41. With which country, India has agreed to form a permanent bilateral channel for consultations on Afghanistan?
[A] Russia
[B] Iran
[C] United States of America
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Russia]
Notes:
- India and Russia has agreed to form a permanent bilateral channel for consultations on Afghanistan.
- India, Russia and Iran were previously the main backers of an anti-Taliban alliance when the Islamist group was last in power in Kabul between 1996-2001.
42. Which ministry has launched the SUJALAM campaign?
[A] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[B] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[C] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[D] Ministry of Rural Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Jal Shakti]
Notes:
- Ministry of Jal Shakti started the SUJALAM campaign on August 25, 2021.
- SUJALAM Campaign is a 100 days campaign launched as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
- This campaign seeks to create more Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus villages by undertaking waste water management across villages in India.
- During the campaign, ten lakh Soak-pits will be created. Efforts under the campaign would be directed towards achieving the Open Defecation Free (ODF) plus status for villages in an accelerated manner.
43. Under EASE3.0, which bank has won the award for the best improvement from the baseline performance?
[A] Canara Bank
[B] Punjab National Bank
[C] Indian Bank
[D] Union Bank of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Bank]
Notes:
- Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman today unveiled the fourth edition of the Public Sector Bank (PSB) Reforms Agenda ‘EASE 4.0’ for 2021-22 – tech-enabled, simplified, and collaborative banking.
- She unveiled the annual report for the PSB Reforms Agenda EASE 3.0 for 2020-21 and participated in the awards ceremony to felicitate best performing banks on EASE 3.0 Banking Reforms Index.
- State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Union Bank of India have won the awards for best performing banks for PSB Reforms EASE 3.0 based on the EASE index.
- Indian Bank won the award for the best improvement from the baseline performance.
- SBI, BoB, Union Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Canara Bank won the top awards in different themes of the PSB Reforms Agenda EASE 3.0.
44. What is the name of the programme which has been launched by the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology to support startups in their initial phase?
[A] ASPIRE
[B] SAMRIDH
[C] Startup India Seed Fund
[D] Multiplier Grants Scheme
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SAMRIDH]
Notes:
- Minister of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Ashwini Vaishnaw has launched Startup Accelerators of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development and growth (SAMRIDH) programme to support startups and entrepreneurs in their initial phase, where they face most challenges.
- SAMRIDH will create a conducive platform for Indian software product startups to enhance their products and secure investments for scaling their business.
- The programme is being implemented by MeitY Start-up Hub (MSH).
- The SAMRIDH programme will focus on accelerating 300 startups by providing customer connect, investor connect, and international expansion opportunities in the next three years.
- Also, an investment of up to Rs 40 lakh to startups, based on their current valuation and growth stage will be provided through selected accelerators.
- It will also facilitate equal matching investment by the accelerator or investor.
45. In which state, Ohmium International has started India’s first green hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing unit?
[A] Kerala
[B] Sikkim
[C] Karnataka
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Karnataka]
Notes:
- US-based renewable energy company Ohmium International, through its Indian subsidiary, started India’s first green hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing unit at Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- The unit will manufacture India-made Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) hydrogen electrolyzers.
- It has a capacity of manufacturing approximately 0.5 GW per year.
46. ‘India SIZE’ Survey, which was seen in the news recently, is associated with which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Textiles
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Textiles]
Notes:
- The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi under the aegis of Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, is undertaking a survey of ‘India SIZE’.
- It is an extensive anthropometric research study to develop a comprehensive body size chart for the Indian population.
- The survey will result in the creation of Size identification number for a customer through mapping, categorization and defining of their body size.
- The data can produce ergonomically designed products which are well suited for the Indian population.
47. Which Indian state has undertaken a Biodiversity conservation project, with the support of the French development agency ‘AFD’?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rajasthan]
Notes:
- Rajasthan has undertaken a biodiversity conservation project in eastern districts of the state, with the support of the French development agency Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD).
- The Rajasthan Forestry and Bio development Project planned had already received the approval of the state government.
- It aims to promote eco-tourism and other sustainable income generation activities in the target villages with assistance to nearly 1200 self-help groups.
- A biodiversity park is also proposed to be developed in Bharatpur as part of the project.
48. Which state has approved a Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy for the year 2021, with a target of 20% EVs by 2025?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Odisha
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Odisha]
Notes:
- The Government of Odisha has approved a Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy for the year 2021.
- The overarching objective of the policy is to achieve 20% Electric vehicle share in the total registration, by 2025.
- Under the policy, it has been proposed to extend financial incentives for units manufacturing EVs and its components, and also provide interest subvention in loans, waiving of road tax and registration fees.
49. Which space company/agency has launched ants, avocados, robotic arm to Space station?
[A] SpaceX
[B] Virgin Galactic
[C] Blue Origin
[D] Boeing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [SpaceX]
Notes:
- Elon Musk-owned SpaceX has recently sent a shipment of ants, avocados and a robotic arm to the International Space Station aboard a Falcon rocket.
- This was the company’s 23rd space delivery for NASA in the last 10 years.
- The Dragon capsule booster landed successfully on SpaceX’s newest ocean platform called ‘A Shortfall of Gravitas’.
- The shipment includes more than 4,800 pounds of supplies for the astronauts, including avocados, lemons, ice cream.
- Ants, shrimp and plants have been sent for the 7 astronauts to do experiments on.
50. What type of species is ‘Latham’s Snipe’, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] Migratory Bird
[B] Venomous Snake
[C] Spider
[D] Turtle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Migratory Bird]
Notes:
- Latham’s Snipe is a migratory shorebird, which flies non-stop for five days over thousands of kilometres of ocean, twice a year.
- The bird does this travel, for every year of its life.
- It completes this migration to warmer region, where it prepares itself for its return flight and the next breeding seasons.
- Latham’s Snipe breeds in northern Japan and parts of eastern Russia during May-July and spends its non-breeding season (September to March) along Australia’s eastern coast.
- The signing of the Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement in 1981 has stopped snipe hunting in both countries. Their wetland habitat is being lost to development and other pressures.
