Weekly Current Affairs (22nd to 30th June 2022) - 2 - UPSC PDF Download

Important News – India

Q.1. What is the name of new premises of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, launched by PM Modi in New Delhi?

Correct Answer is Vanijya Bhawan.

• He has also launched a new portal named NIRYAT (National Import-Export Record for Yearly Analysis of Trade).
• The portal was developed as a one stop platform to get all the required information related to India’s foreign trade.

Q.2. Name the business tycoon, who has pledged to donate ₹60,000 crore to a range of social causes to celebrate the 60th birthday on June 24?

Correct Answer is Gautam Adani.

• This will be administered by the Adani Foundation, it is also to mark the birth centenary year of his father Shantilal Adani.
• As per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, the net worth of Adani is almost $92 billion.

Q.3. Which state-owned company has unveiled a stationary, rechargeable cooking stove named Surya Nutan?

Correct Answer is  Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).

• It is a kitchen connected cooking stove that uses the sun's energy to cook food.
• This was developed by IOC's research and development division at Faridabad.
• It captures solar energy through a PV panel that placed outdoor or on the roof.

Q.4. Which organisation has organised its first ever open-to-all hackathon series in the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission ecosystem?

Correct Answer is National Health Authority (NHA).

• Aim: To drive ideation and innovations.
• The series of hackathon will begin on July 14, 2022.
• This also focus on the Unified Health Interface (UHI) and to mobilise the health start-up ecosystem in India.

Q.5. Which solar system company has commissioned India's largest floating solar power project of 101.6 Megawatt Peak (MWp) in Kerala backwaters?

Correct Answer is Tata Power.

• The project has been installed on a 350-acre water body in Kayamkulam, Kerala.
• The installation was completed within the stipulated period, despite the various challenges of variable like water depths, high sea tides, and severe water salinity concern.

Q.6. In which state, the Department of Animal Husbadry & Dairying (DAHD) has launched the One Health pilot?

Correct Answer is Bengaluru, Karnataka.

• Aim: To bring the stakeholders from animal, human and environment health on a common platform to address challenges.
• DAHD has collaborated with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to implement the One-Health framework in the states of Karnataka and Uttarakhand.

Q.7. As per the new report of Nasscom, the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and data utilisation strategy can add how much amount to India's GDP by 2025?

Correct Answer is $500 billion.

• Four key sectors of AI adoption -- BFSI, consumer packaged goods (CPG) and retail, healthcare, and industrials/automotive.
• These four sectors can contribute 60% of the total $ 500 billion opportunity.
• The current rate of AI investments in India is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.8%.

Q.8. Communications Minister, Ashwini Vaishnav and MoS Communications Devusinh Chauhan have launched ‘Dak Karmayogi’. It is an?

Correct Answer is e-learning portal.

• This portal is developed under the vision of ‘Mission Karmayogi’.
• This portal will develop the competencies of about four lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks and departmental employees.

Q.9. Which state of India has been selected to host the G-20 meetings in 2023?

Correct Answer is Jammu and Kashmir.

• The UT government has also set up a five-member high-level committee for the coordination of G20 summit.
• Piyush Goyal (Commerce and Industry Minister) was appointed as India's Sherpa for the G20 in September 2021.
• India will take the G-20 presidency from December 1, 2022.

Q.10. Who has been participated in the “2022 UN Ocean Conference” at Lisbon, which started from June 27?

Correct Answer is Dr Jitendra Singh.

• The conference is co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal.
• He will deliver the Keynote address at the Conference on the theme 'Scaling up Ocean Action based on Science and Innovation for the implementation of Goal 14: Stock taking, Partnerships and Solutions'.

Q.11. What is the name of the report which has been released by the NITI Aayog and TIFAC, stated that there will be 100% penetration of electric two-wheelers in the Indian market by FY 2026–27?

Correct Answer is Forecasting Penetration of Electric Two-Wheelers in India.

• TIFAC, is an autonomous organization set up in 1988 under the Department of Science & Technology.

