21. Which global bloc is associated with the ‘Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator’?
[A] BRICS
[B] G-20
[C] G-7
[D] ASEAN
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [G-20]
Notes:
The ACT Accelerator is a multinational and multi-institutional initiative launched by G-20. It includes WHO, CEPI, FIND, GAVI the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, the World Bank and governments, to raise financial support of R&D, production and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, therapies and vaccines.
The ACT-Accelerator Facilitation Council’s has called for ‘Fair share’ of financing that the richer countries should contribute to the ACT-Accelerator’s global response.
22. ‘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.
23. 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.
24. According to 2020 data, what is the rank of India in Millet Exports?
[A] First
[B] Third
[C] Fifth
[D] Seventh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Fifth]
Notes:
India is the fifth largest exporter of millets in the world, according to 2020 data, with exports increasing at around 3 per cent CAGR in the last five years ending with 2020.
In 2020-21, India exported millets worth USD 26.97 million against USD 28.5 million in 2019-20. World export of millet has increased from USD 380 million in 2019 to USD 402.7 million in 2020.
25. ‘World Pulses Day’ is celebrated every year on which date?
[A] February 6
[B] February 8
[C] February 10
[D] February 12
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [February 10]
Notes:
‘World Pulses Day’ is celebrated on February 10 every year. The UN General Assembly in 2019 dedicated this day to increase awareness and access to pulses globally.
World Pulses Day 2022 is celebrated under the theme of “Pulses to empower youth in achieving sustainable agri-food systems”.
26. ‘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.
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 country recently passed a legislation that ends forced arbitration in sexual assault and harassment disputes at workplaces?
[A] UK
[B] New Zealand
[C] USA
[D] Chile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [USA]
Notes:
The US Congress passed a legislation that ends forced arbitration in sexual assault and harassment disputes at workplaces.
After getting signed by the President Joe Biden, the bill will allow survivors to sue their abusers in a public court even if they have signed employment agreements that require them to settle disputes internally through an arbitrator.
29. ‘Prorogation of Assembly’ means which of the following?
[A] Discontinuing of legislative assembly without dissolving
[B] Dissolving legislative assembly
[C] Summoning legislative assembly
[D] Initiating legislative assembly
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Discontinuing of legislative assembly without dissolving]
Notes:
Prorogation means discontinuing a session of the Parliament or a legislative assembly without dissolving it.
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar prorogued the state Legislative Assembly with effect from February 12 after exercising power vested with him under Article 174 of the Constitution. The state government will have to take permission from the Governor to commence the next session of the Assembly.
30. 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