1. ‘DIKSHA’ web portal is associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[C] Ministry of Skill Development
[D] Ministry of Agriculture
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Education]
Notes:
Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched 100+ comic books created by teachers and students of CBSE schools.
The comics, which are aligned with topics of NCERT textbooks, can be accessed online on DIKSHA web portal or via the DIKSHA app on any android Smartphone. They can also be accessed through a new WhatsApp powered Chatbot. DIKSHA is a online learning portal.
2. As per the recent report of the IUCN, what is the status of the smaller, lighter African forest elephant?
[A] Near Threatened
[B] Vulnerable
[C] Endangered
[D] Critically Endangered
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Critically Endangered]
Notes:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released its new assessment recently. It highlighted the pressures faced by the two species of elephants in Africa due to poaching for ivory and human encroachment.
It announced that the Savanna elephant was “endangered” and the much smaller, lighter forest elephant was “critically endangered”.
3. Which body decides the interest cut on small saving schemes such as the PPF and NSC?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Finance Commission
[C] Department of Economic Affairs
[D] Department of Financial Services
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Department of Economic Affairs]
Notes:
The Department of Economic Affairs, Union Finance Ministry decides the small saving schemes such as the PPF, NSC and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana.
The Government announces interest rates for small saving schemes at the end of every quarter. Recently after announcing steep cuts in the rates, the Finance Minister rolled back the changes to previous rates for the next quarter.
4. Which telescope captured the M 87 black hole with its magnetic fields?
[A] Hubble
[B] Event Horizon Telescope
[C] Giant Magellan Telescope
[D] Thirty meter Telescope
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Event Horizon Telescope]
Notes:
Recently, a new view of the black hole has been released by astronomers working with the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). In this view, the astronomers have mapped the magnetic fields close to the hole.
The event horizon telescope first revealed the images of black hole, in the year 2018, which is located in the galaxy M87 at a distance of 55 million light-years.
5. Which Ministry has approved the “National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021”
[A] Union Ayush Ministry
[B] Union Ministry of Women and Child Development
[C] Union Health Ministry
[D] Union Finance Ministry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Union Health Ministry]
Notes:
The Union Health Ministry has recently approved the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021.
This national policy aims to bring down the high cost of treatment for rare diseases. This policy has been drafted and approved in consultation with multiple stakeholders of the nation. It is also stated that 40% of beneficiaries covered under PM JAY will benefit from the policy.
6. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers organised a National Dialogue on Chemicals Manufacturing along with which organisation?
[A] ADB
[B] UNIDO
[C] IMF
[D] AIIB
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UNIDO]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers organised a “National Dialogue on ‘Manufacturing Excellence & Innovation for Competitiveness & Sustainability of Chemicals Manufacturing’.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) promotes industrial development for poverty reduction and environmental sustainability. UNIDO jointly organised this national dialogue as well as a dialogue under ‘Clean Manufacturing in India’ (Swachh Udyog).
7. Nguyen Xuan Phuc has been sworn in as the new President of which country?
[A] Thailand
[B] Singapore
[C] Vietnam
[D] Malaysia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vietnam]
Notes:
Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the 65-year-old man behind Vietnam’s successful handling of the coronavirus pandemic, has been formally sworn in as President of the country.
Phuc was Vietnam’s Prime Minister for the last five years. He was known for his contribution for the economy boom and his government’s COVID-19 response. Pham Minh Chinh has been appointed as the new Prime Minister.
8. Which Indian state has been reported to have been affected by the second wave of bird flu?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The state of Himachal Pradesh has been reported to be affected by second wave of bird flu. Recently, 100 migratory birds have died in Pong Dam Lake in Kangra district of the state.
The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases situated in Bhopal, has confirmed the presence of H5N8 avian influenza among dead birds. It is said that this strain is different from the H5N1 that was detected earlier this year.
9. Who was Isamu Akasaki, a Japanese Nobel Laureate who passed away recently?
[A] Author
[B] Scientist
[C] Economist
[D] Artist
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Scientist]
Notes:
Veteran Japanese scientist Isamu Akasaki, who shared a Nobel Prize in physics for the invention of blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs), passed away recently.
Akasaki was one of three Japanese-born researchers who was awarded the 2014 Nobel Prize in physics. He was also a recipient of 2009 Kyoto Prize, Japan’s highest honor, recognizing developments in advanced technology.
10. Which two organisations are planning to launch a platform for advising poor countries on climate changing funding?
[A] RBI and SEBI
[B] ADB and AIIB
[C] World Bank and IMF
[D] NDB and ADB
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [World Bank and IMF]
Notes:
The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have planned to launch a dedicated platform that would advise the poor nations on funding their climate and conservation activities.
It is proposed that the platform would consist of UN officials, non-governmental organisations, private investors and rating agencies, to aid and advise the funding activities.