Weekly Current Affairs (8th to 14th June 2022) - 2 | Weekly Current Affairs - UPSC PDF Download

Important News – India

Q.1. In June 2022, Union Minister of Social Justice and empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar has launched the Scheme“SHRESHTA”. What does second 'S' stands for?

Correct Answer is Students.

• The Scheme is for residential education for students in High school in Targeted Areas.
• 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.2. Which of the following Indian Institute of management has joined hands with an e-marketplace for agricultural land, SFarms India, to develop a farmland price index?

Correct Answer is IIM Ahmedabad.

• The index has been designed to record and present the “quality-controlled” data on the prices of agricultural land in the country.
• The index will track the price movements in the marketplace and come up with a composite pricing mechanism on a monthly basis.

Q.3. What is the theme of Biotech Startup Expo - 2022, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi?

Correct Answer is Biotech Startup Innovations: Towards AatmaNirbhar Bharat.

• This 2022 Expo is organised to mark completion of ten years of setting up of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
• The theme of the 2022 Expo is ‘Biotech Startup Innovations: Towards AatmaNirbhar Bharat’.

Q.4. Who among the following has been chaired the 25-members advisory committee on mutual funds, which was restructured by the market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India?

Correct Answer is Usha Throat.

• Earlier, the committee had 24 members
• Aim: Advice SEBI on problems relating to MF regulation and development, and on disclosure requirements and takes necessary for a change in the legal framework.

Q.5. Which of the following Indian institutes have been ranked 155th in the QS World University Ranking 2023?

Correct Answer is Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

• Indian Institute of Science (IISc) ranked 155th as the top research university in the world with a perfect score of 100 in the citation per faculty parameter.
• IIT Bombay placed at the 172nd rank and IIT Delhi has been ranked 174.

Q.6. What is India’s rank among the top recipients of foreign direct investment (FDI), as per UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2022?

Correct Answer is 7th.

• FDI inflow into India declined to $45 billion in 2021 from $64 billion in the preceding year.

Q.7. What is the enhanced limit of funding under Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme?

Correct Answer is Rs 50 crores.

• It is executed by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and supports indigenous development of components, products, systems, and technologies by MSMEs and start-ups.

Q.8. NHAI enters Guinness World Record for laying 75 km highway in 105 hours and 33 minutes between Amravati and Akola districts. It is a part of which of the following national highways?

Correct Answer is NH 53.

• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has created a Guinness World Record for the longest continuously laid bituminous lane of 75 kilometres in 105 hours and 33 minutes between Amravati and Akola districts in Maharashtra.

Q.9. National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has launched ‘CiSS application’ under?

Correct Answer is Baal Swaraj portal.

• It has been launched for online tracking and digital real-time monitoring mechanism of children in need of care and protection.

Q.10. Second edition of National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment 2021 (NeSDA 2021) covers services across?

Correct Answer is 7 sectors.

• Union Minister Jitendra Singh has released 2nd edition of the National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment 2021 (NeSDA 2021).
• It covers services across 7 sectors: Finance, Labour and Employment, Education, Local Governance and Utility Services, Social Welfare, Environment and Tourism sectors.

Q.11. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) at?

Correct Answer is Ahmedabad.

• The establishment of IN-SPACe was announced in June 2020.
• It is an autonomous and single window nodal agency in the Department of Space for the promotion, encouragement and regulation of space activities of both government and private entities.

Q.12. The government of India has introduced Agnipath Military recruitment scheme to recruit defense troops for how many years of shirt duration?

Correct Answer is 4 years.

• The scheme will facilitate the induction of more troops for shorter-term tenures.
• The scheme has been planned and is being implemented by the Department of Military Affairs.
• Under the scheme, candidates will join the defense forces and continue for a period of four years only.

Q.13. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will be organising the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela in 200+ locations in India. Who is present Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister of India?

Correct Answer is Dharmendra Pradhan.

• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will be organising the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Mela every month now on.
• Aim: to connect the youth with more opportunities for on-ground training within corporates and further a chance to get employment.

Q.14. The central govt has decided to distribute fortified rice in how many aspirational and high-burden districts across the country through Public Distribution System in 2022-23?

Correct Answer is 291.

