11. Which state topped the ‘India Justice Report 2022’ among the large and mid-sized states?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Karnataka]
Notes:
India Justice Report 2022 is a national periodic reporting that measures the capacity of the four pillars of justice system (police, prison system, judiciary and legal aid).
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana took up the top three spots among the 18 large and mid-sized States (population above 10 million).
12. Places of Worship Act protects the character of the places of worship as it stood on which date?
[A] August 15, 1947
[B] January 26, 1950
[C] December 31, 1950
[D] January 1, 1947
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [August 15, 1947]
Notes:
Places of Worship Act, 1991 is a law that protects the character of the places of worship as it stood on August 15, 1947 and prevent any changes that could compromise the character.
The Supreme Court’s 3-judge bench will hear petitions challenging this law in July 2023.
13. ‘TOPS’ scheme, which was seen in the news, is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of External Affairs
[B] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports]
Notes:
Target Olympic Podium Scheme’s purpose is to identify, groom and prepare potential candidates for Olympic medals.
The Sports Ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell recently gave nod for financial assistance under this scheme for 12 para-badminton players, who are set to participate in the upcoming Brazil Para-Badminton International.
14. Which state approved agreement with KfW for a loan to fund the ‘Kerala Green Energy Corridor’?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Telangana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala Green Energy Corridor seeks to synchronize electricity produced from renewables with conventional power stations in the grid.
The state cabinet recently approved the agreement with the German development bank, KfW, for a loan to fund this project.
15. ‘Juice Mission’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which space agency?
[A] NASA
[B] ISRO
[C] ESA
[D] JAXA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ESA]
Notes:
Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice) Mission is scheduled to be launched on April 13 this year. It will explore Jupiter and its satellites – Callisto, Ganymede and Europa.
The spacecraft will launch from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana to the biggest planet in the solar system. ‘Juice’ will monitor Jupiter’s complex magnetic, radiation, and plasma environment in depth and its interplay with the moons.
16. Which institution developed the ‘3D-printed Dhawan II engine’?
[A] ISRO
[B] DRDO
[C] Skyroot Aerospace
[D] Dhruv Aerospace
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Skyroot Aerospace]
Notes:
The 3D-printed Dhawan II engine was developed by Telangana-based private space vehicle company Skyroot Aerospace. It was recently tested-fired for a duration of record 200 seconds.
Skyroot plans to carry out its first orbital flight by the year-end, as the updated Vikram II rocket scheduled to become launch-ready by next year.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. Amolops siju is a new species of frog discovered in which state of India?
[A] Meghalaya
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Goa
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Meghalaya]
Notes:
The researchers from the Zoological Survey of India have discovered a new species of frog named Amolops siju in a cave situated in Meghalaya’s South Garo Hills district.
Siju is a four-kilometre-long natural limestone cave, from where the species was discovered. Hence the frog species has been named after the place of its discovery.
20. Exercise Balikatan is a defence exercise between which two countries?
[A] India – Philippines
[B] USA – Philippines
[C] India – Bhutan
[D] USA – China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA – Philippines]
Notes:
The United States of America and the Philippines have launched their largest combat exercise named Balikatan, meaning shoulder-to-shoulder. The exercise is launched in waters across the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
The exercise would witness participation of more than 17,600 military personnel and the drills will include live-fire exercises and a boat-sinking rocket assault.