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

Important News – India

Q.1. Chief Justice of India, N V Ramana has launched which platform to communicate interim orders, stay orders, bail orders etc., of the Supreme Court to concerned authorities through a secured electronic communication channel?

Correct Answer is FASTER (Fast and Secured Transmission of Electronic Records).

• The aim: Eliminate the delay in to release of inmates even after the Supreme Court grants them bail.
• A digital platform FASTER was initiated led by the CJI Ramana bench.

Q.2. In April 2022, President Ram Nath Kovind had embarked on which two-nation tour?

Correct Answer is Turkmenistan and the Netherlands.

• During the first leg of the tour, the President is visiting Turkmenistan. This will be the first-ever visit of an Indian President to Turkmenistan.
• On the second leg, President Kovind will be on a four-day visit to the Netherlands.

Q.3. Name the environment awareness mascot which was launched by the Union Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change BhupenderYadav?

Correct Answer is Prakriti.

• Aim: To spread mass awareness of small changes in lifestyle can bring better environmental sustainability.
• It also creates awareness about various efforts and initiatives of the ministry in order to ensure effective Plastic Waste Management (PWM) in the country.

Q.4. Which electricity-generating body has signed an agreement with Gujarat Gas Limited (GGL) for blending green hydrogen in Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network?

Correct Answer is National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC).

• Aim: decarbonization of the cooking sector and self-sufficiency for the nation’s energy requirements.
• Production of green hydrogen: Use of electricity from the existing 1 MW floating solar project of NTPC Kawas.

Q.5. Which ministry has announced the formation of 17 member advisory committee to direct the government on a Rs 76,000 crore semiconductor mission?

Correct Answer is Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has announced the formation of 17 member advisory committee to direct the government on a Rs 76,000 crore semiconductor mission.
• Chairperson of the committee: Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics, and Information Technology

Q.6. Which ministry has organized Yoga Mahotsav at Red Fort, New Delhi on World Health Day on April 7?

Correct Answer is Ministry of AYUSH.

• Chief Guest at Yoga Mahotsav: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
• 8th International Day of Yoga 2022 will be organized by the AYUSH Ministry, the nodal ministry of International Yoga Day.

Q.7. Under which operation the Railway Protection Force (RPF) detained 1,459 touts and blocked 366 IRCTC agent IDs and 6,751 personal IDs?

Correct Answer is OperationUpalabdh.

• The ‘Operation Upalabdh’ push was launched following the reinstatement of long-distance train services, with the expectation that the festival and summer rush would result in a sharp increase in demand for reserved train tickets.
• The RPF’s field units gathered information from the field, the digital world, and the cyber world, then consolidated, vetted, and analysed it before launching the campaign across the country on March 1, 2022.

Q.8. Who has launched a website ‘Temple 360’ for digital darshan?

Correct Answer is Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs

• During an event organized by the Ministry of Culture at IGNCA Ampitheatre, Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts, New Delhi under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• Temple 360 is a digital platform where anyone can visit or do darshan of 12 Jyotirlinga and Char Dham from any location, making everyone’s life convenient while also keeping people connected.

Q.9. What is the name of the mascot of the Khelo India University Games 2021 (KIUG 2021)?

Correct Answer is Verera.

• Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur and Governor of Karnataka, TC Gehlot launched the logo, jersey, mascot and anthem of the Khelo India University Games 2021 (KIUG 2021) on April 01, 2022, at the SreeKanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
• The theme song has been composed by Kannada rapper Chandan Shetty. The KIUG 2021 will be held in Karnataka between April 24 and May 3, 2022.

Q.10. Which central government scheme has completed its 6 years?

Correct Answer is Stand-Up India scheme (launched on 5th April 2016).

• Under the Stand-Up India Scheme, over 30 thousand 160 crore rupees have been sanctioned to more than 1 lakh 33 thousand 995 accounts since the launch of the Scheme.
• Aim: Loan facility between 10 lakh and one crore rupees to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and women. Stand Up India scheme was extended till 2025.

Q.11. Name the porta which was launched by Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur?

Correct Answer is The Broadcast Seva Portal.

• Aim: Promotion of ease of doing business
• An online platform will provide a single point facility for the stakeholders to request required permission, registrations and licenses.

Q.12. Directorate General of Foreign Trade has extended the Foreign Trade Policy by?

Correct Answer is six months (till September2022).

