31. World Bank has signed a USD 100 million project with which state for developing sustainable production systems for tribal households?
[A] Assam
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
The Government of India, Government of Chhattisgarh and the World Bank, have recently signed a USD 100 million project.
Under the project, the state would strive for developing sustainable production systems that allows tribal households in remote areas of Chhattisgarh to practice round the year production of diversified and nutritious food.
32. Which country has banned BBC News from broadcasting in its nation?
[A] United Kingdom
[B] USA
[C] China
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Notes:
The Government of China has banned BBC World News from broadcasting in the country. This announcement has been made by the country’s television regulator.
China has accused BBC for making derogatory reports on the country about coronavirus and the persecution of ethnic minority Uighurs.
33. Sigur plateau, which was making news recently, is located in which state/UT?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
A group of six black storks (Ciconia nigra), were spotted recently in the Sigur plateau in the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.
The species is classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the “Least Concern” category. The sighting of the black stork in this region is considered to be extremely rare.
34. Which disease causes the highest deaths among all vector-borne diseases?
[A] Malaria
[B] Dengue
[C] Cholera
[D] Polio
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Malaria]
Notes:
Malaria caused over 400,000 human deaths in the year 2019. It is said to be causing highest number of deaths among all vector-borne diseases.
Researchers from Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), and Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology have released the detailed genome of the malaria mosquito vector.
35. Which country has launched cargo ship with supplies to International Space Station?
[A] China
[B] United States
[C] Russia
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Russia]
Notes:
An unmanned Russian cargo ship launched successfully loaded with supplies for the International Space Station.
Named as ‘Progress MS-16’, the cargo ship blasted off from the Russia’s Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan. The ship is carrying water, propellant and other supplies. It is set to dock at the space outpost two days after the launch.
36. ‘Arribada’ is a term related to which species?
[A] Snake
[B] Sea Turtle
[C] Frog
[D] Spider
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sea Turtle]
Notes:
Arribada is a term used to describe the mass migration of sea turtles, where large groups of females assemble at a nesting site on the beach.
Recently, the Olive Ridley turtles have started laying eggs in the beach in this nesting season. The nesting season which usually begins in November was delayed by a few weeks this year, due to changes in climate conditions due to the cyclones Nivar and Burevi.
37. ECOPact ready mix concrete has been launched by which company?
[A] L&T
[B] ACC
[C] Ultratech
[D] Ramco
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ACC]
Notes:
India’s leading cement maker ACC has launched a new low carbon range of ready mix concrete, in order to cut down carbon emissions.
This has been named as ECOPact. It has been launched in Mumbai and Hyderabad initially and would be rolled out in the entire country in some time.
38. Who has been elected as the next Director General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?
[A] Ajay Mathur
[B] Upendra Tripathy
[C] Ajay Kumar Bhalla
[D] Subash Chandra Khuntia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ajay Mathur]
Notes:
India nominated Ajay Mathur was elected as the next Director General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). He succeeds Upendra Tripathy, who has serving as DG since 2017.
The Director-General has a four-year term, which can also be renewed for an additional term. Mathur is the chief of the New Delhi-based The Energy and Research Institute, at present.
39. Giant Leatherback turtle nests in which location in India?
[A] Goa
[B] Odisha
[C] Andaman & Nicobar
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Andaman & Nicobar]
Notes:
Giant Leatherback turtle are the largest of the seven species of sea turtles. They are found in all oceans except the Arctic and the Antarctic.
In the Indian ocean, they nest at Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Government’s proposal for tourism promotion and port development will threaten this species, which is accorded legal protection by listing in Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
40. Kiran Bedi has been removed as the Lieutenant Governor of which UT?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Puducherry
[C] Andaman and Nicobar Islands
[D] Jammu & Kashmir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Puducherry]
Notes:
As per a communication issued by the President Ramnath Kovind, Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi was removed from her post.
This step has been taken amid a political crisis in the Puducherry Union territory and ahead of the assembly elections in April-May this year. The additional charge of the UT has been given to the Telengana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan.