1. Where is the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) located?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) is an autonomous institution under the Department of Space (DoS) and a ‘Deemed to be University’, based at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has partnered with the IIST, similar to the JPL-Caltech model in the United States. A Capacity Building Programme Office (CBPO) located at Bengaluru will coordinate joint research activities between ISRO centres and IIST.
2. ‘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.
3. Mount Merapi, which was recently observed to have released ash and debris, is an active volcano in which country?
[A] Philippines
[B] Australia
[C] Indonesia
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indonesia]
Notes:
Mount Merapi is an active volcano located in the Central Java province of Indonesia. Being the most active volcano in Indonesia, it has erupted constantly since 1548.
Recently, the volcano was observed releasing ash high into the air and sending streams of lava and debris along its slopes. As per media reports, clouds of hot ash were blown 200 meters or 656 feet above the surface.
4. 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”.
5. Which country is set to host the two-day climate summit of world leaders starting on Earth Day, April 22?
[A] France
[B] USA
[C] India
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
The United States is set to host the two-day climate summit of world leaders starting on Earth Day, April 22. During the summit, the President Joe Biden is expected to announce the nationally determined contribution of the US.
In this regard, the US President has invited 40 world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the summit.
6. Soma Mondal, who has been appointed as the new chairperson of SCOPE, is presently the chairperson of which company?
[A] Indian Oil
[B] SAIL
[C] NTPC
[D] BHEL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SAIL]
Notes:
The present chairperson of state-owned PSU – Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has been appointed as the new chairperson of Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE).
She will be serving a term of 2 years, starting April 2021. She has been the chairperson of SAIL since January 2021.
7. Which Ministry has invited research proposals with focus on female participation in economic activities?
[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Social Justice
[C] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[D] Ministry of HRD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Women and Child Development]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) has recently invited research proposals for projects with special focus on improving female participation in economic activities of India.
The Ministry has announced grants in aid to NGOs, Universities, institutions etc for research, publication, and monitoring.
8. The Indian Prime Minister launched the ‘Swarna Jayanti’ scholarships for the youth of which country?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Nepal
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bangladesh]
Notes:
The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is on a 2-day official visit to Bangladesh as a part of National Day celebrations in Bangladesh.
He has announced the ‘Swarna Jayanti’ scholarships for the youth of Bangladesh to mark half a century ling ties between the two countries. PM has invited 50 entrepreneurs of Bangladesh to visit India and to join India’s start-up and innovation ecosystem.
9. As per the World Development Report, what is the per centage of low-income countries had an open-date policy?
[A] 5%
[B] 11%
[C] 22%
[D] 33%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [11%]
Notes:
As per the recent World Development Report by the World Bank, most countries have not implemented the open-data policy, particularly the developing economies.
Only 11 per cent low-income countries consistently made their data available with an open license. The per centage in lower-middle-income countries was 19 per cent; for upper-middle-income countries is 22 per cent and high-income countries at 44 per cent.
10. In which year, the Government e-Market (GeM) portal was launched?
[A] 2014
[B] 2016
[C] 2018
[D] 2020
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2016]
Notes:
The Government e-Market (GeM) portal was launched on August 9, 2016, for online purchases of goods and services by all the central government ministries and departments.
Recently, the public procurement of goods and services has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore from the GeM since the platform was launched. The main reason is the sharp increase in buying activities by various ministries.
