31. 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.
32. 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.
33. 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.
34. Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) is associated with which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Defence
[C] Ministry of Commerce
[D] Ministry of Agriculture
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Defence]
Notes:
The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to bring in industry-friendly reforms related to Authority Holding Sealed Particulars or AHSP.
Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) is responsible for holding of sealed particulars and patterns along with supply of certified copies of drawings & specifications in respect of defence related items.
35. 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.
36. Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) nuclear reactor is located in which country?
[A] Russia
[B] Finland
[C] Austria
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Finland]
Notes:
The Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) nuclear reactor, located in Finland is the Europe’s largest nuclear reactor. Its construction begun 18 years ago and has recently commenced its power production. The reactor is designed to last for at least 60 years and is expected to boost the energy security in a region.
It is said that the OL3 reactor would play a crucial role in power price stabilisation and green energy transition in Finland.
37. Which Union Ministry is associated with the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023?
[A] Ministry of Communication
[B] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[C] Ministry of Culture
[D] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet cleared the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 which has provisions for harsher punishments for film piracy and the introduction of new age categories for classifying films.
The Bill will be introduced in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, as per the Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur.
38. What is the name of the geographic region where hydrogen serves more than one end sector or application
[A] Hydrogen sphere
[B] Hydrogen valley
[C] Hydrogen cylinder
[D] Hydrogen cone
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Hydrogen valley]
Notes:
The Indian Government has invited Expression of Interest (EOI) for the development of hydrogen valley innovation clusters (HVIC) in the country.
According to the DST guidelines, a hydrogen valley is a specific geographic region where hydrogen serves more than one end sector or application.
39. Which Asian country is set to launch the ‘Digital Highway Network’?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Nepal
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
The National Highways Logistics Management (NHLML), a fully-owned special purpose vehicle of the Indian Government, is set to develop a digital highway network by setting up integrated utility corridors along national highways.
As part of this initiative, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has designed 1,367 km of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and 512 km of the Hyderabad-Bangalore Corridor as pilot routes for digital highway development.
40. What is the term that denotes the difference between incoming and outgoing solar radiation?
[A] Energy Difference
[B] Earth Energy Imbalance
[C] Energy Trade
[D] Energy Deficit
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Earth Energy Imbalance]
Notes:
Earth Energy Imbalance is the difference between incoming and outgoing solar radiation. It is the indicator of climate change as it provides an estimate of how much, how fast and where the Earth’s temperature is increasing.
A new study has found that around 381 ZJ of heat has accumulated on the Earth from 1971-2020 due to anthropogenic emissions. This is approximately equal to EEI of around 0.48 watts per square meters.