31. Union Textile Minister launched a commercial seed distribution scheme of which seed?
[A] Cotton
[B] Jute
[C] Coconut
[D] Cannabis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jute]
Notes:
Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani rolled out the commercial Jute seed distribution scheme. The productive variant of Jute seeds will help enhance the income of Jute farmers.
Jute Corporation of India had signed an MoU with National Seeds Corporation for commercial distribution of around one thousand Metric Tonne jute seeds for the year 2021-22.
32. Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) programme has been launched by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Rural Development
[B] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
[C] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[D] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship]
Notes:
The Union Ministry for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has launched the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) programme.
This nation-wide programme has been launched in partnership with nine Indian Institutes of Management across India. It has been launched under the SANKALP (Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion) scheme.
33. Which institution is to provide Rs 100 crore to Gurgaon-based hospital chain Medanta, to fight Covid-19 pandemic?
[A] AIIB
[B] ADB
[C] World Bank
[D] IMF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ADB]
Notes:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced that it will provide Rs 100 crore loan to Gurgaon-based hospital chain Medanta.
The financial assistance would aid the multi-speciality hospital chain in enhancing healthcare services and medical equipment to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. It also includes staff training programmes on infection control.
34. Which Indian origin Banker has been appointed as the Executive Secretary of UN Capital Development Fund?
[A] Preeti Sinha
[B] Devan Nair
[C] Kamala Harris
[D] Praneeti Verma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Preeti Sinha]
Notes:
Indian Origin investment and development banker Preeti Sinha has been appointed as the Executive Secretary of UN Capital Development Fund.
It is an organisation that provides micro finance access to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). It is headquartered in New York.
35. Who has been awarded with the Sanctuary Nature Foundation’s “Sanctuary Lifetime Service Award 2020”?
[A] Greta Thunberg
[B] Vandana Shiva
[C] Theodore Baskaran
[D] Sunita Narain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Theodore Baskaran]
Notes:
Theodore Baskaran, a leading Writer, historian, naturalist, and activist has been awarded with the Sanctuary Nature Foundation’s “Sanctuary Lifetime Service Award 2020”.
This award has been conferred upon him for his dedicated works in wildlife conservation and for his writings in Tamil – English regarding the same.
36. 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.
37. 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.
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. United Nations (UN) has urged which bloc to set up an emergency task force to prepare a “Global Vaccination Plan” against Covid-19?
[A] G-7
[B] G-20
[C] BRICS
[D] SAARC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [G-20]
Notes:
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed that the G-20 association set up an emergency task force to prepare a “Global Vaccination Plan” against Covid-19.
As per the UN, this task force should include all countries that are capable of developing vaccines or to produce them, along with vaccination organisations, other technical organisations and international financial institutions.
40. Which Union Ministry announced the ‘Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge Cohort’?
[A] Ministry of Rural Development
[B] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]
Notes:
The Smart Cities Mission, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, recently announced twenty-five shortlisted cities for the ‘Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge’ cohort.
This challenge is a three-year initiative aimed to support early childhood-friendly neighbourhoods under the Smart Cities Mission of the Central Government. Over 300 pilot projects were proposed in the challenge that would improve quality of life for over 12 lakh children.