31. As per recent MFIN report, which is the largest state in terms of the outstanding portfolio of microfinance loans?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
According to the quarterly report published by Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN), Tamil Nadu has displaced West Bengal to emerge as the largest State in terms of the outstanding portfolio of microfinance loans.
The gross loan portfolio (GLP) of Tamil Nadu as of March 31, 2022 stood at ₹36,806 crore while the overall microfinance industry has a total GLP of ₹2,85,441 crore as of March 31, 2022. Banks held the largest share of the portfolio in micro-credit followed by NBFC-MFIs.
32. Who has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Press Council of India?
[A] Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai
[B] Justice Ajay Kumar Sikri
[C] Justice Sadasivan
[D] Justice Y Chandrachud
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai]
Notes:
Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai has been nominated as Chairperson of the Press Council of India.
She replaced the retired Justice CK Prasad who vacated office in November 2021. Justice Desai has also served as the chairman of the Delimitation Commission on Jammu and Kashmir, Public prosecutor for the state of Maharashtra and as a Judge on the Bombay High Court.
33. Which major country announced emergency measures including using of coal, after shortage of supply of Gas from Russia?
[A] UK
[B] Australia
[C] Germany
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Germany]
Notes:
Germany announced emergency measures including increased use of coal to boost gas storage levels and to phase out imports.
As Germany relies on Russia for most of its gas, it is affected after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which led to cut in deliveries. The new measures include increased reliance on coal-fired power plants and an auction system to incentivise industry to consume less.
34. When is the ‘World Sickle Cell Awareness Day’ observed every year?
[A] June 19
[B] June 23
[C] June 27
[D] June 30
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [June 19]
Notes:
Every year on the 19th of June, the World Sickle Cell Day (SCD) event is conducted by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness of sickle cell disease.
Sickle cell anaemia is a group of inherited disorders that cause red blood cells to become sickle in shape instead of normal biconcave shape. In a patient who is suffering from SCD, the red blood cells have abnormal haemoglobin.
35. What is the objective of the ‘PLI scheme for Telecom’?
[A] Incentivise Design-led manufacturing in Telecom
[B] Decrease Customs Duty of Imported ICs
[C] Incentivise Exporters of Telecom products
[D] Roll out of 5 G Service
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Incentivise Design-led manufacturing in Telecom]
Notes:
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) notified the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for telecom in 2021, aimed towards incentivising design-led manufacturing in the sector.
Recently the DoT has extended the PLI scheme by one year, and has amended the scheme to raise the incentive rate by an additional 1 per cent. The Centre will provide additional incentives of over Rs 4,000 crore.
36. A 419-million-year-old Chinese Fossil recently proved the evolution of Human Middle Ear from which creature?
[A] Chimpanzee
[B] Fish
[C] Gecko
[D] Turtle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fish]
Notes:
A 419-million-year-old Chinese Fossil recently proved the evolution of Human Middle Ear from fish gills. Embryonic and fossil evidence proved that the human middle ear evolved from the spiracle of fishes.
As per the study, many important structures of human beings can be traced back to our fish ancestors, such as our teeth, jaws, middle ears.
37. UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize gives recognition to works done in which of the following fields?
[A] Literature
[B] Biological Sciences
[C] Environment Protection
[D] Information and Communication Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Information and Communication Technology]
Notes:
UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize or the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education was established in 2005 with the help of the Kingdom of Bahrain. It gives recognition to the innovative use of ICT in the education sector.
38. Which of the following is a tri-state protected area?
[A] Bandhavgarh National Park
[B] National Chambal Sanctuary
[C] Blackbuck National Park
[D] Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Chambal Sanctuary]
Notes:
National Chambal Sanctuary was established in 1979 as a riverine sanctuary. It is situated near the tri-point of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. It currently houses the largest population of Gharials in wild.
39. As per the recent study published in “The Lancet Microbe” most of the antibiotic resistant strains of Typhoid causing bacteria originated in which region?
[A] Western Africa
[B] Eastern Europe
[C] South Asia
[D] South East Asia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [South Asia ]
Notes:
Typhoid fever is caused by bacterium Salmonella Typhi. Humans are its only host. A new study found that Typhoid-causing bacteria are becoming highly resistant to popular antibiotics. Strains resistant to antibiotic azithromycin are found in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. As per the recent study published in “The Lancet Microbe” most of the antibiotic resistant strains of Typhoid causing bacteria originated in South Asia.
40. Bavarian Alps, which recently made news, is situated in__?
[A] Russia
[B] France
[C] Switzerland
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Germany]
Notes:
Bavarian Alps are mountain ranges located with the German state of Bavaria. The G7 Leaders’ Summit 2022 is set to take place from June 26 to 28 in the Bavarian Alps. Germany, which took over the G7 presidency at the beginning of this year, will host the event.