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. 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.
3. The death anniversary of which national leader was observed as the Martyrs’ Day on January 30 in India?
[A] Jawaharlal Nehru
[B] Mahatma Gandhi
[C] Bhagat Singh
[D] Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mahatma Gandhi]
Notes:
On 30th Jan 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in the year 1948. On this day, India observes Martyrs Day or Shaheed Diwas, to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi and all martyrs who sacrificed their life for the nation’s freedom.
The 73rd death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was observed as Martyrs’ Day recently.
4. Arun Hydropower Project, which was making news recently, is being constructed in which country?
[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Bhutan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nepal]
Notes:
The Investment Board Nepal (IBN), chaired by the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has awarded the Arun Hydropower Project to India’s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam.
The project to develop the 679-megawatt Lower Arun Hydropower Project, is awarded to the SJVN under the build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) delivery method. The project cost is estimated at over 100 billion Nepalese rupees.
5. Zanskar valley, which was making news recently, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Ladakh
[B] Goa
[C] Sikkim
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ladakh]
Notes:
The 13-day long Khelo India Zanskar winter sports and youth festival concluded at Zanskar Valley of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The festival was organized by the Department of Sports & Youth Services and the Ladakh Tourism Department, under the Khelo India scheme. It aims to promote the economic activities and winter tourism in Ladakh.
6. 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.
7. RBI has appointed an external firm to audit HDFC Bank under the provisions of which act?
[A] RBI Act
[B] Banking Regulation Act
[C] Negotiable Instruments Act
[D] Information Technology Act
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Banking Regulation Act]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed an external professional IT firm to carry out a special audit of the entire IT infrastructure of the bank
Earlier, the RBI had penalised the HDFC bank for repeated service failures in internet banking, mobile banking, and payment utilities. This step has been taken by the RBI using the powers conferred under the Banking regulation act, 1949.
8. Which word is selected as the Oxford Hindi word of 2020?
[A] Aadhar
[B] Samvidhan
[C] Aatmanirbharta
[D] Mahaa maaree
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Aatmanirbharta]
Notes:
The Oxford group has selected ‘Aatmanirbharta’ as the Oxford Hindi word of 2020. In Hindi language, it means self-reliance.
Previous Hindi words of the year selected by Oxford are ‘Aadhar’ (2017), ‘Nari Shakti’ (2018) and ‘Samvidhaan’ (2019). Following the prime minister’s address, there was a significant increase in the usage of ‘aatmanirbharta’ following the Prime minister’s address.
9. India’s first Amputee clinic has been recently launched in which city/UT?
[A] Chandigarh
[B] Hyderabad
[C] Varanasi
[D] Ahmedabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chandigarh]
Notes:
The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh has launched the first Amputee clinic of India.
The ‘PGI Amputee Clinic’ aims to provide social, mental and physical support to its patients. It also aims to provide complete amputation patient care and provide medical care and rehabilitation of amputees who cannot afford the cost.
10. Which country recently pulled out of a deal signed with India and Japan to develop a strategic port terminal?
[A] Nepal
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Iran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sri Lanka]
Notes:
In its recent cabinet meeting, Sri Lanka has decided that the East terminal of Colombo port will be 100% owned and operated by the state-owned Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA).
Earlier, the country had signed deal with India and Japan for operating the port with 49% stake by the two countries and majority stake by SLPA. India announced that it expects Sri Lank to honour its agreement.