ANSWER: A

• Geological Survey of India (GSI), the premier Geological organization of India, celebrated its 172^ndFoundation Day across all the offices with great enthusiasm.
• GSI has been instrumental in identifying the mineral blocks and augmenting the vast mineral resources of the nation.
• Recently GSI has handed over more than 150 G2 and G3 Mineral Blocks as well as 152 G4 Mineral Blocks to various state governments for auctioning.

About Geological Survey of India

• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways.
• An attached office of the Ministry of Mines, GSI has six regional offices located in Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata and unit offices in almost all states of the country.
• Its main functions relate to creating and updating of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment.
• These objectives are achieved through ground surveys, air-borne and marine surveys, mineral prospecting and investigations, multi-disciplinary geoscientific, geo-technical, geo-environmental and natural hazards studies, glaciology, seism tectonic study, and carrying out fundamental research.
• GSI’s chief role includes providing objective, impartial and up-to-date geological expertise and geoscientific information of all kinds, with a focus on policy making decisions, commercial and socio-economic needs. GSI also emphasises on systematic documentation of all geological processes derived out of surface and subsurface of India and its offshore areas. The organisation does so by using the latest and most cost-effective techniques and methodologies, including geophysical and geochemical and geological surveys.
• GSI’s core competence in survey and mapping is continuously enhanced through accretion, management, coordination and utilization of spatial databases (including those acquired through remote sensing).
• It functions as a ‘Repository’ or ‘clearing house’ for the purpose and uses the latest computer-based technologies for dissemination of geoscientific information and spatial data, through cooperation and collaboration with other stakeholders in the Geo-informatics sector.

ANSWER: A

• ‘Sambhav’ and ‘Svavlamban’ initiatives were launched by Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), at the International Summit on Plastics Recycling and Waste Management.
• These initiatives aim to encourage young entrepreneurs, especially from the aspirational districts of India.

About International Summit on Plastics Recycling and Waste Management

• It is a 2-day summit, inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• This summit is being organized in New Delhi by the MSME Ministry in association with the All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA).
• This motto of the summit is “Know your Waste and how Recycling is the right thing to do, which is to be done in a right way”. Around 1350 MSMEs are expected to attend the summit, which is being conducted in hybrid mode.
• This summit provides a platform for entrepreneurs, experts, businessmen, and other stakeholders to deliberate challenges and solutions in the MSME sector and plastics sectors. It will also create new livelihood and business opportunities in the plastics sector, at the same time helping India tackle the issue of plastic pollution and meet environmental goals.
• Thus, the ‘Sambhav’ and ‘Svavlamban’ initiatives and the summit will have multiple benefits i.e. formalizing the informal waste sector, job creation in the MSME sector, and reduction in plastic waste.

ANSWER: C

• The Union Home and Cooperation Minister attended the 53rd Raising Day celebrations of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Ghaziabad today as the Chief Guest.
• The minister also released the Force’s magazine ‘Sentinel’-2022.

About Central Industrial Security Force

• Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was established in 1969, under an Act of Parliament, “Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968.”
• CISF is also responsible to provide protection to the persons classified as Z Plus, Z, X, Y.
• CISF is the only force with a customized and dedicated fire wing.
• CISF has carved a niche for itself with multi-skilled, multi-faceted and professional prowess.
• It provides integrated security cover to the Public Sector Undertakings, airports and SEZs on a case to case basis. CISF is present in 354 sensitive and critical installations with a strength of about 1,64,000 and more than 65 sensitive airports, seaports, nuclear units, space institutes, coal, oil and steel production sites and also offshore oil production plants.

ANSWER: C

• India’s first indigenous Flying Trainer HANSA-NG designed and developed by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore under the aegis of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, has successfully completed the sea level trials at Puducherry.
• The aircraft was flown to Puducherry covering 140 nautical miles in one and half hours at a cruising speed of 155 km/hr on 19^thFebruary 22.
• The objectives of sea level trials were to evaluate handling qualities, climb / cruise performance, balked landing, structural performance including positive & negative G, power plant and other systems performance.
• HANSA-NG is one of the most advanced flying trainer powered by Rotax Digital Control Engine with unique features like Just-In-Time Prepreg (JIPREG) Composite light weight Airframe, Glass Cockpit, Bubble Canopy with wide panoramic view, electrically operated flaps etc.
• HANSA-NG is designed to meet the Indian flying club needs and it is an ideal aircraft for Commercial Pilot Licensing (CPL) due to its low cost and low fuel consumption. NAL has already received more than 80 nos. of LoIs (Letter of Intents) from various flying clubs.

ANSWER: D

• The global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, Financial Action Task Force (FATF), retained Pakistan in the grey list and asked the country to work on money laundering investigations and prosecutions.
• The decision has been taken after the conclusion of the four-day FATF Plenary from March 1-4, 2022.The event took place in hybrid mode from Paris, France.
• FATF also added the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to its grey watchlist.
• Pakistan has been on the grey list of FATF since June 2018 for failing to check money laundering, and terror financing. It was given a plan of action to complete it by October 2019 but it fails to comply with the FATF mandates.
• Pakistan is now targeting the full completion of the 2021 action plan on anti-money laundering and combating terror financing by the end of January 2023.

