Current Affairs September 2022: The General Awareness section is an integral section of most competitive exams. After all, this section tests a candidate’s knowledge of Current Affairs and events taking place in society. The General Awareness section has made its way to the most coveted competitive exams like IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk, RRB Group D, SSC, SBI PO etc. Every aspirant should, therefore, brush up on their general knowledge to clear the section-wise cutoff marks.

Skipping the General Awareness section is out of the question as this section can be responsible for an increase in your overall marks too. It is advised to start your Current Affairs preparation along with your preparation for other sections. Keeping this section for the last minute is a worse idea as last-minute preparation will heap multiple pieces of information which will automatically lead to confusion.

Have a look below for Current Affairs September 2022 in order to score well in this section:

Science and technology.

5G small cells

• To expedite the roll out of 5G, telecom operators in the country will leverage street furniture such as poles, advertisement hoardings and bus shelters for deploying low power base stations called ‘Small Cells’ that will help bring the network closer to the consumers.

TRAI guidelines:

• The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has also issued a consultation paper on the Use of street furniture for small cell and aerial fiber deployment, wherein it states that Small Cells will play a critical role in success of 5G as these are needed to exploit features of 5G such as low latency (minimal delay times), ultra-high speeds, and massive connection densities.

What are small/ 5G cells:

• Small Cells are low-powered radio access nodes or base stations that have a coverage range from a few metres to a few hundred metres. 
• They are portable, easy to deploy and help provide localised coverage. 
• As per the TRAI paper, Small Cells provide coverage for very short distances and therefore they are installed in a large number – even more than 200 per sq. km – for good geographical coverage to provide highly reliable and high-capacity broadband.

Question: 

Small cell,  will use local street infra for the deployment of which technology?

A. 4G

B. 5G

C. VoLTE

D. None of the above

Answer: B

Environment and Ecology.

Dugong

• Dugong, also known as the sea cow, is now extinct in China.
• With the destruction of their natural habitat and historical hunting, no Dugong has been sighted in China since 2008.

What are Dugongs?

• Part of Sirenia family, Dugong, weighs half a tonne, and is the only vegetarian marine mammal.
• Like other sea cows, Dugong feeds on seagrasses and hence could mostly be spotted at seagrass beds, a specific marine habitat that is constantly deteriorating due to human activities.
• With its whale-like tail, Dugong, which inspired the mermaid myth, frequents the coastal waters of Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.
• The marine mammal has been declared vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

How did they go extinct in China?

• The decline of the sea cow can be attributed to fishing, shipping accidents and human-created habitat loss.
• The mammal, which resembles a manatee, is targeted by hunters for its bone, skin and meat.

Question: 

Dugong is a sea creature which recently declared extinct in China is also called as

A. Sea Elephant

B. Sea cow

C. Sea eagle

D. Sea pig

Answer: B

Geopolitics

US warships in Taiwan Strait. 

• Two US Navy warships are sailing through international waters in the Taiwan Strait the first such operation since heightened tension with China over US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
• The narrow Taiwan Strait has been a frequent source of military tension since the defeated Republic of China government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with the communists, who established the People’s Republic of China.

The issue:

• China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory against the objections of the democratically elected government in Taipei, launched military drills near the island after Pelosi visited in early August, and those exercises have continued.

China and Taiwan: The basics

• Why do China and Taiwan have poor relations? China sees the self-ruled island as a part of its territory and insists it should be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary
• How is Taiwan governed? The island has its own constitution, democratically elected leaders, and about 300,000 active troops in its armed forces
• Who recognises Taiwan? Only a few countries recognise Taiwan. Most recognise the Chinese government in Beijing instead. The US has no official ties with Taiwan, but does have a law which requires it to provide the island with the means to defend itself

About Taiwan Strait

• The Taiwan Strait is a 180-kilometer-wide strait separating the island of Taiwan and continental Asia. The strait is part of the South China Sea and connects to the East China Sea to the north. The narrowest part is 130 km wide. The Taiwan Strait is itself a subject of international dispute over its political status.

Question: 

Which of the following is the former name of Taiwan Strait?

A. Formosa Strait

B. East china strait

C. Niushan strait 

D. Pingtan strait

Answer: A

Sports

James Anderson becomes most successful pacer in international cricket.

• James Anderson recently became the most successful pace bowler in the history of international cricket. 
• The 40-year-old ageless pace legend accomplished this feat in the second Test against South Africa in Manchester’s Old Trafford.
• Anderson dismissed Simon Harmer for 16 off 48 balls to accomplish this feat. 

Most successful bowlers: 

• The most successful bowlers in the international cricket are Sri Lankan spin wizard, Muttiah Muralidaran (1,347 wickets), late Aussie spin great Shane Warne (1,001 wickets) and Indian spin great Anil Kumble (956 wickets).

Question: 

James Anderson becomes most successful pacer in international cricket recently when playing against?

A. West Indies

B. Srilanka

C. South Africa

D. Australia

Answer: C

Science and technology.

New edible coating to prolong shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

• A team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) — Guwahati has developed an edible material that, coated on vegetables and fruits, substantially extended their shelf-life.

About the research:

• The team used a mix of an extract of a marine microalga called Dunaliella tertiolecta and polysaccharides to produce it. 
• The microalga is known for its antioxidant properties and has various bioactive compounds such as carotenoids and proteins.
• It is also used to produce algal oil, a non-animal source of omega-3 fatty acid and is considered a good source of biofuel. After the oil is extracted, the residue is usually discarded. 
• The researchers used extracts from this residue in formulating their film, in combination with chitosan, which is a carbohydrate. It also has antimicrobial and antifungal properties and can be made into an edible film.  

Question: 

The Newely developed edible coating for prolong shelf life of fruits and vegetables consists of:

A. Algae

B. Bacteria

C. Protozoa

D. None of the above

Answer: A

Defence.

SAREX-2022 Exercise.

• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) recently conducted the sea phase of the Search and Rescue Exercise also known as ‘SAREX-2022’ off Chennai coast, demonstrating a collaborative approach of rescuing passengers from ships & aircraft during emergencies.

Details: 

• The Search and Rescue exercise at sea included 16 ICG Ships, 1 Naval Ship, 6 ICG Dornier aircraft, 1 Naval ALH and 1 Indian Air Force Helicopter, Passenger Vessel Swarajdeep, 1 tug from Chennai Port Trust & a boat from customs in a sea practice including two large-scale contingencies off the coast of Chennai.

What is National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX -22)?

• Tenth edition of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX -22), which is being attended by foreign observers and friendly foreign countries.
• The theme of the 10th SAREX is ‘Capacity Building Towards Marine Passenger Safety’.
• The Indian Coast Guard, the key maritime SAR coordinating agency for the Indian Search & Rescue Region (ISRR), is hosting the two-day exercise that is carried out under the aegis of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSARB).

Question: 

SAREX-2022 Exercise is recently conducted on the coast of which city?

A. Daman

B. Chennai 

C. Kozhikode

D. Mumbai

Answer: B

Entertainment.

Filmfare Awards 2022

• The 67th Filmfare Awards 2022 – held at Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre on recently is the biggest celebration of Indian cinema.
• These awards are presented by The Times Group, honoured the best Indian Hindi-language films of 2021.
• Shoojit Sircar’s Sardar Udham won the best film (critics) award and Vishnuvardhan’s Shershaah bagged the best film (popular) award in 2022.

Important List of awards: 

• Best Film: Shershaah (Dharma Productions)
• Best Director: Vishnuvardhan (Shershaah)
• Best Actor: Ranveer Singh (83) as Kapil Dev
• Best Actress: Kriti Sanon, Mimi as Mimi Rathore
• Best Supporting Actor: Pankaj Tripathi (Mimi)
• Best Supporting Actress: Sai Tamhankar (Mimi)
• Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award: Subhash Ghai

Question: 

Which of the following begged the best film award at the 67th Filmfare Awards 2022?

A. Mimi

B. KGF

C. 83

D. Shershah

Answer: D

Health Science.

Anti-radiation pills.

• With fears of a nuclear disaster at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia power plant growing, the European Union has decided to pre-emptively supply 5.5 million anti-radiation pills to be distributed among residents in the vicinity.
• Those being handed out the pills are being told to only take them once a radiation leak has been confirmed. 

What is a radiation emergency?

• These are unplanned or accidental events that create radio-nuclear hazard to humans and the environment. Such situations involve radiation exposure from a radioactive source and require prompt intervention to mitigate the threat

What are anti-radiation pills?

• Potassium iodide (KI) tablets, or anti-radiation pills, are known to provide some protection in cases of radiation exposure. 
• They contain non-radioactive iodine and can help block absorption, and subsequent concentration, of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland.

Is the method fool-proof?

• Anti-radiation pills do not provide 100% protection. “The effectiveness of KI also depends on how much radioactive iodine gets into the body and how quickly it is absorbed in the body.

Question: 

What is the major component of Anti Radiation Pills?

A. Sulphur

B. Potassium Iodine

C. Cadmium

D. Boron 

Answer: B

Person in the news

Mikhail Gorbachev

• Mikhail Gorbachev – the last Soviet leader, who died recently- had a huge impact on the course of history.

About Mikhail Gorbachev:

• Mikhail Gorbachev was a Soviet politician. 
• Gorbachev served as the last general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (1985–91) as well as the last president of the Soviet Union (1990–91). 
• Both as general secretary and as president, Gorbachev supported democratic reforms. 
• He enacted policies of glasnost (“openness”) and perestroika (“restructuring”), and he pushed for disarmament and demilitarization in eastern Europe. Gorbachev’s policies ultimately led to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990–91.

What is Mikhail Gorbachev known for?

• Mikhail Gorbachev played a key role in ending the Soviet Union’s post-World War II domination of eastern Europe. Gorbachev helped take down the long-standing Iron Curtain separating Eastern communist states and Western noncommunist states.
• In 1990 Gorbachev received the Nobel Peace Prize for his “leading role in the peace process” in Europe.
• Gorbachev won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children in 2004, along with former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
• After the August Coup of 1991, Gorbachev understood that influence and support had shifted to Boris Yeltsin.
• Gorbachev has appeared in Lous Vuitton print advertisements.

Question: 

Which among the following is the last Soviet leader, who died recently who had a huge impact on the course of history?

A. Alexei Rykov 

B. Vyacheslav Molotov 

C. Mikhail Gorbachev

D. Georgy Malenkov 

Answer: C

National.

World’s largest temple to open in Bengal.

• The countdown to the opening of what has been billed as ‘the world’s largest religious monument’ – the Temple of Vedic Planetarium in Bengal’s Mayapur district – continues. 
• The temple – 130 km from Kolkata – will also serve as the headquarters of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It is expected to open by July or August 2023.

Important Facts about Vedic Planetarium:

• The Temple of Vedic Planetarium in Bengal will reportedly have the biggest dome on a religious monument anywhere in the world.
• The monument is bigger than the Taj Mahal in Agra and St Paul’s Cathedral in the Vatican City. 
• It will also be among the tallest Hindu temples in the world.
• The temple is located in Mayapur in Nadia district of Bengal.
• The temple is being built at an estimated cost of $100 million and can house about 10,000 devotees on each of its floors, where they can sing, pray and dance in front of Lord Krishna.
• It will be headed by Alfred Ford – the great-grandson of renowned businessman Henry Ford and the future owner of Ford Motor Company – who changed his name to Ambarish Das in 1975 after joining ISKCON. He gave $30 million for the infrastructure.
• The temple has been lined with blue Bolivian marble, sourced partly from Vietnam.
• The temple is envisioned by Acharya Prabhupada, who wanted a structure that would spread awareness about Vedic science.
• The planetarium has a huge rotating model that illustrates how the planetary systems move as described in holy books like the Bhagavata Purana.
• Mayapur is also the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, 15th-century Indian Vaishnava saint considered to be the combined avatar of Radha and Krishna.
• ISKCON is reportedly in talks with the state tourism department to develop a city around the temple in Mayapur to draw devotees from around the world.

Question: 

The world’s largest religious monument – the Temple of Vedic Planetarium is set to be open in which state?

A. Uttar Pradesh

B. Westbengal

C. Tamilnadu

D. Maharashtra

Answer: A

Defence

Tejas Mark-2 project.

• The Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has reportedly approved the Tejas Mark-2 project to boost India’s push for indigenous fighter aircraft.
• Tejas Mark-2 project at a cost of over ₹6,500 crore. 
• The government had already sanctioned ₹2,500 crore for the project. 
• The ₹6,500 crore will reportedly be used for prototypes, flight testing and certification.

About Tejas

• Tejas is an indigenously developed light multi-role fighter aircraft developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). 
• India has already ordered 40 Tejas Mark-1 aircrafts, 10 Mark-1 trainers and 73 Tejas Mark-1A aircrafts.

About Tejas Mark-2.

• The Tejas Mark-2’s first flight test will reportedly be conducted in the next two to three years and the production is expected to begin around 2030.
• In addition to the Tejas Mark-2, the government is also planning on approving the fifth-generation advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA) with stealth features and supercruise capabilities. 
• The CCS is expected to approve ₹15,000 crore for the AMCA project.
• The Tejas Mark-2 will be equipped with the GE-414 engines in the 98 Kilonewton thrust class and offer a longer combat range and an increased weapon carrying capacity compared to the Tejas Mark-1.
• The Tejas Mark-2 will be an important part of the country’s armed forces. “Fly-by-wire, avionics, composites and other technologies have already been proven in Tejas Mark-1. The new project will upscale those into bigger and more powerful fighters. IAF is likely to induct at least six squadrons (110-120) of Tejas Mark-2,”

Question: 

Cabinet Committee on Security recently approved the Tejas Mark-2 project its expected production will begin in?

A. 2025

B. 2030

C. 2035

D. 2040

Answer: B

National

PARAKH

• THE UNION government plans to draw up a “benchmark framework” to assess students at the secondary and higher secondary level to bring about “uniformity” across state and central boards which currently follow different standards of evaluation, leading to wide disparities in scores.

What is PARAKH?

• The proposed regulator, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), which will act as a constituent unit of the NCERT, will also be tasked with holding periodic learning outcome tests like the National Achievement Survey (NAS) and State Achievement Surveys.
• The benchmark assessment framework will seek to put an end to the emphasis on rote learning, as envisaged by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. PARAKH, the proposed implementing agency, is also part of the NEP proposal.

How it will help?

• It will help reduce the fear of maths among students and encourage learning. 
• We also used the meetings as a sounding board on the NEP proposals to have two sets of question papers for most subjects – one with MCQs (multiple choice questions), and the other descriptive. 
• It will develop and implement “technical standards for the design, conduct, analysis and reporting” of tests at all levels of school education.
• It will eventually become the national single-window source for all assessment related information and expertise, with a mandate to support learning assessment in all forms, both nationally and where applicable, internationally.

Question: 

PARAKH benchmark recently seen in news is related to:

A. Education

B. Food

C. Drugs

D. Currency

Answer: A

Defence.

Naval ensign.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the new naval ensign (flag) for the Indian Navy in Kochi on September 2 on the sidelines of the commissioning of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at Cochin Shipyard Limited. Explained here is the significance of having a new naval ensign and what the old ensign which bears the Saint George’s Cross signifies.

Replacing the ensign with colonial past

• The new naval ensign which the PM will unveil in Kochi will replace the present ensign that carries the Saint George’s Cross with the Tricolour in the canton (top left corner of flag). 
• This ensign is essentially a successor to the pre-Independence ensign of the Indian Navy which had the red George’s Cross on a white background with the Union Jack of the United Kingdom on the top left corner. 
• The design of the new ensign has not yet been made public.

What is the Saint George’s Cross?

• The red cross on white background is known as the Saint George’s Cross and is named after a Christian Warrior Saint who is believed to have been a crusader during the third crusade. 

Question: 

Which armed force recently replaced the Ensign of the colonial past from its flag?

A. Indian army

B. Indian Navy

C. Indian Air Force

D. Coast Guard

Answer: B

Environment and Ecology.

Zombie Ice.

• The melting of the Greenland ice sheet will unavoidably raise the global sea levels by at least 10.6 inches or 27 centimetres, no matter what climate action the world decides to take right now. 
• This is because of ‘zombie ice’, which is certain to melt away from the ice cap and blend into the ocean.

What is ‘zombie ice’?

• Also referred to as dead or doomed ice, zombie ice is one that is not accumulating fresh snow even while continuing to be part of the parent ice sheet. Such ice is “committed” to melting away and increasing sea levels.

What does a 10-inch rise in sea-level mean?

• The inevitable sea-level rise that the study predicts is particularly a bad news for millions that live in coastal zones. According to the UN Atlas of the Oceans, 8 of the world’s 10 largest cities are near a coast. 

Question: 

Dead or doomed ice, that is not accumulating fresh snow even while continuing to be part of the parent ice sheet is called as:

A. Dead Ice

B. Zombie ice

C. Alien Ice

D. Shelf Ice

Answer: B

Geography.

Super Typhoon Hinnamnor: Strongest Storm Of 2022.

• Super Typhoon Hinnamnor, the strongest global storm of 2022, is sitting just south of Japan’s Okinawa Island with sustained winds of 241 kilometers per hour.

What is Typhoon?

• A typhoon is defined as a tropical cyclone with a maximum wind of 34 knots or higher. 
• A tropical cyclone with a maximum wind of less than 34 knots is called a tropical depression. 
• The difference between two types of tropical cyclones are just if the maximum wind is less than or above the threshold of 34 knots.

Where is Super Typhoon ‘Hinnamnor’ likely to make an impact?

• According to a forecast from Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the storm is expected to move towards parts of Southwestern Japan, Eastern China and South Korea over the next few days.

Why is the typhoon intensifying so quickly?

• According to a report by Taiwan News, one of the factors contributing to the Super Typhoon rapidly intensifying and expanding is the fact that it has started absorbing other local meteorological systems. 
• Warm tropical waters and other pre-existing meteorological disturbances have also led to the system’s escalation.

Question: 

Super Typhoon Hinnamnor Strongest Storm Of 2022 majorly affected which country?

A. USA

B. Japan

C. Australia

D. India

Answer: B

Defence

Chinook helicopters

• The US Army has grounded its fleet of CH-47 Chinook helicopters after finding the helicopter to be at risk of engine fires. 
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) also operates a fleet of Chinook Helicopters. 

Details about Chinook helicopters

• Manufactured by Boeing Co, Chinook helicopters are one of the most reliable heavy-lift helicopters. 
• From its first flight in 1961 to its induction in more than 20 countries including India, know how this helicopter become a crucial part of the Indian Air Force.
• Participated in several big operations and wars, be it the Vietnam war or the Afghanistan war. 
• Currently, Chinook helicopters are operated in nearly 21 countries including the US, UK, India, Canada, Netherlands, Japan, Italy, Greece, Spain, South Korea, Australia, and UAE.
• Chinook has the capability of carrying around 11 tonnes of payload and 45 troops. Its CH-47F model can attain a maximum speed of 302 kilometers per hour.

Why has the US Army grounded Chinooks?

• As per the news broken by The Wall Street Journal, the Chinook fleet has been grounded by the US Army as it is suspected that some engine fires broke out on an unspecified number of helicopters.

What implications does this development have for IAF?

• The IAF operates a fleet of 15 Chinook helicopters and it has not grounded them as it awaits more word on the US development.
• The IAF is learned to have sought more information from the US about the grounding of the helicopters done by the US Army. 
• The Chinooks were inducted into the IAF in 2019 in a ceremony at Chandigarh. One Helicopter Unit of Chinooks is based in Chandigarh while the other is based at Mohanbari airbase in Assam.

Question: 

Recently which country’s Army has grounded its fleet of CH-47 Chinook helicopters after finding the helicopter to be at risk of engine fires?

A. USA

B. Japan

C. Italy

D. India

Answer: A

Defence

Solomon Islands

• After refusing access to US and UK ships to its ports earlier this month, the Solomon Islands has now temporarily halted all naval visits. 
• Observers believe that the country’s move is a departure from the norm and raises concerns about China’s growing influence in the country and the region at large.

About the Solomon Islands:

• The Solomon Islands is an island country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania, to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu. 
• It has a land area of 28,400 square kilometers (11,000 sq mi) and a population of 652,858.
• The UK granted Solomon Islands internal self-government in 1976, followed by independence on 7 July 1978. At independence, the Solomon Islands joined the Commonwealth.

Chinese impact on Island:

• Earlier this year, the Solomon Islands established a security agreement with China, saying it needed Beijing’s assistance with its domestic security situation. 
• But the announcement had rattled the US, Australia and others in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The concerns were that the agreement could potentially “lead to a Chinese military base on the island nation, and the power-projection capabilities the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Question: 

Soloman island is a part of:

A. Micronesia

B. Polynesia

C. Melanesia

D. Australia 

Answer: C

Award and recognition.

Stockholm Junior Water Prize 2022 

• A student from Canada named Annabelle M Rayson has received the prestigious 2022 Stockholm Junior Water Prize for her research on how to treat and prevent harmful algae blooms.
• Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, the official patron of the prize, announced the winner during a ceremony at World Water Week in Stockholm. 
• World Water Week is a conference on global water issues, which started on August 23, 2022 and will go on till September 1.

What is Stockholm Junior Water Prize?

• Stockholm Junior Water is an international competition where students aged 15 to 20 years present solutions to major water challenges.
• The Stockholm Junior Water Prize has been organised every year since 1997 by the Stockholm International Water Institute, with Xylem, an American water technology provider, as a founding partner.

About the work:

• Harmful algae bloom plague aquatic ecosystems around the world. They impact water quality and ecosystem diversity, cause dead zones and cost the fishing and tourism industries millions of dollars.

Question: 

Stockholm Junior Water Prize 2022 is given to:

A. Mishal Faraz

B. Annabelle M Rayson 

C. Laura Nedel Drebes

D. Camily Pereira dos

Answer: B

Economy

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).

• Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will visit San Francisco and Los Angeles in the US from 5th to 10th September 2022 to attend the India-US Strategic Partnership Forum conference and IPEF Ministerial meeting. 
• He will also interact with eminent business persons, US officials, and industry leaders during the visit to fortify the partnership between the two nations and strengthen trade and economic ties.

