31. When is the ‘International Day for Countering Hate Speech’ marked across the world?
[A] June 15
[B] June 18
[C] June 21
[D] June 24
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [June 18]
Notes:
18 June is marked as the International Day for Countering Hate Speech. In July 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution “promoting inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech”.
Hate speech goes against the core principles of the UN Charter such as equality, peace, and respect for human dignity leading to social disharmony.
32. ‘Kar Max’, which was seen in the news, is a new variety of which crop?
[A] Wheat
[B] Rice
[C] Mango
[D] Cotton
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rice]
Notes:
Mumbai based Swal Corporation has introduced a new paddy product in the market, named ‘Kar Max’
The company has introduced the product in order to effectively control the stem-protruding worm that affects paddy crop and to increase the productivity of the crop.
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. 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. Which organisation has developed the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark III, recently induced by the Indian Coast Guard?
[A] DRDO
[B] HAL
[C] BEL
[D] NSIL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [HAL]
Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard’s Eastern Region inducted the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark III, the first aircraft of the newly created “840 Squadron”.
It was indigenously designed and developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark III by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). HAL has delivered 13 out of 16 such aircraft to the Indian Coast Guard till date.
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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Centre for Brain Research (CBR) in which state/UT?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Gujarat
[C] Telangana
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Karnataka]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Centre for Brain Research (CBR) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) campus, Bengaluru.
The Centre has been set up at a cost of Rs 280 crore. It is developed as the first research facility which focuses on conducting vital research to provide evidence-based public health interventions to manage age-related brain disorders.
38. Which state recently launched ‘Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Yojna’?
[A] Chhattisgarh
[B] Gujarat
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ‘Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Yojna’ a nutrition scheme for pregnant and lactating mothers- in Gujarat’s Vadodara.
The financial outlay of the scheme is Rs 800 crore. Every month, all identified beneficiaries will receive Poshan Kits along with other ICDS services. Poshan Sudha Yojana, which aims to meet the nutritional needs of pregnant women, has also been expanded to all tribal- areas of Gujarat.
39. 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.
40. 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.