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. When is the ‘United Nations Public Service Day’ observed?
[A] June 18
[B] June 21
[C] June 23
[D] June 25
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [June 23]
Notes:
Observed on June 23, UN Public Service Day aims to recognize the importance of public institutions and public servants in ensuring the development of all sectors across the globe.
The 2022 theme is “Building back better from COVID-19: Enhancing innovative partnerships to meet the Sustainable Development Goals”.
43. Which state is set to roll out the comprehensive health insurance scheme, ‘MEDISEP’?
[A] Kerala
[B] Bihar
[C] Gujarat
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala government is set to launch MEDISEP scheme from July 1, 2022. It is a medical insurance scheme for state government employees, pensioners and their eligible family members.
It will provide cashless medical assistance with a comprehensive coverage of up to Rs.3 lakhs per year.
44. 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.
45. ‘Roe v. Wade’ is a landmark decision associated with which country?
[A] USA
[B] Russia
[C] UK
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113, was a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which it was ruled that the Constitution of the United States protects a pregnant woman’s liberty to choose to have an abortion.
The US Supreme Court has recently struck down the ruling, which allowed abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Subsequently, protests spread across the country after the ruling.
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. ‘Avinash Kulkarni’ who was in the news recently, is the new CEO of which body?
[A] UIDAI
[B] National Health Authority
[C] UGC
[D] IDRCL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [IDRCL]
Notes:
Avinash Kulkarni has been selected as the CEO of India Debt Resolution Company (IDRCL). It was formed to resolve more than ₹83,000 crore of bad loans to be acquired by the government-backed National Asset Reconstruction Company (NARCL).
He was the Chief executive of India Resurgence Asset Reconstruction Company (IRARC) and also had served in SBI. Another SBI veteran Natarajan Sundar was selected as CEO of the NARCL in April 2022.
48. Which institution recently released a report titled ‘India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy’?
[A] World Bank
[B] International Labour Organisation
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] International Monetary Fund
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [NITI Aayog]
Notes:
NITI Aayog released a report titled ‘India’s Booming Gig and Platform Economy’ recently. The Indian gig workforce is expected to expand to 23.5 million workers by 2029-30, a 200 per cent jump from 7.7 million now.
The report estimates that gig workers will form 4.1 per cent of the total workforce in India by 2029-2030, from 1.5 per cent now. The report stated 47 per cent of the jobs are medium-skilled, about 22 per cent are high-skilled, and about 31 per cent are low-skilled.
49. Which Union Ministry released the ‘Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D)’?
[A] Ministry of MSME
[B] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[C] Ministry of Education
[D] Ministry of Jal Shakti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Education]
Notes:
Ministry of Education released the Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) for 2019-20, and noted that schools across India performed poorly under the category of digital learning.
The top performing districts were Jaipur, Sikar and Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan. The PGI-D structure has 600 points, under six categories – Outcomes, Effective Classroom Transaction, Infrastructure Facilities & Student’s Entitlements, School Safety & Child Protection, Digital Learning and Governance Process.
50. What is the full form of ‘GPU’ with reference to computer hardware?
[A] Graphics production units
[B] Graphics processing units
[C] Grayscale processing units
[D] Grid processing units
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Graphics processing units]
Notes:
Arm Ltd, the British chip technology firm owned by SoftBank Group, has recently launched a set of new chip technologies aimed at making video games on smart-phones look better while preserving battery life. The latest products are designs for graphics processing units, or GPUs, which are often used for video processing in gaming. Arm upgraded plans for its central processing units (CPUs).