Q.12. Which Japanese chipmaker has joined hands with Tata Motors, formed a strategic partnership to design, develop and manufacture semiconductor solutions for domestic and global markets?

Correct Answer is Renesas Electronics Corp.

• Renesas will also work with Tejas Networks (subsidiary of Tata Group company) on wireless network solutions including 5G.
• In March 2022, the next-generation EV Innovation Center (NEVIC) was jointly set up by the Renesas and Tata Elxsi (Tata Group).

Q.13. Who has launched the second phase of the Going Online As Leaders (GOAL) Programme in New Delhi?

Correct Answer is Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda.

• The GOAL 1.0 has changed the lives of tribal youth through the digital mentorship programme.
• This programme will also create a platform for Self-Help Groups and ten lakh families associated with TRIFED to take their products global.
• Aim: To digitally upskill the youth from tribal communities of the country.

Q.14. Rajnish Kumar, Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), Ministry of Defence has launched the Pay Roll Automation for Disbursement of Monthly Allowances (PADMA) for which defence force?

Correct Answer is Indian Coast Guard.

• PADMA is an automated Pay & Allowances module for the Indian Coast Guard.
• It is developed under the aegis of Defense Accounts Department.
• It will be operated by Pay Accounts Office Coast Guard, Noida.

Important News – State

Q.1. Which state government has signed an MoU with BYJU's to provide quality education to government school students?

Correct Answer is  Andhra Pradesh.

• The government will provide tablets to 4.7 lakh (approximately) students of class VIII at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore.
• Aim: More efficient, quality-oriented and presentable

Q.2. Which state government has operationalised the Centre's 'One Nation, One Ration Card' programme, with this, it is implemented across the country?

Correct Answer is Assam.

• Beneficiaries can get their quota of subsidised foodgrains from any electronic point of sale device (ePoS)- enabled fair price shops.
• Beneficiaries can use their existing ration cards with biometric authentication.

Q.3. Which state government has launched the 17th ‘Shala Praveshotsav’?

Correct Answer is Gujarat.

• To increases the enrollment of students in primary schools in the state.
• This is a three-day enrollment drive, starts from Memadpur primary school in Vadgam taluka (Banaskantha district).

Q.4. Which international airport has become India's first airport to run entirely on hydro and solar power since June 1?

Correct Answer is Indira Gandhi International Airport.

• Presently, the airport met its electricity requirement of 6% (approx) from onsite solar power plants and rest 94% by hydropower plants.
• Delhi Airport has signed a power purchase agreement with Himachal Pradesh to supply hydroelectricity for the airport until 2036.

Q.5. Which state energy department has signed an MoU with Adani Green Energy Group Ltd (AGEL) to generate green power?

Correct Answer is Maharashtra.

• It would require an investment of Rs 60,000 crore and generate employment.
• AGEL will set up Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) in the next five years and will produce 11,000 MW power.

Q.6. Which state government has launched the 'Kashi Yatra' project?

Correct Answer is Karnataka.

• It offers cash assistance of ₹5,000 to each pilgrims, take up a pilgrimage to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
• The government will be using funds of up to ₹7 crores from the accounts head of ‘Assistance to Manasa Sarovara Pilgrims’.

Q.7. Which state government will launch the MEDISEP scheme - Medical insurance scheme for State Government employees, pensioners and their eligible family members from 1st July, 2022?

Correct Answer is Kerala.

• It will provide cashless medical assistance with a comprehensive coverage up to 3 lakhs per year.
• The annual premium would be Rs 4,800 plus 18% GST for the policy period of 2022-24.
• Monthly premium: Rs.500

Q.8. Who has inaugurated the T-Hub 2.0, nation's leading innovation and startup catalyst?

Correct Answer is Telangana CM, K Chandrashekhar Rao.

• This facility will support over 2000 startups under one roof, with a total built-up area of 5,82,689 sq. ft, making it the world’s largest innovation campus.
• With the help of this hub, young Indians launch their startups with a collaborative innovation ecosystem.

Important News – World

Q.1. Which country has raised the Minimum Age for women Migrant Domestic Workers to 21 years?