• Govt has planned to provide 175 lakh MT of fortified rice during this phase.
• The focus will be on to cover all Integrated Child Development Services Centre, PM - Poshan and Mid-Day Meal schools.
• During 2021-22, around 17 lakh MT of fortified rice have been distributed under ICDS and PM- Poshan.

Important News – State

Q.1. Which state govt has declared Blue Duke (Bassarona durga) as the state butterfly?

Correct Answer is  Sikkim.

• Blue Duke was selected as the state butterfly after securing 57% votes in an online poll conducted by the Forest Department.
• It was discovered in the state in 1858.

Q.2. Which state govt has launched the Nalaya Thiran programme to skill the college student with the knowledge of technology?

Correct Answer is Tamil Nadu.

• Under this programme, government will train nearly 50,000 college students with knowledge in computer science, electronics and IT domains, skilling them on problem-solving using technologies.

Q.3. Which state's Anti-Corruption Bureau has launched the ‘14400 app’ to report corrupt government officials in the state?

Correct Answer is Andhra Pradesh.

• This app is developed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
• With the help of this app, people can lodge corruption-related complaints against officials in the State.

Q.4. Which coastal state of India has launched a 'Beach Vigil App' to ensure the management of beaches and the security of tourists?

Correct Answer is Goa.

• This app shall benefit the institutions working in the beach tourism sector and tourists.
• With the help of this app, the Drishti workers, police, and other stakeholders can raise issues for safeguarding tourists’ interests.
• The state government also plans to make the coastal state among the top 25 destinations for start-ups in Asia by 2025.

Q.5. Which state ranked first in the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI), 4th State Food Safety Index in the large state category?

Correct Answer is Tamil Nadu.

• Aim: To measure the performance of states across five parameters.
• Tamil Nadu topped the list among large states followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• Smaller states: Goa(1st) followed by Manipur and Sikkim.
• UTs: Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh

Q.6. In which state, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates “Dharohar - the National Museum of Customs and GST”?

Correct Answer is Goa.

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has inaugurated “Dharohar - the National Museum of Customs and GST” in Panaji Goa.
• It is a two-storey ‘Blue building’, which was earlier known as Alfandega, during Portuguese rule in Goa and has been standing on the banks of Mandovi River in Panaji for more than 400 years.

Q.7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated Jagatguru Sreesanth Tukaram Maharaj Shila Mandir in which state?

Correct Answer is Maharashtra.

• He will inaugurate Jagatguru Sreesanth Tukaram Maharaj Shila Mandir at Dehu near Pune.
• The city of Dehu is sanctified by the Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj, a renowned poet and worshipper of Lord Vithala, from 17th century.

Q.8. Which becomes the first Indian state to approve a policy for drones?

Correct Answer is Himachal Pradesh.

• The ‘Himachal Pradesh Drone Policy 2022’ was approved by the chief minister Jai Ram Thakur. The policy envisions creating a holistic drone ecosystem built upon the foundation of Governance and Reforms Using Drones (GARUD).
• With this new drone policy, Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to formally acknowledge the public use of drones.

Important News – World

Q.1. By which year, European Parliament Members have voted to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars?

Correct Answer is 2035.

• Aim: To fight against climate change
• The EU assembly voted in Strasbourg, France to require automakers to cut carbon-dioxide emissions by 100% by the middle of the next decade.
• The mandate would amount to ban on the sale in the EU nations of new cars powered by gasoline.

Q.2. Which of the country will receive the humanitarian assistance of $48 million from United Nations in June 2022?

Correct Answer is Sri Lanka.

• India has already provided financial assistance worth over $3 billion since January to provide essential items, including food, fuel, cooking gas, and medicines.
• Sri Lanka needs $6 billion to keep the country afloat for the next six months, adding that $5 billion is required to ensure day-to-day living and another $1 billion to strengthen the Sri Lankan rupee.

Q.3. Which following country will host special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meet 2022?

Correct Answer is India.

• It will be the first meeting hosted by India in New Delhi
• ASEAN members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam

Q.4. Which country is the top recipients of FDI as per the UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2022?

Correct Answer is USA.

