Weekly Current Affairs (15th to 21st February 2022) Part - 2 - UPSC PDF Download

Important News – India

Q.1. In which city, Indian Railways is setting up country’s biggest and world class wrestling academy to support wrestling as a sport?

Correct Answer is Delhi.

• The academy would be the biggest in the country, equipped with advanced training facilities.
• The sports facility being made at Delhi will be exclusively for wrestling and will provide opportunities for wrestlers to enhance their skills and become 'world champions' in the coming years.

Q.2. Which organization has organized a hackathon named Darkathon–2022 from February 15 to April 22 to find solutions to unravel the anonymity of darknet markets?

Correct Answer is Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

• The initiative aims at involving students, youth and technical experts to find effective solutions to unravel the anonymity of darknet markets.
• This hackathon is being organised in three phases starting today and concluding on 22nd April.

Q.3. First of its kind two-day Global Summit on ‘Reimagining Museums in India’ was held in which city ?

Correct Answer is Hyderabad.

• Union Ministry of Culture is organized the first of its kind summit to celebrate the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements, as part of Azadi Ka Amritmahotsav marking 75 years of Independence of the Country.
• Over thousand museums from the country and abroad has showcased cultural heritage on the occasion to for educating future generations as part of the summit.

Q.4. Who will be the head of the Apex Committee on G20 Secretariat, formed to oversee the preparations for G20 India Summit 2023?

Correct Answer is Prime Minister.

• The G20 Secretariat will be guided by an Apex Committee headed by Prime Minister and it will have the following members.
• Finance Minister, Home Minister, External Affairs Minister and G20 Sherpa (Piyush Goyal) will be the members of the committee.

Q.5. The Ministry of Education (MoE) approved a new scheme “New India Literacy Programme” to be implemented from 2022 to?

Correct Answer is 027.

• The ministry has also decided to use “Education For All” instead of “Adult Education” as the previous term did not appropriately represent all non-literates in the 15 years and above age group.
• The scheme will be implemented through volunteerism via online mode.

Q.6. The Ministry of Education (MoE) approved a new scheme “New India Literacy Programme” under which the term “Adult Education” will be replaced by?

Correct Answer is Education for All.

• The scheme will cover non-literates of the age of 15 years and above in the country.
• Now, Govt. has replaced the term “Adult Education (प्रौढ़ शिक्षा)” as ‘Education for All’ in the country.
• It will be implemented through volunteerism through online mode.

Q.7. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has unveiled the much-awaited water taxi service in which city?

Correct Answer is Mumbai.

• The initiative will help in promoting tourism as well as reducing traffic congestion in the city.
• The WT services are expected to cut the commuting time between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai by almost 45 minutes to an hour.

Q.8. Which organization has launched ‘Quit Tobacco App’ to help people to quite tobacco in all forms?

Correct Answer is World Heath Organization.

• The ‘WHO Quit Tobacco App’ is the latest tobacco control initiative by the WHO South-East Asia Region.
• It was launched during WHO’s year-long ‘Commit to quit’ campaign.

Q.9. What is the length of the main tunnel of T-49, the longest tunnel of Indian Railways, between Sumber and Arpinchala station of Katra-Banihal section of Udhampur- Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project that has been connected successfully?

Correct Answer is 12.758 km.

• It is constructed between Sumber and Arpinchala station of Katra-Banihal section USBRL
• It the longest tunnel of Indian Railways.
• T49 is a tunnel of length 12.758 km long and it is going to be the longest tunnel of Indian Railway.

Q.10. What is the outlay of the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNT/NT/SNTs (SEED) launched by the Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE)?

Correct Answer is Rs 200 crore.

• It is an umbrella scheme for the empowerment and welfare of the most deprived and economically weakerIndian communities’ viz. De-notified Tribes (DNTs), Nomadic Tribes (NTs) and Semi Nomadic Tribes (SNTs). It has been formulated with four components that affect their livelihood.
• Its outlay is ~Rs 200 crore to be spent over five years beginning 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Q.11. The 12th edition of President’s Fleet Review was conducted at which place as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav?

