41. Great Barrier Reef, which was seen in the news recently, is located in which country?
[A] USA
[B] Australia
[C] New Zealand
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Australia]
Notes:
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, located in Australia. As per a new study, fish in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef are losing their colour.
The study revealed that relationship between the colouration of the fish communities and the environment is likely to be impacted by global environmental change.
42. Sanjhi Art, which was seen in the news recently, is practised in which state?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Lok Sabha Member and Actor Hema Malini asked the government if it has any plan to encourage artists from Mathura-Vrindavan involved in Sanjhi art.
Sanjhi art is a unique craft form that features exquisite designs and picture motifs, cut into paper. Originated in Mathura in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Sanjhi painting is also practised in Vrindavan.
43. PACER Initiative, which was seen in the news recently, is implemented by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Earth Science
[C] Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Earth Science]
Notes:
The Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER) scheme is implemented through National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
It comprises of the Antarctic program, Indian Arctic program, Southern Ocean program and Cryosphere and Climate program. The scheme is organising 41st Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica. PACER scheme has recently been approved for continuation during 2021-2026.
44. ‘Jens Stoltenberg’ is the Secretary-General of which organisation?
[A] EU
[B] NATO
[C] G-20
[D] G-7
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NATO]
Notes:
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) extended the term of Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg by a year until September 30, 2023.
At the NATO summit in Brussels, the US President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders agreed to extend Stoltenberg’s term. He was a former Norwegian prime minister and was named NATO Secretary-General in 2014. His term was due to expire in September 2021.
45. As per the ‘National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey’, which state has the highest prevalence of TB in 2019-2021?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Bihar
[C] New Delhi
[D] Mumbai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [New Delhi]
Notes:
The ‘National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey’ was recently released by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. He also released the country’s ‘annual TB report’
As per the report, Delhi had the highest prevalence (747) in 2019-2021 while Gujarat had the lowest (137). TB prevalence among India’s adults was 312 per 100,000 in 2019-2021. For every 2.84 persons with TB, only 1 was registered in the national surveillance system.
46. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a tourism portal to facilitate guided tours to projects of which organisation?
[A] NHAI
[B] BRO
[C] DRDO
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [BRO]
Notes:
Minister Rajnath Singh launched a tourism portal to facilitate online booking of guided tours to the road infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
In the initial phase, only e-booking for a guided tour to Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, will be available through the portal. The world’s highest motorable road at Umling La Pass, Sela Tunnel and Nechiphu Tunnel are among the projects which will be included later.
47. TEJAS Skilling Project to train overseas Indians, was launched in which country?
[A] Japan
[B] Bangladesh
[C] UAE
[D] Singapore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UAE]
Notes:
Union Minister Anurag Thakur launched TEJAS (Training for Emirates Jobs And Skills) in Dubai, UAE. It is a Skill India International Project to train overseas Indians.
The programme aims to skilling, certification and overseas employment of Indians. During the initial phase, it aims at creating a 10,000 strong Indian workforce in UAE. He also invited UAE for collaboration in Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) Sector.
48. Indian Air Force (IAF) has partnered with which organisation for ‘Fleet Card — Fuel on Move’ mechanism?
[A] ISRO
[B] DRDO
[C] IOCL
[D] BEL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IOCL]
Notes:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has tied up with the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for ‘Fleet Card — Fuel on Move’ program.
The fleet card will enable IAF vehicles to refuel at any IOCL station, rather than the current practice of refuelling at only Air Force stations. This will be implemented for its fleet of vehicles that carry personnel, equipment and even bombs and missiles by road.
49. The Chartered Accountants Bill seeks to set up a coordination committee headed by?
[A] Finance Minister
[B] Corporate Affairs Minister
[C] Corporate Affairs Secretary
[D] Finance Secretary
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Corporate Affairs Secretary]
Notes:
The Chartered Accountants, Cost and Works Accountants and Company Secretaries (Amendment) Bill seeks to appoint non-chartered accountant (CA), non-cost accountant and non-company secretary as the presiding officer of the disciplinary committees of the respective bodies.
The Bill seeks to set up a coordination committee headed by the corporate affairs secretary. It will have representations from the three institutes: Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Institute of Cost Accountants of India (formerly known as ICWAI), and Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).
50. In the Battle of Pollilur, which leader won against the British troops of the East India Company?
[A] Sher Shah
[B] Haider Ali
[C] Ashoka
[D] Raja Raja Chola
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Haider Ali]
Notes:
Tipu Sultan commissioned numerous significant paintings and many of those are being auctioned at huge sums.
A painting titled ‘The Battle of Pollilur’ is expected to fetch between £5,00,000 and £8,00,000. It is a 32-foot long monumental painting depicting the victory of the Mysore army led by Haidar Ali and his son Tipu, against the British troops of the East India Company in the Battle of Pollilur, 1780.