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

Important News – India

Q.1. PMBI has crossed 100 crore rupees sales May 2022. What is the full form of PMBI?

Correct Answer is  Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI).

• PMBI is the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
• The central government has also set a target to increase the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras to 10,000 by March 2024 with a view to provide quality medicines at an affordable rate.

Q.2. Which government organisation has renewed the Biodiversity Policy 2022 to set up a comprehensive vision and guiding principle for conservation, restoration, and enhancement of biodiversity?

Correct Answer is NTPC Limited.

• The objectives of policy are aligned with environmental and sustainability policies.
• NTPC was the first PSU to issue Biodiversity Policy in 2018.

Q.3. Which institute has joined hands with an e-marketplace for agricultural land, SFarms India, to develop a farmland price index based on the sales and purchases done on the platform?

Correct Answer is  IIM-Ahmedabad (IIM-A).

• The index has been designed to record and present the “quality-controlled” data on the prices of agricultural land in the country.

Q.4. What is the minimum distance has been prescribed by the Supreme Court of India for an Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ)?

Correct Answer is  one km.

• The SC said that mining within the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries shall not be permitted and no permanent structure will be allowed within the ESZ

Q.5. Which movement has been launched by PM Narendra Modi on the occasion of World Environment Day?

Correct Answer is  ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) Movement.

• Aim: To initiate ‘LiFE Global Call for Papers’ inviting ideas and suggestions from academics to influence and persuade individuals, communities and organisations to adopt an environment conscious lifestyle.

Q.6. Which ministry has launched a 'Clean and Green' campaign on Environment Day?

Correct Answer is The Ministry of Housing.

• Urban Local Bodies across the nation will conduct an awareness programmes to free the country from singleuse plastic and contribute to improve the environment.
• The Ministry has instructed to state and Union Territories to ban Single-Use Plastic by 30 June.

Q.7. India has signed MoUs with which country renewal of Cultural Exchange Progarmme (CEP) for the period 2022-26.?

Correct Answer is  Senegal.

• Second MoU is related to visa-free regime Official which will strengthen the cooperation between the two countries.
• Third MoU, seeks to enhance bilateral cooperation in youth matters.
• Senegal Capital: Dakar; Currency: West African CFA franc

Q.8. Which delivery company has signed the 'Climate Neutral Now' (CNN) pledge by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)?

Correct Answer is  Blue Dart.

• The Climate Neutral Now is an Initiative to encourage and support the interested stakeholders to act now in order to achieve a climate neutral world by 2050.
• Blue Dart, is a part of the Deutsche Post DHL (DPDHL) Group.
• The Group has adopted a package of measures worth up to 7-billion Euros to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Q.9. What is the revised premium rate for PMJJBY?

Correct Answer is  ₹436.

• Earlier it was ₹330 and PMSBY hiked from ₹12 to ₹20.
• Government set a target to increase the coverage to 15 crore under PMJJBY and to 37 crore under PMSBY in the next five years .

Q.10. Which telemedicine service has been integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)?

Correct Answer is  eSanjeevani.

• This will now enable users of eSanjeevani to create their 14-digit unique Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) and use it to link their existing health records.
• eSanjeevani is a telemedicine service of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

Q.11. Union Minister of social Justice and empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar has launched which Scheme for residential education for students in High school in Targeted Areas?

Correct Answer is SHRESHTA.

• The Scheme for Residential Education for Students in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) has been formulated with the objective to provide quality education and opportunities for even the poorest Scheduled Caste students.

Q.12. Who has launched the Single Nodal Agency Dashboard during the Iconic Week Celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav?

Correct Answer is  Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman.

• The Iconic Week of the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Corporate Affairs was launched by PM Modi.
• Aim of this dashboard: It also ensures about Centrally Sponsored Schemes fund utilization, tracking of funds, pragmatic and just-in-time release of funds to the States.

Q.13. Who has inaugurated the National Tribal Research Institute (NTRI) in New Delhi as a part of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebration by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs?

Correct Answer is Home Minister, Amit Shah.

• NTRI will be a leading national institute for tribal concerns, issues and executive and legislative fields.
• It will also monitor projects of Tribal Research Institutes and set up norms for improvement in the quality of research and training.

 Important News – State

Q.1. Which state government has signed an MoU with the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) for obtaining life certificate from pensioners through doorstep services of the Postal Department?

Correct Answer is  Tamil Nadu.

