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. ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle -C52 is designed to orbit which satellite?
[A] EOS-04
[B] INSAT-4B
[C] EMISAT
[D] CARTOSAT- 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [EOS-04]
Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation’s first launch mission of 2022 is scheduled for February 14. PSLV-C52 is designed to orbit the Earth Observation Satellite EOS-04.
The launch of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C52) is scheduled from the First Launch Pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. EOS-04 is a Radar Imaging Satellite designed to provide high quality images under all weather conditions for agriculture, forestry, hydrology and flood mapping etc.
23. 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.
24. As per a recent study, which national park of India is releasing more carbon than it is absorbing?
[A] Pakke Tiger Reserve
[B] Namdapha National Park
[C] Kaziranga National Park
[D] Kuno National Park
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kaziranga National Park]
Notes:
As per a recent research, Kaziranga National Park in Assam, is releasing more carbon than it is absorbing.
The National Park is home to the largest-population of the one-horned rhinoceros in the world. Usually, forests absorb more carbon than they release, which makes them carbon sinks. This is mainly due to decreasing rainfall in the region.
25. ‘PM KUSUM’ Scheme is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Power
[B] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[C] Ministry of Agriculture
[D] Ministry of Rural Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of New and Renewable Energy]
Notes:
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme for farmers for installation of solar pumps and grid connected solar and other renewable power plants.
Recently, the Central government has set the target for replacing diesel with renewable energy in the agricultural sector by 2024.
26. Which country has identified the next-generation probiotic bacterium ‘Lactobacillus Plantarum JBC5’?
[A] USA
[B] India
[C] Russia
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
A team of Indian Scientists has recently identified the next-generation probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus Plantarum JBC5.
The bacterium promoted healthy aging on a model organism called Caenorhabditis Elegans. The team from Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, has also developed a yogurt using this probiotic bacterium.
27. What is the approximate number of cyber crimes in India in 2020, as per NCRB Crime in India report?
[A] 20000
[B] 35000
[C] 50000
[D] 75000
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [50000]
Notes:
As per the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data, India reported an 11 per cent jump in cyber crime in 2020.
A total of 50,035 cases were registered under cyber crimes in 2020. This is an 11.8 per cent in registration over 2019 (44,735 cases). In 2020, 60.2 per cent of cyber-crime cases registered was for the motive of fraud. It is followed by sexual exploitation (6.6 per cent) and extortion (4.9 per cent).
28. Which institution launched agro ecology-based programme named ‘JIVA’?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] NABARD
[C] ICAR
[D] CSIR
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NABARD]
Notes:
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) recently launched an agro ecology-based programme JIVA.
It aims to promote natural farming under NABARD’s watershed and wadi programmes in 11 states covering five agro-ecological zones. It aims to nudge the farming community towards natural farming.
29. When is ‘World Radio Day’ observed every year?
[A] February 8
[B] February 10
[C] February 13
[D] February 14
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [February 13]
Notes:
Every year, World Radio Day is celebrated on February 13 with an aim to highlight the importance of radio.
The member states of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) first declared this day in the year 2011. It was later adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day.
30. Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) was reduced to cut the tax on importing which product?
[A] Crude palm oil (CPO)
[B] Solar Cell
[C] Jute
[D] Fish Tanks
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Crude palm oil (CPO)]
Notes:
India has cut its tax on crude palm oil (CPO) imports to 5 percent from 7.5 percent. The reduction in the tax, known as ‘Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC)’, will widen the gap between the CPO and refined palm oil import duties.
This will make it cheaper for Indian refiners to import CPO. India is the world’s biggest edible oil importer.