1. Which Ministry has recently introduced changes to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Rules?
[A] Ministry of Commerce and Industries
[B] Ministry of Social Justice
[C] Ministry of Corporate Affairs Ministry
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Corporate Affairs Ministry]
Notes:
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has recently introduced several changes to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Rules.
It includes mandatory “Impact Assessment” for big CSR projects. It also includes mandatory disclosure of all CSR projects and the CSR Committee’s composition on the company’s website.
2. The Tableau of which state was adjudged best at the Republic Day parade?
[A] Assam
[B] Tripura
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Uttar Pradesh’s tableau at this year’s Republic Day parade in New Delhi was adjudged the best and awarded by Union minister Kiren Rijiju.
The theme of Uttar Pradesh’s tableau depicting the Ram Temple was “Ayodhya: Cultural Heritage of Uttar Pradesh”. Department of Biotechnology is the best tableau among the Central Ministries, departments, the CAPF and other auxiliary forces.
3. Who has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the National Health Authority (NHA)?
[A] N S Viswanathan
[B] R S Sharma
[C] Tarun Gogoi
[D] B P Kanungo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [R S Sharma]
Notes:
Former chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), RS Sharma is appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of National Health Authority (NHA).
He is to replace Indu Bhushan after his three-year term. NHA is responsible for implementing the public health insurance scheme ‘Ayushman Bharat’ or Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Sharma is also the Chairperson of an empowered committee on Co-WIN platform.
4. As per a recent research, by what percentage the number of oceanic sharks and rays have declined in Indian Ocean?
[A] 15.3%
[B] 26.4%
[C] 39.7%
[D] 84.7%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [84.7%]
Notes:
As per a recent research published in the journal “Nature”, the number of shark and ray in Indian ocean have declined by 84.7% and has been falling continuously since 1970.
The research noted that oceanic sharks and rays worldwide has fallen by 71% since the last 50 years. Also, 24 out of 31 oceanic shark and ray species are presently classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
5. Al Hol, which was making news recently for its refugee camp, is a town in which country?
[A] Israel
[B] Syria
[C] China
[D] Chile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Syria]
Notes:
The UN counterterrorism chief has urged countries to repatriate the children stranded in a massive camp in Al Hol.
Out of the 27,000 abandoned children, many of them are children of Islamic State extremists. Al Hol camp is the largest camp for refugees and displaced Syrians in the country, located in the north-eastern Syria.
6. According to the WHO, which country has the highest number of new Leprosy cases in the world annually?
[A] China
[B] Pakistan
[C] India
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [India]
Notes:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India has the highest number of new cases of leprosy in the world annually.
India is followed by Brazil and Indonesia in the largest number of cases. In India, more new cases are reported from the rural belts of Bihar, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli. January 31 is observed as World Leprosy Day.
7. ‘Har Ghar Pani, Har Ghar Safai’ mission has been launched in which state/UT?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Punjab
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Punjab]
Notes:
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh virtually launched the ‘Har Ghar Pani, Har Ghar Safai’ mission.
This scheme is a part of the government’s campaign to provide 100 per cent potable piped water supply in all rural households by March 2022. The Chief Minister also launched ‘Mega Surface Water Supply Scheme’.
8. The ‘ASEAN-INDIA Hackathon’ is an initiative taken by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of External Affairs
[B] Ministry of Education
[C] Ministry of Culture
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Education]
Notes:
The ‘ASEAN-INDIA Hackathon’ is an initiative taken by the Union Ministry of Education. This year’s edition has been inaugurated and is being organised online from 1st -3rd February 2021.
The event enables India and all the 10 ASEAN countries collaborate in the fields of education, science and technology. The countries also revive their economic and cultural ties under the event. This year the broad themes of the Hackathon are ‘Blue Economy’ and ‘Education’.
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. Defence Ministry has signed a deal to procure Tejas Light Combat Aircraft from which organisation?
[A] DRDO
[B] HAL
[C] ISRO
[D] BEL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [HAL]
Notes:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently inaugurated a new plant at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru.
It aims to double the production of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, India’s indigenous fighter jet. The Defence Ministry also signed a Rs 48000 crore deal to procure 83 Tejas LCA from HAL. This is said to be the biggest indigenous defence procurement.