21. ‘System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting Research (SAFAR)’ is associated with which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Earth Science
[B] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[C] Ministry of Science and Technology
[D] Ministry of Electronics and IT
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Earth Science]
Notes:
Ministry of Earth Science’s System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting Research (SAFAR) recently announced that Mumbai has seen unusually high levels of pollution this week, with its air quality index reading frequently above 300.
An AQI between 301 and 400 is categorised as ‘red’ or ‘very poor’. Mazgaon, the most polluted area in the city had AQI of 495 in ‘severe’ category. The current high pollution is due to a second dust storm in less than two weeks that has hit Mumbai.
22. India’s first commercial-scale biomass-based hydrogen plant is located in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Telangana
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The country’s first commercial-scale biomass-based hydrogen plant is being developed up in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh.
The plant will produce a tonne of hydrogen per day from 30 tonnes of biomass feedstock. It will also produce biochar and methane.
23. Which state has approved the Anti-Conversion Bill with the burden of proof on the accused?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Haryana
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Haryana]
Notes:
The Haryana Cabinet approved the draft of The Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religious Bill, 2022. It will now be tabled in the Vidhan Sabha.
It aims to prohibit religious conversions made through ‘misrepresentation, force or by fraudulent means or by marriage or for marriage’ by making it an offense. The burden of proof lies on the accused and every individual converting from a religion to another will have to submit a declaration.
24. Scientists from which country achieved a milestone in nuclear fusion energy, by generating 59 MJ of sustained energy?
[A] USA
[B] China
[C] India
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [UK]
Notes:
Scientists in the United Kingdom have achieved a new milestone in producing nuclear fusion energy, or imitating the way energy is produced in the Sun.
A team at the Joint European Torus (JET) facility in central England generated 59 mega joules of sustained energy during an experiment. A kg of fusion fuel contains about 10 million times energy of that of a kg of coal, oil or gas.
25. MUSE and HelioSwarm, which were seen in the news recently, are associated with which space agency?
[A] ISRO
[B] JAXA
[C] NASA
[D] ESA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [NASA]
Notes:
NASA has announced two new science missions namely Multi-slit Solar Explorer (MUSE) and HelioSwarm.
These two missions aim to study the sun’s corona and also measuring the magnetic field of the solar wind. NASA earlier announced the latest observations done by the Parker Solar probe on its way to the sun.
26. ‘Roadmap to 2025’ is a part of India’s partnership with which country/bloc?
[A] USA
[B] EU
[C] Japan
[D] ASEAN
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [EU]
Notes:
The seventh round of India-EU consultations on disarmament and non-proliferation matters was held in a virtual format.
The consultations are part of dialogue mechanisms under the ‘Roadmap to 2025’ for further strengthening the India-EU Strategic Partnership.
27. ‘National Award for Innovations and Good Practices in Educational Administration’ are presented to?
[A] Teachers
[B] Education Officers
[C] Student Volunteers
[D] NGOs in School Education
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Education Officers]
Notes:
The National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) has instituted National Award for Innovations and Good Practices in Educational Administration.
The 5th National awards were recently presented to the selected District and Block level education officers from 29 states/ UTs of the country. This year, over hundred officers received Award or Certificate of Appreciation.
28. What is the rank of India in the USGBC 2021 global list for sustainable spaces?
[A] First
[B] Third
[C] Fifth
[D] Seventh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Third]
Notes:
India is placed third in the globe on the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) 2021 global list for sustainable spaces.
It is a ranking of the top 10 nations and areas outside of the United States for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in 2021. India has 1,649 LEED certified buildings with a total area of 46.2 million gross square metres, with a 10% rise in LEED certified space since 2020.
29. Which network of the Indian Railways launched first QR code-based payment?
[A] Western Network
[B] North Eastern Network
[C] Southern Network
[D] Northern Network
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Southern Network]
Notes:
Southern Railway has introduced Quick Response (QR) code-based payment of ticket fare in Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs).
This aims to encourage cashless transactions and digital payments. As per the Railway administration, journey and platform tickets can be purchased using QR code facility. Renewal of season tickets can also be completed digitally.
30. Which institution launched the Community Innovator Fellowship (CIF)?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] ISRO
[C] DRDO
[D] National Innovation Foundation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [NITI Aayog]
Notes:
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog in collaboration with UNDP, India launched the Community Innovator Fellowship (CIF).
It was launched on the occasion of the “International Day of Women & Girls in Science”. It is a one-year-long fellowship program, developed as a pre-incubation model to guide innovators set up their social enterprise focusing on SDG based solutions.