21. Where was the first council meeting of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) held?
[A] United States
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Russia
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [United States]
Notes:
The inaugural meeting of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) in Washington DC, United States set guidelines for implementation, proposed during COP15 in 2022. GEF’s member governments committed $1.1 billion for global initiatives addressing biodiversity, climate change, nature renewal, and pollution control. The meeting approved $918 million for 45 projects from the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund and endorsed $203 million for 21 climate change adaptation projects from the Least Developed Countries Fund and Special Climate Change Fund. The council also approved Resource Allocation Policy and Project Cycle Policy for effective donor fund allocation.
22. What is the theme of World Radio Day 2024?
[A] Radio: A century informing, entertaining and educating
[B] Radio and Trust
[C] Radio and Diversity
[D] Dialogue, Tolerance, and Peace
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Radio: A century informing, entertaining and educating]
Notes:
World Radio Day is celebrated on February 13th, and 2024 will be the 11th edition of the event. The theme for World Radio Day 2024 is “Radio: A century informing, entertaining and educating”. This theme is meant to highlight the history of radio and its influence on many areas, including news, music, sports, and drama. The theme also emphasizes radio’s ongoing evolution in a digital age.
23. Recently, which country won the 9th GovTech Prize for AI Powered Government Services at the World Government Summit 2024?
[A] UAE
[B] India
[C] Qatar
[D] Turkey
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
India won the 9th GovTech Prize at the 2024 World Government Summit in Dubai for its innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing government services. The award recognizes the Government of India’s Ministry for Road Transport and Highways’ transformative project, iRASTE. The Emirates Government Service Excellence Program (EGSEP) manages the annual GovTech Prize and the “M-Gov Award”.
24. Recently, AIIMS New Delhi and the University of Liverpool signed an agreement for which research?
[A] Cancer
[B] AIDS
[C] Diabetes
[D] Tuberculosis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cancer]
Notes:
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and the University of Liverpool have signed a Collaboration Agreement for the ‘AIIMS Liverpool Collaborative Centre for Translational Research in Head and Neck Cancer (ALHNS)’. This collaboration aims to advance medical innovation and personalized cancer treatments. The agreement, signed in the presence of Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of affordable and accessible healthcare for all citizens.
25. Bubonic Plague, recently seen in the news, is an infectious disease caused by which one of the following?
[A] Bacteria
[B] Virus
[C] Fungus
[D] Helminths
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bacteria]
Notes:
Officials in Oregon are addressing a rare case of bubonic plague, likely transmitted by a pet cat. Bubonic plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, commonly found in small mammals and fleas. Named the Black Death, it killed millions in the Middle Ages. Symptoms include fever, chills, abdominal, arm, and leg pains, and swollen lymph nodes. Spread by fleas, it has a case-fatality ratio of 30-60% but can be treated with antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin and Doxycycline.
26. Recently, which bank has clinched the title of ‘Best Technology Bank of the Year Award’?
[A] State Bank of India
[B] South Indian Bank
[C] HDFC Bank
[D] Regional Rural Banks
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [South Indian Bank]
Notes:
South Indian Bank has been honored as the Best Technology Bank of the Year at the 19th IBA Annual Banking Technology Conference. The bank received six awards, including three wins, one runner-up position, and two special mentions. T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, presented the accolades to PR Seshadri, MD & CEO of South Indian Bank, at the Mumbai venue organized by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA).
27. Who has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of IRCTC?
[A] Sanjay Kumar Jain
[B] Neeraj Sharma
[C] KK Mishra
[D] Ajit Kumar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sanjay Kumar Jain]
Notes:
Sanjay Kumar Jain is the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Jain is an IRTS Officer from the 1990 batch and a qualified chartered accountant (CA). His career includes leadership roles in policy making, commercial ventures, and developmental ventures of the Government of India and PSUs. The Government of India’s Ministry of Railways has approved Jain’s appointment until his superannuation on December 31, 2026, or until further orders.
28. Researchers have recently discovered a new species of marine amphipod in which lake of Odisha?
[A] Tampara lake
[B] Kanjia lake
[C] Chilika lake
[D] Sar lake
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chilika lake]
Notes:
Researchers at Odisha’s Berhampur University discovered a new marine amphipod species, a shrimp-like crustacean, in Chilika lagoon. Belonging to the genus Parhyale, which has 15 global species in marine and brackish water environments, this brown crustacean is around eight mm long with 13 pairs of legs. Notably, it distinguishes itself from the 15 species by featuring a stout robust seta on the male gnathopod’s propodus, the first pair of legs, used for capturing prey and feeding.
29. Recently, where were the iron ore deposits uncovered in Rajasthan?
[A] Jodhpur
[B] Ajmer
[C] Karauli
[D] Bikaner
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Karauli]
Notes:
The Rajasthan Mines Department has discovered over 840 million tonnes of iron ore in Khoda, Dadaroli, Todupura, and Liloti near Hindon, Karauli. A composite license for iron ore blocks spanning 1,888 hectares is set for auction. Preliminary exploration revealed magnetite and hematite deposits across 462.3 hectares in Khoda, 754.38 hectares in Dadaroli, 260.71 hectares in Todupura, and 410.94 hectares in Liloti. The findings are expected to boost industrial investment, particularly benefiting steel, cement, coal, and related industries in the state, fostering economic growth and job opportunities.
30. The Chars, recently mentioned in the news, are riverine areas associated with which river?
[A] Ganga River
[B] Yamuna River
[C] Brahmaputra River
[D] Narmada River
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Brahmaputra River]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Assam has announced a mission to reclaim chars, riverine islands in the Brahmaputra, to preserve ecological integrity. Chars face constant migration, with erosion upstream and deposition downstream during floods, impacting their geometry. Char areas encounter challenges like poor communication, mobility, and infrastructure, hindering development. Issues include isolation, flood threats, and difficulties implementing schemes for roads, irrigation, power, and education in these unique, flood-prone regions.