21. ’SMILE’ is a Central Sector scheme launched by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[B] Ministry of Education
[C] Ministry of MSME
[D] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment]
Notes:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched the Central Sector scheme “SMILE: Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise”.
This umbrella scheme is designed to provide welfare measures to the Transgender community and the people engaged in the act of begging. The Ministry has allocated Rs. 365 Crore for the scheme from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
22. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba has been declared President of which country?
[A] Burkina Faso
[B] Namibia
[C] Zimbabwe
[D] Mali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Burkina Faso]
Notes:
Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, Lieutenant-colonel in the national armed forces, has been declared President of the African country Burkina Faso.
The country’s top constitutional body has announced this decision after a coup last month. In the month of January, officers led by Damiba forced out the country’s elected president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore.
23. What is the rank of India in the 2021 Democracy Index report?
[A] 32
[B] 46
[C] 52
[D] 85
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [46]
Notes:
India is ranked 46 on the EIU’s Democracy Index report, which was released recently. In the Global index, India has scored 6.91.
Norway and New Zealand got the top two places respectively, while North Korea, Myanmar, Afghanistan were placed at the bottom. India has the lowest score of 5 on political culture and the highest score of 8.67 on electoral process and pluralism.
24. Tilka Manjhi, was a freedom fighter from which present day state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jharkhand]
Notes:
The birth anniversary of Tilka Manjhi, a revolutionary freedom fighter and tribal leader was observed recently.
He organized Adivasis into an army and led the famous Santhal Hool in 1784, to loot the treasury of the East India Company and distributed it among the poor and needy during severe famine. It is referred to as Santhal Hool, the revolt of the Santhals.
25. Hippocrates is a great philosopher and physician from which country?
[A] Greece
[B] Germany
[C] Italy
[D] Spain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Greece]
Notes:
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has suggested to medical colleges that the traditional Hippocratic Oath be replaced by a “Charak Shapath”.
Charak is considered as the father of Ayurveda in India. The Hippocratic Oath dates back to the Greek philosopher and physician Hippocrates. It forms the foundation of modern medicine and is used in graduation ceremonies in many medical colleges.
26. Kiribati, is an island nation located in which ocean/sea?
[A] Indian Ocean
[B] Pacific Ocean
[C] Atlantic Ocean
[D] Mediterranean Sea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pacific Ocean]
Notes:
Kiribati or the Republic of Kiribati, is an independent island nation located in the central Pacific Ocean.
The country had closed the borders for two years and managed to keep Covid away. Recently, as it reopened and the first flight landed, it is facing a challenge with the outbreak of the virus. India has sent a consignment of medical supplies among other Covid 19 supplies.
27. Ilker Ayci, former Turkish Airlines Chairman has been appointed as the MD and CEO of which Indian Airlines?
[A] Spice Jet
[B] IndiGo
[C] Air India
[D] Vistara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Air India]
Notes:
The Tata Group has appointed Ilker Ayci, former Turkish Airlines Chairman, as Air India’s Managing Director and CEO.
The decision is in line with the Tata Group’s plans to appoint an expatriate chief to run Air India, which it took over from the Indian government recently.
28. Which Indian company has a joint-venture with Luxembourg-based SES, to deliver broadband services across India?
[A] Airtel
[B] Jio Platforms
[C] Vi
[D] BSNL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jio Platforms]
Notes:
Digital services company Jio Platforms has formed a joint-venture with Luxembourg-based SES to deliver satellite broadband services across India.
SES is a satellite-linked content connectivity solutions provider SES to deliver satellite broadband services across India. The joint venture will provide SES’s satellite data and connectivity services in India.
29. Which state has witnessed protests for including Bhojpuri and Magahi as “regional languages” in Government jobs?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Jharkhand
[C] West Bengal
[D] Chhattisgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jharkhand]
Notes:
Several parts of Jharkhand are witnessing massive protests against the inclusion of Bhojpuri and Magahi as “regional languages” in district-level competitive examinations for government jobs.
The state government issued a notification to include Magahi, Bhojpuri, and Angika among others as regional languages in the district-level selection process through exams conducted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
30. Which country has invoked a never-before-used Emergency power, to curtail protests demanding end of Covid restrictions?
[A] USA
[B] Canada
[C] Australia
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Canada]
Notes:
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invoked a never-before-used emergency power to curtail protests demanding end of Covid restrictions.
This decision was taken after anti-government protests in the Canadian capital and blockades at border crossings with the US. The country is witnessing over two weeks of “Freedom Convoy” protests by Canadian truckers and their supporters, demanding an end to all Covid restrictions.