41. 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.
42. 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.
43. Amala Shankar, who passed away recently, was associated with which profession?
[A] Politician
[B] Dancer
[C] Sportsperson
[D] Writer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dancer]
Notes:
Veteran Dancer Amala Shankar has passed away recently in Kolkata at the age of 101. She is the wife of classical dancer Uday Shankar.
She entered the profession at a very younger age and her first dance performance was in Belgium in the year 1931. She was active in the dance field till her 92nd year. She had won several awards and accolades including the West Bengal government’s Banga Bibhusan award in 2011.
44. The Union Government has issued a certificate of GI registration for Saffron, grown in which state/UT?
[A] Jammu &Kashmir
[B] Sikkim
[C] Assam
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jammu &Kashmir]
Notes:
The Union Government has issued a certificate of Geographical Indication (GI) registration for Saffron grown in the Union Territory of Jammu &Kashmir.
The GI tag would ensure better remunerative price to the farmers growing Saffron in Kashmir Valley. This would also increase export of the unique Kashmir saffron and curb the fake products being sold. The UT is also inaugurating a Spice Park next month.
45. Which country is the largest holder of American government securities, at the end of May 2020?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Japan
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Japan]
Notes:
Japan remains the largest holder of American government securities, at the end of May 2020 with an exposure of USD 1.260 trillion.
India has increased its holdings of American government securities purchased through the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), by nearly USD 13 billion to USD 169.9 billion at the end of May. In February, the country had a record high of USD 177.5 billion worth securities and have seen fluctuations throughout this year.
46. Which is India’s first Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-approved drone training school?
[A] Bombay Flying Club
[B] Madras Flying Club
[C] Hyderabad Flying Club
[D] Delhi Flying Club
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bombay Flying Club]
Notes:
One of the oldest flying clubs in India, the Bombay Flying Club has become the first drone training school approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
DGCA has approved the application of the club for conducting remote pilot training for remotely piloted aircraft systems. All drones should be registered with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and should receive Drone acknowledgement numbers (DANs).
47. When is World Nature Conservation Day celebrated every year?
[A] July 28
[B] July 29
[C] July 30
[D] July 31
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [July 28]
Notes:
World Nature Conservation Day is celebrated every year on July 28, to create and increase awareness about the importance of natural resources.
The day encourages people to protect Earth’s natural resources and lead a sustainable life style. It also educates people to use the resources judiciously without exploiting the nature Earth. Ministry of Culture has said that Worshipping Nature is a part of Indian culture.
48. India is to collaborate with which country for new anti-microbial resistance (AMR) projects?
[A] United Kingdom
[B] Brazil
[C] Germany
[D] Switzerland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [United Kingdom]
Notes:
India is collaborating with the United Kingdom for five new projects worth eight million pounds, to tackle anti-microbial resistance (AMR).
All the five projects are planned for September this year, after they receive clearances. The United Kingdom is to contribute four million pounds from the UK Research and Innovation Fund for the partnership. The UK has also partnered with India’s Serum Institute to manufacture the vaccine for COVID-19.
49. Thudiyurulippara hill, which was announced as a biodiversity heritage site, is located in which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Kerala
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
Thudiyurulippara hill in the Pramadom grama panchayat of Kerala has been announced as a biodiversity heritage site.
The Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) has formally announced the ecologically sensitive hill as a biodiversity heritage site on the recommendations of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB). This has been announced on the occasion of World Nature Conservation Day.
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.