11. Izu-Ogasawara Trench is located in which ocean?
[A] Atlantic Ocean
[B] Pacific Ocean
[C] Arctic Ocean
[D] Antarctic Ocean
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pacific Ocean]
Notes:
The Izu–Ogasawara Trench is an oceanic trench in the western Pacific Ocean. Recently, scientists have set a record for the deepest fish ever caught on camera and the deepest catch ever made.
A juvenile snail fish was filmed recently swimming at 8,336 m in the Izu-Ogasawara Trench.
12. ‘Capulopsyche keralensis’, which was recently discovered in Kerala, belongs to which species?
[A] Spider
[B] Moth
[C] Snake
[D] Bee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Moth]
Notes:
A new genus and species of bagworm moth Capulopsyche keralensis has been discovered from the coffee plantations of Kerala.
Researchers have discovered the new species of bagworm moth, from Idukki district and Palakkad district.
13. ’Squirrelpox virus’ disease is spreading in which country?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] UK
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UK]
Notes:
Squirrelpox virus is a deadly disease affecting the United Kingdom red squirrels. Invasive, non-native grey squirrels from North America are the main carriers of this pathogen.
The pox killed up to 80% of red squirrels over winter at one of just three sites 11,000 people have signed a petition calling on the Welsh government to fund vaccine research.
14. Which Asian country has been elected to UN Statistical Commission for a 4-year-term?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] China
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
The UN Statistical Commission is the highest decision-making body for international statistical activities. Shigeru Kawasaki of Japan is the current chair of the Commission.
India has recently been elected to this body for a 4-year term starting from January 1, 2024.
15. ‘Order of White Eagle’ is the highest distinction of which country?
[A] USA
[B] France
[C] Poland
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Poland]
Notes:
Order of White Eagle is Poland’s highest distinction. It was received recently by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Order of the White Eagle is the oldest and highest decoration of the Republic of Poland. Zelenski received the award in recognition of his merits in deepening relations between Poland and Ukraine, for his activities for security, and his steadfastness in defending human rights.
16. 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.
17. 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).
18. 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.
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. Vibrant Villages Programme is implemented by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of External Affairs
[C] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[D] Ministry of Rural Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Home Affairs]
Notes:
Vibrant Villages Programme has been launched by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah during his visit to Arunachal Pradesh. It is implemented by the Home Ministry.
It is a centrally sponsored scheme that will provide for the comprehensive development of 2,967 villages situated at the northern border in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and UT of Ladakh.