41. Which country has adopted a new policy to promote use of nuclear power?
[A] USA
[B] Japan
[C] China
[D] North Korea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Japan]
Notes:
Japan adopted a new policy promoting greater use of nuclear energy to ensure a stable power supply amid global fuel shortages and to reduce carbon emissions.
This is seen as a major reversal of its phase-out plan since the Fukushima crisis. The new policy seeks to maximise the use of existing nuclear reactors by restarting many of them and prolonging the operating life of old reactors beyond their 60-year limit, developing next-generation reactors to replace them among others.
42. Which institution has recently cautioned that India’s fiscal space is at risk?
[A] World Bank
[B] IMF
[C] WEF
[D] ADB
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IMF]
Notes:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) cautioned that India’s fiscal space is at risk, in its Article IV consultation report.
IMF also called for a more ambitious and well-communicated consolidation to ensure medium-term fiscal sustainability. It called for further structural reforms, including addressing the adverse impact of climate change, to secure strong and sustainable growth.
43. Which country has announced that it will no longer publish daily Covid numbers?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Pakistan
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
China’s National Health Commission will no longer be publishing daily data on COVID-19 case figures for the country.
The health agency has been publishing the numbers for the past three years. It is also not known how frequently China will now update Covid information. Relevant COVID information will be published by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention for reference and research.
44. Who has been appointed as the Chairman of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)?
[A] Naresh Kumar
[B] Santosh Kumar Yadav
[C] Ajay Bhadoo
[D] Vibhu Nayar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Santosh Kumar Yadav]
Notes:
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has appointed senior bureaucrat Santosh Kumar Yadav as Chairman.
Santosh Kumar Yadav, a 1995-batch IAS officer is currently additional secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education.
45. Bar-headed goose, one the world’s highest flying birds, visited which Indian state recently?
[A] Goa
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Kerala
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The bar-headed goose, considered one the world’s highest flying birds, recently visited the Muttukadu backwaters in Tamil Nadu.
As many as seven bar-headed geese made a temporary stop at Muttukadu. Bar-headed geese, native to Central Asia, are capable of flying through the passes of the highest mountains with speedy winds freezing temperatures.
46. Which country’s President outlined a 10-point peace plan recently?
[A] Russia
[B] Ukraine
[C] USA
[D] North Korea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ukraine]
Notes:
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has outlined a 10-point peace plan to end the war with Russia.
He has been promoting his 10-point peace plan, discussing it with U.S. President Joe Biden among others. He also urged the the world leaders to hold a Global Peace Summit based on it. Zelenskiy announced his peace formula at a November summit of the Group of 20 major economies.
47. Lovlina Borgohain and Nikhat Zareen, who were seen in the news, play which sports?
[A] Badminton
[B] Table Tennis
[C] Boxing
[D] Chess
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Boxing]
Notes:
Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and Nikhat Zareen (50 kg) have won Gold medals at Women’s National Boxing Championship 2022 in Bhopal.
Haryana’s Manisha and Saweety Boora, Railway Sports Promotion Board’s (SSCB) Sakshi (52kg), Madhya Pradesh’s Manju Bamboria also clinched gold medals in their respective categories. The Railways team topped the medals tally with 10 medals including five golds.
48. International Carbon Exchange Private Ltd (ICX) is the wholly-owned subsidiary of which institution?
[A] Power Exchange India Limited
[B] Indian Energy Exchange
[C] NTPC Limited
[D] REC Limited
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Energy Exchange]
Notes:
Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) announced to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary, International Carbon Exchange Private Ltd (ICX).
ICX will enable participants to buy and sell voluntary carbon credits at competitive prices through its platform and facilitate reduction of global green house gases emission by 45% by 2030.
49. Which state is set to build a world-class Kayaking-Canoeing Academy?
[A] Assam
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Telangana
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttarakhand]
Notes:
Union Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy RK Singh said, a world-class Kayaking-Canoeing Academy is to be set up at Tehri in Uttarakhand.
He inaugurated the National Championship ‘Tehri Water Sports Cup’ at Tehri Lake. The new sports policy has been implemented in the state, and the government has also announced the re-introduction of the sports quota in jobs.
50. Which is the headquarters of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Bengaluru
[C] Guwahati
[D] Kochi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bengaluru]
Notes:
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) is an autonomous Research Institute wholly financed by the department of Science and Technology. It has its headquarters in Bengaluru.
Astronomers and scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), along with their international collaborators, have recently found that hot stars and white dwarfs emitted less ultraviolet radiation than expected.