21. 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.
22. Which network of the Indian Railways launched first QR code-based payment?
[A] Western Network
[B] North Eastern Network
[C] Southern Network
[D] Northern Network
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Southern Network]
Notes:
Southern Railway has introduced Quick Response (QR) code-based payment of ticket fare in Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs).
This aims to encourage cashless transactions and digital payments. As per the Railway administration, journey and platform tickets can be purchased using QR code facility. Renewal of season tickets can also be completed digitally.
23. ’SMILE’ is a Central Sector scheme launched by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[B] Ministry of Education
[C] Ministry of MSME
[D] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment]
Notes:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched the Central Sector scheme “SMILE: Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise”.
This umbrella scheme is designed to provide welfare measures to the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging. The Ministry has allocated Rs. 365 Crore for the scheme from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
24. Which US state has sued Facebook parent Meta over facial recognition data?
[A] California
[B] Texas
[C] Flourida
[D] Houston
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Texas]
Notes:
The Texas Attorney General is suing Facebook’s parent company Meta, saying it allegedly collected biometric data on Texans for commercial purposes without their consent.
The suit claims that Facebook parent Meta has been storing millions of biometric identifiers, including retina or iris scans, voice prints, or a record of hand and face geometry.
25. 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.
26. Which institution has organised ‘Darkathon -2022’ initiative to find solutions to counter dark-net markets?
[A] Central Bureau of Investigation
[B] Narcotics Control Bureau
[C] Enforcement Directorate
[D] National Investigation Agency
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Narcotics Control Bureau]
Notes:
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has organised ‘Darkathon -2022’ initiative to find solutions to counter dark-net markets.
The initiative aims at involving students, youth and technical experts to find effective solutions to counter drug trafficking through darknet. NCB is a Law enforcement and intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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 country holds the Presidency of G 20 in 2022?
[A] India
[B] Indonesia
[C] China
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indonesia]
Notes:
Indonesia holds the Presidency of G 20 in 2022. The G20 second Finance and Central Bank Deputies (FCBD) meeting produced a communique draft containing a long-term economic recovery strategy to tackle future pandemics.
The communique draft would be further discussed in the first Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting. The theme of G20 this year is “Recover Together, Recover Stronger”.
29. Which is the venue of ‘DefExpo 2022’ Defence Exhibition?
[A] Goa
[B] Chennai
[C] Gandhi Nagar
[D] Varanasi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gandhi Nagar]
Notes:
DefExpo 2022, India’s biennial flagship defence exhibition is scheduled to be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in the month of March.
More than 900 defence firms and 55 countries have so far confirmed their participation in the Expo. It is also claimed to be Asia’s largest defence exhibition. Out of the 900 exhibitors at the event, more than 100 are foreign players. The 2020 edition of the Expo was held at Lucknow
30. Who has been appointed as India’s first National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC)?
[A] G Ashok Kumar
[B] Ajit Doval
[C] Hari Kumar
[D] Karambir Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [G Ashok Kumar]
Notes:
Former Chief of Navy Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar, who retired last year, has been appointed as the country’s first National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC).
NMSC will be part of the National Security Council Secretariat, and will report to National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. NMSC was proposed after the 26/11 terror attacks. His responsibility is coordinating between all the agencies involved in maritime security and maritime civil issues.