Weekly Current Affairs (22nd to 31st March 2022) Part - 2 | Weekly Current Affairs - UPSC PDF Download

Important News – India

Q.1. Asia’s largest event on civil aviation, Wings India 2022 held in Hyderabad. What is the theme of Wings India 2022?

Correct Answer is India@75: New Horizon for Aviation Industry.

• The fifth edition of the biennial air show, take off at Begumpet Airport
• India, which currently has 153 operational airports, envisages increasing the number of airports to 190-200 by 2040.

Q.2. In which year the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana was implemented which is recently, extended for 6 months from April 2022?

Correct Answer is 2020.

• In 6th phase, each beneficiary will get an additional five kilos of free ration per person every month to the normal quota of food grain.
• The program comes under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Q.3. PM Narendra Modi will attend 5th BIMSTEC summit which will be chaired by which member country?

Correct Answer is Sri Lanka.

• The Virtual summit will be hosted by Sri Lanka, the current BIMSTEC chair.
• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also visit Sri Lanka from March 28 to March 30 where he will attend the meeting of the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers.

Q.4. The second leg of the 11th edition of Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav 2022 was inaugurated in which city?

Correct Answer is Warangal, Telangana.

• The second leg of the Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav 2022 event was held in Warangal, was inaugurated by the Telangana governor, Tamilisai Soundararajan.

Q.5. What is the total number of rhinos in Kaziranga after the census conducted by the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve ?

Correct Answer is 2613.

• Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve conducted the census.
• The total number of rhinos increased from 2413 to 2613.

Q.6. What is the rank of India in HURUN Global U40 Self-Made Billionaires report 2022, which is topped by the USA followed by China?

Correct Answer is 4th.

• The Hurun Global Forty and Under Self-Made Billionaires 2022 report released by Hurun Research Institute, ranks the self-made billionaires in the world (in terms of US dollars) under40.
• According to the report, the USA (37 billionaires), China (25 billionaires), followed by the UK (8), India (6) and Sweden (3) respectively in the top five.

Q.7. By the year 2025, the government has set a target of increasing the number of airports from 140 to?

Correct Answer is 220.

• The government has also planned to create 33 new domestic cargo terminals, and set up 15 new flight training schools, with a focus on drone sector.
• 15% of pilots in India would be women against the global average of 5%.
• India will have 96 carbon neutral airports, which will run on renewable energy by 2024.

Q.8. Currently, what is India’s operational nuclear power capacity?

Correct Answer is 6780 MW.

• India is planning to start the construction activities for 10 ‘fleet mode’ nuclear reactors over the next three years.
• The construction of 700 MW atomic power plant in Karnataka’s Kaiga will begin from 2023.
• A 700 MW reactor at Kakrapar in Gujarat was connected to the grid in Jan 2021, but it is yet to start commercial operations.
• India’s first pair of pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWR) of 220 MW each were set up at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan in the 1960s with Canadian support.

Q.9. In March 2022, which have been included in the tentative list of World Heritage Sites of the UNESCO?

Correct Answer is Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya.

• The root under the name of ‘Jingkieng Jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes of Meghalaya have been included in the list.
• At present, there are about 100 known living root bridges spread across 72 villages in the state.
• Khasi and Jaintia communities of Meghalaya are the caretakers of these bridges for over 600 years.

Q.10. In partnership with which organization the Ministry of Civil Aviation has organized Wings India 2022 from March 24 to 27 at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad?

Correct Answer is FICCI.

• Theme of Wings India 2022 – ‘India@75: New Horizon for Aviation Industry’
• Indian Air Force’s Sarang helicopter team performed a fly past during the Wings India 2022 exhibition in Hyderabad.
• Hansa-NG (designed and developed by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratory, Bengaluru) was showcased. Wing Commander Dilip Reddy was flying the aircraft.

Q.11. Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya, a museum dedicated to prime ministers of India is being developed at?

Correct Answer is Teen Murti Bhavan.

• The museum covers the life and times of all the 14 Indian prime ministers.
• The museum has been built at a cost of Rs 271 crores adjacent to the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in Teen Murti Bhavan.

Q.12. At which place, the Ministry of MSME and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, have organized a ‘Mega International Summit on MSMEs’?

Correct Answer is New Delhi.

