1. Which of the following banks have recently launched it work from home facility for its employees?
[A] ICICI Bank
[B] State Bank of India
[C] Bank of Baroda
[D] Punjab National Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ State Bank of India ]
Notes:
State Bank of India has launched a new work from home facility for its employees. The board of the bank has approved the plan whereby its employees can work from home using mobile devices.
2. Identify the fauna with the help of given information:
- This species was for long known to be endemic to Satpura ranges but recently has been recorded in northern Western Ghats
- It has been listed as critically endangered in the IUCN list
- The species is very small in size with very large talons and prefers mixed deciduous forests with dense undergrowth and mature softwood trees
Select the correct answer from options given below:
[A] Brown palm civet
[B] Forest owlet
[C] Pygmy hog
[D] Great Indian hornbill
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Forest owlet]
Notes:
All given features are of Forest owlet
3. The term “BGR-34”, which was frequently in news, is:
[A] ethanol blended fuel
[B] Indian standard Gold Bar
[C] anti-diabetic Ayurvedic drug
[D] artillery gun developed by DRDO for the Indian Army
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [anti-diabetic Ayurvedic drug]
Notes:
BGR-34 is an anti-diabetic Ayurvedic drug developed by the research wing of the Science and Technology Ministry. It was recently in news when it was placed 14th among the top branded drugs manufactured by multinational Pharma companies, according to a survey by the All Indian Origin Chemists and Distributors (AIOCD). The Ayurvedic drug 'BGR-34' was launched in 2015, and has been developed jointly by two CSIR laboratories, National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (CIMAP). It is prepared by a combination of natural extracts from four plants mentioned in Ayurveda, and it helps in treatment of type-II diabetes. It works as antioxidant and checks free radicals, thus, boosting our immune system. It helps to maintain the normal blood glucose levels, and reduces chances of complications due to persistent high blood glucose levels. Therefore, it imparts a good quality life to patients with high blood sugar levels.
4. Recently, the Tamang and the Limbu communities have been placed in the Scheduled Tribe categories. In which state of India are these tribes predominantly found?
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Sikkim
[C] Gujarat
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sikkim]
Notes:
Tamang and the Limbu communities of Sikkim have been placed in the ST category.
5. Recently, Scientists of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have found a new species of Zingiber which possesses ethno-medicinal uses. The pseudo stem of the new species is predominantly red in colour and the tuberous roots are used to treat abdominal pain and anti-helminthic troubles. In which part of India it has been discovered?
[A] Eastern Himalayas
[B] Western Ghats
[C] Andaman and Nicobar Islands
[D] Baikunthapur Forest in West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Andaman and Nicobar Islands]
Notes:
Recently, Scientists of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have found a new species of Zingiber from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The new species indeed possesses ethno-medicinal uses. The fresh juice from the fleshy tuberous roots is used to treat abdominal pain and anti-helminthic troubles by Nicobarese and certain other tribal communities.
6. Ratan Watal Committee Report, sometimes seen in news, is associated to _?
[A] Border Protection
[B] Ganga Action Plan
[C] Digital Payments
[D] Goods and Services Tax Act
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Digital Payments]
Notes:
Ratan Watal Committee has suggested roadmap towards Digital Payments in India. The committee had called for establishing separate Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) as an independent body for retail payments and suggested that RBI’s regulation must be kept only for SIPS (systemically important payment system).
7. Recently, the term ‘Snowflake Coral’ was making in news. What is ‘snowflake coral’?
[A] It is a species of coral made of calcium carbonate skeleton and have a symbiotic relationship with plant
[B] It is an invasive species posing threat to the marine ecology of the south western region in India
[C] It is a coral species found only in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
[D] It is an only surviving coral species in the Arctic Ocean
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [It is an invasive species posing threat to the marine ecology of the south western region in India]
Notes:
‘Snowflake Coral’ is an invasive species recently documented of the west coast of Thiruvananthapuram and Kanyakumari.It is said to pose a serious threat to the marine ecology of the region. It is a serious threat as an invasive species because of its capacity to dominate space and crowd out other marine organisms.
8. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has decided to observe which year as the International Year of Millets?
[A] 2021
[B] 2024
[C] 2023
[D] 2022
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2023 ]
Notes:
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has approved India’s proposal to observe 2023 as the International Year of Millets. This decision was taken at the 160th session of FAO Council, currently underway in Rome. The move will enhance global awareness to bring back these nutri-cereals to the plate. In addition, the FAO Council has also approved India’s membership to the Executive Board of the United Nations World Food Program for 2020 and 2021. Millets consists of Jowar, Bajra, Ragi and minor millets together termed as nutri-cereals.
9. What is the name of the MASCOT of 2018 FIFA World Cup?
[A] Goleo and Pille
[B] Zakumi
[C] Zabivaka
[D] Fuleco
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Zabivaka ]
Notes:
Each FIFA World Cup since 1966 has its own Mascot. Mascot is generally one or more anthropomorphic characters targeted by children with cartoon shows. The Mascot for 2018 FIFA World Cup was Zabivak
10. How many nations had participated in the 2018 Asian Games?
[A] 45
[B] 50
[C] 65
[D] 40
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [45]
Notes:
A total of 45 nations had participated in the 2018 Asian Games which were held at Indonesi
