41. The Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant that recently achieved criticality, is located in which state?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Gujarat
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
The Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3 in Gujarat has recently achieved criticality. This is an indigenously designed 700 MWe (megawatt electrical) reactor.
Achieving criticality means that it has reached normal operating condition of a reactor. It therefore indicates that the plant is ready to generate power. Prime Minister and Home Minister congratulated the nuclear scientists for this achievement.
42. Which country has been ordered to close its consulate in Houston by the United States?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Australia
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [China]
Notes:
The United States has recently ordered China to close its consulate in Houston. This is a sequel of punitive measures against China including the travel bans, strict registration requirements among others.
The State Department said it ordered the consulate to shut down within 72 hours to protect American intellectual property and the private information of Americans. China has its embassy in Washington, its mission to the United Nations in New York, and consulates in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
43. What is the name of the unified mentoring platform launched by the Union MSME Minister?
[A] Restart India
[B] Udyog India
[C] Come Back MSME
[D] Reskill India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Restart India]
Notes:
Union Minster for micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector Nitin Gadkari launched a mentoring platform named ‘RestartIndia’.
The platform has been conceptualised by Muthoot Fincorp and INKtalks. Restart India is a single platform which provides information on various schemes being implemented by the government. It also helps the businesspersons to connect with experts from various sectors.
44. Which Central Asian country has become the 25th Observer of the World Trade Organization (WTO)?
[A] Turkmenistan
[B] Uzbekistan
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Kyrgyzstan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Turkmenistan ]
Notes:
Turkmenistan became the 25th country with a status of an observer in the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The member-states of the WTO General Council unanimously adopted the resolution on granting the status of an observer in WTO to the Central Asian country. There are 164 WTO member-states at present and 25 countries possess the status of an observer including Turkmenistan.
45. National Intelligence Grid “NATGRID” is an attached office under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Home Affairs]
Notes:
National Intelligence Grid “NATGRID” is an attached office under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It aims to allow investigation and law enforcement agencies to access real-time information.
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is to partner with the NATGRID to share the financial details of any entity with 10 agencies including the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and the NIA. This information-sharing mechanism is done under the NATGRID platform.
46. What is the duration for which waterway usage charges have been waived off by the Shipping Ministry?
[A] 3 years
[B] 5 years
[C] 7 years
[D] 10 years
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [3 years]
Notes:
Union Shipping Ministry has announced that it has waived off waterway usage charges for a period of three years.
This decision has been taken to promote inland waterways as a cheaper mode of transport. Water usage charge was previously applicable on use of all national waterways by vessels. This waiver is estimated to increase the inland waterway traffic movement to 110 million metric tonne (MMT) in 2022-23.
47. Who is the head of the Committee set up by the Union HRD Ministry, on retaining Indian students in its institutions?
[A] D P Singh
[B] Anil Sahasrabudhe
[C] Vineet Joshi
[D] Bhushan Patwardhan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [D P Singh]
Notes:
The Union Human Resources and Development Ministry has set up a committee under the Chairperson of University Grants Commission (UGC) D P Singh.
The committee will give suggestions on retaining Indian students in the country’s institutions. The Minister also said that the seat capacity in all premier institutions would be increased by 50% by 2024. Under this plan, the number of institutions under the Institutes of Eminence (IoE) programme will also go up to 50.
48. The Gwalior-Chambal belt of Madhya Pradesh is to be converted into arable land with support from which international institution?
[A] World Bank
[B] Asian Development Bank
[C] Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
[D] New Development Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [World Bank]
Notes:
The Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar announced that the Union Government is to collaborate with the World Bank, to convert the Gwalior-Chambal belt of Madhya Pradesh into arable land.
This has been decided in the virtual meeting with the World Bank representative. As per the statement, more than 3 lakh hectares of rugged land that remains not cultivable can be improved. As a result, the region’s agricultural development, environmental protection and employment opportunities can be improved.
49. Which Union Territory of India has launched a dedicated job portal named ‘Rozgar Bazar’?
[A] Chandigarh
[B] New Delhi
[C] Puducherry
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has recently launched a dedicated job portal, to revive economy amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The portal (jobs.delhi.gov.in) named Rozgar Bazar will connect the recruiters with the job aspirants. The Chief Minister asked the traders, businessmen, industrialists and people to work together in reviving the UT’s economy.
50. The birth anniversary of which Indian personality has been celebrated as ‘World Students’ Day’?
[A] RadhaKrishnan
[B] A P J Abdul Kalam
[C] Homi J Bhabha
[D] Vikram Sarabhai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A P J Abdul Kalam]
Notes:
The birth anniversary of 11th President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, October 15 has been recognised by the United Nations to be celebrated as World Students’ Day.
Recently, the country remembered the Missile Man of India on his fifth death anniversary, on July 27. While addressing students at Indian Institute of Management Shillong, the former President died of cardiac arrest.