41. Which is the largest recorded bacterium?
[A] Holophaga foetida
[B] Thiomargarita magnifica
[C] Bacillus thuringiensis
[D] Staphylococcus aureus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Thiomargarita magnifica]
Notes:
Scientists have discovered the world’s largest recorded bacterium Thiomargarita magnifica in a Caribbean mangrove. It was measured to be more than a centimetre long. It can reach a maximum length of 2 cm.
42. Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 comes under the jurisdiction of which union ministry (as of June 2022)?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Law and Justice
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Finance]
Notes:
The Revenue Department under the Finance Ministry governs the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act of 1985.
The Central Government is planning the transfer of the administration of this Act from finance ministry of Home Ministry to bring all issues related to narcotics under one department.
43. Which body implements the ‘Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’?
[A] NHA
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] NABARD
[D] Directorate General Of Health Services
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [NHA]
Notes:
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA), which comes under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The NHA was set up for the implementation of the government’s flagship health insurance scheme PM-JAY.
NHA is set to host the first open-to-all hackathon series to drive innovation around different components of the ABDM. The series will commence with the focus on the Unified Health Interface from July 14. The hackathon will provide the opportunities for innovators, data experts and developers from across the world to collaborate and build innovative solutions for increasing access to digital health services.
44. ‘Beijing Declaration’ which was found in the news recently, is associated with which summit?
[A] G-7
[B] BRICS
[C] G-20
[D] WTO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [BRICS]
Notes:
The 14th BRICS Summit, which was convened under Chairship of Chinese President Xi Jinping in a virtual format, concluded with the Beijing Declaration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led India’s participation at the Summit. The declaration supported talks between Russia and Ukraine. They expressed support for United Nations agencies and Red Cross to provide humanitarian assistance. The summit called for finalisation and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework.
45. 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.
46. Tata Power Solar Systems commissioned India’s largest floating solar power project in which state?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Punjab
[C] Kerala
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kerala]
Notes:
Tata Power Solar Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Power, has commissioned India’s largest floating solar power project in Kayamkulam, Kerala.
The project is commissioned on a 350-acre backwaters area, having an installed capacity of 101.6 Megawatt Peak.
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 is the third-largest trade partner and second-largest export destination of India in 2022?
[A] USA
[B] UAE
[C] Singapore
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UAE]
Notes:
UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner and second-largest export destination in 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held bilateral talks with President of United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at Abu Dhabi.
Prime Minister conveyed condolences on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to further deepen and diversify the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
50. Which institution operationalised standards for fortified rice kernels (FRKs) in India?
[A] FAO
[B] FSSAI
[C] ICAR
[D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [FSSAI]
Notes:
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has decided to operationalise standards for fortified rice kernels (FRKs) to strengthen the national-level fortification programme in the country.
FRKs are rice-shaped kernels containing vitamins and minerals produced through the extrusion technique. The regulations specify standards for rice flour, vitamin and mineral premix (VMP) to be used in preparation for FRKs