1. How many deaths were recorded due to manual scavenging in the last five years in India?
[A] 25
[B] 15
[C] 10
[D] 0
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [0]
Notes:
Union government said that India had seen no deaths due to manual scavenging in the last five years, as per the data submitted by the Social Justice Ministry.
It also added that 330 people had died while being engaged in cleaning sewers and septic tanks. Social Justice Ministry says manual scavenging no longer practised in India; Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Bihar among States with all districts reporting free status.
2. Which state has announced the establishment of ‘Mangrove Cell’?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] West Bengal
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [West Bengal]
Notes:
West Bengal, which is home to about 40% of mangrove forests in India, announced the setting up of a ‘Mangrove Cell’ in the State, on the occasion of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.
This platform will bring continuity to the efforts of State government in mangrove management. The Cell has an annual action plan for the plantation of mangroves and it will look at maintenance and coordinate with NGOs.
3. Which company is involved in the advanced-stage clinical trial of skin cancer vaccine?
[A] Dr Reddys
[B] Bharat Biotech
[C] Moderna
[D] Serum Institute of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Moderna]
Notes:
Recently, Moderna and its collaborator Merck announced the commencement of patient enrolment for an advanced-stage clinical trial.
This trial aims to test their customized mRNA-based vaccine for skin cancer, in combination with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda. Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer.
4. Aditya Samant, who was seen in the news, is associated with which sports?
[A] Cricket
[B] Chess
[C] Badminton
[D] Tennis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chess]
Notes:
Maharashtra-based Aditya Samant became India’s 83rd Grandmaster after earning his third GM norm at the Master Tournament (MTO) in the Biel International Chess Festival.
He had earned his first norm to become a grandmaster at the Abu Dhabi Masters last year in August. His second norm was achieved in December last year at the 3rd El Llobregat Open.
5. Indian companies have been allowed to list on foreign exchanges through which institution?
[A] SEBI
[B] IFSC
[C] RBI
[D] NSE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IFSC]
Notes:
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government has decided to enable listed and unlisted domestic companies to directly list their equity shares on the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at Ahmedabad.
The decision will facilitate access to global capital and result in a better valuation of the Indian companies. The Finance Minister also launched Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF) and AMC Repo Clearing Ltd (ARCL).
6. ‘Ashura processions’ is associated with which religion?
[A] Hinduism
[B] Jewism
[C] Islam
[D] Sikhism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Islam]
Notes:
Shia Muslims around the world take out Ashura processions to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, a grandson of the Prophet, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in present day Iraq
Thousands of Shia Muslims in Srinagar held a Muharram procession for the first time in over three decades, following the government’s permission.
7. DGCA fined which airline for deficiencies in their procedures related to frequent tail strike incidents?
[A] Air India
[B] IndiGo
[C] Spicejet
[D] Akasa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IndiGo]
Notes:
The DGCA fined IndiGo Rs 30 lakhs and issued a show cause notice due to deficiencies in their documentation and procedures related to frequent tail strike incidents on their A321 aircraft.
Tail strikes occur when the tail of an aircraft hits the ground or any stationary object, with a majority happening during landings.
8. Under Free Movement Regime (FMR), tribes living along the border can travel up to what distance inside the other country without a visa?
[A] 5 kilometres
[B] 8 kilometres
[C] 16 kilometres
[D] 20 kilometres
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [16 kilometres]
Notes:
The Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border has complicated the volatile situation in Manipur due to migration of tribal Kuki-Chin people from Myanmar.
The border between India and Myanmar runs for 1,643 km in the four states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. The FMR allows tribes living along the border to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.
9. Which north-eastern state exported over 1.3 tonnes of Pineapples to the Middle East?
[A] Assam
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Mizoram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Meghalaya]
Notes:
Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare, Government of Meghalaya and Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) has recently facilitated market linkages of over 1.3 tonnes of Pineapples to the Middle East.
The pineapples from Meghalaya are being sold across malls in Dubai, Kuwait and Sharjah.
10. Norway, Germany and Finland reported which disease on fur farms and mammals?
[A] Anthrax
[B] Avian Influenza
[C] Foot and mouth disease
[D] Blue tongue
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Avian Influenza]
Notes:
Finland’s Food Authority reported H5N1 on two more fur farms, both housing foxes, raising the number of outbreaks to 14.
Norway reported the virus in a red fox pup while Germany reported the virus on a seal. Similar detections in seals and sea lions have occurred in multiple parts of the world.