Weekly Current Affairs (1st to 7th March 2022) Part - 2 - UPSC PDF Download

Important News – India

Q.1. ‘National Level Awareness Programme – Sambhav’ has been launched by which ministry?

Correct Answer is Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

• During iconic week, Ministry of MSME will launch Phase II of ‘National Level Awareness Programme – Sambhav’ through which more than 1 lakh students from 1300 colleges will be motivated to take up entrepreneurship
• Ministry of MSME is also launching Entrepreneurship Promotion Drive in 46 aspirational districts.

Q.2. According to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), The world faces unavoidable multiple climate hazards over the next two decades with global warming of?

Correct Answer is 1.5°C.

• The report also warns about temporarily exceeding this warming level leading to additional, severe impacts, some of which will be irreversible.
• Lucknow and Patna would reach wet-bulb temperature of 35°C if emissions continued to rise.
• Global sea levels will likely rise 44-76 cm if not given attention.

Q.3. Along with which IIT, the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai jointly hosted, for the first time in India, the OCEANS 2022 conference & Exposition?

Correct Answer is IIT Madras.

• It is a bi-annual event of global marine researchers on February 21-24, 2022.It was held in a hybrid format.
•  ‘Inspire-Innovate-Sustain’ was the main theme of the conference.

Q.4. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched in which year?

Correct Answer is 2008.

• PMBJP stores have been set up to provide generic drugs, which are available at lesser prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy as expensive branded drugs.
• It was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in November 2008 under the name Jan Aushadi Campaign.

Q.5. India’s first e-waste eco-park will come up in which place?

Correct Answer is New Delhi.

• He also announced the framing of Delhi Film Policy 2022 to make the city a brand for shooting locations and promoting tourism.
• At present, Delhi produces 2 lakh tonnes of e-waste every year.

Q.6. India’s first ambulance for street animals has been launched in which city?

Correct Answer is Chennai.

• Launched by Madras High Court Justice Dr Anitha Sumanth, the Stray Animal Care programme will be a “hospital on wheels” with an on-board veterinarian to provide on-site treatment to injured and sick street animals.

Q.7. Recently, Dr Jitendra Singh launched the International Monsoons Project Office (IMPO) at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). Where is this IMPO/IITM located?

Correct Answer is Pune.

• Setting up the IMPO reiterates the importance of monsoons for the national economy.
• It would encompass activities and connections related to international monsoon research that would be identified and fostered under the leadership of the World Climate Research Programme and the World Weather Research Programme.

Q.8. What is the name of the hub of medicinal herbs and plants launched by President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan to promote the importance of Ayurvedic plants and their effects on human body?

Correct Answer is Arogya Vanam.

• The Arogya Vanam has been developed in a 6.6 acre area and it has 215 types of medicinal plants like Neem, Tulsi, Bel, Arand, Arjun, Ashwagandha and Harsingar.
• Aroma Garden, Lotus Pond, Water Channels, Yog Manch and a ViewPoint are also part of Arogya Vanam.

Q.9. Ministry of Women and Child Development will launch the ‘Back to School’ Campaign in partnership with which organization?

Correct Answer is UNICEF.

• On 7th March 2022, ‘Back to School’ Campaign will be launched jointly by MoWCD and UNICEF India as ‘Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav’, focusing on supporting out-of-school girls.

Q.10. Which organisation will release the National Gender Index in India?

Correct Answer is NITI Aayog.

• The index will serve as a tool to map the progress of states and Union Territories (UTs) on defined gender metrics and build the foundation for positive change.
• The index will support policy action and advocacy around gender and will be aligned to the framework of Sustainable Development Goals.

Q.11. India will soon lunch the third phase of Monsoon Mission. When was the first Monsoon Mission was launched to improve overall understanding of Indian monsoons ?

Correct Answer is 2012.

• Aim: to achieve further improvement in our understanding about the monsoons, thus helping achieve a quantum leap in the predictions
• Monsoon Mission was launched for the first time in 2012.
• It has been a flagship project undertaken by the MoES to improve overall understanding of Indian monsoons.

