Current News and Affairs

Who among the following is not a recipient of Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2022 ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Carolyn R. Bertozzi” option2=”Benjamin List” option3=”Morten Meldal” option4=”K. Barry Sharpless” correct=”option2″]

The correct answer is B) Benjamin List.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2022 was awarded jointly to Carolyn R. Bertozzi, Morten Meldal, and K. Barry Sharpless for their groundbreaking work on click chemistry and bioorthogonal chemistry. Benjamin List was a co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in the *previous* year, 2021, along with David W.C. MacMillan, for their development of asymmetric organocatalysis. Therefore, Benjamin List was not a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2022.

Click chemistry is a concept introduced by Barry Sharpless, focusing on reactions that are fast, reliable, and result in high yields, enabling the efficient building of molecules. Morten Meldal and Barry Sharpless independently discovered the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), a cornerstone click reaction. Carolyn Bertozzi took click chemistry to a new dimension by developing bioorthogonal reactions, which can occur inside living organisms without interfering with native biochemical processes, allowing for the study of biological molecules.

Consider the following statements :

• England is the only country that won the ICC T20 World Cup twice.
• Virat Kohli is the only player to be adjudged as the Player of the Series in the ICC T20 World Cup twice.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option2″]

The correct answer is B) 2 only.

Statement 1 is incorrect. While England has won the ICC T20 World Cup twice (in 2010 and 2022), they are not the only country to have done so. The West Indies also won the tournament twice (in 2012 and 2016). Statement 2 is correct. Virat Kohli is the only player in the history of the ICC T20 World Cup to be adjudged as the Player of the Series on two occasions, achieving this recognition in both the 2014 and 2016 editions of the tournament.

The ICC T20 World Cup is the premier international tournament for Twenty20 International cricket, organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It has been held periodically since its inception in 2007. Other winners include India (2007), Pakistan (2009), Sri Lanka (2014), and Australia (2021).

Joint Military exercise ‘Keen Sword 23’ was conducted between :

[amp_mcq option1=”India and Japan” option2=”India and USA” option3=”USA and Japan” option4=”Japan and Taiwan” correct=”option3″]

The correct answer is C) USA and Japan.

Exercise Keen Sword is a biennial joint military exercise conducted between the United States Armed Forces and the Japan Self-Defense Forces. The exercise involves ground, sea, and air components from both nations and focuses on enhancing interoperability and strengthening the alliance’s ability to respond to various contingencies. Keen Sword 23 was conducted in November 2022.

The US-Japan alliance is a cornerstone of security in the Indo-Pacific region. Joint exercises like Keen Sword are part of routine training aimed at maintaining regional stability and deterrence. India conducts various bilateral and multilateral exercises with the USA and Japan, such as Malabar (with US, Japan, Australia) and JIMEX (with Japan), but Keen Sword is specifically a US-Japan exercise.

On 14th January, 2022, which one of the following ministries has organized a global Surya Namaskar Demonstration programme?

[amp_mcq option1=”The Ministry of Culture” option2=”The Ministry of AYUSH” option3=”The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare” option4=”The Ministry of Tourism” correct=”option2″]

On 14th January 2022, the Ministry of AYUSH organized a global Surya Namaskar Demonstration programme.

The Ministry of AYUSH organized a global Surya Namaskar demonstration program on January 14, 2022, coinciding with Makar Sankranti. The event aimed to promote the practice of Surya Namaskar and marked part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.

The event saw participation from various national and international institutions and individuals, aiming to perform Surya Namaskar a collective number of times.

The Government of India has decided to observe ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ on

[amp_mcq option1=”6th October” option2=”26th November” option3=”26th December” option4=”6th December” correct=”option3″]

The Government of India has decided to observe ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ on 26th December.

On January 9, 2022, marking the Prakash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that December 26th will be observed as ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ every year. This day commemorates the sacrifice of the two younger Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, who were bricked alive on 26th December 1705.

The announcement aims to honour the courage and martyrdom of the Sahibzadas, who chose death over converting to Islam, inspiring generations.

