31. Recently, which country conducted a Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite (DA-ASAT) test by destroying an old satellite (Tselina-D SIGINT satellite)?
[A] India
[B] Russia
[C] China
[D] USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia ]
Notes:
Russia recently conducted a Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite (DA-ASAT) test, destroying the Tselina-D SIGINT satellite (Kosmos-1408). The U.S. criticized the test due to the significant debris it generated in low Earth orbit, posing a threat to the International Space Station. Russia has possessed ASAT capabilities since 1968. Anti-satellite weapons are designed to disable operational satellites, and China, India, Russia, and the United States have demonstrated successful ASAT capabilities.
32. What is the name of the Indian Coast Guard ship that made a port call at Maputo Port, Mozambique?
[A] Varad
[B] Vikram
[C] Vajra
[D] Varaha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Varaha ]
Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) ICGS Varaha made a port call at Maputo Port, Mozambique. The visit is part of a strategic overseas deployment to East Africa and is a milestone in diplomatic maritime engagements. The visit lasts three days and includes professional interactions in the fields of: Marine Pollution Response (MPR) Maritime Law Enforcement Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR). The visit also includes engagements with the Mozambican Navy, outreach events, yoga, and coastal cleanup as part of Puneet Sagar Abhiyaan.
33. What is the purpose of the European Union’s recently launched ‘Mission Aspides’ in the Red Sea?
[A] Counterterrorism operations
[B] Humanitarian aid delivery
[C] Protection of commercial vessels from attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels
[D] Environmental conservation efforts
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Protection of commercial vessels from attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels]
Notes:
The European Union has initiated Mission Aspides to safeguard commercial vessels in the Red Sea from potential attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. This EU naval mission involves deploying warships and airborne early warning systems in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and surrounding waters. Participating countries include France, Germany, Italy, and Belgium. Aspides vessels, operating under strict rules of engagement, are stationed in Larissa, Greece, and are authorized to fire only in response to Houthi attacks. The mission, initially planned for a year, is subject to renewal.
34. 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.
35. What is the rank of India in the Henley Passport Index 2024?
[A] 84th
[B] 85th
[C] 86th
[D] 87th
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [85th]
Notes:
France leads the Henley Passport Index 2024 with visa-free access to 194 countries. European nations like Germany, Italy, and Spain, benefiting from EU influence, also rank high. India, now at 85th place, improved visa-free access to 62 countries but dropped one position. Maldives, India’s maritime neighbor, stands at 58th place with visa-free access to 96 countries, highlighting its global travel flexibility.
36. ‘Himalayan Basket’, recently mentioned in the news, is an initiative of which state?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Tripura
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttarakhand ]
Notes:
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami introduced ‘Himalayan Basket’ at his residence, a venture initiated in 2018 by Sumit and Sneha Thapliyal. This initiative involves purchasing agricultural products such as milk, turmeric, and mint, processing them into various products, and supplying them internationally.
37. Which Indian cricketer has been appointed as a state icon by Punjab Chief Electoral Officer for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections?
[A] Harbhajan Singh
[B] Shubman Gill
[C] Virat Kohli
[D] Arshdeep Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shubman Gill]
Notes:
Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C has named Indian cricketer Shubman Gill as the state icon for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Gill will participate in various election campaigns to raise voter awareness and increase turnout in the state. Punjabi singer Tarsem Jassar has also been selected as a “state icon” and will conduct similar campaigns.
38. Which state recently collaborated with the World Bank to set up a Blended Finance facility?
[A] Goa
[B] Gujarat
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Goa]
Notes:
The Government of Goa is partnering with the World Bank to establish India’s first subnational blended finance facility, focusing on climate resilience. Announced at the 2024 India Climate and Development Partners Meeting, this innovative initiative aims to leverage concessional finance for low-carbon investments. The facility will bridge green financing and domestic capital markets, facilitating climate action projects with and without existing funding, ultimately enhancing Goa’s and other coastal states’ resilience to climate impacts.
39. Where was the Maritime Technical Exposition MTEX-24 inaugurated?
[A] Kochi
[B] Chennai
[C] Visakhapatnam
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Visakhapatnam ]
Notes:
The Maritime Technical Exposition MTEX-24 is a key feature of MILAN 2024 in Visakhapatnam, showcasing India’s strides in naval technology. Inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, MTEX-24 spans three days and emphasizes self-reliance in defence. It highlights advancements in shipbuilding, communication, cybersecurity, and sustainable energy solutions. Key participants include major players, defence start-ups, PSUs, and Naval organizations, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange. MTEX-24 aims to propel India’s maritime industry towards a secure and prosperous future.
40. Indian Air Force recently signed an agreement with which agency for the purpose of integration of future weapons and sensors for Tejas?
[A] Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)
[B] Defence Cyber Agency
[C] Aviation Research Centre
[D] Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)]
Notes:
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has signed an MoU with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to enhance the Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’. The collaboration aims to integrate future weapons and sensors, crucial for modernizing in the current war scenario. The technology transfer for weapons and sensors integration has begun, enhancing Tejas’ operational capabilities, including independent sensor functionality, seamless weapons integration, and access to flight tests. ADA’s successful development of Tejas, with 10,000+ sortie credits, has led to the formation of two Air Force squadrons, with two-seater aircraft being inducted.