31. Siachen Day is observed by the Indian Army every year to commemorate which of its operations?
[A] Operation Meghdoot
[B] Operation Black Thunder
[C] Operation Jammu
[D] Operation Black Tornado
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Operation Meghdoot]
Notes:
The Indian Army observes the 13th of April every year as Siachen Day to commemorate the anniversary of Operation Meghdoot. It was launched by the Indian Army on April 13, 1984 to secure the Siachen Glacier which is of strategic importance.
This year marks the 39th Siachen Day in which the Commander of Siachen Brigade laid a wreath on behalf of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) and paid respect to war heroes at the Siachen War Memorial, Base Camp.
32. 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.
33. Kisan Sampark Abhiyan Programme is associated with which state / UT?
[A] Bihar
[B] Odisha
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Ladakh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
The Agriculture Production Department of Jammu and Kashmir will launch the Kisan Sampark Abhiyan programme, which seeks to ensure the overall welfare of farmers across the Union Territory. The scheme will cover 3565 panchayats in J&K.
To ensure that the programme is successful, nearly 2400 resource persons have been identified and trained for all districts.
34. Which regulator has come out with a dispute resolution mechanism for Limited Purpose Clearing Corporation (LPCC)?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] IBBI
[D] IRDAI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SEBI]
Notes:
The Capital markets regulator SEBI has come out with a dispute resolution mechanism for Limited Purpose Clearing Corporation (LPCC), in order to settle disputes and claims arising out of transactions cleared by it. The framework is implemented with immediate effect.
The Limited Purpose Clearing Corporation is an entity that is set up for clearing and settling repo transactions.
35. 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.
36. 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.
37. 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.
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. 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.
40. Which Union Ministries are associated with the ‘100 Food Streets’ initiative?
[A] Health Ministry and Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry
[B] Environment Ministry and Jal Shakti Ministry
[C] Co-operation Ministry and Agriculture Ministry
[D] Agriculture Ministry and Health Ministry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Health Ministry and Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry]
Notes:
The Union Health Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has requested states and UTs to develop 100 food streets in 100 districts across India.
This pilot initiative seeks to ensure hygienic and safe food practices among food businesses and community members.