21. Which country is to play host to the multi-nation disaster management exercise ‘PANEX-21’?
[A] USA
[B] India
[C] Japan
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
The Indian Army is organising a multi-nation disaster management exercise been called PANEX 21. The exercise will involve BIMSTEC countries namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand and India.
The Exercise PANEX 21 is planned to be conducted at Pune from December 20-22, with a special focus on relief in the background of Covid-19 pandemic.
22. Which organisation successfully tested the vertical launch short range surface-to-air missile?
[A] ISRO
[B] DRDO
[C] HAL
[D] BEL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [DRDO]
Notes:
Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the vertical launch short range surface-to-air missile from integrated test range, Chandipur, off the Odisha coast.
The launch of the missile system was conducted to certify the integrated operations of all weapon system components.
23. Which institution launched a capacity building programme, ‘She is a Changemaker’?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] National Commission for Women (NCW)
[C] Reserve Bank of India
[D] Council of Science and Industrial Research
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Commission for Women (NCW)]
Notes:
National Commission for Women (NCW) launched a pan-India capacity building programme, ‘She is a Changemaker’.
The programme has been launched for women representatives at all levels, gram panchayats to parliament members and political workers. It aims to improve leadership skills, decision making and communication skills of women political leaders.
24. Which UN Body organises the “International Anti-Corruption Day”?
[A] UNCTAD
[B] UNDP
[C] UNESCO
[D] UNICEF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UNDP]
Notes:
The “International Anti-Corruption Day” is observed on December 9 every year, across the world. It is organised by the United Nations Development Program.
The Day aims to raise awareness on the importance of getting rid of corruption, which prevents the progress towards sustainable development goals. The UNCAC United Nations Convention Against Corruption was drafted in 2003.
25. Yusaku Maezawa and Yozo Hirano, the first self-paying space tourists since 2009, are from which country?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] UAE
[D] Thailand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Japan]
Notes:
Japanese Entrepreneur and Fashion tycoon Yusaku Maezawa and producer Yozo Hirano, blasted off for the International Space Station in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft along with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin.
They are the first self-paying space tourists to visit the space station since 2009. Maezawa and Hirano are scheduled to spend 12 days in space.
26. Ken river and Betwa river, which were seen in the news recently, are the tributaries of which river?
[A] Ganges
[B] Yamuna
[C] Godavari
[D] Narmada
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Yamuna]
Notes:
The funding and implementation of the Ken-Betwa inter-linking of rivers project were approved by the Union Cabinet with a total cost of Rs 44,605 crore. It is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers.
It seeks to transfer water from the Ken river to the Betwa river, both tributaries of the Yamuna. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA) will be set up.
27. The ‘Saryu Canal National project’ which was seen in the news recently, is to be set up in which state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Bihar
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the ₹9,802 crore Saryu Canal National project in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur district.
The project, which is the biggest in Uttar Pradesh, connects five rivers which include Ghagra, Saryu, Rapti, Banganga and Rohin. Many sub canals with a length of 6,600kms have been linked to the 318 km long main canal.
28. Platform Accountability and Transparency Act (PATA), which was recently in the news, is associated with which country?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] USA
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [USA]
Notes:
The USA recently announced a new bill named ‘Platform Accountability and Transparency Act (PATA)’.
The bill establishes new rules which could compel social media platforms to share data with “Qualified researchers”. They are defined as university-affiliated researchers pursuing projects that have been approved by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
29. Catherine Russell, who has been seen in the news recently, is the new head of which global institution?
[A] World Bank
[B] World Economic Forum
[C] UNICEF
[D] IMF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UNICEF]
Notes:
Catherine Russell, an assistant to US President Joe Biden, has been appointed as the next head of the UN children’s agency UNICEF.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced that Russell will succeed Henrietta Fore, who resigned in July. Russell heads the White House Office of Presidential Personnel and had served as the ambassador-at-large for global women issues.
30. Marmosa (mouse opossums) are endemic to which region?
[A] America
[B] Antarctica
[C] Europe
[D] Asia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [America]
Notes:
Mouse opossums are relatively small members of the Neotropical marsupial family Didelphidae. They are endemic to Americas, especially to South America.
Recently a newly-identified species, named the Adler’s mouse opossum (Marmosa adleri), is among the smallest subgenus Micoureus. It was named after the researcher Greg Adler and has larger ears, with a short furry tail.