21. 110 million-year-old lizard species protected in a piece of amber has been found in which country?
[A] India
[B] Myanmar
[C] Japan
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Myanmar]
Notes:
A piece of amber with a well-preserved juvenile ‘Retinosaurus hkamtiensis’ was recovered from the near the Jade mines in Myanmar
The newly-identified lizard species was trapped in an araucarian tree resin about 110 million years ago. It is a representative of Scincoidea, a superfamily that includes skinks, armoured lizards and night lizards.
22. Which country has devised an AI-based algorithm to identify potentially habitable planets?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] UK
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, along with astronomers from BITS Pilani have devised an Artificial Intelligence-based algorithm, to identify potentially habitable ones with a high probability.
As per current estimates, the number of planets in our Galaxy alone is estimated to be in billions. It is an ‘Anomaly detection method’, which is based on the assumption that Earth is an anomaly, with the possibility of existence of few other anomalies.
23. Which country is the host of One Summit, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] USA
[B] France
[C] Russia
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
One Ocean Summit is being organised by France in cooperation with the United Nations and the World Bank.
India supported the French initiative of a ‘High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction’. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the conference and said that India is committed to eliminating single-use plastic.
24. ‘PM KUSUM’ Scheme is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Power
[B] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[C] Ministry of Agriculture
[D] Ministry of Rural Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of New and Renewable Energy]
Notes:
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme for farmers for installation of solar pumps and grid connected solar and other renewable power plants.
Recently, the Central government has set the target for replacing diesel with renewable energy in the agricultural sector by 2024.
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. What is the approximate number of cyber crimes in India in 2020, as per NCRB Crime in India report?
[A] 20000
[B] 35000
[C] 50000
[D] 75000
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [50000]
Notes:
As per the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data, India reported an 11 per cent jump in cyber crime in 2020.
A total of 50,035 cases were registered under cyber crimes in 2020. This is an 11.8 per cent in registration over 2019 (44,735 cases). In 2020, 60.2 per cent of cyber-crime cases registered was for the motive of fraud. It is followed by sexual exploitation (6.6 per cent) and extortion (4.9 per cent).
27. ‘Roadmap to 2025’ is a part of India’s partnership with which country/bloc?
[A] USA
[B] EU
[C] Japan
[D] ASEAN
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [EU]
Notes:
The seventh round of India-EU consultations on disarmament and non-proliferation matters was held in a virtual format.
The consultations are part of dialogue mechanisms under the ‘Roadmap to 2025’ for further strengthening the India-EU Strategic Partnership.
28. Which country recently passed a legislation that ends forced arbitration in sexual assault and harassment disputes at workplaces?
[A] UK
[B] New Zealand
[C] USA
[D] Chile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [USA]
Notes:
The US Congress passed a legislation that ends forced arbitration in sexual assault and harassment disputes at workplaces.
After getting signed by the President Joe Biden, the bill will allow survivors to sue their abusers in a public court even if they have signed employment agreements that require them to settle disputes internally through an arbitrator.
29. Which country has recorded the most deforestation ever in the Amazon rainforest in January 2022?
[A] Brazil
[B] Argentina
[C] Chile
[D] Bolivia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Brazil]
Notes:
Brazil recorded the most deforestation ever in the Amazon rainforest for the month of January, according to new government data.
Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon totalled 430 sq kilometres last month, five times higher than January 2021. This is according to preliminary satellite data from government space research agency.
30. India signed agreement with UN World Food Program for distribution of wheat to which country?
[A] Maldives
[B] Afghanistan
[C] Syria
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Afghanistan]
Notes:
India signed an agreement with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for the distribution of 50,000 MT of wheat.
India has committed to send relief to Afghanistan as part of a humanitarian assistance, to be sent in truck convoys through Pakistan by road. Rome-headquartered WFP thanked India for the agreement to support Afghans who are facing humanitarian crisis.