31. Which city is the host of the ‘G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists’?
[A] Varanasi
[B] Ahmedabad
[C] Jaipur
[D] Shillong
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Varanasi]
Notes:
The G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists is set to be held on April 17 to 19 in Varanasi. It seeks to promote science-based solutions to achieve sustainable, resilient and profitable agri-food systems.
Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) is the 100th G20 Meeting during India’s G20 Presidency.
32. Which country has confirmed financial support of USD 1 billion to Pakistan?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] USA
[D] UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [UAE]
Notes:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has confirmed financial support of USD 1 billion to Pakistan. This was announced by the Finance Minister of Pakistan.
Pakistan is tackling a major economic crisis as it awaits USD 1.1 billion tranche of funding from the Washington-based International Monetary Fund, part of a USD 6.5 billion bailout package the IMF approved in 2019.
33. Which institution has developed a low-cost camera for multispectral imaging of flame –‘CL-Flam’?
[A] IIT- Madras
[B] IIT- Indore
[C] IISc Bengaluru
[D] IIT Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIT- Indore]
Notes:
The CL-Flam is a low-cost camera for multispectral imaging of flame developed by IIT Indore in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and NASA-Caltech, USA.
It is capable of simultaneously capturing multiple spectral 3D images of 4 chemical species in a flame.
34. ‘National Panchayat Awards Week’ is celebrated in which month?
[A] March
[B] April
[C] May
[D] June
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [April]
Notes:
The National Panchayat Awards Week was observed from April 17 to 21 this year to commemorate the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav 2.0.
President of India Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the National Panchayat Awards Week and confer the National Panchayat Awards at ‘National Conference on Incentivization of Panchayats-cum-Award Ceremony’.
35. 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.
36. Which institution funds the ‘De-risking, Inclusion and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economies (DRIVE)’ project?
[A] IMF
[B] World Bank
[C] WEF
[D] NITI Aayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Bank]
Notes:
De-risking, Inclusion and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economies (DRIVE) project is a World Bank-funded project that seeks to protect pastoralists against droughts with upgraded livestock value chain and increased financial services.
As part of this project, a unique insurance scheme has been launched in Kenya to protect herders against climate change-related droughts.
37. Which institution launched the ‘State of World Population’ Report?
[A] UNICEF
[B] UNFPA
[C] WEF
[D] IMF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UNFPA]
Notes:
The State of World Population report titled ‘8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities’ was released recently by the United Nations Population Fund.
According to this report released by UNFPA, India is now the most populous country in the world, as it has surpassed China’s population numbers.
38. 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.
39. Scientists of which institution have recently identified Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation
[B] IIT – Madras
[C] Indian Antarctic station
[D] National Institute of Ocean Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Antarctic station]
Notes:
The Scientists of Indian Antarctic station, Maitri, have recently identified and studied the characteristics of Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves, which are a form of plasma waves.
These waves are said to play an important role in precipitation of killer electrons (electrons having speed close to speed of light, which form the radiation belt of planet Earth), which are hazardous to our space-borne technology and instruments.
40. Which state adopted a resolution urging the Centre to extend quota for Dalit Christians?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Tamil Nadu Assembly has recently adopted a resolution urging the Centre to extend quota for Dalit Christians.
The resolution urged the Centre to amend the Constitution to extend statutory protection, rights, and concessions, including reservation, to Scheduled Caste members who have converted to Christianity.