11. ‘Hay Fever’ is associated with which country?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] Australia
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Japan]
Notes:
Japan’s Hay Fever is the seasonal allergic reaction caused due to large quantities of pollen from trees during the spring time.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently made commitment to combat this health issue. It is a significant health issue in Japan during the spring months and affects millions of people each year.
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. 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.
14. Cabinet approves LIGO-India gravitational-wave detector to be built in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Kerala
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Indian government approved a project to build an advanced gravitational-wave detector in Maharashtra at an estimated cost of Rs 2,600 crore.
In the US, there are already two such LIGO observatories. The third such cutting-edge gravitational-wave observatory will be LIGO-India. The facility is expected to be completed by 2030.
15. Which institution manages the unclaimed deposits in India?
[A] SEBI
[B] RBI
[C] Ministry of Finance
[D] BSE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [RBI]
Notes:
After ten years of inactivity from the depositor, the unclaimed deposits are transferred to RBI’s Depositors Education and Awareness Fund.
The RBI has planned to open a web portal to allow depositors search for their unclaimed deposits across banks, and issued norms to make credit information companies (CICs) more accountable, measures aimed at helping consumers.
16. ‘Support for Poor Prisoners Scheme’ is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Defence
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Home Affairs]
Notes:
The ‘Support for Poor Prisoners Scheme’ is set to be launched by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Under this scheme, state government will receive financial support from the Home Ministry to help underprivileged prisoners who are unable to get bail or secure release from prisons due to financial constraints.
17. Which country hosts the multinational wargame named ‘Exercise Orion’?
[A] India
[B] USA
[C] France
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [France]
Notes:
Exercise Orion is the largest multinational exercise conducted by the French defence forces. The multinational wargame codenamed Orion will involve India, the USA and other allies of France.
For the first time, Indian Rafale combat aircraft is expected to take part in this wargame. India will send its Refale fighter jets to take part in the exercise Orion in France.
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. Which state/UT launched the project Sanjeevani to empower dairy farmers?
[A] Punjab
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
Himachal Pradesh state government has launched a project named Sanjeevani that helps in empowering the livelihood of small dairy farmers and livestock owners.
It will enhance the lives of farmers by providing them convenient and quality care for livestock at their doorsteps. For this a collaboration was signed by the Animal Husbandry Department with Bharat Financial Inclusion Ltd. (BFIL), a subsidiary of IndusInd Bank.
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.