1. When is the “International Asteroid Day” celebrated across the world?
[A] June 30
[B] July 1
[C] July 2
[D] July 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [June 30]
Notes:
The International Asteroid Day is celebrated on June 30, every year across the world, to raise public awareness about the asteroid impact hazard.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution declaring 30 June as International Asteroid Day. The day also marks the anniversary of the impact of Tunguska explosion caused by an asteroid, on Siberia and Russian Federation in 1908.
2. Who is the head of the national level committee set up by the Home Ministry, for reform in criminal law?
[A] Ranbir Singh
[B] A K Sikri
[C] C Rangarajan
[D] Thaawar Chand Gehlot
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ranbir Singh]
Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted a national level committee for reform in criminal law.
The committee is to be headed by Ranbir Singh, who is the Vice-Chancellor, National Law University-Delhi. The committee has many veteran legal academicians and it has invited opinions online on the possible reforms in the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Indian Evidence Act.
3. The United States has eliminated the special status and halted Defence Exports to which country?
[A] China
[B] Hong Kong
[C] India
[D] Vietnam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Hong Kong]
Notes:
The United States has recently eliminated the special status under U.S. law and halted Defence Exports to Hong Kong.
U.S has also restricted the access of the country to high technology products. This decision has been taken while China is preparing new Hong Kong security legislation. U.S also proposed to end the export of dual-use technologies to the territory, which have both commercial and military uses.
4. Who has been appointed as the next Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations?
[A] Indra Mani Pandey
[B] Ronen Sen
[C] Vivek Katju
[D] Taranjit Singh Sandhu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indra Mani Pandey]
Notes:
Veteran diplomat Indra Mani Pandey has been appointed as India’s next Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva.
The Indian Foreign Service officer is currently serving as an additional secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He is to succeed the current representative hRajiv K Chander in Geneva. I.M Pandey had served in Indian missions in several places including Cairo, Islamabad and Kabul among others.
5. Which Indian state/UT has launched a plantation drive called ‘Paudhe Lagao, Paryavaran Bachao’ (Plant Saplings, Save Environment)?
[A] Sikkim
[B] West Bengal
[C] New Delhi
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [New Delhi]
Notes:
The Union Territory of Delhi has announced that a plantation drive called ‘Paudhe Lagao, Paryavaran Bachao’ (Plant Saplings, Save Environment).
As per the Environment Ministry, Delhi is to launch a 17-day long plantation drive of 31 lakh saplings, to increase the green cover to 350 sq km by 2021. The aim of the drive is to create awareness about increasing green cover to reduce pollution in the UT. The period of the drive will be observed as “Vrikshaaropan Pakhavaada”.
6. Which organisation builds the Su-30 MKI aircraft, that was seen in news recently?
[A] Defence Research and Development Organisation
[B] Indian Space Research Organisation
[C] Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd
[D] Bharat Electronics Ltd
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd]
Notes:
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the proposal for procurement of 21 MiG-29 and upgradation of existing 59 MiG-29 aircraft from Russia at a cost of Rs 7418 crore.
It has also approved the procurement of 12 Su-30 MKI aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautical Ltd, at an estimated cost of Rs 10,730 cr. DAC cleared the acquisition of 248 Astra Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missiles for the Indian Air Force and the Navy. Other important equipment required by the Armed Forces were also approved for Rs 38,900 crore.
7. Who has been recognised as the constitutional interim President of Venezuela, by the United Kingdom?
[A] Nicolas Maduro
[B] Juan Guaido
[C] Nigel Teare
[D] Sarosh Zaiwalla
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Juan Guaido]
Notes:
The United Kingdom has recently recognised Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s constitutional interim President.
A case has been held over whether Guaido or Nicolas Maduro have control on the country’s USD 1 billion worth gold reserves held in the Bank of England. In the ruling of the English High Court, it has declared Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. Though Maduro won the second term, the opposition has majority.
8. ‘Dharma Chakra Parvattana’ is a famous celebration of which religion?
[A] Jainism
[B] Buddhism
[C] Hinduism
[D] Sikhism
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Buddhism]
Notes:
‘Dharma Chakra Parvattana’ is a famous celebration of Buddhism, which commemorates Gautam Buddha’s first discourse to his first five disciples at Sarnath.
The International Buddhist Confederation, under the Ministry of Culture, celebrates Ashadha Poornima as Dharma Chakra Day. The Prime Minister has recently conveyed his greetings on Ashadha Poornima, also known as Guru Purnima.
9. Which Indian state has banned the sale of dog meat and commercial import and trading of dogs?
[A] Assam
[B] Nagaland
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nagaland]
Notes:
The State Government of Nagaland has banned the sale of dog meat and commercial import and trading of dogs.
Several animal rights activists have been protesting the consumption of dog meat in the state. Earlier, the ‘animal bazaar’ of Dimapur, which sells dog meat was highlighted by several animal activists. Sale of cooked and uncooked dog meat is completely banned.
10. Which is the first Indian state to provide LPG connections to all its households?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
Himachal Pradesh has recently become the first state in the country to provide LPG connections to all its households.
The state has been implementing ‘Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojana’ scheme for implementing this objective. Under the scheme, around 2.76 lakh families in the state have benefitted by receiving LPG connections. The state also implemented Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana to provide free LPG connection to BPL families.