Correct Answer is Visakhapatnam.

• The 12th edition of President’s Fleet Review is being conducted at Visakhapatnam as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was also present at the event.

Q.12. Under whose chairmanship SEBI has reconstituted its alternative investment policy advisory committee, which advises the capital markets regulator on a range of issues that impact further development of the AIF space?

Correct Answer is N R Narayana Murthy.

• Chairman of the committee: N R Narayana Murthy.
• It will advise the capital markets regulator on a range of issues that impact further development of AIF (Alternative Investment Fund) industry.
• Prior to this, there were 22 members in the committee, which was constituted in March 2015.

Q.13. International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) is located in which city where two new new Centres called ‘Centre of Demography of Gender’ and ‘Centre for Ageing Studies’ are inaugurated recently?

Correct Answer is Mumbai.

• Here two new Departments and two new Research Centres were inaugurated by Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Bharati Pawar.
• The newly inaugurated departments are ‘Department of Survey Research and Data Analytics’ and the ‘Department of Family and Generations’.

Q.14. Which ministry has organized a Chintan Shivir 'Heal by India' for strengthening the country's educational institutions in the health sector?

Correct Answer is Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

• Union Health Ministry has organized Chintan Shivir — ‘Heal by India’ for two days.
• Heal by India initiative: Generate job opportunities abroad for India’s trained professionals in the health sector and enhance education to churn out quality human resources in health, thus helping them become eligible to work anywhere in the world.

Q.15. Delhi-Khajuraho-Delhi route has been awarded to which airline company under the UDAN 3.0 ?

Correct Answer is SpiceJet.

• With this, 405 routes would be operationalized under the UDAN-RCS (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik- Regional Connectivity Scheme).
• The Delhi-Khajuraho-Delhi route was awarded to SpiceJet airline under the UDAN 3.0.

Q.16. 550-tonne capacity 'Gobar-Dhan' Bio-CNG plant has been inaugurated in which city by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi ?

Correct Answer is Indore.

• It is based on the concept of waste-to-wealth innovation.
• The municipal solid waste based Gobar-Dhan plant is in line with PM's vision of creating “garbage-free cities” under the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0.

Q.17. Under which scheme the central government has launched a doorstep distribution drive 'Meri Policy Mere Hath'?

Correct Answer is Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

• The doorstep campaign aims to ensure all farmers are well aware and equipped with all information on their policies, land records, the process of claim and grievance redressal under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
• The campaign will be launched in all implementing states in the upcoming Kharif season.

Q.18. In February 2022, India has signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)?

Correct Answer is UAE.

• It will cover goods, services and digital trade, among others, that will allow 90% of the country's exports a duty-free access to the Emirates.
• The bilateral trade pact is India's first in the region and the first comprehensive trade agreement with any country in a decade.
• UAE is India's third-biggest trading partner behind the US and China.

Important News – State

Q.1. Maru Mahotsav is celebrated in which state?

Correct Answer is Madhya Pradesh.

• It is also known as Maru Mahotsav of the Golden City.
• It is a 4-day long festival with competitions like Turban tying, Panihari Matka , Mehandi and mandana competitions.
• Other attractions: Camel Safari, Camel beautification, Camel Polo match, BSF Camel Tattoo, Camel dance, etc.

Q.2. Considered to be second-largest fair in India, the Medaram Jatara is organized in which state for that Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sanctioned Rs. 2.26 Crores for 2022 edition?

Correct Answer is  Telangana.

• Under the AzadiKa Amrit Mahotsav, the Government of India has announced that tribal culture and heritage will be the cynosure of 2022.
• After the Kumbh Mela, Medaram Jatara is the country’s second-largest mela which is held for four days.

Q.3. Which state govt signed an MoU with QX Global Group Limited for the holistic development of the Information Technology and IT Enabled Services (ITeS) sector in the State?

Correct Answer is Gujarat.

• The Gujarat government’s Department of Science and Technology had announced a new IT/ ITeS policy for the next 5 years in order to develop a robust ecosystem for the IT and digital sector.
• The policy also aims from the current Rs 3,000 crore annually to Rs 25,000 crore over the next five years.

