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. On November 29 every year, the UN observes ‘International Day of Solidarity’ related to which country?
[A] Israel
[B] Palestine
[C] Turkey
[D] Syria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Palestine]
Notes:
‘International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People’ is observed every year on November 29, across the world.
The day was established in the year 1977 and it marks the day in 1947 when the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution partitioning Palestine into an Arab State and a Jewish State. The UN Chief called on Israel and Palestine to achieve a two-State solution.
3. Which insurance company is set to be merged with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company?
[A] Max Life Insurance
[B] Bharti AXA General Insurance
[C] IFFCO Tokyo Insurance
[D] Sundaram Insurance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bharti AXA General Insurance]
Notes:
The insurance sector regulator – Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has accorded “in principle” approval for merger of Bharti AXA General Insurance with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company.
On successful merger, the consolidated entity would have a market share of 8.7% in non-life business. Bharti Enterprises own 51% share in Bharti AXA General Insurance and the remaining 49% is owned by French insurer AXA.
4. 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.
5. Which Indian bank co-launched a Contactless debit card along with Japan’s JCB International?
[A] Punjab National Bank
[B] State Bank of India
[C] HDFC Bank
[D] Axis Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [State Bank of India]
Notes:
State Bank of India has partnered with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Japan’s JCB International Co to launch new ‘SBI RuPay JCB Platinum Contactless Debit Card’.
This card has a dual interface feature, under which customers can use it for both contact and contactless transactions, both in the domestic market as well as overseas. The card has been launched on the RuPay network.
6. 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.
7. “Wolf Brigade 44”, which was seen in the news recently, is associated with which country?
[A] United States
[B] China
[C] Germany
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Germany]
Notes:
The Interior Ministry of Germany has recently banned the far-right group named “Wolf Brigade 44”, which openly pledged loyalty to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
The Government also banned the symbols of the group including a skull with two grenades marked with the number 44. In Nazi code, the number 44 was an abbreviation for the so-called “Division Dirlewanger”.
8. Which country has banned cotton imports from China citing ‘slave labour’?
[A] India
[B] United States
[C] Russia
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
The United States has issued an order to ban the cotton and cotton products from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), one of the largest producers of China.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency issued “Withhold Release Order” to increase economic pressure on the Xinjiang region. US cites the reason for the ban as ‘slave labour’ of detained Uighur Muslims used by China.
9. 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.
10. Which country has introduced a Veto Power on any agreements entered with foreign countries?
[A] Pakistan
[B] Afghanistan
[C] Japan
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Australia]
Notes:
The Parliament of Australia has recently passed a legislation that permits the country to block any agreement made between the country and a foreign government.
The legislation empowers foreign minister to veto any international agreement that are inconsistent with the foreign policy of Australia or is seen to affect Australia’s interest.