21. Which institution launched the “Operation AAHT”?
[A] Railway Protection Force
[B] Reserve Bank of India
[C] Indian Coast Guard
[D] Central Bureau of Investigation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Railway Protection Force]
Notes:
Railway Protection Force has recently launched a nationwide operation to curb human trafficking. As part of ‘Operation AAHT’, special teams will be deployed on all long-distance routes with focus on rescuing victims.
The teams would focus particularly on women and children from traffickers. The Railways operate about 21,000 trains across the country daily and Traffickers often moved their victims on long-distance trains.
22. Which team won its first African Cup of Nations title in 2021-2022?
[A] Senegal
[B] Malawi
[C] Guinea
[D] Namibia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Senegal]
Notes:
Senegal won its first African Cup of Nations title in the year 2022 by beating Egypt 4-2 in a penalty shootout.
Senegal’s Sadio Mané scored the winning spot kick. Senegal had finished as runners-up in 2019 African Cup, losing the final 0–1 to Algeria. Senegal has played in sixteen editions of the Africa Cup of Nations and the team finally won their first AFCON title in 2021.
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 unravelled a USD 3.6bn crypto-currency theft linked to ‘Bitfinex Hack’?
[A] China
[B] USA
[C] UK
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
The US Justice Department has announced the unravelling of the country’s biggest-ever cryptocurrency theft case.
The officials have recovered USD 3.6 billion, which was linked to the hack of Bitfinex. It is a virtual currency exchange whose systems were breached by hackers nearly six years ago. A pair is accused of conspiring to launder 119,754 bitcoin stolen after the exchange was hacked.
25. The National Centre of Excellence in Carbon Capture and Utilisation (NCOE-CCU) has been established at which institution?
[A] DRDO
[B] IIT- Bombay
[C] IISc- Bengaluru
[D] ISRO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIT- Bombay]
Notes:
The Department of Science & Technology (DST) has established the National Centre of Excellence in Carbon Capture and Utilisation (NCOE-CCU) at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.
This is India’s first such centre centrally funded by the DST. This Centre of Excellence explores the potential of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies, which will help India achieve its climate change goals.
26. Which disorder is caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone, resulting in increased height?
[A] Acromegaly
[B] Cushing’s Syndrome
[C] Graves’ Disease
[D] Addison’s Disease
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Acromegaly]
Notes:
Acromegaly is caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone, most often from a tumor in the pituitary gland. The disorder causes increased height when it manifests in childhood and adolescent age group.
The Fairbank’s disease (Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia) patient usually requires management of pain and orthopaedic procedures. As per Health Ministry, patients of both these diseases are getting treatment at various tertiary health facilities in India.
27. Which developing country has imposed a ban on Import of Drones?
[A] India
[B] Indonesia
[C] Argentina
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade announced that the import of drones is banned. The order exempted those used for research and development, defense, and security purposes.
This move also blocks the market for China’s SZ DJI Technology Co., the world’s top dronemaker, and encourages India’s local industry to increase production. Import of some drone components will be allowed.
28. 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.
29. Belarus is bordered by which Sea?
[A] Baltic Sea
[B] North Sea
[C] Black Sea
[D] No Sea Border
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [No Sea Border]
Notes:
Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest.
Russia and Belarus have started joint military exercises close to the Belarusian border with Ukraine. Russia has already amassed forces along its own border with Ukraine, and in the annexed Crimean peninsula.
30. Madhwacharya was the chief proponent of which school of Vedanta
[A] Dvaita
[B] Advaita
[C] Vishishtadvaita
[D] Suddhadvaita
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dvaita]
Notes:
Madhwacharya was a Hindu philosopher and the chief proponent of the Dvaita (dualism) school of Vedanta.
Madhvacharya was born in the Karnataka in 13th-century India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tributes to Madhwacharya on the occasion of Madhwa Navami.