Q.4. In which state the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has launched the ‘Waste to Wealth Creation’ programme for women?

Correct Answer is West Bengal.

• Under this programme, SIDBI will extend benefits to 50 women in directly generating revenues from alternate livelihoods.
• Later, each of them is expected to become a trainer for replicating and disseminating the knowledge among other aspirants.

Q.5. In February 2022, the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has signed MoUs with which state government to promote the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector?

Correct Answer is Bihar.

• The first MoU was exchanged by Manish Sinha, General Manager, SIDBI and Pankaj Dixit, IAS Director (Technical Development), GoB. Second MoU was exchanged by Sinha and Bhogendra Lal, ED (H.Q.), BIADA.
• Bihar is the 14th state of India with which SIDBI has partnered to strengthen MSME. SIDBI will place an expert agency with the state industries department of Bihar.

Q.6. Which state will soon get a motor racing track, which will be the first of its kind in eastern and northeastern India?

Correct Answer is Mizoram.

• The proposed project worth Rs 10 crores will be constructed at Lengpui, about 31 km north of Aizawl, where the lone state’s airport is located.
• Mizoram State Sports Council (MSSC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) had inked a pact for the construction of REC Motosports Racing Tract and Sports Complex.

Q.7. Which state govt has announced New Biotechnology Policy for the year 2022-27 aimed to achieve Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi?

Correct Answer is Gujarat.

• Under this policy, strategic projects, mega and large projects are eligible for special packages.
• This will attract new investment through anchor units and existing industries and create new employment opportunities in the state

Q.8. This year (2022) which edition of Khajuraho Dance Festival was inaugurated by the Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel?

Correct Answer is 48th.

• It is a week-long festival, that will be held till 26th February.
• This world-famous festival is organized in Khajuraho, Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh
• It will be participated by renowned artists from across the country and world

Q.9. Which state police force has become the 1st police force in the country to introduce Smart Card Arms License?

Correct Answer is Delhi.

• It will be printed in-house after verification of data of the arms license holders.
• Smart card arms license has also been integrated with e-beat book through mobile application 'Shastra App'.

Q.10. For which project the World Bank has recently approved loan worth $115 million for the State Governments of Karnataka and Odisha?

Correct Answer is REWARD.

• Aim: to implement Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development Programme.
• It will help national and state adopt improved watershed management practices to help increase farmers’ resilience to climate change, promote higher productivity and better incomes.

Important News – World

Q.1. What is the theme of the Energy and Resources Institute’s (TERI) World Sustainable Development Summit 2022?

Correct Answer is  ‘Towards a Resilient Planet: Ensuring a Sustainable and Equitable Future’.

• This year the theme of the summit is ‘Towards a Resilient Planet: Ensuring a Sustainable and Equitable Future’.
• It will discuss a wide range of issues including climate change, sustainable production, energy transitions, global commons and resource security.

Q.2. Which country will hold the Presidency of the G20 from 1st December 2022 to 30th November 2023?

Correct Answer is India.

• G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation that plays an important role in global economic governance.
• As per practice, a G20 Secretariat is being established to handle work relating to knowledge, content, technical, media, security, and logistical aspects of India’s G20 Presidency.

Q.3. In February 2022, India signed a letter of intent (LoI) with which country for working towards bringing down the cost of renewable energy (RE) technologies?

Correct Answer is Australia.

• Both the countries will also focus on scaling up the manufacturing of low cost solar and clean hydrogen.
• This was signed during the fourth India–Australia energy dialogue.

Q.4. G20 summit in 2022 will be held in which country?

Correct Answer is Indonesia.

• In 2021, the G20 summits was held in Rome, Italy. In 2022 the G20 summit will be held in Bali, Indonesia while in 2023 it will be held in New Delhi, India.
• India will hold the Presidency of the G20 from 1st December this year to 30th November 2023, culminating with the G20 Summit in India in 2023.

