31. Which Indian state/UT has launched the ‘Maa’ scheme, to provide meal at Rs 5 to the poor people?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] West Bengal
[C] Odisha
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [West Bengal]
Notes:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has virtually launched the ‘Maa’ scheme under which the state government would provide meal at Rs 5 to poor people.
A platter of food including vegetable and egg curry is to provided at Rs 5 with the state bearing a subsidy of Rs 15 per plate.
32. Nigerian American economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been appointed as the director-general of which organisation?
[A] UNICEF
[B] IMF
[C] WTO
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [WTO]
Notes:
Nigerian American economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been appointed as the new director-general of World Trade Organization (WTO). With this appointment, she becomes the first African women to be the Chief of WTO.
WTO is an intergovernmental organization that is regulates the trade between nations. It is headquartered at Geneva.
33. Mandu festival, which was making news recently, is celebrated in which state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The three-day Mandu Festival began at Mandu, the historic town of Madhya Pradesh. The state also inaugurated Dino Adventure Park & Fossils Museum.
During the Mandu Utsav, Handicrafts related to handmade art are displayed to encourage local artisans. Dinosaur Park is the country’s first modern fossil park to display 24 eggs and various fossils of dinosaurs.
34. Which Union Ministry is to organise an event named ‘Mushaira’, in which poets across the country recite their poems?
[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Culture
[C] Ministry of Minority Affairs
[D] Ministry of External Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Minority Affairs]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs is to organise a ‘Mushaira’ event, in which renowned poets from across the country will recite their poems.
The event is to be conducted on February 20, 2021, on the theme ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’. Mushaira, which is regarded as a poetic symposium is part of the Culture of India and Pakistan. It aims to make younger generation aware of the country’s art and culture.
35. ‘Pey Jal Survekshan’ is the initiative of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Rural Development
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of Jal Shakti
[D] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]
Notes:
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has recently launched the ‘Pey Jal Survekshan’ survey under the Jal Jeevan Mission- Urban.
This survey is conducted on a pilot basis in 10 cities- Agra, Badlapur, Bhubaneswar, Churu, Kochi, Madurai, Patiala, Rohtak, Surat and Tumkur. The survey would assess distribution of water, reuse of wastewater and mapping of water bodies.
36. Which micro-blogging platform has commenced its testing of voice Direct messages in India?
[A] Koo
[B] Twitter
[C] Facebook
[D] Google Hangout
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Twitter]
Notes:
Twitter has started rolling out the voice messages feature, under which recorded voice message can be sent via Direct Message in India.
This new voice message feature is being launched in select countries in a phased manner. The voice message feature is already present in various instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, and others.
37. ‘Pahela Phagun’, the spring festival, is celebrated in which country?
[A] India
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Nepal
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bangladesh]
Notes:
The first day of the spring called ‘Pahela Phagun’ is celebrated in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The country’s top cultural organisations including the Bangladesh Shilpa Kala Academy held programmes to celebrate the beginning of the spring.
On account of the Covid pandemic, the traditional programme of ‘Basanta Utsab’ at the Fine Arts faculty in Dhaka university was cancelled.
38. Demeke Mekonnen, who arrived in New Delhi recently, was the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of which country?
[A] Nigeria
[B] Ethiopia
[C] Chad
[D] Bolivia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ethiopia]
Notes:
Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen Hassen arrived in New Delhi.
He inaugurated the new Chancery and Residence at Ethiopian Embassy in New Delhi along with External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar. They also discussed on various bilateral and global issues of mutual interest.
39. Who succeeded Ghulam Nabi Azad as the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha?
[A] Mallikarjun Kharge
[B] Anand Sharma
[C] Jairam Ramesh
[D] A K Antony
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mallikarjun Kharge]
Notes:
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has granted recognition to Mallikarjun Kharge as the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
The Indian National Congress Leader succeeds Ghulam Nabi Azad whose term has ended recently. Mallikarjun Kharge was a former Union minister and had been Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, earlier.
40. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) is a scheme implemented under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Food Processing Industries
[B] Ministry of Agriculture
[C] Ministry of Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Food Processing Industries]
Notes:
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) is a flagship scheme being implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
The Union Food Processing Industries Ministry cleared 20 projects worth Rs 363.4 crore for two schemes under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY). The government will provide a grant-in-aid of Rs 102.91 crore for these projects.