What is Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)?

• The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) was launched jointly by USA and other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific region on May 23, 2022 at Tokyo. 
• India joined the IPEF and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the launch event along with US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and other leaders from partner countries. 

Aim of IPEF:

• The IPEF seeks to strengthen economic engagement among partner countries with the goal of advancing growth, peace and prosperity in the region. 
• The framework is structured around four pillars relating to:
  • Trade 
  • Supply Chains 
  • Clean Economy 
  • Fair Economy 

Question: 

Which of the following is not a member nation of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework?

A. Brunei

B. Taiwan

C. Fiji 

D. Vietnam

Answer: B

Awards and recognitions.

Ramon Magsaysay Award 2022.

• Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation had honored Shailaja for the 64th Magsaysay award for her commitment and service towards ensuring an accessible public health system and effectively leading from the front to manage the Nipah and Covid-19 outbreaks in the state. 
• Kerala had won global recognition for its effective handling of the Nipah outbreak and the Covid pandemic during her tenure.
• KK Shailaja stated that she will not be accepting the Ramon Magsaysay award as it is always given to an individual and not any politician.

Other awardees of the 2022 Ramon Magsaysay Award 2022 are: 

1. Sotheara Chhim (Cambodia)
2. Bernadette Madrid (Philippines)
3. Tadashi Hattori (Japan)
4. Gary Bencheghib (Indonesia).

About K. K. Shailaja:

• K. K. Shailaja (born 20 November 1956) is an Indian politician and former Health Minister of Kerala who hails from Kannur district.
• Shailaja currently serves as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing Mattanur constituency in 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly. She is a Central Committee member of Communist Party of India (Marxist).

What is Roman Magsaysay Award?

• Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award was founded to preserve former Phillippine President Ramon Magsaysay’s example of integrity in governance and idealism in a democratic society. 
• It was funded by the Rockefeller Brothers trustees with the Philippine government’s agreement.
• This prize is also called as the Nobel Peace Prize of Asia.
• Ramon Magsaysay was the third president of the Philippines after World War II. 
• The foundation gives the prize to Asians achieving excellence in their field. 
• It has six categories, five of which were discontinued in 2009:
  • Government Service (Until 2008)
  • Public Service (Until 2008)
  • Community Leadership (Until 2008)
  • Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts (Until 2008)
  • Peace and International Understanding (Until 2008)
  • Emergent Leadership (2001–)
  • Uncategorized (2009–)

Indian winners on the list

• Prominent Indians who have won the award include Vinoba Bhave in 1958, Mother Teresa in 1962, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay in 1966, Satyajit Ray in 1967, Mahasweta Devi in 1997.  In recent years, Arvind Kejriwal (2006), Anshu Gupta of Goonj (2015), human rights activist Bezwada Wilson (2016), and journalist Ravish Kumar (2019) have won the award.

Question: 

Which Indian was recently nominated for the Roman Magsaysay award 2022?

A. Bezwada Wilson

B. Thodur Madabusi Krishna

C. Bharat Vatwani,

D. K. K. Shailaja

Answer: D

Sports

Mascot & anthem for 36th National Games.

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the mascot and the anthem for the 36th National Games at Trans Stadia in Ahmedabad recently. 
• The mascot is named as Savaj which means cub in Gujarati. 
• The anthem is based on the theme of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
• Gujarat will host the 36th National Games between September 27 and October 10, the first time the state is hosting the prestigious sporting event. 
• After a gap of seven years, the event will be held in six cities – Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, and Bhavnagar.

About the Event: 

• Last edition of the National Games was organized in Kerala in 2015. 
• More than 7,000 sportspersons will showcase their might in 34 disciplines, including athletics, hockey, football, volleyball, judo, kabaddi, kho-kho etc. 

About the National Games:

• The National Games of India comprises various disciplines in which sportsmen from the different states of India participate against each other. 
• The country’s first few Olympic Games, now renamed as National Games, were held in North India (Delhi, Lahore, Allahabad, Patiala), Chennai, Calcutta, and Mumbai.

1. Motto: Get Set Play.
2. First event: 1924
3. Occur every: uneven
4. Headquarters: Olympic Bhawan, New Delhi.

Question: 

36th National of India is to be organized in which State?

A. Kerala

B. West Bengal

C. Gujarat

D. Maharashtra

Answer: C

International.

Gastech Milan 2022 conclave .

• Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri will hold bilateral meetings with his foreign counterparts and CEOs of global energy companies at Gastech 2022, a conclave focused on liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Milan.

What is Gastech conclave?

• Gastech, the world’s largest gathering focused on LNG as an abated bridge fuel, will bring together leading Ministers and CEOs to discuss the evolving energy landscape, assess post-pandemic economic recovery and navigate a route to a just energy transition.

Significance of the conclave:

• The minister’s meeting with his global counterparts gains significance as it comes at a time the world is looking at an energy market devoid of Russia, amid the Ukraine conflict. 
• Europe and India along with looking at other sources of energy are also looking at turning self-sufficient.

Question: 

In which city the Gastech 2022 conclave be held?

A. Abu Dhabi

B. Milan

C. Washington DC

D. Thiruvananthapuram

Answer: B

Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator.

Science And Technology.

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) just declared that it has successfully demonstrated the new technology with Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (IAD). 

What is IAD?

• An inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator or IAD in short is a technique used for an atmospheric entry payload. An inflatable envelope and an inflatant (anything that inflates the envelope, like air or helium) make up the inflatable aerodynamic decelerator.
• While entering the atmosphere, it inflates like a balloon and decelerates the lander.
• In simpler words, IAD is designed to increase drag upon entering the atmosphere of any planetary body, like Earth, Mars, or even Moon. 
• Its use was first proposed by NASA more than 50 years ago for planetary entries.

ISRO’s IAD

• ISRO’s latest IAD has been designed and developed at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. The IAD tested by ISRO on Saturday was inflated at an altitude of around 84 km, they said and the sounding rocket’s cargo dropped through the atmosphere on it. It is fitted with a booster motor.

Where does ISRO intend to use it?

• The IAD will help ISRO in performing many space tasks effectively including recovery of spent stages of rockets, for landing payloads on missions to other planetary bodies. This is the first instance where an IAD has been specially created for spent stage recovery.

Questions: 

New technology with Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (IAD) was recently developed by which of the following organizations?

A. ISRO

B. HAL

C. DRDO

D. IAF

Answer: A

Sports.

First-ever Mountain Bicycle World Cup.

• In a first, Ladakh Police in collaboration with the Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh & Cycling Association of India is bringing a dose of high-octane action and adrenaline rush to Ladakh – the land of majestic landscapes & off-road adventures.

About the Event:

• The World Cycling Eliminator World Cup is a short track race with XCE (Cross Country Eliminator) format of 500 meters with natural and artificial obstacles, of which the racers have to take 2 laps, with four racers racing at a time. 
• It’s a real test of speed, agility, strength and not to mention – grit & determination. 25 of the world’s top professional male & female MTB riders will provide tough competition to the Indian professional MTB riders hailing from all over India including riders from UT Ladakh.

Question: 

Which city/UT has recently organized the First-ever Mountain Bicycle World Cup?

A. Shimla

B. Ladakh

C. Itanagar 

D. Guwahati

Answer: B

Health 

First Homoeopathy International Health Summit.

• The first edition of “World Health Summit for Pride of Homoeopathy” was held in Dubai recently.

Theme 

• “Diseases caused by climate change and global warming”.

Aim: 

• The summit aimed to educate and promote a homoeopathic system of medicine, drugs, and practices.

About the summit:

• The summit was organised by Burnett Homoeopathy Pvt Limited which deals with homoeopathic dilutions, mother tincture, lower trituration tablets, proprietary medicines such as drops, syrups, skincare, haircare, and various other homoeopathic medicines.

Question: 

First Homoeopathy International Health Summit was recently held in which city?

A. Delhi

B. Dubai

C. Munich

D. Beijing

Answer: B

National.

UP: Bhartaul become the first village to have RO water in every household.

• As part of the Adarsh Gram Panchayat initiative, Bhartaul village in Bareilly district has become the first village in the state to have RO water in every household.
• As many as four RO plants have been brought up in the village with an aim to make clean drinking water available to all.

Details: 

• The village is already established under ‘Adarsh Gram Panchayat’. 4 RO plants have been installed to provide clean water to all. More plants will be set up. 
• It will save people from water-borne diseases.

Question: 

Bhartaul becomes first village to have RO water in every household is associated with which state?

A. Karnataka

B. Uttar Pradesh

C. Madhyapradesh

D. Uttarakhand

Answer: B

Sports.

68th edition of Nehru Trophy Boat Race.

• The annual Nehru Trophy boat race (NTBR), which had not been held for the past two years due to the COVID-19 outbreak, was won for the third time in a row by the Pallathuruthy Boat Club recently.

Details: 

• The boat race is named after Nehru to commemorate his visit to Kuttanad in the year 1952, during his first tour of Kerala after independence.
• He was escorted by the huge snake-boats, giving him a roaring reception on his way to Alappuzha from Kottayam then.
• Impressed by the reception and the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake-boat, Nehru donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner. This trophy was later christened the ‘Nehru Trophy’.

Question: 

In which state 68th edition of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race recently organized?

A. Tamilnadu

B. Karnataka

C. Kerala

D. West Bengal

Answer: B

International affairs.

Liz Truss to take over as U.K.’s next Prime Minister.

• Britain’s Conservative Party members chose Ms. Truss, the hawkish foreign secretary, over Rishi Sunak, the former chancellor of the Exchequer. 
• She takes over a country in serious economic crisis.
• It makes her Britain’s fourth prime minister in six years and third female leader, after Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May. 
• Ms. Truss won 81,326 votes to Mr. Sunak’s 60,399 votes, a margin that while comfortable was not as overwhelming as some of the polls suggested it would be.

About Mary Elizabeth Truss

• Mary Elizabeth Truss (born 26 July 1975) is a British politician who is the newly-elected Leader of the Conservative Party and is expected to be appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on 6 September 2022. 
• She has served as the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs since 2021 and Minister for Women and Equalities since 2019. 
• A member of the Conservative Party, Truss has been Member of Parliament (MP) for South West Norfolk since 2010. She has served in various Cabinet positions under Prime Ministers David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson.

Question: 

Recently elected Prime Minister of UK  is associated  with which of the following Political Party?

A. Conservative and Unionist Party

B. Labour Party Co-operative Party

C. Liberal Democrats

D. Scottish National Party

Answer: A

Science and Technology.

Gemini North telescope

• The Gemini North telescope in Hawai’i captured this brilliant image of a pair of spiral galaxies interacting as they clash and merge into each other. 
• NGC 4568 (bottom) and NGC 4567 (top) are entangled in their mutual gravitational fields and should eventually combine to form a single elliptical galaxy in around 500 million years.

What is the Gemini North telescope?

• Gemini North is one of the twin telescopes at the International Gemini Observatory, which is operated by the United States National Science Foundation’s (NSF) NOIRLab.
• The Gemini telescopes were designed and built with two principal performance goals in mind. 
• To provide the best image quality possible from the ground for telescopes of their size. To provide the cleanest possible (i.e., lowest possible emissivity) telescopes, for optimal infrared observing from the ground.

What is the Gemini observatory?

• The International Gemini Observatory consists of twin 8.1-meter diameter optical/infrared telescopes located on two of the best observing sites on the planet. 
• The North telescope is located on Hawaii‘s Maunakea as part of the international community of observatories built to take advantage of the superb atmospheric conditions on this long-dormant volcano which rises about 4214 meters (13,825 feet) into the dry, stable air of the Pacific. 
• Gemini is also unique among other 8-10 meter class observatories in that the telescopes can be (and usually are in the case of Gemini North) operated fully remotely from our base facilities.

Question : 

The Gemini North telescope is seen in the news recently is operated by which of the following country?

A. UK

B. USA

C. France

D. Australia

Answer: B

International.

Maitree Super Thermal Power Project Unveiled.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held bilateral talks in New Delhi to review and further strengthen the all-encompassing India-Bangladesh partnership. 
• Two leaders jointly unveiled Unit-I of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Project following bilateral and delegation level talks in Delhi. 
• The project is being constructed under India’s concessional financing scheme. It will add 1320 MW to Bangladesh’s National Grid.

MOUs

• Seven MoUs, including on water resources, railways, science and technology, space technology were exchanged following the talks. 
• This includes an MoU between Prasar Bharati and Bangladesh Television on cooperation in the field of broadcasting.

What is Maitree super thermal power project?

• The Maitree super thermal power project is a 1,320MW coal-fired power station inaugurated in Rampal, Bangladesh.
• The power plant developed by Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company (BIFPCL), a 50:50 joint venture between India’s state-run National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
• Construction on the Rampal power plant was started in 2017 commissioned 2022.
• It will be one of the biggest coal-fired power plants in Bangladesh, along with the Payra Power Plant in Pataukhali that commenced test production in January 2020.

Question: 

Maitree super thermal power project is a 1,320MW coal-fired power station is an joint project of which of the following 2 countries?

A. India-Nepal

B. India-Myanmar

C. India-Bangladesh

D. India-Bhutan

Answer: C

Culture

Pakistan’s monster monsoon has endangered Mohenjo-Daro’s world heritage tag.

• The ‘monster monsoon’ in Pakistan has propelled Mohenjo-daro, the archaeological site situated in Sindh province, to the “brink of extinction”.

Significance of Mohenjo-daro.

• Situated 80 kilometres southwest of Sukkur city, Mohenjo-daro is a 5,000-year-old archaeological site. The site contains the remains of one of two main centres of the Indus civilization with Harappa being the other one, located 640 kilometres to the northwest in the Punjab province of Pakistan.
• The significance of the ancient site was first recognized in 1922, a year after Harappa was discovered.
• Mohenjo-daro, the city which signifies ‘the mound of the dead’, was once the largest city of the Indus civilization.
• The houses in the city had baths while most of the homes had washrooms and a sizeable sewage system. The site also boasts of a large residential structure, a massive granary and a large citadel that operated as religious and ceremonial headquarters of the site, as per Britannica.

Other Indus Valley sites

• The Indus Valley Civilisation spanned much of what is now Pakistan and the northern states of India (Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan), even extending towards the Iranian border. Its major urban centres included Harappa and Mohenjo-daro in Pakistan, and Lothal, Kalibangan, Dholavira and Rakhigarhi in India.
• Mohenjo-daro is considered the most advanced city of its time, with sophisticated civil engineering and urban planning. When the Indus Valley Civilisation went into sudden decline around 19th century BC, Mohenjo-Daro was abandoned.

Question: 

Recent floods in pakistan has endangered the world heritage tag of which Harrapan site?

A. Ganveriwala

B. Allahdino

C. Mehrgarh

D. Mohenjo-Daro

Answer: D

Sports.

Indian GM Aravindh Chithambaram wins Dubai Open chess tournament.

• Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram emerged champion in the 22nd Dubai Open chess tournament on Sunday, with 7.5 points as seven Indians finished in the top 10 with R Praggnanandhaa sharing second spot with five others.

About the champion:

• The 22-year-olds, Chithambaram and Praggnanandhaa, settled for a draw in the ninth and final round, which enabled the former to finish with seven points, half a point ahead of the rest of the field.
• The former Indian national champion, seeded 13th, remained unbeaten through the nine rounds, winning six games, and drawing three. 

Other players:

• Meanwhile, Indian IM Jaykumar Shete from Kolhapur played some fine chess to finish with seven points from nine rounds in a strong field, defeating three GMs. His best win came against Armenian GM Aram Hakobyan in the last round.
• Arjun Kalyan, Raunak Sadhwani, and Sahaj Grover finished in the top 20 in the tournament, which featured 150 players.

Question: 

Which Indian Grandmaster recently won the Dubai Open chess tournament?

A. R Praggnanandhaa

B. Aravindh Chithambaram

C. Arjun Kalyan

D. Raunak Sadhwani

Answer: B

National

Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat top states in implementing Poshan Abhiyaan scheme.

• Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat have been ranked as the top three states among larger states in terms of the overall implementation of the Centre’s flagship Poshan Abhiyaan, according to a Niti Aayog report.
• The report titled ‘Preserving Progress on Nutrition in India: Poshan Abhiyan in Pandemic Times’ further said that 12 out of 19 large states had an implementation score of over 70 per cent.

Facts:

• Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu topped among Union Territories (UTs), and Punjab and Bihar were the lowest performers among larger states in terms of the overall implementation of Poshan Abhiyaan, as per the government think tank report.
• It pointed out that only 17 states and UTs had more than 75 per cent of children 12-23 months of age who were fully immunised, while 11 states and UTs had less than 25 per cent fully immunised children.
• Sikkim was the best performer among the small states.

What is POSHAN abhiyaan?

• In 2018, the Centre launched its flagship programme, the Poshan (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan to draw national attention to and take action against malnutrition in a mission mode. It is a scheme under the ICDS umbrella which converge with other programs and service delivering nutrition interventions during the first 1,000-day period.
• The mission attempts to deliver a high-impact package of interventions in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life; strengthen the delivery of these interventions through technology and management; improve the capacity of frontline workers (FLWs); facilitate cross-sectoral convergence to address the multi-dimensional nature of malnutrition, and enhance behaviour change and community mobilisation.

Question: 

Which Union territory have been ranked as the top in the overall implementation of the Centre’s flagship Poshan Abhiyaan, according to a Niti Aayog report?

A. Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

B. Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar

C. Andaman and Nicobar and Pondichery

D. Pondichery and Daman and Diu

Answer: A

International.

NITI – BMZ Dialogue on Development Cooperation.

• NITI Aayog and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) recently held the inaugural NITI-BMZ Dialogue of Development Cooperation through video conferencing. 

The objective of the dialogue:

• The dialogue laid down a pathway to strengthen mutual cooperation between the two countries, particularly to reconcile the imperatives of dealing with climate change with the goals of Agenda 2030. 
• It was focused on five core areas of cooperation – Sustainable Development Goals, climate action, energy transition, emerging technologies and agro-ecology. During the discussion, both sides highlighted the need to deepen engagement scaling up natural farming in India.

About partnership:

• Indo-German partnership is as an example of success in a complex world. 
• The NITI-BMZ Dialogue will help the two nations realise their potential in embedding climate action in the Sustainable Development Goals.   

Question: 

India hold the recent NITI-BMZ dialogue with which of the following country?

A. France

B. Germany

C. Italy

D. Finland

Answer: B

International.

World Social Protection Report 2020–22.

• Only 24.4 per cent of Indians, even fewer than Bangladesh (28.4 per cent), are under any sort of social protection benefit, according to a latest report on social protection by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

About the report: 

• The report notes that Mongolia, New Zealand, Singapore and Australia have 100 per cent social protection net, while in Myanmar and Cambodia, the number stands below 10 per cent.

Findings of the report:

• Almost 53% of the population in the world No access to social protection.
• Spending on social protection(Avge): World 12.9%, India is just 8.6%. 
• social security spending of India: Lower than 5% of GDP per capita.

What is social protection?

• Social protection is designed to prevent deprivation, give assurance of a basic minimum income and protect the individual from any uncertainties.

Question: 

World Social Protection Report 2020–22 is recently published by which organization?

A. IMF

B. ILO

C. World Bank

D. Amnesty International

Answer: B

International.

Human Development Index.

• India’s rank on the Human Development Index has slipped from 130 in 2020 to 132 in 2021, in line with a global fall in HDI scores in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, shows the Human Development Report 2021-22 released recently.
• About Report:
• According to the report, released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India’s HDI value stood at 0.633 during 2021, which was lower than the world average of 0.732. In 2020, too, India recorded a decline in its HDI value (0.642) in comparison to the pre-Covid level of 2019 (0.645).

Reason for this decline:

• A large contributor to the Human Development Index’s recent decline is a global drop in life expectancy, down from 72.8 years in 2019 to 71.4 years in 2021. 

• The last two years have had a devastating impact on billions of people worldwide when crises like Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine hit back-to-back and interacted with sweeping social and economic shifts and dangerous planetary changes.

What is HDI?

• HDI is a composite index that measures average achievement in human development taking into account four indicators: 
  • Life expectancy at birth (Sustainable Development Goal 3).
  • Expected years of schooling (SDG 4.3).
  • Mean years of schooling (SDG 4.4).
  • Gross national income (GNI) per capita (2017 PPP$) (SDG 8.5).

HDI indicative data on India:

• Like global trends, in India’s case, the drop in HDI from 0.645 in 2019 to 0.633 in 2021 can be attributed to falling life expectancy — 69.7 to 67.2 years. India’s expected years of schooling stand at 11.9 years, and the mean years of schooling are at 6.7 years. The GNI per capita level is $6,590,” the statement said.
• India has also been ranked 122 on the Gender Inequality Index.

Question: 1

What is the ranking of India in the recently published Human Development Index 2021-22 report?

A. 130

B. 132

C. 134

D. 136

Answer: B

National Interest

Ni-kshay 2.0 portal.

• President Droupadi Murmu will launch the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan Ni-kshay 2.0 portal on August 9. 
• The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is targeting the eradication of tuberculosis by 2025.

What is Ni-kshay 2.0 portal?

• It is a digital platform for community support for the persons with TB.
• The objectives of Ni-kshay 2.0 is to provide additional patient support to improve treatment outcome of tuberculosis patients, augment community involvement in meeting India’s commitment to end TB by 2025 and leverage corporate social responsibility (CSR) opportunities.

How will this Portal work?

• The Cooperative societies, corporates, elected representatives, Institutions, NGOs, political parties and Individuals can be a Ni-kshay Mitra by adopting TB patients. 
• Under Ni-kshay Mitra the duration of the support can be 1-3 years depending on the duration of the treatment of a TB patient. 
• The type of support provided by Ni-kshay Mitra is nutritional support, diagnostic, vocational and additional nutritional supplements. 
• If somebody wants to become Ni-kshay Mitra then they can visit the website communitysupport.nikshay.in. and can find out state, district, block and peripheral health institution for donation. 
• The main aim of Ni-kshay Mitra is to reach out to approx 9lac TB patients and provide a nutritional diet that includes a monthly food basket and a supplement containing vitamin B complex, vitamin C and minerals which are mentioned on the website.

