer Airbus’ Tianjin factory so the company can double its production capacity of A320 models.
18. 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.
19. ‘AlUla Declaration’, which was seen in the news, is related to which country?
[A] Russia
[B] Qatar
[C] Israel
[D] Iran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Qatar]
Notes:
A fourth joint meeting between the delegates of the UAE and Qatar was held in Abu Dhabi to follow up on the implementation of the AlUla Declaration.
The AlUla Declaration, which was signed in 2021, resolved the dispute with Qatar and called for unity and the strengthening of relations among GCC countries.
20. India held a ‘Business Summit’ recently, to commemorate 25 years of friendship with which country?
[A] Russia
[B] France
[C] Germany
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
The India-France Business Summit was organised to commemorate 25 years of India-France Friendship.
It will focus on themes like building a green future, emerging technologies, defence cooperation and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific regions. The Embassy of India, Paris, France, in association with India’s CII, France’s MEDEF and the Indo French Chamber of Commerce and Industry(IFCCI), organised the Summit and CEOs Roundtable.