41. Which is the first domestic air-carrier of India, to operate to the United States?
[A] IndiGo
[B] SpiceJet
[C] Vistara
[D] GoAir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [SpiceJet]
Notes:
Gurugram-based Indian air carrier SpiceJet has been designated as Indian scheduled carrier to operate between India and the United States.
SpiceJet is the first air-carrier to operate to the US after Air India. This approval has been given in terms of the Air Services Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of the United States of America. It has also been selected to operate to the United Kingdom.
42. Which social media platform is set to partner with banks to expand rural banking services in India?
[A] WhatsApp
[B] Telegram
[C] Twitter
[D] Snapchat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [WhatsApp]
Notes:
Social media Giant WhatsApp announced that it is set to partner with banks to expand banking services in India.
India is the biggest market of WhatsApp with over 400 million users. The messaging platform has already collaborated with banks including ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank for automated business messaging. This partnership would help expand banking services for low-income people and in rural areas.
43. ‘ASTHROS’ mission, that was seen in news recently, is associated with the Space Agency of which country?
[A] France
[B] Russia
[C] United States
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United States]
Notes:
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that it has started to work on a new mission named ‘ASTHROS’.
It stands for Astrophysics Stratospheric Telescope for High Spectral Resolution Observations at Sub millimeter-wavelengths (ASTHROS). The mission aims to send a telescope on a football stadium-sized balloon into the stratosphere to observe far-infrared light, that is invisible from the Earth. It is proposed to be launched in 2023 from Antarctica.
44. Best Price, that was acquired by Flipkart, is the wholesale business of which company?
[A] Snapdeal
[B] Reliance
[C] Walmart
[D] Indiamart
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Walmart]
Notes:
E-Commerce Giant Flipkart has announced that it will acquire parent Walmart’s wholesale business, ‘Best Price’.
The loss-ridden cash-and-carry business of Walmart in India is the last part of Walmart to be acquired by Flipkart marking a complete consolidation. This acquisition is expected to help Flipkart to expand its business-to-business vertical.
45. India has extended medical assistance worth USD 1 million to which country?
[A] Maldives
[B] North Korea
[C] South Korea
[D] Taiwan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [North Korea]
Notes:
The Indian government has recently sent USD 1 million worth of anti-tuberculosis medicine to North Korea after requested by the World Health Organization (WHO).
As per the press release issued by the Ministry of External affairs, the medical assistance is under the ongoing WHO anti-tuberculosis programme in North Korea.
46. Which country has rejected the claims of China in the South China Sea, in a formal declaration to the United Nations?
[A] United States
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Australia
[D] New Zealand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Australia]
Notes:
Australia has recently filed a formal declaration statement to the United Nations to reject the claims of China in the South China Sea.
Australia has claimed that there were no legal issues to the disputed claims of China in the sea, including those related to construction of artificial islands on shoals and reefs. Earlier, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared China’s claims of territory and resources in the South China Sea as illegal.
47. 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.
48. Which country is to play host to the 2023 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup?
[A] England
[B] India
[C] South Africa
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
The 2023 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup is to be organised in India. ICC has recently launched a 50-over World Cup Super League.
This Qualification league will determine the seven teams in the World Cup. As India is the host, it will automatically qualify to the game. The league will start with a series between England and Ireland, scheduled on July 30.
49. Which country is to inaugurate its new Supreme Court building, constructed with Indian assistance?
[A] Mauritius
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Maldives
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mauritius]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth will jointly inaugurate the new Supreme Court building of Maldives.
The new building located in Port Louis has been built with the financial assistance of India. It is one among the five projects implemented under a USD 353-million special economic package provided by India in 2016.
50. What is the target to be achieved in Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by 2025, as per the National Education Policy?
[A] 25 per cent
[B] 50 per cent
[C] 75 per cent
[D] 100 per cent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [50 per cent]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet has recently approved the National Education Policy 2020. It has introduced several major reforms in higher education.
As per the policy, a target of 50 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by 2035 has been fixed. It also provides academic, administrative and financial autonomy for institutions and proposes a single regulator for all higher education.