21. What is ‘Proxima d’, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] New Vaccine
[B] New Exo-Planet
[C] New Star
[D] New Mineral
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Exo-Planet]
Notes:
A team of astronomers has discovered a new planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, the star closest to the Sun.
The planet named ‘Proxima d’, is the third detected in the system. It is among the lightest of the exo-planets discovered so far. The astronomers used the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT) in Chile to spot this exo-planet.
22. India signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism cooperation with which country?
[A] France
[B] Australia
[C] UK
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Australia]
Notes:
India and Australia have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism cooperation in New Delhi.
The Memorandum of Understanding in the field of tourism will enhance cooperation and encourage Expansion of bilateral relations in tourism. It will facilitate Exchange of information and data related to tourism, Cooperation between tourism stakeholders.
23. Which country launched the ‘High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction’
[A] India
[B] France
[C] USA
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
French president Emmanuel Macron hosted the high-level session of the One Ocean summit in the city of Brest.
Nearly 27 EU states and 16 others agreed to pursue a global agreement by the end of year, to regulate sustainable use of oceans all across the globe. Many countries joined the “High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People” and “the High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction”.
24. Which space agency has released the first visible light images of the surface of Venus from space?
[A] ESA
[B] JAXA
[C] NASA
[D] CNA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [NASA]
Notes:
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has captured its first visible light images of the surface of Venus from space.
Parker used its Wide-Field Imager (WISPR) to image the entire night side in wavelengths of the visible spectrum and extending into the near-infrared. Venus’ surface is usually hidden from sight as it is covered in thick clouds.
25. ‘Indian National Women’s Day’ is observed every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of which personality?
[A] Savitribhai Phule
[B] Fatima Sheikh
[C] Sarojini Naidu
[D] Annie Besant
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sarojini Naidu]
Notes:
Indian National Women’s Day is observed every year on 13 February to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu.
She was also called ‘Nightingale of India’ or ‘Bharat Kokila’. Sarojini Naidu was the first woman Governor of Uttar Pradesh and the first woman ever to be elected as the President of the Indian National Congress.
26. Ministry of Electronics and IT ban applications prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, under which act?
[A] Information Technology Act
[B] Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
[C] COFEPOSA Act
[D] Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Information Technology Act]
Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs has recently recommended a ban on 54 Chinese mobile applications, including the popular game Garena Free Fire.
In 2020, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) banned TikTok and other popular short video apps from China. MeitY banned these apps under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, which states that the government has the “Power to issue directions for interception or monitoring or decryption of any information through any computer resource.”
27. 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.
28. 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.
29. Which Ministry of India organised the ‘International workshop on combating marine pollution’ with Australia and Singapore?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Earth Science
[C] Ministry of Power
[D] Ministry of Coal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Earth Science]
Notes:
The Government of India, in partnership with the Government of Australia and the Government of Singapore, conducted an international workshop on combating marine pollution focusing on marine plastic debris.
The sessions involved panel discussions to encourage discussion amongst participants from East Asia Summit countries. Ministry of Earth Science organised the workshop.
30. Which is the birthplace of Guru Ravidas?
[A] Amritsar
[B] Varanasi
[C] Patna
[D] Ahmedabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Varanasi]
Notes:
Guru Ravidas was an Indian mystic, poet and social reformer who made remarkable contributions in the form of devotional songs, verses, spiritual teachings during the Bhakti movement.
February 16 is marking the celebration of 645th birth anniversary of the Guru. It is observed as Guru Ravidas Jayanti all across the nation. He was born in 1377 C.E. in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He actively opposed the caste system and promoted communal harmony.