41. The text of UN biodiversity pact, which was released recently, has how many action-oriented global targets?
[A] 17
[B] 23
[C] 35
[D] 42
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [23]
Notes:
After the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by 196 parties was agreed at the 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the final text of the framework has been released.
The framework, released Montreal city in Canada, includes four goals and 23 action-oriented global targets for urgent action to be achieved by 2030. It also has four long-term goals for 2050 related to the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity.
42. International Finance Corporation (IFC) has extended a USD 400-million loan to which company in India?
[A] SBI
[B] Can Fin Homes
[C] HDFC
[D] LIC Housing Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [HDFC]
Notes:
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has extended a USD 400-million loan to mortgage major HDFC for financing green affordable housing units.
The loan will help close the urban housing gap and improve access to climate-smart affordable homes by boosting green housing, creating jobs and ensuring long-term business growth.
43. Which Ministry is associated with ‘One Rank One Pension (OROP)’ scheme?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Defence
[C] Ministry of Finance
[D] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Defence]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet approved pending One Rank One Pension (OROP) revision for retirees from armed forces and their families.
The scheme has been delayed since July 2019. Arrears will be paid from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022 which is approximately ₹23,638 crore. As per the Defence Ministry, over 25.13 lakh people, including over 4.52 lakh new beneficiaries, armed forces pensioners and family pensioners will benefit.
44. UIDAI is a statutory authority established under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of Finance
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology]
Notes:
The Unique Identification Authority of India is a statutory authority established under the provisions of Aadhaar Act 2016 under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology.
UIDAI has urged the residents to keep their documents updated in Aadhaar issued 10 years back, by uploading supportive documents either online through myAadhaar portal or offline by visiting the nearest Aadhaar centre.
45. Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated Sports Science Centre in which city?
[A] Pune
[B] Amravati
[C] Udupi
[D] Varanasi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Udupi]
Notes:
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the Sports Science Centre in Udupi.
This Sports Science Centre will bring together sports scientists and athletes. The Government has spent 2700 crore rupees to enhance sporting infrastructure as well as 3,136 crore rupees for Khelo India Games, for a period of five years.
46. Which company along with World Economic Forum (WEF) launched ‘Aquapreneur’ Global Fresh Water Innovation Challenge?
[A] Tata Motors
[B] HCL
[C] Amazon
[D] Meta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [HCL]
Notes:
HCL Corporation and World Economic Forum (WEF) launched the ‘Aquapreneur’ Global Fresh Water Innovation Challenge.
HCL Corporation partnered with UpLink, the open innovation platform of the World Economic Forum, to announce the five-year-long Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative. The USD 15 million ‘Aquaprenuer-Global Fresh Water Innovation Challenge’ is attracting interest from startups from regions like India and the rest of the world.
47. 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.
48. What is the name of the digital project funded by Google to map the language diversity of India?
[A] Project Bharat
[B] Project Vaani
[C] Project Echo
[D] Project Inimai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Project Vaani]
Notes:
The Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), ARTPARK (AI and Robotics Technology Park) and Google have partnered together for ‘Project Vaani’ Initiative.
The digital project aims to map the language diversity of India by collecting speech sets of about a million people across 773 districts. The project aims to record over 150,000 hours of speech, part of which will be transcribed in local scripts. The goal is to boost development of automatic speech recognition, speech to speech translation and natural language understanding.
49. The Competition Commission issued demand notices to which company for its failure to pay penalties within the stipulated time?
[A] Meta
[B] Xiaomi
[C] Google
[D] Amazon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Google]
Notes:
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) issued demand notices to Google for its failure to pay the penalties within the stipulated time.
CCI earlier imposed penalties on the internet major for anti-competitive practices. Google has filed appeals before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) two orders in October.
50. ‘Prahari’ is an application launched for better governance of which institution?
[A] BSF
[B] CRPF
[C] Indian Railways
[D] PSUs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [BSF]
Notes:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently launched the Mobile App ‘Prahari’ and Manual of Border Security Force in New Delhi.
Through the Prahari app, BSF personnels can get information related to accommodation, Ayushman-CAPF and leaves on their mobiles.