21. India recently held a ‘High Level Conference on Renewable Energy (RE)’ along with which bloc?
[A] SAARC
[B] ASEAN
[C] BRICS
[D] G-20
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ASEAN]
Notes:
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), Indonesia, are jointly hosting an ‘ASEAN-India High Level Conference on Renewable Energy (RE)’.
This is being hosted in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The theme for the conference is ‘Experience and Innovations for Integrated Renewables Market’.
22. ‘Majhi Vasundhara’ campaign is associated with which state?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Gujarat
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maharashtra]
Notes:
UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government to support its ‘Majhi Vasundhara’ campaign.
Majhi Vasundhara’ (My Earth) is an initiative of the Government of Maharashtra’s Environment and Climate Change Department, to empower citizens with knowledge on the impacts of climate change and environmental issues.
23. ‘System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting Research (SAFAR)’ is associated with which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Earth Science
[B] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[C] Ministry of Science and Technology
[D] Ministry of Electronics and IT
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Earth Science]
Notes:
Ministry of Earth Science’s System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting Research (SAFAR) recently announced that Mumbai has seen unusually high levels of pollution this week, with its air quality index reading frequently above 300.
An AQI between 301 and 400 is categorised as ‘red’ or ‘very poor’. Mazgaon, the most polluted area in the city had AQI of 495 in ‘severe’ category. The current high pollution is due to a second dust storm in less than two weeks that has hit Mumbai.
24. Which country has become the first to allow drones in civilian airspace?
[A] USA
[B] Israel
[C] Russia
[D] UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Israel]
Notes:
Israel’s Ministry of Transport and Road Safety has announced the country’s first certification for unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAVs) to operate in civilian airspace.
With this, it has become the first country to allow drones in civilian airspace. For safety purposes, international aviation regulations prohibit uncertified aircraft from flying in civilian airspace.
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. Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) functions under the aegis of which institution?
[A] Reserve Bank of India
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Finance]
Notes:
The Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) is a government printing and minting agency. It functions under the Ministry of Finance.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the first colour souvenir coin on ‘Panchtantra’ on the occasion of 17th foundation day of Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL).
27. When is the ‘International Day of Women and Girls in Science’ observed every year?
[A] February 6
[B] February 8
[C] February 11
[D] February 14
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [February 11]
Notes:
International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed every year on 11 February. The United Nations calls for women’s full and equal access to and participation in science.
The day also celebrates those that are leading action and innovation around the world. As per UN Women, only 33 per cent of researchers are women, and they are awarded less research funding than men, and are less likely to be promoted.
28. ’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.
29. 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.
30. The Snow Moon or the Storm Moon occurs usually during which month?
[A] January
[B] February
[C] March
[D] April
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [February]
Notes:
The full moon, known as the Snow Moon occurs during the month of February. This year, it reached its peak on February 16.
The bright star Regulus in the constellation Leo, the lion was also witnessed along with the moon. The Snow Moon, also called the Storm Moon, is a name from the Algonquin tribe ‘because of the heavy snows that fall in this season’.