31. Kinyang mabokoensis and Kinyang tchernovi are the names of which species discovered recently?
[A] Giant dwarf crocodiles
[B] Giant dwarf elephants
[C] Giant dwarf giraffes
[D] Giant dwarf Rhinos
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Giant dwarf crocodiles]
Notes:
Researchers have discovered a new giant 18-million-year-old crocodile species that mysteriously disappeared.
Kinyang mabokoensis and Kinyang tchernovi are the names of the giant dwarf crocodiles, which inhabited east Africa. The species is similar to the dwarf crocodiles that may be found in central and western Africa at present.
32. Which country hosted the ‘BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting 2022’?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Russia
[D] South Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
Bhupender Yadav attends BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting 2022, which was held under the presidency of China.
Discussions were held on Promoting Green Jobs for Sustainable Development; Developing Skills for Resilient Recovery; and Protecting Workers’ Right in New Forms of Employment. The countries also adopted ‘BRICS Labour & Employment Ministerial Declaration’.
33. As per CBIC’s notification, what is the minimum weight of food items package above which GST will not be applied?
[A] 5 kg
[B] 10 kg
[C] 20 kg
[D] 25 kg
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [25 kg]
Notes:
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has clarified that large packages of food items like pulses, cereals, rice, and wheat weighing more than 25 kilograms or 25 litres of commodity will not attract the 5% goods and services tax (GST).
For levying 5% GST on items like pulses, cereals, rice and flour, they have to be pre-packaged without the presence of the buyer, and are required to bear the declarations under the provisions of the Legal Metrology Act of 2009.
34. What is the minimum capital adequacy ratio (CAR) for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs), as per RBI’s recent notification?
[A] 8 %
[B] 9%
[C] 12%
[D] 15%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [12%]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India has hiked the minimum capital adequacy ratio (CAR) for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) to 12 per cent from the earlier ratio of 9 per cent.
The requirement is applied for Tier 1 banks, with deposits above Rs 100 crore. RBI has also provided a path till March 2026 to meet revised CAR norm in phases, for UCBs that don’t meet it currently. This is based on recommendations of a panel headed by N S Vishwanathan, former Deputy Governor.
35. Mario Draghi, who recently resigned from his post, was the Prime Minister of which country?
[A] Germany
[B] Italy
[C] Russia
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Italy]
Notes:
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi recently resigned after a collapse in support among his coalition backers,
President Sergio Mattarella called for an election for a new parliament in September. Mario Draghi was a former president of the European Central Bank. The country has been fighting inflation surge and an economic slowdown.
36. Who are the beneficiaries of ‘Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana’?
[A] School Students
[B] Senior Citizens
[C] Below-Poverty-Line Women
[D] MSMEs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Senior Citizens]
Notes:
Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana was launched on July 21, 2017. The scheme recently completed five years since its launch.
Under the scheme, senior citizens above the age of 60 can make a lump sum investment and can monthly or a yearly pension. PMVVY has been extended up to 31st March, 2023. The amendment in 2020 allowed an assured rate of return of 7.40 % per annum for the year 2020-21 per annum and thereafter to be reset every year.
37. Which Indian state has detected African swine fever in pigs?
[A] Assam
[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] Kolkata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
After African swine fever was detected in pigs in Wayanad district of Kerala, two districts of north Kerala have been put on high alert.
Samples sent to the National Institute of High Security Diseases in Bhopal confirmed the disease. The district authorities are planning to cull pigs within a two kilometer area in the vicinity where the first case was reported.
38. Which state signed MoU with Flipkart to provide placement opportunities to the students in ITIs and engineering colleges?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Bihar
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bihar]
Notes:
The Bihar state government signed MoUs with seven big companies, including Maruti and Flipkart, to provide placement opportunities to the students in ITIs and engineering colleges.
The MoU was signed on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day on July 15. Nine skill-awareness vans were also flagged off by the Bihar Skill Development Mission to motivate the youths of the state for skill development.
39. ‘Viva Engage’ is a new application of which tech major?
[A] Meta
[B] Amazon
[C] Microsoft
[D] Google
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Microsoft]
Notes:
Tech giant Microsoft has introduced ‘Viva Engage’, a new application in Teams to build community and connection and for providing tools for personal expression.
The app has been built on the foundation of Yammer. It brings people together across the organisation to connect with leaders and co-workers, find answers to questions, share their story among others.
40. Which Union Minister launched the ‘Bal Raksha mobile app’?
[A] Ministry of Ayush
[B] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[C] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[D] Ministry of Law and Justice
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Ayush]
Notes:
Union Minister of AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated a Vaccination Centre for children at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA).
The Minister also launched the ‘Bal Raksha’ mobile app, to create awareness among parents on paediatric preventive healthcare through Ayurveda intervention. The app will also collect feedback from parents regarding the impact of the kit on their children’s health and immunity.