What is Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan?

• The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has been envisioned to bring together all community stakeholders to support those on TB treatment and accelerate the country’s progress towards TB elimination. 

Question:  2

Recently launched Ni-kshay 2.0 portal is an platform to eliminate which disease?

A. AIDS

B. TB

C. Malaria

D. Cancer

Answer: B

Game Time

Neeraj Chopra becomes first Indian to win Zurich Diamond League Final in Switzerland.

• Tokyo Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has achieved yet another historic feat as he became the first Indian to win the prestigious Zurich Diamond League Final 2022 in Switzerland. 
• Neeraj Chopra’s second throw, measuring 88.44 metre, won him the Diamond League trophy last night.
• Olympic silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic finished second with a best throw of 86.94 metre which he registered in his fourth attempt. Julian Weber of Germany was third with a best of 83.73metre.

About league:

• Weltklasse Zürich is an annual, invitation-only, world-class track and field meeting at the Letzigrund in Zürich, Switzerland, generally held at the end of August or the beginning of September.

Question: 

Who is the first Indian field and track athlete at the prestigious Zurich Diamond League Final 2022 in Switzerland?

A. Avinash Sable

B. Lalita Babar

C. Dutee Chand

D. Neeraj Chopra

Answer: D

Health in Focus

India’s first intra-nasal vaccine for COVID-19

• Bharat Biotech’s ChAd36-SARS-CoV-S COVID-19 (Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vectored) recombinant nasal vaccine has been approved by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for primary immunization against COVID-19 in 18+ age group for restricted use in emergencies. This is India’s first intranasal vaccine for COVID-19.

About Vaccine:

• iNCOVACC manufactured by Bharat Biotech, the company behind Covaxin, the new vaccine has been approved for primary immunisation — it can be administered only to the unimmunised.
• those who have already received the first and second doses of other vaccines will not be eligible to get iNCOVACC as the “precaution” third dose.
• It is a recombinant replication deficient adenovirus vectored vaccine with a pre- fusion  stabilized spike protein. 

What are its Benefits? 

• It enabled the faster development of variant specific vaccines and easy nasal delivery. 
• It will Expect to cut down on the dependence on various trained personnel to administer the vaccine.
• Overall cost of the vaccination drive will be reduced as there would be no need for needles and syringes anymore.

Question : 

India’s first intra-nasal vaccine for COVID-19 is recently developed by?

A. Bharat Biotech

B. Serum Institute of India

C. Sun Pharma

D. Wockhardt

Answer: A

National Interest

PM Shri schools scheme.

• The Union Cabinet recently approved the ‘PM Schools for Rising India’ (PM SHRI) scheme to turn existing government schools into model schools for implementation of the National Education Policy, 2022.
• The scheme will be implemented as a Centrally sponsored scheme with a total project cost of ₹27,360 crore, with the Centre’s share being ₹18,128 crore for the period of five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27 for transforming nearly 14,500 schools across the country.

Key features of the scheme:

• PM SHRI will provide high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive and joyful school environment that takes care of the diverse background, multilingual needs, and different academic abilities of children and makes them active participants in their own learning process as per the vision of NEP 2020.
• PM SHRI Schools will provide leadership to other schools in their respective regions by providing mentorship.
• The PM SHRI Schools will be developed as Green schools, incorporating environmentally friendly aspects like solar panels and LED lights, nutrition gardens with natural farming, waste management, plastic, water conservation and harvesting, study of traditions/practices related to protection of the environment, climate change related hackathon and awareness generation to adopt a sustainable lifestyle.
• Pedagogy adopted in these schools will be more experiential, holistic, integrated, play/toy-based (particularly, in the foundational years) inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centred, discussion-based, flexible and enjoyable.

Beneficiaries

• More than 18 lakh students are expected to be direct beneficiaries of the scheme. Futher impact will be generated through the mentoring and handholding of the schools in vicinity of PM SHRI schools.

Question: 

PM SHRI Schools scheme is an:

A. Centrally sponsored scheme.

B. Joint scheme of centers and states.

C. Only states sponsored scheme

D. None of the above

Answer: A

Operation Defence

YD 12653 (TARAGIRI)

• Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) launched third ship of Project 17A – Yard 12653 ‘Taragiri’ recently. This will mark yet another major milestone for MDL in the current financial year.
• This ship has been built using Integrated construction methodology which involves hull blocks construction in different geographical locations and integration/erection on Slipway at MDL. 
• The keel of Taragiri was laid on 10 Sep 2020 and is expected to be delivered by August 2025. 

P17A Frigates

• These ships have been designed in-house by Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND), which has successfully spear-headed design of numerous class of indigenous warships in the past.

P17A Frigates an addition to power:

• Seven P17A Frigates are under various stages of construction at MDL and GRSE. 
• Indigenous construction of complex frontline ships such as Stealth Frigates has catapulted the nation to a higher pedestal in the arena of shipbuilding. 
• It provides additional benefits such as economic development, employment generation for Indian Shipyards, their sub-contractors and ancillary industry. 
• Further, 75% of the orders of the Project 17A have been placed on indigenous firms including MSMEs, thus reinforcing the country’s quest for ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’.

Question: 

Which of the following is not a part of the P17A Frigate series?

A. INS Dunagiri

B. INS Taragiri

C. INS Nilgiri

D. INS Sahyadri

Answer: D

National Interest

Varanasi tops cities cutting PM10 pollution levels; CSE flags city-based approach.

• The government stated in its analysis that 95 of the 132 polluted cities identified in the national clean air programme have shown improvements in air quality by reducing particulate matter (PM10) concentrations in the period 2021-22 compared to 2017.
• With Varanasi recording the highest 53% reduction in the level of hazardous pollutants during this period, even though the Center Green Thinking about Science and Environment (CSE) highlighted the limitations of such a city-based approach.

Details:

• According to the analysis, 20 out of 95 cities, including Chennai, Madurai, Nashik, and Chittur, complied with the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), which sets an acceptable annual average limit of PM10 at 60 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3).

What is particulate matter?

• Particulate matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in air many of which are hazardous. This complex mixture includes both organic and inorganic particles, such as dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. These particles vary greatly in size, composition, and origin.

Facts to remember:

• The government stated in its analysis that 95 of the 132 polluted cities identified in the national clean air programme have shown improvements in air quality. 
• Varanasi recorded the highest 53% reduction in the level of hazardous pollutant. 
• PM10 levels in Mumbai also reduced from 151µg/m3 in 2017 to 106µg/m3 in 2021-22.

Question: 

According to the recent survey conducted by national clean air programme (NCAP) which city tops in cutting PM10 pollution levels?

A. Madurai

B. Nashik

C. Chittur

D. Varanasi

Answer: D

Defence.

National Defense MSME Conclave.

• The two-day National Defense MSME Conclave and Exhibition began in Kota, Rajasthan recently. 
• Defence equipment including T-90 and BMP-2 tanks, artillery guns, various types of sniper and machine guns and military bridges are being displayed in the exhibition.

About the conclave:

• Youth innovating in the defence sector, start-ups and MSMEs are also displaying their products.
• More than 50 companies, start-ups and MSMEs working in the defence sector are participating in the event.
• The Drone Light Show and Live Concert will also be the highlight of the programme. 
• Defense Conclave and Exhibition is being organized for the first time in Rajasthan.

Question: 

National Defense MSME Conclave and Exhibition recently held in which of the following State/UT?

A. Kerala

B. Rajasthan

C. Gujrat

D. Delhi

Answer: B

Health science.

Short anti-Tuberculosis Treatment ‘BPal’.

• A new medication for TB is finally in the process of a global roll-out, including in India. A 3-drug combination will drastically cut treatment duration from 18-24 months to about 6 months, a study has found.
• The “bedaquiline-pretomanid-linezolid” regimen, abbreviated as the BPaL regimen, has been reported to have around 90% efficacy against highly drug-resistant tuberculosis, but the incidence of adverse events with 1,200 milligrams of linezolid daily has been high.

WHAT IS BPAL?

• A new drug for TB is finally in the process of a global roll-out, including in India. Developed by a non-profit organisation, TB Alliance, pretomanid is the newest anti-TB drug, prescribed as part of the BPaL regimen, which includes bedaquiline and linezolid.
• Medical practitioners believe that this new drug in the BPaL combination will cut short the treatment duration by half (and more), and reduce the amount of medication an MDR-TB patient must take during treatment.

WHY IS BPAL IMPORTANT FOR INDIA?

• The introduction of the new drug as part of the BPaL regimen comes at a time when data from the India TB Report has revealed that the situation for drug-resistant forms of TB or multi-drug resistant TB needs urgent mitigation.
• According to the Global TB Report 2021, the mortality rate due to all forms of TB between 2019 and 2020 increased by 11% in India. 
• WHO has also shared rapid communication for TB treatment to allow for the programmatic implementation of BPaL. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also approved pretomanid in August 2019.

Question: 

BPAL which is recently seen in news is the treatment for which of the following disease?

A. AIDS

B. TB

C. Hepitites-B

D. Cancer

Economy.

Status Report on India’s External Debt 2021-22.

• The External Debt Management Unit (EDMU) in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, has released the 28th edition of the Status Report on India’s External Debt 2021-22.
• India’s external debt grew by 8.2 percent to over 620 billion US dollar at the end of March this year.
• According to it, India’s external debt was over 573 billion dollar at the end of March, last year.

Data Fact details:

• Commercial borrowings, Non-resident Indians (NRIs) deposits, short-term trade credit and multilateral loans together accounted for 90 per cent of the total external debt. 
• According to reports, the External debt as a ratio to Gross domestic product (GDP) fell marginally to 19.9 per cent as of March this year, from 21.2 per cent a year ago.
• India’s external debt continues to be sustainable and prudently managed. Long-term debt constitutes the bulk, while short-term debt is basically incurred to finance imports enhancing the stability aspects of the total external debt. 
• India’s external debt position compares well from a cross-country. perspective. 

Question: 

According to the 28th edition of the Status Report on India’s External Debt, what is the amount of India’s external debt for India as on March 2021-22.

A. 620 billion US dollar

B. 700 billion US dollar

C. 950 billion US dollar

D. 1000 billion US dollar

Answer: A

National.

World Dairy Summit 2022.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit (IDF WDS) 2022, being organised at India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida. He also inspected an exhibition at the venue.
• World Diary Summit has been organized after over 48 years in India. 
• Our milk production is 220 million tonnes.

About the summit:

• The four-day-long IDF WDS 2022 — being held from September 12 to 15, is a congregation of global and Indian dairy stakeholders including industry leaders, experts, farmers and policy planners.

Theme:

• ‘Dairy for Nutrition and Livelihood’.

Why Dairy Summit is being organized?

• The IDF World Dairy Summit will provide a forum to industry experts to share knowledge and ideas on how the sector can contribute to nourish the world with safe and sustainable dairying. 
• Participants will get an opportunity to acquire knowledge on latest research findings and experiences relevant to the global dairy sector in the broadest sense.

What is International Dairy Federation

• IDF is the leading source of scientific and technical expertise for all stakeholders of the dairy chain. 
• A recognised international authority in the development of science-based standards for the dairy sector, IDF has an important role to play in ensuring the right policies, standards, practices and regulations are in place to ensure the world’s dairy products are safe and sustainable. 

About Indian Dairy sector:

• The Indian dairy industry is unique because it is based on a cooperative model that empowers small and marginal dairy farmers, especially women. 
• The dairy sector resulting in an increase in milk production by more than 44% in the last eight years. 
• The success story of the Indian dairy industry, accounting for about 23% of global milk, producing around 210 million tonnes annually, and empowering more than 8 crore dairy farmers, will be showcased at the IDF WDS 2022. 
• The summit will also help Indian dairy farmers gain exposure to global best practices.

Question: 

World Diary Summit has been organized after over 48 years in India in which of the following city?

A. Pushkar

B. Noida

C. Karnal

D. Ludhiyana

Answer: B

National.

Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme.

• The Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme has rolled out in Rajasthan with the objective of providing economic support to the poor and needy families living in the cities through work to be provided on demand for 100 days in a year. 

Objective: 

• Its objective is to give jobs to the people residing in cities, on the lines of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for villagers started by the UPA government at the Centre in 2006.

Who are eligible:

• Those in the age group of 18 to 60 years residing within the limits of urban local bodies are eligible to demand and get employment in the identified segments.

What are the tasks?

• The renovation work at Khaniyon ki Baori comes under the water conservation works of the scheme. 
• Other works include environmental conservation such as tree plantation in public places, maintenance of parks; cleanliness and sanitation-related works such as solid waste management, labour work including door-to-door garbage collection and segregation; works related to defacement of property such as removing encroachments, as well as illegal boards/hoardings/banners, etc.

Question: 

Indira Gandhi Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme was recently rolled out in which of the following states?

A. Kerala

B. Rajasthan

C. Goa

D. Tamil Nadu

Answer: B

Defence.

Exercise Parvat Prahar

• Army chief General Manoj Pande visited the Ladakh sector on Saturday to review Exercise Parvat Prahar and was briefed on operational preparedness by Commanders on ground. 
• The exercise saw the deployment of all new major inductions of the Army.

About the exercise:

• The exercise used newly inducted all-terrain vehicles transported by Chinook heavy lift helicopters and K9-Vajra howitzers, among others.
• The exercise comes as India and China are undertaking disengagement from Patrolling Point-15 in eastern Ladakh, as announced on September 8.

Other exercises:

• Simultaneously on the western front, Exercise Gagan Strike culminated with a fire power display of attack helicopters supporting deep operations by Strike Corps. 

Question: 

Exercise Parvat Prahar was recently organized in:

A. Itanagar

B. Gangtok

C. Ladakh 

D. Kashmir

Answer: C

Economy.

e-FAST – India’s first national electric freight platform.

• NITI Aayog, in collaboration with World Resources Institute (WRI), India, launched the country’s first national electric freight platform – e-FAST India (Electric Freight Accelerator for Sustainable Transport – India).
• Supported by the World Economic Forum, CALSTART and RMI India, the platform brings different stakeholders together, from across the freight ecosystem. 

Aim and objective:

• It will help strengthen partnerships and identify and support innovative freight solutions.
• The platform also aims to raise awareness on freight electrification bolstered by on-ground demonstration pilots and evidence-based research. 
• It will also support scalable pilots and inform policies aimed at accelerating freight electrification in India.

TCO Evaluator

• The launch of E-Fast India was followed by the launch of WRI India’s Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Evaluator.
• The TCO Evaluator is an intuitive excel-based application, which helps in analyzing cost components and performance parameters.
• The parameters included light, medium, and heavy-duty freight and compared electric variants with their diesel, petrol, and CNG counterparts to identify their impact on TCO per km.

Question: 

The recently launched e-FAST platform is associated with:

A. Sustainable Transport

B. Online medicare

C. Fast Internet services

D. Easier Public services

Answer: A

Sports.

US Open 2022.

• Alcaraz became the second-youngest player to win a men’s US Open title at 19 years, 129 days old, only trailing Pete Sampras. 
• In addition, Alcaraz is the seventh youngest male or female to ever win a Grand Slam tournament. 
• Grand Slam victory, Alcaraz becomes the No. 1 ranked player in the world. Additionally, the 19-year-old budding star is also the youngest player to ever be ranked as the world’s No. 1 player.

Who is Carlos Alcaraz Garfia?

• Carlos Alcaraz Garfia is a Spanish professional tennis player. He is currently ranked as the world No. 1 singles player by the Association of Tennis Professionals. Alcaraz has won six ATP Tour singles titles, including the 2022 US Open and two Masters 1000 titles.

About US Open?

• The US Open Tennis Championships is a hardcourt tennis tournament held annually in Queens, New York. Since 1987, the US Open has been chronologically the fourth and final Grand Slam tournament of the year. 
• The other three, in chronological order, are the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.

US Open 2022-winners:

Men’s Singles: Carlos Alcaraz Garfia. 

• He is from Spain and aged only 19.
• Seventh youngest male or female to ever win a Grand Slam tournament. 

Women’s Singles Title: Iga Swiatek.

• She is the first Polish female player to win the US Open title.

Men’s Double Title: Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury  

• Rajiv Ram is from US.

Women’s Double Title: Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova 

• These both are from Czech republic

Mixed Doubles Title: Storm Sanders and John Pearce. 

• They both are from Australian.
• An Australian pair has won the mixed doubles title at the US Open, For the first time in 21 years.

Question: 

Carlos Alcaraz Garfia recently became the second-youngest player to win a men’s US Open title comes from which country?

A. Switzerland

B. United States

C. Spain

D. France

Answer: C

National

India’s longest rubber dam 

• Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar recently inaugurated India’s longest rubber dam ‘Gayaji Dam’ on the Falgu river and steel foot over bridge for the convenience of visitors who visit during Pitripaksha Mela to pay homage to their ancestors.

Details: 

• The rubber dam on the Falgu River, which is a vast stretch of sand dunes, it will draw more pilgrims and change the landscape.
• The dam has been built at an estimated cost of ₹324crore. Experts from IIT (Roorkee) were involved with the project. 

Falgu river:

• The Phalgu or Falgu, a river that flows past Gaya, India in the Indian state of Bihar, is a sacred river for Hindus and Buddhists. Lord Vishnu’s Temple Vishnupad Mandir is situated on the bank of Phalgu river also called Niranjana river

Question: 

Recently  India’s longest rubber dam was built on which of the following river?

A. Kosi river

B. Punpun River

C. Phalgu river

D. Sone river

Answer: C

History

Dara Shikoh

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on recently called Dara Shikoh as torchbearer of social harmony. 
• Addressing a gathering after releasing the Arabic Version of “Majma Ul-Bahrain” of Dara Shikoh in New Delhi, the Vice President said India had a glorious heritage of not only ‘tolerance’ for others’ views, but a unique culture of ‘engagement’ with all views – a culture of pluralism and syncretism.
• The Vice President appreciated the translator of the book, Amar Hasan.

About Dara Shikoh:

• Dara Shikoh, also known as Dara Shukoh, was the eldest son and heir-apparent of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Dara was designated with the title Padshahzada-i-Buzurg Martaba and was favoured as a successor by his father and his elder sister, Princess Jahanara Begum.
• In the war of succession which ensued after Shah Jahan’s illness in 1657, Dara was defeated by his younger brother Prince Muhiuddin (Aurangzeb).
• Dara Shikoh is described as a “liberal Muslim” who tried to find commonalities between Hindu and Islamic traditions.

Social and literature Works:

• He had a deep understanding and knowledge of major religions, particularly Islam and Hinduism is known as a pioneer of the academic movement for interfaith understanding in India. 
• He strove to develop cordial relationships between people by finding commonalities between Hinduism and Islam and bringing their cultures into dialogue. 
• His most important works, Majma-ul-Bahrain (Mingling of Two Oceans) and Sirr-i-Akbar (Great Mystery) are devoted to the cause of establishing connections between Hinduism and Islam.

Question: 

Recently vice president calls Jagdeep Dhankhar called which of the following mughal as  torchbearer of social harmony?

A. Akbar

B. ShahJahan

C. Darasikoh

D. Jahangir

Answer: C

Geopolitics, Geography.

Kushiyara River Treaty.

• For the first time in 26 years, India and Bangladesh recently agreed to share the waters of a significant transboundary river, the Kushiyara, while negotiations over a long-delayed agreement to share the Teesta River’s waters, which are politically sensitive for Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are still ongoing.

What is the Water dispute between India and Bangladesh?

• The Teesta River dispute and the Ganges River dispute are the two main long-standing water conflicts between India and Bangladesh. Both rivers are important supplies of water for fishermen, farmers, and boatmen in both nations.

Kushiyara river

• Kushiyara River is a distributary river in Bangladesh and Assam.
• It forms on the India-Bangladesh border as a branch of the Barak River when the Barak separates into the Kushiyara and Surma.
• The waters of the Kushiyara originate in the state of Nagaland and pick up tributaries from Manipur, Mizoram and Assam.

What is the Kushiyara pact?

• The first such deal since the 1996 signing of the Ganga water treaty, India and Bangladesh reached an interim agreement on water sharing for the Kushiyara river recently.
• This contract that will benefit residents of southern Assam and the Sylhet division of Bangladesh, in an effort to divide up the resources of the river that flows through both nations.
• India withdrew its objection to withdrawal of Kushiyara’s waters by Bangladesh through the Rahimpur Canal.
• According to this treaty Bangladesh will be able to withdraw 153 cusecs (cubic feet per second) of water from the Kushiyara river.

Question: 

India signed Kushiyara River Treaty with  which of the following country?

A. Bhutan

B. Bangladesh

D. Nepal

D. Pakistan

Answer: B

Science and Tech.

Cyber Crime Investigation and Intelligence Summit-2022.

• For effective prevention of cyber crimes, 4th Cyber Crime Investigation and Intelligence Summit-2022 is being organized by Madhya Pradesh Police for updated knowledge gain and skill development of Police Sub-Inspector and its senior investigating officers.

About the summit:

• Madhya Pradesh Police through State Cyber Police and Parimal Labs in partnership with Softclicks Foundation, Cleartel Technology and UNICEF organized India’s largest Knowledge Sharing, Thought Leadership, Cyber Crime Investigation and Intelligence Summit (CIIS 2022) from  to 22 September 12 to 22, 2022. The event is being organized in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• CIIS 2022 will see leading technology companies showcasing their state-of-the-art technology through live demos.
• This time the summit is being organized in hybrid mode. It will be conducted both offline and online.
• In CIIS 2022, training will be provided on various topics by subject experts and speakers from country and abroad like UNICEF, Interpol-Singapore, National Cyber Crime Law Enforcement UK Police and National White Collar Crime Center USA, NPA Hyderabad.

Question: 

Cyber Crime Investigation and Intelligence Summit-2022 was recently held in which of the following States/UT?

A. Assam

B. Madhya Pradesh

C. Rajasthan

D. Karnataka

Answer: B

National

Operation ‘Gear Box’.

