51. 222 Squadron, the first Sukhoi-30 MKI equipped squadron is to operate from the Thanjavur Air Force Station, of which southern state?
(A) Kerala
(B) Tamil Nadu
(C) Karnataka
(D) Andhra Pradesh
Correct Answer: (B) Tamil Nadu
Answer Explanation:
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) 222 Squadron with its Sukhoi-30 MKI (Su-30 MKI) fighters will be the part of Southern Air command and it will operate from the Thanjavur Air Force Station (AFS) in Tamil Nadu.
The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is to inaugurate the Induction ceremony of the Squadron from the air force station. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) made the mechanical and electrical modifications on the fighter aircraft while the Indian Air Force developed the software of the Su-30 MKI squadron. This will enable the aircraft to carry 2.5 tonne Cruise missile BrahMos.
52. Which food-delivery start-up recently acquired Uber’s food delivery platform, Uber Eats in India?
(A) Zomato
(B) Swiggy
(C) Faasos
(D) Domino’s
Correct Answer: (A) Zomato
Answer Explanation:
The Indian food delivery start-up firm Zomato recently announced its acquisition of Uber’s food delivery platform, Uber Eats, in India.
According to the deal, Uber gets a 9.99% ownership in Zomato. After the acquisition, Uber Eats will discontinue its operations in India. It will also re-direct its restaurants, delivery partners, and customers using the Uber Eats apps, to the Zomato platform. This deal will cut the loss-making business of Uber and it will continue to focus on improving its ride-hailing business in India.
53. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Integrated Check Post at Jogbani-Biratnagar border, between India and which country?
(A) Bangladesh
(B) Nepal
(C) Bhutan
(D) Myanmar
Correct Answer: (B) Nepal
Answer Explanation:
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Jogbani-Biratnagar border between India and Nepal, with the Prime Minister of Nepal, K P Sharma Oli.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the ICP through Video conferencing. This second Integrated Check Post, which has been built with the assistance of India, at Jogbani-Biratnagar, facilitates trade and movement of people between the countries. The first ICP was built in the Raxaul-Birgunj border in 2018.
54. Which country recently became the first in South Asia to introduce e- passports?
Bangladesh recently launched its e- passports thus becoming the first country in South Asia to introduce e- passports. During an event held, the Department of Immigration and Passports (DIP) handed over the first e- passport to the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Department also announced that the process of delivering e-passports will start in regional offices by the end of this year. It was also announced that machine-readable passports, which Bangladesh uses instead of manual passports, will also continue to remain valid. e-passports are presently issued with the validity of five years and ten years.
55. The ‘National Conclave on Emerging Opportunities in Natural Gas sector’ was recently held in which city?
(A) Mumbai
(B) New Delhi
(C) Hyderabad
(D) Lucknow
Correct Answer: (B) New Delhi
Answer Explanation:
The ‘National Conclave on Emerging Opportunities in Natural Gas sector’ was recently held in New Delhi. Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan presided over the conclave.
The Minister said that that the current share of gas in India’s energy basket is 6.2% and the target is to increase it to 15% by the year 2030. He also stated that the state of Gujarat has 26% share of gas-based energy. The Minister announced that India will witness an investment of over Rs 4 lakh crore in development of gas supply and distribution infrastructure in the next five years.
