31. 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.
32. What is the name of the device developed by scientists of Houston Methodist Academic Institute, which delivers drugs directly to pancreatic tumors?
[A] Nanofluidic drug-eluting seed
[B] Micro Drug
[C] Robotic drug delivery device
[D] Cancer drug delivery system
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Nanofluidic drug-eluting seed]
Notes:
Scientists from the Houston Methodist Academic Institute have recently developed a tiny nanofluidic device named Nanofluidic Drug-Eluting Seed (NDES) that delivers cancer drugs directly to pancreatic tumors.
The Nanofluidic drug-eluting seed (NDES) delivers low-dose immunotherapy via CD40 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) — which encourage the immune system to fight tumor cells — directly to pancreatic tumors to treat the aggressive form of pancreatic cancer.
33. What is ‘Magnaporthe oryzae’ which was seen in the news recently?
[A] Plant
[B] Fungus
[C] Bacterium
[D] Insect
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fungus]
Notes:
‘Magnaporthe oryzae’ is a fungus that causes ‘wheat blast’. It is currently destroying wheat crops in South America, threatening its food security in a major scale.
Scientists have warned that the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae could spread worldwide. Cases of infection have earlier been reported in Asia in 2016 and Africa in 2018.
34. Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is associated with which space agency?
[A] NASA
[B] ISRO
[C] JAXA
[D] ESA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [NASA]
Notes:
‘Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite’ (TESS) is a space telescope for NASA’s Explorer program, designed to search for exoplanets.
Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) recently marked five years in space. Since it was launched in 2018, the satellite has mapped more than 93 percent of the entire sky, discovered 329 new alien worlds and thousands more exoplanet candidates.
35. Which country is the host of the ‘EU-India Aviation Summit’?
[A] India
[B] Italy
[C] Germany
[D] Finland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
The two-day EU-India Aviation Summit was held in New Delhi. It focuses on air transport relations and the mutually shared challenges and opportunities of the EU and India.
During the summit, a declaration of intent was signed by Airport Authority of India with Eurocontrol, and a letter of intent memorandum of understanding was signed by DGCA with the European Union Aviation Safety for closer cooperation.
36. As per a recent study, a protein called shugosin gives shape to which structure?
[A] Bone
[B] Muscle
[C] Retina
[D] Chromosome
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chromosome]
Notes:
A new study has found that a protein called shugosin locks the chromosomes into X shapes to give them their structure.
The protein’s function is to maintain the stability of chromosomes during cell division. Also called as SGO1, this protein fits precisely into a sort of keyhole which gives the chromosome its X shape.
37. As per the ‘Special Marriage Act (SMA) of 1954’, a public notice of the intended marriage is to be displayed before how many days?
[A] 13
[B] 15
[C] 30
[D] 60
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [30]
Notes:
The Special Marriage Act (SMA) of 1954 provides legal framework for civil marriage between people belonging to different religions or castes.
The Act requires marriage officers to display a public notice inviting objections to an intended marriage 30 days prior to the ceremony. The Constitution Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud termed the 30-day notice period under this Act ‘patriarchal’.
38. 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.
39. ‘Safe Kerala Project’ which was launched recently, aims to minimise?
[A] Honour Killings
[B] Road Accidents
[C] Covid Deaths
[D] Cardiac Arrests
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Road Accidents]
Notes:
The state government of Kerala launched the Safe Kerala Project to minimize the number of on-road accidents and prevent traffic violations in the state.
As part of this project, Artificial Intelligence-based cameras will be used to identify traffic violations and impose fines.
40. ‘Mission Youth’, which received the PM Award for Excellence under Innovation Category, is from which state/UT?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Odisha
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
The Jammu and Kashmir administration’s flagship initiative, ‘Mission Youth’ recently received the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence under the Innovation (state) category.
It is a unique programme aimed at empowering youth in the union territory. The mission will focus on all individuals between the age of 15 to 35 years.