ANSWER: D

• Google Pay has launched a new feature, ‘Tap to pay for UPI’ which makes use of NFCT.
• NFC is a short-range wireless connectivity technology that allows NFC-enabled devices to communicate with each other and transfer information quickly and easily with a single touch.
• NFC transmits data through electromagnetic radio fields, to enable communication between two devices.
• NFC-enabled devices must be either physically touching or within a few centimetres from each other for data transfer to occur.
• Nokia released the first NFC-enabled phone in 2007.

ANSWER: A

• After decline in symptomatic Covid-19, INSACOG has started surveillance of sewage water samples across 55 sites to detect Sars-CoV-2 presence.
• INSACOG is a consortium of 38 laboratories established in 2020 to assess SARS-CoV-2 genomic variants from Indian patients.
• It was jointly established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
• It helps to correlate whole genomics sequencing (WGS) data with clinical/epidemiological data for advance preparedness for public health interventions.

ANSWER: C

• The Central Board of Direct Taxes has amended the Income Tax rules to allow infrastructure debt funds (IDFs) to issue zero-coupon bonds.
• It will help in the mobilization of resources in a tax-efficient manner.
• A zero-coupon bond is a debt security instrument that does not pay interest.
• It is traded at deep discounts, offering full face value (par) profits at maturity. The difference between the purchase price of a zero-coupon bond and the par value indicates the investor’s return.
• Its value is inversely related to the rise in the interest rates.

ANSWER: D

• UNGA adopted a resolution suspending Russia from the UNHRC over its war in Ukraine.
• UNGA, by a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting, may suspend the rights of membership in the Council of a member of the Council.
  • Abstentions do not count and the resolution requires two-thirds of yes/no votes to be adopted.
• Before Russia, Libya was the last member to be suspended in 2011.
• India abstained from voting on resolution.
• Possible Implications of the decision
  • Strong and United International Response to further increase pressure on Russia and on countries which are neutral or aligned with Russia.
  • Risk of aggravating the divisions further to intensify the conflict and jeopardise peace efforts.
• The UNHRC, at Geneva, Switzerland, is an inter-governmental body within United Nations system, which is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
  • Consists of 47 member states, elected directly and individually by secret ballot by the majority of members of UNGA.
  • It replaced the former UN Commission on Human Rights. It was created by UNGA in 2006.

ANSWER: C

• The Lingaraj Temple Ordinance of 2020 was introduced by the Odisha government to manage the rituals and other activities of the temple and eight other associated temples.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs contended that since the ordinance covers 12 centrally protected monuments including the Lingaraj temple and three tanks, it was outside the legislative competence of the state legislature as it violates the provisions of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.
  • The AMASR Act provides for preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
• The ordinance also provides for repair and construction of new buildings while the centre contended that constructions can only be allowed by the National Monuments Authority.
• Lingaraj Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is one of oldest in Bhubaneswar, was constructed by King Jajati Keshari in 10th Century and completed by King Lalatendu Keshari in 11th Century.
• Built in red stone and is a classic example of Kalinga style of architecture.
• It is divided into four sections – Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum), Yajna Shala (hall for prayers), Bhoga Mandap (hall of offering) and Natya Shala (hall of dance).

ANSWER: D

• Karnataka Chief Minister, Basavaraj Bommai Establishing the ‘Nandini Ksheera Samridhi Cooperative Bank’ is a revolutionary initiative, which will provide greater financial strength for the milk producers.
• Karnataka is the only state in the country to set up an exclusive bank for milk producers.

About the ‘Nandini Ksheera Samridhi Cooperative Bank’:

• The Milk Producers cooperatives have a turnover of about Rs 20,000 crore in various banks every day.
• It will bring a second wave of White Revolution in the dairy sector.
• The state government has provided Rs 100 crore as its share capital and the Milk
• Federation and Cooperatives would contribute Rs 260 crore as their share of capital for the proposed cooperative bank which would stimulate huge economic activity in rural hinterland.
• The state government has decided to computerise all the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).

ANSWER: B

• Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched the Udyam Kranti Yojana.
• According to officials, the MP Mukhyamantri Udyam Kranti plan was announced for the first time in November 2021, as per the MSME department’s gazette announcement, but it was never executed.
• Loans ranging from  1 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh would be offered to youth under this scheme for self-employment.
• The scheme’s unique feature is that the state government would provide a 3% interest subsidy as well as a bank guarantee.
• Young people will be able to apply for loans ranging from  1 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh under this plan. The proposal is unique in that the state government will provide a 3% interest subsidy in addition to a bank guarantee.
• The announcement of the launch of this scheme has been made at the inauguration ceremony of Nagrodaya Mission.
• The guarantee of the loan provided under this scheme will be provided by the government to the bank.

ANSWER: A

• The 9th Edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise was held in March-April, 2022 at Special Forces Training School, Bakloh (HP). Special Forces contingents from India and Kyrgyzstan have shared their experience and best practices in terms of tactics, techniques, and procedures for countering present and emerging threats throughout the conflict spectrum.
• During the Exercise, combat shooting, sniping, mountain survival, hostage rescue drills, and unarmed warfare were all extensively performed.
• The collaborative training reinforced the existing link between India and Kyrgyzstan, which has grown over years of mutual respect for strategic autonomy, democratic ideals, and zero tolerance for terrorism.

ANSWER: A

• Recently, QS Quacquarelli Symonds released the 12th edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022
• Indian Institute of Technology(IIT)-Bombay ranked 65th and Indian Institute of Technology(IIT)- Delhi ranked 72nd, are the only Indian institutes to be featured among the top 100 ranks under the Engineering and Technology category.
• IIT Bombay has scored 79.9 and IIT Delhi has scored 78.9.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology has topped the list with a score of 96.5 followed by the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford.
• Top 3 QS World University Rankings 2022:
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT),
  • University of Oxford,
  • Stanford University & University of Cambridge.

About QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022:

• The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 cover a total of 51 disciplines, grouped into five broad subject areas.
  • Arts & Humanities • Engineering and Technology • Life Sciences & Medicine • Natural Sciences • Social Sciences & Management
• The QS World University Rankings by Subject are compiled annually to help prospective students identify the leading universities in a particular subject.
• Methodology: The rankings are based on research quality and accomplishments, academic reputation, and graduate employment.

Top institutes under each category:

           Category                                                            Top Institute(Rank 1)

• Arts and Humanities                                                University of Oxford(United Kingdom – UK)
• Engineering and Technology                                  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) USA
• Life Sciences & Medicine                                         Harvard University(USA)
• Natural Sciences                                                        Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MM(USA)
• Social Sciences & Management                             Harvard University(USA)