11. Congcong, Lianlian and Chenchen are the recently released mascots of which international sporting event?
[A] Summer Olympics
[B] Winter Olympics
[C] Asian Games
[D] World Games
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Asian Games]
Notes:
The official mascots of the 2022 Asian Games were released at a digital launch ceremony in China recently.
Congcong, Lianlian and Chenchen are named as the mascots of the 19th Asian Games, which is scheduled to be held at Hangzhou, China. Three robots nicknamed as ‘Smart Triplets’, representing the mascots were unveiled, to highlight the expertise of the city.
12. The research centre of which organisation have developed full-body disinfection chamber called ‘Personnel Sanitization Enclosure’?
[A] Defence Research and Development Organisation
[B] All India Institute of Medical Science
[C] Indian Institute of Science
[D] Bharat Electronics Limited
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Defence Research and Development Organisation]
Notes:
One of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratories Vehicle Research Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahmednagar has designed a full body disinfection chamber called as Personnel Sanitisation Enclosure (PSE).
This enclosure is a walk-through set-up, which is designed for personnel sanitization. The portable system which sanitises one person at a time, is equipped with sanitiser and soap dispenser. An electrically operated pump creates a disinfectant mist of hypo sodium chloride for 25 seconds.
13. Which country, through its aid agency has announced a grant of USD 2.9 million to India to help it tackle the effect of coronavirus pandemic?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] United States
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United States]
Notes:
One of the leading aid agencies in the world, USAID of the United States government, has announced a grant of USD 2.9 million to India to help it tackle the effect of coronavirus pandemic.
This assistance was announced by the US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster. The aid agency will also support the World Health Organization (WHO) initiatives in India. The proposed funds will help the Indian Government of India in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
14. Kobe Bryant along with eight others, were selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The museum cum hall of fame is located in which country?
[A] Brazil
[B] United States
[C] United Kingdom
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
Basketball legend, who died in a helicopter crash earlier this year, Kobe Bryant along with eight others, were selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Other personalities include American basketball coach Tim Duncan and former professional basketball player Kevin Garnett. The Honourees will be officially inducted in on August 29 in Massachusetts, United States, where the basketball museum, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is located.
15. What is the amount of financial package released by the Centre for ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package’, to the states/UTs?
[A] Rs.10000 Cr
[B] Rs.15000 Cr
[C] Rs.20000 Cr
[D] Rs.25000 Cr
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rs.15000 Cr]
Notes:
The Union Government has approved Rs. 15,000 crores for ‘India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package’ for states/UTs.
This package which has been approved to build the health infrastructure, will be provided in three phases — January 2020 to June 2020, July 2020 to March 2021 and April 2021 to March 2024. This fund would be divided on the basis of the number of positive Covid-19 cases and the size of the state/UT. Rs 7,774 crore is expected to be released for immediate response.
16. India’s fiscal deficit stood at 5.07% of gross domestic product (GDP) in February. What is the revised fiscal deficit target for FY20, as a percentage of GDP?
[A] 3.8
[B] 3.5
[C] 3.2
[D] 3.0
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [3.8]
Notes:
According to a recent report released by the government, India’s fiscal deficit stood at 5.07% of gross domestic product (GDP) in February. Industrial output, measured in terms of Index of Industrial Production (IIP), was also at 4.5% in February.
The Government has revised its fiscal deficit target of 3.8% of GDP for FY20, during the 2020 Union Budget presentation. With a 5.07% fiscal deficit, it is expected that the revised target for the year 2019-20 would be difficult to be achieved.
17. The Centre has removed the customs duty and health cess on the import of medical equipment related to COVID-19 till which month of 2020?
[A] June
[B] August
[C] September
[D] December
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [September]
Notes:
The Union government recently announced that it has removed customs duty and health cess on the import of medical equipment related to COVID-19 till September 30, 2020.
The exemption on customs duty and cess have been given to all related medical equipment including ventilators, surgical masks, PPE, and test kits. This step is expected to boost availability of the products in the country, as per the Department of Revenue. The exemptions will be applicable on inputs used to manufacture the equipment.
18. IIT-Ropar has developed a technology to sanitise groceries and currency notes from Covid-19. In which state is the institution located?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Punjab
[C] Odisha
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Punjab]
Notes:
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Ropar has developed a technology to sanitise groceries and currency notes from Covid-19. IIT-Ropar is located in the state of Punjab.
The team has developed a trunk-shaped device fitted with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation technology. The device has to be placed at doorsteps and all items brought from outside including grocery and currency notes have to be placed inside it. It takes 30 minutes to sanitise the items.
19. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved the diagnostic machines used for testing which disease, for testing coronavirus samples?
[A] Tuberculosis
[B] Pneumonia
[C] Chronic Bronchitis
[D] Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tuberculosis]
Notes:
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved using diagnostic machines that are used for testing drug-resistant Tuberculosis for conducting coronavirus tests.
The ICMR has recommended this as a screening test. As per the guidance issued, throat or nasal swabs are to be collected in the viral transport medium with the ‘virus lysis buffer’, which is provided along with the kit. ICMR-NIV, Pune will inform about the effects of the viral RNA after neutralization of this novel coronavirus by the lysis buffer.
20. The International Day of Human Space Flight is celebrated on April 12, to commemorate the first flight carried out by which astronaut?
[A] Neil Armstrong
[B] Yuri Gagarin
[C] Valentina Tereshkova
[D] Alan Shepard
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Yuri Gagarin]
Notes:
The United Nations General Assembly declared 12 April as the International Day of Human Space Flight in the year 2011.
12 April 1961 was the date of the first human space flight, carried out by the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who was the first person to fly in space. The day is celebrated to commemorate this historic event which opened the way for space exploration across the globe.