Q.12. What is the new motto of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)?

Correct Answer is Bhavishyo Rakshati Rakshit.

• The New Motto is ‘Bhavishyo Rakshati Rakshit’.
• The Minister interacted with the children from different States and also visited the exhibition based on stories of freedom fighters during their childhood organised by Border Security Forces (BSF) in collaboration with NCPCR and remembered their sacrifices.

Q.13. What is the theme of the 3rd edition of NIC Tech Conclave 2022 being organized by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).?

Correct Answer is Next-Gen Technologies for Digital Government.

• The two-day event being organized by the National Informatics Centre NIC.
• The event will be attended by the Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and other dignitaries from Centre and State Governments.
• NIC has been organizing Tech Conclave focused on Emerging Technologies applicable especially in eGovernance.

Q.14. What is India’s rank in terms of having most billionaires’ population globally in 2021, as per Knight Frank’s latest edition of The Wealth Report 2022?

Correct Answer is third.

• Number of ultra-high-net-worth-individuals (UHNWIs) in India increased by 11% in 2021 to 145 billionaires, highest percentage growth in Asia Pacific region
• UHNWIs: Individuals with net assets of US$ 30m (Rs 226 crore) or more
• India’s UHNWI is expected to grow by 39% from 2021 to 2026.

Q.15. MeitY Startup Hub and which technology company have announced to cohort 100 Indian early to mid-stage startups and help them to build high-quality global apps and games?

Correct Answer is Google.

• They were chosen from over 400 applications following an in-depth selection process
• Under this 6-month programme, 100 startups will be trained through a customized curriculum that includes virtual instructor-led webinars, self-learning material, mentorship sessions

Q.16. Which Indian city has created Guinness record by lighting 11.71 lakh clay lamps (diyas) in 10 minutes, on the occasion of Mahashivratri 2022?

Correct Answer is Ujjain.

• A five-member delegation of Guinness Book of World Records saw the mammoth effort and offered the record certificate to Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Q.17. The ministry of Women & Child Development has launched ‘Stree Manoraksha Project’ in collaboration with which organisation to improve the mental health of women population across the country?

Correct Answer is NIMHANS.

• The project would emphasise on the psychosocial well-being and aim to improve the mental health of women in India.
• The project also focusses on self-care techniques for OSC staff and counselors.

Q.18. What is India’s rank in the Sustainable Development Report 2021 or Sustainable Development Index 2021?

Correct Answer is 120th.

• Top performers: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Belgium.
• Index measures the total progress of India towards achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Q.19. What is the name of Indian Railway’s indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP), a train collision protection system?

Correct Answer is Kavach.

• The two trains will hurtle towards each other at full speed, one with the railway minister on board and theother with the Chairman of the Railway Board.
• TCAS or Kavach includes the key elements from already existing, and tried and tested systems like the European Train Protection and Warning System, and the indigenous Anti Collison Device.

Q.20. Who has inaugurated the Pune Metro Rail Project that cost Rs 11,420 Crore?

Correct Answer is Narendra Modi.

• The project is being built at a cost of more than Rs 11,400 crore.
• Modi also unveiled the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the premises of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Q.21. Under which scheme the Union Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E) has launched ‘Donate-a-Pension’ programme for people to contribute to the pension fund to their support staff?

Correct Answer is Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana.

• It is an initiative under (PM-SYM) pension scheme where citizens can donate the premium contribution of their immediate support staff such as domestic workers, drivers, helpers etc.
• According to the labour ministry website, the PM-SYM is a 50:50 voluntary and contributory pension scheme in which the beneficiary makes a stipulated age-specific contribution and the Central Government matches it.

Q.22. India’s flagship 12th edition of Nanotech event focussing on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology was inaugurated in?

Correct Answer is Bengaluru.

• The three-day nano event has the participation of more than 2,500 delegates and 75 national as well as internationally renowned speakers.
• The event is being organised virtually by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology,
• Biotechnology, and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, KSTePS and JNCASR.