• In its latest World Investment Report released on Thursday, UNCTAD said FDI inflows into India declined to $45 billion in 2021 from $64 billion in the preceding year.
• While the USA ($367 billion) remained the top recipient of FDI, China ($181 billion) and Hong Kong ($141 billion) also retained second and third position respectively.

Q.5. Which organization has adopted an India-sponsored resolution on multilingualism that mentions the Hindi language for the first time?

Correct Answer is UNGA.

• The resolution urges United Nations to continue spreading vital communications and messages in both official and non-official languages, including Hindi.

Q.6. The twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference is being held in?

Correct Answer is Geneva, Switzerland.

• The twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference is being held in Geneva, Switzerland from 12th to 15th June 2022
• Key areas: WTO’s response to the pandemic, Fisheries subsidies negotiations and Agriculture issues including Public Stockholding for Food security.

Q.7. Which country has released a new geological map of the moon, which it says is the most detailed to date?

Correct Answer is China.

• The new map, which has details of craters and structures not charted before, will assist in further research of the moon.
• USGS Astrogeology Science Centre had, for the first time, mapped and classified the entire lunar surface in collaboration with NASA and the Lunar Planetary Institute in 2020.

Q.8. Which has become the 2nd country in the world to adopt bitcoin as its official currency, after El Salvador?

Correct Answer is Central African Republic.

• The CAR is the first country in Africa to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender
• This move places the Central African Republic on the map of the world’s boldest and most visionary countries.
• Currently, The country uses the French-backed CFA franc as its currency, along with most other former French colonies in Africa.

Honor & Awards

Q.1. Who among the following would receive the lifetime achievement award at MTV Movie & TV Award?

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.
• Vanessa Hudgens will host the Generation Awards.
• Jennifer Lopez will receive the lifetime achievement award.

Q.2. Who has been named a Global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Pioneer for Water Stewardship by the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC)?

Correct Answer is Ramkrishna Mukavilli.

• The United Nations Global Compact has named ten new SDG Pioneers, who are corporate leaders who are excelling in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by implementing the UN Global Compact Ten Principles on human rights, environment, labour, and anti-corruption.

Q.3. Which institution has been awarded with the Regional Director Special Recognition Award by WHO?

Correct Answer is Resource Centre for Tobacco Control, PGIMER.

• WHO has awarded Resource Centre for Tobacco Control (e-RCTC) of the Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh with Regional Director Special Recognition Award.

Q.4. Who has been conferred with honorary degree D.Litt at the first special convocation of the HSNC University?

Correct Answer is Ratan Tata.

• HSNC University was established as a joint venture between Ministry of HRD, Govt of Maharashtra, and the HSNC Board.
• It is the second cluster university in the city of Mumbai.

Sports News

Q.1. In which category, Indian shooter, Avani Lekhara has won the gold medal at the 2022 Para Shooting World Cup in France?

Correct Answer is 10m air rifle standing SH1.

• She also created a world record score of 250.6 in women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1.
• Emilia Babska from Poland has bagged the silver medal with a total of 247.6, while Anna Normann of Sweden has settled for bronze medal.

Q.2. The 4th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games 2021 is being organied at how many locations?

Correct Answer is five.

• The event was inaugurated by the union home minister Amit Shah.
• KIYG is the flagship event of the Indian government’s Khelo India initiative.
• KIYG 2021 will see participation from 37 States and Union Territories of India.
• As many as 25 sports events will be organized at five venues namely Panchkula, Ambala, Shahabad, Chandigarh, and Delhi.

Q.3. After defeating which country, India has won the final of the inaugural FIH Hockey 5s championship in Lausanne in Switzerland?

Correct Answer is Poland.

• India had topped the five-team league standings with three wins and one draw en route final, ending their campaign with an unbeaten record.
• Earlier, India has outplayed Malaysia by 7-3 before beating Poland 6-2 in the second match of the day.

Q.4. Who among the following Indian Women's cricketers has announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket on Jun 8, 2022?

Correct Answer is Mithali Raj.

• She has represented India in matches (232) and scored 7,805 runs at an average of 50.68.
• She made her international debut in an ODI against Ireland, in June 1999.
• She became the first and is the only woman cricketer to have aggregated more than 10,000 international runs in over 350 matches across all three formats.

