41. Col Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir, who was conferred the Padma Shri award, belongs to which country?
[A] India
[B] Pakistan
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bangladesh]
Notes:
Lt. Col. (Retd.) Quazi Sajjad Ali Zahir and musicologist Sanjida Khatun, who belong to Bangladesh have been conferred with India’s Padma Shri award for the year 2021.
This is seen as a soft diplomatic move of the country. These awards were announced on the eve of Republic Day. This year, 7 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri awards have been conferred.
42. Which Indian Economist has been chosen to be a part of UN high-level advisory board on socio-economic challenges in post-COVID-19 world?
[A] Arundhati Roy
[B] Amartya Sen
[C] Jayati Ghosh
[D] Raghuram Rajan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jayati Ghosh]
Notes:
India’s economist Jayati Ghosh has been chosen to be a part of UN high-level advisory board on socio-economic challenges in post-COVID-19 world. The board would make recommendations to U.N. Secretary-General for making response to the future, especially after the post COVID era.
Ms. Ghosh is presently a professor of economics at University of Massachusetts.
43. The Armed Forces of which country participated in the Republic Day Parade of India in the year 2021?
[A] Nepal
[B] Bangladesh
[C] United Kingdom
[D] Bhutan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bangladesh]
Notes:
A 122-member armed forces contingent of Bangladesh participated in the Rajpath at the Republic Day parade of India.
This comes as a part of celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Liberation War, by India and Bangladesh. While Bangladesh takes part in the parade for the first time, it is the third foreign country after France (2016) and the UAE (2017) to take part in India’s Republic Day parade.
44. A new School of Public Health (SPH) has been launched in which Indian state/UT?
[A] Punjab
[B] Bihar
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rajasthan]
Notes:
A new School of Public Health (SPH) has been launched in the state of Rajasthan, to aid in healthcare management in the post-COVID-19 situation.
The school will provide technical support to health systems and help the State government in adopting new technologies. It will work on technology and surveillance mechanisms to help the policy makers.
45. Alpha Global, which was making news recently, is the Union alliance of which tech company?
[A] Microsoft
[B] Alphabet
[C] Apple
[D] Amazon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Alphabet]
Notes:
Alphabet unions across the world have joined hands and created a global alliance called Alpha Global.
It has been created with the aid of UNI Global, a federation of unions representing over 20 million workers. As many as 13 different unions, from 10 different countries are part of Alpha Global alliance. Google labour union was formed recently in the United States.
46. Which organisation recently conducted the biggest ever opinion poll on climate change?
[A] UNDP
[B] UNEP
[C] WTO
[D] WMO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [UNDP]
Notes:
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) questioned 1.2 million people in 50 countries, conducting the biggest ever opinion poll on climate change.
As per the survey’s findings, two-thirds of the total people polled see a “global climate emergency”. The survey also revealed that in nations with fossil fuels as a major source of emissions, people strongly supported renewable energy.
47. National Non-communicable Disease Monitoring Survey (NNMS), which was released recently, was conducted during which year?
[A] 2019-20
[B] 2018-19
[C] 2017-18
[D] 2016-17
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2017-18]
Notes:
The Union Health Ministry released the National Non-communicable Disease Monitoring Survey (NNMS).
In the survey conducted during 2017-18, it was revealed that two in five adults in India have three or more risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD). The Health Minister also launched a framework on use of telemedicine for cancer, diabetes, heart diseases and stroke in India.
48. The “World Gold Demand Trends report” is released by which organisation?
[A] International Monetary Fund
[B] World Gold Council
[C] Indian Bullion Association
[D] Reserve Bank of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Gold Council]
Notes:
The report titled “World Gold Demand Trends” has been released by the World Gold Council. As per the report, Gold purchase by central banks of various countries declined sharply in 2020 and fell by nearly 60% to 272.9 tonnes.
The decline in purchase was most particular in Q2 of the FY 2020-21.
49. Rafael fighter jets are manufactured in which country?
[A] USA
[B] France
[C] Germany
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
The third consignment comprising of three number of France manufactured Rafale fighter jets have arrived at India recently. They would be soon inducted officially into the Indian Air Force. This would move up the Rafael’s fleet to 11 aircrafts in the Indian Air Force.
In September 2016, India had signed an agreement with France for purchase of 36 Rafael fighter jets at a cost of Rs.59,000 crores.
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.