• As per the MoU, the IPPB would render the doorstep services at a cost of ₹70 only per digital life certificate.

Q.2. Which state Climate Change Department has signed an MoU with Isha Outreach to join the worldwide ‘Save Soil’ initiative?

Correct Answer is  Gujarat.

• The MoU was signed between the Founder and Spiritual Leader of Isha Outreach, Sadhguru and Gujarat Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel in Ahmedabad.

Q.3. Which state government has launched a Special Health Care Abhiyan 'Anchal' in the Karauli district for pregnant women?

Correct Answer is  Rajasthan.

• This unique campaign was started on the initiative of District Collector Ankit Kumar Singh.
• Aim: To ensure all necessary medical aid to pregnant women at the pre and post-natal stage.

Q.4. Name the luxury cruise liner which has been flaged off by the Tamil Nadu CM, MK Stalin from Chennai port?

Correct Answer is  Empress.

• This is the eleven-storey tourist vessel which can accommodate up to two thousand passengers and about 800 crew members.

Q.5. Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation (MHHDC) has signed a pact with which e-commerce site to provide an e-market platform for traditional handloom and handicraft items?

Correct Answer is  Amazon.

• Both representatives, signed the MoU at the opening function of Manipur Heritage Expo, 2022.
• As per the National Handloom Census Report, 2019, Manipur is a home of around 2.12 lakh handloom weavers, around 2.11 lakh looms and around two lakh handicraft artisans.

Important News – World

Q.1. Which country has signed a free trade deal with the United Arab Emirates on May 31, its first with an Arab country?

Correct Answer is  Israel.

• The agreement helps to increase bilateral trade in goods and services, increase Israeli exports to UAE.
• The UAE was the first Gulf country to normalise ties with Israel and only the third Arab nation to do so after Egypt and Jordan.

Q.2. Which country has become the top recipient of Covid-19 vaccine doses with the delivery over 190 million doses of vaccines under UNICEF's COVAX programme?

Correct Answer is  Bangladesh.

• COVAX is a global initiative which is led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Health Organization with UNICEF.
• Under the COVAX programme, more than 62% of the doses has been delivered to Bangladesh.

Q.3. To mark the diplomatic ties of 30 years, which country has adopted a "vision statement" with India to strengthen the defence cooperation in future?

Correct Answer is  Israel.

• During the bilateral meeting between the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Israeli counterpart Benny Gantz, leaders discussed defence cooperation and the prevailing global and regional scenario.
• Benny Gantz has been honoured with a Tri-Service Guard of Honour in the presence of Rajnath Singh.

Q.4. After the United Nations has approval which nation, what is the new name of Turkey?

Correct Answer is  Türkiye.

• The country has begun the move to change its internationally recognised official name in English to Türkiye in December.
• The move comes after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has released a memorandum and asked the public to use Türkiye to describe the country in every language.

Q.5. What is the rank of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore in The Times Higher Education (THE) 2022 edition of the Asia University Rankings?

Correct Answer is  42nd.

• China's Tsinghua and Peking universities placed first and second place respectively.
• India being the third most-represented country with 71 universities making it to the list, behind China (97) and Japan (118).

Q.6. Which organisation has released a report which states that the global usage of plastic is set to increase by three times by the year 2060?

Correct Answer is  Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

• The world that is destroy by severe plastic pollution, has need to take up several measures to combat the the use of plastic.
• Currently, nearly 100 million tonnes of plastic waste is either mismanaged or allowed to leak into the environment.

Q.7. Who has regained the position of India as well as Asia's richest man after replacing Adani Group Chairman, Gautam Adani, according to Bloomberg Billionaire Index?

Correct Answer is  RIL Chairman and MD, Mukesh Ambani.

• The net worth of Mukesh Ambani has risen to $99.7 billion, while Gautam Adani's net worth stood at $98.7 billion.
• Mukesh Ambani is ranked the eighth richest person in the world as per the Bloomberg Billionaire index.

Q.8. Which feature will be launched by Instagram in 25 countries to help in finding the missing child?

Correct Answer is  AMBER alerts.

• With the help of this alerts, users will get notifications of missing children in the area.
• This feature was already available on Facebook and helped to find hundreds of children since it was introduced in 2015.
• This was developed in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in US and International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children.

Honor & Awards

Q.1. Who has been awarded the Third Times Business Award 2022 in the category of Eastern India’s Leading READY -TOEAT brand?

