1. 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.
2. 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.
3. With reference to Covid, what are ‘Kappa’ and ‘Delta’?
[A] New Measure of Covid spread rate
[B] New Labels for Covid variants
[C] New category in Covid positivity rate
[D] New Global vaccine initiatives
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Labels for Covid variants]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced new labels, using Greek alphabets, for various variants of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
As per the WHO, Covid variant first found in India (B1.617.2) will be referred to as Delta, while earlier found variant in the country (B.1.617.1) will be known as Kappa.
4. CSIR-NCL developed a technology called ‘SWASTIIK’, to disinfect water using which medicinal system?
[A] Siddha
[B] Ayurveda
[C] Homeopathy
[D] Sowa-Rigpa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ayurveda]
Notes:
CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) Pune has developed a hybrid technology called “SWASTIIK”, for disinfecting water by using natural oils.
With support from the Water Technology Initiative of the department of science and technology (DST), the team has developed the technology. It involves boiling of a liquid as a result of pressure reduction (cavitation) and also uses natural oils having antimicrobial properties, to disinfect.
5. As per the new system in PMGKP, the Insurance companies will approve and settle the claims based on the certificate of …………..
[A] Home Ministry
[B] District Collector
[C] Registrar General
[D] District Court
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [District Collector]
Notes:
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19’ was launched to provide personal accident cover of Rs. 50 lakh to all healthcare providers.
Recently, a new system for approval of claims has been introduced. The District Collector will certify that the claim is in accordance with SoP of the Scheme and on the basis of this certificate, Insurance Company will approve and settle the claims within a period of 48 hours.
6. Which country has launched the Mission Innovation Clean-Tech Exchange at the Net Zero Summit hosted by Chile?
[A] USA
[B] India
[C] Japan
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
India has launched the Mission Innovation Clean-Tech Exchange at the Net Zero Summit hosted by Chile.
It is a global initiative, that will create a network of incubators across member countries to fast-track clean energy innovation. Mission Innovation 2.0 is the second phase of the global Mission Innovation initiative, launched during the Paris Agreement at the 2015 UN climate conference.
7. 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.
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. Which organisation releases the Food Price Index, to track the international prices of a basket of food commodities?
[A] FAO
[B] World Bank
[C] IMF
[D] ILO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [FAO]
Notes:
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) food price index is a measure of the monthly change in international prices of a basket of food commodities including cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat and sugar.
According to the recent index, food prices in May were 4.8% higher than April. This is registered as the biggest monthly rise since October 2010. The prices was also 39.7% higher than this time last year, May 2020.
10. Indus Best Mega Food Park, which was inaugurated recently, is located in which state?
[A] Punjab
[B] Haryana
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
The Indus Best Mega Food Park, has been launched in Raipur of Chhattisgarh, by the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Narendra Singh Tomar.
This mega food park aims to make value addition, increase shelf life and provide better price realisation to farmers. It is expected that this park would provide direct and indirect employment to about 5,000 persons.