21. Australia has recently designated which species as ‘Endangered’?
[A] Panda
[B] Koala
[C] Kangaroo
[D] Sloth
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Koala]
Notes:
Australia has recently designated the koala an endangered species, which was classified as vulnerable only 10 years ago.
The impact of prolonged drought, summer bushfires, and the cumulative impacts of disease, urbanisation and habitat loss over the last twenty years have led to the decision. From now, Koalas will be provided with greater protection under Australia’s national environment law.
22. Which country is the host of One Summit, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] USA
[B] France
[C] Russia
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
One Ocean Summit is being organised by France in cooperation with the United Nations and the World Bank.
India supported the French initiative of a ‘High Ambition Coalition on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction’. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the conference and said that India is committed to eliminating single-use plastic.
23. ‘Roadmap to 2025’ is a part of India’s partnership with which country/bloc?
[A] USA
[B] EU
[C] Japan
[D] ASEAN
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [EU]
Notes:
The seventh round of India-EU consultations on disarmament and non-proliferation matters was held in a virtual format.
The consultations are part of dialogue mechanisms under the ‘Roadmap to 2025’ for further strengthening the India-EU Strategic Partnership.
24. When is ‘World Radio Day’ observed every year?
[A] February 8
[B] February 10
[C] February 13
[D] February 14
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [February 13]
Notes:
Every year, World Radio Day is celebrated on February 13 with an aim to highlight the importance of radio.
The member states of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) first declared this day in the year 2011. It was later adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 as an International Day.
25. India signed agreement with UN World Food Program for distribution of wheat to which country?
[A] Maldives
[B] Afghanistan
[C] Syria
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Afghanistan]
Notes:
India signed an agreement with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for the distribution of 50,000 MT of wheat.
India has committed to send relief to Afghanistan as part of a humanitarian assistance, to be sent in truck convoys through Pakistan by road. Rome-headquartered WFP thanked India for the agreement to support Afghans who are facing humanitarian crisis.
26. The Northern Mariana Islands, which was seen in the news recently, is a territory of which country?
[A] USA
[B] Russia
[C] France
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USA]
Notes:
The Northern Mariana Islands, a United States territory, is located only 2500km southeast of Japan.
Japan has planned to dump more than 1 million tonnes of treated water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power station into the Pacific Ocean. The Northern Mariana Islands has proposed another viable solution to the plan to be considered.
27. Which institution hosts the ‘World Sustainable Development Summit’?
[A] UNFCCC
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] The Energy and Resources Institute
[D] Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [The Energy and Resources Institute]
Notes:
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) hosted the latest edition of the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit, which was based on the theme ‘Towards a Resilient Planet: Ensuring a Sustainable and Equitable Future’. The keynote addresses will be delivered by President of Republic of Guyana Dr Irfaan Ali and Deputy Secretary-General of the UN.
28. Which institution organised the ‘Fin-tech Open month’?
[A] Reserve Bank of India
[B] UIDAI
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] SEBI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [NITI Aayog]
Notes:
NITI Aayog inaugurated the first-of-its-kind initiative of ‘Fintech Open month’, to bring together regulators, Fin-tech professionals, industry leaders, start-up community on a common platform.
The overarching theme is ‘OPEN’, to achieve three objectives namely 1) encourage Open ecosystem across the Fin-Tech industry; (2) promote co-innovation and growth; (3) ensure financial inclusion and leverage new models like Account Aggregator.
29. As per the Road Transport Minsitry’s recent guidelines, what is the maximum speed limit on two-wheelers with children as pillion riders?
[A] 30 kmph
[B] 40 kmph
[C] 50 kmph
[D] 60 kmph
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [40 kmph]
Notes:
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified new safety rules for two-wheelers carrying children aged between nine months and four years.
As per the new regulations, children are required to wear a crash helmet and a safety harness. It also imposes a speed limit of 40 kilometres per hour on two-wheelers with children as pillion riders. The Motor Vehicles Act has been amended to introduce these rules.
30. Who has been appointed as India’s first National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC)?
[A] G Ashok Kumar
[B] Ajit Doval
[C] Hari Kumar
[D] Karambir Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [G Ashok Kumar]
Notes:
Former Chief of Navy Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar, who retired last year, has been appointed as the country’s first National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC).
NMSC will be part of the National Security Council Secretariat, and will report to National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. NMSC was proposed after the 26/11 terror attacks. His responsibility is coordinating between all the agencies involved in maritime security and maritime civil issues.