Important News – State

Q.1. The First-ever Ice Wall Climbing Competition-2022 was inaugurated in which state/UTs?

Correct Answer is Ladakh.

• Organized by: Northwest Frontier of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
• Apart from ITBF, Ladakh Police, Ladakh Mountain Guide Association, Students and team from Nubra are participating in this two-day competition.
• It will help in creating a rich pool of talent to participate in international competitions like winter Olympics.

Q.2. Greenfield Airport in Hollongi is being constructed in which state?

Correct Answer is Arunachal Pradesh.

• It has an estimated cost of Rs.645 crore.
• This project includes development work i.e. construction of airport pavements, air side work, terminal Building and city side works.

Q.3. The OCEANS 2022 Conference and Exposition was held in which city?

Correct Answer is Chennai.

• The bi-annual conference was held for the first time in India.
• The theme of the event was “inspire-innovate-sustain”.

Q.4. JSW Energy’s Kutehr project has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with which state for supply of 240 MW hydro power?

Correct Answer is Haryana.

• The PPA is valid for a period of 35 years which can be further extended at mutually agreed terms.
• The PPA was signed at a levelised ceiling tariff of ₹4.50/kWh (at ex bus-bar).
• The PPA capacity was selected through competitive bidding underexpression of interest invited by the HPPC in July 2018.

Q.5. To mark the 20th anniversary of the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) and International Women’s Day, a 50-acre exclusive industrial park for women entrepreneurs is all set to be inaugurated in?

Correct Answer is Hyderabad.

• The FLO Industrial Park, which already has 25 women-led enterprises from diverse sectors, is being taken up in association with the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Q.6. The Ministry for Fisheries has been rolled out ‘Sagar Parikrama’ initiative in which state in first phase aimed at understanding “challenges, experiences and aspirations of fishermen community ?

Correct Answer is Gujarat.

• Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Parshottam Rupala outlined that the “Sagar Parikrama” initiative will be aimed at understanding “challenges, experiences and aspirations of fishermen community”, look at the scope of seafood exports, as well as to popularise schemes that the fishing community in coastal areas can avail of.

Q.7. Which state government has inaugurated a teachers university that will offer programmes like BA BEd, BSc BEd, etc?

Correct Answer is Delhi.

• Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia has inaugurated Delhi Teacher's University
• Its campus is located in Outram Lane in the Mukherjee Nagar area of the national capital
• It will offer a new-age integrated education programme after Class 12.

Q.8. Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has collaborated with which state government to promote awareness among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of the state about the benefits of listing ?

Correct Answer is Tamil Nadu.

• To facilitate this, BSE will partner with MSME Trade and Investment Promotion Bureau (M-TIPB).
• As part of the collaboration, BSE will provide the capacity building and soft support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Tamil Nadu for fulfilling listing requirements.

Q.9. Which state government will soon implement ‘Aama Yojna’, a scheme for helping non-working mothers & ‘Bahini Scheme’ benefitting girl students of the state?

Correct Answer is Sikkim.

• The scheme aims to inculcate the habit of saving among non-working mothers in the state and hence the Govt. will provide them Rs. 20,000 each in their bank accounts annually.
• The Sikkim government has sanctioned Rs 32 crore for the scheme this year.

Q.10. Which state government has announced Matrushakti Udaymita Scheme-to provide support to women entrepreneurs?

Correct Answer is Haryana.

• Under the scheme the women whose family annual income is less than 5 lakh rupees and who wish to become entrepreneurs in any enterprise, trade or business will be provided access to soft loans by financial institutions to the extent of 3 lakh rupees.
• Subsequently interest subvention of 7 percent will also be provided for three years through the Haryana Women Development Corporation.

Important News – World

Q.1. Which neighboring country of India has signed two separate agreements with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for loans worth USD 292 million ?

Correct Answer is Bangladesh.