• The decision was taken amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis, as the war has disrupted global trade.
• The existing Foreign Trade Policy came into existence on April 1, 2015, for five years.

Q.13. Name a unified digital application that has been announced by the Tata Group?

Correct Answer is Tata Neu.

• It is designed as a Super app that offers everything from daily grocery, electronics, finance solutions, flights, holidays, and more.
• Each brand on Tata Neu is connected by a common reward called NeuCoins.

Important News – State

Q.1. Name the temple which was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list with the Monolithic Bull (Nandi) at Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh?

Correct Answer is The Sri Veerabhadra Swamy temple.

• The Sri Veerabhadra Swamy temple is also known as the Lepakshi temple is dedicated to Veerabhadra (Shiva).
• Currently, India has 40 UNESCO sites.

Q.2. GudhiPadwa is observed as a New year in which the state of India?

Correct Answer is Maharashtra(Marathi New Year Day).

• The same day is celebrated as the first day of Chaitra Navratri in North India and Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh.
• GudiPadwa is also popularly known as SamvatsaraPadvo and it literally means the first day of the new Samvat.

Q.3. Which state has become the largest producer of vegetables in India in 2021–22 Crop Year (CY) (July– June)?

Correct Answer is Uttar Pradesh.

• The second-largest producer of vegetables in India is West Bengal, followed by Bihar, and Maharashtra.
• With 18.01 million tonnes of fruit production, Andhra Pradesh has remained the top fruit producer in India, followed by Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat.

Q.4. Which scheme was launched by the Delhi government for government schools in Delhi to promote extra-curricular activities?

Correct Answer is Hobby Hubs.

• Aim: optimum use of school infrastructure and promote these extra-curricular activities
• Categories of activities: Dance, music, technical, literary and others such as yoga, garment work,
• photography, and radio jockey.

Q.5. Which police state in Andhra Pradesh has set up three 'She Auto' stands in Tirupati?

Correct Answer is Chittoor police.

• Three 'She Auto' stands have been set up in RTC Bus Stand, Mahila University, and Ruia Hospital.
• Aim: Women and girls student's safety

Q.6. Tata Power Renewables Energy Ltd (TPREL) has commissioned a solar project in Dholera, Gujarat with the capacity of?

Correct Answer is 300 MW project.

• The project will generate 774 million units annually and reduce approximately 704340 MT/year of carbon emission.
• 1320 Acre area has been used for the installation.
• The renewables capacity in operation for Tata Power is 3,400 MW - Solar: 2,468 MW and Wind: 932 MW.

Q.7. Which state has launched 13 new districts in the state, and now the total number of districts is 26?

Correct Answer is Andhra Pradesh.

• Aims better administration and transparency, create a smooth and effective delivery mechanism for welfare schemes
• New Districts: ParvathipuramManyam, Alluri Seetharamaraju, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Konaseema, Eluru, NTR, Palanadu, Bapatla, Nandyala, Sri Satya Sai, Annamayya and Tirupati

Q.8. Which state has about to launch Him Praharischeme?

Correct Answer is Uttarakhand.

• Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has met with Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs to ask for their cooperation in the smooth implementation of Him Prahari scheme.
• Him Prahari aims to stop the migration of people from the state's international border.

Q.9. A community museum was inaugurated in which the union territory?

Correct Answer is Gya-Sasoma villages of Leh district, Ladakh.

• Aims to preserve and forward Ladakh's rich cultural heritage to future generations
• Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh Chairman/CEC TashiGyaltson has inaugurated the Community Museum in Gya - Sasoma.

Q.10. Which cooperative bank has been set up by the Karnataka government to provide greater financial strength for the milk producers?

Correct Answer is NandiniKsheeraSamridhi Cooperative Bank.

• Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Amit Shah has released the logo Cooperative Bank.
• Capital of proposed cooperative bank: Rs. 360 crores (State government: Rs.100 cr and the Milk Federation and Cooperatives contributing Rs. 260 crores)

Q.11. Which state government has launched the ‘KaavalUthavi’ app to seek police assistance during an emergency?

Correct Answer is TamilNadu.

• The app is containing sixty features that are used to send an emergency alert to the police control room.
• By pressing the emergency red button, the user’s live location will be shared with the control room.

Q.12. Which campaign was launched by the Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Aditynath to ensure 100% enrolment in primary schools across all districts in the state?

Correct Answer is SchoolChaloAbhiyan.

