1. Little Bloodtail, which is considered as a harbinger of monsoon, belong to which type of species?
[A] Humming Bird
[B] Dragonfly
[C] Frog
[D] Turtle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dragonfly]
Notes:
Little Bloodtail is a small dragonfly, which has wide presence in the state of Kerala. This species of dragonfly can be spotted from the beginning of June till September.
Since the life cycle of little bloodtail is very closely linked with monsoon, they are considered as a harbinger of monsoon (which announces the arrival of an event).
2. The Chandra X-ray Observatory was launched by which space agency?
[A] NASA
[B] SpaceX
[C] Blue Origin
[D] ISRO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [NASA]
Notes:
The Chandra X-ray Observatory, previously known as the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility, was launched by NASA, aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia.
Recently, an image from this observatory was released by NASA. It shows threads of superheated gas and magnetic fields weaving around each other, at the center of our Mily Way Galaxy. These new observations stretch above and below our galaxy’s plane, where most of the stars are found.
3. Which state has introduced India’s first city sewage surveillance system?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Karnataka
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka]
Notes:
The state government of Karnataka has introduced a city sewage surveillance system in Bangalore. This is aimed to track coronavirus at an early stage.
This effort of Karnataka is supported by USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and COVIDactionCollab (CAC). CAC is supporting the state by providing training to sanitation workers in collecting samples and analysing them in labs.
4. As per the NRC Annual index of the 10 most neglected displacement crises, which country has the highest number of crises?
[A] Venezuela
[B] Democratic Republic of the Congo
[C] Burundi
[D] Ethiopia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Democratic Republic of the Congo]
Notes:
The Norwegian Refugee Council released its annual index of the 10 most neglected displacement crises in the world.
Two million people were displaced last year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and it has the world’s most neglected number of displaced people. African Countries dominated this year’s list, wherein DRC is followed by Cameroon, Burundi and Venezuela.
5. When is the Global Day of Parents observed by the UN?
[A] June 1
[B] June 2
[C] June 10
[D] June 15
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [June 1]
Notes:
Every year, the United Nations observes 1st June as the Global Day of Parents. A resolution in this regard was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and the first-ever Global Day of Parents was observed in the year 2012.
This day is observed to celebrate parenthood and its selfless commitment.
6. 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.
7. India launched a Workstream to promote industrial energy efficiency, along with which country?
[A] USA
[B] Japan
[C] UK
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UK]
Notes:
India and the UK have launched a new workstream to promote industrial energy efficiency, under the Clean Energy Ministerial’s (CEM) Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI).
The 12th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) is being organised by Chile in virtual mode. IDDI is coordinated by the by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). It is also supported by Germany and Canada.
8. Cyrtodactylus bengkhuaiai, which has been named after the Mizo chief, is a ……
[A] Lizard
[B] Spider
[C] Turtle
[D] Snake
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Lizard]
Notes:
Cyrtodactylus bengkhuaiai, one of four new species of bent-toed geckos recently discovered, has been named in honour of a Mizo Chief Bengkhuaia, who fought the British forces 150 years ago.
Two geckos each were found in Mizoram and Meghalaya by two groups of scientists in October-November 2020. This gecko is a species of pest-controlling lizard new to science.
9. SAGE (Senior-care Aging Growth Engine) is the initiative of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[B] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[C] Ministry of Law and Justice
[D] Ministry of Minority Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment]
Notes:
Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot virtually launched the SAGE (Senior-care Aging Growth Engine) initiative.
He also launched the SAGE portal, which can be accessed by the elderly persons for elderly care products and services by select start-ups. The start-ups will be selected on the basis of innovative products and services.
10. NACH facility, which was seen in the news recently, stands for?
[A] National Automobile Clearing House
[B] National Automated Clearing House
[C] National Accreditation Council of Higher Education
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Automated Clearing House]
Notes:
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) implemented “National Automated Clearing House (NACH)”, which can be used for making bulk transactions towards distribution and collection of payments.
NACH is a centralised system which consolidates multiple ECS systems running across the country. As per the RBI’s recent monetary policy committee meeting, the NACH facility would be available on all days of the week from August 1.