41. Which state/ UT launched the SC/ST (prevention of transfer of certain lands) (Amendment) Bill?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Karnataka
[C] Assam
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka]
Notes:
Recently, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly approved the Karnataka SC/ST (prevention of transfer of certain lands) (Amendment) Bill.
It aims to clarify the “time limitation” issue related to preventing the transfer of lands allocated to SC/ST communities. The beneficiaries are not subject to any time limitation when approaching courts to seek the restoration of lands allocated to them.
42. Researchers from which institution has created a short peptide named ‘Topoisomerases’?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IISc Bengaluru
[C] NIV Pune
[D] ICMR
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IISc Bengaluru]
Notes:
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have created a short peptide, comprising approximately 24 amino acids, that mimics the action of a natural toxin capable of poisoning key enzymes in disease-causing bacteria, including highly dangerous and antibiotic-resistant species. These enzymes, known as topoisomerases, are vital for the manipulation of bacterial DNA during replication and protein synthesis, and they present an attractive target for antibiotics due to their distinctiveness from human enzymes.
43. ‘Price Stabilisation Fund’ is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[D] Ministry of MSME
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution]
Notes:
To address the current surge in tomato prices and ensure affordability for consumers, the government has initiated the procurement of tomatoes through the Price Stabilisation Fund.
These tomatoes are being provided to consumers at significantly subsidized rates. The Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) was set up in 2014-15 under the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Famers Welfare. It was then transferred to Department of Consumer Affairs from 2016.
44. ONDC starts learning academy for merchants called the ONDC Academy, with assistance from?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] RBI
[C] SEBI
[D] National Stock Exchange
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [National Stock Exchange]
Notes:
The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), the government-backed e-commerce protocol, launched a repository of online training material for merchants called the ONDC Academy.
ONDC, which was funded initially by banks, has been conceived as a counterweight against large e-retail, quick commerce and ride-hailing firms. The repository is stored on an ONDC website as well as on YouTube, with assistance from the National Stock Exchange.
45. Which position was bagged by the Indian shooters as a team in the Junior World Championship?
[A] First
[B] Second
[C] Third
[D] Fifth
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Second]
Notes:
The Indian shooters failed to get among the individual medals in rapid fire pistol, but combined to bag the team silver behind China in the Junior World Championship in Changwon, Korea,
Sameer Ghulia, Mahesh Pasupathy, and Rajkanwar Singh Sandhu, won the team silver in rapid fire pistol in the Junior World Championships.
46. Esther Vergeer and Rick Draney, who were seen in the news, are associated with which sports?
[A] Cricket
[B] Tennis
[C] Badminton
[D] Chess
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tennis]
Notes:
Esther Vergeer and Rick Draney are to be inducted into Tennis Hall of Fame. 21-time Grand Slam singles champion and seven-time Paralympic gold medallist, Esther Vergeer began her career in an era when wheelchair tennis was not included in the top events.
Rick Draney, who won 12 singles titles and six in doubles before the Grand Slam era of wheelchair tennis. Draney has been credited with bringing quad tennis — a classification that accounts for impairment in the arms as well — to the Paralympics and other top tournaments.
47. ‘Inflation Reduction Act’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which country?
[A] USA
[B] India
[C] China
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
Companies in North America are rushing to recycle electric vehicle batteries due to a lesser-known provision in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to challenge China’s dominant position in this industry on a global scale.
The act’s clause automatically designates EV battery materials recycled in the U.S. as American-made for subsidies, making it beneficial for automakers using these materials in electric vehicle production to qualify for incentives.
48. With reference to space science, what is ‘Bennu’?
[A] Exo-planet
[B] Satellite
[C] Asteroid
[D] Star
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Asteroid]
Notes:
NASA regards Bennu as one of the most dangerous asteroids in the solar system. University of Arizona planetary science expert, Dante Lauretta, and astrophysicist, Brian May, have collaborated to produce “Bennu 3-D: Anatomy of an Asteroid,” the world’s first comprehensive 3D atlas of an asteroid.
The book, featuring data and images from the Osiris-Rex mission, details their undertaking with NASA to collect samples from the near-Earth asteroid, Bennu.
49. Which country hosted the ‘International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Science’?
[A] USA
[B] Australia
[C] Israel
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Australia]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) presented updated scientific and normative advice concerning human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during the 12th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science, held in Australia.
The UN health agency additionally urged nations to incorporate mpox detection, prevention, and care into current and novel HIV and sexually transmitted infection prevention and control initiatives.
50. Dr. Mod Helmy, who was seen in the news, was associated with which field?
[A] Defence
[B] Medicine
[C] Sports
[D] Science
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Medicine]
Notes:
Recently, Google Doodle honoured the 122nd birthday of Dr. Mod Helmy, an Egyptian-German medical professional born in 1901 in Khartoum, Sudan.
Despite the risks during the Holocaust, Dr. Helmy saved several Jews from Nazi persecution in Berlin.