1. Which institution issues the Harmonised system (HS) nomenclature?
[A] World Bank
[B] World Trade Organisation
[C] World Customs Organization
[D] Reserve Bank of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [World Customs Organization]
Notes:
World Customs Organization (WCO) has been issuing the Harmonised system of Nomenclature (HSN) codes, to classify and regulate global trade since 1988. It maintains and periodically updates the codes in line with the changing nature of global trade.
From January 1, 2022 onwards, the HSN codes that are used to classify the internationally traded items are set to be updated. The latest set of codes (HSN 2022) will be used to capture the trade in several of new fields.
2. ‘Yuva Puraskar and Bal Sahitya Puraskar’ are the awards announced by which institution?
[A] Archaeological Survey of India
[B] Bharatiya Jnanpith
[C] Sahitya Akademi
[D] National Council of Educational Research and Training
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sahitya Akademi]
Notes:
The Sahitya Akademi announced a list of 22 winners of the Yuva Puraskar and the Bal Sahitya Puraskar for 2021.
The Sahitya Akademi award was separately announced for literary works in 20 languages in various categories like poetry, novels, short stories, plays, biography and autobiography, book on criticism. Tamil feminist writer Ambai, Kannada’s DS Nagabhushan, Telugu’s Goreti Venkanna, and English author Namita Gokhale are among the winners.
3. Highest number of complaints ntpagainst women in the year 2021 has been received from which state in India?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has received a total of 31,000 complaints of crimes committed against women in the year 2021, which is the highest in number since 2014. There is an increase in complaints by 30% in the year 2021 in comparison to 2020.
Among the total complaints, more than half of them have been received from Uttar Pradesh state which has the highest number of complaints, followed by Delhi.
4. As of January 2022, what is the rate of interest applicable for Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?
[A] 8.9%
[B] 8.1%
[C] 7.6%
[D] 7.1%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [7.6%]
Notes:
The girl child savings scheme Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana will earn 7.6% as interest as of January 2022.
The Government of India has recently announced that the interest rates on small savings schemes will remain unchanged for Q4 2020-21, including NSC and PPF which would earn 7.1 per cent and 6.8 per cent, respectively.
5. Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the youngest ever World Rapid Chess champion, is from which country?
[A] Switzerland
[B] Russia
[C] Uzbekistan
[D] Ukraine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uzbekistan]
Notes:
Nodirbek Abdusattorov from Uzbekistan became the youngest ever World Rapid Chess champion, at 17 years three months. Magnus Carlsen had won the 2009 World Blitz Title at the age of 18.
He also defeated the Ace player Magnus Carlsen to win the World Rapid championship in Warsaw, Poland. France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave won the World Blitz title.
6. Which is the first state/UT to have ‘District-level Good Governance Index’?
[A] Goa
[B] Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Ladakh
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
Jammu and Kashmir is set to become the first Union Territory to have a district-level Good Governance Index.
The Department of administrative reforms and public grievances will carry out this task in association with the Jammu and Kashmir government. The framework will have 58 indicators to assess different aspects of development and district administration such as agriculture, commerce and industry, public safety, public health among others.
7. Which state/UT is set to host India’s first Water-Taxi Service?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Mumbai is set to host the first Water-Taxi Service in the country. The service is expected to be formally launched in January by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
The project is a joint initiative of Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT), City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB).
8. When is the ‘World Braille Day’ observed every year?
[A] January 1
[B] January 2
[C] January 4
[D] January 6
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [January 4]
Notes:
Every year January 4 is observed as World Braille Day to raise the importance of Braille, which serves as a communication medium for blind and partially sighted people. The day was first initiated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019 and January is observed as Braille Literacy month. French Educator, who innovated the Braille system Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809.
9. Which global association/body recently released a statement with a view to avoid nuclear war?
[A] UNSC
[B] BRICS
[C] G-20
[D] G-7
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [UNSC]
Notes:
The five permanent members of United Nations Security Council, namely Russia, Britain, China, the United States and France released a statement recently.
The countries are of the view that a further spread of nuclear arms and a nuclear war should be avoided. The statement seeks to avoid war between the nuclear states and reduce strategic risks. China has a “no first use” policy on nuclear weapons.
10. Which state/UT recognised Takht Damdama Sahib, as the fifth Takht of Sikhs?
[A] Punjab
[B] Delhi
[C] Bihar
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Delhi]
Notes:
Delhi Assembly passed an amendment Bill to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1971, to recognise Takht Damdama Sahib as the fifth Takht of Sikhs.
A Takht, or a throne, is a seat of temporal authority for Sikhs. There are five Sikh Takhts, three in Punjab and one each in Maharashtra and Bihar. The amendment also adds one more ex officio member in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managament Committee (DSGMC) house from the earlier 4.