21. Which country has unravelled a USD 3.6bn crypto-currency theft linked to ‘Bitfinex Hack’?
[A] China
[B] USA
[C] UK
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
The US Justice Department has announced the unravelling of the country’s biggest-ever cryptocurrency theft case.
The officials have recovered USD 3.6 billion, which was linked to the hack of Bitfinex. It is a virtual currency exchange whose systems were breached by hackers nearly six years ago. A pair is accused of conspiring to launder 119,754 bitcoin stolen after the exchange was hacked.
22. What is the new policy repo rate, after the February 2022 Monetary Policy Committee meeting?
[A] 3.75 %
[B] 4.00 %
[C] 4.25 %
[D] 4.50 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [4.00 %]
Notes:
RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted unanimously to keep policy repo rate unchanged at 4 percent. Reverse repo rate also remains unchanged at 3.35 percent.
As per the RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, the ‘accommodative’ stance will continue as long as needed.
23. Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) functions under the aegis of which institution?
[A] Reserve Bank of India
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Finance]
Notes:
The Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) is a government printing and minting agency. It functions under the Ministry of Finance.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the first colour souvenir coin on ‘Panchtantra’ on the occasion of 17th foundation day of Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL).
24. 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.
25. Luc Montagnier, who passed away recently, won Nobel Prize for Medicine for which discovery?
[A] Human Immunodeficiency Virus
[B] Ebola
[C] Chikungunya
[D] Rotavirus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Human Immunodeficiency Virus]
Notes:
Veteran Nobel-winning virologist Luc Montagnier died in Paris recently. He won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2008 for the discovery of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus that causes AIDS, along with his colleague Francoise Barr-Sinoussi.
He had also shared half of the Nobel with German scientist Harald zur Hausen for his discovery of Human papilloma viruses that cause cervical cancer.
26. Kiribati, is an island nation located in which ocean/sea?
[A] Indian Ocean
[B] Pacific Ocean
[C] Atlantic Ocean
[D] Mediterranean Sea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pacific Ocean]
Notes:
Kiribati or the Republic of Kiribati, is an independent island nation located in the central Pacific Ocean.
The country had closed the borders for two years and managed to keep Covid away. Recently, as it reopened and the first flight landed, it is facing a challenge with the outbreak of the virus. India has sent a consignment of medical supplies among other Covid 19 supplies.
27. Which Union Ministry launched ‘New Frontiers’ program, as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav?
[A] Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
[B] Ministry of Power
[C] Ministry of Coal
[D] Ministry of External Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of New & Renewable Energy]
Notes:
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy is conducting a three-day program “New Frontiers” on Renewable Energy.
This has been conducted as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations. A brainstorming meeting on “Roadmap to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070” will also be conducted
28. Which country’s researchers joined ISRO, for developing a satellite for the first time?
[A] China
[B] Taiwan
[C] Ukraine
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Taiwan]
Notes:
For the first time, India’s Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a satellite jointly developed by team of international researchers including from Taiwan.
INSPIRESat-1 stands for International Research and Teaching Satellite Project satellite one. It has been developed by scientists from universities of US, Taiwan, India and Singapore. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C52 mission launched an Earth observation satellite EOS-04 and two others.
29. Which country has signed USD 375 million deal with India to buy three batteries of the BrahMos cruise missile?
[A] Indonesia
[B] Philippines
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Philippines]
Notes:
Philippines has signed a USD 375 million deal with India to buy three batteries of the BrahMos cruise missile from India.
Recently India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held discussions with his Philippines counterpart Teodoro L Locsin, on mutual national security and development aspirations. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has undergone a three-day maiden visit to the Philippines.
30. ‘Babushka batallion’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which country?
[A] Ukraine
[B] Israel
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ukraine]
Notes:
‘Babushka batallion’ is an army of older women, being organised by far-right movement Azov. The training offered basic lessons in first-aid, survival and evacuation, weapons safety and how to use a weapon.
The tension between Russia and Ukraine has entered a critical week and the USA has warned that troops could wage a bloody campaign to take the country within days.