• The campaign has been launched from one of the state’s lowest literacy districts, Shravasti.
• The campaign soon will be expanded to Bahraich, Balrampur, Badaun and Rampur.

Q.13. Which state government has launched the MukhyamantriUdhyam Kranti Yojna?

Correct Answer is Madhya Pradesh.

• Under the scheme, the state govt will provide Rs 1 lakh to 50 lakh loans for MSME start-ups.
• The govt will also give a 3% per year interest subsidy and bank loan guarantee fee for 7 years.

Important News – World

Q.1. Which country's Economic Zones Authority has signed a deal to set up an Indian Economic Zone with Adani Ports and SEZ Limited?

Correct Answer is The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).

• The Indian Economic Zone (IEZ) will be set up at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN) in Mirsarai of Chattogram.
• Aim: Facilities for Indian investors in Bangladesh

Q.2. Which UN organisation has released a report titled 'State of the World Population 2022: Seeing the Unseen'?

Correct Answer is United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA).

• The report shows that nearly half of all pregnancies were unintended.
• The report highlights over 60% of unintended pregnancies ended in abortion, with 45% of all abortions considered unsafe, causing 5-13% of all maternal deaths.

Q.3. Who has taken the 9.2% stake in Twitter Inc worth nearly $3 billion?

Correct Answer is ElonMusk.

• Elon Musk has become the largest shareholder of Twitter Inc.
• Musk has 27% of the company's shares which is more than four times the 2.25% holding of Twitter founder Jack Dorsey.

Q.4. Name three Indians who have been listed in the Hurun Richest Self-Made Women in the World 2022 released by the Hurun Research Institute?

Correct Answer is FalguniNayar, Radha Vembu, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw

• With US$7.6bn, Mumbai-based Falguni Nayar, Nykaa marks her presence in the Top 10.
• With US$3.9bn, Radha Vembu, Zoho is the third richest self-made woman billionaire in India.

Q.5. Who has been topped the list of the 36th annual World’s Billionaires List 2022 released by Forbes?

Correct Answer is Elon Musk (net worth of $219 billion)

• Followed by Jeff Bezos ($171 B), Bernard Arnault& family ($158 B), Bill Gates.
• Ambani ($90.7 billion) has been placed on 10th position, followed by Gautam Adani ($90 billion) in 11th position.
• World's Richest Woman 2022: Francoise Bettencourt Meyers (granddaughter of L’Oréal’s founder)

Q.6. Which country has become the 30th country to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)?

Correct Answer is Madagascar.

• CDRI partner: National governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks and financing mechanisms, the private sector, and knowledge institutions
• CDRI was launched by PM Modi in September 2019.

Q.7. In which country the new covid variant XE was first detected?

Correct Answer is United Kingdom.

• This variant is more transmissible than any strain of COVID-19. Xe is a recombinant variant of BA'1 and BA.2 Omicron strains.
• It is a recombinant variant refers to when a patient is infected from multiple variants of Covid.

Q.8. Which variety of flowers has been named Maitri by President Ram Nath Kovind in the Keukenhof, during his visit to Amsterdam?

Correct Answer is YellowTulip.

• This is the first presidential visit to the Netherlands comes after 34 years since the visit of President Venkataraman in 1988.
• Both countries also celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations.

Q.9. The United States and Britain have been collaborated with which country to increase the hypersonic missile strikes and defence capacity?

Correct Answer is Australia.

• Reason: Russia is increasing its capabilities in the field of hypersonic missiles with China.
• Hypersonic missiles features: Speed of Mach 5, Manoeuvrability capability, carry nuclear and
• conventional warheads.

Q.10. PM Narendra Modi with his Nepalese counterpart PM Sher Bahadur Deuba has inaugurated which corridor 132 KV Power transmission line and substation in Nepal?

Correct Answer is Solu corridor.

• PM Narendra Modi and visiting Nepalese PM Sher Bahadur Deuba jointly flagged off the 1st India-Nepal passenger rail link.
• They also launched the RuPay payment card in Nepal.
• This is Deuba’s 1st bilateral visit abroad after becoming PM in July 2021.

Honor & Awards

Q.1. Which Contingent has received the Best Marching Trophy for Republic Day Parade 2022?

Correct Answer is The Naval Contingent.

• The contingent was led by Lt CdrAanchal Sharma with Lt Shubham Sharma as platoon commanders and comprised 96 young sailors.
• Uttar Pradesh won the best state tableau for Republic Day 2022 for the showcase of One District One Product and Kashi Vishwanath Dham.