Q.5. Which country will be the first foreign country to adopt India's UPI system, paving the way for transforming the digital economy of the country?

Correct Answer is Nepal.

• This will play a pivotal role in transforming the digital economy of the neighbouring country.
• NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the international arm of NPCI, has joined hands with Gateway Payments Service (GPS) and Manam Infotech to provide the services in Nepal.

Q.6. In February 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual summit with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan the Crown Price of which country to firm up Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement?

Correct Answer is UAE.

• Both leaders were discussed bilateral cooperation and international issues of mutual interest.
• In recent years, bilateral relations between India and the UAE have strengthened in all areas, and both sides have embarked upon a comprehensive strategic partnership.
• The Prime Minister visited UAE in 2015, 2018, and 2019 while the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi visited India in 2016 and 2017.

Q.7. In February 2022, the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led a Parliamentary delegation to the which country?

Correct Answer is UAE.

• This is the first-ever visit under the bilateral exchange of Parliamentary Delegations from either side.
• The Lok Sabha Speaker will have the rare honour of addressing the Federal National Council of UAE on the 22nd of this month.

Q.8. According to the annual Frontiers report released by the UN Environment Programme, in 2021, which was the most affected region due to wildfires?

Correct Answer is Africa.

• In report titled "Noise, Blazes and Mismatches: Emerging Issues of Environmental Concern", UNEP has warned that Wildfires are predicted to worsen in the coming years and decades.
• Wildfires are a natural phenomenon, but are becoming more dangerous and affecting larger areas

Honor & Awards

Q.1. Who has been declared as the Business Standard Banker of the Year 2020-21?

Correct Answer is  Sandeep Bakhshi.

• Bakhshi took charge in October 2018 amid a controversy around his predecessor, who had to step down overcorporate governance issues. Since then, he has not just unhinged the bank from the controversy but also delivered growth on almost all parameters.
• The second-largest private sector lender in the country is well-capitalised.

Q.2. Which bank has won Best Technology Bank of the Year (Small Banks) at the 17th Annual Banking Technology Conference and Awards, instituted by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA)?

Correct Answer is South Indian Bank.

• The IBA 17th Annual Banking Technology Conference and Awards 2021 organised by the IBA was virtually held on 14th February 2022.
• The IBA Awards 2021 celebrate “Next-Gen Banking” and recognise the technologies and practices in the banking industry that have demonstrated a high degree of innovation over 2021.

Q.3. Which public sector company has been awarded the 'India's Most Trusted Public Sector Company' award?

Correct Answer is Coal India Ltd.

• CIL received this honor at the “Energy Meet and Excellence Award” function organized by Industry Chamber “ASSOCHAM” in Kolkata.
• Minister of state for Coal, Mines and Railways Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve also complimented CIL for bagging the coveted award.

Q.4. Who has been conferred with ‘Hilal-e-Pakistan’ the second highest civilian honour in the country?

Correct Answer is Bill Gates.

• It is the second highest civilian honour in the country
• He has been awarded for his efforts to help eradicate polio in Pakistan.
• Gates is on a day-long visit to Pakistan and has met with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Sports News

Q.1. Which team has won the women's title in the National senior volleyball championship?

Correct Answer is Kerala.

• Defending champion Kerala defeated Railways 25-21, 17-25, 25-21, 25-17 and won the women's title in the National senior volleyball championships at the KIIT indoor stadium, Bhubaneswar.
• It was Kerala's fourth straight triumph in the Nationals.

Q.2. Which football club have won their first FIFA Club World Cup 2022 by defeating Brazil’s Palmeiras in extra-time in the final in Abu Dhabi?

Correct Answer is Chelsea.

• Chelsea defeated South American counterparts in the final at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium by 2-1.
• The winner came from the penalty spot in the 117th minute.
• Chelsea Football Club is an English professional football club based in Fulham, West London.

Q.3. Which Indian city will host the 2023 International Olympic Committee (IOC) session?

Correct Answer is  Mumbai.

• It will be held at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.
• The last of IOC session was hosted by India in 1983 in New Delhi.
• IOC session for 2022 was held in Beijing, China.