• First loan worth USD 157 million is being provided to mitigate flood and riverbank erosion risks along Jamuna, Padma, and Ganges rivers
• It is part of 2nd tranche of Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Investment Program (FRERMIP)
• ADB has also approved USD 135 million to improve access and quality of inclusive water services.

Q.2. Which Airline have agreed with synthetic fuel group Synhelion to use its solar aviation fuel?

Correct Answer is Swiss International Air Lines.

• Swiss International Airlines will become the first airline to use solar aviation fuel to help power its flights
• For this, Synhelion has developed a technology for manufacturing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from renewable energy sources

Q.3. What is the name of the largest plane that was destroyed by the Russia?

Correct Answer is AN-225 Mriya.

• The aircraft was unique to the world.
• The An-225 aircraft was located at Hostomel Airport when Russia launched an attack on the Ukrainian airport on February 24, 2022.

Q.4. Which sports body has stripped Russian President Vladimir Putin of the Olympic Order award in response to the invasion of Ukraine?

Correct Answer is International Olympic Committee.

• International Olympic Committee urged sports federations and organisers to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from international events following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Q.5. 2022 Mobile World Congress (MWC) was organized in which place by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association(GSMA)?

Correct Answer is Barcelona, Spain.

• The focus on 5G and maximizing its potential for benefiting countries and economies is the centrepiece of MWC this year which is taking place amid an ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Q.6. The two-day-long Study in India (SII) 2022 meeting was inaugurated in?

Correct Answer is Dhaka, Bangladesh.

• The event organised by the High Commission of India was inaugurated by the Education Minister of Bangladesh Dr Dipu Moni and the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami.

Honor & Awards

Q.1. The 13thASSOCHAM International Conference cum Awards on Civil Aviation Cargo was held in which city?

Correct Answer is New Delhi.

• Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training received the prestigious Award for the ‘Best Air Hostess Training Institute – 2021’.
• The award was handed over by the Honourable Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia to Mr. K.S. Kohli, Founder & Non-Executive Chairman, Frankfinn Group.

Q.2. Who will be conferred the prestigious Boltzmann Medal 2022 for contribution in the field of statistical physics?

Correct Answer is Deepak Dhar.

• He became the first Indian to be awarded the Boltzmann Medal. He will share the medal with John J Hopfield of Princeton University.
• The medal presentation ceremony will be held during the StatPhys28 conference in August 2022 in Tokyo, Japan.

Sports News

Q.1. Which country will host the 31st Southeast Asian Games?

Correct Answer is Malaysia.

• The Games will feature 40 sports with 526 events, attracting around 10,000 participants.
• The Vietnamese capital Hanoi will be the main venue alongside 11 neighbouring localities including Quang Ninh, Phu Tho and Bac Ninh.

Q.2. Name the Indian shooter who won the gold medal in the men's 10m air pistol event in the year's first ISSF World Cup, in March 2022?

Correct Answer is Saurabh Chaudhary.

• He defeated Michael Schwald of Germany by 16-6 in the gold medal match of Men's 10m Air Pistol event.
• Apart from him, Russian Artem Chernousov bagged bronze medal at the event.
• India's Shreya Agrawal narrowly missed in World Cup's 10m air rifle event semi finals.

Q.3. The 2022 edition of ICC Women’s World is being organized in which country?

Correct Answer is New Zealand.

• ICC Women’s world cup will have a total of 8 teams: India, Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, South Africa, England, West Indies
• The tournament is being held in New Zealand
• It is being played in a round-robin format

Q.4. Name the Indian women cricketer who has recently achieved the feat of becoming the first women to appear in six ICC Women World Cups?

Correct Answer is Mithali Raj.

• She is the only third cricketer overall to play six world cup after Sachin Tendulkar and Javed Miandad.

Books and Authors

Q.1. Who has authored the book titled “Udaan Ek Majdoor Bachhe Ki” about Captain AD Manek that was released by the famous Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota ?

Correct Answer is Mithilesh Tiwari.

