1. As a part of Mission SAGAR IX, INS Gharial recently delivered critical medicines to which country?
[A] Maldives
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Nepal
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sri Lanka]
Notes:
INS Gharial, as part of Mission SAGAR IX, delivered over 760 kgs of 107 types of critical lifesaving medicines to Sri Lanka.
The recent mission aims to provide medical aid to Sri Lanka during its ongoing economic crisis. The Indian Navy undertakes several humanitarian operations titled Mission SAGAR to assist friendly countries, in line with the Government’s vision of SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region.
2. Ardeshir B.K. Dubash recently received the ‘Order of Merit in the Diplomatic Service’ by which country?
[A] Canada
[B] France
[C] Peru
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Peru]
Notes:
Former Honorary Consul of Peru in Mumbai Ardeshir B.K. Dubash, received the Order of “Merit in the Diplomatic Service of Peru José Gregorio Paz Soldán”.
It is the highest distinction conferred by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru. He was designated as Honorary Consul of Peru in the year 1973 and his career as Honorary Consul spanned for almost half a century.
3. How many members are part of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
[A] Three
[B] Five
[C] Six
[D] Eight
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Six]
Notes:
The Central Board of Direct Taxes is headed by a Chairman and can have six members who are in the rank of Special Secretary. It is the administrative body for the Income Tax department. There are five members in the board at present.
Recently, IRS officer Sangeeta Singh has been given the additional charge of CBDT chairperson after incumbent JB Mohapatra retired as the head of CBDT.
4. What is the target year to achieve clean, affordable energy for all, as per the ‘UN Energy Plan of Action’?
[A] 2025
[B] 2030
[C] 2040
[D] 2050
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2030]
Notes:
The United Nations recently launched its ‘Energy Plan of Action’ to gain clean, affordable energy for all by 2030. The UN also announced a new Energy Compact Action Network.
The plan calls for collective action by 30 entities of the world and international organizations to achieve the pledge made at the High-level Dialogue on Energy 2021. It includes gaining access for 500 million more people to electricity and 1 billion more to clean cooking solutions, the creation of 30 million jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency by 2025.
5. Who is the head of the Delimitation Commission, which redrew the electoral map of Jammu and Kashmir?
[A] Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai
[B] Justice Sadasivam
[C] Justice Ranjan Gogoi
[D] Sushil Chandra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai]
Notes:
The Delimitation Commission, which redrew the electoral map of Jammu and Kashmir, was headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, a retired judge of the Supreme Court. Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and state election commissioner K K Sharma are its ex-officio members.
The Delimitation Commission released its final report, with 47 seats assigned for Kashmir and 43 for Jammu. There will be five parliamentary constituencies, each with an equal number of 18 Assembly seats while 9 seats were reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST). Additional seats in the assembly for Kashmiri migrants and displaced persons from Pakistan occupied Kashmir were recommended.
6. Cynthia Rosenzweig, who was seen in the news, is the recipient of which prestigious award?
[A] World Food Prize
[B] Booker Prize
[C] Pulitzer Prize
[D] Abel Award
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [World Food Prize]
Notes:
Cynthia Rosenzweig, a senior research scientist at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), received the 2022 World Food Prize from the World Food Prize Foundation.
World Food Prize is a prestigious award conceived as the ‘Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture’. Rosenzweig was selected for the award for her research to understand the relationship between climate and food systems and forecast how they will change in the future.
7. Which country marks ‘Victory Day’ on May 9 annually?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] Russia
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Russia]
Notes:
‘Victory Day’ is celebrated by Russia every year on May 9, marking victory of Soviet Union over Nazi Germany in 1945.
The day, usually includes a military parade in Red Square in Moscow, is also celebrated to remember the sacrifices of World War Two. Russia showcases its strength of troops and military hardware. Twenty-seven million Soviet citizens died in the World War 2, called as the Great Patriotic War by Russians.
8. Which country is the host of 24th Summer Deaflympics in 2022?
[A] India
[B] Brazil
[C] Australia
[D] Greece
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Brazil]
Notes:
The 24th Summer Deaflympics is being held in Caxias do Sul, Brazil from 1st May 2022. A strong Indian contingent of 65 athletes is participating in the Games.
Dhanush Srikanth clinched gold in the men’s 10m air rifle competition while Shourya Saini won bronze. India’s badminton team also won gold beating Japan 3-1 in the final.
9. Which country established a ‘Digital Markets Unit (DMU)’ to curb authority of big tech companies over news publishers?
[A] USA
[B] France
[C] UK
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UK]
Notes:
The UK recently released some competition rules for big tech companies like Google and Facebook, missing which will attract huge fines from the country.
UK established Digital Markets Unit (DMU) to curb authority of big tech companies over news publishers. It was announced that DMU will be given powers to curb the predatory practices of some firms. The regulator will have the power to fine companies up to 10% of their global turnover if they fail to comply.
10. Which Indian state/UT houses the permanent office of Lokpal?
[A] Mumbai
[B] New Delhi
[C] Ahmadabad
[D] Kolkata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
The Lokpal of India is set to move into a permanent office at World Trade Centre in south Delhi. Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh was appointed as India’s first Lokpal along with eight other members in 2019.
Lokpal is the anti-corruption ombudsman to investigate complaints against public functionaries, including the Prime Minister. The new office has been purchased for ₹254.88 crore, according to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the administrative department for the Lokpal.