Who among the following retired from test cricket by bagging a wicket on the last ball of his career?

[amp_mcq option1=”AB de Villiers” option2=”Michael Hussey” option3=”Quinton de Kock” option4=”Ross Taylor” correct=”option4″]

Ross Taylor retired from test cricket by bagging a wicket on the last ball of his career.

New Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor achieved a rare feat in his final Test match against Bangladesh in January 2022. He took the last wicket of the match with the final ball of his Test career, securing a victory for New Zealand and making it a memorable retirement.

Ross Taylor is one of New Zealand’s greatest batsmen and holds the record for the most runs scored for New Zealand in both Test and One Day International cricket.

Who among the following is the Head of the Committee appointed by the Supreme Court of India to enquire into the circumstances that led to the Prime Minister of India’s convoy being stuck for several minutes on a flyover in Punjab recently?

[amp_mcq option1=”Justice Indu Malhotra” option2=”Justice Ashok Bhushan” option3=”Justice Navin Sinha” option4=”Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman” correct=”option1″]

The Supreme Court-appointed committee to enquire into the PM’s security breach in Punjab was headed by Justice Indu Malhotra.

Following the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab in January 2022, the Supreme Court of India constituted an independent committee to probe the matter. This committee was headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra.

The committee was tasked with inquiring into the causes of the security breach, the persons responsible, and suggesting measures for the safety of the Prime Minister and other protectees. Other members of the committee included DG, NIA; DGP, Punjab (or his nominee); ADGP (Security), Punjab; and Registrar General of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Legendary Kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj died recently. He was the doyen of which one of the following Gharanas of Kathak?

[amp_mcq option1=”Jaipur” option2=”Raigarh” option3=”Lucknow” option4=”Banaras” correct=”option3″]

Pandit Birju Maharaj was associated with the Lucknow Gharana of Kathak.

Pandit Birju Maharaj (Brijmohan Mishra) was a renowned Kathak dancer and exponent of the Kalka-Bindadin Gharana of Lucknow. He belonged to the famous Maharaj family of Kathak dancers.

He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1986. He passed away on January 17, 2022. The other prominent Gharanas of Kathak include Jaipur, Banaras, and Raigarh.

Which one of the following States/UTs was connected with the Indian Railways network in the year 2021?

[amp_mcq option1=”Mizoram” option2=”Ladakh” option3=”Manipur” option4=”Sikkim” correct=”option3″]

Manipur was connected with the Indian Railways network in a significant way with progress on the Jiribam-Imphal line in the year 2021.

While parts of some Northeastern states had earlier limited rail connectivity, the project to connect the capital of Manipur, Imphal, made significant strides in 2021. Sections of the Jiribam-Imphal railway line became operational, bringing Manipur closer to integration with the national railway network in that specific year, marking a notable connectivity milestone among the options provided.

Major railway infrastructure projects are underway in several Northeastern states to improve connectivity. By 2021, the progress on the Jiribam-Imphal line stood out among the states/UTs listed in terms of achieving operational status on parts of the critical connectivity route towards the state capital. Ladakh currently has no railway connectivity. Sikkim’s Sevoke-Rangpo line is under construction. Mizoram’s Bairabi was connected earlier, and the line towards Sairang is under construction.

Nisarga, Gati, Nivar, Tauktae and Yaas are names of

[amp_mcq option1=”new fighter aircrafts” option2=”tourist places” option3=”weather stations” option4=”cyclones” correct=”option4″]

Nisarga, Gati, Nivar, Tauktae and Yaas are names of cyclones.

These names correspond to tropical cyclones that formed in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal in the years 2020 and 2021, affecting India and neighbouring countries. Nisarga and Gati occurred in 2020 (Arabian Sea), while Nivar (Bay of Bengal), Tauktae (Arabian Sea) and Yaas (Bay of Bengal) occurred in 2020-2021.

Tropical cyclones are named by regional naming centres following a predetermined list contributed by countries in the region. This helps in identifying and tracking cyclones. The names listed are from recent cyclone seasons.