41. By which year, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is set to complete National Geochemical Mapping (NGCM) programme?
[A] 2022
[B] 2024
[C] 2025
[D] 2030
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2024]
Notes:
The central Government has recently stated that, Geological Survey of India (GSI) is in the process of expediting some of its important national level surveys. The GSI has proposed to complete its National Geochemical Mapping (NGCM) programme by 2024.
The GSI has also commenced an initiative named National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) for collecting all the geoscience data of the country.
42. ‘Build Back Better recovery plan’, which was seen in the news, is associated with the Head of which country?
[A] New Zealand
[B] United States
[C] Japan
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
The United States President Joe Biden signed an executive order, which would impose rules on government procurement practices.
Dubbed as the ‘Buy American’ order, it aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing and ensure better access to small and midsize businesses. This is a part of the ‘Build Back Better recovery plan’ proposed by Joe Biden.
43. Janet Yellen has been appointed as the first woman Treasury secretary of which country?
[A] New Zealand
[B] Australia
[C] United States
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United States]
Notes:
The United States Senate confirmed veteran economist Janet Yellen as first woman Treasury Secretary of the country.
The 74-year-old eminent economist is also the Former chairperson of the Federal Reserve during the Global Financial Crisis. She is the third cabinet member of the Biden Administration to be confirmed by the Senate.
44. What is the name of the virtual intelligence tool recently launched, which can help in Government’s policy decisions?
[A] Apna
[B] Tejas
[C] Surya
[D] Vishnu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tejas]
Notes:
Minister of Electronics and IT and Communications has recently launched virtual intelligence tool Tejas.
The tool can extract critical information for policy decisions thereby improving efficiency in government services. The Minister also launched a virtual portal to access routine office applications called ‘Work from Anywhere’ portal and ‘e-Auction India’.
45. “Global Climate Litigation Report: 2020” has been released by which organisation?
[A] UNEP
[B] UNESCO
[C] World Bank
[D] UNFCCC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [UNEP]
Notes:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has recently released a report titled – Global Climate Litigation Report: 2020 – Status Review. The report provides an overview of climate change litigation and its trends globally.
As per the report, the number of climate litigation cases around the world has almost doubled in the last three years.
46. What is Melatonin?
[A] Covid-19 drug candidate
[B] Plant based chemical
[C] Hormone secreted in humans
[D] By-product of fractional distillation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hormone secreted in humans]
Notes:
A recent research by University of Sao Paulo has revealed that Melatonin hormone secreted in the lungs of human beings act as an effective barrier against Covid-19 infection.
It has been identified that the hormone secretion inhibits the expression of genes that are entry points for the virus.
47. Which country has launched “New Variant Assessment Platform”?
[A] USA
[B] UK
[C] China
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UK]
Notes:
The United Kingdom (UK) has launched a New Variant Assessment Platform, which will be used to identify new variants COVID-19 viruses.
It uses genomics expertise possessed by UK and has been dedicated for use by countries which does not have sufficient resources for identifying the new Covid virus strains.
48. In which country is Mount Merapi located?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] Seychelles
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Indonesia]
Notes:
The Mount Merapi is located in Indonesia. It is an active volcano which is located in the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta. This is the most active volcano of the country and has been erupting at frequent intervals since 1500s. This volcano has erupted again recently.
Indonesia is located on the “Ring of Fire” and hence has the most number of active volcanoes in the world.
49. What is India’s rank in “’Asia-Pacific Personalised Health Index” released by the EIU?
[A] 1st
[B] 2nd
[C] 7th
[D] 10th
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [10th]
Notes:
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has recently released an index named “’Asia-Pacific Personalised Health Index”.
India has ranked 10th out of 11 Asia Pacific countries in the index. This index measures the readiness of 11 countries – Australia, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and New Zealand in adopting personalised healthcare.
50. Which state has recently reduced value-added tax (VAT) rate for petrol and diesel by 2%?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Kerala
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajasthan]
Notes:
The state government of Rajasthan has recently reduced value-added tax (VAT) by two percent on petrol and diesel. This has relaxed the fuel prices in the state. Recently, the price of premium petrol price crossed Rs.100 in the state.
Petrol, Diesel and other fuels in India have been kept outside the ambit of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Presently, the state governments determine the VAT on these fuels.