• The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence along with the Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad seized 72 packets containing 39.5 kg of heroin from a container at Kolkata port. 
• It had originated in Dubai and contained metal scrap-like gearboxes inside which the heroin was hidden.

Details:

• During a detailed examination, 72 packets having a total weight of 39.5 kg of narcotic powder were recovered. Upon testing it using field kits, it was confirmed to be heroin.
• The heroin was examined and seized under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. 

What is Gear Box?

• It appears that the drug syndicate has used this unique modus operandi to conceal Heroin. 
• The gears from the old and used gearboxes were removed after opening them and the plastic packets containing the narcotic substances were placed in the created cavity and the gearboxes were then refitted to avoid detection. 
• These packets were shipped concealing inside the metal scrap along with other metal scraps so that it would go unnoticed by the authorities.

Question: 

Operation ‘Gear Box’ was recently seen in the news is associated with:

A. Heavy Machinery Import

B. Curving of Drugs 

C. Metal scrapping

D. Illegal weapons

Answer: B

International.

India-Qatar GI Products meet.

• In its endeavour to promote the export of agricultural products inherent to India, the central government organised a Virtual Networking Meet for Agri and Food GI products in association with the Embassy of India, Doha and Indian Business and Professionals Council (IBPC) Qatar.
• These products are sourced directly from farmers and play a pivotal role in linking farmers with the export market. India can offer a wide range of products and our exporters are keen to export to Qatar.

Rationale:

• The meet provided a platform for interaction between the Indian exporters and importers of Qatar on the strength of India in the export of agricultural and food products of Indian origin and distinct attributes.

What is APEDA?

• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by the Parliament in December, 1985.
• More than 100 registered GI products fall under the category of APEDA scheduled products (fresh fruits and vegetables, processed foods, animal products and cereals). APEDA has also taken initiatives to promote new, innovative and GI products and export them to new destinations.

Production Facts:

• Besides being the leading producer of several agricultural commodities such as rice, fruits and vegetables, tea, etc., India also has the distinct advantage of having registered geographical indications for several agricultural products. 
• In India, there are currently over 400 registered geographical indications, with agricultural and food products accounting for approximately 150 of them.

Question: 

Recently India participated in GI Products Meet with which of the following country?

A. US

B. Qatar

C. Myanmar

D. Sudan

Answer: B

Defence

Japan-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise – Jimex 2022

• The sixth edition of Japan India Maritime Exercise 2022 (JIMEX 22) hosted by Indian Navy commenced in the Bay of Bengal recently
• The Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships are being led by R Adm Hirata Toshiyuki, Commander Escort Flotilla Four, and Indian Naval ships by R Adm Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.
• JIMEX 22 involves two Phases; exercises at sea and a harbour phase at Visakhapatnam.

About JIMEX:

• This edition marks the 10th anniversary of JIMEX, which began in Japan in 2012. It also coincides with the 70th anniversary of establishing of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. 
• JIMEX 22 seeks to consolidate the high degree of interoperability that exists between maritime forces of the two countries, through complex exercises in the surface, sub-surface and air domains.

Arsenal Involved:

• The Indian Naval ships welcomed JMSDF ships Izumo, a Helicopter Carrier, and Takanami, a Guided Missile Destroyer, on their arrival in the Bay of Bengal. 
• The Indian Navy is being represented by three indigenously designed and built warships; Sahyadri, a multi-purpose stealth frigate and Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes Kadmatt and Kavaratti. Additionally, Guided Missile Destroyer Ranvijay, Fleet Tanker Jyoti, Offshore Patrol Vessel Sukanya, submarines, MIG 29K fighter aircraft, Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and ship borne helicopters are also participating in the exercise.

Question: 

Jimex 2022 is an Bilateral Exercise between India and which of the following country?

A. UAE

B. Japan

C. US

D. South Korea

Answer: B

Agricultural Economy.

International Year of Millets 2023

• Agriculture Ministry has launched several initiatives as run-up to the International Year of Millets 2023 to create awareness about the ancient and forgotten golden grains. 
• A contest for designing a comic story, with the theme ‘India’s Wealth, Millets for Health’ has been launched on 5th of September. 
• It is intended to showcase the health benefits of millets to raise awareness among the masses. The contest will close on 5th of November this year.

Millet Startup Innovation Challenge:

• The Millet Startup Innovation Challenge has also been launched on 10th of September. 
• This initiative encourages young minds to offer technological and business solutions to the existing problems in the millets ecosystem. 
• This Innovation Challange will remain open till 31st of January next year. 
• An competition for an audio song and documentary film on the importance of millets, will also be launched.

Indian Proposal:

• To create domestic and global demand and to provide nutritional food to the people, Government of India spearheaded the United Nations General Assembly, UNGA resolution for declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets. 
• The proposal of India was supported by 72 countries and UNGA declared 2023 as International Year of Millets in March, last year.

Question: 

United Nations General Assembly, passed a resolution for declaring 2023 as International Year for which type of food grain?

A. Pulses

B. Millets

C. Wheat

D. Barley

Answer: B

National

National Maritime Heritage Complex to be built in Gujarat

• The National Maritime Heritage Complex is being built in Gujarat’s Lothal, a historic centre of the Indus Valley civilization, for a total of 3500 crore rupees.
• This centre, the first-of-its-kind building in India, will highlight the country’s extensive and varied marine history.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the project’s foundation, and in March 2019, the master plan was given approval.

Question

National Maritime Heritage Complex will be built in which state?

A. Maharashtra

B. Sikkim

C. Gujarat

D. Goa

Answer: C

Defence.

Multinational Naval Ex Kakadu.

• INS Satpura and a P8 I Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the Indian Navy reached Darwin in Australia on 12 Sep 22, for participation in the multinational Exercise Kakadu – 2022, hosted by the Royal Australian Navy.
• The two week-long Exercise, both in harbour and sea, involves ships and maritime aircraft from 14 navies. 
• During the harbour phase of the exercise, the ship’s crew will engage in operational planning interactions and sports activities with participating Navies.

What is Exercise Kakadu?

• Exercise Kakadu was being conceptualised in the early Nineties, when geopolitics and natural disasters presented complex challenges.
• Exercise KAKADU is a joint-enabled, biennial exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy and supported by the Royal Australian Air Force. 
• KAKADU is Australia’s largest maritime exercise and aims to foster and strengthen effective security and humanitarian partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region through a series of training and engagement activities.
• Exercise Kakadu was described as an exemplar of “commonality of purpose”, which is the theme of the Sea Power 2022 conference.

What is Darwin?

• Darwin is the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory and a former frontier outpost. 
• It’s also a gateway to massive Kakadu National Park. 
• Its popular waterfront area has several beaches and green areas like Bicentennial Park.

Question: 

Multinational Naval Ex Kakadu was recently hosted by which countries Navy?

A. Japan

B. Taiwan

C. Australia

D. India

Answer: C

Defence

Kibithu Military Garrison camp named after Bipin Rawat

• The military base at Kibithu Garrison, which is located in Arunachal Pradesh and very near to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), has been renamed “Gen Bipin Rawat military garrison.”
• In his capacity as a young colonel, Gen Rawat led his Battalion 5/11 Gorkha Rifles at Kibithu from 1999 to 2000, making a significant contribution to the region’s security infrastructure.
• CM of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu named the 22 km long road from Walong to Kibithu as ‘General Bipin Rawat Marg’. A life-size mural of General Rawat was also unveiled on the occasion.

Question 

Where is Kibithy Military base located?

A. Assam

B. Manipur

C. Arunanchal pradesh

D. Nagaland

Answer. C

National.

DIPA Annual Flagship Event 2022.

• Union Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology and Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw will be the Chief Guest at Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA) Annual Flagship Event 2022, held recently in Delhi.
• DIPA, an apex industry body of digital infrastructure providers.

Theme:

• “Gati Shakti vision for 5G & Beyond”.

What is DIPA?

• DIPA represents the India’s digital infrastructure industry that develop, build, own and operate the nation’s communication infrastructure.
• From infrastructure providers and equipment manufacturers to EV charging infrastructure and fibre deployers, we bring together a dynamic group of companies that enable consumers to lead a 21st Century connected life.

DIPA Association:

• The association is dedicated to interact, discuss and deliberate with Indian Government Ministries, Policy Makers, Regulators, Financial institutions, and technical bodies etc. for the knowledge collection & dissemination for promotion of healthy growth in telecom services.

• DIPA is also engaged with other industry association such as CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, COAI, ISPAI, etc with the objective of presenting an industry consensus view to the Government on critical issues related to the growth and development of Digital Infrastructure Industry.

Question: 

DIPA Annual Flagship Event 2022 was recently held in New Delhi is associated with:

A. Road Infrastructure

B. Postal Infrastructure

C. Digital Infrastructure

D. Aviation Infrastructure

Answer: C

Economy

Board of Trade.

• Addressing the reconstituted Board of Trade recently, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal argued for the need to sign more Trade Agreements (FTAs) with developed economies. 
• The meeting focused on export target setting, the new Foreign Trade Policy (2022-’27), and the strategies and measures to be taken in order to take forward domestic manufacturing and exports.

What is BOT?

• The BOT has been constituted by merging the Council for Trade Development and Promotion with the Board of Trade through a notification of 17 July, 2019. 
• It gives an avenue to State governments and the Union Territories for articulating their concerns regarding the trade policy.
• The Board of Trade, inter alia, advises the Government on policy measures connected with the Foreign Trade Policy in order to achieve the objectives of boosting India’s trade.
• There are 29 new non-official members who were also invited for the first time in this Board of Trade meeting. 
• Ministers from states made interventions in the meeting, giving their state-specific suggestions and also expressed their support to the central government initiatives in promoting external trade.

The function of the Board: 

• The Board of Trade advises the Government on policy measures connected with the Foreign Trade Policy in order to achieve the objectives of boosting India’s trade. 

Recent Trade pacts:

• India concluded a trade pact with the United Arab Emirates earlier this year and launched negotiation for similar pacts with several other countries such as Canada. 
• India also signed an interim trade agreement with Australia — Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement — in April which is awaiting legislative ratification from Canberra. 
• The agreement was negotiated by the government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison who was defeated by Anthony Albanese, the current Prime Minister of Australia.

Question: 

The reconstituted Board of Trade meeting was recently held in which City?

A. New Delhi

B. Guwahati

C. Ahmedabad

D. Mumbai

Answer: A

National.

National Lists of Essential Medicines (NLEM)

• Twenty-six drugs, including the common gastrointestinal medicines ranitidine and sucralfate, have been deleted from the revised National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2022 released on Tuesday by Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
• Three hundred and eighty-four drugs find place in the NLEM, 2022 with the addition of 34 drugs, while 26 from the previous list have been dropped. The medicines have been categorised into 27 therapeutic categories.
• According to a Health Ministry official, drugs deleted from the NLEM include medicines banned in India and those having reports of concerns on the safety profile.

About the NLEM:

• The National List of Essential Medicines was first compiled in 1996 and it was revised thrice earlier in 2003, 2011, and 2015, consisting of 279 medicines.
• As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), Essential Medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population.

How is this list made?

• The list is made with consideration to disease prevalence, efficacy, safety and comparative cost-effectiveness of the medicines.
• Such medicines are intended to be available in adequate amounts, in appropriate dosage forms and in strengths with assured quality.
• They should be available in such a way that an individual or community can afford.

The criterion to add or remove drug:

• “Drugs also go off the list if medicine with better efficacy or favourable safety profile and better cost-effectiveness become available. 
• Also if the disease burden for which a medicine is indicated is no longer a national health concern, it is deleted from the NLEM. 
• He added that in case of antimicrobials, if the resistance pattern has rendered them ineffective, the drugs are taken off the list.

Question: 

How many drugs have been recently added in the recently revised National Lists of Essential Medicines (NLEM)?

A. 412

B. 384

C. 900

D. 220

Answer: B

National

UP tops in Mission Amrit Sarovar.

• With the construction of 8,462 Amrit Sarovars (lakes), Uttar Pradesh has topped the states in the implementation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious mission which aims at conserving water for the future.
• Madhya Pradesh is ranked second, Jammu and Kashmir third, Rajasthan fourth and Tamil Nadu fifth in the implementation of Mission Amrit Sarovar.

District-wise performance of UP.

• Within Uttar Pradesh, Lakhimpur Kheri has secured the first position by constructing 256 Amrit Sarovars, while Gorakhpur and Pratapgarh have bagged the second and third positions respectively with 244 and 231 lakes.

What is Amrit Sarovar Mission?

• Amrit Sarovar Mission was launched on 24th April 2022 with a view to conserve water for the future.
• The major objective of the mission is developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the country as a part of celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• In all, it will lead to the creation of 50,000 water bodies of a size of about an Acre or more.
• The Mission encourages the mobilisation of citizen and non-govt resources for supplementing these efforts.

Ministries/Departments involved in this Scheme:

• Department of Rural Development
• Department of land resources
• Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation
• Department of Water Resources
• Ministry of Panchayati Raj
• Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Changes.

The rationale of Amrit Amrit Sarovar Mission:

• It may be mentioned here that the large-scale construction of Amrit Sarovars is also providing employment to a sizable section of the rural population in Uttar Pradesh. 
• It has solved the irrigation problem of farmers and also increased their income. Apart from this, villagers are increasing their income by doing fish farming in Amrit Sarovar.

Question: 

Which state tops in the creation of lakes under  Mission Amrit Sarovar flagship scheme?

A. Telangana

B. Arunachal Pradesh

C. Uttar Pradesh

D. Assam

Answer: C

Economy.

HDFC Bank issues India’s first Electronic Bank Guarantee (e-BG).

• HDFC Bank, India’s largest private sector bank, became the first bank in the country to issue an Electronic Bank Guarantee (e-BG) in partnership with National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL). 
• The paper based, time-consuming process has been eliminated with the new electronic bank guarantees that can be processed, stamped, verified and delivered instantly with enhanced security. 

What Is a Bank Guarantee?

• A bank guarantee is a type of financial backstop offered by a lending institution. The bank guarantee means that the lender will ensure that the liabilities of a debtor will be met. In other words, if the debtor fails to settle a debt, the bank will cover it. A bank guarantee enables the customer (or debtor) to acquire goods, buy equipment, or draw down a loan.

What is an Electronic Bank Guarantee?

• A bank can provide bank guarantees to its business customers and their counterparties faster and safely through e-guarantees than traditional paper bank guarantees. 
• An e-BG is issued as a PDF file with a secure qualified electronic signature placed by two authorized bank representatives.
• This is a transformational change, and the Bank will migrate to e-BG to benefit all its customers.

Benefits of eBGs?

• Paper-based bank guarantees takes 3-5 days to complete the process of physical pick up from the bank, courier to the beneficiary, stamp it and re-verify it. 
• Besides there was no central repository for bank guarantees until now. Bringing in efficiency of time, eBG offers enhanced security. 
• Physical stamping has been eliminated and replaced with eStamping and with eBG, the applicant and beneficiary can instantly view a bank guarantee on the NeSL portal.

Question: 

Which is the first bank in India to issue Electronic Bank Guarantee (e-BG)?

A. ICICI

B. SBI

C. HDFC

D. Dena Bank

Ans: C

Environment and Ecology.

Miyawaki method forests.

• Kuharianwali, a village in the Fazilka district of Punjab, has become a trendsetter in expanding forest cover.
• As of 2021, according to data from the Forest Research Institute, the district had just 1.34 percent forest cover, one of the lowest in the state. 
• The district administration knew it had to do something to drastically change the picture.

What is done by villagers?

• They launched a pilot project called “My village, my forest” in October last year. 
• The idea was to target an unused one-acre plot of land in Kuharianwali village and develop a “forest” by applying the so-called Miyawaki method. 
• In less than a year, the efforts have borne fruit with the area now full of firm plants such as kachnar, neem, arjun, ashok, jamun, guava and others.

What is the Miyawaki method?

• The Miyawaki method, which was devised by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1980s, is a technique to create micro forests over small plots of land. 
• Achieving this goal requires planting a wide variety of plants in a fairly dense manner so that the plot of land has different layers of a forest such as shrubs and canopies and not just trees. 
• Plants typically require anywhere between eight to nine months of care before reaching a point where the micro forest becomes self-sustaining.

Impact of the Forests:

• Miyawaki forests grow in two to three years and are self-sustaining. They help lower temperatures in concrete heat islands, reduce air and noise pollution, attract local birds and insects, and create carbon sinks.
• The method advocates the planting of diverse native species, thereby bringing in more biodiversity in comparison to monoclonal plantations.

Question: 

The Miyawaki method of forest, which was devised by botanist Akira Miyawaki, belongs to which country?

A. Indonesia

B. Japan

C. Myanmar

D. Vietnam

Answer: B

National.

BLO e-Patrika

• The Election Commission recently released a new digital publication ‘BLO e-Patrika’ at an interactive session held with Booth Level Officers BLOs spread across the States in India.
• Over 350 BLOs joined through video-conferencing from the office of Chief Electoral Officers CEOs in States and UTs and 50 BLOs from the nearby states Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi joined the launch event physically in New Delhi.
• The language will be simple, communicative and illustrative. The magazine will be available in English, Hindi and regional languages.

What is included in the BLO e-Patrika?

• The themes of the bimonthly e-Patrika will include subjects like EVM-VVPAT training, IT applications, Special Summary Revision, Minimum SVEEP Activities at polling booths, Postal Ballot facility, accessible elections, Electoral Literacy Clubs, unique voter awareness initiatives and National Voters’ Day. 

Purpose of BLO e-Patrika:

• The intent behind introducing BLO E-Patrika is to ensure a cascading information model for a better informed and motivated Booth Level Officer.

Question: 

Which of the following is not a subject of the recently published BLO E-Patrika by Election Commission?

A. EVM-VVPAT training 

B. Postal Ballot facility

C. Electoral Literacy Clubs

D. Voter record Data

Answer: D

National

4 new tribes added to Scheduled Tribes List by Centre.

• The Union Cabinet under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the addition of four tribes to the list of Scheduled Tribes, including those from Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh.

Which tribes are Included?

1. Hatti tribe in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmour district in Himachal Pradesh.
2. Narikoravan and Kurivikkaran tribes are from deep hill region of Tamil Nadu. 
3. Binjhia tribe in Chhattisgarh, which was listed as ST in Jharkhand and Odisha but not in Chhattisgarh.

The process of Inclusion in tribal list: 

• The process to include tribes in the ST list begins with the recommendation from the respective State governments, which are then sent to the Tribal Affairs Ministry, which reviews and sends them to the Registrar General of India for approval. 
• This is followed by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes’ approval before the list is sent to the Cabinet for a final decision.

Question: 

Recently Cabinet approves the addition of four tribes in Himachal, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh to ST list which of the following tribe is not included in that list?

A. Hatti Tribe.

B. Binjhia Tribe

C. Dhodia Tribe

D. Narikoravan Tribe

Answer: C

Sports.

Roger Federer announces retirement.

• After 15,000 matches, 20 Grand Slam titles, and 24 years, Roger Federer announces retirement.
• Roger Federer is retiring from professional tennis at age 41 after a series of knee operations, closing a career in which he won 20 Grand Slam titles, finished five seasons ranked No. 1 and helped create a golden era of men’s tennis with rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
• Federer’s 20 Grand Slam titles rank third all time among men’s players behind only contemporaries Nadal (22) and Djokovic (21).

About the Titles won by Roger Federer:

• He was ranked world No. 1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for 310 weeks, including a record 237 consecutive weeks.
• He has won 103 ATP singles titles, the second most of all time, including 20 Grand Slam singles titles, a record eight men’s singles Wimbledon titles, an Open Era record-tying five men’s singles US Open titles, and a record six year-end championships.

The Laver Cup:

• The Laver Cup is an international indoor hard court men’s team tennis tournament between Team Europe and Team World, the latter of which is composed of players from all other continents except Europe. Usually held annually since 2017, the tournament is intended to be the Ryder Cup of the tennis world.

The last Game:

• Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray are set to play together for the first time when they compete Sept. 23-25 as part of Team Europe at the Laver Cup in London. 
• Named after Australian great Rod Laver, the three-day team event, which is run by Federer’s management company, pits six of Europe’s top players against six from the rest of the world.

Question: 

Roger Federer announced retirement, the last tournament he will play is Laver Cup in London, played on?

A. Grass court

B. Clay court

C. Hard court

D. Turf court

Answer: C

Economy.

Damodaran Committee.

• The government has constituted an expert committee to suggest ways for scaling up of VC/PE investments, as per a circular issued by the Finance Ministry on September 13.
• The six-member panel will be headed by former SEBI chairman M Damodaran.

What is venture capital and private equity?

• Private equity is capital invested in a company or other entity that is not publicly listed or traded. Venture capital is funding given to startups or other young businesses that show potential for long-term growth.

Role of the Committee:

• The expert committee will examine and suggest appropriate measures to address regulatory and other issues to enable scaling up investments by Venture Capital and Private Equity Investment.
• The Finance Ministry, via this panel will examine appropriate measures to scale up investments, indicating more policies that could help investors who are pouring foreign capital into Indian companies.

How will this Committee work?

• The terms of reference of the committee include comprehensive study the end to end frictions and potential accelerants from regulatory policy and taxation to facilitate ease of investing, as well as to encourage investments in India; review issues, compliances and suggest simplifications and changes around further accelerating the growth of alternative capital to participate in the VC/PE industry.
• Suggest measures to further accelerate investments into start-ups and sunrise sectors; suggest forward looking measures and future ready regulatory practices in addition to studying and emulating global best practices.

Question: 

Which of the following committee was recently set up under the former SEBI chairman for Venture Capital and Private Equity Investment:

A. Ajay Tyagi

B. U K Sinha

C. B. Bhave

D. M.Damodaran

Answer: D

Defence

BSF’s first female camel riding squad.

• BSF’s first female camel riding squad is ready to be deployed along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan and Gujarat. 
• The squad will participate for the first time in the BSF Raising Day Parade on  1ST December.
• This Squad will be the first of its kind in the world.
• Pushpendra Singh Rathore DIG BSF Bikaner told that Intensive training was given to this squad at the Bikaner Regional Headquarters of BSF under the supervision of skilled trainers.