Correct Answer is Sri Lanka.

• The Cabinet of Ministers has also granted permission to revise the age limit, after considering the recommendations of the Cabinet-appointed Sub-Committee.
• For Saudi Arabia the minimum age is 25 years, and for other Middle Eastern Countries is 23 years, and for all other countries is 21 years.

Q.2. Name the Europe's biggest start-up conference, which has recognized India as the "country of the year"?

Correct Answer is Vivatech 2020.

• The country has been recognised with this honour, due to the global contribution of Indian start-ups.
• The start-up ecosystem of India is growing rapidly and has over 100 unicorns.

Q. 3. Which country has signed the gun violence bill and toughen background checks for the youngest (21 years) gun buyers?

Correct Answer is The US.

• Other reforms: $ 13 billion in federal funding for mental health programs and school security upgrades
• The funding will encourage the states to implement "red flag" laws to remove firearms from people considered a threat.

Q.4. Name the countries that will soon ban the new imports of gold from Russian, to tighten the sanctions squeeze on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine?

Correct Answer is The UK, the United States, Japan and Canada.

• Countries will apply for newly mined or refined gold.
• This move will not affect previously exported Russian gold.
• Last year, the exports of Russian gold were worth 12.6 billion pounds.

Q.5. During the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Germany's Bavarian Alps, how much amount will be raised by the G7 leader to help developing countries tackle climate change?

Correct Answer is 600 billion dollar.

• This will boost help to give a boost to the economies of countries.
• G7 is offering sustainable, quality infrastructure and will be listening closely to the recipient countries.

Q.6. Which countries has applied to become a member of the BRICS?

Correct Answer is Iran.

• BRICS is a group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• Iran is the world’s second-largest gas reserves and membership in the BRICS group would added values for both sides.

Q.7. According to a World Gold Council (WGC) report, what is the rank of India as the recycler in the world?

Correct Answer is 4th.

• The country has recycled 75 tonnes in 2021.
• WGC report titled: Gold refining and recycling.
• Top three: China (recycled 168 tonnes), followed by Italy (80 tonnes) and the US (78 tonnes in 2021).

Honor & Awards

Q.1. Name the writer who has won the 2022 Women’s Prize for Fiction for her novel ‘The Book of Form and Emptiness”?

Correct Answer is Ruth Ozeki.

• This is her fourth novel, which depicts the story of a thirteen-year-old boy who, starts to hear the voices of objects to talk to his father, after the tragic death of his father.
• She was received £30,000 prize at a ceremony in London.

Q.2. Which public transport service has been honoured with a prestigious United Nations award?

Correct Answer is Mo Bus, Odisha.

• Reason: Role and efforts in helping the world recover better from COVID-19.
• Initiatives from Brazil, Canada, India, Ireland, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Ukraine have also been recognised.

Q.3. Who has been awarded the 2021 Golden Achievement Award by the International Tennis Hall of Fame and International Tennis Federation?

Correct Answer is Vijay Amritraj.

• This award is conferred to a person who has made important contributions internationally to tennis in the fields of administration, promotion, or education and has devoted long and outstanding service to the sport.

4. Which drone start-up has been conferred with the “Best Drone Organization Start-up Category” by Airwards for its approach of helping local communities?

Correct Answer is IG Drones.

• Airwards, is the first panoptic global awards programme of its kind, which identify the positive drone use cases.
• IG Drones is developing disaster response technology and mitigate to increase the efficiency and efficacy of first responders' aid in emergency response.

Q.5. Name the Former Karnataka CM who has been awarded the ‘Kempegowda International Award’?

Correct Answer is S M Krishna.

• Other winners: N R Narayana Murthy (Infosys founder) and Prakash Padukone (former badminton player)
• The award presented on the 513th birth anniversary of Kempegowda, the architect of Bengaluru city, on June 27 at Vidhana Soudha.
• Award: Cash prize of Rs 5 lakh along with a plaque.

