11. Which state’s Agricultural Sciences University has signed a MoU with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to boost export of agricultural and processed foods?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Telangana
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Karnataka]
Notes:
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore with the aim to boost export of agricultural and processed food products, especially from the state of Karnataka. The key areas of cooperation will be developing technologies jointly with APEDA for efficient & precision farming, advance alertness, enhancing quality exports, diversifying the export basket, boosting high-value agri exports, etc.
12. In which Indian city, two major Smart City projects will be inaugurated?
[A] Kolkata
[B] Hyderabad
[C] Bengaluru
[D] Visakhapatnam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Visakhapatnam]
Notes:
Two major projects, developed under Smart City initiative of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), are ready for inauguration in Visakhapatnam. Under the smart city initiative, VMRDA Park (also known as VUDA Park) on Beach Road and Multi Level Car Parking (MLCP) Project at Jagadamba Junction has been completed.
13. Recently, the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was passed in Lok Sabha to remove the contentious retrospective tax provision in Income Tax Act. Who was finance minister when retrospective tax provision was included in 2012?
[A] P. Chidambaram
[B] Pranab Mukherjee
[C] Arun Jaitley
[D] Jaswant Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pranab Mukherjee]
Notes:
The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was passed in the Lok Sabha on 6th August, 2021. The bill seeks to do away with the contentious retrospective tax provision. The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill proposes to amend the Income Tax Act, 1961 to provide that no tax demand shall be raised in the future on the basis of the retrospective amendment for any indirect transfer of Indian assets if the transaction was undertaken before May 28, 2012. Pranab Mukherjee was the finance minister when retrospective tax provision was included in 2012.
14. Who is the current chairperson of National Commission for Women, who recently got three year extension?
[A] Ajay Tyagi
[B] M. R. Kumar
[C] Rekha Sharma
[D] Dr. Dhriti Banerjee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rekha Sharma]
Notes:
On 7th August, 2021 Rekha Sharma was reappointed as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women for another 3-year term w.e.f. 07.08.2021, or till the age of 65 years or until further orders, whichever is the earliest.
15. Which organization has released a study which shows Covishield-Covaxin combination works better than 2 doses of same vaccine?
[A] Indian Council of Medical Research
[B] Indian Medical Association
[C] Medical Council of India
[D] Academy of Family Physicians of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Council of Medical Research]
Notes:
A study by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) involving 98 people, 18 of whom had inadvertently received Covishield as first dose and Covaxin as the second in Uttar Pradesh, showed that combining these two Covid-19 vaccines elicited better immunogenicity than two doses of the same vaccine. The study is titled ‘Serendipitous COVID-19 Vaccine-Mix in Uttar Pradesh, India: Safety and Immunogenicity Assessment of a Heterologous Regime.’
16. What was the theme of International Day of Indigenous Peoples, 2021?
[A] Indigenous Languages
[B] Indigenous peoples’ migration and movement.
[C] Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract.
[D] Indigenous Media, Empowering Indigenous Voices
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract.]
Notes:
The International Day of Indigenous Peoples was celebrated on August 9, 2021 with its theme: ‘Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract.’ There are over 476 million indigenous peoples living in 90 countries across the world, accounting for 6.2% of the global population. Indigenous peoples are the holders of a vast diversity of unique cultures, traditions, languages and knowledge systems.
17. Under the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2021, how many appellate tribunals will be abolished?
[A] 8
[B] 7
[C] 9
[D] 6
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [9]
Notes:
A bill seeking to abolish as many as nine appellate tribunals, including the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), was approved by Parliament with the Rajya Sabha passing the proposed legislation on August 9, 2021. The Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2021, was approved by Lok Sabha on August 3. As per the statement of objects and reasons of the bill, all cases pending before such tribunals or authorities will be transferred to the Commercial Court or High Court. The legislation also provides for uniform terms and conditions of service for chairperson and members of various tribunals.
18. In which national park, last remaining population of the Asiatic Lions are found?
[A] Dudhwa National Park
[B] Kaziranga National Park
[C] Gir National Park
[D] Kanha Tiger Reserve
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gir National Park]
Notes:
Last remaining population of the Asiatic Lions are found in Gir National Park of Gujarat. In 2020, population of Asiatic lions has surged by almost 29% in Gujarat’s Gir forests. The distribution area of lions has also increased by 36%. Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Sasan Gir, is a forest, national park, and wildlife sanctuary near Talala Gir in Gujarat, India. This national park was established in 1965.
19. What amount has been released by the Finance ministry as Post Devolution Revenue Deficit for the states of India?
[A] Rs 8,871 crore
[B] Rs 7,871 crore
[C] Rs 9,871 crore
[D] Rs 10,871 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 9,871 crore]
Notes:
The Finance Ministry has released its fifth monthly installment of Post Devolution Revenue Deficit (PDRD) Grant of Rs 9,871 crore to the states on August 9. With the release of this installment, a total amount of Rs 49,355 crore has been released to eligible states as PDRD in the current financial year. The Commission has recommended PDRD grants to 17 States during 2021-22.
20. Which bank has partnered with Dhanvarsha Finvest Ltd (DFL) to offer loans against gold ornaments under priority sector to MSME borrowers?
[A] Central Bank of India
[B] State Bank of India
[C] Punjab National Bank
[D] Indian Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Central Bank of India]
Notes:
Central Bank of India has entered into a strategic co-lending partnership with Dhanvarsha Finvest Ltd (DFL) to offer loans against gold ornaments under priority sector to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) borrowers at competitive rates. Under this partnership, DFL will originate and process loans against gold ornaments as per jointly formulated credit parameters and eligibility criteria and Central Bank of India will take into its book 80% of the gold loans under mutually agreed terms, as per the public sector bank’s stock exchange filing.
