1. Which ministry recently launched the ‘National Apprenticeship and Training Scheme (NATS) 2.0 Portal’?
[A] Ministry of Urban Development
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of Education
[D] Ministry of Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Education]
Notes:
Ministry of Education launched the National Apprenticeship and Training Scheme (NATS) 2.0 Portal, disbursing ₹100 crore in stipends via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The portal supports apprenticeships in IT, manufacturing, and automobiles, enhancing youth skills and employability. It simplifies registration, application, and contract management, ensuring timely stipend payments.
2. Recently, which two countries signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement, known as the 123 Agreement?
[A] India and Russia
[B] Singapore and the United States (US)
[C] Russia and Ukraine
[D] China and Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Singapore and the United States (US)]
Notes:
Singapore and the United States have signed a 30-year civil nuclear cooperation agreement, called the 123 Agreement. This deal will allow Singapore to access detailed information and expertise on U.S. nuclear energy technologies, which are typically under export control. The agreement aims to enhance Singapore’s capabilities in nuclear energy and strengthen ties between the two countries in this field.
3. Landslide Atlas of India, recently seen in the news, is prepared by which organization?
[A] DRDO
[B] ISRO
[C] NDRF
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ISRO]
Notes:
Wayanad, Kerala, struck by a deadly landslide killing nearly 200 people, ranked 13th in ISRO’s 2023 Landslide Atlas of India. Prepared by National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO, the atlas details landslide occurrences and damage in 147 districts across 17 states and two Union Territories. It includes 80,000 landslides mapped from 1998 to 2022, categorized by season, event, and route. The data, using high-resolution satellite imagery, ranked districts based on socio-economic exposure to landslides.
4. ‘Nacala Port’, recently seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Ghana
[B] Nigeria
[C] Mozambique
[D] Kenya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mozambique]
Notes:
India resumed importing Tur dal from Mozambique’s Nacala Port after a disruption. Mozambique is a Southeast African country with a long Indian Ocean coastline, separated from Madagascar by the Mozambique Channel. It borders Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini. Major rivers include the Zambezi and Limpopo, and its highest peak is Mount Binga. Mozambique is rich in resources like gold, emeralds, copper, iron ore, and bauxite.
5. What is the theme of ‘World Lung Cancer Day 2024’?
[A] A breath of prevention is better than expectation on long-term survival
[B] Measures to prevent lung cancer
[C] Care for Your Lungs
[D] Close the Care Gap: Everyone Deserves Access to Cancer Care
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Close the Care Gap: Everyone Deserves Access to Cancer Care]
Notes:
World Lung Cancer Day, observed on August 1st, raises awareness about lung cancer, highlighting its impact and educating the public on risks, symptoms, and treatments. The day advocates for early detection, better treatment options, and more research funding. This year’s theme, “Close the Care Gap: Everyone Deserves Access to Cancer Care,” emphasizes the need for equitable healthcare access for all cancer patients.
6. Which ministry is the nodal body for the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Gujarat, recently in news?
[A] Ministry of Science and Technology
[B] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[C] Ministry of Ayush
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Ayush]
Notes:
The Ministry of Ayush signed an $85 million agreement with the WHO to support the Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, over the next 10 years. This funding will expand the centre and support its research. The agreement was signed by Arindam Bagchi and Dr. Bruce Aylward at WHO headquarters in Geneva. The GCTM, established with a total investment of $250 million, aims to enhance global health through traditional medicine combined with modern science. The Union Ministry of Ayush is the nodal body for the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
7. What is the main objective of Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS), recently seen in news?
[A] To ensure food security and control market prices during lean seasons
[B] To increase food grain production
[C] To reduce food grain prices globally
[D] To reduce food grain consumption
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [To ensure food security and control market prices during lean seasons]
Notes:
The Centre has allowed state governments to directly buy rice from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) without e-auctions under the Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS). The OMSS enables FCI to sell surplus wheat and rice from the central pool at predetermined prices to traders, bulk consumers, and states. This is in addition to maintaining buffer stocks for the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and other welfare schemes. The scheme aims to ensure food security and control market prices during lean seasons, especially in deficit regions. States can procure food grains for their needs beyond NFSA allocations.
8. Recently, scientists have discovered six new species of bent-toed gecko, a type of small lizard, in which region of India?
[A] Northeastern
[B] Western Ghats
[C] Eastern Ghats
[D] Ladakh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Northeastern ]
Notes:
Scientists have discovered six new lineages of bent-toed geckos in Northeast India. These geckos, found in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram, are nocturnal and live near forest streams, rocks, and vegetation. Each state in the region hosts its own unique species of these geckos, with 30 different species identified in Northeast India overall.
9. Chaliyar River, recently seen in news, originates from which hills?
[A] Elambalari Hills
[B] Nelliyampathy Hills
[C] Kalrayan Hills
[D] Coonoor Hills
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Elambalari Hills]
Notes:
Heavy rainfall in Kerala’s Wayanad region triggered landslides and rescue operations along the 169 km Chaliyar River. Originating from the Elambalari Hills in Tamil Nadu, the river passes through Malappuram and Kozhikode districts and drains into the Arabian Sea at Beypore port. Historically vital for timber transport and known for goldfields, the river has faced significant pollution from a pulp factory at Mavoor.
10. What kind of missile is ‘Astra mark-1 (Mk-1) missile’, recently in news?
[A] Surface-to-Air missile
[B] Air-to-Air beyond visual range (BVR) missile
[C] Air-to-Surface missile
[D] Surface-to-Surface missile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Air-to-Air beyond visual range (BVR) missile]
Notes:
The Indian Air Force has approved the production of 200 Astra Mk-1 missiles for Su-30 MKI and Tejas aircraft after Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit’s visit to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). Developed by DRDO and made by BDL, Astra Mk-1 is an air-to-air missile with a range of 80-110 km and a speed of Mach 4.5. DRDO is also working on the Astra Mk-2 with a range of 130-160 km.
