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. Dal Lake, which was seen in the news, is situated in which city/town of Jammu & Kashmir?
[A] Srinagar
[B] Jammu
[C] Anantnag
[D] Leh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Srinagar]
Notes:
Dal is a lake in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also called as the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir”.
Recently, illegal constructions have been reported in the lake. The Lakes and Water Ways Development Authority (LAWDA), has demolished more than 170 illegal structures around the lake, in the last three months.
3. 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).
4. Indian Army is planning to lease “Heron TP drones” from which country?
[A] USA
[B] Russia
[C] China
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Israel]
Notes:
The Indian Army has planned to lease Israel’s Heron TP drones and deploy the same along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
This decision comes in the wake of ongoing tensions between India and China along the LAC and these drones would be deployed to monitor the activities of Chinese troops.
5. Which country has introduced a new legislation named as EAGLE Act?
[A] India
[B] USA
[C] Russia
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
A bill named “Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement” or EAGLE Act has been moved in the USA’s legislative body. This bill is seen as a counter to the policy challenges posed by China.
The bill seeks for increased investment to promote US manufacturing, trade and seeks for increased US intervention to Taiwan and Hong Kong.
6. The recently reported H10N3 is a strain of __:
[A] Bird Flu
[B] Corona virus
[C] Anthrax
[D] Swine Fever
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bird Flu]
Notes:
China has reported the first human infection of a rare strain of bird flu known as H10N3. The case has been confirmed in a 41-year-old man, by China’s National Health Commission.
This bird flu variant is supposed to be low pathogenic, which means it causes relatively less severe disease in poultry. No other case of this infection has been reported in the world.
7. What is Canadarm2, which was making news recently?
[A] Covid Vaccine Initiative
[B] Robotic Arm of International Space Station
[C] Super Computer
[D] New Microprocessor
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Robotic Arm of International Space Station]
Notes:
Recently, a piece of space debris hit and damaged a part of the ISS’s robotic arm, called as Canadarm2.
The astronomers confirmed that the arm’s functions will not be impacted by the damage. Canadarm2, the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), is used to move objects outside the station and to help in repairing works in the station.
8. Which decade has been declared as the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration?
[A] 2020-2029
[B] 2021-2030
[C] 2022-2031
[D] 2025-2034
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2021-2030]
Notes:
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030 was launched recently by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO).
The organisations also launched a report titled ‘#GenerationRestoration: Ecosystem restoration for People, Nature and Climate’, to mark the launch of the decade. The report urges the countries to restore at least 1 billion degraded hectares of land in the next decade.
9. The African Union has suspended the membership of which country, after a military coup in that nation?
[A] South Africa
[B] Mali
[C] Somalia
[D] Zimbabwe
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mali]
Notes:
The membership of Mali has been suspended by the African Union in response to the recent military coup in the country. African Union has pressed for a civilian led democratic government in Mali.
The military of Mali has arrested its interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane and has pressured them to resign.
10. Which Union Ministry has released a Model Citizen Charter, aligning actions with SDGs?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Education
[C] Ministry of Panchayat Raj
[D] Ministry of MSME
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Panchayat Raj]
Notes:
Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) in collaboration with National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) has prepared the ‘Gram Panchayat Citizen Charter’.
It is a model Citizens Charter/ framework for prompt delivery of services across the 29 sectors. The Charter has been aligned with localised Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It aims to empower the citizens in relation to public services and to improve the quality of services.