31. Good Friday Agreement signed in 1998 was aimed to end violence in which country?
[A] Philippines
[B] Chile
[C] Northern Ireland
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Northern Ireland]
Notes:
The Good Friday Agreement is a pair of agreements signed on 10 April 1998 that ended most of the violence in Northern Ireland that had prevailed since the late 1960s. The year 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of Good Friday Agreement.
Northern Ireland’s present devolved system of government is based on the agreement. It is made up of the Multi-Party Agreement between most of Northern Ireland’s political parties, and the British–Irish Agreement.
32. ‘Nicobari Hut’ is prevalently found in which state/UT?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Andaman and Nicobar Islands
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Andaman and Nicobar Islands]
Notes:
Nicobari hut, locally known as ‘chanvi-pati-nyi hupul’ is famed for its unique eco-friendly design and earth-quake resistant construction. It is set to receive geographical indication (GI) tag.
Earlier the GI tag for traditional ‘ hodi’, an outrigger canoe was given to the region. It has an inverted helmet-shaped hut with wood and palm fronds, which maintains a pleasant temperature despite the hot and humid tropical climate of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The huts are also earthquake resistant.
33. Which country is the host of the first-ever ‘Global Buddhist Conference’?
[A] Thailand
[B] Singapore
[C] China
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [India]
Notes:
The first-ever Global Buddhist Conference will be hosted by India on April 20 and 21. It will be organized based on the theme “Response to Contemporary Challenges from Philosophy to Praxis”.
It will cover subjects such as Buddhism and peace, environmental crisis, health and sustainability, and the preservation of the Nalanda Buddhist tradition, Buddhist pilgrimage, living heritage and Buddha relics.
34. Which space agency launched the ‘Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) project’?
[A] ISRO
[B] NASA
[C] ESA
[D] Rocosmos
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ESA]
Notes:
The European Space Agency has successfully launched its mission to Jupiter’s moons. The Ariane 5 rocket was launched from the ESA’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) project aims to send a satellite on an eight-year journey to reach the icy moons of the planet, gas giant.
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. Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib was associated with which state / UT?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Ladakh
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ladakh]
Notes:
In the Union Territory of Ladakh, people from across Kargil reached the Kargil Bazaar in the form of Mourning Processions to mark Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib’s martyrdom. The day coincides with 21st day of Ramadan.
Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib was the last Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate. He is believed to be the first Imam and the rightful political and religious successor of the Islamic prophet Muhammad by Shias.
37. Which country has launched the ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ Campaign?
[A] Israel
[B] Ukraine
[C] UAE
[D] USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UAE]
Notes:
The ‘1 Billion Meals Endowment’ Campaign was launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Its purpose is to establish the Ramzan sustainable food aid endowment fund and provide a food safety net for marginalized populations in countries struggling with food insecurity.
38. Scientists of which institution have recently identified Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation
[B] IIT – Madras
[C] Indian Antarctic station
[D] National Institute of Ocean Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Antarctic station]
Notes:
The Scientists of Indian Antarctic station, Maitri, have recently identified and studied the characteristics of Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves, which are a form of plasma waves.
These waves are said to play an important role in precipitation of killer electrons (electrons having speed close to speed of light, which form the radiation belt of planet Earth), which are hazardous to our space-borne technology and instruments.
39. 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.
40. 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.