1. ‘Proba-3 Mission’, which will be launched aboard ISRO’s PSLV, is associated with which space agency?
[A] NASA
[B] ESA
[C] JAXA
[D] CNSA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ESA]
Notes:
The European Space Agency’s Proba-3 Mission will be launched aboard the ISRO’s PSLV in 2024. Its two satellites will study the Sun’s faint corona and surrounding atmosphere.
The 340-kilogram spacecraft will be deployed by PSLV in a high Earth orbit with an orbital period of 19.7 hours.
2. Which country passed ‘Safeguard Mechanism’ to force coal mines and oil refineries to minimize emissions?
[A] Australia
[B] USA
[C] Germany
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Australia]
Notes:
Australia’s Safeguard Mechanism, which was passed recently by the country’s parliament, will force coal mines and oil refineries to minimize emissions by around 4 percent each year.
It is part of the efforts taken by the government to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
3. Sea Lamprey, which was seen in the news, belongs to which species?
[A] Turtle
[B] Fish
[C] Snake
[D] Spider
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fish]
Notes:
Sea Lamprey is a rare species of fish that is known to extract blood of its prey. It was recently spotted on the Dutch island of Texel. It was last sighted on the island in 2017.
The sea lamprey is also known as ‘vampire fish’ due to its nature of sucking blood from its host like a parasite.
4. Palm Sunday is an event associated with which religion?
[A] Islam
[B] Sikhism
[C] Christianity
[D] Jainism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Christianity]
Notes:
Palm Sunday is the Christian moveable feast that occurs on the Sunday before Easter. It was observed on April 2 this year.
The feast commemorates Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. Its name originates from the palm branches waved by the crowd to greet and honour Jesus Christ as he entered the city.
5. ‘Capulopsyche keralensis’, which was recently discovered in Kerala, belongs to which species?
[A] Spider
[B] Moth
[C] Snake
[D] Bee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Moth]
Notes:
A new genus and species of bagworm moth Capulopsyche keralensis has been discovered from the coffee plantations of Kerala.
Researchers have discovered the new species of bagworm moth, from Idukki district and Palakkad district.
6. ‘Nathu La’ is a mountain pass located in which state/UT?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Assam
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sikkim]
Notes:
Nathu La is a mountain pass in the Dongkya Range of the Himalayas between Tibet and the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal.
A massive avalanche had hit the East Sikkim’s Nathu La area recently. Seven tourists were killed and a dozen injured after the avalanche.
7. Which state topped the ‘India Justice Report 2022’ among the large and mid-sized states?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Karnataka]
Notes:
India Justice Report 2022 is a national periodic reporting that measures the capacity of the four pillars of justice system (police, prison system, judiciary and legal aid).
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana took up the top three spots among the 18 large and mid-sized States (population above 10 million).
8. Which Asian country has been elected to UN Statistical Commission for a 4-year-term?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] China
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
The UN Statistical Commission is the highest decision-making body for international statistical activities. Shigeru Kawasaki of Japan is the current chair of the Commission.
India has recently been elected to this body for a 4-year term starting from January 1, 2024.
9. ‘Lumpy Skin Disease’ causes high fever in which type of species?
[A] Cattle
[B] Poultry
[C] Fish
[D] Human Beings
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cattle]
Notes:
Lumpy Skin Disease is a highly contagious viral infection of cattle and buffalo that causes high fever, large lymph nodes and multiple nodules on the skin and mucous membrane. The Indian Government is expecting stagnation in milk production and a possible scarcity due to the Lumpy Skin Disease, which resulted in deaths of over 1.89 lakh cattle recently.
10. Which state/UT recently received the GI tag for its famous Wood carving?
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Ladakh
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ladakh]
Notes:
Ladakh’s Wood Carving recently received GI (Geographical Indications) tag. In December last year, the government also granted GI Tag for Raktsey Karpo apricot of Ladakh.
Wood carving of Ladakh has been a vibrant art form in the Ladakh region, including the capital Leh and Kargil.