1. Which Indian institution developed an intensive care unit (ICU) grade ventilator under the name of ‘Project Praana’?
[A] Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
[B] AIIMS
[C] IIT- Delhi
[D] IIT- Guwahati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Institute of Science (IISc)]
Notes:
A team of engineers at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) had developed an intensive care unit (ICU) grade ventilator under the name of ‘Project Praana’.
Recently, the team has successfully completed the prototyping of the ventilator, which is now in the process of being commercialised. The affordable ventilator uses only components made in India or components which are easily available in the domestic markets. The team developed the ventilator in a record 35 days.
2. Which Indian state/UT has formed a dedicated commission to create employment opportunities for the migrant labourers?
[A] Odisha
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The state government of Madhya Pradesh has formed a dedicated commission to create employment opportunities for the migrant labourers.
Named as the Madhya Pradesh State Migrant Labourer Commission (MPSMLC), it aims to create jobs to those who have returned from other parts of the country during the Covid 19-induced lockdown. The state government will nominate the chairman of the commission, which will suggest measures for the welfare of migrant labourers.
3. What is the name of the COVID-19 health policy, framed by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI)?
[A] Corona Aarogya
[B] Corona Saral
[C] Corona Protect
[D] Corona Kavach
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Corona Kavach]
Notes:
According to the guidelines issued by the insurance regulator, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) has directed the general and health insurance companies to offer one short-term Covid-19 policy.
Named as the “Corona Kavach Policy”, the standard health policy would have a tenure period of 3.5 months to 6.5 months, and 9.5 months. As per the guidelines, the mode of payment would be a single premium. Another policy called Corona Rakshak, a standard benefit policy is also to be launched.
4. The World Bank has approved USD 250 million loan for affordable housing projects of which Indian state?
[A] Odisha
[B] West Bengal
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The World Bank has approved USD 250 million loan for affordable housing projects of Tamil Nadu. The Government of India, state government of Tamil Nadu and the World Bank has signed legal agreements regarding the project.
Out of the total loan, USD 200 million is approved for First Tamil Nadu Housing Sector Strengthening Programme and USD 50 million for Tamil Nadu Housing and Habitat Development Project. It aims to ease regulatory barriers and encourage private sector participation in affordable housing.
5. Which Union Ministry has developed a new web portal to issue No Objection Certificate (NOC) for power projects?
[A] Ministry of Coal
[B] Ministry of Power
[C] Ministry of Defence
[D] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Defence]
Notes:
Union Defence Ministry has launched a new portal to issue No Objection Certificate (NOC) for power projects and Research Survey Exploration Exploitation (RSEE) activities in the Indian Territorial Waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.
The Ministry of Defence gives security clearances to various Private and Public Sector Undertakings for power, wind and solar projects in areas near defence installation. The new portal will allow applicants to submit their proposals online for seeking security clearance from the Ministry.
6. Who has been named as ‘India’s Most Valuable Test Player of the 21st Century’ by Wisden?
[A] Mahendra Singh Dhoni
[B] Virat Kohli
[C] Ravindra Jadeja
[D] R Ashwin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ravindra Jadeja]
Notes:
Wisden has named Ravindra Jadeja as ‘India’s Most Valuable Test Player of the 21st Century’. He is also named as the second most Valuable Test player in the world.
The list is topped by Sri Lanka’s legendary cricketer Muthiah Muralithatan. Wisden used CricViz, a detailed analysis tool in cricket to analyse performance of the players and award an ‘MVP rating’ to each player in world cricket. The 31-year old India’s spin-bowling all-rounder has scored an MVP rating of 97.3.
7. Food aggregator company Swiggy has partnered with which bank to launch its own digital wallet?
[A] HDFC Bank
[B] State Bank of India
[C] ICICI Bank
[D] Axis Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ICICI Bank]
Notes:
Food aggregator platform and unicorn start-up Swiggy has launched its own digital wallet Swiggy Money in partnership with ICICI Bank.
The full-fledged digital wallet enables single-click checkout experience and will let its customers to store money and pay for all food orders on Swiggy. Swiggy has used ICICI Bank’s insta wallet service API, to create its own wallet.
8. ‘Striped Hairstreak and Elusive Prince’ are the recently discovered species of which creature?
[A] Turtle
[B] Snake
[C] Butterfly
[D] Spider
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Butterfly]
Notes:
Lepidopterists, those who specialises in studying moths and butterflies, have recently discovered two new species of butterflies namely Striped Hairstreak and Elusive Prince in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Striped Hairstreak was first recorded in Japan and the Elusive Prince was discovered in Vietnam. As per the Society for Education and Environmental Development (SEED), the discovery of two new species have increased the number of butterfly species of the country to 1327.
9. Which Indian Badminton star is to launch the series of Fit India’s interactive sessions called ‘Fit India Talks’?
[A] Saina Nehwal
[B] P V Sindhu
[C] Sai Praneeth
[D] Srikanth Kidambi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [P V Sindhu]
Notes:
India’s flagship fitness awareness movement, Fit India is launching a new series of interactive sessions with ace sportspersons of the country.
This series of interactive sessions has been launched with an objective of inspiring young children of the country and to encourage them to actively take part in sports. Badminton star P V Sindhu and Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri will launch the inaugural session, in the presence of HRD Minister and Sports Minister.
10. Which financial institution has recently joined the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS)?
[A] BRICS Bank
[B] Asian Development Bank
[C] European Central Bank
[D] BRICS Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Asian Development Bank]
Notes:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has joined the Central Banks and Supervisors Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS).
NGFS is a group of central banks and supervisors who will share best practices about climate risk management in financial sector. It was launched at the Paris One Planet Summit in the year 2017. It also mobilises finance for maintaining a sustainable economy.