31. Which Union Ministry is associated with the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions
[C] Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Home Affairs]
Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) approved the conduct of constable (general duty) examination for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in 13 regional languages.
This is in addition to Hindi and English. This aims to promote the participation of local youths in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and encourage regional languages.
32. The PTP-NER Scheme has been launched by which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Tribal Affairs]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched a new Central Sector Scheme “Marketing and Logistics Development for Promotion of Tribal Products from North -Eastern Region (PTP-NER)”.
The scheme with a substantial outlay of Rs.143 crore is intended to benefit Scheduled Tribes of North-eastern India. programme has been designed to strengthen the opportunities for tribal craftsmen to support their livelihoods.
33. Where is ‘Mt Annapurna’ situated?
[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] Bangladesh
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nepal]
Notes:
The Mt Annapurna is situated in the Annapurna mountain range of Gandaki Province of Nepal. It is the tenth highest mountain in the world at 8,091 metres above sea level.
The mountain was recently in news as, an Indian climber Anurag Maloo, who went missing after falling into a deep crevasse on Mount Annapurna, has been found alive in critical condition by rescuers.
34. Which state in India has become the first to adopt Water Budget?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kerala]
Notes:
The state Government of Kerala has introduced the first of its kind Water Budget which aims to address water scarcity in the state through proper utilization of the resources and prevention of wastages.
Thee first phase of the project would cover 94 gram panchayats and 15 block panchayats of the state.
35. What is ‘Cycas pectinate’ that was seen in the news recently?
[A] Plant
[B] Vaccine
[C] Gecko
[D] Spider
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Plant]
Notes:
Cycas pectinate is a plant species of Genus Cycas which is the found in the north-eastern part of India, Nepal, Bhutan, South China etc. It is the only ‘Cycas’ species found in Bhutan.
It usually grows at an elevation of 300 m to 1200 m and in difficult terrains. A new study has found that this vulnerable species is threatened in the Himalayan country due to habitat loss and its overcollection as an ornamental plant.
36. 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.
37. ‘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.
38. Which institution has developed a device named ‘Artsens’ to screen for cardiovascular diseases?
[A] IIT Delhi
[B] IISc Bengaluru
[C] IIT Madras
[D] NIT Tiruchirappalli
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IIT Madras]
Notes:
Artsens is a device developed by researchers at the Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC) at IIT Madras, to screen for cardiovascular diseases.
This non-invasive device can be used non-experts for routine medical examinations. It is powered by a proprietary non-imaging probe and an intelligent computing platform.
39. In which year, the indirect discrimination was recognized in the equality jurisprudence by the Supreme Court?
[A] 1992
[B] 2002
[C] 2010
[D] 2018
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [2018]
Notes:
In 2018, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud read down the law that criminalized homosexuality, citing the idea of indirect discrimination where seemingly neutral laws could disproportionately disadvantage a group.
This marked the first time that indirect discrimination was recognized in the equality jurisprudence by the Supreme Court.
40. Which city hosted the ‘National Conference on Water Sufficient Panchayat, Clean & Green Panchayat and Healthy Panchayat’?
[A] Pune
[B] Chennai
[C] New Delhi
[D] Guwahati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [New Delhi]
Notes:
The National Conference on Water Sufficient Panchayat, Clean & Green Panchayat and Healthy Panchayat will be held in New Delhi.
It will showcase best practices followed by Panchayati Raj institutions (PRI) and augment capacity building of elected representatives with greater exposure, interactive learning and experience sharing.