Q.5. What is the name of the official mascot of the 44th Chess Olympiad, launched by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin?

Correct Answer is Thambi.

• It is a knight dressed in the traditional Tamil attire Veshti (Dhoti) with a shirt and is seen with folded hands, apparently extending the Tamil greeting 'Vanakkam'.

Q.6. Who has clinched gold medal in men's 55-kilogram event at IWF Youth World Championships 2022?

Correct Answer is Saanapathi Gurunaidu.

• Indian weightlifter Saanapathi Gurunaidu has clinched gold medal in men's 55-kilogram event at IWF Youth World Championships in Mexico with total lift of 230 kilogram.

Q.7. Who won the gold medal at the Chateauroux 2022 World Cup?

Correct Answer is Avani Lekhara.

• The Tokyo Paralympian has won in the R8 event- women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 with a score of 458.3.
• She beat Veronika Vadovicova of Slovakia to won this title and gold for India.

Q.8. Name the Indian Grandmaster who won the Norway Chess Group A open chess tournament?

Correct Answer is R Praggnanandhaa.

• The 16-year old GM, the top-seed, was in fine form and remained unbeaten through the nine rounds.
• He finished the tournament with a win over fellow Indian V Praneeth, an International Master.

Q.9. Manpreet Kaur is associated with which sport who sets a new National Record in the Inter-State Athletics Meet in Chennai?

Correct Answer is Shot Put.

• She held the previous record of 17.96m.
• Manpreet has previously threw the iron ball 18.86m at the Asian GP in 2017.
• Manpreet Kaur, who has recently returned after a 4-year doping ban.

Q.10. Which state emerged as the champion at the 4th edition of Khelo India Youth Games 2021?

Correct Answer is Haryana.

• Haryana tops the medal tally with 52 gold, 39 silver, and 46 bronze medals.
• While Maharashtra finished 2nd with 45 gold, 40 silver, and 40 bronze.
• Karnataka finished 3rd with 22 gold, 17 silver and 28 bronze.

Q.11. Aneesh Gowda is associated with which sports who won the highest number (six gold medals) of medals in the 4th Khelo India Youth Games 2021?

Correct Answer is Swimming

• Maharashtra swimmer Apeksha Fernandes and gymnast Sanyukta Kale won five gold medals each in the games.
• Host state Haryana becomes the champion at the 4th Khelo India Youth Games 2021.

Q.12. Who won the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix 2022?

Correct Answer is Max Verstappen.

• He became the most successful driver in the Red Bull of all time.
• Red Bull’s Sergio Perez came second and Mercedes’ George Russell came at the third spot.

Q.13. Star badminton player Viktor Axelsen belongs to which country who has won men’s single title at the BWF Indonesia Masters 2022?

Correct Answer is Denmark.

• Axelsen (Denmark) defeated Taiwan's Chou Tien-chen in straight sets.
• While Chen Yufei (China) beats Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon.
• For Chen, triumph in Jakarta marks a first individual tournament victory since she won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Books and Authors

Q.1. Which institution has launched the book ‘Business of Sports: The Winning Formula for Success’?

Correct Answer is International Institute of Sports Management.

• It is authored by Vinit Karnik and has been published under the banner of Popular Prakashan.

Science and Defence

Q.1. In which year INS Nishank was commissioned, and which has been decommissioned by the Indian Navy on June 4, 2022?

Correct Answer is 1989.

• These two ships also participated in Operation Talwar and Operation Parakram.
• 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.

Q.2. By which year NASA set to launch “DAVINCI Mission” to explore the harsh atmosphere of Venus?

Correct Answer is 2029.

• The mission will fly by Venus and explore its harsh atmosphere in 2029. It will be the first mission to study Venus by means of both flybys and descent. Spacecraft is likely to explore layered Venusian atmosphere.
• It will reach Venusian surface by June 2031. The mission would capture data about Venus, that scientists are trying to measure since early 1980s.

Q.3. India will launch first manned Human Ocean Mission in which year?

Correct Answer is 2023.

• Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences India Jitendra Singh said that India will achieve the unique distinction of simultaneously launching the first Human Space Mission “Gaganyaan” as well as the first manned Human Ocean Mission in 2023.