• As per Central Statistics Office, Ministry of Statistics & Program Implementation, the share of MSME in GDP at current prices (2011-12) for the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 were 30.5% and 30.0% respectively.
• MSMEs’ share in total manufacturing during the year 2018-19 and 2019-20 was 36.9% and 36.9% respectively.
• Share of MSMEs’ in India’s total exports – 49.8% and 49.5% in 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively

Important News – State

Q.1. Recently, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly passed a bill to make which language as a compulsory for official work of local authorities?

Correct Answer is Marathi.

• The use of English or Hindi by local authorities for certain government works, like communicating with foreign ambassadors is allowed.

Q.2. Which State/UT has recently presented budget for 2022-23 with the name of Rozgar Budget?

Correct Answer is New Delhi.

• Budget Name - Rozgar Budget
• The budget amount - ₹75,800 crore.
• 20 Lakh Jobs by 2027
• Introduction of the ‘Delhi Film Policy'.
•  ₹9,769 crore allocated for the health sector.
• ₹16,278 crore for the education sector

Q.3. Under the mission called waste to wealth, a decentralised waste management technology park will be inaugurated in which city of Delhi?

Correct Answer is East Jaffrabad.

• An initiative under the office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Modi government named, The Waste to Wealth Mission, in collaboration with the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC), a decentralised waste management technology park, will be inaugurated in New Delhi's East Jaffrabad.

Q.4. To eradicate untouchability in Gram Panchayats, which state will launch the Vinaya Samarasya scheme on April 14 on Ambedkar Jayanti ?

Correct Answer is Karanataka.

• This drive aims to eradicate untouchability in Gram Panchayats across the state.
• April 14 celebrates the birth anniversary of the father's the Indian Constitution, B R Ambedkar.

Q.5. Which state has been conferred with the 3rd National Water Awards in the category of the Best State?

Correct Answer is Uttar Pradesh.

• President Ram Nath Kovind presented the 3rd National Water Awards to Uttar Pradesh for exemplary work in water management, followed by Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
• The National Water Awards are given by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Q.6. Which state of India got recognition on the tentative list of World’s Heritage Sites for the living root bridge?

Correct Answer is Meghalaya.

• Living root bridges are the type of simple suspension bridge formed by the method of tree shaping from living plant roots across a stream or river.
• These bridges are locally known as Jingkieng Jri.

Q.7. March 30, observed as a foundation day of which state?

Correct Answer is Rajasthan.

• Rajasthan observed 73rd Foundation Day on March 30. On March 30, 1949, the four states, namely Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer, joined with the United State of Rajasthan

Q.8. Which state/UT government has offered personal loans for prisoners to improve their family living conditions?

Correct Answer is Maharashtra.

• Under the scheme, Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank will provide loans upto Rs 50,000 at an interest rate of 7 per cent.

Q.9. Which state has won the National Para-Swimming Championships 2022?

Correct Answer is Maharashtra.

• Maharashtra won the 21st National Para-Swimming Championship 2022 with 306 points at the Maharana Pratap Khel Gaon, Udaipur.
• The tournament was jointly organised by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and Narayan Seva Sansthan.

Q.10. Which state government has created a task force, in collaboration with Salaam Baalak Trust and Youth Reach NGOs for the rehabilitation of street children?

Correct Answer is Delhi Government.

• The task force will focus on a five-pillar model of rehabilitation: education and vocational training, counselling and medical support, sponsorship, guardianship and shelter for the child
• ₹10 crore was set aside to create a residential school that will not only provide education but also emotional and psychological support to vulnerable children.

Important News – World

Q.1. In March 2022, which country became the hottest place on the Earth?

Correct Answer is Kuwait.

• The country continues to burn oil for electricity and ranks among the top global carbon emitters per capita, according to the World Resources Institute.

Q.2. Which country ready to ban the use of digital assets to pay good and services from April 1st, 2022?

Correct Answer is Thailand.

• The move was taken with earlier discussions between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bank of Thailand (BOT).
• Such activity could impact the country's financial statbility and economy.

Q.3. Which neighbour country of India has celebrated its 52nd Independence Day on 26th March 2022?

Correct Answer is Bangladesh.

• President M Abdul Hamid and PM Sheikh Hasina paid their tributes to the martyrs of the liberation war at theNational War Memorial in Dhaka.
• On 26 March 1971, Bangladesh was announced as an independent nation by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Q.4. The USA has organised the largest drill named 'Balikatan 2022' with which country?

Correct Answer is The Philippines.

• This exercise takes place across Luzon in the Philippines region near Taiwan from March 28 to April 8, 2022

Q.5. According to UNEP report on Noise Pollution, which city ranked at third as noisiest city in the world?