Question: 

Recently which force deployed its first female camel riding squad along India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan and Gujarat?

A. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)

B. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

C. National Security Guards (NSG) 

D. Border Security Forces (BSF).

Answer: D

International 

IWA World Water Congress

• The International Water Association’s World Water Congress & Exhibition was recently held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from Sept.1 through Sept. 15.
• Indo-Danish Ministers launch White Paper highlighting ‘Urban Wastewater Scenario in India’ at IWA World Water Congress

About the IWA Congress event: 

• The IWA Congress & Exhibition takes place every few years in different countries around the world. 
• They provide an opportunity to focus on topical issues and new trends, and they reflect the strengths of the host location. 
• The 2022 edition is framed around the theme of ‘Water for Smart Liveable Cities’. It is featuring inspirational stories from Denmark and from the wider Nordic region, as well as from around the world.

Awards from the Event:

• Global Water Award: Nisha Mandani, Our Aim Foundation, USA
• Gender Diversity and Water Award: Annabell Waititu, Big Five Africa, Kenya
• Young Leadership Award: Céline Vaneeckhaute, Université Laval, Canada
• Water & Development Award for Research: Professor Damir Brdjanovic, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, the Netherlands
• Water & Development Award for Practice: Africa Sand Dam Foundation, Kenya

Question: 

The world water congress was recently organized in which country?

A. Germany

B. Denmark

C. India

D. USA

Answer: B

Environment and Ecology.

Green Fins Hub

• The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), along with UK-based charity Reef-World Foundation, recently launched the Green Fins Hub, a global digital platform that would give sustainable marine tourism a major boost.

What is Green Fins?

• The Green Fins Hub is the latest development by the Reef-World Foundation to meet a growing industry demand for environmentally-friendly underwater sports. 

How it works:

• The Green Fins Hub is the first-ever global marine tourism industry platform, helping operators to make simple, cost-efficient changes to their daily practices by utilising tried and tested solutions, keep track of their annual improvements and communicate with their communities and customers. 
• The tool has been developed by The Reef-World Foundation in partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to overcome the biggest sustainability challenges in the marine conservation tourism industry.  
• Raise industry needs.
• Discuss environmental issues.
• Share lessons and ideas with like-minded industry leaders, non-profits and governments.

Membership 

• Digital membership,
• Green Fins Certified Members.

Way forward: 

• Increasing accessibility of best practice, knowledge and citizen science through the Green Fins Hub could be a game changer in ensuring a future for coral reefs and other fragile marine ecosystems

Question: 

World Foundation, recently launched the Green Fins Hub, a global digital platform for sustainable marine tourism with which of the following organisation?

A. UNDP

B. UNEP

C. IMF

D. World Bank.

Answer: B

International.

India discrimination report 2022.

• Discrimination in India causes 100 per cent of employment inequality faced by women in rural areas in the labour market and 98 per cent in urban areas, according to the latest Oxfam India report. 

What is discrimination according to this report?

• Discrimination in the labour market occurs when people with similar abilities are treated differently due to their identity or social backgrounds. 
• So far, very few attempts have been made in India to quantify the extent of discrimination and its impact on the lives of marginalised communities.

What is Living wage?

• This is a wage that enables workers and their families to meet their basic needs. 

What is Minimum Wage?

• Minimum wage is minimum amount of remuneration that an employer is required to pay wage earners for work performed during a given period, which cannot be reduced by collective agreement or an individual contract

India Discrimination Report Says:

• The report finds that discrimination causes 100 percent of employment inequality faced by women in rural areas in the labour market and 98 percent in urban areas.
• As per the Union Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), FLFPR in India was only 25.1 percent in 2020-21 for urban and rural women.
• The average earning is INR 15,996 for men and merely INR 6,626 for women in urban areas in self-employment. The men’s average earning is nearly 2.5 times that of the earnings of women.
• general category is earning 33 percent more than SCs or STs as per the report.
• The data shows that the unequal income among urban SC and ST casual wage work is because of 79 percent discrimination in 2019-20.
• The report shows that the discrimination faced by Muslims in 2004-05 was 59.3 percent, indicating an increase in discrimination by 9 percent over the last 16 years.

Recommendations 

• Incentivise participation of women in workforce, including enhancement in pay, upskilling, job reservations and easy return-to-work options after maternity. 
• Enforce measures for protection of equal wages and work for all women. 
• Work to ensure a more equitable distribution of household work and childcare duties between women and men. 
• Implement “living wages” as opposed to minimum wages, particularly for all informal workers, and formalise contractual, temporary, and casual labour as much as possible. 

Question: 

India discrimination report 2022 was recently published by:

A. Mc kinsley Foundation

B. OXfam India

C. Standard and poors

D. Social research Foundation.

Answer: B

Place in News.

Manasbal Lake 

• Central Kashmir’s Manasbal Lake is once again open for training drills, more than three decades after raging militancy forced the Navy to abandon it.
• Amid picturesque hills and pristine waters, over 100 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets, both from J&K and outside, recently participated in exercises like sailing and boat pulling.

About the Lake:

• The Manasbal Lake, located in central Kashmir’s Safapora area in Ganderbal district, is a freshwater lake. The site was abandoned by the Navy in 1989.
• This Lake is also known as ‘Bird’s Paradise’. 
• It is also the deepest lake in India.

NCC Occupation:

• “The NCC has been working in J&K since 1965 and would train cadets on the shores of Dal lake and Manasbal Lake. The security situation had forced us to shift the training module outside the Valley. However, such exercises here will motivate locals to join the NCC in the future.

Question: 

Which of the following lake has recently opened again in J&K  for Navy training drills, after more than three decades?

A. Nigeen Lake

B. Mansar Lake

C. Gadsar Lake

D. Manasbal Lake

Answer: D

8 cheetahs reintroduced to Kuno National Park.

Environment Ecology.

• Over 70 years after they went extinct, eight cheetahs landed in India recently from Namibia. 
• The big cats were flown in on a modified passenger B-747 Jumbo Jet, which took off from Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek and landed in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior. 
• The cheetahs will be released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of his birthday today, at Kuno National Park.

Know About Cheetah.

• The Cheetah, (Acinonyx jubatus), one of the world’s most-recognizable cats, is known especially for its speed.
• They are considered native to Africa and central Iran.
• Asiatic cheetah is believed to survive only in Iran.
• Cheetahs can live in a variety of habitats but prefer to live in grasslands and open plains.

Conservation Status of Asiatic Cheetah

• IUCN- Critically Endangered (African Cheetah is in Vulnerable Category)
• CITES- Appendix 1 (Same as African Cheetah)

Timeline of extinction of cheetah in India?

• The cheetah is the only large carnivore to have gone extinct in India, primarily due to hunting and habitat loss.
• Maharaja Ramanuj Pratap Singh Deo of Korea, Madhya Pradesh, is widely believed to have killed the last three recorded cheetahs in India in 1947.
• In 1952, the Indian government officially declared the Cheetah extinct in the country.

Know about Kuno National Park.

• Kuno is a national park in Madhya Pradesh, India.
• Established in 1981 as a wildlife sanctuary in the Sheopur and Morena districts, it was also known as Kuno-Palpur and Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary.
• In 2018, it was given the status of a national park.
• It is part of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
• Kuno river flows through the Kuno National Park from south to north, draining the other rivulets and Tributaries into Chambal River in Morena at the MP-Rajasthan border.
• If a cheetah is introduced, Kuno Palpur will become, the only wildlife sanctuary in the world to host all four major cat species-lion, tiger, cheetah, and leopard.

Question

Kuno National Park sanctuary is located in which state?

A. Andhra Pradesh

B. Assam

C. Madhya Pradesh

D. Karnataka 

Answer: C

National

PM PRANAM scheme

• The Union government intends to launch a scheme — named PM PRANAM — to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers by incentivising states.
• The proposed scheme will help the government reduce its subsidy burden on chemical fertilisers, which is expected to rise 39 percent to Rs 2.25 lakh crore in 2022-23 from Rs 1.62 lakh crore last year, Indian Express reported.

What is the PM PRANAM scheme?

• On the back of the sharp increase in overall fertiliser use in the last five years, the government is planning to launch the PM PRANAM scheme that will pass on 50 percent of subsidy savings as a grant to the state that saves the money. 

• Of this, the state needs to use 70 percent on creating assets that would lead to technological adoption in alternate fertilisers and alternate fertiliser production units at district levels, blocks and villages.

Why is it necessary?

• In the past five years, the requirement for four fertilisers — Urea, MOP (Muriate of potash), DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) and NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) — rose 21 percent from 528.86 lakh metric tonnes in 2017-18 to 640.27 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) in 2021-22.
• In order to promote the balanced use of fertilisers or alternative fertilisers, the government plans to introduce the PM PRANAM scheme.

Question: 

Recently conceived  PM PRANAM scheme by central government is associated with?

A. Fertilizer Subsidy

B. Swacchata Abhiyaan

C. Green Energy 

D. Clean Water

Answer: A

International.

Global Clean Energy Action Forum.

• Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh will lead the Joint Indian Ministerial official delegation of the Ministry of Power, New and Renewable Energy and Ministry of Science and Technology on a five-day visit to USA to participate in the Global Clean Energy Action Forum and also to interact with eminent academicians as well as the Indian diaspora. 

About the meeting:

• The coveted joint convening of the Clean Energy Ministerial CEM13 and Mission Innovation MI-7 will take place from 21st to 23rd of this month at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA. 
• The event is expected to bring together thousands of clean energy leaders from across the world, including CEOs, innovators, young professionals, civil society and ministers from over 30 countries to accelerate clean energy innovation and deployment.

Question: 

Global Clean Energy Action Forum is to be held in which country?

A. Germany

B. USA

C. Australia

D. India

Answer: B

International.

10th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers’ meet

• Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Anupriya Patel, attended East Asia Summit Economic Ministers’ Meeting recently  in Siem Reap City of Cambodia. 

Outcomes:

• Ms. Patel reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening the EAS as an ASEAN-led organisation and supporting the EAS Forum in strengthening regional economic architecture. 
• She acknowledged the pivotal role of EAS in strengthening multilateralism and promoting peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the region. 
• She also reiterated India’s willingness to collaborate with East Asian partners in the production of vaccines, generic drugs and medical technologies used for treatment of COVID patients.

The Partners:

• The meeting saw representation from all 10 ASEAN countries as well as eight partner countries including Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US.

Other development:

• The Ministers exchanged views on global and regional economic developments including the outcomes of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, post-pandemic economic recovery efforts, measures adopted to mitigate the impact of global supply chains disruptions and strong inflation pressure.

Question: 

10th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers’ meet was recently held in which of the following countries?

A. India 

B. Japan

C. South Korea

D. Cambodia

Answer: D

Defence.

Poland opens new sea waterway.

• Poland’s top leaders recently celebrated the opening of a new canal that they say will mean ships no longer must secure Russia’s permission to sail from the Baltic Sea to Vistula Lagoon ports.
• The new canal cuts across the Vistula Spit, east of Gdansk, and is designed to allow ships to sail from the Baltic Sea and the Bay of Gdansk to ports of the Vistula lagoon without having to travel through Russia’s Strait of Pilawa

Mark of polands sovereignty:

• The event was timed to mark 83 years since the Soviet invasion of Poland during World War II and to demonstrate symbolically the end of Moscow’s say on the economy and development of a region that borders Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave. 
• The government says the waterway gives Poland full sovereignty in the northeastern region, which needs investment and economic development. 

About the Cannel:

• The canal, built at a cost of almost 2 billion zlotys ($420 million), cuts across the Vistula Spit, east of Gdansk, and was designed to allow ships to sail from the Baltic Sea and the Bay of Gdansk to Elblag and smaller ports of the lagoon without obtaining authorization to travel through Russia’s Strait of Pilawa. It also shortens the Baltic-to-Elblag route by some 100 kilometers (54 nautical miles).

Question: 

Which european country recently build an canal to cut dependence on Russia?

A. Belarus

B. Ukraine

C.Azerbaijan

Poland

Answer: D

Sports

Bengaluru FC win maiden Durand Cup title.

• Bengaluru FC and their talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri won their maiden Durand Cup football tournament title after beating Mumbai City FC 2-1 in the summit clash at the Salt Lake Stadium recently.

About the tournament:

• The tournament features 20 teams, of which 11 teams will be the clubs that play Indian Super League, five teams will be from I-League and four teams from the Armed forces. 
• For the first time in its history, the tournament is being held in multiple cities. West Bengal, Assam and Manipur are hosting the Durand Cup 2022.

About Durand Cup:

• The Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in Asia and was started in 1888.  It is named after its founder Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, who served as the foreign secretary of British India from 1884 to 1894.
• It first began as a football tournament for different departments and regiments of the Armed forces of British India and native India. 
• The 131st edition of the Durand Cup will feature 20 teams with all of them divided into four groups of five teams each. 
• East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are the joint-most successful teams in the tournament, having won it 16 times each. Mohun Bagan won its last in 2000, while East Bengal won two more titles since, in 2002 and 2004.

Question: 

Durand cup is associated with which sports?

A. Football

B. Basket Ball

C. Tennis

D. Badminton

Answer: A

Geopolitics

Iran to Join SCO

• Iran is set to become a permanent member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2023, when India will take over as the chair of the bloc. 
• Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in the city of Samarkand recently to participate in the SCO leadership meeting, becoming the first Iranian president in 20 years to visit Uzbekistan.
• This summit would initiate the process of Iran becoming a full member of the SCO by 2023.

Current summit:

• The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit which was being held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan has ended recently.
• The two-day summit was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping along with other leaders from a total of fifteen heads of state and the heads of ten international organizations. 

About SCO:

• The SCO bloc, a political, economic and security alliance, was founded by China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 2001 and is recognised as the world’s largest regional organization, with eight members and four observer states.

Members, Observers and Dialogue Partner:

• The SCO currently has eight member countries (China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan), four observer states interested in acceding to full membership (Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia), and six “Dialogue Partners” (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Turkey).

Question: 

India assumes Presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation for which of the following year?

A. 2023

B. 2024

C. 2025

D. 2026

Answer: A

Environment and Ecology.

IAF to fly AN-32 on blended biodiesel.

• As part of efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking to fly an AN-32 transport aircraft modified to operate on 10% blended biodiesel for 200 flight hours in the next six months.
• The IAF AN-32 took flight on biodiesel blended with aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for the first time in December 2018. 

Biofuel:

• The biofuel was extracted from Jatropha plant seeds using a technology patented by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun.
• The country’s first mass production bio-ATF plant is being set up by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), a subsidiary of ONGC, fully integrated with its refinery at Mangaluru in Karnataka.

Question : 

The country’s first mass production bio-ATF plant is being set in which of the following city?

A. Kochi

B. Jamnagar

C. Barauni

D. Mangalore 

Answer: D

Defence Technology.

IAF Project Cheetah

• Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to introduce Project Cheetah which will help weaponise Israeli drones in all defence wings via Indian manufacturing units.

About the project:

• Under the ambitious Project Cheetah, the Indian Air Force wants to upgrade its existing fleet of Israeli-origin Heron unmanned aerial vehicles with better communication facilities and missiles which can target enemy positions from long range.
• The IAF is the main lead in the project under which the Israeli drones in the Navy and the Army are also planned to be upgraded with strike capabilities and better surveillance and reconnaissance pods.

About Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle:

• Made in Israel, Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is a medium-altitude UAV and can carry up to 250 kg of weight, including a thermographic camera, airborne ground surveillance, visible light, radar systems, etc. The Heron UAV is capable of returning to base autonomously in case of lost communication.

Question: 

IAF Project Cheetah will help to weaponise the drones associated with which country?

A. USA

B. France

C. Israel

D. Russia

Answer: C

Awards and recognitions.

Swati Piramal conferred top French civilian honour.

• Swati Piramal, Vice Chairperson, Piramal Group has been conferred the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour). 
• The highest French civilian award comes in recognition of Piramal’s outstanding achievements and contribution in the fields of business and industry, science, medicine, art and culture, both nationally and internationally.
• In 2006, she was also awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite (Knight of the Order of Merit), France’s second highest civilian honour.
• Piramal is also the recipient of the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian honours of India.

About the Award:

• Created in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Legion of Honour is the highest civilian award given by the French Republic for outstanding service to France, regardless of the nationality of the recipients. 

Question: 

The highest French civilian award Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) was recently conferred to which of the following Indian?

A. Gautam Adani

B. Swati Piramal

C. Mukesh Ambani

D. Anil Agrawal

Answer: B

Economy.

WindFall Tax.

• The Oil Ministry is likely to review the windfall profit tax on domestically produced oil, arguing that it goes against fiscal stability provided in contracts for finding and producing oil.

What is a windfall tax?

• When a company benefits from something that they are not responsible for, the financial gain that ensues is called windfall profits. Take the example of three of Indian upstream oil companies — ONGC, Oil India and GAIL. 
• Energy companies are gaining profit not because of any improvement in their processes but because of the geopolitical situation, many governments are considering to impose such tax.
• This will boost the government’s finances, and help fund efforts to protect vulnerable sections from rampant inflation.
• Italy and the UK are two key economies that have levied windfall tax.

What is the case with India?

• The budget expenditure on fuel, food and fertilizer subsidies are ballooning amid skyrocketing inflation.
• Many companies like Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) reported bumper profits in the March quarter and record earnings in 2021-22.

Cons of windfall tax?

• The one-off taxes, which by definition are imposed retrospectively, may create Havoc in this  businesses.
• Windfall tax is usually branded as anti-investment and anti-business.

Question: 

In the windfall tax who is going to be benefited majorly?

A. Producer

B. Consumer

C. Regulator

D. None of the Above

Answer: A

International.

International meet on food and agriculture.

• The Ninth session of ITPGRFA discusses relying on crop diversity, genetic resources to address problems caused by climate change.
• No negotiation is possible at the cost of food security, announced Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in this session.
• The session was held at New Delhi.

Other points to be focused:

• Tomar stresses on importance of crop diversification to meet increasing demand of food grains.
• He said, the purpose of this treaty is to recognize the farmers and local community in the diversity of crops.
•  He also highlighted the contribution of farmers in ensuring food security.

What is the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture?

• The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) is a comprehensive agreement that aims to establish a global system which provides farmers, plant breeders, and scientists with access to plant genetic resources. 
• The treaty also recognizes the enormous contribution of farmers to the diversity of food and agricultural crops, and ensures that they receive fair and equitable benefit sharing from the use of these genetic materials. 

What is Food and Agriculture Organization?

• The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is an international organization that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. Its Latin motto, fiat panis, translates to “let there be bread”. It was founded on 16 October 1945. The FAO is composed of 195 members.

Question : 

International meet on food and agriculture and  ITPGRFA session was recently held in which indian city?

A. Delhi

B. Mumbai

C. Hyderabad

D. Ahmedabad

Answer: A

National.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands declared India’s first Swachh Sujal Pradesh.

• Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has recently declared Andaman and Nicobar Islands as India’s first Swachh Sujal Pradesh. 

Meaning: 

• Now, all villages of Andaman and Nicobar Island have been certified as Har Ghar Jal and verified as open defecation – ODF plus. 
• Being remotely located from the mainland the achievement of the islands will prove to be a source of inspiration for rest States and Union Territories. 

Three important components of Sujal and Swachh state:

1. safe and secure drinking water supply and management;
2. ODF Plus: ODF Sustainability and Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) and
3. cross-cutting interventions like convergence, IEC, action planning, etc

Question: 

Which State/UT was recently declared as India’s first Swachh Sujal Pradesh?

A. Goa

B. Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

C. Assam

D. Lakshadweep

Answer: B

National.

USAID and UNICEF launches Doordarshan and YouTube series titled ‘Door Se Namaste’.

• The US Agency for International Development and UNICEF recently launched the Doordarshan and YouTube series titled Door Se Namaste at function held in New Delhi recently.

About the series:

• Door Se Namaste is a new television series which promotes healthy behaviours in a post-pandemic world. 
• It is a fictional Hindi series developed in an entertainment education format highlighting the challenges of a post-pandemic world and promotes the adoption of healthy behaviour and practices. 
• The programme will be telecast on every Sunday from 11 AM to 12 noon. 
• The series is produced by National Film Award winner and Padmashee, Nil Madhav Panda’s production house, Elleeanora Images Pvt. Ltd. 

Question: 

Door Se Namaste is a new television series launched on Doordarshan and YouTube by which organisation

A. WHO

B. UNICEF

C. UNESCO

D. None of the above

Answer: B

National.

National Logistics Policy 2022

• PM Modi recently launched the National Logistics Policy (NLP) that aims to not only promote seamless movement of goods across the country, but also improve its competitiveness of Indian goods in domestic as well as global markets.

Rationale:

• It will not only inspire all logistics players to come together and collaborate to build logistics competitiveness globally but also increase the confidence of investors who are keen to invest in the logistics sector.
• It aims to promote smooth movement of goods across India and boost competitiveness of the Indian goods in the domestic and international markets.
• It aims to bring down the logistics cost, which in turn would improve efficiency of various sectors of the economy, boosting value addition and economic growth.

Focus areas of the Policy: 

• Its focus areas are Integration of Digital System (IDS), Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), Ease of Logistics (ELOG) and System Improvement Group (SIG).

Question: 

Which of the following is not a focus area of National Logistics Policy 2022?

A. Unified Logistics Interface Platform 

B. Integration of Digital System 

C. System Improvement Group 

D. Development of Andavce Vehicles

Answer: D

International.

CICA Summit 2022

• Kazakhstan has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Conference on Confidence Building Measures and Interaction in Asia (CICA) Summit, which it is hosting in capital Astana on October 12-13.
• The 6th edition of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) is all set to be hosted by Kazakhstan in the country’s capital Nur-Sultan from 12-13 October 2022. 
• Previously, the summit was held in the Republic of Tajikistan on 15 June 2019. Currently the CICA exists as the largest intergovernmental forum in Asia with 27 member countries, aiming to enhance cooperation, security, promote peace and stability in Asia. 

