31. What is the name coined for the collection of marine debris in the Northern Pacific Ocean?
[A] High Sea Debris
[B] Mid Oceanic Debris
[C] Great Pacific Garbage Patch
[D] American Debris Stream
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Great Pacific Garbage Patch]
Notes:
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean. It is also known as the Pacific trash vortex, spans waters from the West Coast of North America to Japan.
Marine debris is litter that ends up in the ocean, seas, and other large bodies of water. A recent study by Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) shows that this giant collection of plastic trash has also become home to thousands of marine life, creating a new kind of ecosystem.
32. Which fungus is associated with a recent outbreak of “atypical” pneumonia at a Paper Mill in Michigan, USA?
[A] Yeast
[B] Blastomyces
[C] Mushrooms
[D] Molds
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Blastomyces]
Notes:
The blastomyces fungus is linked to the recent outbreak of “atypical” pneumonia among the employees of the Escanaba Billerud Paper Mill in the US.
The fungus is endemic to Michigan and is generally found in moist soil and decomposing wood. If disturbed, microscopic spores from the fungus can get dispersed in air and travel freely. Human beings can contract blastomycosis by inhaling the spores.
33. ‘Srijana national conference’ is organised by which institution?
[A] AIMS
[B] AIIA
[C] ISRO
[D] RBI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [AIIA]
Notes:
Srijana is a two-day national conference on female infertility, which was organised by by All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), under the Ministry of AYUSH on 17th April 2023, at New Delhi.
The conference witnessed participation of many scientists, practitioners and academicians from all over India who shared their success stories and knowledge through Ayurveda.
34. ‘Villa of Quintilii’ which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] South Africa
[B] France
[C] Italy
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Italy]
Notes:
Villa of Quintilii is an ancient Roman villa situated beyond the fifth milestone along the Via Appia Antica, close to the boundaries of Rome, Italy.
A new study provided details about a lavish winery where the Roman elite gathered annually in Villa of Quintilii.
35. Who has been conferred with the ‘Malcolm Adiseshiah Award 2023’?
[A] Urjit Patel
[B] Shaktikanta Das
[C] Amartya Sen
[D] Utsa Patnaik
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Utsa Patnaik]
Notes:
Utsa Patnaik, a famous economist, has been chosen for the Malcolm Adiseshiah Award 2023. The award is conferred every year by the Malcolm & Elizabeth Adiseshiah Trust to honour social scientists.
Utsa Patnaik, a renowned Indian Marxian economist, taught at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning at Jawaharlal Nehru University.
36. Which Union Ministry has developed the ‘National Climate Vulnerability Index’?
[A] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Power
[D] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Science and Technology]
Notes:
National Climate Vulnerability Index, developed by the Department of Science and Technology, is used by the Indian government to estimate the impact of heatwaves.
A new study has revealed that more than 90 percent of the population is at risk of heatwaves and India has been underestimating the impact of heatwaves on its development.
37. ‘Rockwell B1 Lancer’ is a fighter aircraft of which country?
[A] India
[B] France
[C] Russia
[D] USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [USA]
Notes:
The Rockwell B1 Lancer is a fighter aircraft of the USA. It is also called as the “BONE” and is a supersonic variable-sweep wing, heavy bomber aircraft.
The aircraft has participated in the Exercise Cope India 2023, which is a bilateral air exercise between Indian Air Force and US Air Force.
38. What amount has been allotted to the ‘National Quantum Mission’?
[A] Rs 1000 crore
[B] Rs 2000 crore
[C] Rs 3000 crore
[D] Rs 6000 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rs 6000 crore]
Notes:
The National Quantum Mission was approved recently by the Union Cabinet. Its aim is to seed, nurture and scale scientific and industrial research and development and create an innovative ecosystem in quantum technology.
The Centre has approved Rs 6,003 crore for the National Quantum Mission, to fund scientific and industrial research development in quantum technology.
39. Assam sign an agreement for settlement of inter-state boundary dispute, with which state?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Meghalaya
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Arunachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have signed an agreement for the settlement of an inter-state boundary dispute between the two States.
It will end the dispute relating to 123 villages along the border. After the agreement, a detailed survey is to be carried out by the Survey of India to determine the boundaries of both states.
40. When is the ‘Civil Services Day’ celebrated every year?
[A] April 18
[B] April 21
[C] April 24
[D] April 27
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [April 21]
Notes:
‘Civil Services Day’ is observed on April 21 every year. It highlights the achievements and contributions of civil servants in India.
National Civil Services Day was first celebrated on April 21, 2006. April 21 was chosen because it is on this day that the first Home Minister of Independent India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, 1947 addressed the probationers of Administrative Services Officers at Metcalf House in Delhi.