11. What is the name of the annual meteor shower, which is active during January?
[A] Quadrantids
[B] Geminids
[C] Leonids
[D] Ursids
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Quadrantids]
Notes:
The Quadrantids, one of the brightest annual meteor showers, are active from December 28 to January 12.
According to NASA, approximately 80 meteors per hour can be seen with the meteor velocity is 41 kilometres per second. Though most meteor showers originate from comets, the Quadrantids originate from an asteroid named 2003 EH1. The meteor shower gets its name from the constellation of Quadrans Muralis (Mural Quadrant).
12. Where is the ‘Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTOAB)’ based at?
[A] New York
[B] Geneva
[C] Paris
[D] Nairobi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Geneva]
Notes:
The ‘Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTOAB)’ is a standing body of seven persons to hear appeals in disputes brought on by WTO members.
India has recently appealed against a ruling of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) trade dispute settlement panel. The disputed rule said that the country’s domestic support measures for sugar and sugarcane are inconsistent with global trade norms.
13. ‘NEAT 3.0’ is a platform associated with which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Education]
Notes:
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched National Educational Alliance for Technology NEAT 3.0.
It is a single platform to provide best quality ed-tech solutions and courses to students of the country. The Minister also launched AICTE prescribed technical books in regional languages. It uses Artificial intelligence for a personalised learning experience for better learning outcomes.
14. ‘REACH’, which was seen in the news recently, is a regulation of the European Union regarding ………..
[A] Climate Change
[B] Crypto-currency
[C] Chemicals
[D] Sports
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chemicals]
Notes:
REACH is the acronym for the ‘Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals’. The regulation was agreed by all EU member states in 2020.
It introduced ban on 4,000 chemicals including isopropanol alcohol used in colouring inks, that may cause cancer or other health issues. The European Chemical Agency helped to draft the new legislation.
15. The subsidiary of which Indian company signed agreements on jointly developing the Trincomalee oil tank farm?
[A] Indian Oil Corporation
[B] Bharat Petroleum
[C] Hindustan Petroleum
[D] Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Oil Corporation]
Notes:
Lanka IOC, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Government of Sri Lanka signed lease agreements on jointly developing the Trincomalee oil tank farm.
Indian Oil Corporation’s subsidiary Lanka IOC is set to run the 14 oil storage tanks while CPC would run 24 tanks. Trinco Petroleum Terminal Pvt. Ltd would develop the remaining 61 tanks, in a joint venture where 51% stakes will be held by CPC and 49% by Lanka IOC.
16. Environment Ministry released Guidelines on ‘Extended producer responsibility (EPR)’ for which product?
[A] Bio-medical Waste
[B] Waste Tyres
[C] Plastic Waste
[D] E- Waste
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Waste Tyres]
Notes:
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change released the draft notification for regulations for the extended producer responsibility (EPR) for Waste Tyres.
If finalised, the draft will be effective from the new fiscal year. India discards around 275,000 tyres each year but the country does not have a comprehensive plan for that. EPR means responsibility of producer of tyres to ensure environmentally safe management of waste tyres.
17. ‘Veer Gatha’ Project was launched to promote awareness about ………….
[A] Freedom Fighters
[B] Gallantry award winners
[C] Military Equipment
[D] Space Missions
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gallantry award winners]
Notes:
The Veer Gatha Project was organised by the Union Ministry of Defence, in partnership with Ministry of Education and MyGov to generate awareness regarding the Gallantry award winners.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced a list of 25 winners of the Veer Gatha Project. The project was conducted at an all-India level in all States and UTs, in all schools affiliated to CBSE.
18. Which Union Ministry released ‘Code of Practice for Securing Consumer Internet of Things (IoT)’ report?
[A] Ministry of Communication
[B] Ministry of Electronics and IT
[C] Ministry of Science and Technology
[D] Ministry of Labour and Employment
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Communication]
Notes:
The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) under the Union Communications Ministry has released a report ‘Code of Practice for Securing Consumer Internet of Things (IoT)’.
These guidelines aim to safeguard IoT devices and ecosystem and to manage their vulnerabilities. It has guidelines for IoT device manufacturers, service providers and application developers, among others. As per reports, there could be 26.4 billion IoT devices globally by 2026.
19. Which group of countries participate in ‘Sea Dragon 22’ Military Exercise?
[A] Indo-Pacific countries
[B] QUAD Group
[C] Indian Ocean Rim Countries
[D] Balkan Countries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indo-Pacific countries]
Notes:
The US Navy announced that the Sea Dragon 22 exercise began along with the navies of India, Australia, Canada, Japan and South Korea.
It is a multi-lateral anti-submarine warfare exercise in the Pacific Ocean, participated by six Indo-Pacific nations. India, Japan, Australia and America are also part of the ‘QUAD’ group, and also participate in the Malabar exercise.
20. What is the maximum limit of Aadhaar-enabled cash withdrawal transactions, per customer, per terminal per day, as per NPCI?
[A] Two
[B] Three
[C] Five
[D] Seven
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Five]
Notes:
National Payments Corporation of India has introduced limits for cash withdrawals and mini statements.
It states that the maximum limit of five Aadhaar enabled cash withdrawal transactions, per customer, per terminal per day. The issuers will also implement a limit of a minimum of five mini statement transactions per customer per month. This has to be implemented by January 15, 2022.