1. Which method of COVID-19 testing developed by CSIR- CCMB, without viral transport medium, has been approved by ICMR?
[A] Dry Swab RT-PCR
[B] Gold standard RT-PCR
[C] VTM RT- PCR
[D] RNA RT-PCR
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dry Swab RT-PCR]
Notes:
The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has approved the Dry Swab RT-PCR for COVID-19 testing, which was developed by CSIR’s Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad.
In this simple and fast method, nasal swab is collected and transported in dry state, as against the using the viral transport medium used in conventional testing. It does not require RNA isolation from the sample.
2. Sadiq al-Mahdi, who died recently, was the former Prime Minister of which country?
[A] UAE
[B] Saudi Arabia
[C] Sudan
[D] Oman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sudan]
Notes:
Sadiq al-Mahdi was Sudan’s last democratically elected prime minister and also the leader of the nation’s largest political party. He died recently of COVID-19 at United Arab Emirates.
He was 84 years old. Al-Mahdi was overthrown from power in a 1989 by an autocrat Omar al-Bashir. Al-Mahdi’s party allied with pro-democracy uprising and the military overthrow al-Bashir in April 2019.
3. National Pollution Control Day is observed in the memory of Bhopal Gas tragedy happened in which year?
[A] 1975
[B] 1984
[C] 1992
[D] 2003
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1984]
Notes:
December 2 is observed as National Pollution Control Day every year, in the memory of those who lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas tragedy and to create awareness on environment pollution.
Bhopal Gas tragedy, one of the biggest industrial pollution disasters of the country, occurred on the night of December 2nd and 3rd, 1984. Many people died due to the leakage of the poisonous gas Methyl Isocyanate.
4. Which country is the first in the world to permit the sale of lab grown meat?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] Singapore
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Singapore]
Notes:
The Government of Singapore has allowed a US-based start up to sell lab grown chicken meat in the country.
The meat is generated from animal tissues in laboratories. This is the world’s first regulatory approval for lab-grown meat also called as cultured meat. Its production cost is higher compared to the original meat.
5. India’s Apex Committee for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (AIPA), formed recently has how many members?
[A] 5
[B] 11
[C] 17
[D] 25
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [17]
Notes:
The Indian Government has constituted a Apex Committee for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (AIPA). It was formed through a gazette notification.
The committee comprises of 17 members. It is entrusted with the responsibility of formulating policies and programmes for implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), under Paris Agreement 2015. The Secretary of Union Environment Minister would be the Chairperson.
6. India-Suriname Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was held recently. Where is Suriname located?
[A] Africa
[B] North America
[C] Europe
[D] South America
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [South America]
Notes:
Suriname, officially the Republic of Suriname, is a small country on the north-eastern coast of South America. It was previously known as ‘Dutch Guiana’.
The 7th India-Suriname Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was recently held virtually. The JCM was co-chaired by Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan and his counterpart in Suriname.
7. When is the International Day of Persons with Disability observed?
[A] November 30
[B] December 3
[C] December 5
[D] December 10
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [December 3]
Notes:
The International Day of Persons with Disability is observed on 3rd December of every year.
The theme for this year is “Building back better: towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 world by, for and with persons with disabilities”. UNESCO is organizing a global awareness camp named “Tell our stories, enable our rights” on this occasion.
8. Which country has eliminated per country cap on employment-based immigration visas?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] UK
[D] USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [USA]
Notes:
The Senate of United States of America has passed a bill which envisages to remove the restrictions on number of employment related immigration visas from a particular country.
This bill has been passed unanimously by the Senate. This relaxed legislation is expected to benefit many Indian professionals in America.
9. Which state has announced the construction of memorial for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan has made an announcement to construct a memorial for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims.
Nearly 3700 people were killed due to the leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas from Union Carbide factory at Bhopal on December 3, 1984.
10. Which is the knowledge partner of Microsoft for the India edition of the Imagine Cup 2021?
[A] National Skill Development Corporation
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] myGov
[D] Door Darshan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [National Skill Development Corporation]
Notes:
Microsoft India and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) have partnered for the India edition of the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2021.
Imagine Cup is an annual innovation challenge held by Microsoft for students and technology enthusiasts. It aims to empower students to apply artificial intelligence and other technologies to solve the sustainability issues of the world.