31. ‘Unmesh’ is an international literary festival, organised at which state/UT?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Kerala
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
Three-day international literary festival ‘Unmesh’ was organised at the state of Himachal Pradesh. The festival was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Culture Arjun Ram Meghawal.
Over 425 writers, poets, translators, critics and personalities from 15 countries, representing over 60 languages, are participating in the event. The festival is being organised by the Union Ministry of Culture and the Sahitya Akademi with the support of the Himachal Pradesh Department of Art and Culture as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
32. The ‘Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)’ functions under the aegis of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of MSME
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Labour and Employment]
Notes:
The ‘Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)’ functions under the aegis of Ministry of Labour and Employment.
ESIC has announced that its Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme will be implemented throughout the country by the end of 2022. The health insurance scheme is fully implemented in 443 districts and partially implemented in 153 districts. As many as 148 districts are not covered under the ESI Scheme at present.
33. When is the ‘International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice’ observed?
[A] January 1
[B] June 1
[C] June 21
[D] July 21
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [June 21]
Notes:
The General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice.
It aims to celebrate the unity of cultural heritage and traditions, as well as to strengthen ties among people. The seasonal movement of the Sun’s daily path appears to stand still at a northern or southern limit before reversing direction. There are two solstices that occur annually namely the Summer Solstice around June 21 and Winter Solstice around December 21.
34. Which wildlife sanctuary is location of India’s first-ever Dark Sky Reserve?
[A] Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary
[B] Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary
[C] Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary
[D] Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary]
Notes:
A part of Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in Ladakh is going to become a Dark Sky Reserve, which will help promote astronomy-tourism. Once this region is declared as the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve, efforts will be undertaken to protect the night sky from superfluous illumination and light pollution.
35. The first case of monkeypox in humans was recorded in which country?
[A] Kenya
[B] Nigeria
[C] DRC
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [DRC]
Notes:
The first case of monkeypox was recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the year 1970. It is a rare zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Poxviridae family. Its symptoms are similar to smallpox but milder.
36. Theri Desert, that was recently in news, is situated in which state?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Gujarat
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Theri Desert in located in Tamil Nadu. It derives its name from Tamil term “theri”, which means red dunes. Red sand dunes in this desert have sediments dating back to the Quaternary period that commenced some 2.6 million years ago.
37. The traditional Slavic festival of Noc Kupaly is celebrated during__?
[A] Winter solstice
[B] Summer solstice
[C] Solar equinox
[D] Spring equinox
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Summer solstice]
Notes:
Noc Kupaly is celebrated by Poland and other Slavic countries during the shortest night of the year (summer solstice). This pagan festival celebrates the idea of fertility and purification. The celebrations involve bonfire lighting, herb collecting and bathing in a river.
38. Who was recently appointed as the Directorate General of the National Investigation Agency?
[A] Dinkar Gupta
[B] Arvind Kumar
[C] Samant Goel
[D] Subodh Kumar Jaiswal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dinkar Gupta]
Notes:
Former Punjab DGP Dinkar Gupta recently became the new Director Generation of the NIA – India’s premier counter-terrorist task force. Earlier, Director-General of CRPF Kuliep Singh was given the additional charge of the NIA following the retirement of Y C Modi.
39. Which is the largest recorded bacterium?
[A] Holophaga foetida
[B] Thiomargarita magnifica
[C] Bacillus thuringiensis
[D] Staphylococcus aureus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Thiomargarita magnifica]
Notes:
Scientists have discovered the world’s largest recorded bacterium Thiomargarita magnifica in a Caribbean mangrove. It was measured to be more than a centimetre long. It can reach a maximum length of 2 cm.
40. Title IX, which turned 50 this year, is a US law that provides safeguards against discrimination based on__?
[A] Ethnicity
[B] Religion
[C] Sex
[D] National origin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sex]
Notes:
Title IX, which turned 50 this year, prohibits discrimination based on sex in education. It plays a major role in gender equality in athletics and preventing sexual harassment on campuses. It was signed into law by President Nixon on June 23, 1972.