Q.2. Which edition of Grammy Awards 2022 was held in Las Vegas?

Correct Answer is 64th.

• Album of the Year: 'We Are' by Jon Batiste
• Record of the Year: 'Leave the Door Open' by Silk Sonic
• Song of the Year: Leave the Door Open
• New Artist: Olivia Rodrigo
• Best Global Music Performance: Mohabbat by Arooj Aftab (First Pakistani)
• Best Global Music Album: Mother Nature by Angelique Kidjo
• Falguni Shah has won the Grammy Award for her 2021 album 'A Colorful World'.
• Indian composer Ricky Kej won his second Grammy at the 64th Grammy Awards 2022

Q.3. Who has been selected for the Chameli Devi Jain Award?

Correct Answer is JournalistAarefaJohari (Scroll.in).

• She won the award in the category of an Outstanding Woman Media person 2021.
• The Media Foundation has administered Chameli Devi Jain Award since 1981.

Q.4. Who has been selected for the prestigious Saraswati Samman 2021 for his collection of poems ‘Mein to Yahan Hun’?

Correct Answer is Prof RamdarashMishra.

• The prestigious literary award Saraswati Samman was instituted in 1991.
• Awarded to: Literary work written in any Indian language by an Indian citizen and published within the last 10 years

Sports News

Q.1. Who has overtaken Lasith Malinga to become the highest wicket-taker in IPL history?

Correct Answer is Dwayne Bravo (171).

• He made a record against the match of Lucknow Super Giants in Mumbai.
• Malinga had taken 170 wickets in 122 matches for the Mumbai Indians.

Q.2. Which women's team has lifted the title of ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022 after beating England by 71 runs at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand?

Correct Answer is Australia.

• Australia has won the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 7th times. They set the target of 357; the England team was all out for 285 in 43.4 overs. 
• Player of the Match and Player of the tournament 2022: Alyssa Healy

Q.3. What is the name of the Qatar FIFA 2022 mascot?

Correct Answer is La'eeb.

• La'eeb is an Arabic word that means super-skilled player.
• BYJU’s become the first Indian sponsor of the FIFA World Cup.
• FIFA 2022 Official Match Ball: Al Rihla, created by Adidas

Q.4. The 83rd National Table Tennis Championship 2022 will be held in which state of India?

Correct Answer is SAI IndoorTraining Centre, NEHU in Shillong Meghalaya.

• The Northeast has hosted the world’s largest table tennis tournament for the second time.
• The event also marks the 50th statehood celebration of Meghalaya.

Q.5. Who has won the prestigious title of Men’s Single Miami Open2022?

Correct Answer is Spanish Carlos Alcaraz

• He also created history to become the youngest champion after defeating World No. 8 Casper Ruud.
• Alcaraz has replaced Novak Djokovic as the youngest men's singles champion at the Masters 1000 tournament.
• Women’s Single Miami Open 2022 was won by IgaSwiatek (Poland) after defeating Naomi Osaka of Japan.

Books and Authors

Q.1. The ‘Birsa Munda - Janjatiya Nayak’ titled book was written by whom_?

Correct Answer is Prof Alok Chakrawal, ViceChancellor of Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya Bilaspur.

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has released a book on tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.
• Birsa Munda was born on November 15, 1875, in Ulihatu village (now in Jharkhand). He belongs to the Munda tribe

Science and Defence

Q.1. Which edition of Lamitiye 2022 was held at Seychelles Defence Academy, Seychelles?

Correct Answer is 9th.

• Lamitiye 2022 joint military exercise between India and Seychelles
• The themes for Lamitiye 2022 Joint Training Exercise were both relevant and contemporary for planning & execution of operations based on scenarios in a Semi-Urban environment.

Q.2. Indian Air Force has commemorated 60 Glorious years of service of which helicopter?

Correct Answer is Chetak Helicopter.

• The event was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
• The Chetak helicopter is the oldest machine, made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the license agreement.
• Chetak Helicopter was inducted in 1962.

Q.3. The 9th edition of the Joint Special Forces Exercise between India and Kyrgyzstan which was commenced on 25 Mar 2022 was concluded at which place?

Correct Answer is Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.

• Special Forces of both contingents have shared their expertise and best practices of techniques, tactics, and procedures to counter existing and emergent threats across the entire spectrum of conflict.