Correct Answer is Islamabad.

• Top 5 noise polluter - Dhaka (Bangladesh), Moradabad (UP, India), Islamabad (Pakistan), Rajshahi
• (Bangladesh), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
• Top 5 quietest cities - Irbrid at 60 dB, Lyon, Madrid, Stockholm, and Belgrade

Q.6. Which country will host four nations namely Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, annual Bersama Shield 2022 military exercise?

Correct Answer is Malaysia.

• The exercise, referred to as BS22.
• It has been conducted within the framework of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA, a series of bilateral and multilateral defence agreements established in 1971.

Q.7. How much financial aid as humanitarian assistance has been announced by the US for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh?

Correct Answer is USD 152 million.

• The announcement was made after the visit of the US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas to Cox’s Bazar where the majority of the Rohingya refugees reside.

Q.8. What is the theme of the 5th BIMSTEC Summit, which was recently held under the chairmanship of Sri Lanka virtually?

Correct Answer is Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People.

• PM Narendra Modi participated in the 5th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit which was hosted by Sri Lanka, the current chair of BIMSTEC virtually.

Honor & Awards

Q.1. Who has been awarded with the Abel Prize 2022 for his work in topology and its branches?

Correct Answer is Dennis Parnell Sullivan.

• He has been awarded for his work in topology and its branches specifically "for his groundbreaking contributions to topology in its broadest sense, and inparticular its algebraic, geometric and dynamical aspects."
• Abel Prize is an annual prize given annually to a person by the King of Norway.
• The annual award for mathematics is named after the great Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel.

Q.2. President Ram Nath Kovind has awarded the prestigious President's Colour to which Indian Naval Ship?

Correct Answer is INS Valsura.

• The President's Colour is a recognition of exceptional service rendered to the nation, both in peace and in war.
• INS Valsura was established in 1942 is a premier training establishment of the Indian Navy.

Q.3. For which movie, Jessica Chastain has won the 94th Academy award for "Best Actress"?

Correct Answer is The Eyes of Tammy Faye.

• Best picture - CODA
• Best Actress - Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye )
• Best Director - Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog) (Third female winner of the best director award after Chloe Zhao in 2021 and Kathryn Bigelow in 2010)
• Best Actor - Will Smith ( King Richard )

Q.4. Who won the Formula One Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2022 held at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Saudi Arabia?

Correct Answer is Max Verstappen.

• This is the 21st title of his career.
• He defeated Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who placed in the second position.

Q.5. Which Indian actress has been honoured to create mental health awareness at TIMES 100 Impact Awards ceremony held in Dubai?

Correct Answer is Deepika Padukone.

• She also got on the list of one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018 by TIME.

Q.6. Who led the DNEG, visual effects company, which has received 94th Academy Award in the 'Best Visual Effects' category for its work on 'Dune'?

Correct Answer is Namit Malhotra.

• Best Actor - Will Smith, “King Richard”
• Best Actress - Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye)
• Best Picture - CODA
• Best International Feature Film -Drive My Car
• Documentary Short Subject - The Queen of Basketball
• Best Directing - Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog)

Q.7. Which airport has been awarded with the Covid champion award for successfully implementing project named 'Mission Safeguarding' during the pandemic time?

Correct Answer is Cocin International Airport.

• Wings India is an Asia's largest event on civil aviation, jointly organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and FICCI at the Begumpet airport in Hyderabad.

Q.8. Name the personality who topped the Duff & Phelps Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2021 in India?

Correct Answer is Virat Kohli.

• Virat Kohli's brand valuation dipped to $185.7 million last year from a high of $237.7 million in 2020.

Q.9. Who accredited the most valued celebrity in the Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2021 (7th Edition) titled “Digital Acceleration 2.0.” released by Duff & Phelps (Now Kroll) ?

Correct Answer is Virat Kohli.

• The brand value of Virat Kohli has dropped from USD 237.7 million in 2020 to USD 185.7 million in 2021.
• Alia Bhatt has ranked 4th with a brand value of USD 68.1 million and has become the most valued female celebrity. She is the youngest celebrity among the top 10 and she is the most valued brand amongst female Bollywood actors.

Q.10. Who has been awarded the 3rd edition of the BBC Indian Sportswoman Of The Year award?

Correct Answer is Saikhom Mirabai Chanu.

