21. Which Indian state has recently reported bird flu cases and culled over 12000 ducks?
[A] Bihar
[B] Assam
[C] Kerala
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala recently reported bird flu cases in the Alappuzha district and a total of 12,000 ducks were culled in Thakazhi gram panchayat, which has been declared as a containment zone.
More samples from different areas have also been sent to ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal for testing and the identification of bird flu cases.
22. Which institution released the launch of ‘e-Sawaari India Electric Bus Coalition’?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] NHAI
[C] Energy Efficiency Services Limited
[D] NTPC Limited
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [NITI Aayog]
Notes:
Government think tank NITI Aayog recently announced the launch of ‘e-Sawaari India Electric Bus Coalition’, to share knowledge on e-bus adoption in India.
The Coalition has been launched in partnership with Convergence Energy Service Ltd (CESL) and World Resources Institute, India (WRI India), with support from Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI).
23. What is the theme of the ‘Human Rights Day 2021’?
[A] Equality, Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights
[B] The ABCs of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+
[C] What are Human Rights
[D] Advocates- Torchbearers of human rights
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Equality, Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights]
Notes:
Human Rights Day is observed on December 10, every year. This year, the theme is ‘Equality, Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights’.
United Nations General Assembly in 1948 adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This day is celebrated to raise awareness about people’s social, cultural and physical rights and to ensure the welfare of everyone.
24. UN MINUSMA, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Afghanistan
[B] Mali
[C] Madagascar
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mali]
Notes:
A recent terrorist attack on convoy of United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) killed seven UN peacekeepers.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack held in Bandiagara region in Mali that resulted in the killing of seven UN peacekeepers from Togo.
25. Which country is associated with the “Protect Our Democracy Act”?
[A] USA
[B] Canada
[C] India
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
In the United States, the House voted to pass the Protect Our Democracy Act, which addresses presidential abuses of power. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, at present.
The Act also stresses the checks and balances between the branches of government. It aims to strengthen limitation on presidential pardons, requirement for candidates for president and vice president to submit their personal tax returns for 10 years, and acceptance of any foreign or domestic emoluments.
26. Which country recently witnessed over 30 tornadoes or strong wings?
[A] USA
[B] Australia
[C] China
[D] Philippines
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
The United States witnessed over 30 tornadoes ripped through at least six states (Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee).
As per the officials, the death toll could exceed 80 due to the tornadoes that hit across parts of the central and southern United States. More damages were found in the state of Kentucky, where over 70 people died and several buildings, factories and warehouses were damaged.
27. With reference to SARS-CoV-2, what is a ‘Bubbler’ which was seen in the news?
[A] Breathalyzer
[B] Oral Vaccine
[C] Child Vaccine
[D] Single-shot vaccine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Breathalyzer]
Notes:
As per a new study published, Bubbler is a breathalyzer, which performs viral RNA detection to diagnose SARS-CoV-2, just by making the patient exhale into the device.
Its name is derived from the bubbling sound that occurs when the patient exhales. The Bubbler reverse transcribes RNA from airborne virus particles into DNA to be tested via PCR. It can also barcode that DNA, allowing samples to be linked directly to the patient they have come from and be used for sequencing.
28. The Thwaites glacier, seen in the news, is located in which region?
[A] Antarctica
[B] Siberia
[C] Iceland
[D] Finland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Antarctica]
Notes:
The Thwaites glacier, which spans 120 kilometres is a West Antarctic glacier. Scientists have warned that the melting of this glacier threatens to cause the world’s greatest rise in sea levels before 2100.
As per the warning, the ice shelf holding it back from the sea could collapse within three to five years. The Thwaites glacier would raise sea levels by 65 cm if it fell into the ocean.
29. Researchers at which institution have developed an RT-PCR based kit to detect Omicron variant?
[A] IISC
[B] IIT- Delhi
[C] NIV
[D] AIIMS
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIT- Delhi]
Notes:
Researchers at IIT Delhi’s Kusuma School of Biological Sciences have developed an RT-PCR based kit for detection of the Omicron (B.1.1.529.1) variant of SARS-CoV-2.
The assay is based on detecting specific mutations, which are present in the Omicron variant and absent in other currently present variants of SARS-CoV-2. Globally, the detection of the Omicron variant requires over 3 days.
30. Which institution has developed the supersonic missile assisted torpedo system, recently launched by India?
[A] DRDO
[B] ISRO
[C] NSIL
[D] BHEL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [DRDO]
Notes:
India launched the supersonic missile assisted torpedo system developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The next-generation missile-based standoff torpedo delivery system was launched from Wheeler Island in Odisha, from a ground mobile launcher. Several DRDO labs were involved in developing the missile system.