1. Sea Guardian drones, which were seen in the news recently, were obtained from which country?
[A] Israel
[B] United States
[C] United Kingdom
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
The Indian Navy has taken two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones from an American defence company, on lease for 1 year.
The unmanned aerial vehicles, manufactured by US firm General Atomics, have been obtained on lease, to enhance surveillance over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The vehicles arrived at the naval air station INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu.
2. What amount of grant has been allotted under “Mission COVID Suraksha”, by the Central Government?
[A] Rs.100 crore
[B] Rs.500 crore
[C] Rs.900 crore
[D] Rs.1000 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs.900 crore]
Notes:
The Union Government has launched “Mission COVID Suraksha” and has allotted a package of Rs.900 crore for the same. The grant by the central government would be given to Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for Research & Development of Indian COVID-19 vaccines.
The mission aims at development of approximately 5 or 6 COVID 19 vaccine candidates and ensure their faster availability to the public.
3. Which country has test fired ‘Tsirkon’ hypersonic cruise missile?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] Russia
[D] Canada
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Russia]
Notes:
Russia has successfully test fired a ‘Tsirkon’ hypersonic cruise missile in the Arctic Region recently. The missile was fired from a frigate war ship named Admiral Gorshkov.
The missile was fired from the white sea on to a naval target located 450 km away in the Barents Sea. The missile cruised at a speed of over Mach 8 and brought down the target.
4. ‘Technical Recession’, which was making news recently refers to the contraction of GDP for how many consecutive quarters?
[A] Two
[B] Three
[C] Four
[D] Six
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Two]
Notes:
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India has contracted by 7.5 % in the second quarter of the financial year 2020-21. The contraction in GDP is registered for the second consecutive quarter and hence India is said to have entered ‘Technical Recession’.
The real GDP in the first quarter of 2020-21 (April – June) registered a record low of 23.9% contraction.
5. Which is the headquarters of the ‘Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW)?
[A] Switzerland
[B] Netherlands
[C] Italy
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Netherlands]
Notes:
‘Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare’ is observed on November 30 every year, across the world.
United Nations observes the day to pay tribute to millions of lives lost round the globe in the wake of chemical warfare. ‘Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW) is the implementing body for Chemical Weapons Convention. It is headquartered at the Hague, Netherlands.
6. The first ever SCO Online Exhibition that has commenced recently is centered on which theme?
[A] COVID Pandemic
[B] Maritime Security
[C] Shared Buddhist Heritage
[D] International Security
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Shared Buddhist Heritage]
Notes:
The first ever SCO Online Exhibition on “Shared Buddhist Heritage” has been launched recently at the 19th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government. The meeting was held in New Delhi in a virtual mode.
This online exhibition has been developed by National Museum, New Delhi in association with the museums and cultural institutions of SCO member countries.
7. Which regulator has launched an asset restructuring web module for MSMEs named ARM-MSME?
[A] RBI
[B] NABARD
[C] NHB
[D] SIDBI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [SIDBI]
Notes:
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has recently launched an asset restructuring web module for the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
The module named ARM-MSME would assist MSMEs to get benefitted from RBI’s MSME restructuring guideline. MSMEs will be able to prepare restructuring proposals by inputting only the most essential data. This service is being offered by SIDBI at no cost to the MSMEs.
8. Which Indian PSU has launched the country’s first 100 Octane petrol?
[A] HPCL
[B] IOC
[C] ONGC
[D] GAIL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IOC]
Notes:
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has recently launched the nation’s first 100 Octane petrol. Union Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the petrol.
The 100-octane petrol also called as XP100 premium petrol will be initially available at select outlet of IOC in 10 cities. The fuel is manufactured at IOC’s Mathura refinery in Uttar Pradesh. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) had earlier launched Octane 99. Higher the octane number of a fuel, higher will be its compression and performance.
9. Which country has become the first in the West, to approve coronavirus vaccine for mass production?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] France
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UK]
Notes:
The United Kingdom has become the first nation in the world to approve coronavirus vaccine made by Pfizer – BioNTech.
The country’s medical regulator has given a nod for commercial production and mass vaccination. The vaccine is said to offer 95% protection against Covid disease. The country aims to produce 8 lakh doses in the next few days.
10. Which organization has become India’s first regulated Gas Exchange?
[A] NCDEX
[B] IGX
[C] MCX
[D] NCML
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IGX]
Notes:
Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) was launched in 2020 as India’s first automated national-level trading platform for physical delivery of natural gas.
IGX is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX). Recently, IGX obtained all necessary approvals as per the provisions of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Gas Exchange) Regulations, 2020. It becomes the first regulated Gas Exchange of the country.