41. Which Indian institution has developed a new portable device that gives result in an hour?
[A] IIT Kharagpur
[B] IIT Madras
[C] IIT Bombay
[D] IIT Guwahati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [IIT Kharagpur]
Notes:
Researchers at IIT Kharagpur have developed a new low-cost, portable device that can test for Covid-19 and give results in an hour.
The new technology has accuracy similar to the RT-PCR test, which is now considered the standard for testing. The device uses a disposable paper strip for analysing the sample and the results are made available in a mobile application.
42. Which state has unveiled Surveillance Quadcopters and an Anti-depredation Quick Response vehicle, for surveillance in forest areas?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Assam
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Assam]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal has unveiled three Special Surveillance Quadcopters and an Anti-degradation Quick Response Vehicle, for surveillance in forest areas.
These vehicles will be deployed to strengthen surveillance and reduce man-animal conflict by the Forest Department. The surveillance drone will be used to identify poaching in the national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and other reserve forests.
43. Which global organisation has launched a new initiative named ‘COVID-19 Law Lab’?
[A] World Health Organisation
[B] World Trade Organisation
[C] Food and Agricultural Organisation
[D] UNICEF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [World Health Organisation]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently launched a new initiative named ‘COVID-19 Law Lab’, to ensure that laws are adhered to protect health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
It is a joint project of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), WHO, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University.
44. 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.
45. Which is the world’s biggest energy firm, in terms of market capitalization, as on July 2020?
[A] Saudi Aramco
[B] Reliance Industries
[C] Exxon Mobil
[D] BP
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Saudi Aramco]
Notes:
The Saudi Arabian Oil Company otherwise called as Saudi Aramco is a multinational petroleum and natural gas company. It is the world’s biggest energy firm, with USD 1.75 trillion market capitalization.
Recently, the Reliance Industries surpassed Exxon Mobil Corp. to become the world’s second largest energy company. Reliance has the world’s biggest oil refinery complex. Its market value is USD 189 billion, as on July 27, 2020.
46. The Consumer regulator of Australia has accused which technology company of privacy breaches?
[A] Facebook
[B] Google
[C] Microsoft
[D] Amazon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Google]
Notes:
Australia’s consumer regulator, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has accused Google of privacy breaches.
It has alleged that Google has misled millions of Australians in collecting their personal information. To target advertising, Google is alleged to have obtained consent and expanded the scope of personal information collected on internet activity of the users.
47. Which of these organisations started the ‘Dare to Dream 2.0’ contest on the death anniversary of former president Dr A P J Abdul Kalam?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation
[B] Defence Research and Development Organisation
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] Indian Institute of Science
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Defence Research and Development Organisation]
Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has recently launched an innovation contest named Dare to Dream 2.0.
It was announced by the Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh, on the fifth death anniversary of the former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The contest encourages individuals and start-ups to use advanced technologies for innovation in Aerospace and Defence sectors in the country.
48. Thierry Bollore has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of which automobile company?
[A] Mercedes Benz
[B] Jaguar Land Rover
[C] BMW
[D] Aston Martin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jaguar Land Rover]
Notes:
The Chairman of Tata Sons N Chandra Sekaran announced that Thierry Bollore would be appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tata’s British luxury arm Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).
Thierry Bollore, who was previously working with the Renault, will assume office with effective from September 10. He is to succeed Professor Sir Ralf Speth, who would take up the position of Non-Executive Vice Chairman of Jaguar Land Rover.
49. 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.
50. What is the new name of the Ministry of Human Resources and Development?
[A] Ministry of Education
[B] Ministry of Human Resources
[C] Ministry of Education Development
[D] Ministry of Tutoring and Teaching
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Education]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet has approved the change in the name of Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The HRD Ministry that is currently headed by Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, has been renamed as Ministry of Education. The name change was a key recommendation of the National Education Policy. In 1985, Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi changed the name of the Education Ministry to HRD Ministry.