21. Which country has recently deferred ratification of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)?
[A] Philippines
[B] Malaysia
[C] Maldives
[D] Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Philippines]
Notes:
Philippines has recently deferred ratification of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
This decision has been taken after farmers and other civil society groups in the country expressed strong apprehensions against the mega trade deal signed. India has decided to stay out of RCEP, as per current situations.
22. ’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.
23. Mount Etna, which erupted recently, is located in which country?
[A] Philippines
[B] Italy
[C] Indonesia
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Italy]
Notes:
Mount Etna is an active strato-volcano located on the east coast of Sicily in Italy. Recently, the volcano has erupted causing a volcanic storm.
Volcanic storms can happen in particularly violent eruptions or with volcanoes located near the sea. Volcanologists observed volcanic lightning over the Mount Etna in 2021, after the one witnessed in 2015.
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. Which state initiated ‘Operation Parivartan’ to eliminate the cultivation of cannabis?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The Andhra Pradesh Police has initiated ‘Operation Parivartan’, a special operation to eliminate the cultivation of cannabis.
This operation was led by the Andhra Pradesh Police with the Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) in Visakhapatnam. Recently, around 2 lakh kilograms of processed cannabis was seized while it was being shipped out.
27. Ministry of Defence signed a contract with which company to develop a High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS)?
[A] DRDO
[B] HAL
[C] NewSpace Research & Technologies
[D] Skyroot Aerospace
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [NewSpace Research & Technologies]
Notes:
The Ministry of Defence has signed up a design and development contract with NewSpace Research & Technologies, to develop a High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS).
The Bengaluru-based company was mentored under the ministry’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative. The HAPS aims to conduct surveillance operations and support communications by staying airborne for months.
28. 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
29. 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.
30. Which Union Ministry launched the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED)?
[A] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[B] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[C] Ministry of Law and Justice
[D] Ministry of Women and Child Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment]
Notes:
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar launched the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs (SEED).
It aims to promote the welfare of De-notified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Communities. The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment has developed an online portal to ensure seamless registration and data storage of these communities