Correct Answer is  Director of Ruchi Foodline, Rashmi Sahoo.

• She was given the award by renowned Bollywood actor and social activist Sonu Sood.
• She has established Frozit, which is Odisha’s first frozen food company.

Q.2. Name the Former skipper of West Indies, who has been conferred with the civil honour of Sitara-e-Pakistan award?

Correct Answer is  Darren Sammy.

• It is considered as the third-highest civil award conferred by Pakistan.
• Sammy has represented West Indies in Tests (38), ODIs (126), and T20Is (68).

Q.3. Who would be awarded the Generation Award at their forthcoming MTV Movie & TV Awards?

Correct Answer is  Jennifer Lopez.

• MTV Movie & TV Awards recognizes actors who have diversely contributed to both film and TV industry and are known in every household.
• Jennifer Lopez will receive the lifetime achievement award.

Q.4. Who has won the best actor award for his movie Sardar Udham at the 22nd International Indian Film Academy Awards in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates?

Correct Answer is  Vicky Kaushal.

• Best Actor (Female): Kriti Sanon (Mimi)
• Best Director: Vishnuvaradhan (Shershaah)
• Best Film: Shershaah
• Best Supporting Actor Female: Sai Tamhankar (Mimi)
• Best Supporting Actor Male: Pankaj Tripathi (Ludo)
• Best Playback Singer Female: Asees Kaur (Raataan Lambiyan, Shershaah)

Q.5. Which movie has bagged the Golden Conch award at the 17th edition of the 2022 Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) for documentary, short fiction and animation films ?

Correct Answer is Turn Your Body to the Sun (Dutch movie).

• The award carries a golden conch, a certificate and cash prize of Rs 10 lakh.
• This documentary was directed by Aliona Van der Horst.
• Best Short-fiction: ‘Saakshatkaaram’ (Malayalam) & ‘Brother Troll’
• Best Animation Film: ‘Prince in a Pastry Shop’ (Poland)

Q.6. Which Indian American girl has won the 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee?

Correct Answer is  Harini Logan.

• She has spelled 21 words correctly to win the prestigious 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee and defeated Vikram Raju in a marathon.
• Prize money: USD 50,000 cash prize and Scripps Cup trophy on top of awards from Merriam-Webster and Encyclopedia Britannica.

Q.7. In which category, Indian Railways have been conferred with the UIC International Sustainable Railway Awards (ISRA) for feeding Solar Energy directly to 25 KV AC Traction System?

Correct Answer is  Best use of Zero-Carbon Technology.

• Use of alternate fuels like CNG.
• Improving water use efficiency through measures like water recycling and rain water harvesting.

Sports News

Q.1. In which category, Indian women's shooting team has claimed the gold medal for India at the ISSF World Cup 2022 in Baku, Azebaijan ?

Correct Answer is 10m air rifle.

• Indian women's team includes: Elavenil Valarivan, Shreya Agarwal and Ramita
• The Indian trio team defeated Denmark by 17-5 in finals.

Q.2. Who wins a bronze medal with a timing of 1:04.71 seconds at the 2022 ICF Paracanoe World Cup held in Poznan, Poland and become the first Indian to win a World Cup medal ?

Correct Answer is Para -Canoeist, Prachi Yadav.

• Susan Seipel (Australia) and Brianna Hennessy (Canada) have bagged Gold and silver respectively.

Q.3. After defeating which team, the Indian men's hockey team clinch the bronze medal at Asia Cup men’s hockey 2022 at Jakarta, Indonesia?

Correct Answer is Japan.

• Indian hockey team captain, Birendra Lakra wins the player of the match award award for his sturdy defensive work.
• South Korea wins Asia Cup men’s hockey 2022 for the 5th time (1994, 1999, 2009, 2013 2022) and Malaysia placed at second.
• Top scorer of the tournament: Razie Rahim of Malaysia (scored 13 goals)

Q.4. Which team has claimed their win against European champions Italy in the 2022 Finalissima Championship at Wembley?

Correct Answer is  Argentina.

• Lionel Messi has received the Man of the Match trophy for the second time in his career, he won his first trophy in Barcelona (2011).
• Messi has made 46 goal contributions in the 45 finals that he has played in his career.

Q.5. Name the Discus throw player, who has been banned by the Board of Appeal of Classification (BAC) for two years (Until 2023) for ‘intentional misrepresentation’?

Correct Answer is  Para-athlete, Vinod Kumar.

