1. As per the World Health Assembly, when is the ‘World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day’ to be observed?
[A] January 30
[B] February 28
[C] March 31
[D] April 30
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [January 30]
Notes:
The ongoing 74th World Health Assembly declared January 30 as ‘World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day’.
The proposal to recognise the day was initiated by the United Arab Emirates and it was adopted unanimously by the member countries. NTDs are a group of infections caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms.
2. Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is being developed by which country?
[A] Japan
[B] USA
[C] Russia
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is NASA’s new next-generation space telescope, which is currently under development.
Formerly known as Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope, it is named after NASA’s first Chief of Astronomy, as the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Recently, NASA announced that thousands of exploding stars called supernovae are to observed through this telescope.
3. Under which scheme, the central government would support children who have lost both parents due to COVID 19?
[A] PM JDY
[B] PM JJBY
[C] PM CARES for Children
[D] PM Sishu Suraksha Yojana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [PM CARES for Children]
Notes:
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that, children who have lost both parents due to COVID-19 would be taken care and supported by the Government of India, under the PM CARES for Children scheme.
Such children would be entitled to receive a monthly stipend once they attain 18 years of age and would receive a corpus of Rs.10 lakh on attainment of 23 years, out of the funds available in PM CARES.
4. Pooja Rani Bohra is associated with which sport?
[A] Table Tennis
[B] Boxing
[C] Athletics
[D] Archery
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Boxing]
Notes:
Indian woman boxer Pooja Rani Bohra has clinched her second continental title at the Asian boxing championships, being held in Dubai.
The Olympic bound boxing champion registered this victory against Mavluda Movlonova of Uzbekistan in the 75kg category with a score of 5-0.
5. Which company has introduced the world’s first ‘Nano Urea’?
[A] IFFCO
[B] National Fertilizers Limited
[C] Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers
[D] Chambal Fertilisers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [IFFCO]
Notes:
Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) said that it has introduced the world’s first Nano Urea Liquid for farmers across the world.
The technology was developed at Nano Biotechnology Research Centre, Kalol. This is expected to reduce the input cost of farmers and will significantly bring down the cost of logistics and warehousing.
6. The OECD has changed its growth projection for India for FY22 to …… per cent from 12.6 per cent, estimated in March.
[A] 14.4
[B] 11.2
[C] 9.9
[D] 7.5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [9.9]
Notes:
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) cut its growth projection for India for FY22 to 9.9 per cent from 12.6 per cent estimated in March.
OECD also estimated the Global GDP growth at 5.8 per cent this year, compared with 4.2 per cent projected in December. It also changed its projections to 4.4 per cent in 2022, compared to 3.7 per cent, estimated in December.
7. Which is India’s first institution to be declared as Standard Developing Organization (SDO)?
[A] RDSO
[B] IRCTC
[C] DRDO
[D] RITES
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [RDSO]
Notes:
The Research Design & Standards Organization (RDSO), which functions under the Indian Railways has recently become the country’s first institution to be declared as Standard Developing Organization (SDO).
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) launched the scheme of ‘Recognition of SDO’, to attain the “One Nation One Standard” of the Government.
8. MV X-Press Pearl, which sank off the Sri Lankan Coast, belonged to which country?
[A] India
[B] Singapore
[C] USA
[D] Thailand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Singapore]
Notes:
The Singapore based vessel MV X-Press Pearl carrying chemicals sank off the coast of Sri Lanka recently. The 12-day long efforts to put of the ship’s fire and tow it into deep waters went vain after the ship’s stern became submerged and rested on the seabed.
This has posed a great environmental threat to the coast of Sri Lanka.
9. Who has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission?
[A] Arun Mishra
[B] A K Sikri
[C] Markandey Katju
[D] Ranjan Gogoi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Arun Mishra]
Notes:
Former Supreme Court Judge Justice Arun Mishra took charge as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission.
Justice Mishra is the first non-CJI to be appointed to the NHRC chief post since the amendment of the Protection of Human Rights Act in 2019. Former Chairperson Justice H L Dattu completed his tenure in December last year. Two other members were also appointed in the Commission.
10. 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.