Q.6. Which state MSME Department has been awarded first prize in the category “National MSME Award 2022" to States/UTs for their outstanding contribution in the promotion and Development of MSME Sector?

Correct Answer is Odisha.

• Bihar and Haryana have been placed second and third respectively.
• Kalahandi, Odisha won third prize in the category of Aspirational districts for outstanding contribution in the promotion and development of MSME Sector.

Sports News

Q.1. Which team of women's Wrestling has clinched five medals to claim the Under-17 Asian Championship, held at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan?

Correct Answer is Indian.

• India has lifted the title with a total of 235 points (eight golds, one silver and one bronze).
• With 143 points, Japan finished at second and Mongolia at third with 138 points.

Q.2. Who has become the joint fifth highest goalscorer in the history of international football?

Correct Answer is Sunil Chhetri.

• He has achieved this feat during their AFC Asian Cup Qualifier clash against Hong Kong, where he scored his 84th goal.
• Presently, he is equal to the legendary Real Madrid and Hungarian player, Ferenc Puskas goals.

Q.3. Who has clinched the 2022 Canadian Grand Prix title?

Correct Answer is Red Bull's driver, Max Verstappen.

• Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz and Seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) have finished at second and third respectively.

Q.4. Rumeli Dhar has announced her retirement. She is related to which sports?

Correct Answer is cricket.

• She has played her last international match in the tri-nation women's T20I series between India, Australia and England at Brabourne (2018).
• She has been featured in four Tests, 78 ODIs, and 18 T20Is.

Q.5. The Indian women team of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and Simranjeet Kaur has clinched for a silver medal at the World Cup Stage 3 in Paris, related to which sports?

Correct Answer is Archery.

• India has lost to Chinese Taipei by 1-5 in the women's recurve team final.
• India has concluded their campaign with one gold and two silver medals.

Q.6. Which state has created history after defeating the 41-time champions, Mumbai by six wickets to win their first-ever Ranji Trophy title at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru?

Correct Answer is  Madhya Pradesh.

• Madhya Pradesh has chased down 108 in the fourth innings for the fall of four wickets.
• Madhya Pradesh has now become the fourth first-time winner of the Ranji Trophy in the last five seasons - joining Gujarat, Vidarbha (two-time winners now) and Saurashtra.

Q.7. Name the Indian cyclist, who has scripted history by winning Silver in the sprint event at the Asian Cycling Championships 2022?

Correct Answer is Ronaldo Singh.

• He also became the first Indian cyclist to win a silver medal (including the Elite category) at the Asian Track Championship.
• Ronaldo Singh Laitonjam hails from Manipur and started cycling at the age of 14.

Q.9. Who has won a bronze medal in the U23 Asian wrestling championships 2022 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan?

Correct Answer is Deepak Punia.

• He defeated Maksat Satybaldy in the 86kg freestyle weight category.
• He has lost to eventual gold medallist, Azizbek Fayzullaev of Uzbekistan and Nurtilek Karypbaev of Kyrgyzstan.

Q.10. Name the Indian women’s discus thrower, who has won the gold medal at the Qosanov Memorial 2022 athletics meet in Almaty, Kazakhstan?

Correct Answer is Navjeet Dhillon.

• She won the women’s discus throw with a 56.24m effort.
• Karina Vasilyeva (Kazakhstan) placed second with 44.61m and Uzbekistan’s Yulianna Shchukina at third with 40.48m on the podium.

Books and Authors

Q.1. Who is the writer of the biography of Adani Group chairman and founder, Gautam Adani, "Gautam Adani: The Man Who Changed India"?

Correct Answer is RN Bhaskar.

• The book will be published by the Penguin Random House (PRHI).
• The book has claimed to bring to light the unknown aspects of one of the richest men in the world.

Q.2. Who is the writer of the biography of India’s former Union Defence Minister, late George Fernandes, 'The Life and Times of George Fernandes'?

Correct Answer is Rahul Ramagundam.

• It will be published by Penguin Random House India.
• He was born on June 3, 1930 in Mangalore.
• He emerged as a key figure in the fight to restore democracy after the Emergency was imposed in 1975.