What is CICA?

• India, along with its immediate neighbours China, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh is a part of the forum. Apart from the 27 member nations, the CICA also has 9 observer countries, 5 observer organisations and 5 partner organisations.
• The forum was first initiated by the first president of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev on 5 October, 1992 at the 47th session of the United Nations General Assembly. 
• The major goals being overlooked by the forum are confidence building among nations, cooperation on environmental issues, prevention and proliferation on the issue of weapons of mass destruction and promotion of mutual respect and tolerance among civilizations.

Relevance of CICA and India’s role:

• The relevance of the summit can be understood by taking into consideration the fact that Central Asia had begun to attract attention from the international viewpoint due to the rich presence of mineral resources in the region, pursuance of a balanced yet multi-vector diplomatic approach in terms of foreign policies and its close proximity to Afghanistan.
• India is one of the most active participants of the CICA summit. The first CICA summit held in Kazakhstan in July 2002 was attended by then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 
• The 6th edition of the summit is being held at the 30th anniversary of the formation of CICA.

Question: 

The 6th edition of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA)2022  is going to be held in which of the following country?

A. Kazakhstan

B. Kyrgyz Republic

C. Tajikistan

D. Turkmenistan

Answer: A

Science and Technology.

Sova Virus.

• The new mobile banking ‘Trojan’ virus — SOVA — which can stealthily encrypt an Android phone for ransom and is hard to uninstall is targeting Indian customers.
• SOVA was earlier focusing on countries like the US, Russia and Spain, but in July 2022 it added several other countries, including India, to its list of targets.
• India’s federal cyber security agency issued an advisory saying that the virus has upgraded to its fifth version after it was first detected in the Indian cyberspace

About the SOVA virus

• SOVA can add false overlays to a range of apps and “mimic” over 200 banking and payment applications in order to con the Android user
• The latest version of this malware hides itself within fake Android applications that show up with the logo of a few famous legitimate apps like Chrome, Amazon, NFT (non-fungible token linked to crypto currency) platform to deceive users into installing them.

How does it work?

• As per the advisory, once the fake android application is installed on the phone, it sends the list of all applications installed on the device to the C2 (command and control server) controlled by the threat actor in order to obtain the list of targeted applications.
• These targeted applications are then managed through the communications between the malware and the C2.

Question: 

Trojan’ virus – SOVA which was recently seen in news mainly targets?

A. Defence softwares

B. Communication systems

C. Mobile banking

D. Health care applications

Answer: C

Science and technology.

China create world’s first cloned wild Arctic wolf ‘Maya’.

• For the first time ever, a wild arctic wolf was successfully cloned by a China-based gene firm. The firm, Sinogene Biotechnology, released a video of Maya, the world’s first cloned wild arctic wolf, 100 days after her birth in a Beijing lab.

About the clone:

• The cloning of the Arctic wolf, also known as the white wolf or polar wolf, which is native to the High Arctic tundra of Canada’s Queen Elizabeth Islands, is considered a milestone achievement in conserving rare and endangered species through cloning technology.

Science:

• The donor cell of the wolf came from the skin sample of a wild female Arctic wolf and its oocyte was taken from a female dog. 
• According to the Global Times report, Maya’s surrogate mother was a beagle, a dog breed. 
• The dog was selected as the surrogate as it shares genetic ancestry with ancient wolves and hence, ensures success in cloning.

About cloning:

• Cloning, the process of creating copies of living organisms, including cells, tissues, etc, was first used to create an animal in 1996 by a Scottish scientist. 
• The animal, a sheep named Dolly, was made using an udder cell from an adult sheep.

Question: 

Which country recently created world’s first cloned wild Arctic wolf name Maya?

A. USA

B. China

C. France

D. Germany

Answer: B

National.

Kargil International Marathon.

• In Ladakh, with the special message of the Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pandey the Chief Guest of the event the Kargil International Marathon was inaugurated with the flagging off of 42 Km Full Marathon. 
• Over 2000 runners are taking part in the Full, Half, 10Km and 5 Km run in Kargil international marathon organized by LAHDC Kargil, Ladakh Police in collaboration with Sarhad Pune.

About the Race:

• Over 2000 runners have participated in Kargil International Marathon. Kargil Hill Council and Ladakh Police have organized the marathon in collaboration with Sarhad Pune.
•  Runners have participated in the full, half, 10K, and 5K categories in the event. 
• The marathon is being organized with the slogan ‘Run for Apricot’, to celebrate the International market entry of Ladakh Apricots.

Winner: 

• Jigmet Namgial and Disket Dolma won the 42 KM Full Marathon in the Men and Women Category respectively.

Question: 

Recently Kargil International Marathon was organised to promote which local product?

A. Apple

B. Saffron

C. Apricot

D. Almond 

Answer: C

Arts and Entertainment.

Gujarati film Chhello Show is India’s official entry to Oscars 2023.

• The Film Federation of India has announced India’s official entry to the Oscars 2023. 
• The Gujarati film, Chhello Show, which is titled Last Film Show in English, has been selected as India’s official entry to the 95th Academy Awards. 
• It has been selected in the Best International Feature Film category.

About Chhello Show:

• Chhello Show is a coming-of-age drama, which revolves around a 9-year-old boy who resides in a remote village in India and his love affair with cinema. 
• The film shows how the little boy spends a summer watching films from the projection booth.
• The film is directed by Pan Nalin, who is known for films like Angry Indian Goddesses, Samsara and Valley of Flowers.

About 95th Oscars:

• The 95th Oscars will be held on March 12, 2023 at Los Angeles’ Dolly Theatre. 
• The submission deadline for general entry categories for the 2023 Academy Awards is November 15. 
• On December 12, preliminary voting will commence, and the shortlists will be announced on December 21.

Indian Films to Oscar:

• India’s history with the Oscar entries for the last few years were – Koozhangal, Jallikattu, Gully Boy, Village Rockstars, Newton, Visaranani, all of which have failed to make the Oscar shortlist. 
• The only Indian films to have been nominated for an Oscar so far have been Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan.

Question: 

Which of the following Indian film has recently got official entry in Oscar 2023

A. Angry Indian Goddesses

B. Samsara 

C. Valley of Flowers

D. Chhello Show

Answer: D

Science and Technology.

Nasa rover finds a clue to life on Mars.

• NASA’s rover Perseverance is investigating signs of ancient life on Mars, and it has now collected some of the most promising samples from the Red Planet yet.
• According to NASA, several rock samples containing organic matter were found in   Wildcat Ridge at Jezero Crater,  a 28-mile wide crater home to what scientists believe was once a river delta that formed about 3.5 billion years ago.

What Is Organic Matter?

• Organic molecules consist of a wide variety of compounds made primarily of carbon and usually include hydrogen and oxygen atoms. 
• They can also contain other elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. 
• While there are chemical processes that produce these molecules that don’t require life, some of these compounds are the chemical building blocks of life. 
• The presence of these specific molecules is considered to be a potential biosignature – a substance or structure that could be evidence of past life but may also have been produced without the presence of life.

Facts About NASA’s Perseverance Rover

• Mission Name: Mars 2020
• Rover Name: Perseverance
• Main Job: The Perseverance rover will seek signs of ancient life and collect rock and soil samples for possible return to Earth.
• Launch: July 30, 2020, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
• Landed: Feb. 18, 2021
• Landing Site: Jezero Crater, Mars
• Mission Duration: At least one Mars year (about 687 Earth days)
• Tech Demo: The Mars Helicopter is a technology demonstration, hitching a ride on the Perseverance rover.

Question:

Nasa rover finds a clue to life on Mars in September 2022 in which of the following Place?

A. Huygens Crater

B. Jezero Crater

D. Copernicus Crater

D. Cassini Crater

Answer: B

Defence.

India, Egypt sign MoU to further defence cooperation.

• India and Egypt recently, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation. 
• This was signed by Defence Minister Rajanth Singh, who is in a two day visit to Cairo, and his Egyptian counterpart General Mohamed Zaki.

About the corporation:

• During the (bilateral) meeting, both sides discussed steps to strengthen defence ties and reached a consensus to enhance conduct of joint exercises and exchange of personnel for training, especially in the field of counter-insurgency.
• India-Africa Defence Dialogue and Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Defence Ministers’ conclave, scheduled to be held as part of 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat between October 18 to 22, 2022.

Defence Industrial Ties:

• The two Ministers also agreed to identify proposals for expanding cooperation between the defence industries of India and Egypt in a time-bound manner. 
• They also exchanged views on regional security and acknowledged the contribution of India and Egypt to peace and stability in the world.

Question: 

Recently India signed a defence industrial corporation MoU with which of the following african Nation?

A. Sudan

B. South africa

C. Egypt

D. Ethiopia 

Answer: C

National.

Special tourist train to run on ‘Ambedkar Circuit’.

• Union Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy recently announced a special tourist train to cover the “Ambedkar Circuit”.
• Inaugurating a three-day conference of state tourism ministers in Dharamshala, he said, “As many as 3,000 special railway coaches have been reserved for the promotion of tourism circuits. Like the Ramayana and Buddhist Circuits, a special train will be run on the Ambedkar Circuit.”
• Tourism Ministry has drawn up an action plan for various circuits under its Swadesh Darshan scheme.

Ambedkar Circut:

• Proposed in 2016, the Ambedkar Circuit covers Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow, Ambedkar’s birthplace; Nagpur, where he converted to Buddhism; the residence in Delhi where he lived during his last years; and Dadar in Maharashtra, where his body was cremated.

Question: 

Which of the following place is not an part of Ambedkar Circuit?

A. Mhow

B. Nagpur

C. Delhi 

D. Mumbai 

Answer: D

Science and Technology

Long Range Radio (LoRa).

• Soon, it will be possible for people in remote hilly and forest areas without satellite signal to access banking services, thanks to a new technology developed by the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), an arm of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

What is LoRa technology?

• LoRa technology is a wireless modulation technique in the physical layer, allowing long-range communication using chirp spread spectrum. 
• LoRa technology uses dedicated radios, which are not usually present in end-user devices, limiting interferences from other devices.
• Banks can use this as their own dedicated private network instead of using a third party network which are presently based either on satellite link or wired (fibre).

Cost effective:

• The cost of the LoRa financial network is estimated to be 20 per cent cheaper than alternative network technologies with an additional advantage of almost no maintenance and portability of devices. 

Question: 

LoRa technology is a wireless modulation technique used in remote hilly and forest areas without satellite signal to access banking services is developed by?

A. CERT-In

B. Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT)

C. IIT-Bombay

D. National Informatics centre

Answer: B

Economy

RBI removes Central Bank of India from Prompt Corrective Action framework.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently removed Central Bank of India from its Prompt Corrective Action Framework (PCAF) after the lender showed improvement in various financial ratios, including minimum regulatory capital and net non-performing assets (NNPAs).
• Central Bank of India was put under the PCA framework in June 2017 due to its high net non-performing assets (NPAs) and low Return on Assets.

What is PCAF?

• The PCA norm is a supervisory tool and is imposed when a bank breaches certain regulatory thresholds on capital to risk weighted assets ratio (CRAR), net NPAs and return on assets (RoA).

Why?

• PCA is triggered when banks breach certain regulatory requirements such as return on asset, minimum capital and quantum of non-performing assets.

How it impact bank?

• The restrictions disable banks in several ways from lendingly and force them to operate under a restrictive environment that turns out to be a hurdle to growth.

How does these restrictions librated?

• If no breaches in risk thresholds in any of the parameters are observed as per four continuous quarterly financial statements
• Based on Supervisory comfort of the RBI, including an assessment on sustainability of profitability of the bank.

Question: 

Recently RBI removes which from Prompt Corrective Action framework?

A. Punjab National Bank

B. Central Bank of India 

C. State bank of India

D. Union Bank of India

Answer: B

Environment.

First Global Registry of Fossil Fuels.

• A first-of-its-kind database for tracking the world’s fossil fuel production, reserves and emissions launched recently to coincide with climate talks taking place at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

What is included?

•  The Global Registry of Fossil Fuels includes data from over 50,000 oil, gas and coal fields in 89 countries. That covers 75% of global reserves, production and emissions, and is available for public use, a first for a collection of this size.

Who developed it?

• The registry was developed by Carbon Tracker, a nonprofit think tank that researches the energy transition’s effect on financial markets, and the Global Energy Monitor, an organization that tracks a variety of energy projects around the globe.

Outcome: 

• Establishes an evolving database to serve as a trusted, policy-neutral tool to manage carbon budgets.
• According to this inventory, burning of the world’s remaining fossil fuels would release 3.5 trillion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. This is seven times the remaining carbon budget to keep global temperature at 1.5 °C.
• The United States and Russia have enough fossil fuel underground and untapped to exhaust the remaining carbon budget.

Question: 

Recently released First Global Registry of Fossil Fuels includes data from how many countries?

A. 100

B. 89

C. 112

D. 94

Answer: B

Environment and Ecology.

India’s 1st University of Forestry to open in Telangana

• The Telangana Legislative Assembly and Council approved the University of Forestry (UOF) Act, 2022, recently, opening the way for the transformation of FCRI (Forest College and Research Institute) Hyderabad into a full-fledged “University of Forestry (UoF)”.
• Till now Only China and Russia have forestry universities in the world.

• The Forest College & Research Institute (FCRI) will be upgraded into a university by way of the legislation, in order to nurture it as a world class institution for Forestry Education, Research, Extension and Outreach.

Objective of this University:

• The University aims to develop Agro-Forestry models suitable for different Agroecological situations, apart from conventional forestry operations so as to reduce pressure on natural forests, economic upliftment of farming communities and enhance ecological conditions.
• Fostering research and developing appropriate methods to propagate plantation crops to meet the demand from industry and domestic needs, developing agro-forestry models suitable for different agro-ecological situations, networking and partnership with similar institutions, providing extension training to farmers, among others.

Programmes:

• it is proposed to start 18 additional programmes such as PhD courses, Diploma and Certificate courses in the streams of Urban Forestry, Nursery Management, Agro Forestry, Tribal Livelihood Enhancement, Forest Entrepreneurship, Climate Smart Forestry, and Forest Parks Management.

Question: 

India’s 1st University of Forestry is proposed to be open in which of the following state?

A. Himachal pradesh

B. Uttarakhand

C. Telangana

D. Kerala

Answer: C

Economy and Tech.

Global Fintech Fest 2022

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das, in the presence of Nandan Nilekani, Chairman Infosys and Advisor to NPCI; and Biswamohan Mahapatra, Chairman National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), recently launched three key initiatives during the Global Fintech Fest 2022 — RuPay Credit Card on UPI, UPI LITE, and Bharat BillPay Cross-Border Bill Payments.

Benefits of new initiatives:

• RuPay Credit Cards will be linked to a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) i.e. UPI ID, thus directly enabling safe, and secure payment transactions.
• UPI Lite will provide users with a solution for faster low-value transactions. With UPI Lite enabled on BHIM App, users will be able to make small-value transactions in a near-offline mode. 

What is Bharat BillPay Cross-Border Bill Payments?

• Bharat BillPay Cross-Border Bill Payments will make bill payments easier for people residing out of India but also maintaining a house in India. The facility will enable NRIs to pay utility, water, and telephone-related bills on behalf of their families in India. Federal Bank with UAE’s Lulu Exchange will be the first to go live with Bharat BillPay Cross-Border Bill Payments.

Question: 

Which of the following is not an initiative launched in Global Fintech Fest 2022?

A. RuPay Credit Card on UPI

B. UPI LITE

C. Crypto trading payments

D. Bharat BillPay Cross-Border Bill Payments

Answer: C

Health 

India wins UN award for hypertension control initiative

• India recently won a United Nations (UN) award for its ‘India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI)’, a large-scale hypertension intervention under the National Health Mission that saw 3.4 million hypertensive people identified and put on treatment at various government health facilities.

About the Initiative:

• IHCI is a collaborative initiative of the health ministry, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), state governments and World Health Organization-India.
• The initiative was launched in 2017, and expanded in a phased manner to cover more than 130 districts across 23 states. 
• Under the initiative, at least 3.4 million people with hypertension are taking treatment in government health facilities, including Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centres (HWCs), according to the government data.

About Hypertension:

• Hypertension is called a silent disease, and estimates suggest that one in four adults in India has high blood pressure. 
• The control of hypertension at primary care system level will contribute to reducing deaths due to heart attacks, stroke and also kidney failures.

About the UN award:

• The UN award recognises the outstanding commitment and action of India to prevent and control non-communicable diseases (NCDs); and deliver integrated people-centric primary care.

Question: 

India recently won a United Nations (UN) award for the initiative to control which disease?

A. AIDS

B. Covid-19

C. Hypertension

D. Cancer

Answer: C

National

Govt signs MoU with Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank to expand reach of SPARSH initiative.

• The government’s Defence Accounts Department (DAD) recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Bank of Baroda and HDFC Bank, to onboard them as Service Centres under the System for Pension Administration (Raksha) (SPARSH) initiative, across more than 14,000 branches throughout India.
• Defence secretary Ajay Kumar said that the objective was to bring 17 lakh pensioners out of the total 32 lakh defence pensioners on SPARSH by the end of September 2022.

What is SPARSH-Service Centres under the System for Pension Administration (Raksha)?

• SPARSH was implemented last year to ease different aspects of defence pensions including initiation, sanction, computation, revision and disbursement. The system involves crediting pensions directly into the accounts of former servicemen without relying on banks.

Details:

• The MoU will onboard more than 7,900 branches of Bank of Baroda and 6,300 branches of HDFC Bank as Service Centres to provide last mile connectivity to pensioners, especially those who live in remote areas of the country and those who do not have the means or technical wherewithal to logon to SPARSH.

How it will help pensioners?

• For these pensioners, the Service Centres will become an interface for SPARSH and provide an effective medium for pensioners to perform profile update requests, register grievances and seek redressal, digital annual identification, pensioner data verification or also simply fetch detailed information regarding their monthly pension.

Question: 

Defence Accounts Department (DAD) recently signed a MoU with which of the following Banks, to onboard them as Service Centres under SPARSH initiative?

A. Bank of Baroda 

B. HDFC Bank

C. Both 

D. None of the above

Answer: C

Environment.

National Conference of Environment Ministers.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the National Conference of Environment Ministers in Gujarat through video conferencing. 
• Taking forward the spirit of cooperative federalism, Conference is being convened to create further synergy amongst the Central and State Governments in formulating better policies on various issues.

Focus of the Conference:

• The conference will focus on increasing forest cover with special emphasis on restoration of degraded land and wildlife conservation.

About the Conference:

• The two-day Conference, being organised on 23rd and 24th of this month, will have six thematic sessions with topics focusing on LiFE, Combating Climate Change (Updating State Action Plans on Climate Change for Mitigation of Emissions and Adaptation to Climate Impacts), PARIVESH (Single Window System for Integrated Green Clearances), Forestry Management, Prevention and Control of Pollution, Wildlife Management and Plastics and Waste Management.

Question 

National Conference of Environment Ministers recently held in which of the following state?

A. Himachal Pradesh

B. Uttarakhand

C. Gujrat

D. Tamilnadu

Answer: C

Report and Index.

UNESCO inaugurates 2022 State of the Education Report for India.

• UNESCO, also known as United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural organisation, released a report titled Artificial Intelligence in Education: Here, There, and Everywhere as part of its State of the Education Report for India. 
• It is a yearly flagship report and is in its fourth edition.

What is included in the report?

• Fourth edition includes an introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) to help debunk some common misconceptions about the topic. 
• There are also opportunities and obstacles in the Indian education sector that AI can handle.

Needs of NEP: 2020-

• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of India places a strong emphasis on the need to impart the necessary technical knowledge and the integration of AI in Education to also promote quality and skill-based education, as per the release which it further reported that the AI Market in India is likely to reach US Dollar 7.8 billion by 2025 at a rate of 20.2 percent compound annual growth. 

The organisation has also released a 10-point recommendation.

• Consider the ethics of AI in Education as a significant priority.
• Provide an overall regulatory framework for Artificial Intelligence in Education quickly.
• Form useful public-private partnerships.
• Make sure all students and teachers have access to the latest technology.
• AI literacy efforts need to be expanded.
• Attempt to correct algorithmic biases and the discrimination caused by them.
• Work on improving public trust in Artificial Intelligence.
• Request the private sector to involve students and educationists in creating AI products.
• Place ownership of data with the students.
• Embrace the versatility of Artificial Intelligence in Education systems.

Question: 

What is the title of the recently inaugurated UNESCOs State of the Education Report for India 2022?

A. No teacher no class

B. Leave no child behind

C. Artificial Intelligence Here, There, and Everywhere 

D. None of the above

Answer: C

National

Indian Nutrition Rating

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the country’s apex food regulator, has released draft notification for front-of-pack labelling to discourage consumers from buying packaged food high in sugar, salt, and fat, which will require pre-packaged food to carry a star graphic — ranging for 0 to 5 — next to the brand name.
• Like the star-rating system for energy efficiency of electronic products, the ‘Indian Nutrition Rating (INR)’ will see the unhealthiest food items carry a 0-star rating and the healthiest carry a 5-star rating.

How this will work?

• As per the draft notification, items will be given scores based on contribution of energy and content of saturated fat, sugar, sodium, fruit and vegetables (FV), nuts, legumes, and millets (NLM), dietary fibre, and protein per 100 gm of solid or 100 ml liquid foods. 
• Solid food with a score of more than 25 will be given 0.5 stars, and those with a score less than – (minus)11 will get 5 stars.

Major aspects of rating:

• The INR system rates the overall nutritional profile for packaged food by assigning it a rating from ½ star (least healthy) to 5 stars (healthiest). 
• More stars indicate the food product is better positioned to provide for daily human need of nutrients. 
• The logo shall be displayed close in proximity to the name or brand name of the product on front of pack,.
• Front-of-pack Labelling.
• Criteria for Scoring.
• Similar to the star-rating system for Energy Efficiency.

How these rating help costumers?

• Caution for Customers.
• Healthy Choice.
• Educating Consumers.
• Informed Decision.

