21. When is the ‘International Day of Human Fraternity’ observed?
[A] February 2
[B] February 4
[C] February 6
[D] February 8
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [February 4]
Notes:
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity in 2020.
It celebrates the values of compassion, religious understanding, and mutual respect. On the occasion, the UN chief called for renewed commitment to form an ‘alliance of peace’ amid a surge in hate speech, sectarianism and strife.
22. Bard is an AI chatbot that is being developed by which tech major?
[A] Microsoft
[B] Google
[C] Meta
[D] Twitter
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Google]
Notes:
Bard is an AI chatbot that is being developed by Google as a competitor for the popular Microsoft-backed ChatGPT.
Bard will use AI to generate answers in text when queries are typed by the users. This chatbot will function based on the AI model called LaMDA, which was introduced by Google in 2021 as a generative language model for dialogue applications.
23. ‘Eagle 44 (Oghab 44)’ is the first underground air force base of which country?
[A] Iran
[B] North Korea
[C] Israel
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Iran]
Notes:
The Eagle 44 (Oghab 44) is the first underground air force base of Iran. It is capable of housing fighter jets equipped with cruise missiles.
The unveiling of the Oghab 44 is seen as a display of Iran’s aerial military strength in response to a joint drill conducted by the US and Israel. It will host jets and drones equipped with long-range cruise missiles to destroy adversary targets in case of attack.
24. The Indian Armed Forces are set to procure armed Predator MQ 9A drones from which country?
[A] France
[B] Israel
[C] USA
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [USA]
Notes:
The Indian Armed Forces are looking to procure 18 armed Predator MQ 9A drones from the United States.
Of these 18 drones, six will be provided for each of the three armed forces. These unmanned aerial vehicles are capable of flying up to 50,000 feet for a maximum duration of 24 hours. It is capable of carrying air-to-ground missiles to target high-value ground targets or air-to-air missiles.
25. Which institution launched the ‘Zero-Draft’ of the Pandemic Treaty?
[A] World Bank
[B] World Health Organisation
[C] World Economic Forum
[D] International Monetary Fund
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Health Organisation]
Notes:
The ‘zero-draft’ of the pandemic treaty was launched recently by the World Health Organization’s Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB).
The international treaty is expected to be presented at the World Health Assembly in 2024. The aim of the pandemic treaty is to strengthen national and international-level preparedness against future pandemics.
26. Everglades wetland restoration project is associated with which country?
[A] Australia
[B] USA
[C] France
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
The Everglades is a wetland ecosystem in the southern part of the US state of Florida. It spans across the southern half of a large drainage basin in the tropical region. This wetland ecosystem experiences fluctuating weather changes, habitat loss and environmental degradation.
A 35-year plan with an outlay of 10 billion USD is being implemented to restore this wetland. This is the world’s largest and most expensive ecological restoration project.
27. ‘Gaziantep Castle’, which was seen in the news, is a historical site located in which country?
[A] Russia
[B] Ukraine
[C] Turkey
[D] USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Turkey]
Notes:
The earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria has badly damaged Gaziantep Castle, a historic site and tourist attraction in south-eastern Turkey.
The castle collapsed during the 7.8 magnitude earthquake which hit Turkey. According to archaeological excavations, the castle was first built as a watchtower in the Roman period in the second and third centuries C.E. and expanded over time. Most recently, it served as ‘Gaziantep Defense and Heroism Panoramic Museum’.
28. Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the appointment of Governors for each state in India?
[A] Article 142
[B] Article 153
[C] Article 27
[D] Article 52
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Article 153]
Notes:
Article 153 of the Indian Constitution deals with the appointment of Governors for each state in India.
President of India Droupadi Murmu appointed governors in 12 states and a Union Territory while accepting the resignation of two. Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais is now Governor of Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh governor B D Mishra has been appointed as L-G of Ladakh.
29. Which state/UT is the host of ‘India’s First Frozen Lake Marathon’?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Ladakh
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ladakh]
Notes:
India’s first “frozen-lake marathon” is going to be organised at Pangong Tso lake in the union territory of Ladakh.
This event will be held at an altitude of 13,862 feet and cover a distance of 21 kilometers. The marathon will start at Lukung and end at Maan village. The Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will oversee the event. This marathon is called the ‘Last Run’ to highlight the issue of climate change.
30. Prime Minister Modi recently inaugurated a new campus of the Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah in which city?
[A] Mysuru
[B] Varanasi
[C] Mumbai
[D] Chennai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mumbai]
Notes:
Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah is an Arabic academy that exclusively caters to the education of children belonging to the Dawoodi Bohra community.
Prime Minister Modi recently inaugurated a new Mumbai campus of the Aljamea-tus-Saifiyah. It is the second such campus in India. The first campus was set up in 1810 in Surat.