31. Khuvsgul lake National Park, which was recently added to UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, is located in which country?
[A] Ukraine
[B] Mongolia
[C] Chile
[D] Mexico
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mongolia]
Notes:
Mongolia’s Khuvsgul Lake National Park has been recently added to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO.
The decision was taken during the 34th session of the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme taking place in Paris, France. Khuvsgul Lake is located in the northern Mongolia near the Russian border, holding nearly 70 per cent of Mongolia’s fresh water.
32. 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.
33. 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.
34. 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.
35. Which country launched its first domestically built space rocket ‘Nuri’?
[A] South Korea
[B] Iran
[C] UAE
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [South Korea]
Notes:
South Korea launched its first domestically built space rocket ‘Nuri’ in the country’s second attempt. Earlier, the country failed to place a payload into orbit.
If the launch is successful, South Korea will become the world’s 10th nation to place a satellite into space with its own technology. The performance verification satellite will also help South Korea launch more satellites.
36. Sierra de Culebra mountain range, which was hit by massive wild fires, is located in which country?
[A] Argentina
[B] Australia
[C] Spain
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Spain]
Notes:
Spain has been facing wildfires amid an unusual heat wave in the Western Europe region. In Spain’s northwest province of Zamora, over 30,000 hectares have been consumed. The fire in the north-western Sierra de Culebra mountain range has caused significant damage.
Germany has also been hit by wild fires and heat wave due to climate change.
37. Inter-State Council was established under which article of Indian Constitution?
[A] Article 246
[B] Article 257
[C] Article 263
[D] Article 267
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Article 263]
Notes:
Article 263 of the Indian Constitution allows the President to establish the Inter-State Council, which brings together government entities on a common platform for discussing various governance issues. The Inter-State Council was established in 1990. Its chairman is the Prime Minister and its members include chief ministers and administrators of states and union territories.
38. Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat, that was recently making news, was built during the reign of which dynasty?
[A] Chaulukya dynasty
[B] Rashtrakuta dynasty
[C] Prathihara dynasty
[D] Kushan dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chaulukya dynasty]
Notes:
The Sun Temple at Gujarat’s Modhera village was built under the administration of the Chaulukya king Bhima I in the early 11th century. It is located on the bank of River Pushpavati. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.
39. Which year has been designated as ASEAN-India Friendship year?
[A] 2021
[B] 2022
[C] 2023
[D] 2025
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2022]
Notes:
The year 2022 has been designated as the ASEAN-India Friendship year. This year marks the 30th anniversary of dialogue relations between India and ASEAN countries. The diplomatic ties between the two sides commenced in the early 1990s.
40. Which DRDO laboratory developed NEtworking TRaffic Analysis (NETRA)?
[A] Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics
[B] Defence Electronics Research Laboratory
[C] Defence Electronics Application Laboratory
[D] Advanced Systems Laboratory
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics ]
Notes:
NEtworking TRaffic Analysis (NETRA) was developed by the DRDO laboratory Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR). It is a software network used for intercepting and analysing internet traffic passing through software such as Skype and Google Talk.