ANSWER: B

ANSWER: D

ANSWER: A

ANSWER: A

• Recently, Larsen & Toubro and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed a contract for the realisation of two Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System Modules for Kalvari (Scorpene) Class of submarines of the Indian Navy.

ABOUT AIR INDEPENDENT PROPULSION (AIP) SYSTEM

• AIP is a marine propulsion technology that allows non-nuclear submarines to operate without access to atmospheric oxygen.
• AIP is mostly implemented as an auxiliary source, with the traditional diesel engine handling surface propulsion.

• It allows the submarines to stay for longer hours in water. The submarines need to come to the surface of the water to charge their batteries.
  • This is reduced by AIP System.
• It decreases the noise levels made by the submarines. This makes it hard to detect the submarines.
• Types of AIP: Open-cycle systems, Closed-cycle diesel engines, Closed-cycle steam turbines Stirling cycle engines and Fuel cells.
• Indigenous AIP propulsion system by DRDO is a modular system that can be easily configured for any conventional submarine platform.
• It relies on the innovative Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell technology.

ANSWER: B

• To revive the vulture population in the state of Madhya Pradesh, 20 white-rumped vultures were recently brought to Vulture Conservation Centre in Kerwa from Pinjore in Haryana.

ABOUT WHITE-RUMPED VULTURE (GYPS BENGALENSIS)

• It is a medium-sized Old-World vulture.
• It is also known as Indian White-backed Vulture or Oriental White-backed Vulture.
• Global Distribution: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam.
• In the 1980s, the global population was estimated at several million individuals, and it was thought to be “the most abundant large bird of prey in the world”.
  • As recent as 2021, the global population was estimated at less than 6,000 mature individuals.
• Protection Status:
  • IUCN red list : Critically Endangered
  • Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule-1

ANSWER: A

• India and Belgium have signed MLATs in criminal matters to help both countries to execute each other’s search warrants and summons against fugitives wanted by individual investigating agencies.
• MLATs is a mechanism whereby countries cooperate with one another to provide and obtain formal assistance to ensure that the criminals do not escape or sabotage the due process of law.
• Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry for executing court orders under the MLATs.
• Section 105 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) explains the reciprocal arrangements to be made.

ANSWER: C

• According to RBI bulletin, Indian rupee was turning out to be one of the most stable currencies with implied volatility at its lowest level since 2008.
• Implied volatility is the metric that captures the market’s view of likelihood of fluctuations in its value.
• However, it doesn’t predict the direction in which the price change will proceed.
  • It can often be thought to be a proxy of market risk.

ANSWER: A

• Scientists explored nutraceutical properties of Joha rice (a GI Tag rice from Assam) and detected two unsaturated fatty acids: linoleic acid (omega-6) and linolenic (omega-3) acid.
• It is unique in aroma and grain characteristics and distinct from other aromatic rice like Basmati
• It is grown in Sali/ Kharif season.
• Major Joha varieties included in this are Kola Joha, Keteki Joha, Bokul Joha and Kunkuni Joha.
• Joha rice has a more balanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in comparison to widely consumed non-scented variety.
• Joha varieties are mostly short or medium grained and have very low yield potential.
• It is effective in lowering blood glucose and preventing diabetes onset.

ANSWER: C

• World Health Organization has recently certified Belize as malaria-free.

ABOUT BELIZE

• It is located on the northeast coast of Central America and south of the Yucatán Peninsula.
• It has a land of mountains, swamps, and tropical jungle.
• It is bounded by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east.
• The Northern half of country has limestone lowlands and swamps less than 200 feet (60 metres) above sea level whereas the southern half has Maya Mountains, a plateau of igneous rock cut by erosion into hills and valleys
• Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest barrier reef in the world.
  • The reef reserve system was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.

ANSWER: A

• The Larji Hydropower Project management will open the gates of the dam de-silting purpose.
• The district administration has, therefore, advised tourists and local residents to avoid venturing close to the Beas banks in Mandi district.
• Larji is a 126MW hydro power project. It is located on Beas river/basin.