21. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘Digital Payments Utsav’?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[C] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[D] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]
Notes:
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, launched a comprehensive campaign plan, ‘Digital Payments Utsav, in New Delhi.
Digital Payments Utsav, has been planned this year to promote Digital Payments across the country and to celebrate the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and G20 Presidency. Digital Payment Sandesh Yatra was also flagged off to make citizens aware of digital payment solutions. DigiDhan awards were presented to banks that perform well in digital payments.
22. Which country launched ‘Operation Dost’ to extend assistance to Turkey and Syria after the massive earthquake?
[A] Pakistan
[B] China
[C] India
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [India]
Notes:
India launched ‘Operation Dost’ to extend assistance to Turkey and Syria after the devastating earthquake.
The seventh ‘Operation Dost’ flight reached earthquake-hit Syria with over 23 tons of relief material. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the flight is carrying more than 35 tons of relief material, of which over 23 tons is headed for relief efforts in Syria, and around 12 tons to Turkey.
23. Which Indian state implements the ‘Pudumai Penn’ scholarship scheme for girl students?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched phase 2 of the ‘Pudumai Penn’ scheme, a scholarship scheme for girl students, in Chennai.
The scheme involves the distribution of a scholarship amount of ₹1,000 per month to girl students pursuing their higher studies after completing their schooling at a government school. The scholarship is provided through the Social Welfare Department.
24. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, which was seen in the news, is used to treat which disease?
[A] Polio
[B] Cancer
[C] Tuberculosis
[D] Diabetes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cancer]
Notes:
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is the latest innovation in the field of medicine, to treat cancer.
Rather than relying on drugs, like chemotherapy or immunotherapy, the CAR T cell therapy treatments utilise a patient’s own cells that have been altered in a lab to stimulate T-cells and attack tumour cells. Currently, CAR T-cell therapy has received clearance for treating leukemia and lymphoma types of cancer.
25. Which African country recently announced demonetization to address corruption and bring down inflation?
[A] Egypt
[B] Nigeria
[C] South Africa
[D] Tanzania
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nigeria]
Notes:
Nigeria has recently announced demonetization to address corruption and bring down inflation. Its purpose is to bring back most of the money that is in circulation outside the banking system and to minimize money laundering.
Nigerians are required to turn in their old 1,000, 500 and 200 naira banknotes as part of this initiative in return for new naira notes. With the African country being largely dependent on cash, the shortage of new naira notes is causing chaos in Nigeria.
26. Tanimbar corella, which was seen in the news, are cockatoos found exclusively in which country?
[A] India
[B] Indonesia
[C] China
[D] Argentina
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indonesia]
Notes:
The Tanimbar corella, which is also referred to as Goffin’s cockatoo, is a type of cockatoo that is found exclusively in the forests of Yamdena, Larat, and Selaru islands in the Tanimbar Islands archipelago in Indonesia.
It was later introduced to the Kai Islands, Singapore, and Puerto Rico. A new study found that Goffin’s cockatoos are capable of combining multiple tools to achieve a complex task that is only been recorded in humans and chimpanzees.
27. Hericium erinaceus, which was seen in the news, belongs to which species?
[A] Mushroom
[B] Cotton
[C] Apple
[D] Dragon Plant
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mushroom]
Notes:
Hericium erinaceus, also known as lion’s mane mushroom, is an edible mushroom found in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Researchers have recently identified a new active compound in the lion’s mane mushroom. This compound is found to be capable of boosting nerve growth and enhancing the memory capacity. This may have a potential to counter Alzheimer’s disease.
28. Keeladi, which was seen in the news, is an excavation site found in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Punjab
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Sangam age was believed to be between 300 BCE to 300 CE. As per the recent findings by the Archaeological Survey of India at Keeladi, the Sangam age has been pushed to 800 BCE.
Keeldai is a small village along the Vaigai River, about 13 km from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The eport is based on the archaeological findings from the first two phases of excavation carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India.
29. How many satellites were placed in the orbit aboard the SSLV D2 launch vehicle of ISRO?
[A] One
[B] Three
[C] Five
[D] Seven
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Three]
Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched its second developmental flight of a Small Satellite Launch Vehicle — SSLV-D2.
It placed three satellites into a 450 km-circular orbit, which are ISRO’s Earth Observation Satellite – EOS 07, U.S.-based firm Antaris’ Janus-1 and Chennai-based space start-up SpaceKidz’s AzaadiSAT-2.
30. Prime Minister recently flagged off two Vande Bharat trains in which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Gujarat
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat trains in Maharashtra high-speed rail connection.
The Mumbai-Solapur and Mumbai-Sainagar Vande Bharat Express were flagged off from Mumbai. With this, the number of Vande Bharat Express trains running from Mumbai will increase to three and the count will go up to 10 for the country.