1. Which construction major has bagged the contract for construction of steel bridges for Mumbai and Ahmedabad bullet train project?
[A] Tata Projects
[B] Adani Group
[C] GMR Infrastructure
[D] L&T Construction
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [L&T Construction]
Notes:
The Indian construction major L&T Construction, has bagged the contract for building 28 steel bridges for Mumbai and Ahmedabad bullet train project.
The order costs about Rs.1000 crore to Rs.2500 crore. It involves procurement, fabrication, assembly and erection of bridges at various sites in the line. This project has been bagged as a consortium of L&T and Japan’s IHI Infrastructure Systems.
2. What is India’s rank in Corruption perception index (CPI) – 2020?
[A] 50th
[B] 75th
[C] 80th
[D] 86th
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [86th]
Notes:
The corruption perception index (CPI) for the year 2020 has been released recently by Transparency International (TI). The index uses a scale of 0 to 100 to rate countries, where 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean.
India slipped six places and has been ranked at 86th position out of 180 countries.
3. Which organization has released the Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2021?
[A] Germanwatch
[B] UNFCCC
[C] WHO
[D] FAO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Germanwatch]
Notes:
The Germany-based think tank Germanwatch has recently released Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2021. The index ranks countries as per their vulnerability to climate risks both in terms of fatalities and economic losses
As per the report, India is the 7th worst-hit country on account of extreme weather events in the year 2019.
4. Which Indian personality started the ‘Prabuddha Bharata’ journal in 1896?
[A] Aurobindo Ghosh
[B] Swami Vivekananda
[C] Annie Besant
[D] Subramaniya Bharati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Swami Vivekananda]
Notes:
Swami Vivekananda started the ‘Prabuddha Bharata’, a monthly journal of the Ramakrishna order in 1896, to spread the message of India’s spiritual knowledge.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 125th Anniversary celebrations of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’ organized by Advaita Ashrama in Uttarakhand. It is the place of publication of the journal. Several leaders like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Sri Aurobindo have contributed to the journal.
5. Which country has the highest share in global basmati rice trade?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Pakistan
[D] Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
India exported 4.45 million tonnes basmati rice (worth USD 4.33 billion) in financial year 2019-20. It has a 65 per cent share in global basmati trade.
Pakistan makes the rest of the global trade. Recently, Pakistan’s basmati rice has received a Geographical Indication (GI) registration within the country. India has applied to the EU for the GI tag for its basmati rice in September 2020. Both countries are exporting basmati to the EU without a GI tag from it.
6. The cabinet of which state has recently cleared new Industrial Policy and proposals over Rs 52000 crores?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The cabinet of Government of Tamil Nadu, has approved new investments in the state amounting Rs.52,257 crores. This includes investment by Tata Electronics amounting Rs.5,763 crores, for manufacture of mobile phone components. These investments are expected to generate over 93,935 jobs in the state.
The state’s cabinet has also cleared the Tamil Nadu Industrial Policy 2021.
7. Which Indian company is to launch a new COVID-19 vaccine under the brand name Covovax?
[A] Dr Reddys
[B] Serum Institute of India
[C] Biocon
[D] Sun Pharma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Serum Institute of India]
Notes:
Serum Institute of India has announced that it would launch a new COVID-19 vaccine under the brand name Covovax.
It would be developed in partnership with American vaccine developer Novavax, by the month of June. The company’s Covishield has been developed in partnership with the Oxford University and British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca.
8. How many new Minor Forest Produce items have been added under “marketing of MFP through MSP” scheme?
[A] 2
[B] 14
[C] 20
[D] 30
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [14]
Notes:
The Government of India has decided to add 14 new minor forest produce items under the “mechanism for marketing of minor forest (MFP) produce through a minimum support price (MSP)” scheme.
This is aimed to provide remunerative and fair prices for tribal gatherers. The additional items include bamboo shoot, Tasar cocoon, elephant apple, wind dry mushroom etc.
9. Which Technology company has launched a new initiative called ‘Startup School’?
[A] Microsoft
[B] Google
[C] Amazon
[D] Apple
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Google]
Notes:
Tech major Google has launched a new initiative named ‘Startup School’ to train start-up founders and their teams across the Asia Pacific region.
It is a virtual programme which provides a series of free virtual courses for start-up founders and their teams. Courses on digital marketing, product knowledge and business strategy would be the focus areas.
10. Indian-American Bhavya Lal has been appointed as the acting chief of staff of which organisation?
[A] WHO
[B] NASA
[C] FAO
[D] IMF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NASA]
Notes:
Indian-American Bhavya Lal has been appointed as the acting chief of staff of the US space agency, NASA.
She was earlier serving as a member of the research staff at the Institute for Defence Analyses- Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI). She had served in several important positions related to space sector.