1. Which Union Minister released e-book on Standard Treatment Guidelines for Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Behavioural Addictions?
[A] Dr Harsh Vardhan
[B] Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank
[C] Jitendra Singh
[D] Amit Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dr Harsh Vardhan]
Notes:
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has released e-book on Standard Treatment Guidelines for the Management of Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Behavioural Addictions.
The Minister cautioned that the World Drug Report 2020 suggests that COVID-19 will induce disorders in the country. The substance use is associated with non-communicable disorders like cardiovascular, cancer and mental health. He also highlighted that smoking increases the risk for Covid-19.
2. Unnat Bharat Abhiyan centre of which institution has partnered with CSIR and Vijnana Bharti for promoting rural development?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IIT Delhi
[C] IIT Kharagpur
[D] IIT Guwahati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIT Delhi]
Notes:
A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Unnat Bharat Abhiyan-Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (UBA-IITD) and Vijnana Bharti (VIBHA), New Delhi.
The objective of the MoU is to provide joint action in the area of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) for rural development of India. UBA is a flagship program of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) by connecting academic institutions with local communities.
3. What is the name of the robotic Mars rover launched by NASA?
[A] Endeavour
[B] Perseverance
[C] Achiever
[D] Patriot
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Perseverance]
Notes:
NASA has successfully launched its Mars rover named ‘Perseverance’ from Cape Canaveral Florida on a United Launch Alliances Atlas V rocket.
The vehicle with the size of a large car is also accompanied by a helicopter called Ingenuity which will study Mars’s atmosphere. It will drill into Mars and collect geological specimens. The rover is expected to land at the base of a crater called Jezero on February 18, 2021.
4. What is the modified deadline for filing income tax returns, as announced by the Union Government after July 31?
[A] August 31
[B] September 30
[C] October 31
[D] December 31
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [September 30]
Notes:
The Union Government has extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for 2018-19 fiscal by two months till September 30.
The reason for the extension is constraints due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown. The Central Board of Direct Taxes has extended the deadline for the third time to September 30. Earlier it was postponed from March 31 to June 30 and then to July 31.
5. Which country has approved a law that gives more power to regulate social media content?
[A] China
[B] North Korea
[C] Turkey
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Turkey]
Notes:
The Parliament of Turkey approved a new legislation that gives its authorities more power to regulate social media content.
As per the law, major social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter will have to keep representative offices and also would store user data in Turkey. The government said this law will combat cyber-crime and protect users and Authorities can remove cyber bullying posts.
6. India has imposed restrictions on the import of which electronic gadget after two decades?
[A] Mobile Phones
[B] Colour Television sets
[C] Speakers
[D] Microwave Ovens
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Colour Television sets]
Notes:
India has recently imposed restrictions on the import of Colour Television sets, in an effort to promote its domestic production.
The import of the TV sets was freed from previous restrictions two decades ago and since then there has been no amendments in the import policy. Now the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notified to change the policy from free to ‘restricted’. However, there is no restriction on importing monochrome TVs.
7. Which day is observed in India, to mark the anniversary of the passage of Law against Triple Talaq?
[A] Muslim Women’s Rights Day
[B] Abolition of Triple Talaq Day
[C] Protection of Women Day
[D] Gender Equality Day
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Muslim Women’s Rights Day]
Notes:
Muslim Women’s Rights Day is being observed on July 31, to commemorate the first anniversary of the passage of law against instant Triple Talaq.
On the same day in 2019, the Union Government passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act that prohibits the practice of instant divorce. As per the law, any violation of the law is punishable by jail term of up to three years. The Supreme Court of India declared this practice as unconstitutional.
8. Which country chaired the 6th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting?
[A] Brazil
[B] Russia
[C] India
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
Union Environment Minister of India Prakash Javadekar attended the 6th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting.
The meeting was attended by the Environment Ministers of the five BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa through video conference. It was chaired by the current BRICS President Russia. India will assume the BRICS Presidency in 2021.
9. Who is the head of the Sports Ministry’s committee to select this year’s National Sports Awards winners?
[A] Mukundakam Sharma
[B] S B Sinha
[C] Markandey Katju
[D] Jagannadha Rao
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mukundakam Sharma]
Notes:
The Sports Ministry has constituted a 12-member committee to select this year’s National Sports Awards winners.
The committee is to be headed by retired Supreme Court Justice, Mukundakam Sharma. It will select the award winners among both athletes and coaches. The members include Former India Cricketer Virender Sehwag, Hockey star Sardar Singh and Paralympic silver-medallist Deepa Malik.
10. What is the name of India’s solar-powered ferry that has won the prestigious Gustave Trouve Award?
[A] Aditya
[B] Arunan
[C] Ravikant
[D] Soorya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Aditya]
Notes:
India’s solar-powered ferry Aditya has won the prestigious Gustave Trouve Award for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating.
It has been named the best electric boat in the category of ferries designed for paid passenger service. Aditya was the first solar-powered ferry of the country when it began its operations in 2017 in Kerala. The ferry built by NavAlt Boats belongs to the Kerala State Water Transport Department.