41. Swadesh Darshan scheme is the initiative of which union ministry?
[A] Ministry of Culture
[B] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[C] Ministry of Tourism
[D] Ministry of Railways
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Tourism]
Notes:
Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Tourism for the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in India. Under this central sector scheme, central financial assistance will be provided to states and union territories for the infrastructural development of the tourist circuits.
42. Siruvani River, which was mentioned in news, is the tributary of__?
[A] Kaveri River
[B] Bhavani River
[C] Amaravati River
[D] Kabini River
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bhavani River]
Notes:
The Siruvani River is situated close to Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. It is the tributary of Bhavani river. Part of the Siruvani river is in Kerala’s Palakkad district. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has asked this Kerala counterpart to maintain full reservoir level at the Siruvani Dam across the Siruvani River.
43. Which global bloc launched a USD 600 billion- Global Infrastructure Plan?
[A] BRICS
[B] G 7
[C] G 20
[D] European Union
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [G 7]
Notes:
US President Joe Biden and other G7 leaders re-launched the “Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment” at their annual gathering at Schloss Elmau in Germany.
It aims to raise USD 600 billion in private and public funds over five years, to finance infrastructure in developing countries and counter China’s Belt and Road project. The United States would mobilise USD 200bn in grants, federal funds and private investment over five years, while Europe will mobilise 300 billion euros.
44. When is the ‘Micro-Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day’ celebrated?
[A] June 18
[B] June 21
[C] June 27
[D] June 30
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [June 27]
Notes:
June 27 is celebrated as the Micro-Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day. The day is aimed at raising public awareness of the contribution of MSMEs to global economic growth and sustainable development.
The United Nations General Assembly declared the day in the year 2017. According to the UN, formal and informal MSMEs account for 70 per cent of the total employment and 50 per cent of the GDP. Moreover, the sector makes up for 90 per cent of all firms.
45. Which country announced to provide ‘Iskander-M tactical missile systems’ to Belarus?
[A] USA
[B] Russia
[C] Germany
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
Russia has promised its ally Belarus to deliver nuclear- capable missiles in the coming months. Russian President Vladimir Putin made the announcement during Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to Moscow.
Russia will transfer to Belarus Iskander-M tactical missile systems, which can use ballistic or cruise missiles in their conventional and nuclear editions.
46. How many countries are members of the ‘Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP)’ grouping?
[A] Three
[B] Five
[C] Ten
[D] Fifteen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Five]
Notes:
An informal inter-governmental grouping called the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP) was launched by the United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
It is a five-nation ‘informal mechanism’ to support Pacific islands and to boost diplomatic, economic ties in the region. The Indo-Pacific region accounts for 63 per cent of the global GDP and 46 per cent of the world’s merchandise trade.
47. Which institution has authorised two Indian private firms for space launches?
[A] New Space India Limited
[B] IN-SPACe
[C] ISRO
[D] DRDO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IN-SPACe]
Notes:
The Indian Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has started authorising two Indian private firms, for private space sector launches in the country.
Dhruva Space’s Dhruva Space Satellite Orbital Deployer – (DSOD 1U), a technology demonstration payload, and Digantara’s Robust Integrating Proton Fluence Meter (ROBI), a Proton dosimeter payload, were authorised.
48. What is ‘Hermit’, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] Missile
[B] Satellite
[C] Spyware
[D] Vaccine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Spyware]
Notes:
Hermit is the name of the latest sophisticated spyware seen in the news. It is believed to have targeted iPhones and Android devices in Italy and Kazakhstan.
The spyware has been developed by an Italian vendor called RCS Lab. Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) put out a detailed blog post recently, explaining how they believed Hermit was used to target devices.
49. Which country has started the transfer of Russian goods to India, using a new trade corridor?
[A] UAE
[B] Iran
[C] Israel
[D] Belarus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Iran]
Notes:
Iran’s state-run shipping company has started its first transfer of Russian goods to India, using a new trade corridor.
The route grants India easy access to a region stretching from North Europe, Caucasus to mineral rich Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. This 7,200 km long-pending multi-modal transportation corridor via Iran is also expected to boost Russia–India bilateral trade.
50. What is the name of the High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT), which was recently tested by DRDO?
[A] Akash
[B] Abhyas
[C] Akshara
[D] Apsara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Abhyas]
Notes:
India successfully tested the indigenously-designed Abhyas – a High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT).
The trial was carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Odisha’s Chandipur. Earlier, DRDO and the Army successfully tested an indigenously-developed anti-tank guided missile in Maharashtra.