11. ‘Regiment of Artillery’ is the combat support arm of which armed force?
[A] Indian Navy
[B] Indian Air Force
[C] Indian Army
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Army]
Notes:
Regiment of Artillery is the combat support arm of the Indian Army. It is the second largest in size after the Infantry regiment.
Recently, the Indian government gave the approval for the induction of women officers in this regiment.
12. Which is the headquarters of the ‘Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)’?
[A] Saudi Arabia
[B] Israel
[C] UAE
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was founded in 1969 to protect the interests of the Muslim world.
The Indian government recently criticised the OIC after the organization’s secretariat issued statement alleging the targeting of Muslim community in several states during Ram Navami processions.
13. The ‘Stand Up India Scheme’ has been extended till which year?
[A] 2025
[B] 2027
[C] 2030
[D] 2050
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [2025]
Notes:
The Stand up India Scheme was launched in 2016 to promote entrepreneurship focusing on economic empowerment and job creation. The scheme has been extended till 2025.
Over Rs 40,700 crore was sanctioned under the Stand Up India Scheme over the seven years of its implementation. Around 80 percent of the loans under this scheme were provided to women.
14. ‘Parambikulam Tiger Reserve’ is situated in which state/UT?
[A] Kerala
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kerala]
Notes:Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is situated in Kerala in the Western Ghats. A Division Bench of the Kerala HC has ordered the wild elephant locally called ‘Arikompan’ to be captured, radio-collared and translocated to this protected area.
The Forest department approached the Assam government to procure a Satellite Radio Collar to be attached to the wild tusker in Idukki before it is translocated from Idukki to Parambikulam.
15. Ranthambore National Park is located in which state/UT?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Assam
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajasthan]
Notes:
Ranthambore National Park is situated in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur district. The state government is set to create 85 new posts in the ‘Special Tiger Protection Force’ (STPF), which is being run under the Ranthambore National Park.
Under this proposal, there will be one post of Assistant Forest Conservator, three posts of Regional Forest Officer and 81 posts of Forest Guard.
16. ‘Comstock Act’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which country?
[A] Russia
[B] USA
[C] UK
[D] New Zealand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
Comstock Act is a US law that was originally passed in 1873 to ban the mailing of contraceptives, lewd writings and any instrument, substance, drug, medicine, or thing that could be used in an abortion.
It is currently at the centre of the recent court ruling that threatens access to the popular abortion drug in the country.
17. 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.
18. Which country has recently passed ‘Anti-Terrorism Bill’ to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] USA
[C] Australia
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sri Lanka]
Notes:
Sri Lanka’s Anti-Terrorism Bill was introduced recently to replace the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act.
There has been immense international pressure, including from the UN Human Rights Council, on Sri Lanka to repeal the 1978 law. It provides the police with broad powers to search, arrest, and detain suspects. The proposed legislation is facing criticism due to its broad definition of terrorist act.
19. 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.
20. Which country manufactures the ‘Spike Anti-Tank Missiles’?
[A] USA
[B] Israel
[C] Russia
[D] Ukraine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Israel]
Notes:
Spike Anti-Tank Missiles is a fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile and anti-personnel missile developed by Israel.
Israel signed a defense deal with Greece to provide it with over USD 400 million worth of Spike anti-tank missiles. According to Rafael, the missiles can be launched from around 45 different platforms, on land, in the air, and at sea.