1. As per the “Global State of Democracy 2021” report, which country was added to the list of “backsliding” democracies, for the first time?
[A] India
[B] USA
[C] Brazil
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
The International think tank International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) released its report titled “Global State of Democracy 2021”.
It added the United States to its annual list of “backsliding” democracies for the first time. It also stated that their data suggests that the backsliding episode began at least in 2019. As of 2021, the world will have 98 democracies, the lowest number in many years, some countries like India, the Philippines and the USA imposed measures that amount to democratic violations.
2. ‘Matosinhos Manifesto’, which was seen in the news, is approved by which space agency?
[A] ISRO
[B] NASA
[C] ESA
[D] JAXA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ESA]
Notes:
The European Space Agency (ESA) council approved the ‘Matosinhos Manifesto’ to accelerate the use of space in Europe.
The new document signed by ministers from the ESA’s 22 member states outlines three urgent initiatives named “Accelerators”. They also signed two missions, which aim to establish the ESA’s own system to launch astronauts into space and to probe Jupiter’s frozen moon Enceladus.
3. WMO Meeting on the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) river basins is being held in which place?
[A] Varanasi
[B] New Delhi
[C] Patna
[D] Lucknow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
A meeting on the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) river basins, jointly organised by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and India Meteorological Department (IMD), recently began in New Delhi.
Scientists from Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China are attending the meeting. India and its neighbouring countries sharing the trans-boundary GBM basins are planning to develop a Hydrological SOS system, a system to share data on reservoirs, rivers and dam waters.
4. Tantya Mama, who was seen in the news, was a tribal leader of which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that Patalpani railway station in Indore will be renamed as Tantya Mama railway station.
Tantia was a member of the Bhil tribe, of the indigenous Adivasi community, born in Madhya Pradesh. Mama Tantya Bhil’s was hanged by the British on 4th December.
5. ‘FrogID’ is the national citizen science frog identification initiative of which country?
[A] India
[B] Australia
[C] Japan
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Australia]
Notes:
FrogID is Australia’s first national citizen science frog identification initiative. It is a project led by the Australian Museum in partnership with Australia’s top natural history museums and IBM.
Recently, two new species, named the slender bleating tree frog (Litoria balatus) and the screaming tree frog (Litoria quiritatus), have been scientifically described with the help of citizen scientists and their recordings through the FrogID app.