Question: 

Draft Indian Nutrition Ratings are recently released by which of the following Organisation?

A. Department of Consumer Affairs

B. Food and Public Distribution

C. FSSAI

D. FAO

Answer: C

Economy

Social Stock Exchange

• Capital markets regulator Sebi on Monday came out with a detailed framework for social stock exchange, specifying minimum requirements for a Not-for-Profit Organisation (NPO) for registering with the bourse and disclosure requirements.

What is SSE?

• SSE is a novel concept in India and such a course is meant to serve the private and non-profit sectors by channelling greater capital to them. The idea of SSE was first floated by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech for the financial year 2019-20.

Facts

• It allows the listing of non-profit or non-government organisations on stock exchanges, providing them with an alternative fund-raising structure. 
• It may be listed on BSE or NSE.
• Other countries like the UK, Canada and Brazil also have SSEs.
• The fund-raising is proposed through several instruments such as zero-coupon-zero-principal bonds, social venture funds and mutual funds.

About the market

• India has over 31 lakh NPOs, more than double the number of schools and 250 times the number of government hospitals which amounts to one NPO for 400 Indians.

Question: 

The idea of the Social stock exchange was primarily floated by which Finance Minister?

A. P. Chidambaram

B. Pranab Mukherjee

C. Nirmala Sitharaman

D. Manmohan Singh

Answer: C

Sports and Entertainment.

India’s first MotoGP to be held in Noida’s Buddh circuit in 2023

• Moto GP, the premier motorcycle racing event will be held for the first time in India at Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida next year.
• Dorna Sports, which owns the commercial rights for MotoGP, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Fairstreet Sports to hold the championship in India for seven years.

Previous racing event in India:

• This is not the first time that a major racing event has been held in India. Formula One, the car racing championship, conducted the “Indian Grand Prix” from 2011 to 2013 at Buddh International Circuit. 

What is Grand Prix motorcycle racing?

• Grand Prix motorcycle racing is the premier class of motorcycle road racing events held on road circuits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). 
• Independent motorcycle racing events have been held since the start of the twentieth century and large national events were often given the title Grand Prix.
• The foundation of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme as the international governing body for motorcycle sport in 1949 provided the opportunity to coordinate rules and regulations so that selected events could count towards official World Championships. 
• It is the oldest established motorsport world championship.

Question: 

India’s first MotoGP is proposed to be held in which of the following states in 2023?

A. Maharashtra

B. Uttarpradesh

C. Karnataka

D. Gujarat

Answer: B

Environment and Ecology.

India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve. 

• The country’s first ‘Dugong Conservation Reserve’ has been notified in Tamil Nadu.
• The move was aimed at conserving the endangered species as it would help protect and improve marine fauna. The reserve has been notified in Palk Bay.

Why:

• The development follows the announcement made by the government in the Assembly in September 2021 in order to protect the Dugong species and its marine habitats. A conservation reserve would be established in the Palk Bay region off the coast of Tamil Nadu.

About Dugongs:

• Dugongs are the largest herbivorous marine mammals which primarily thrive on seagrass beds.
• Conservation of these Dugongs would help protect and improve the seagrass beds which are also the breeding and feeding grounds for many fish and marine fauna.

Status:

• Dugongs are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 as their population was on the decline due to habitat loss.
• There were only about 240 such Dugongs estimated to be present in the country and a majority of them were found in the Palk Bay area.

Question: 

The country’s first ‘Dugong Conservation Reserve’ has been notified by which of the following states/UT?

A. Odisha

B. Tamil Nadu

C. Kerala

D. Maharashtra

Answer: B

National

International Conference On Consciousness.

• Union Minister of Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal recently inaugurated the international conference on Consciousness with the theme, “Exploring Consciousness – From Non-Locality to Non-Duality: The Man-Machine Debate” at NIMHANS, Bengaluru. 
• The conference is organised by India Foundation and NIMHANS and supported by the Ministry of Ayush.

Details:

• The conference will bring together some of the most eminent researchers and inventors in the areas of Physics, Biology, Neuroscience, Artificial Intelligence, Cybernetics, Quantum Computing and allied fields as well as scholars and spiritual teachers of the major Indic Spiritual and psychological disciplines and doctrines.

Objective: 

• Main objective of the CoE project at NIMHANS is to conduct clinical trials in four neuro-psychiatric disorders.

Question: 

The International Conference on consciousness was recently held in which city?

A. Guwahati

B. Bengaluru

C. Delhi

D. Hyderabad

Answer: B

National

Puneet Sagar Abhiyan

• The National Cadet Corps (NCC) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to tackle the issue of plastic pollution and achieve the universal goal of clean water bodies through ‘ Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’ and ‘Tide Turners Plastic Challenge programme’.

What is Puneet Sagar Abhiyan?

• The ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’ is among the slew of initiatives taken by the government to realise the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• He was referred to as ‘Panchamrit’ during the 26^th United Nations Climate Change conference, COP26, held in Glasgow, Scotland between October 31^st to November 13^th, 2021.
• Since the launch of ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’, over 100 tonnes of plastic waste have been collected from nearly 1,900 locations by NCC cadets.

Aim and objective:

• The aim of the MoU between the NCC and the UNEP is to synergise and collate efforts toward engaging youth for promoting clean water bodies.
• The objective is to engage in capacity building and awareness on environmental sustainability through information sharing and training initiatives.
• Promote opportunities for NCC cadets to participate in appropriate national and international platforms related to environment and climate change and engage in and develop joint initiatives of mutual intent pertaining to the environment and climate change.

Question: 

The National Cadet Corps recently signed an MoU with which of the following international organisations for Puneet Sagar Abhiyan?

A. UNDP

B. UNEP

C. World Bank

D. ADB

Answer: B

Defence.

MOD signs a deal for dual role Surface-to-Surface BrahMos missile with BAPL.

• The Ministry of Defence recently signed a contract with BrahMos Aerospace (BAPL) for the acquisition of additional dual-role capable Surface-to-Surface BrahMos missiles at an approximate cost of ₹1,700 crores under “The Buy-Indian” Category. 

How this will benefit:

• The induction of these dual-role capable Missiles is going to significantly enhance the operational capability of the Indian Navy (IN) fleet.
• This contract is going to give a further boost to indigenous production of critical weapon systems and ammunition with the active participation of indigenous industry.

BrahMos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd: 

• Notably, BAPL is a Joint Venture (JV) between India and Russia making a crucial contribution to augmenting the new generation Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSMs) with enhanced range and dual role capability for land as well as anti-ship attacks.

Question: 

Dual-role Surface-to-Surface BrahMos missiles will be inducted in which of the following defence forces?

A. Indian Army

B. Indian Navy

C. Indian Air Force

D. None of the above

Answer: B

Economy

Moonlighting.

• Wipro has taken a tough stand against employees involved in moonlighting and sacked 300 employees. 
• Wipro chairman Rishad Premji said that the company found 300 people to be moonlighting and working for rival companies in the last few months, adding that there was no place for such people in the company.

What is Moonlighting?

• Moonlighting means taking up a second job or multiple other work assignments apart from one’s full-time job. The practice of working for other organisations while committing oneself to one’s primary workplace, typically without the employer’s knowledge is termed as ‘moonlighting’.
• Companies have opposed the practice, saying that employees doing multiple jobs can impact their productivity.

Is moonlighting ethical?

• The IT sector is divided when it comes to moonlighting. Some call it unethical, while others believe it is the need of the hour.
• Swiggy earlier announced an “industry first” policy that allowed moonlighting for its employees. 

Is moonlighting legal in India?

• A person may work more than one job in India without breaking the law. However, a person with a similar set of jobs could give rise to concerns about a violation of confidentiality because many employers include such restrictions in their employment agreements in addition to prohibitions against holding down multiple jobs.

Question: 

Which is the first company in India to permit Moonlighting in India?

A. Swiggy

B. Zomato

C. Wipro

D. Infosys

Answer: A

National

Operation Megh Chakra.

• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently conducted searches at 59 locations across 20 States and one Union Territory as part of a pan-India drive against the circulation and sharing of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
• The operation code-named “Megh Chakra” is being carried out following the inputs received from Interpol’s Singapore special unit based on the information received from the authorities in New Zealand.

What is the Target of this Operation?

• The operation is targeted at cloud storage facilities used by the peddlers to circulate audio-visuals of illicit sexual activities with minors, thus earning the code ‘Meghachakra’. The agency being the first one to set up a cyber-crime unit has hit CSAM peddlers across India.
• It focuses on combining information from various law enforcement agencies within the country in close coordination with Interpol and other international units to combat online child sexual exploitation.

Nodal Agency: 

• CBI is the nodal agency for Interpol which has an International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) image and video database, the Hindustan Times said in a report. Investigators from member countries are allowed to access the ICSE data.

Question: 

Operation “Megh Chakra” recently conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is associated with

A. Terror funding

B. Child pornography

C. Black money

D. Human trafficking

Answer: B

National.

SymphoNE.

• Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy recently launched a two-day virtual conference titled ‘SymphoNE’ to create a roadmap to showcase the unexplored beauty of Northeast India and boost the region’s tourism sector.

Aim:

• It aims to develop a one-stop solution to eliminate all obstacles that tourists and tour operators are facing.

One stop solution:

• SymphoNE is the start of a series of dialogues on the Northeastern region’s development and is being attended by policy thinkers, stakeholders and influencers with the aim of boosting the tourism sector in the Northeast.

Features:

• It will feature ideation, discussions and formulation of the ideas and suggestions offered by the thought leaders, policy thinkers, social media influencers, travel and tour operators, and senior officials of the DoNER ministry and the state governments.

Question: 

Recently launched SymphoNE is an initiative to promote which sector in Northeast India?

A. Trade

B. Industries

C. Tourism 

D. Health

Answer: C

Defence.

INS Sunayna participates in Operation Southern Readiness.

• INS Sunayna recently entered Port Victoria Seychelles to participate in the annual training exercise Operation Southern Readiness of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). 
• This not only reinforces the Indian Navy’s commitment to maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region but also marks the maiden participation of an Indian Navy ship in the CMF exercise.

Countries participated:

• The joint training exercise is being attended by representative delegations from the USA, Italy, Australia, Canada, and =New Zealand and ship participation from UK, Spain and India.

INS Sunayna:

• INS Sunayna is the second Saryu-class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, designed and constructed indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited.

Combined Maritime Forces:

• Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) is a multi-national naval partnership which exists to promote security, stability and prosperity across approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which encompass some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
• Headquarters location: Manama, Bahrain
• Parent organisation: The United States Naval Forces Central Command

Question: 

Which Indian Patrol vessel recently participated in Operation Southern Readiness of Combined Maritime Forces in Seychelles?

A. INS Tarasa 

B. INS Bangaram

C. INS Bitra

D. INS Sunayna

Answer: D

National.

Delhi Airport receives CII National Award for Excellence in Energy Management and National Energy Leader.

• Delhi Airport, managed by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited-led consortium, has received the prestigious National Award for Excellence in Energy Management by CII-Green Business Centre (GBC). 
• It has also received National Energy Leader Award for the year 2021.

About the award: 

• The award recognizes “Excellence” in Energy Management in industries and facilitates sharing information by excellent energy-efficient companies.
• It also aims to instil a sense of competition to motivate Indian industries to achieve energy excellence and promote sustainable development.

Selection Criterion:

• The selection was based on presentations by participating companies to an eminent panel of an independent jury formed by CII, having rich industry experience. 
• DIAL presented the “Net Zero Carbon Emission Airport by 2030” roadmap and its progress update, along with the key energy saving and emission reduction initiatives, innovative projects, and other environmental aspects such as waste management, water management, climate change adaptation strategies, etc.

Question: 

Which airport recently received the CII National Award for Excellence in Energy Management and National Energy Leader?

A. Bengaluru Airport

B. Delhi Airport

C. Mumbai Airport

D. Ahmedabad airport

Answer: B

Defence.

DefExpo 2022.

• The forthcoming DefExpo 2022, scheduled to be held in Gandhinagar from October 18 to 22, will host the second edition of the India-Africa Defence Dialogue, with invites extended to 53 African countries.
• A separate Indian Ocean Region plus (IOR+) conclave with the participation of approximately 40 countries is also on the anvil.

Theme: 

• The theme of DefExpo 2022 is ‘Path to Pride’, and the aim is to showcase the might of the domestic defence industry.

Details: 

• This edition will see the participation of only Indian companies.
• The expo was earlier scheduled to be held in March but was postponed due to “logistical challenges”, the Ministry had said then, as the war in Ukraine began on February 24.

Features:

• This edition of the expo is being planned in a total area of 1+ lakh sq m, which would make it the largest so far. 
• The inaugural ceremony and seminars will be held at the Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre, the exhibition at Helipad Exhibition Centre, live demonstrations on all five days at Sabarmati Riverfront and ship visits for public by the Indian Coast Guard at Porbandar. 
• The biggest drone show by the indigenous IIT-Delhi start-up, Botlabs, has also been organised, which will be another highlight of the mega-event.

Question: 

DefExpo 2022 is to be organised in which of the following cities?

A. Gandhinagar

B. Kanpur

C. Chennai

D. Panji 

Answer: A

International.

L.69 Group 

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with members of the L.69 group on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly summit recently.
• The grouping, which counts numerous African, Latin American and Asian countries among its members, was formed in 2007. 

What is the L.69 group?

• The L.69 group is of pro-reform member states, including primarily developing countries from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific.
• Its goal is to “achieve a comprehensive reform of the Security Council and, ultimately, strengthen multilateralism”.
• The group is bound by the firm conviction that expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UNSC is imperative to reflect contemporary world realities better.
• Members – The group currently has 42 countries as its members.
• India is also a member of the group.

Theme: 

• The theme of the meeting was “Reinvigorating Multilateralism and Achieving Comprehensive Reform of the UN Security Council”. 

The outcome of the  meeting:

• During the course of the meeting, participants called for a more inclusive, responsive and participatory international governance architecture. 
• They called for urgent and comprehensive reform of the Security Council to reflect the contemporary global realities.

Question: 

L.69 group is a pro-reformer group that does not include countries from

A. Africa

B. Latin America

C. Caribbean

D. Australia 

Answer: D

Science and Technology.

RH-200 sounding rocket.

• In a few weeks, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) hopes to achieve a remarkable feat — the 200th successful launch of the Rohini RH-200 sounding rocket in a row.
• The 3.5-metre-tall RH-200, a trusted member of the Rohini sounding rocket family used by the ISRO for atmospheric studies, has completed 198 consecutive successful flights, according to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thumba.

What is RH-200?

• RH-200 is a two-stage rocket capable of climbing to a height of 70 km bearing scientific payloads. Solid motors power the first and second stages of RH-200. The ‘200’ in the name denotes the rocket’s diameter in mm. Other operational Rohini variants are RH-300 Mk-II and RH-560 Mk-III.
• For years, the RH-200 rocket had used polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based propellant. The first RH-200 to use a new propellant based on hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) was successfully flown from the TERLS in September 2020.

What are Sounding Rockets? 

• Sounding rockets are one- or two-stage solid propellant rockets used to probe the upper atmospheric regions and for space research.
• These are also used for a variety of experiments, including those on phenomena related to eclipses.
• The first sounding rocket, American Nike-Apache, was launched from Thumba, Kerala, in 1963.
• After that, two-stage rockets from Russia (M-100) and France (Centaure) were flown.
• The ISRO launched its own version of the sounding rocket, Rohini RH-75, in 1967.

Question: 

Recently ISRO launched its 200th name RH-200 from which of the following space centres?

A. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)

B. Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR.

C. U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC)

D. ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC)

Answer: A

International.

Asian Palm Oil Alliance.

• The apex edible oil industry associations from five major palm oil importing countries of Asia — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal — have come together to form the Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA), at the instance of Solidaridad Network, a specialist in sustainable agriculture.

Chairman:

• India’s Atul Chaturvedi has been elected as the first chairman of the Asia Palm Oil Alliance.

Objective:

• The idea is to gain collecting bargaining power and make imports sustainable.
• Aim at safeguarding the economic and business interests of the palm oil consuming countries and will work towards increasing the consumption of palm oil in member countries.

What is Palm Oil?

• Palm Oil is edible vegetable oil produced from the palm fruit of Elaeis Guineensis (African oil Palm) or Elaeis Oleifera (indigenous to South and Central America). 
• It is rich in vitamins A and E with no trans fatty acids; commonly used in food products and industrial applications.

Question: 

Which of the following is not a member country of the recently formed Asian Palm Oil Alliance?

A. Sri Lanka

B. Bangladesh

C. Nepal

D. Myanmar 

Answer: D

National.

India’s first avalanche monitoring radar was installed in North Sikkim.

• An avalanche monitoring radar, the first of its kind in India, has been installed in North Sikkim by the Army and Defence Geoinformatics and Research Establishment (DGRE).
• It has the capability to detect avalanches within three seconds of their trigger and will assist in saving the lives of troops and reducing damage to property in super high altitude areas.

About the Radar:

• The radar was made operational by DGRE, a laboratory under the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), which is involved in forecasting and mitigating avalanche hazards faced by the Army in the Himalayan region.
• The radar can permanently scan the targeted slope for avalanche release and track the path of the avalanche and its size if in case it is triggered.
• The radar can see through snow and fog as well as at nighttime, making it an all-weather solution. It covers an area of two sq. km, obviating the requirement to place additional instruments in dangerous avalanche-prone areas.
• The radar is also linked to an alarm system, enabling automatic control and warning measures in case an avalanche is triggered. Images and videos of the event are automatically recorded for future analysis by experts.

Question: 

India’s first avalanche monitoring radar has been installed in which of the following states/UT?

A. Arunachal Pradesh

B. Jammu and Kashmir

C. Sikkim 

D. Mizoram

Answer: C

National

JALDOOT App.

• Ministry of Rural Development has developed the “JALDOOT App” that will be used across the country to capture the water level of selected wells in villages.
• Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Giriraj Singh, will launch the “JALDOOT App” at a function in New Delhi recently.

About the App:

• The Jaldoot app will enable Gram Rojgar Sahayak (GRS) to measure the water level of selected wells twice a year (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon). 
• In every village, an adequate number of measurement locations (2-3) shall need to be selected. These will be representative of the groundwater level in that village.

Features:

• The app will facilitate panchayats with robust data, which can be further used for better planning of works. 
• The groundwater data could be utilised as a part of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and Mahatma Gandhi NREGA planning exercises. 
• Further, the data can also be used for different kinds of research and other purposes.

Question: 

The recent launch of the National JALDOOT App is done by which of the following Ministry?

A. Ministry of water and sanitation

B. Ministry of housing and urban development

C. Ministry of Rural Development

D. Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Answer: C

Awards and Recognitions.

Breakthrough Prize: 2023. 

• The 2023 winners of the Breakthrough Prizes, dubbed the “Oscars of Science”, were announced recently and will split a total of more than $15 million.

About the prize:

• The Breakthrough Prizes, created in 2010 by a group of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, are the most richly endowed awards in science, disbursing more than the Nobel prizes.
• Three prizes were awarded this year in the life sciences category, one for mathematics and one for physics.
• Each prize carries $3 million — more than the $1 million for a Nobel winner.

The winners

• The Breakthrough Prize in mathematics was awarded to Daniel Spielman of Yale University for multiple discoveries in theoretical computer science and mathematics.
• The prize in fundamental physics was shared by Charles Bennett, Gilles Brassard, David Deutsch and Peter Shor for their work in quantum information.
• Clifford Brangwynne and Anthony Hyman won a life sciences prize for discovering a new mechanism of cellular organisation.
• The other life sciences prizes were awarded to Demis Hassabis and John Jumper for developing AlphaFold, which predicts the structure of proteins, and Emmanuel Mignot and Masashi Yanagisawa for discovering the causes of narcolepsy.

Question: 

Which of the following is not a category for which the  Breakthrough Prize will be awarded in 2023?

A. Life sciences

B. Mathematics

C. Physics

D. Economics

Answer: D

Health and Diseases.

Malawi first country in southern Africa to eliminate trachoma: WHO.

• Malawi has become the first country in southern Africa to eliminate trachoma; the World Health Organization (WHO) announced September 21, 2022.
• This makes Malawi the fourth country in WHO’s Africa region to achieve this milestone after Ghana (June 2018), Gambia (April 2021) and Togo (May 2022).

What is Trachoma?

• Trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness and is one of the conditions known as neglected tropical diseases.
• This disease is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria.
• It is a public health problem in 44 countries and is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people. Around 136 million people live in trachoma endemic areas and are at risk of trachoma blindness, which the WHO estimated based on June 2021 data.

How is it eliminated?

• Trachoma starts off as a bacterial infection and can be easily treated. Over time, it causes the eyelashes to be pushed inwards into the eye. So with every blink, they brush against the eyeball.
• This advanced form of trachoma is called trichiasis. Over time, if it’s not treated, trichiasis can lead to blindness.
• The disease thrives where there are water shortages, poor sanitation and infestations of flies, which are considered physical vectors of the disease.

Question:

Trachoma is caused due to

A. Virus

B. Bacteria

C. Protozoa

D. Fungus

Answer: B

Science.

One Week One Lab theme-based campaign.

• Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, recently announced a ‘One Week One Lab’ theme-based campaign to showcase the technological breakthroughs and innovations in CSIR laboratories/institutes across the country.

Details:

• CSIR breakthroughs in areas like Drone, Heliborne technology, state-of-the-art Sewage cleaning machines, and Aroma Mission has opened up huge opportunities for developing meaningful and equal stake partnership among Research, Academia and Industry. 
• The Minister said the state-of-the-art Heli-borne survey technology with cooperation from Jal Shakti Ministry was applied last year in the States of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana, and this could play an important role in positively contributing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision and Mission of “Har Ghar Nal Se Jal”. 

Question: 

One Week One Lab theme-based campaign was recently announced for

A. ISRO

B. BARC

C. CSIR

D. None of the Above

Answer: C

Environment and Ecology.

Kaziranga gets sculptures made of burnt rhino horns’ ash.

