21. Coonoor, which was seen in the news recently, is located in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
An Indian Air Force helicopter with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat on board crashed in Tamil Nadu’s Coonoor.
Thirteen people have been confirmed dead in the incident. Group Captain Varun Singh, honoured with the Shaurya Chakra this year, who was the lone survivor of the crash, is in critical condition.
22. Platform Accountability and Transparency Act (PATA), which was recently in the news, is associated with which country?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] USA
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [USA]
Notes:
The USA recently announced a new bill named ‘Platform Accountability and Transparency Act (PATA)’.
The bill establishes new rules which could compel social media platforms to share data with “Qualified researchers”. They are defined as university-affiliated researchers pursuing projects that have been approved by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
23. What is the theme of the ‘Human Rights Day 2021’?
[A] Equality, Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights
[B] The ABCs of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+
[C] What are Human Rights
[D] Advocates- Torchbearers of human rights
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Equality, Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights]
Notes:
Human Rights Day is observed on December 10, every year. This year, the theme is ‘Equality, Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights’.
United Nations General Assembly in 1948 adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This day is celebrated to raise awareness about people’s social, cultural and physical rights and to ensure the welfare of everyone.
24. Which country successfully flight-tested ‘Stand-off anti-tank (SANT) missile’?
[A] India
[B] Pakistan
[C] Israel
[D] UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully flight-tested the stand-off anti-tank (SANT) missile from Pokhran range.
The indigenously designed and developed helicopter-launched missile has the ability to neutralise targets in a range of up to 10 kilometres. It also has a millimetre wave (MMW) seeker which provides high precision strike capability from distance.
25. Which country is associated with the “Protect Our Democracy Act”?
[A] USA
[B] Canada
[C] India
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
In the United States, the House voted to pass the Protect Our Democracy Act, which addresses presidential abuses of power. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, at present.
The Act also stresses the checks and balances between the branches of government. It aims to strengthen limitation on presidential pardons, requirement for candidates for president and vice president to submit their personal tax returns for 10 years, and acceptance of any foreign or domestic emoluments.
26. Island Territory of New Caledonia recently voted to stay part of which country?
[A] France
[B] USA
[C] Japan
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [France]
Notes:
Voters in the French island territory of New Caledonia chose to stay part of France, in a referendum, hailed by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Sonia Backes, President of the Southern Province region, announced the results, which showed 96 per cent of those who took part chose to stay in France. The vote was monitored by the UN and regional powers.
27. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) has collaborated with which institution to produce Green Hydrogen?
[A] BARC
[B] ISRO
[C] DRDO
[D] NSIL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [BARC]
Notes:
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), has collaborated with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to scale-up alkaline electrolyzer technology for green hydrogen.
This is a first of its kind initiative to increase renewable energy production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At present, electrolyzer plants are imported in India. The company plans to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2040.
28. As of 2021, India has bilateral air bubble agreements with how many countries?
[A] 13
[B] 33
[C] 53
[D] 73
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [33]
Notes:
The Indian government has recently finalized an air bubble agreement with Australia, which will allow all eligible passengers to travel between the two countries.
India currently has bilateral air bubble agreements with 33 countries, which include Afghanistan, Australia, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Russia, Rwanda, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, and the USA among others. Australian airline Qantas has recently started flights between Sydney and New Delhi.
29. The Shahid Behesti Terminal, which was making news, is a part of which port?
[A] Port of Shangai
[B] Chabahar Port
[C] Singapore Port
[D] Jebel Ali Port
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chabahar Port]
Notes:
India, Iran and Uzbekistan held a virtual second trilateral working group meeting on the joint use of Chabahar port.
Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan, secretary, Ministry of ports, shipping and waterways co-chaired the meet along with his counterparts. India is participating in the development of the first phase of the Shahid Behesti Terminal, Chabahar port in cooperation with Iran.
30. Which institution released the “Tracking Universal Coverage – 2021 Global Monitoring Report”?
[A] WTO
[B] WHO
[C] FAO
[D] WEF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [WHO]
Notes:
The World Health Organization recently released the “Tracking Universal Coverage – 2021 Global Monitoring Report”.
On the occasion of Universal Health Coverage day, World Bank also released the “Global Monitoring Report on Financial Protection in Health 2021”. The report showed that the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to halt two decades of global progress towards Universal Health Coverage.