21. Kameng sector, where seven army personnel died in an avalanche, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Ladakh
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Arunachal Pradesh]
Notes:
Seven Indian Army personnel, who were part of a patrol team, were struck by an avalanche in the high-altitude area in the Kameng sector of Arunachal Pradesh.
All the seven personnel were later found deceased. The area is located at an altitude of 14,500 feet and had been witnessing heavy snowfall since the last few days. The Army had lost six personnel to avalanches and snow-slides in the Siachen Glacier in 2019, and 11 others in other parts of the country.
22. Which network of the Indian Railways has achieved a milestone of loading the 100th Textile Express?
[A] Western Railway
[B] Central Railway
[C] Northern Railway
[D] North Western Railway
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Western Railway]
Notes:
Mumbai Central Division of Western Railway, has achieved a milestone of loading the 100th Textile Express from Chaltahan (Surat area) to Sankrail (Kharagpur Division).
The first Textile Express was started on 1st September2021. The milestone has been achieved within a span of five months. Surat textile sector is prominent in the western part of India. Textile Express fetched revenue of over ten crore rupees to Railways.
23. Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) is published by which institution?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Pratham Foundation
[C] Ministry of Education
[D] Ministry of Women and Child Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pratham Foundation]
Notes:
Pratham Foundation annually conducts an extensive survey in schools, to analyse the learning outcome of students.
Recently, it released the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER, West Bengal). As per the report, the basic reading and numerical abilities of school children in West Bengal have reduced during Covid-19, without class rooms.
24. When is the ‘International Day of Women and Girls in Science’ observed every year?
[A] February 6
[B] February 8
[C] February 11
[D] February 14
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [February 11]
Notes:
International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed every year on 11 February. The United Nations calls for women’s full and equal access to and participation in science.
The day also celebrates those that are leading action and innovation around the world. As per UN Women, only 33 per cent of researchers are women, and they are awarded less research funding than men, and are less likely to be promoted.
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. Which state initiated ‘Operation Parivartan’ to eliminate the cultivation of cannabis?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The Andhra Pradesh Police has initiated ‘Operation Parivartan’, a special operation to eliminate the cultivation of cannabis.
This operation was led by the Andhra Pradesh Police with the Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) in Visakhapatnam. Recently, around 2 lakh kilograms of processed cannabis was seized while it was being shipped out.
27. Legal mining of Bajri (riverbed sand) has been initiated in which state?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Bihar
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajasthan]
Notes:
Environment clearance has been issued to as many as 60 mining areas and legal mining of Bajri (riverbed sand) is initiated in Rajasthan.
Four years ago, the Supreme Court banned the sand mining activities in riverbeds until a scientific replenishment study was completed. The apex court later appointed a Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to probe the issue of illegal sand mining.
28. ‘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.
29. Which High Court recently struck down the state’s ban on online gambling (after Kerala and Tamil Nadu)?
[A] Odisha
[B] Karnataka
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka]
Notes:
After Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Karnataka High Court has struck down the state’s ban on online gambling, declaring it to be ultra vires under the Constitution.
The Court struck down key amendments to the Karnataka Police Act, 1963, which were brought in last year to ban all forms of gambling in the state. The Court said that the state may bring in legislation to regulate betting and gambling, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
30. “Pasuvula Panduga” (Cattle Festival) is a famous event held in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
“Pasuvula Panduga” (Cattle Festival) is a famous event held in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. From New Year till Ugadi (Telugu New Year) thousands of villagers take part in the “Pasuvula Panduga” in over 20 villages across the region.
It is also known as Mylara Panduga, where the bull is released into the set tracks in batches. It is similar to a running race and prizes would be given based on their performance. This is not similar to the Jallikattu festival of Tamil Nadu.