Q.3. Who has released a book titled Ashtang Yoga authored by Dr Sonu Phogat on 8th International Yoga Day?

Correct Answer is Haryana CM, Manohar Lal.

• During the launch he announced that various programmes are being organised in Haryana on IYD.
• CM also appreciated the efforts of writer Dr Sonu Phogat, as it is a matter of pride that the book on Yoga was released on International Yoga Day.

Science and Defence

Q.1. Which communication satellite has been successfully launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from Kourou in French Guiana?

Correct Answer is GSAT-24.

• It is built by ISRO for NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
• It was launched by French company Arianespace.
• It is a 24-Ku band communication satellite, weight 4180 kg, pan-India coverage for meeting DTH application needs.

Q.2. Which country has successfully launched satellites into orbit with its homegrown Nuri rocket?

Correct Answer is South Korea.

• This is a crucial step for the country's space program expansion after a failed attempt last year.
• With this launch, South Korea becomes the 10th country to place a satellite with its own technology.
• Nuri is a three-stage rocket, more than 47 meters (154 feet) long and weighing 200 tons,.

Q.3. Which country has launched a solid-fueled rocket, a 25.5 meter-long rocket into space?

Correct Answer is Iran.

• Rocket name: Zuljanah
• This rocket is capable of carrying a satellite of 220 kilograms.
• It will gather data in low-earth orbit and promote Iran’s space industry.

Q.4. Which edition of the Coordinated Patrol with Indonesian Navy (IND-INDO CORPAT) has been conducted by India?

Correct Answer is 38th.

• INS Karmuk (indigenously built missile corvette) is based at the Andaman and Nicobar Command, along with a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
• While the Indonesian Navy is being represented by KRI Cut Nyak Dien, a Kapitan Pattimura (PARCHIM I) class corvette.
• The closing ceremony is scheduled at Sabang, Indonesia on 23 June 22.

Q.5. Which aerospace company has signed an MoU with Defense Initiatives (DI), Belarus, and Defense Initiatives Aero Pvt Ltd, India (a subsidiary of DI Belarus)?

Correct Answer is Bharat Electronics Limited.

• To supply of Airborne Defense Suite (ADS) for helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• It would be supported by DI with transfer of technology (manufacturing and maintenance) for supply of advanced electronic warfare suite for helicopters under 'Make in India' category.

Q.6. Name the shipborne weapon system, that is developed by the DRDO, was successfully test fired from Chandipur in Odisha?

Correct Answer is Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM).

• This missile system has been designed to strike at the high-speed airborne targets.
• Range: 40km to 50km
• This missile's design is based on Astra missile.

Q.7. Indian Air Force has participated in Tactical Leadership Programme with which air force in Cairo west Airbase?

Correct Answer is Egyptian Air Force.

• Indian Air Force: Three Su-30MKI aircraft, two C-17 aircraft and 57 IAF personnel including C-17 contingent.
• Aim: Enhancing defence cooperation between the two countries and exchange of best practices.

Q.8. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully test-fired indigenously-developed LaserGuided Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) from which battle tank?

Correct Answer is Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun Tank.

•  The ATGM has been developed with multi-platform launch capability.
• It is currently undergoing technical evaluation trials from 120 mm rifled gun of MBT Arjun.
• The successful development of the laser guided ATGM will enhance the fire power of the MBT Arjun.

Q.9. Name the indigenously developed, high-speed expendable aerial target (HEAT) which has been tested successfully from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha?

Correct Answer is ABHYAS.

• It can be used as an aerial target for evaluating various missile systems.
• It is developed and designed by Aeronautical Development Establishment, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Q.10. Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has launched which rocket with three Singapore satellites on 30th June, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota?

Correct Answer is PSLV-C53.

• PSLV-C53, is the second dedicated commercial mission of the New Space India Limited, Department of Space.
• Primary payloads: 365 kg earth observation satellite called DS-EO, a 155 kg NeuSAR satellite and the 2.8 kg Scoob-1 nano-satellite of the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.