• The program was well organized by Shailesh B Tiwari of P Club Education Pvt Ltd.
• It highlights the life journey, struggle and success story of Captain AD Manek.
• Capt AD Manek is the founder of “The Skyline Aviation Club”.

Q.2. The book titled “One Among You” is an autobiography of?

Correct Answer is MK Stalin.

• This is the first part of the autobiography that contains his early life experiences.
• Stalin is the president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party.

Q.3. Who is the author of the biography ‘The Queen of Indian Pop: The Authorised Biography of Usha Uthup’?

Correct Answer is Srishti Jha.

• The book was originally written in Hindi titled “Ullas Ki Naav” by author Vikas Kumar Jha.“The Queen of Indian Pop:
• The Authorised Biography of Usha Uthup” is the English translation of the book, translated by the writer’s daughter Srishti Jha.

Science and Defence

Q.1. Who dedicated INS Visakhapatnam, the indigenously designed and constructed guided-missile stealth destroyer named after the City of Destiny – Visakhapatnam?

Correct Answer is YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

• The ship is on her maiden visit to the port city for participating in the PFR and MILAN-2022.
• INS Visakhapatnam is the lead ship of P15B class of guided-missile stealth destroyers and was commissioned on November 21 last year.
• It symbolises India’s matured shipbuilding capability and quest for the ‘Make in India’ initiative towards achieving 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

Q.2. What is the name of India’s first of the four stealth guided missile destroyers under Project 15B?

Correct Answer is INS Vishakhapatnam.

• In a formal ceremony at the Naval Dockyard, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Jagan Mohan Reddy dedicated the destroyer which has been designed and developed indigenously and built in India.
• This destroyer, named after the City of Destiny, is on her maiden visit to the City of Destiny for Ex MILAN-22 and the Presidential Fleet Review.

Q.3. Which Institution has organised the ‘National Innovation Conclave on Low Carbon Technologies’ ?

Correct Answer is Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

• This conclave provided a platform to present the innovations showing benefits of energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reduction potential when deployed at a large scale in industrial and commercial sectors.

Q.4. How many aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will demonstrate their capabilities at Exercise Vayu Shakti that will take place at Pokharan range in Jaisalmer?

Correct Answer is 148.

• PM Narendra Modi will be the Chief Guest of this event.
• 148 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in Vayu Shakti exercise.
• It will be participated by Rafale aircraft for the first time in this exercise.

Q.5. India hold the 19th edition of Military Cooperation Group (MCG) meeting with which country recently?

Correct Answer is USA.

• Meet was co-chaired by Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) Air Marshal BR Krishna from Indian side and his US counterpart Stephen D Sklenka.
• Focus: strengthening the ongoing defense engagements between the two sides and mulled on new initiatives under the ambit of the existing cooperation mechanism.

Q.6. Exercise Vayu Shakti 2022 will be organised in which place by the Indian Air Force (IAF)?

Correct Answer is Jaisalmer.

• PM Narendra Modi will be the Chief Guest of this event.
• 148 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in Vayu Shakti exercise.
• It will be participated by Rafale aircraft for the first time in this exercise.

Q.7. Which space agency has launched the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-T, a next-generation weather satellite to forecast hazardous environmental conditions?

Correct Answer is NASA.

• Once this satellite gets positioned in its geostationary orbit it will be renamed from GOES-T to GOES-18.
• It will be used by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to forecast weather and hazardous environmental conditions in the Western Hemisphere.

Q.8. Which edition of Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise SLINEX was conducted in 2022?

Correct Answer is 9th.

• The exercise was conducted in two phases-the harbour phase at Visakhapatnam followed by the sea phase the Bay of Bengal
• SLINEX aimed to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both navies.

Q.9. Name India’s first indigenously developed Flying Trainer that has successfully completed sea-level trials at Puducherry?

Correct Answer is HANSA-NG.

• It has been designed and developed by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• HANSA-NG was flown from Bengaluru to Puducherry, covering a distance of 140 nautical miles in 1.5 hours at a cruising speed of 155 km/hr.