About Financial Action Task Force (FATF):

• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental organization established to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
• It was formed in 1989 by the G7 Summit which was held in Paris. The FATF is really a policy-making body that works with governments to bring about national legislation and regulatory reforms in these areas.
• Headquarters- Paris, France
• Members- 39 nations along with 9 FATF-Style Regional Bodies (FSRBs)

ANSWER: B

• Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification regarding the approval of his appointment by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), stating that he will serve the Chair for a period of 4 years from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or till attaining the age of 70 years, or until further orders, whichever is the earliest.
• The conditions of his service will be governed by the provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021 and the Tribunal (Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021.
• Chief Justice DN Patel was appointed as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court on June 7, 2019 and is now given the Chair of TDSAT, days before his retirement on March 12, 2022.

About Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal

• Created in accordance with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act (TRAI), 1997 (Amended in 2000) authorized by TRAI.
• Objective: To adjudicate disputes and dispose of appeals with a view to protect the interests of service providers and consumers of the telecom sector and to promote and ensure orderly growth of the telecom sector.
• Powers and Jurisdiction: TDSAT has jurisdiction over Telecom, Broadcasting, IT and Airport tariff m atters s under the TRAI Act, 1997 (as amended in 2000), the Information Technology Act, 2008 and the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008 respectively.
• Establishment: 2000
• Headquarters- New Delhi

ANSWER: B

• On 5 March 2022, the Indian Navy successfully tested the accuracy of an extended range of Brahmos supersonic cruise missile from the stealth destroyer INS Chennai.
• Both Brahmos missile and INS Chennai are indigenously built and highlight the cutting-edge of Indian missile and ship-building prowess.
• INS Chennai is a stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy constructed by the Mazagon Dock Limited at Mumbai.

About Brahmos Missile:

• BrahMos is a joint venture between the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India (DRDO) and the NPOM of Russia.
• It flies at a speed of 8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound. It has a range of 290 km (as per Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) regulations) and can carry a 200-kg warhead.
• It can be launched from land, sea, sub-sea and air against surface and sea based targets.

ANSWER: B

• A team of scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have discovered a new species of Gin Berry, named Glycosmis albicarpa, from the Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu(TN). The new species with distinct large white fruit is identified to be endemic to the Southern Western Ghats.
• The new species was found in Tirunelveli semi-evergreen forests at the Panagudi forest section of the Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary.

Features of Glycosmis albicarpa:

• The new species Glycosmis albicarpa, an evergreen small tree, belongs to the family Rutaceae (Orange family).
• The new species have short and broadly lanceolate leaves, short (3-5 mm long) peduncles, clawed petals and broadly ovoid white fruits.
• The berries of Glycosmis species have the unique characteristic of ‘gin aroma’ and have gained in popularity as an edible fruit.
• It is also a larval host plant for butterflies like other species of Glycosmis.
• Threat: habitat modification causes a major threat to the survival of this species.

ANSWER: C

• Indian women cricket captain, Mithali Raj has become the first woman to appear in six World Cups. She is the only third cricketer overall to play six world cup after Sachin Tendulkar and Javed Miandad. She has played in the ICC women’s cricket world cup events in 2000, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017 and now in 2022. The ICC women’s cricket world cup 2022 is being held in New Zealand.
• In the women’s game, the Indian batter surpassed former New Zealand cricketers, Debbie Hockley and Charlotte Edwards of England. Fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, Raj’s India teammate for the longest time, stands second on the list with five World Cup appearances.

ANSWER: D

• The Jan Aushadhi Diwas is celebrated on 7 March 2022 by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI). The day is observed to spread awareness about the usages of generic medicines and the benefits of Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. The theme of the 4 Janaushadhi Diwas is “Jan Aushadhi-Jan Upyogi”.
• On this occasion, Doctors, Health Workers, Nurses, Pharmacists, and Jan Aushadhi Mitra will discuss the Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana. The government has set a target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,500 by March 2025.
• Janaushadhi Kendras is the world’s biggest retail pharma chain having around 6,200 outlets in 700 districts of the country. It also provides a good source of self-employment with sustainable and regular earnings. The first Jan Aushadhi Diwas was celebrated on 7th of March 2019.

ANSWER: C

• Recently, Costa Rica has legalised the use of medicinal marijuana and also the cultivation and industrial production of hemp.
• However, for recreational purposes it remains banned.
• Medical marijuana uses marijuana plant or its active chemical (Cannabinoids) to treat diseases or conditions like glaucoma; mental health conditions like schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); etc.
• In India, the use of Marijuana is not completely banned as its medical and scientific use is allowed under the law.
• However, its sale and consumption are banned under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985.

ANSWER: A

• It is an annual five-day State festival organised by the Department of Tourism of Manipur.
• Its aim is to spread awareness about the endangered state flower ‘Shirui Lily’.
• It is a unique species of ground lily that is found only in the Shirui Hills of Manipur.
• It is about a foot tall and its flower resembles the shape of a bell. It blooms only during the months of April to June every year.
• The festival helps celebrate rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of Manipur, and gives chance to learn more about the Tangkhul Naga tribe living in the region.