41. Which Indian state has approved the ‘One-stop shop’ scheme, to fast-track investments?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Punjab
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajasthan]
Notes:
The state government of Rajasthan has recently approved the ‘One-stop shop’ scheme, to fast-track investments and enable recovery of industries amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new scheme will fast-track all processes in the investment proposals above ₹10 crore. Over 98 types of clearances will be given under one roof through the Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP). For implementing the scheme, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Rajasthan Enterprises Single Window Enabling and Clearance Act, 2011.
42. Which state has approved ‘Digital Economy Mission’, to promote start-ups, e-commerce and other gig economy companies?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Telangana
[C] Karnataka
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Karnataka]
Notes:
The Karnataka Cabinet has recently cleared the formation of Karnataka Digital Economy Mission. The mission is incorporated as a new company with the state government holding 49 per cent and industries and other stakeholders holding 51 per cent.
The company aims to promote over 7,000 start-ups, e-commerce and other gig (informal) economy companies in the State. Prior to this mission, these firms were operating under the Technology Mission of the state and were governed by various departments.
43. India is developing a 30-second rapid testing kit for Covid-19, in collaboration with which country?
[A] United States
[B] Russia
[C] Israel
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Israel]
Notes:
India is in the process of developing a rapid testing kit for Covid-19, in collaboration with Israel. The proposed kit is expected to give results in less than 30 seconds.
A team from Israel’s Research and Development (R&D) Team of Defence Ministry will arrive in India to develop the rapid testing kit. The team has been working with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Principal scientific adviser, K. Vijay Raghavan.
44. When is ‘Aaykar Diwas (Income Tax Day)’ celebrated in India?
[A] July 23
[B] July 24
[C] July 25
[D] July 26
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [July 24]
Notes:
Aaykar Diwas or Income Tax Day is celebrated on July 24 by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and all field offices.
On the same day in the year 1860, Income tax was originally introduced in India by Sir James Wilson, to compensate for the losses incurred during the first war of independence. This is the 160th anniversary of Income Tax Day.
45. 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.
46. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine candidate, being manufactured by Serum Institute of India, is called by which name in India?
[A] Covishield
[B] Covaxin
[C] Covidsafe
[D] Covidia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Covishield]
Notes:
The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine candidate is to be called as ‘Covishield’ in India, as per the statement of the Serum Institute of India (SII).
SII is the largest vaccine maker in the world and it has partnered with AstraZeneca for manufacturing the Oxford vaccine candidate. Recently, it has sought permission from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to conduct phase 2 and 3 human clinical trials of the potential vaccine.
47. What is the name of the participatory governance platform of India that has completed six years?
[A] MyGov
[B] My India
[C] Bharat Hamara
[D] Mera Desh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [MyGov]
Notes:
A digital platform created for information exchange between the government and citizens India called ‘MyGov’ completed six years from its inception.
The first-of-its-kind participatory governance platform was on July 26, 2014 by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The portal engaged the citizens on important policy issues and governance. There are over 1.22 crore registered members of MyGov platform.
48. India has pledged to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic by which year?
[A] 2022
[B] 2025
[C] 2030
[D] 2035
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2030]
Notes:
At the 2016 high-level meeting at the UN General Assembly, India pledged to fast track efforts towards ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat in the next five years, and to end the epidemic by 2030.
Recently, a study published by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) stated that India may miss the national target to end AIDS by 2030. The decline in annual new HIV infections is only 27% from 2020 to 2017 against the national target of 75% by 2020.
49. When is ‘Global Tiger Day’ celebrated across the world every year?
[A] July 27
[B] July 29
[C] July 31
[D] August 1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [July 29]
Notes:
During the Saint Petersburg declaration on tiger conservation that was signed by Tiger range countries in 2010, it was decided to celebrate 29th July as Global Tiger Day across the world.
The countries had pledged to double the tiger population by the year 2022. Global Tiger Day aims to create awareness on tiger conservation. Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has released the All India Tiger Estimation Report-2018 and said that India has nearly 70 per cent of the global tiger population.
50. Which country’s people are the largest international community to be granted Australian citizenship?
[A] United States
[B] India
[C] England
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship recently announced that out of the over 2,00,000 people who became Australian citizens in 2019-2020, around 38,000 were Indians.
They are the largest international community to be granted the Australian citizenship. This figure is also 60 per cent increase from the previous year. India is followed by the people of the UK, China and Pakistan.