1. Which Indian state/UT has launched the world’s largest convalescent plasma therapy project for treating COVID-19, named PLATINA?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Maharashtra
[C] TamilNadu
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The state government of Maharashtra has launched the world’s largest convalescent plasma therapy project named PLATINA, for treating COVID-19.
The trial-cum-project is expected to save at least 500 lives of critically-ill Covid-19 patients in the state. The trial will be carried out in government medical colleges and BMC medical colleges. All critical patients will receive two doses of 200 ml of convalescent plasma under the project, free of cost.
2. 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.
3. World Trade Organisation (WTO) has set up a dispute panel on which country’s tariffs on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) goods?
[A] United States
[B] India
[C] Japan
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
World Trade Organisation (WTO) has set up a dispute panel on India’s tariffs on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) goods such as mobile phones, cameras, headphones.
WTO has agreed to the second request from the European Union for establishing the panel. The requests for dispute panels against India’s tariffs on ICT products were examined by the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the WTO.
4. Which former Union Minister is to lead the proposed Co-Operative Development Forum (CDF)?
[A] Suresh Prabhu
[B] Gopinathrao
[C] Kalraj Mishra
[D] Maneka Sanjay Gandhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Suresh Prabhu]
Notes:
Former Union minister and Rajya Sabha member Suresh Prabhu is to lead a Co-Operative Development Forum (CDF).
The CDF forum, that is likely to be formally launched on July 24, aims to work towards promoting cooperative movement in the country and boost the rural economy. Suresh Prabhu is also the Sherpa of India for G 20. The forum also aims to formulate the modern National/ State Cooperative Policy.
5. Which global organisation released the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report?
[A] UNICEF
[B] UNESCO
[C] IMF
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UNESCO]
Notes:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has released the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report.
As per the report, 40% of poorest countries failed to support learners at risk during COVID-19 crisis. It also revealed that fewer than 10% of countries have laws that help ensure inclusion in education. UNESCO urged all countries to focus on people who are left behind and improve inclusion.
6. Which Indian author has won the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize?
[A] Madhuri Vijay
[B] Kritika Pandey
[C] Arvind Adiga
[D] Arundhati Roy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kritika Pandey]
Notes:
Young Indian author Kritika Pandey has won the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, for her short story ‘The Great Indian Tee and Snakes’.
The 29-year-old writer is currently studying at University of Massachusetts Amherst. She was also declared as one of five Regional Winners for the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize for her literary work.
7. 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.
8. What is the name of the project announced by Kerala, for rehabilitation of its people returning from abroad?
[A] Welcome Back
[B] Dream Kerala
[C] God’s Own Country
[D] Winning Covid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dream Kerala]
Notes:
The state of Kerala has recently announced a project named “Dream Kerala”, for rehabilitation of its people returning from abroad.
The project also aims for enhancing works for the overall development of the State. It aims to deploy the skills and knowledge for reviving the economy of the state. Ideas and suggestions from public will be invited and several departments would be jointly coordinating the project.
9. A place called Nimu, that was seen in news recently, is located on the banks of which river?
[A] Indus
[B] Suru
[C] Yapola
[D] Hanley
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indus]
Notes:
Nimu is a small village located in the Union Territory of Ladakh. It is surrounded by the Zanskar range and located on the banks of the Indus river.
The place was seen in news recently, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Nimu, to interact with Indian troops. Nimu is the reserve brigade headquarter of the Indian Army, situated at 11,000 feet near Kargil. The Border Road Organisation (BRO) is constructing a road from Padum in the Zanskar Valley to Nimu.
10. Phobos, that was seen in news, is the biggest natural satellite of which planet?
[A] Jupiter
[B] Mars
[C] Saturn
[D] Venus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mars]
Notes:
Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Mars Orbiter Mission has recently captured the image of Phobos.
Phobos is the closest and biggest moon of Mars, which has been captured by the Mars Colour Camera (MCC) onboard the MoM spacecraft. The image was taken when the spacecraft was about 7,200 km from Mars and 4,200 km from Phobos.