Q.4. Sakibul Gani belongs to which state who has become the first player in the history of the cricket to score a triple century on his first-class debut?

Correct Answer is Bihar.

• He scored 341 off 405 balls, hitting 56 fours and two sixes, in the Plate Group Ranji Trophy fixture against Mizoram at the Jadavpur University Campus ground in Kolkata.
• Gani has played List A cricket before this, scoring 377 runs from 14 matches including a century. In 11 domestic T20s, he has made 192 runs.

Q.5. Indian tennis star Manika Batra has been roped in as the brand ambassador of which sportswear brand recently?

Correct Answer is Adidas.

• Owning to her 'Impossible Is Nothing' attitude, Manika joins Adidas' rich roster of women athletes, consisting of names like Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain, Hima Das, and Nikhat Zareen.

Q.6. Which country bagged the maximum number of medals at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games?

Correct Answer is Norway.

• Norway tallied the most gold medals, 16, and the highest total number of medals, 37, of all the countries competing in Beijing.
• Norway’s 16 gold medals represent the most ever won at a single Winter Games.

Q.7. Which country will host the 2026 Winter Olympics Games?

Correct Answer is Italy.

• The Presidency of the Games was formally handed-over to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, in Italy, to host the 2026 Winter Olympics.
• Italy first became the host country for the Olympics during the 1956 Winter Games, which were held in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Books and Authors

Q.1. Who is the author of the book titled ‘‘How to Prevent the Next Pandemic’?

Correct Answer is Bill Gates.

• In the book Bill Gates has written about specific steps that can only stop future pandemics but, in the process, provide better health care for everyone around the world.
• Bill Gates’ last book ‘How to Avoid a Climate Disaster’ was published in 2021.

Q.2. Who has authored the book titled “Dignity in a Digital Age: Making Tech Work for All of Us”?

Correct Answer is RO Khanna.

• The book highlights the effects of changing lifestyle patterns of Americans due to technological progress.
• It also mentioned about the digital divide i.e unequal access to technology and the revenue, as it is one of the most pressing issues faced by the United States.

Q.3. Who has authored the book titled “Humane: How the United States Abandoned Peace and Reinvented War?

Correct Answer is Samuel Moyn.

• The book is published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux, New York, United States of America (USA).
• The book highlights the United States of America (USA) strategy on fighting wars and how armed combat was transformed from an imperfect tool for resolving disputes into an integral component of the modern condition.

Q.4. Who has authored the book titled ‘A Nation to Protect’?

Correct Answer is Priyam Gandhi Mody.

• The book highlights the role of PM Narendra Modi during the Covid crisis in the past two years.
• The book documents the Centre’s leadership in this unprecedented time and how it tided the nation through the crisis.

Science and Defence

Q.1. In February 2022, the ISRO successfully launched which earth observation satellite?

Correct Answer is EOS-4.

• EOS-04, INSPIREsat-1 and INST-2TD were injected successfully into a sun-synchronous polar orbit by PSLVC52.
• EOS-04 is designed to provide high-quality images under all weather conditions for applications such as agriculture, forestry and plantations, soil moisture and hydrology and flood mapping.

Q.2. ‘Cope South 22’ is a joint tactical airlift exercise of which two airforce?

Correct Answer is US and Bangladesh.

• Named as Cope South 22, the exercise will be conducted at Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Kurmitola Cantonment, Dhaka; and Operating Location-Alpha, Sylhet, Bangladesh.
• It will witness the participation of nearly 77 airmen, along with two US Air Force C-130J Super Hercules from the US Air Force (USAF) 36th Airlift Squadron (AS) of the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base in Japan.

Q.3. Asia’s largest defence exhibition, DefExpo 2022, which will be held in?

Correct Answer is  Gandhinagar.

• More than 900 defence firms and 55 countries are expected to participate in it.
• A 1,000-drone display is expected to be one of the highlights of the exhibition.
• This will be the second time such a show is being organised in the country. It was first organised at the Beating Retreat in Delhi on January 29.