11. Covaxin, which was approved for Emergency Use in India, is developed by which pharma major?
[A] Bharat Biotech
[B] Serum Institute of India
[C] Dr Reddys Labs
[D] Biocon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bharat Biotech]
Notes:
The Committee of Central Drugs and Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved the vaccines – Covishield manufactured by Serum Institute of India and Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech for emergency use.
These vaccines are to be initially administered to 3 crore front line workers for free by the Government of India.
12. Which county has announced its plan to enrich uranium to 20 per cent?
[A] USA
[B] China
[C] Japan
[D] Iran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Iran]
Notes:
Iran has announced to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it plans to enrich its uranium to 20% purity, which was a level achieved before 2015 accord. This is supposed to be done at its Fordow site which is buried into a mountain.
Iran has been continuously breaching the 2015 deals with IAEA since 2019, in response to USA’s withdrawal from the agreement and imposition of sanctions against Iran.
13. Britain has recently ended taxation on which product?
[A] Mobile Phones
[B] Sanitary Products
[C] Laptops
[D] Paracetamol tablets
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sanitary Products]
Notes:
Britain became the latest nation that has eliminated taxation on women’s sanitary products. These taxes were called “tampon tax” has been completely abolished in the country.
This decision was earlier announced in the country’s annual budget by its Treasury chief, but has been implemented only now, when Britain has left the European Union.
14. As per the recent statement of UNICEF, which country recorded the highest number of births on the New Year’s Day?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] United States
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
According to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), over 371,500 babies were born on New Year’s Day across the world.
It also revealed that India has recorded the highest number of births at around 60,000. India is followed by China, Nigeria and Pakistan. It also estimated that 140 million children are estimated to be born in 2021 with average life expectancy of 84 years.
15. Omkareshwar dam, which was making news recently, is located in which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Gujarat
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The world’s largest floating solar energy project is set to be constructed at Omkareshwar dam on Narmada river, Madhya Pradesh.
The 3,000-crore project, which will construct a 600 MW plant, will begin power generation by 2022-23. World Banks’s IFC and Power Grid will provide the financial assistance to this project, which includes installing solar panels in the dam.
16. ‘Thai Poosam’ is a religious festival celebrated in which Indian state?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Odisha
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
People of Tamil Nadu celebrate the ‘Thai Poosam’ festival, which is dedicated for the worship of the Tamil God Lord Muruga.
After the devotees requested to declare the day as a public holiday, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami issued an order for the same. It is also celebrated in some parts of Kerala and in other countries like Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius and Indonesia.
17. TRIFED is a federation under which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Human Resources
[B] Ministry of Social Justice
[C] Ministry of Agriculture
[D] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Tribal Affairs]
Notes:
The TRIFED (Tribal Co-operative Marketing Federation) is a federation under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
It has recently entered into an MoU with Akhil Bhartiya Vanvasi Kalyan Kendra of Madhya Pradesh which has been working for the welfare of tribal population. The MoU envisages to setup TRIFOOD Parks in 5 districts in Madhya Pradesh.
18. The employees of which MNC has recently formed a Union in the United States?
[A] Microsoft
[B] Tesla
[C] Google
[D] Apple
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Google]
Notes:
Over 200 Google engineers and other employees have recently formed a Union in the United States, which is seen as a rare move in the Silicon Valley.
After the increasing demands by Google employees for policy changes on pay, harassment and ethics, the “Alphabet Workers Union” has been formed. It is affiliated with the US-based leading union, the ‘Communications Workers of America’.
19. Which state launched ‘Kisan Kalyan Mission’ to promote the income of farmers?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Bihar
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath launched Kisan Kalyan Mission, to promote the income of farmers.
The scheme aims to double the income of the farmers in Uttar Pradesh by 2022. The Chief Minister also ensured that the development schemes for farmers will be launched in 825 localities across the state.
20. The Indian Government has set up a control room to control the spread of Bird Flu in which state/UT?
[A] Kerala
[B] Delhi
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Delhi]
Notes:
The Central Government has set up a control room in the national capital, amidst the spread of the bird flu or avian flu viruses across the country in four states.
The control room aims to monitor the situation and record the preventive and control measures undertaken by the state authorities, on a daily basis.
