31. As per the Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change notification, use of ‘single-use plastic’ is banned with effect from which date?
[A] April 1 2022
[B] July 1 2022
[C] January 1 2023
[D] April 1 2023
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [July 1 2022]
Notes:
The Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has defined a list of items that will be banned from next month. The announcement of ban was made last year.
As per the notification, the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of following single-use plastic, including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, commodities shall be prohibited with effect from the 1st July, 2022.
32. Which government agency is responsible for protecting India’s critical information infrastructure?
[A] National Cyber Coordination Centre
[B] National Informatics Centre
[C] ICERT
[D] NCIIPC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [NCIIPC]
Notes:
The National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) is the nodal agency responsible for protecting India’s critical information infrastructure. It was established in 2014 under Section 70A of the IT Act, 2000. It is part of the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), an intelligence agency under the NSA.
33. 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.
34. 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.
35. 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.
36. UNSC 1267 committee, that was recently in news, was set up in which year?
[A] 1999
[B] 2001
[C] 2020
[D] 2022
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1999]
Notes:
The UNSC 1267 committee was set up in the year 1999. It was strengthened in 2001 following the 9/11 attack. Its members include both the permanent and non-permanent members of the UNSC. It is also known as Da’esh and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee.
37. Bashi Channel, which was making news recently, is part of which strait in the Pacific Ocean?
[A] Taiwan Strait
[B] Luzon Strait
[C] Karimata Strait
[D] Malacca Strait
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Luzon Strait]
Notes:
The Bashi Channel, which connects the South China Sea with the western Pacific Ocean, is a waterway between the Philippines’ northern island of Luzon and the Taiwanese island of Orchid. It is part of the Luzon Strait, which connects the Philippine Sea to the South China Sea.
38. Which body is responsible for the implementation of the NIPUN project of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs?
[A] National Skill Training Institute
[B] National Skill Development Fund
[C] National Skill Development Corporation
[D] National Council for Vocational Education and Training
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [National Skill Development Corporation]
Notes:
National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), which comes under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, is responsible for the implementation of the NIPUN project of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It will train, monitor and track potential candidates under this initiative.
39. Which country given is not part of G7 grouping?
[A] Canada
[B] New Zealand
[C] Germany
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Zealand]
Notes:
Group of Seven (G7) is an intergovernmental organization that brings together the world’s top industrial nations. Its members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US. Its main purpose is to discuss global economic issues.
40. Who recently became India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations?
[A] T S Tirumurti
[B] Ruchira Kamboj
[C] Taranjit Singh Sandhu
[D] Pooja Kapur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ruchira Kamboj]
Notes:
Ruchira Kamboj recently became India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. As the UN ambassador, she will be the head of the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in New York City. She will succeed T S Tirumurti.