1. India launched the ‘Year of Environment’ with which friendly country?
[A] Nepal
[B] France
[C] Brazil
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar launched the Indo-French year of Environment along with his French counterpart.
India and France have environment projects being undertaken in Assam, Rajasthan and a project to be started in Jharkhand. The objective of this event is to strengthen Indo-French cooperation in sustainable development.
2. ‘Amrut Mahotsav’, which was seen in the news recently, is the celebration of which event?
[A] 125th birth anniversary of Netaji
[B] 75th year of India’s Independence
[C] 50th year of 1971 War
[D] 50th year of Kargil War
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [75th year of India’s Independence]
Notes:
The Budget Session of Parliament recently began with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.
During the address, the President mentioned that the ‘Amrut Mahotsav’ will be observed in the country from this year, to mark commencement of the celebrations towards the 75th year of India’s Independence.
3. As per the NSO’s revised estimates released recently, what was India’s GDP growth rate for 2019-20?
[A] 1.3%
[B] 3.2%
[C] 4.0%
[D] 5.2%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [4.0%]
Notes:
The National Statistical Office (NSO) recently released its revised national account data. As per the data, the economic growth rate for 2019-20 was revised downwards to 4 per cent.
The decrease from the previous estimate of 4.2 per cent was mainly due to contraction in secondary sectors like manufacturing and construction. Real GDP growth of 2018-19 is estimated at 6.5 per cent, against the 6.1 per cent revealed in January estimate.
4. Chauri Chaura is a town located in which Indian state/UT?
[A] Punjab
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Bihar
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Chauri Chaura is a town located near Gorakhpur, in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to inaugurate the Chauri Chaura Centenary celebrations.
The historic Chauri Chaura incident took place on 5 February 1922 at the Chauri Chaura town in the United Province in British India. After a clash between the Police and a group of volunteers, the Police opened fire and the group torched the Police station. Gandhi withdrew the Non-cooperation movement after this incident.
5. Vaccination against which disease was conducted recently as a National Vaccination Day?
[A] Hepatitis
[B] Polio
[C] Pneumonia
[D] BCG
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Polio]
Notes:
On the Polio National Immunization Day scheduled on January 31, 2021, around 89 lakh children were given polio drops under National Polio Immunisation drive across the country.
President Ram Nath Kovind launched the first round of Pulse Polio Programme 2021. Over seven lakh booths were set up for implementing the drive. A house-to-house surveillance will also be provided to vaccinate the remaining children.
6. Which country is resettling its refugees in the Bhashan Char Island?
[A] China
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Nepal
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bangladesh]
Notes:
Bangladesh has sent a third group of Rohingya refugees to Bhashan Char Island, which is a newly developed island in the Bay of Bengal.
Around 4,000 refugees have been sent to the island since December. After the third set of 1,778 refugees, the fourth set is also expected to be sent soon. There have been several calls from human rights activists against resettlement of refugees in the island.
7. What is the expansion of “OPC”, which is seen in the Union Budget 2021-22?
[A] Over the Port Counter
[B] One Person Company
[C] On Port Company
[D] On the go Private Company
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [One Person Company]
Notes:
As per the Union Budget 2020-21, the government would be incentivizing the incorporation of One Person Companies (OPC) in order to boost the ease of doing business.
The Government has reduced the time limit for Indian citizen to start an OPC from 182 days to 120 days. This move allows NRIs to incorporate OPCs in India.
8. Which country has announced that it will formally apply for the trans-Pacific trade association, CPTPP?
[A] United States
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Russia
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Kingdom]
Notes:
The United Kingdom has recently announced that it will formally apply to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
CPTPP is a trans-Pacific trading association which removes most tariffs between 11 countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
9. 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.
10. Pattachitra, which was making news recently, is a popular art form of which state/UT?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Kerala
[C] Odisha
[D] Jammu &Kashmir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Odisha]
Notes:
Pattachitra is one of the oldest and most popular art forms of Odisha. It is a traditional style of painting performed on a cloth-based scroll.
This unique artform is known for its intricate artistic work and details about the mythological stories. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the name of a Orissa student in his Mann ki Baat radio programme, for practising the art form during Covid-19.