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. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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).
15. 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.
16. Which country chairs the 2nd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] USA
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in Washington DC to attend the 2023 Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), along with G20 meetings, Investor/ Bilateral meetings, and other associated meetings.
Finance Minister Sitharaman and RBI Shaktikanta Das will jointly chair the 2nd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting.
17. Which country recently legalized ‘Human Composting’ burial option?
[A] USA
[B] Italy
[C] Germany
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
Human Composting, also known as natural organic reduction, is a burial method involving the reduction of human body into nutrient rich soil.
New York recently became the 6th state of the United States to legalize this a burial option.
18. As per a recent report of the NSO, what per centage of communicable disease deaths in 2021 was due to respiratory ailments?
[A] 18 %
[B] 38 %
[C] 58 %
[D] 78 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [78 %]
Notes:
As per the latest data released by National Statistical Office (NSO), the share of respiratory infections in deaths caused by communicable diseases rose by 10 per cent to 78 per cent in 2021 from 68 per cent in 2020,
This means about four out of five deaths due to communicable diseases were caused by the respiratory ailments.
19. UIDAI has partnered with which institution for ‘National Centre of Excellence in Technology for Internal Security’ initiative?
[A] IIT Bombay
[B] IIT Madras
[C] NIT Tiruchirappalli
[D] NIT Warangal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [IIT Bombay]
Notes:
‘Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has joined hands with Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-Bombay) to develop a robust touchless biometric capture system for easier usage by people anytime, anywhere.
As part of the memorandum of understanding, UIDAI and IIT Bombay will carry out joint research to build a mobile capture system for fingerprints along with liveness model integrated with the capture system.
20. The UN Democracy Fund was founded in which year?
[A] 1992
[B] 2003
[C] 2005
[D] 2010
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2005]
Notes:
At the World Summit during the UN General Assembly in September 2005, USA and India co-sponsored a fund-raising event for UNDEF.
Majority of this fund goes to the local civil society organizations. It gives grants to NGOs funded by George Soros, while he is put on the watchlist in India.