21. The Chief Justice of which neighbouring country of India has faced “impeachment” procedure?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Nepal
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nepal]
Notes:
Cholendra Shumsher Rana became the second Chief Justice of Nepal to face ‘impeachment’ procedure in Parliament in seven years over allegations of corruption
The Chief Justice Rana has been suspended pending final disposal of the case, and Dipak Karki, the senior most Judge in the Supreme Court has taken over as the acting Chief Justice.
22. 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.
23. The Indian Institute of Science, is a public, deemed, research university, located in which city?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Bengaluru
[C] Chennai
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bengaluru]
Notes:
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) is a public, deemed, research university, located in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
IISc Bengaluru has received its single largest private donation of ₹425 crore, which will be used to set up a postgraduate medical school along with a multi-speciality 800-bed hospital. The project aims to develop “physician-scientists.”
24. The Lassa fever, which was seen in the news, is spread by which species?
[A] Rats
[B] Bats
[C] Mosquitoes
[D] Swine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rats]
Notes:
The Lassa fever-causing virus is found in West Africa and was first discovered in 1969 in Lassa, Nigeria. The fever is spread by rats.
It is primarily found in countries in West Africa including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria where it is endemic. Recently, three persons were diagnosed with Lassa fever in the UK and died. The cases have been linked to travel to West African countries.
25. Asteroid (130) Elektra, which was seen in the news, is known for which feature?
[A] First quadruple asteroid
[B] Largest Asteroid
[C] Nearest Asteroid to Earth
[D] Hottest Asteroid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [First quadruple asteroid]
Notes:
Astronomers have recently discovered a third moon orbiting the main-belt asteroid (130) Elektra, making it the first ‘Quadruple Asteroid’ ever found.
(130) Elektra is a large main-belt asteroid, first discovered in 1873 by Litchfield Observatory astronomers. It has an effective diameter of 199 km. The discovery of first quadruple asteroid system will help in understanding the mechanisms of the formation of these satellites.
26. What is the outlay of Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY), in the Union Budget 2022-23?
[A] Rs 96000 Cr
[B] Rs 75000 Cr
[C] Rs 48000 Cr
[D] Rs 36000 Cr
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 48000 Cr]
Notes:
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman allocated ₹48,000 crore towards completion of 80 lakh houses under Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY) in rural and urban areas during 2022-23.
Recently, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs approved project proposals for over 60,000 houses across five states — Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan.
27. What is the name of the Earth companion following the same path around the Sun as Earth does?
[A] Exo-planet
[B] Earth Trojan
[C] Earth Pointer
[D] Earth Ally
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Earth Trojan]
Notes:
Using the SOAR (Southern Astrophysical Research) Telescope in Chile, astronomers have confirmed that the asteroid 2020 XL5 is an Earth Trojan.
Earth Trojan is an Earth companion following the same path around the Sun as Earth does. 2020 XL5 was discovered in 2020 by the Pan-STARRS1 survey. Study shows that it is much larger than the only other Earth Trojan known.
28. Which is the birthplace of Guru Ravidas?
[A] Amritsar
[B] Varanasi
[C] Patna
[D] Ahmedabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Varanasi]
Notes:
Guru Ravidas was an Indian mystic, poet and social reformer who made remarkable contributions in the form of devotional songs, verses, spiritual teachings during the Bhakti movement.
February 16 is marking the celebration of 645th birth anniversary of the Guru. It is observed as Guru Ravidas Jayanti all across the nation. He was born in 1377 C.E. in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He actively opposed the caste system and promoted communal harmony.
29. The world’s first woman was cured of HIV through which process?
[A] Stem cell transplant
[B] Antiretroviral therapy
[C] Tuberculosis Treatment
[D] Blood Transfusion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Stem cell transplant]
Notes:
A US woman is said to have become the third person in the world to be cured of HIV. She is also the first woman to be cured.
The woman is a leukaemia patient and received a stem cell transplant from someone with natural resistance to the Aids-causing virus. An umbilical cord blood transplant was done, as a part of her cancer treatment.
30. As per the Second Advance Estimates of production of major crops for 2021-22, what is the estimated foodgrains production?
[A] 216.06 million tonnes
[B] 276.06 million tonnes
[C] 316.06 million tonnes
[D] 376.06 million tonnes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [316.06 million tonnes]
Notes:
The Second Advance Estimates of production of major crops for 2021-22 have been released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
A record foodgrains production of 316.06 million tonnes is estimated, which is higher by 5.32 million tonnes than the production of foodgrains during 2020-21. Total production of Rice during 2021-22is estimated at record 127.93 million tonnes while Production of Wheat at record 111.32 million tonne.