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. Which global bloc has announced a multi-billion-dollar Chip Production plan?
[A] BRICS
[B] European Union
[C] G 20
[D] G 7
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [European Union]
Notes:
The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, announced ‘European Chips Act’ that will enable 15 billion euros (USD 17.11 billion) in additional public and private investments until 2030.
The European Commission has already allocated 30 billion euros of public investments for chip production. This aims to avoid supply chain disruptions down the line and become less dependent on foreign firms.
23. ‘Namma Shaale Nanna Koduge’ app is an initiative of which state/UT?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Karnataka
[C] Odisha
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka]
Notes:
Karnataka’s Department of Primary and Secondary Education has developed an application named ‘Namma Shaale Nanna Koduge’ app.
This aims to address infrastructure needs of government schools, shortage of teachers, better use of learning aids and utilisation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
24. Which phenomenon impacted over 40 Starlink satellites, made them to fall from orbit?
[A] Geomagnetic storm
[B] Magnetic Heat waves
[C] Dust Storm
[D] Debris Storm
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Geomagnetic storm]
Notes:
Elon Musk’s Starlink has lost 40 of the 49 satellites causing them to fall from orbit before they could be commissioned.
They were caught in a Geomagnetic storm a day after they were launched. A geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance of the Earth’s magnetosphere caused by a solar wind shock wave. It also occurs when cloud of magnetic field interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field.
25. Which country has identified the next-generation probiotic bacterium ‘Lactobacillus Plantarum JBC5’?
[A] USA
[B] India
[C] Russia
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
A team of Indian Scientists has recently identified the next-generation probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus Plantarum JBC5.
The bacterium promoted healthy aging on a model organism called Caenorhabditis Elegans. The team from Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, has also developed a yogurt using this probiotic bacterium.
26. Which body regulates the Stock Exchanges in India?
[A] Reserve Bank of India
[B] Securities and Exchange Board of India
[C] Finance Ministry
[D] Securities and Exchange Commission
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Securities and Exchange Board of India]
Notes:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is a regulatory authority established under the SEBI Act 1992. It is the principal regulator for Stock Exchanges in India.
SEBI has recently penalised the National Stock Exchange (NSE), its former CEOs Chitra Ramkrishna and Ravi Narain for governance lapses in hiring of its chief operating officer (COO) Anand Subramanian.
27. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba has been declared President of which country?
[A] Burkina Faso
[B] Namibia
[C] Zimbabwe
[D] Mali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Burkina Faso]
Notes:
Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, Lieutenant-colonel in the national armed forces, has been declared President of the African country Burkina Faso.
The country’s top constitutional body has announced this decision after a coup last month. In the month of January, officers led by Damiba forced out the country’s elected president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore.
28. ‘Carnival of Hope’ is a famous celebration held in which city?
[A] Rome
[B] Venice
[C] Paris
[D] New York
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Venice]
Notes:
‘Carnival of Hope’ is a famous annual celebration held in the city of Venice. It is also known as “City of Bridges” and “The Floating City”. This year’s edition is expected to attract thousands of people.
The 2020 Venice Carnival, which usually draws tourists from around the world, was curtailed when the pandemic broke out in Italy. The festival got cancelled the following year to contain infections.
29. Ilker Ayci, former Turkish Airlines Chairman has been appointed as the MD and CEO of which Indian Airlines?
[A] Spice Jet
[B] IndiGo
[C] Air India
[D] Vistara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Air India]
Notes:
The Tata Group has appointed Ilker Ayci, former Turkish Airlines Chairman, as Air India’s Managing Director and CEO.
The decision is in line with the Tata Group’s plans to appoint an expatriate chief to run Air India, which it took over from the Indian government recently.
30. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is an agency functioning under the aegis of which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[B] Ministry of Culture
[C] Ministry of Tourism
[D] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Culture]
Notes:
The Archaeological Survey of India is an Indian government agency functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture
ASI is the process of reviving its ‘Underwater archaeology wing’ that has not been functioning over recent years. ASI appointed Alok Tripathi, an expert in underwater archaeology, as its Additional Director General in 2021.