21. Which Indian state has the highest number of killings as a part of ‘Witch Hunting’, as per NCRB?
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Odisha
[C] Gujarat
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jharkhand]
Notes:
The number of killings as a part of ‘Witch Hunting’ is the second-highest in Odisha, after Jharkhand, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
The Odisha State Commission for Women (SCW) has recently sought stringent provisions in the Odisha Prevention of Witch Hunting Act 2013. It also demanded that branding of victims be treated as heinous crime and punishable in the State.
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. 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.
24. What is the rank of India in the 2021 Democracy Index report?
[A] 32
[B] 46
[C] 52
[D] 85
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [46]
Notes:
India is ranked 46 on the EIU’s Democracy Index report, which was released recently. In the Global index, India has scored 6.91.
Norway and New Zealand got the top two places respectively, while North Korea, Myanmar, Afghanistan were placed at the bottom. India has the lowest score of 5 on political culture and the highest score of 8.67 on electoral process and pluralism.
25. Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been re-elected as the President of which country?
[A] France
[B] Germany
[C] Italy
[D] Austria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Germany]
Notes:
Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been elected to a second term as Germany’s President. A special assembly voted the veteran politician, to the President Post.
Steinmeier was elected by secret ballot by a majority of the assembly for another five years. German presidents are elected by special assemblies comprising lawmakers and hundreds of other prominent citizens.
26. Kiribati, is an island nation located in which ocean/sea?
[A] Indian Ocean
[B] Pacific Ocean
[C] Atlantic Ocean
[D] Mediterranean Sea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pacific Ocean]
Notes:
Kiribati or the Republic of Kiribati, is an independent island nation located in the central Pacific Ocean.
The country had closed the borders for two years and managed to keep Covid away. Recently, as it reopened and the first flight landed, it is facing a challenge with the outbreak of the virus. India has sent a consignment of medical supplies among other Covid 19 supplies.
27. ‘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.
28. Which Ministry has announced the initiative of ‘Pan India 3D maps’?
[A] Ministry of Earth Sciences
[B] Ministry of Science and Technology
[C] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[D] Ministry of Rural Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Science and Technology]
Notes:
Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that ‘Pan India 3D maps’ will be prepared for 100 cities.
He also said that mapping of six lakh villages will be done under the SVAMITVA scheme. He announced this during an event commemorating the 1st anniversary of the release of Geospatial Data. India’s geospatial market is set to cross 36 thousand crore rupees in three years.
29. Who has been conferred with Hilal-e-Pakistan – the 2nd highest civilian award of Pakistan, in 2022?
[A] Bill Gates
[B] Malala Yousafzai
[C] Elon Musk
[D] Xi Jinping
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bill Gates]
Notes:
Philanthropist and founder of Microsoft corporation – Bill Gates has been conferred with Hilal-e-Pakistan, which is the 2nd highest civilian award of Pakistan. He is receiving this award as the co-chair of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
This award has been dedicated to him on account for the foundation’s continuous efforts to eradicate polio and to reduce poverty in Pakistan.
30. Which country passed a resolution to show support to Ukraine, condemning Russian military aggression?
[A] India
[B] USA
[C] UK
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
The US Senate passed a resolution to support for an independent Ukraine and condemn Russian military aggression toward its neighbour.
The resolution encourages President Joe Biden to impose significant costs on Russia and restore peace in Europe. The administration can impose sanctions on its own, regardless of congressional action.