31. Gond Painting belongs to which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Gujarat
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The Gond painting of Madhya Pradesh is an art form associated with the Gond tribe and it features unique style and theme. The painting has recently received Geographical Indication tag. Tamil Nadu’s Authoor betel leaves has also received GI tag.
A geographical indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
32. 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.
33. Which state/UT hosted the ‘5th India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue’ in 2023?
[A] Mumbai
[B] New Delhi
[C] Ahmedabad
[D] Chennai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
The 5th India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue was held recently in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary.
During this event, the Indian delegation pointed out concerns regarding the misuse of the UK’s asylum status by the Pro-Khalistani elements to assist and abet terrorist activities in India.
34. Which institution released the ‘Status of Women in Agrifood Systems’ Report?
[A] FAO
[B] UNICEF
[C] NABARD
[D] NITI Aayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [FAO]
Notes:
The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems report was released recently by the Food and Agricultural Organisation.
According to the report, eliminating gender discrimination in agriculture could result in increase in the size of global economy and alleviate hunger at a time when over 345 million people are estimated to experience acute food insecurity.
35. Who was recently crowned as ‘Miss India 2023’?
[A] Nandini Gupta
[B] Megan Edward
[C] Shreya Poonja
[D] Strela Luwang
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Nandini Gupta]
Notes:
Nandini Gupta, a 19-year-old girl from Rajasthan, was recently crowned Miss India 2023 at the Grand Finale event held in Imphal, Manipur.
This year’s event is the 59th edition of the Femina Miss India beauty pageant. Contestants from 29 states, including Delhi and all UTs competed for the title. This is the first time that the event is held in North-eastern region in Imphal.
36. 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.
37. 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.
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. What is ‘Tripedalia maipoensis’, which was discovered recently?
[A] Plant species
[B] Frog Species
[C] Box jellyfish
[D] Reptile species
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Box jellyfish]
Notes:
A team of researchers from Hong Kong have discovered a new species of box jellyfish in Mai Po Nature Reserve. This is said to be first discovery of the venomous species in China’s waters.
The jelly fist is named Tripedalia maipoensis. It has a cube-shaped, colourless body with 24 eyes, three tentacles up to 10 cm long which resemble boat paddles. It is said to swim faster than other kinds of jellyfish.
40. ‘Hanuman Plover Bird’ is a species endemic to which countries?
[A] India and Sri Lanka
[B] USA and Canada
[C] Australia and New Zealand
[D] Japan and Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India and Sri Lanka]
Notes:
Hanuman Plover Bird has been reinstated as species after more than eight decades. This bird is endemic to India and Sri Lanka.
Hanuman Plover Bird was merged with the Kentish plover in the 1930s as both species were considered to be the same.