• He won the bronze medal in the discus throw event (F52 category) at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

Q.6. Which edition of the Khelo India Youth Games 2021 begins in Panchkula, Haryana?

Correct Answer is 4th.

• The event was inaugurated by the union home minister Amit Shah.
• KIYG is the flagship event of the Indian government’s Khelo India initiative.
• As many as 25 sports events will be organized at five venues namely Panchkula, Ambala, Shahabad, Chandigarh, and Delhi.

Q.7. In which category of wrestling, India's Sakshi Malik has won gola medal at the 2022 Bolat Turlykhanov Cup wrestling tournament in Kazakhstan?

Correct Answer is  62kg.

• Divya Kakran (68Kg) and Mansi Ahlawat (57kg) have won gold medal
• Last time, Sakshi Malik won a gold was at the 2017 Commonwealth Championship.
• While, Pooja Sihag and Neeraj have settled for bronze in the 76kg and 63 Kg category respectively.

Q.8. Who wins his 14th title of the Men's 2022 French Open championship at Roland Garros and 22nd Grand Slam title overall?

Correct Answer is  Rafael Nadal (Spain).

• He defeated Casper Ruud by 6-3, 6-3, 6-0.
• Iga Swiatek (Poland) has defeated Coco Gauff to win the Women's French Open 2022.
• Men’s Doubles: Marcelo Arévalo (El Salvador) & Jean-Julien Rojer (Netherlands)
• Women’s Doubles: Caroline Garci and Kristina Mladenovic (France)
• Mixed Doubles: Ena Shibahara(Japan); Wesley Koolhof (Netherlands)

Books and Authors

Q.1. Who has released two E-Books on 8 Years of Administrative and Pension reforms of DoPPW & DARPG?

Correct Answer is  Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh.

• Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (MoS), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions released two e-books titled "E-book on 8 Years Achievements of DoPPW 2014-2022" and "E-Book on 8 Years
• Achievements of Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances(DARPG)".

Science and Defence

Q.1. The Defence Ministry has signed a contract of what amount with Bharat Dynamics Ltd under the ‘buy Indian’ category?

Correct Answer is  2,971 crores.

• The contract was signed for the supply of the indigenously developed Astra Mk-I Beyond Visual Range air to air missiles and associated equipment for the Navy and the Indian Air Force.
• The Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh had approved the purchase of 248 Astra-MK1 missiles (200 for the IAF and 48 for the Navy) in July 2020.

Q.2. Which two ships have been decommissioned by the Indian Navy after 32 years of service?

Correct Answer is  INS Akshay and INS Nishank.

• While INS Nishank, a high-speed missile craft, was commissioned on September 12, 1989, INS Akshay was commissioned a year later on December 10, 1990, at Poti, Georgia.
• Both were part of the 22 Missile Vessel Squadron and 23 Patrol Vessel Squadron, respectively.

Q.3. Which state/UT has signed an MoU with the Indian Air Force to set up a heritage center to showcase the role of the Indian Air Force in various wars and its overall functioning?

Correct Answer is  Chandigarh.

• The 'IAF Heritage Centre' will be set up jointly by the force and the Chandigarh administration.
• An MoU between the Union Territory of Chandigarh and the IAF for setting up of the center was signed.

Q.4. Which edition of Ex SAMPRITI has been begun on June 5 at Jessore military station in Bangladesh?

Correct Answer is 10th.

• A joint military training exercise between India and Bangladesh.
• Aim: At strengthening the aspects of interoperability and cooperation between both armies.
• Indian contingent represented: Dogra regiment.

Q.5. India has successfully test- fired a nuclear-capable Agni-IV ballistic missile from APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha, what is the strike targets of Agni-IV?

Correct Answer is 4,000 km.

• This missile is the fourth in the Agni series of missiles which is earlier known as Agni II prime.
• This missile was designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and
• manufactured by the Bharat Dynamics Limited.

Q.6. Name a multinational peacekeeping exercise which has started in Mongolia?

Correct Answer is  Ex Khaan Quest 2022.

• 16 countries are taking part in this exercise including India.
• This exercise has been inaugurated by the President of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh.
• Indian Army is represented by a contingent from the Ladakh Scouts.

Q.7. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for Capital Acquisition Proposals of the Armed Forces amounting to?

Correct Answer is  Rs 76,390 crore.

• This will give boost to the Indian Defence Industry and reduce foreign spending significantly.
• The DAC meeting was headed by Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh.