31. Which state government recently announced a financial assistance package for kendu leaf pluckers and binders?
[A] Chattisgarh
[B] Odisha
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Odisha]
Notes:
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has allocated Rs 150 crore to support kendu leaf pluckers and binders. The package includes a 50% bonus for pluckers, a 10% incentive for binders, and extended social security for temporary workers up to age 62. Temporary workers also gain an extra month of work. Additionally, the state will provide Rs 25,000 assistance for the marriage of a kendu leaf worker’s daughter, with a cap of two daughters per worker.
32. 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.
33. Recently, which country has declared a ‘national emergency’ due to an oil spill?
[A] Jamaica
[B] Spain
[C] Trinidad and Tobago
[D] Mexico
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Trinidad and Tobago]
Notes:
Trinidad and Tobago’s prime minister declared a national emergency after an oil spill from an overturned vessel. The spill has coated beaches on Tobago’s southwest coast, including during Carnival season, one of the country’s main tourist attractions. The government has designated the spill as a Level 2 disaster, and is debating raising it to Level 3, which is a national emergency only declared when local resources are overwhelmed and international assistance is required. The government has yet to identify the owner of the vessel, which is only known as “Gulfstream”.
34. What is the IUCN status of ‘Olive Ridley Turtles’, recently seen in the news?
[A] Vulnerable
[B] Endangered
[C] Critically endangered
[D] Near threatened
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vulnerable]
Notes:
The Andhra Pradesh government has enforced a month-long fishing ban within a 5-km radius of Hope Island to safeguard Olive Ridley turtles along the Kakinada coast. Olive Ridleys, named for their green carapace, are the smallest sea turtles globally. Known for unique mass nesting called Arribada, they primarily inhabit warm waters in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. The Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Odisha houses the world’s largest rookery of sea turtles. With a Vulnerable status on the IUCN Red List, Olive Ridleys face threats requiring protective measures.
35. 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.
36. Recently, who became the second Indian bowler to take 500 wickets in test matches?
[A] Ravindra Jadeja
[B] Jasprit Bumrah
[C] Ravichandran Ashwin
[D] Md Siraj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ravichandran Ashwin ]
Notes:
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for reaching 500 Test wickets, making him the second Indian bowler to achieve this after Anil Kumble. Ashwin joins an exclusive group of off-spinners with only Muttiah Muralidaran and Nathan Lyon surpassing 500 wickets. Notably, Ashwin is the third off-spinner in history to achieve this milestone. Despite this feat, he trails Kumble’s total wickets, who retired with 619 scalps. The historic moment occurred on the second day of the ongoing Test against England, dismissing Zak Crawley.
37. Recently, which country became the first orthodox-majority nation to allow same-sex marriage?
[A] Greece
[B] Bulgaria
[C] Romania
[D] Cyprus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Greece]
Notes:
In February 2024, Greece became the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex marriage under civil law. The Athens parliament passed the bill with a vote of 176-76, and the bill also allows same-sex couples to legally adopt children.
38. Which country recently hosted the Ukraine reconstruction conference?
[A] United Kingdom
[B] United States
[C] Japan
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Japan]
Notes:
Japan recently hosted a conference to discuss reconstruction of Ukraine. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida committed to long-term engagement in Ukraine’s reconstruction, framing it as a future investment. In a conference co-organized with Ukraine, Kishida emphasized Japan’s commitment to inclusive, humanitarian, and technologically-driven cooperation. Over 50 deals were signed between Japanese and Ukrainian entities, highlighting their collaborative efforts in supporting the war-torn nation two years after Russia’s invasion.
39. Which district of Madhya Pradesh recently organized a ‘Banana Festival’?
[A] Burhanpur
[B] Ujjain
[C] Balaghat
[D] Rewa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Burhanpur ]
Notes:
Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh, known as the banana city, is hosting its annual Banana Festival in collaboration with the district administration. The two-day event, under the One-District One-Product programme, highlights Burhanpur’s agricultural strength with 23,650 hectares of banana cultivation involving 18,325 farmers. The region yields an impressive 16 lakh metric tonnes of bananas, contributing to a significant sales turnover of 1,700 crore rupees. The festival aims to attract investment by showcasing Burhanpur’s agricultural prowess to companies, experts, and scientists nationwide.
40. Where was the ‘Neem Summit & Global Neem Trade Fair’ held?
[A] Bhopal
[B] Chennai
[C] Jaipur
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [New Delhi]
Notes:
The Neem Summit & Global Neem Trade Fair, hosted in New Delhi on 19-20 February 2024, is a collaborative initiative led by ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute, Jhansi. With diverse stakeholders, the event highlights neem’s versatile applications in agriculture, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Embracing the theme “Neem for Sustainable Agriculture, Health, and Environment,” the summit aims to spotlight neem’s multifaceted benefits and promote its role in fostering sustainability across various sectors.