31. Recently, researchers from which country has developed a COVID-19 diagnostic test that uses electrodes made from graphite?
[A] China
[B] United States
[C] Japan
[D] Switzerland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
- A new cheaper, faster, and more accurate COVID-19 diagnostic test that uses electrodes made from graphite (the material found in pencil lead) to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been developed by researchers in the United States.
- Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in the US have developed this test.
- The research published in the journal PNAS stated that graphite electrodes in the new low-cost COVID-19 detection test known as the Electrochemical Advanced Diagnostic (LEAD) test aid in reducing the cost to $1.50 per test and take only 6.5 minutes to detect the COVID-19 virus.
32. Which organization has launched a new Cybersecurity Multi-Donor Trust Fund?
[A] Asian Development Bank
[B] European Central Bank
[C] Reserve Bank of India
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [World Bank]
Notes:
- The World Bank has launched a new Cybersecurity Multi-Donor Trust Fund aimed at better defining and systematically rolling out the cybersecurity development agenda to help ensure a more substantial reflection of cybersecurity considerations across its programs and financing.
- Developed as an associated trust fund under the World Bank’s broader Digital Development Partnership Umbrella (DDP), the Cybersecurity Multi-Donor Trust Fund’s launch was made possible with donor contributions from Estonia, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands.
- The new Cybersecurity Multi-Donor Trust Fund will help ensure that countries and their citizens can safely and securely take full advantage of the ongoing digital transformation and development.
33. With which country, India has participated in the bilateral naval exercise ‘Exercise Konkan 2021?’
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Russia
[C] Australia
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [United Kingdom]
Notes:
- India has participated in the bilateral naval exercise ‘Exercise Konkan 2021’ with United Kingdom.
- This naval exercise was held between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Britain in Portsmouth, UK.
- INS Tabar took part in the annual bilateral exercise Konkan between the Indian Navy and Britain’s Royal Navy.
- The Indian Navy and Royal Navy have been conducting the bilateral naval exercise Konkan every year since 2004.
34. With which organization, MyGov under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology have come together to jointly launch the Amrit Mahotsav Shri Shakti Innovation Challenge 2021?
[A] Global Fund for Women
[B] National Organization for Women
[C] Women for Women International
[D] UN Women
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [UN Women]
Notes:
- On the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the 75th year of Independence of India, MyGov under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and UN Women have come together to jointly launch the Amrit Mahotsav Shri Shakti Innovation Challenge 2021 to encourage technology solutions developed by Women Entrepreneurs that facilitate Women’s Safety and Empowerment.
- The aim is to empower women to help them achieve their full potential.
- The winners will be awarded 5,00,000 each.
- It is being implemented under Multi-Partner Trust Fund (COVID-19) Programme First Shri Shakti Challenge was held in 2020.
35. Which State/UT has launched the second phase Naadu-Nedu programme?
[A] Telangana
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
- Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, has launched the second phase Naadu-Nedu programme in Konaseema region in East Godavari district to renovate 16,000 government schools by spending ₹4,500 crore.
- The Chief Minister has also launched the distribution of Jagananna Vidhya Kanuka-2, spending a whopping ₹726 crore to provide the education kits to the 4.73 crore students of government and aided schools in the academic year 2021-22.
- The kit comprises of three pairs of uniform cloths, books, stationary and shoes. This year, the dictionary is an additional gift. For the primary and upper primary students, SCERT dictionary will be presented and Oxford Dictionary will be given to the high school students.
36. Recently, with which country’s navy, the Indian Navy has carried out joint drills in the South China Sea?
[A] Thailand
[B] Japan
[C] Cambodia
[D] Vietnam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Vietnam]
Notes:
- The Indian Navy has carried out joint drills with the Vietnamese Navy in the South China Sea as part of maritime cooperation between the two countries.
- INS Ranvijay and INS Kora undertook bilateral maritime exercises with Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) frigate VPNS Ly Thai To(HQ-012).
- The bilateral interaction aims to consolidate the strong bond shared by the two navies and would be another step towards strengthening India-Vietnam defence relations.
- The sea phase included surface warfare exercises, weapon firing drills and helicopter operations.
- Regular interactions between the two navies over the years have enhanced their interoperability and adaptability.
37. Recently, which organization has launched a brand new ed-tech initiative for 1 million underprivileged school-going youngsters throughout India?
[A] GiveIndia
[B] Goonj
[C] Save the Children India
[D] Teach For India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [GiveIndia]
Notes:
- Bengaluru-based GiveIndia has launched a brand new ed-tech initiative geared toward enabling on-line entry to schooling for 1 million underprivileged school-going youngsters throughout India.
- The Bharat EdTech Initiative has been arrange to deal with the stark digital divide between college students from rich and low-income communities, exacerbated by college closures through the Covid-19 pandemic.
- With EdTech and Community companions El-Mindspark, Toppr, Vedantu, Akansha, Bal Utsav, Educate Girls, People For Action, Saajha and Sarathi on board, this system is designed for varsity goers from courses 3 to 12, belonging to households whose month-to-month earnings is ₹25,000 or much less.
- GiveIndia will handle accomplice relationships and fund administration whereas Sattva would be the design and program administration accomplice.
38. With which organization, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is collaborating for pavement engineering and intelligent transportation systems?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IIT Delhi
[C] IIT Gandhinagar
[D] IIT Bombay
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [IIT Madras]
Notes:
- IIT Madras is collaborating with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India, on pavement engineering and intelligent transportation systems.
- This includes research on novel pavement materials and technologies, hydrogen cell transportation, automatic vehicle classification, novel toll systems, incident management systems, traveller information systems, FastTAG data analytics and traffic simulations besides transportation safety.
- This collaboration will also facilitate PhD research programmes on areas selected by MoRTH.
- IIT Madras will train 8 to 10 students including MoRTH’s nominated officers in the field of Highway Engineering.
39. Which date in August is observed as World Photography Day?
[A] 18 August
[B] 20 August
[C] 19 August
[D] 17 August
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [19 August]
Notes:
- World Photography Day, is observed on August 19 every year, is a day to celebrate the magic of cameras and photography.
- World Photography Day brings together people who share a passion for photography and also raises awareness about this art form around the world.
- First official World Photo Day was observed on August 19, 2010.
40. Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated and laid foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath Temple. In which State/UT, Somnath Temple is located?
[A] Odisha
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Gujarat]
Notes:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated and laid foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath Temple on August 20.
- Inaugurated projects include the Somnath Promenade, reconstructed temple precinct of Old (Juna) Somnath and Somnath Exhibition Centre.
- While inaugurating the projects, PM highlighted that, India needs to strengthen religious tourism as it will provide employment to youth and enable them to get knowledge about our past.
- Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for Shree Parvati Temple on the occasion.
- This temple is proposed to be constructed with a total outlay of Rupees 30 crore.
- Somnath temple is situated in Veraval (Somnath City), Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat.