• The Kaziranga National Park in Assam has a memorial made out of the ash of burnt rhino horns.
• Named “Abode of the Unicorns”, it has three rhino sculptures – an adult male, an adult female and a calf. 
• It also has three statues of forest guards, created using different materials.

Details:

• The male rhino is 10.5 feet long and 6 feet tall, the female is 11 feet long and 5.6 feet tall, while the calf is 3.5 feet long and 1.5 feet tall.
• On World Rhino Day last year, a stockpile of 2,479 rhino horns was consigned to flames remotely using drones at the World Heritage Site. 
• They were seized/collected over the past four decades.
• According to park authorities, 128.56 kg of ash was used in the making of the memorial. Sculptors Biju Das crafted the three rhinos while Biren Singha created the statues of the forest guards.

About: Kaziranga National Park

• Kaziranga National Park is a protected area in the northeast Indian state of Assam. 
• Spread across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, its forests, wetlands and grasslands are home to tigers, elephants and the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses. 
• Ganges River dolphins swim in the park’s waters. It’s visited by many rare migratory birds, and grey pelicans roost near Kaziranga village.
• Area: 1,090 km²
• Established: 1905
• Management: Government of India
• UNESCO Site Id: 337

National

Indigenously-developed aviation fuel AVGAS 100 LL.

• The Centre recently launched indigenously-developed AVGAS 100 LL, a special aviation fuel meant for piston engine aircraft and unmanned ariel vehicles.
• The fuel has been developed by Indian Oil Corporation.

About the AV GAS 100 LL fuel:

• AV GAS 100 LL produced by Indian Oil’s flagship refinery at Vadodara has been tested and certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 
• It is a higher-octane Aviation fuel meeting the product specifications with superior performance quality standards compared to imported grades.

Question: 

Indigenously-developed aviation fuel AVGAS 100 LL is made by

A. Reliance Petroleum Ltd

B. Hindustan Petroleum

C. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation 

D. Indian Oil Corporation

Answer: D

National

Dairy Cooperative Conclave.

• Union home affairs and cooperation minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the Eastern and North-Eastern Zones Dairy Cooperative Conclave at Gangtok in Sikkim on 7th October, 2022.
• The National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI) will organise the one-day conclave.

Theme:

• The theme of the conclave is “Resilient Eastern and North-Eastern Zones Dairy Cooperatives – Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities”.

Aim: 

• To strengthen the cooperative ecosystem in the Eastern and North-Eastern Regions for the benefit of local communities.

Question: 

Dairy cooperative conclave is to be organised in which of the following cities?

A. Nagpur

B. Gangtok

C. Karnal

D. Patna 

Answer: B

International.

Giorgia Meloni to become Italy’s first woman PM.

• Giorgia Meloni looks set to become Italy’s first woman prime minister at the head of its most right-wing government since World War II after leading a conservative alliance to triumph in recent elections.
• Meloni will take over from Prime Minister Mario Draghi, the former head of the European Central Bank, who pushed Rome to the centre of EU policy-making during his 18-month stint in office, forging close ties with Paris and Berlin.

About Giorgia Meloni:

• Giorgia Meloni is an Italian politician and journalist. 
• A member of the Chamber of Deputies in Italy since 2006, she has led the Brothers of Italy political Party since 2014. She has been the president of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party since 2020.

Question: 

Giorgia Meloni recently became the first woman prime minister of which of the following European countries?

A. Italy

B. Germany

C. Albania

D. Austria

Answer: A

Technology.

India’s push for a home-grown navigation system.

• India is pushing tech giants to make smartphones compatible with its home-grown navigation system within months, worrying the likes of Samsung, Xiaomi and Apple who fear elevated costs and disruptions as the move requires hardware changes, according to two industry sources and government documents seen by Reuters.

Reason:

• The Indian government wants to reduce dependence on foreign systems, including the widely used U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) and says NavIC provides more accurate domestic navigation and that its use would benefit the economy.

India vs others.

• India’s space agency has said systems like GPS and Russia’s GLONASS are operated by their countries’ defence agencies, making it possible for civilian service to be interrupted.
• NavIC, it says, is fully under the control of the Indian government, which one day wants to take it globally like GPS.

What is the Indian Indigenous navigation system NavIC?

• It is an Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System or IRNSS.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the name NavIC after the successful launch of the seventh navigation satellite in April 2016.
• It was developed in India by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its commercial wing ANTRIX.
• It consists of 8 satellites located at a distance of approximately 36,000 km. Currently, 7 satellites are active.
  • 3 satellites are in Geostationary Orbit (GEO)
  • 5 satellites are in inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO)
• NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) is an autonomous regional satellite navigation system established and maintained by ISRO.
• It covers India and the region extending up to 1,500 km beyond the Indian mainland (primary coverage area). It provides position accuracy better than 20 m (20) and timing accuracy better than 50 ns (20).
• The actual measurements demonstrate accuracy better than 5 m and 20 ns, respectively.
• NavIC-based applications are being used in various civilian sectors, including transport, map applications, and timekeeping.

Question: 

What is the name of India’s Indigenious Regional Navigation Satellite System?

A. Bhuban

B. ANTRIX

C. NavIC

D. ISGPS

Answer: C

Society, National.

First encyclopedia on tribes in India.

• Odisha has come up with an encyclopedia on tribes documenting their age-old and unique traditions before they entirely vanish from circulation.
• Five edited volumes of ‘Encyclopedia of Tribes in Odisha’ published by Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute and Odisha State Tribal Museum in the Museum complex were released by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here recently.

Tribal population in odisha:

• Tribes, as per the 2011 census, account for 22.85% of Odisha’s total population.  
• Odisha is home to the third largest tribal population in India, but it is found to be the country’s most diverse indigenous community.
• The State has 62 tribes, including 13 particularly vulnerable tribal groups.

About Encyclopedia:

• The 3800-page encyclopedia contains 418 research articles. 
• Besides papers contributed by its own research personnel, the articles of other research scholars and eminent anthropologists on different aspects of the tribes and other States have also found their place in the encyclopedia.

About Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute.

• Established in 1955, the SCSTRTI, the country’s premier and oldest Tribal Research Institute, has studied various aspects of tribes and published informative research articles uninterruptedly in its 61-year-old research journal ‘ADIVASI’.

Question: 

The first encyclopedia on tribes in India is recently published in which of the following states?

1. Jharkhand
2. Chhattisgarh
3. Odisha
4. Assam

Answer: C

International.

Rotterdam Convention.

• International trade of two new hazardous pesticides — Iprodione and Terbufos — has been recommended for “prior informed consent” (PIC) procedure under the Rotterdam Convention. 
• The chemicals are dangerous for humans and aquatic animals. 

Rotterdam Convention:

• The Rotterdam Convention is formally known as the Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade.
• It is a multilateral treaty to promote shared responsibilities in relation to the importation of hazardous chemicals.

What is prior informed consent (PIC)?

• The PIC procedure is a mechanism for formally obtaining and disseminating the decisions of importing parties on their willingness to receive future shipments of hazardous chemicals.
• In India, the use of these chemicals was permitted by the 2015 Anupam Verma committee report.  
• The country is among the largest exporters of Terbufos.

What are Iprodione and Terbufos chemicals?

• Iprodione, a fungicide used on vines, fruits, trees and vegetables, has been classified as carcinogenic and toxic for reproduction.
• Terbufos is a soil insecticide used commonly on sorghum, maize, beet and potatoes. It has also been found to pose a risk to aquatic organisms due to its toxicity.

Question: 

Rotterdam Convention, which is seen in the news, is related to

A. Dairy products

B. Essential medicines and drugs

C. Neuclear waste

D. Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides

Answer: D

Technology.

Toyota launched India’s first flex-car.

• India gets its first flex-fuel car by Toyota on Wednesday. The Union Minister of Transport Nitin Gadkari launched a new trial project involving Toyota’s new car that will be powered by flex-fuel.
• The initiative will power India’s aim to be among the top global producers in every segment of vehicles over the next 25 years.

What is Flex-fuel technology?

• Just like their name, these Flex Fuel Vehicles are not confined to a certain kind of fuel and can flexibly run on a blend of petrol and ethanol up to 83%. As of now, Flex Fuel Vehicles are available in the USA, Brazil, and Canada. 
• According to the US Department of Energy, FFVs are more efficient and show improved acceleration performance when fuelled with higher ethanol blends.

What are the benefits of the Flex Fuel car?

• One of the prime benefits of flex-fuel car owners over petrol car owners is that they can switch to ethanol whenever they want. 
• They will have a wider option of fuels that may shield them from highly volatile fuel prices. 
• It will also help India in reducing its dependence on fuel imports.

Question: 

Flex fuel cars majorly use which of the following as fuel combinations?

A. Hydrogen and petrol

B. Petrol and Ethanol

C. Gas and petrol

D. Petrol and Electric

Answer: B

Entertainment.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2020.

• Veteran Bollywood actor Asha Parekh has been selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke award 2020, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced recently. 
• The award will be presented at the National Film Awards ceremony to be held in New Delhi on Friday.

About Asha Parekh:

• Asha Parekh is a renowned film actress, director, producer, and accomplished classical dancer. Starting her career as a child actor, she made her debut in Dil Deke Dekho and has acted in over 95 movies.
• Parekh was awarded the Padma Shri in 1992 and has also served as the head of the Central Board of Film Certification from 1998 to 2001.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award

• The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest award in the field of cinema. It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 
• The recipient is honoured for their “outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema and is selected by a committee consisting of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry. 
• The award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹1,000,000. 

Question: 

Who has been recently selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2020?

A. Asha Parekh

B. Poonam Dhillon

C. T S Nagabharana

D. Udit Narayan

Answer: A

Science and Technology.

HAL’s rocket engine manufacturing facility inaugurated in Karnataka.

• An Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) set up by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) that would cater to the entire rocket engine production under one roof for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu in Bengaluru recently.
• The state-of-the-art ICMF, set up over an area of 4,500 square metres, houses over 70 hi-tech equipment and testing facilities for manufacturing cryogenic (CE20) and semi-cryogenic (SE2000) engines of Indian rockets.

What is cryogenic engine?

• Cryogenic engines are the most widely used engines the world over in launch vehicles. 
• Due to the complex nature of the cryogenic engine, to date, only a few countries — the USA, France, Japan, China and Russia — have mastered the cryogenic technology.
• A cryogenic rocket engine is a rocket engine that uses a cryogenic fuel or oxidizer; that is, its fuel or oxidizers (or both) are gases liquefied and stored at very low temperatures.
• Due to the use of liquid gases as propellants, cryogenic Rocket Engines are also called liquid-propellant rocket engines.
• The engine uses cryogenic propellants, i.e., Liquid Hydrogen at -265°C as fuel and Liquid O2 at -240° C as an oxidizer.

The major components of a cryogenic rocket engine:

1. Combustion chamber (thrust chamber).
2. Pyrotechnic initiator.
3. Fuel injector.
4. Fuel cryopumps.
5. Oxidizer cryopumps.
6. Gas turbine.
7. Cryo valves.
8. Regulators.
9. Fuel tanks and rocket engine nozzle.

Question: 

An Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility by HAL was recently inaugurated in which of the following cities?

A. Chennai

B. Bengaluru

C. Ahmedabad

D. Guawahti

Answer: B

International.

Global Skills Summit 2022.

• Union Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan recently inaugurated and addressed the 13th FICCI Global Skills Summit 2022 in New Delhi.

About the summit:

• The 13th edition of Global Skills Summit’s theme ‘Education to Employability – Making it Happen’ would focus on easing the education to employability transition for the youth of our country. 
• After 34 years since the launch of the National Policy of Education in 1986, the new National Education Policy -2020 envisions having a learning ecosystem that is second to none. 
• Currently, Our nation is at the cusp of leveraging demographic dividend, disruptive technologies and changing the World of Work. 
• The Summit would look from the NEP lens and focus on how India can become the “Skill Capital of the World”, keeping the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) as an underpinning theme.

Question: 

13th FICCI Global Skills Summit 2022 was recently organised in which of the following cities?

A. Kanpur

B. Shimla

C. Hyderabad

D. Delhi

Answer: D

Geography.

Hurricane Ian.

• More than 2.5 million Floridians were recently under some kind of evacuation warning as Hurricane Ian marched closer to the state’s west coast after knocking out power across all of Cuba.
• The Category 3 storm was churning 120 mph winds Tuesday night with its centre roughly 180 miles south-southwest of the city of Punta Gorda

About the Cyclone:

• Hurricane Ian is a powerful tropical cyclone that is currently impacting South Florida after striking the Cayman Islands and western Cuba. 
• The ninth named storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, Ian, originated from a tropical wave that was located by the National Hurricane Center east of the Windward Islands on September 19.

What is Tropical cyclone?

• A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system characterised by a low-pressure centre, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depending on its location and strength, a tropical cyclone is referred to by different names.

Defence

Mega R&D Fair IInvenTiv.

• As many as 23 Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) in the country would come together for a mega fair on Research and Development (R&D) on October 14 and 15 with an aim to inculcate the “innovation-driven” outlook and encourage the development of affordable technologies in line with “Make in India” and “Digital India” initiatives.

About IInvenTiv:

• The R&D fair, “IInvenTiv”, is being organised as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate 75 years of India’s Independence.
• The event would display 75 projects across 10 themes, including defence and aerospace, healthcare, environment and sustainability, smart cities and infrastructure, robotics, sensors and actuators.

Exhibition:

• Some prominent exhibitions will include a presentation by IIT Bombay on its “ Bahubhaashak” (polyglot) project, which enables speech-to-speech translation at a time the government is promoting regional languages in schools and higher education institutions in line with the National Education Policy 2020.

Question: 

Mega R&D fair named “IInvenTiv” is an event majorly driven by

A. ISRO

B. DRDO

C. IITs

D. HAL

Answer: C

Very Short Range Air Defence System missiles.

Defence.

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently successfully flight tested the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

About Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS):

• The VSHORADS is an air defence system designed and developed indigenously by Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat of the DRDO.
• VSHORADS missile incorporates many novel technologies, including a miniaturised Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics, which have been successfully proven during the tests.

Objective:

• The missile, meant for neutralising low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges, is propelled by a dual thrust solid motor.

Question: 

Very Short Range Air Defence System missiles are recently developed by

A. Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWE)

B. Gliders India Limited (GIL)

C. Munitions India Limited (MIL)

D. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Answer: D

Economy

Asian Development Bank announces $14 billion support for food security in the Asia Pacific.

• The ADB recently announced a $14 billion financial support towards the Asia Pacific region’s food security, which is threatened by the Russia-Ukraine war and global climatic conditions.
• The funding is for the period 2022-2025.

Details:

• The funding was announced by Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa as part of the 55th ADB annual meeting during a virtual press conference.
• While $3.3 billion will be spent in 2022, $10.7 billion is to be utilised between 2023-25.
• Mr Asakawa underlined global climate changes and food security as two key focus areas.
• The Manila-headquartered agency is proactive in supporting the member nations. ADB is owned by 68 members, of which 49 are from the Asia Pacific region.

About Asian Development Bank:

• The Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank established on 19 December 1966, which is headquartered in the Ortigas Center located in the city of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines. The bank also maintains 31 field offices worldwide to promote social and economic development in Asia.
• Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines
• President: Masatsugu Asakawa (from 17 January 2020)
• Founded: 19 December 1966
• Purpose: Social and Economic Development
• Type of business: Multilateral Development Bank

Question: 

Which international organisation recently announced $14 billion in financial support for the Asia Pacific region’s food security, threatened by the Russia-Ukraine war and global climatic conditions?

A. IMF

B. ADB

C. World bank

D. IDA

Answer: B

Defence.

Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system.

• Swedish defence major SAAB recently announced plans to manufacture its Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system in India. 
• The manufacturing would be done by a new fully SAAB-owned subsidiary, Saab FFV India Pvt. Ltd.
• The transfer of the technology to India and the first product will be rolled out in 2024.

What is the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system?

• The Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle is a man-portable, multi-role weapon system that effectively allows dismounted soldiers to deal with multiple challenges on the modern battlefield. Adaptable and flexible, the system constantly evolves to satisfy future user and market needs.
• The system is designed to give troops the tactical advantage in any combat scenario, including neutralising armoured tanks, enemy troops in defilade, clearing obstacles and engaging enemies in buildings.

About its usage and previous versions by the Indian Army:

• The Army has been using the iconic Carl-Gustaf since 1976 and currently operates the Mk2 and Mk3 versions. The Carl-Gustaf has ammunition with varying ranges, with a maximum of 1,500 m. The anti-tank ammunition has a range of 500 m.
• The manufacturing set-up is planned to include the M4 weapon system, key technologies such as carbon fibre winding for M3 and M4, a brand new Fire Control Device launched this year and the M3 barrel assembly.

Question: 

Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system, which will be manufactured in India, is majorly associated with which country?

A. Sweden

B. Germany

C. France

D. USA

Answer: A

Health and Science.

Khosta-2 virus

• After COVID-19 tormented us for more than 2 years, now a new SARS-CoV-2-like virus, Khosta-2, has been discovered in Russian bats, which has the potential to infect humans, a new study has revealed. 
• And the fact that it is resistant to current vaccines against COVID-19 makes it more worrisome. 

What are the similarities between Khosta-2 and COVID-19?

• Both Khosta-2 and SARS- CoV-2 belong to the same sub-category of coronaviruses known as sarbecoviruses. Like the COVID-19 virus, Khosta-2 also uses the spike protein to enter and infect human cells.

How different are they from other sarbecoviruses?

• While hundreds of sarbecoviruses have been discovered in recent years, predominantly in bats in Asia, the majority are incapable of infecting human cells. The Khosta-1 and Khosta-2 viruses were discovered in Russian bats in late 2020, and it initially appeared they were not a threat to humans.

Should we be worried about Khosta-2? 

• Though Khosta-1 poses a low risk to humans, Khosta-2 demonstrated some troubling traits.
• Researchers found that, like SARS-CoV-2, Khosta-2 can use its spike protein to infect cells by attaching to a receptor protein, called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), found throughout human cells.

IS KHOSTA-2 VIRUS RESISTANT TO COVID VACCINES?

• The study, published in the journal PLoS Pathogens, has said that there is a need to develop universal vaccines to protect against sarbecoviruses in general, rather than just against known variants of S-CoV-2.

Question: 

Khosta-2 is a virus recently seen in news found in bats associated with which of the following countries?

A. China

B. Russia

C. Namibia

D. Ethiopia

Answer: B

Environment and Ecology

White fly attack

• White fly attack on rabi crops has been recently reported in Rajasthan. 

What is a Whitefly?

• Whitefly is a pest of cotton that lowers yield by feeding on the underside of the leaf. 
• It spreads diseases like Cotton Leaf Curl Virus. 
• It feeds on the sap of the leaves and releases fluid onto the leaves on which a black fungus grows. 

Question: 

Whitefly is a pest majorly attacks which crop?

A. Mushroom

B. Cotton

C. Pulses

D. Sunflower

Answer: B

National

Hitachi Astemo planted its first solar power plant in India.

• Hitachi Astemo has installed India’s first solar power plant at the Jalgaon manufacturing plant in Maharashtra.
• The 3 megawatts (MW) solar power plant will be built in an area of 43301 sqm.

Details 

• The ground-mounted solar power plant will consist of 7128 ground-mounted solar panels and 10 inverters. 
• Hitachi Astemo is known for developing, manufacturing, selling, and servicing automotive and transportation components.
• This solar power plant will embark on its new journey in the field of sustainable energy in India.

How will it impact Environment?

• Hitachi is working to reduce its carbon emissions and become carbon neutral by 2050.
• With this plant, the company could eliminate nearly 4000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, which will be equal to planting around 1,50,000 trees.

About the company:

• One of the subsidiaries of the Japanese firm Hitachi, Hitachi Astemo, was established in 2021. 
• Its parent company, Hitachi, is also working on generating sustainable energy in the country. 
• The company is known for building the largest mega-solar generating system in Japan. Along with solar energy, the company is also focusing on delivering on other renewable energy sources. 
• The company is already running projects that capture naturally occurring energy in the form of sources like solar, wind, and hydropower and convert it into electricity in India.  

Question: 

Hitachi Astemo, known for establishing the largest mega-solar generating plant in the world, has also established India’s first solar power plant in which of the following states?

A. Jharkhand

B. Rajasthan 

C. Maharashtra

D. Arunachal pradesh

Answer: C

Environment and Ecology.

India: First country with a cooling action plan.

• India is the first country with a cooling action plan based on energy efficiency and thermal comfort.
• Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupendra Yadav, recently speaking at the Ministerial Roundtable for Green Economy at the World Green Economy Summit in Dubai, said India has launched important initiatives and schemes such as Ujala Yojana for industrial efficiency.

What is the India Cooling Action Plan?

• The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) seeks to provide an integrated vision towards cooling across sectors including, reduction of cooling demand, refrigerant transition, enhancing energy efficiency and better technology options within a 20-year time horizon.
• Launched in March 2019, the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) is the first-of-its-kind initiative of its scale in the cooling sector.

Indian initiatives for the plan:

• Global initiatives like International Solar Alliance and other initiatives for strengthening the green economy across key sectors like energy, industry, transportation, agriculture and forestry have been adopted. 
• India has taken several measures on sustainable finance, such as sovereign green bonds and blended finance, as well as setting up the GIFT city and the ISA-Solar Risk Mitigation Initiative.

About 8th World Green Economy Summit:

• The 8th edition of the World Green Economy Summit began on September 28. 
• The global summit was inaugurated by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.
• The two-day event, organised by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) and the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
• The World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Question:

The 8th World Green Economy Summit was recently held in which city?

A. Berlin

B. New York

C. Dubai

D. Rio De Janeiro

Answer: C

Also, check:

Monthly Current Affairs Blogs	Monthly Current Affairs Blogs
Current Affairs for January 2022	Current Affairs for February 2022
Current Affairs for March 2022	Current Affairs for April 2022
Current Affairs for May 2022	Current Affairs for June 2022
Current Affairs for July 2022	Current Affairs for August 2022

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