1. ‘Litoria Mira’, that has been discovered from the rainforests of New Guinea, is a ……….?
[A] Snake
[B] Frog
[C] Otter
[D] Toucan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Frog]
Notes:
A team of Australian scientists has discovered a new species of a tree frog from the rainforests of New Guinea.
Also called as the “chocolate frog” due to its chocolate colour, it belongs to the Australasian tree frog genus Litoria. Hence the new species was named as ‘Litoria mira’. The closest known relative of this new species is the Australian green tree frog.
2. Aspergillosis, which was making news recently, is a ………….. disease.
[A] Viral
[B] Bacteria
[C] Fungal
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Fungal]
Notes:
Aspergillosis is an infection, allergic reaction, or fungal growth caused by the Aspergillus fungus. Recently, after a sharp rise in black and white fungus cases in India, cases of aspergillosis infections have been reported.
Those with weakened immune systems or lung diseases, which is common in COVID-19 patients, are said to be at high risk of infection.
3. What was India’s fiscal deficit for 2020-21 as per the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) data?
[A] 10%
[B] 9.3%
[C] 8%
[D] 3.5%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [9.3%]
Notes:
As per the data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), India’s fiscal deficit for 2020-21 stood at 9.3% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the financial year 2020-21. This is lower than the Finance Ministry’s Budget estimates of 9.5%.
As per the CGA data, the revenue deficit stood at 7.42% during 2020-21.
4. ‘Red Tourism’, which was seen in the news, is associated with which country?
[A] Indonesia
[B] India
[C] China
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Notes:
China launched ‘Red Tourism’ in the year 2004 to promote locations with historical and cultural significance to the history of the Communist Party.
It also aimed at promoting tourism and local businesses in the country. Recently, there has been a record high footfall in the historic places under the Red Tourism. Some of them include Nanhu Lake, where the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party was held in 1921, and Mao Zedong’s birthplace Shaoshan.
5. Under which regulation, migrants from Mexico were denied entry into the USA?
[A] Migrant Protection Protocols
[B] Visa Protocol
[C] Regulations on citizenship
[D] Rules of Migration
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Migrant Protection Protocols]
Notes:
President Joe Biden’s administration of the USA has formally ended the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), which denies asylum seekers entry into the USA.
Under the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), which was brought into force in 2019, individuals who arrived at the Southwest Border of the USA were returned to Mexico to await removal proceedings in US courts.
6. The Union Cabinet has approved an MoU between India and Maldives as well as Japan, in which sector?
[A] Civil Aviation
[B] Shipping
[C] Sustainable Urban Development
[D] Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sustainable Urban Development]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet of the Government of India has approved and ratified a MoU between India and Maldives on cooperation in sustainable urban development.
The MoU would strengthen the bilateral ties and generate employment in urban planning, waste management, housing, green mobility, efficient power systems etc. The MoU was signed in the month of Feb 2021, and would be in force for an infinite time period. The Cabinet also approved an MoU with Japan in the same field.
7. EAGLE Act, which was making news recently, is associated with which country?
[A] New Zealand
[B] USA
[C] Australia
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
A bipartisan legislation was re-introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to eliminate the per-country cap on employment-based green card.
This new law is called as the EAGLE Act 2021. Currently, there is a 7% per-country limit on Visa issuance by the United States. If this law is cleared by the Senate, this would benefit a lot of Indian professionals and their family members who wish to immigrate to the country.
8. AmB, is the nano-fibre based tablets, developed by IIT-H, for curing which disease?
[A] Kala Azar
[B] Malaria
[C] Dengue
[D] Japanese Encephalitis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kala Azar]
Notes:
Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad has developed nano-fibre based oral tablets of Amphotericin B, called as AmB.
This was the first-ever attempt to fabricate nanofibrous oral tablets of Amphotericin B for curing Kala Azar. As Kala-Azar treatment is being currently used as a treatment for Mucormycosis, this can be used to treat fungal infections post COVID treatment.
9. Trirashmi Buddhist cave complex, where three new caves have been discovered, is located in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), has discovered three new caves in the Trirashmi Buddhist cave complex, which is located near Nashik in Maharashtra.
This cave complex is also called the Pandav Leni. This site was first documented by a British military officer nearly two decades ago.
10. Database named “I-Familia” has been launched by which organization?
[A] IMF
[B] World Bank
[C] Interpol
[D] CBI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Interpol]
Notes:
The international law enforcement agency Interpol has launched a global database named “I-Familia”. This database is aimed to identify missing persons, using the DNA of family members.
I-Familia has three components namely a dedicated global database on DNA profiles, DNA matching software called Bonaparte and interpretation guidelines developed by Interpol.