31. ‘Vegetable Production System (Veggie)’ is associated with which space agency?
[A] ISRO
[B] NASA
[C] ESA
[D] JAXA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NASA]
Notes:
The Vegetable Production System (Veggie) is plant growth unit aboard the International Space Station. Tomatoes grown on this unit will return to Earth using SpaceX’s commercial resupply services.
Veggie’s purpose is to help NASA study plant growth in microgravity, while adding fresh food to the astronauts’ diet and enhancing happiness and well-being on the orbiting laboratory.
32. Which city is the host of the ‘G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists’?
[A] Varanasi
[B] Ahmedabad
[C] Jaipur
[D] Shillong
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Varanasi]
Notes:
The G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists is set to be held on April 17 to 19 in Varanasi. It seeks to promote science-based solutions to achieve sustainable, resilient and profitable agri-food systems.
Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) is the 100th G20 Meeting during India’s G20 Presidency.
33. Bohag Bihu is celebrated in which state/UT?
[A] Assam
[B] West Bengal
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assam]
Notes:
Bohag Bihu is an ethnic festival celebrated in North-eastern India, especially in Assam. This year, this 7-day festival will be celebrated in Assam from April 14 to April 20.
It celebrates the onset of the Assamese new year. It is also called as the Rongali Bihu. The first day of the Bihu is dedicated to cattle, which provides livelihood.
34. The PTP-NER Scheme has been launched by which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Tribal Affairs]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched a new Central Sector Scheme “Marketing and Logistics Development for Promotion of Tribal Products from North -Eastern Region (PTP-NER)”.
The scheme with a substantial outlay of Rs.143 crore is intended to benefit Scheduled Tribes of North-eastern India. programme has been designed to strengthen the opportunities for tribal craftsmen to support their livelihoods.
35. Miguel Diaz-Canel, who was seen in the news, is the President of which country?
[A] Italy
[B] Cuba
[C] Israel
[D] South Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cuba]
Notes:
Miguel Diaz-Canel recently became the first non-Castro leader in Cuba to be re-elected as president. He won a second five-year term in a parliamentary vote that had him as the sole candidate. The 62-year-old leader took over the reins in 2018 as Cuba’s first civilian leader after around 60 years of hegemony by the Castro brothers.
36. Which institution launched the ‘Coalition of Coastal Cities to Combat Marine Litter’?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Centre for Science and Environment
[C] UNESCO
[D] UNICEF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Centre for Science and Environment]
Notes:
The Coalition of Coastal Cities to Combat Marine Litter was launched recently by Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
It is a coalition of coastal cities that will combat marine litter pollution across India. Of the 460 million tonnes (MT) of global plastic production, nearly 353 MT comes back as plastic waste; 8 MT (2.26 per cent) of which is leaked into the marine ecosystem.
37. 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.
38. HUN is a cultural festival celebrated in which Indian State?
[A] Meghalaya
[B] Manipur
[C] Odisha
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Manipur]
Notes:
HUN festival is an annual cultural festival celebrated in Manipur. It is celebrated by the Thadous community of Manipur to mark the arrival of the new year according to the community and it is a time for the community to offer prayers for a prosperous year ahead.
This year’s festival was inaugurated in the state by Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren.
39. ‘Bhoodan movement’ was started in 1951 by which leader?
[A] Mahatma Gandhi
[B] Vinoba Bhave
[C] Rabindranath Tagore
[D] Aurobindo Ghosh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vinoba Bhave]
Notes:
Gramdan is the expansion of Bhoodan movement that was started in 1951 by Vinoba Bhave. Under this initiative, the entire village will put its land under a common trust.
At present, seven states in India have 3,660 Gramdan villages, the highest being in Odisha (1309).
40. 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.