31. Where is the Army Commanders’ Conference (ACC) 2023 held?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Port Blair
[C] Kolkata
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [New Delhi]
Notes:
Army Commanders’ Conference (ACC) is a 5 day apex-level defence event, which is organised from 17 to 21 April 2023. The event is organised in in Hybrid format wherein Army Commanders and other senior functionaries will meet virtually on the first day and then travel to Delhi for the rest of the physical meetings.
The event provides a platform for conceptual level deliberations to make important defence policy decisions.
32. As per the UNFPA Report, which country is expected to be the most populated by mid-2023?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] USA
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
As per the ‘United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s State of World Population 2023’ report, India’s population is expected to reach 1.429 billion by the end of the year, according to the U.N. China will be at second place, with 1.426 billion people.
This will make India the most populous country in the world for the first time. This number is expected to be 2.96 million more than the population of China.
33. 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.
34. What is the name for the hybrid solar eclipse which will transit from an annular eclipse to a total eclipse?
[A] Ningaloo Eclipse
[B] Partial Eclipse
[C] Helcos Eclipse
[D] Lumbar Eclipse
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ningaloo Eclipse]
Notes:
The Ningaloo Eclipse is a hybrid solar eclipse in which the eclipse will transit from an annular eclipse to a total eclipse in certain regions of the world and again transit back to an annular eclipse.
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby obscuring the view of the Sun from a small part of the Earth. There are four types of solar eclipses: total, partial, hybrid, and annular.
35. 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.
36. Who is the first Indian woman to be named as a ‘Wisden Cricketer of the Year’?
[A] Smriti Mandana
[B] Harmanpreet Kaur
[C] Mithali Raj
[D] Deepti Sharma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Harmanpreet Kaur]
Notes:
Harmanpreet Kaur became the first Indian woman to be named as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year. She led Mumbai Indians to win the inaugural Women’s Premier League in March.
Suryakumar Yadav was named Wisden’s Leading T20 Cricketer of the Year. At present, Suryakumar Yadav remains at number one position in the ICC T20 men’s rankings.
37. NMDC is exploring lithium reserves for mining in which country?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Australia
[D] Maldives
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Australia]
Notes:
Indian iron ore miner NMDC Ltd. is exploring lithium reserves, about 200 km off Perth, Australia.
NMDC is the majority owner of a mine located in Mt Bevan in Australia. India found lithium deposits for the first time in the country in February and is planning to auction a block for mining.
38. 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.
39. As per the first Census of Water Bodies, what per cent of water bodies are in rural areas?
[A] 57.1 %
[B] 67.1 %
[C] 87.1 %
[D] 97.1 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [97.1 %]
Notes:
For the first time in the history of the country, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has conducted the first-ever census of water bodies across the nation.
As per the census, 24.24 lakh water bodies have been enumerated in the country, out of which 97.1% are in rural areas and only 2.9% are in urban areas. Top 5 States in terms of number of water bodies are West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Assam.
40. ‘Abhilekh Patal’ is a portal related to which institution?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation
[B] National Archives of India
[C] Election Commission of India
[D] Reserve Bank of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Archives of India]
Notes:
The Abhilekh Patal is a portal containing over 1 crore pages of historic records of the National Archives. It was praised recently by Prime Minister Modi.
National Archives of India has a search web Portal namely “Abhilekh patal” which is available to make its rich treasure of Archival Records available to scholars and users.