41. The agencies of which organisation released ‘Asia and the Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition’ report?
[A] World Economic Forum
[B] United Nations
[C] Asian Development Bank
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Nations]
Notes:
The United Nations agencies namely the UNICEF, FAO, WFP and WHO jointly released the ‘Asia and the Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition’ report.
It is the third annual report on progress of Sustainable Development Goals and World Health Assembly targets 2030 on nutrition in the Asia and Pacific region. 24 million in the Asia and Pacific region are likely to suffer food insecurity.
42. Which risk has been ranked at the first place as ‘Top Risk by impact’ by the WEF’s Global Risks Report 2021?
[A] Climate Action Failure
[B] Weapons of Mass Destruction
[C] Infectious Diseases
[D] Extreme Weather
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Infectious Diseases]
Notes:
The World Economic Forum released the 16th edition of the Global Risks Report 2021. It explores how countries and businesses can act on facing these risks.
‘Infectious Diseases’ is ranked as the ‘Top Risk by impact’, while ‘Extreme Weather’ is ranked as the ‘Top Risk by Livelihood’. Infectious diseases was placed at the 10th place in the last year’s report released in 2020.
43. The former Prime Minister of which country, has been awarded the Padma Vibushan award in 2021?
[A] Singapore
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Japan
[D] Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Japan]
Notes:
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award in India.
President has approved conferment of 119 Padma awards comprising 7 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri awards. Former Chief minister of Assam Tarun Gogoi and former union minister Ram Vilas Paswan have been awarded the Padma Bhushan.
44. What is the name of the Tax to be imposed in India on pollution causing vehicles?
[A] Green Tax
[B] Pollution Tax
[C] Fuel Tax
[D] Environment Tax
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Green Tax]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Road transport and highways has approved a proposal to impose green tax on some category of vehicles that are old and causes pollution.
This move is seen as a means to phase out old and pollution causing vehicles from the country. The ministry has also approved a policy for deregistration and scrapping of vehicles owned by government departments which are more than 15 years old.
45. Which organisation releases the ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects 2021’?
[A] World Bank
[B] International Monetary Fund
[C] United Nations
[D] Asian Development Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United Nations]
Notes:
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) released the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2021.
As per the report, India’s economy is projected to grow at 7.3 per cent in 2021 while it is estimated to contract by 9.6 per cent in 2020. According to the UN, the reasons for the contraction are the lockdown and the fallen domestic consumption.
46. ‘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.
47. The space agency of which country has recently released the images of the “The Lost Galaxy” of the Virgo Cluster?
[A] India
[B] United States
[C] Japan
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
NGC 4535 is a famous galaxy and is one of the largest of the Virgo constellation. It is also dubbed as the “The Lost Galaxy”.
Virgo Cluster is located about 50 million light-years from Earth. The Scientists at NASA have spotted the spiral galaxy through their Hubble Space Telescope and released its images. It is a vast swirl of stars containing a distinct bar structure at its center.
48. Which Indian city recently unveiled a first-of-its kind Young Readers’ Boat Library?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Kolkata
[C] Ahmedabad
[D] Cochin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kolkata]
Notes:
The West Bengal Transport Corporation in association with a heritage book store has launched a Young Readers’ Boat Library.
Under the initiative, children can choose from a selection of 500 titles in English and Bengali on cruising on the waters of Hooghly river on a three-hour-long trip.
49. What is the name of India’s initiative to deliver Covid-19 vaccines to friendly countries?
[A] Covid Maitri
[B] Vaccine Maitri
[C] Helping Hands
[D] Friends in Need
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vaccine Maitri]
Notes:
India is set to despatch 500,000 doses of Covishield vaccines to Sri Lanka as grant assistance under its “Vaccine Maitri” initiative.
Under the initiative, India has already delivered nearly five million doses to seven countries in the neighbourhood including Maldives, Nepal, Mauritius among others. The Vaccine Maitri (Vaccine Friendship) initiative was launched on January 20.
50. 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.