• In 2021 in Tokyo Olympics, Mirabai Chanu created history by becoming the first Indian weightlifter to clinch a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
• ‘BBC Emerging Player’ award – Shafali Verma (youngest female cricketer who played for India in Women’s T20 International match in 2019)
• BBC Lifetime Achievement award – weightlifter Karnam Malleswari (1st Indian woman to win a medal at Olympics)

Sports News

Q.1. In which sports event Pranav Prashant Desai wins India's first gold in World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2022 held in Dubai?

Correct Answer is Sprinting.

• Athletics Grand Prix claimed the top prize in the men's 200m T64 final.
• T64 classification is for athletes with a leg amputation, who compete with prosthetics in a standing position.

Q.2. Byju’s named as official partner of which international event ?

Correct Answer is FIFA World Cup 2022.

• The event will be organised from November 21 to December 18 in Qatar.
• BYJU'S is now become the first Indian ed-tech firm to be associated with the World Cup.

Q.3. After defeating whom, Badminton player PV Sindhu has notched the Swiss Open Women's Singles title 2022?

Correct Answer is Busanan Ongbamrungpha.

• After this win, PV Sindhu notched up her second women’s singles title of the season.
• Sindhu had won her first title of 2022 in the Syed Modi International Super 300 in Lucknow.

Q.4. After defeating which team, India won the title of SAFF U-18 Women's Championship title 2022?

Correct Answer is Bangladesh.

• India lost to Bangladesh by 0-1 but still emerged as champions of the tournament.
• The highest goal scorer of the tournament was Lynda Kom, she scored five goals in the tournament.

Q.5. Which team won Obaidullah Khan Hockey Cup 2022?

Correct Answer is India Railway.

• CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the tournament at Major Dhyanchand Stadium, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• Arjun, player of Railway’s was adjudged Man of the Tournament.

Q.6. Which hockey team has won the Khelo India Women’s Hockey League (U-21)?

Correct Answer is Pritam Siwach Academy.

• The Sonepat-based academy is run by the former captain of the India women’s hockey team Pritam Rani Siwach; she is also won the Dronacharya Award winner in 2021.

Books and Authors

Q.1. The book titled “Indian Agriculture towards 2030: Pathways for Enhancing Farmers’ Income, Nutritional Security and Sustainable Food and Farm Systems” that was released by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar has been published by?

Correct Answer is Springer.

• The book captures the progress of the efforts of NITI Aayog, Ministries of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare; and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and FAO towards improvement in the agriculture sector.

Science and Defence

Q.1. Which Shipyard Limited has signed a deal of Rs 473 crore with Ministry of Defence to construct eight Fast Patrol Vessels for the Indian Coast Guard?

Correct Answer is Goa Shipyard Limited.

• The deal was signed by Joint Secretary (Maritime & Systems) Dinesh Kumar and Chairman and MD, GSL Commodore BB Nagpal (Retd) in New Delhi.
• These patrol vessels will be designed, developed, and manufactured by GSL under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.

Q.2. Name the security exercise which has been conducted by Western Naval Command in Mumbai offshore?

Correct Answer is Prasthan.

• This exercise is conducted after every six months.
• The Naval exercise received participation from the Indian Air Force, Coast Guard, ONGC, Mumbai Port Trust, Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Trust, Customs, state fisheries department, Mercantile Marine Department, and the Marine Police.

Q.3. Which edition of the joint naval exercise of Varuna 2022 between Indian and French navies is being held in the Arabian Sea?

Correct Answer is 20th.

• The 20th edition of the Bilateral Naval Exercise, VARUNA between Indian and French Navies is being conducted in the Arabian Sea from 30 Mar – 03 Apr 22.
• The Bilateral Naval Exercises were initiated in 1993.

Q.4. With which organisation Indian Air Force has launched the Fleet Card - Fuel on Move?

Correct Answer is Indian Oil Corporation.

• Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, has launched the Fleet Card- Fuel on Move card.
• Fleet Card permits the convoy to refuel at any IOCL fuel stations.

Q.5. West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has inaugurated “PARAM Shakti” – a Petascale Supercomputer at?

Correct Answer is  IITKharagpur.

• The supercomputer, developed under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), will boost the R&D ecosystem in the insitute.
• National Supercomputing Mission is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Q.6. Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with which entity for construction of eight Fast Patrol Vessels for Indian Coast Guard at a total project cost of Rs 473 crore?

Correct Answer is Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).

• These surface platforms will be indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by GSL under Buy (Indian-IDDM) Category.