21. Which institution released the ‘Regional Economic Outlook: Middle East and Central Asia’?
[A] World Bank
[B] IMF
[C] WEF
[D] ADB
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IMF]
Notes:
International Monetary Fund released the Regional Economic Outlook report, which predicted that economies in the Middle East and Central Asia will likely slow down this year because of high inflation and increasing interest rates.
Increase in energy prices and food prices is cited as the reason for this slowdown.
22. What is ‘Cordyceps Sinensis’?
[A] Caterpillar
[B] Fungus
[C] Virus
[D] Bacterium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fungus]
Notes:
Cordyceps Sinensis, locally called yarchagumba, is a parasitic fungus that grows on the body of a caterpillar.
It is harvested by villagers in Nepal and Tibet to be sold in neighbouring China, where it is used in herbal medicines.
23. Which country researchers created the first baby using ‘Mitochondrial Donation Treatment’?
[A] USA
[B] Australia
[C] UK
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UK]
Notes:
Using the process called mitochondrial donation treatment (MDT), the first baby was created using DNA of three people in the UK.
This process involves taking nucleus from one of the eggs of the mother and being implanted into the donor egg. While the donor egg’s nuclei are removed, its healthy mitochondrial DNA is retained.
24. Which city is the host of the ‘DEF CON Hacker Convention’?
[A] New York
[B] Tokyo
[C] Las Vegas
[D] Berlin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Las Vegas]
Notes:
DEF CON Hacker Convention will be organized to gather hackers from across the world to test the limits of AI technology.
This is an annual convention that is held in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is the first to tackle the large language models that have attracted a surge of public interest and commercial investment.
25. What is the expansion of ICM, on which Indian Government organised a stake holder consultation?
[A] Indian Coal Market
[B] Indian Carbon Market
[C] Indian Crypto Market
[D] Indian Computer Market
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Carbon Market]
Notes:
Ministry of Power and Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change is planning to develop Carbon Credit Trading Scheme to decarbonize the Indian economy.
Recently, the government organized the ‘Stakeholder Consultation on Accredited Carbon Verifiers under Indian Carbon Market (ICM)’ in New Delhi.
26. Scientists have recently initiated a field trial to vaccinate which animals against ‘Chlamydia’ diseases?
[A] Panda
[B] Koala
[C] Wolf
[D] Lions
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Koala]
Notes:
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. Australian scientists have initiated a field trial in New South Wales to vaccinate wild koalas against chlamydia.
The strain of chlamydia belongs to a closely related species of the sexually-transmitted disease in humans.
27. Which institution is proposed to hold common counselling for all seats of all medical colleges?
[A] IMA
[B] AIIMS
[C] MCC
[D] ICMR
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [MCC]
Notes:
Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) is proposed to hold common counselling for all seats of government medical colleges, private medical colleges and deemed institutions.
The Tamil Nadu government is planning to officially oppose the proposed move of the Medical Counselling Committee. The MCC carries out counselling for all seats in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate and Medical Research throughout the nation.
28. ‘AT2021lwx’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which field?
[A] Computer Hardware
[B] Astronomy
[C] Finance
[D] Sports
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Astronomy]
Notes:
AT2021lwx is the largest cosmic explosion to be ever observed. It was observed by a group of astronomers led by the University of Southampton.
The explosion is said to be ten times brighter than any known supernova, the explosions that occur as massive stars die.
29. Dr Jayant V. Narlikar, who was seen in the news recently, is associated with which profession?
[A] Historian
[B] Astronomer
[C] Scientist
[D] Virologist
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Astronomer]
Notes:
Dr Jayant V. Narlikar, an astronomer, recently became the first recipient of the ASI Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement award.
The award was instituted in 2022 to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Astronomical Society of India (ASI).
30. ‘Rebuild Kerala Initiative’ is aimed at rebuilding which entity?
[A] Beaches
[B] Roads
[C] Urban Forests
[D] Ancient Buildings
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Roads]
Notes:
Rebuild Kerala Initiative is a state government initiative which is aimed at rebuilding roads better after floods.
The World Bank team recently reviewed the activities under this initiative. It also has agreed to explore possible areas of cooperation in six priority projects.