21. Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) functions under the aegis of which institution?
[A] Reserve Bank of India
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Finance]
Notes:
The Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL) is a government printing and minting agency. It functions under the Ministry of Finance.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the first colour souvenir coin on ‘Panchtantra’ on the occasion of 17th foundation day of Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited (SPMCIL).
22. India signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism cooperation with which country?
[A] France
[B] Australia
[C] UK
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Australia]
Notes:
India and Australia have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism cooperation in New Delhi.
The Memorandum of Understanding in the field of tourism will enhance cooperation and encourage Expansion of bilateral relations in tourism. It will facilitate Exchange of information and data related to tourism, Cooperation between tourism stakeholders.
23. Which institution launched the Community Innovator Fellowship (CIF)?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] ISRO
[C] DRDO
[D] National Innovation Foundation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [NITI Aayog]
Notes:
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog in collaboration with UNDP, India launched the Community Innovator Fellowship (CIF).
It was launched on the occasion of the “International Day of Women & Girls in Science”. It is a one-year-long fellowship program, developed as a pre-incubation model to guide innovators set up their social enterprise focusing on SDG based solutions.
24. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba has been declared President of which country?
[A] Burkina Faso
[B] Namibia
[C] Zimbabwe
[D] Mali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Burkina Faso]
Notes:
Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, Lieutenant-colonel in the national armed forces, has been declared President of the African country Burkina Faso.
The country’s top constitutional body has announced this decision after a coup last month. In the month of January, officers led by Damiba forced out the country’s elected president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore.
25. Kiribati, is an island nation located in which ocean/sea?
[A] Indian Ocean
[B] Pacific Ocean
[C] Atlantic Ocean
[D] Mediterranean Sea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pacific Ocean]
Notes:
Kiribati or the Republic of Kiribati, is an independent island nation located in the central Pacific Ocean.
The country had closed the borders for two years and managed to keep Covid away. Recently, as it reopened and the first flight landed, it is facing a challenge with the outbreak of the virus. India has sent a consignment of medical supplies among other Covid 19 supplies.
26. Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC) was reduced to cut the tax on importing which product?
[A] Crude palm oil (CPO)
[B] Solar Cell
[C] Jute
[D] Fish Tanks
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Crude palm oil (CPO)]
Notes:
India has cut its tax on crude palm oil (CPO) imports to 5 percent from 7.5 percent. The reduction in the tax, known as ‘Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC)’, will widen the gap between the CPO and refined palm oil import duties.
This will make it cheaper for Indian refiners to import CPO. India is the world’s biggest edible oil importer.
27. Which US state has sued Facebook parent Meta over facial recognition data?
[A] California
[B] Texas
[C] Flourida
[D] Houston
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Texas]
Notes:
The Texas Attorney General is suing Facebook’s parent company Meta, saying it allegedly collected biometric data on Texans for commercial purposes without their consent.
The suit claims that Facebook parent Meta has been storing millions of biometric identifiers, including retina or iris scans, voice prints, or a record of hand and face geometry.
28. The Snow Moon or the Storm Moon occurs usually during which month?
[A] January
[B] February
[C] March
[D] April
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [February]
Notes:
The full moon, known as the Snow Moon occurs during the month of February. This year, it reached its peak on February 16.
The bright star Regulus in the constellation Leo, the lion was also witnessed along with the moon. The Snow Moon, also called the Storm Moon, is a name from the Algonquin tribe ‘because of the heavy snows that fall in this season’.
29. What is ‘TriSb92’, which was seen in the news recently, with reference to COVID?
[A] New Vaccine
[B] New Molecule used in Nasal Sprays
[C] New Oral Vaccine
[D] New-born Child Vaccine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Molecule used in Nasal Sprays]
Notes:
A molecule developed by researchers at the University of Helsinki, Finland named ‘TriSb92’can inactivate the coronavirus spike protein and offers short-term protection against the virus.
In contrast to vaccine protection, the effect of TriSb92 begins immediately after its administration. It protects against coronavirus infection for at least eight hours. In virus studies, TriSb92 was able to prevent even the spread of SARS. The product is nasally administered through sprays.
30. Which institution developed a Programming Language “A Tensor Language” (ATL), for High-Performance Computers?
[A] IIT Bombay
[B] Massachusetts Institute of Technology
[C] Oxford University
[D] Indian Institute of Science
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Massachusetts Institute of Technology]
Notes:
A team of researchers, based mainly at Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a new Programming Language named “A Tensor Language” (ATL), for High-Performance Computers.
Usually, it is believed that there are unavoidable trade-offs between speed and reliability. But the new language maintains both speed and reliability.