31. Which countries have agreed principally to form a quadrilateral (QUAD) tie with the USA?
[A] Australia – Japan – Italy
[B] Afghanistan – Pakistan – Uzbekistan
[C] India – Sri Lanka – China
[D] Myanmar – Bhutan – Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Afghanistan – Pakistan – Uzbekistan]
Notes:
The United States of America, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have in principle agreed to form a quadrilateral tie (QUAD), to boost their diplomatic relationship among the countries.
The tie is aimed to establish a long-term peace in Afghanistan leading to financial and political stability. The parties have proposed to expand the trade relationship among them.
32. What is the name of the fish, that has been caught in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand for the first time in three decades?
[A] Mrigal Carp
[B] Hilsa
[C] Silver Pomfret
[D] Mystus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Hilsa]
Notes:
Hilsa, the pricey fish has been caught in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand for the first time in three decades. The fish lives in the seas but spawns in the rivers.
This has been witnessed after the gates and fish locks of Farakka barrage were changed to allow the upstream migration of the fish. Hilsa or ilish, has been the favourite gift to Indian leaders from the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It depleted after the Farakka barrage was constructed in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal and nets were put on the Bangladesh side.
33. “Checkmate” stealth fighter, which was making news recently, is associated with which country?
[A] USA
[B] Japan
[C] Russia
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Russia]
Notes:
Russian aircraft makers unveiled a prototype of the stealth fighter dubbed “Checkmate”, as per the statement from Rostec, the state-owned military giant which is responsible for exporting Russian technology.
The sneak peek of the new fifth-generation lightweight single-engine fighter jet, was unveiled to the Russian President Vladimir Putin. With a combat radius of 1,500 kilometers and seven tons of combat load, this unique fighter prototype has not been developed before in Russia.
34. Budhhist remains at Salihundam and Fort at Gandikota, which were making news recently, are located in which state/UT?
[A] Bihar
[B] Karnataka
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
There are 135 Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites in Andhra Pradesh. Monuments at Nagarjunakonda, Budhhist Remains at Salihundam and Veerabhadra Temple have been identified as ‘Adarsh Smarak’ in Andhra Pradesh.
The Government provides additional facilities at Adarsh Smarak including Wi-Fi, Cafeteria, Brail signages, etc. Fort at Gandikota has been included in Government’s Adopt-a-Heritage scheme.
35. Approval for what quantum of additional government spending has been sought from the Parliament, for the year 2021-22?
[A] Rs.23,675 crore
[B] Rs.15,500 crore
[C] Rs. 7,700 crore
[D] Rs. 5,500 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rs.23,675 crore]
Notes:
The Government of India has sought an approval from the Parliament of India, for additional spending of Rs.23,675 crore for the financial year 2021-22. Of this, Rs.17,000 crore would be for additional expenditure to be made by the Union Health Ministry.
The bill for approval of additional expenditure was tabled in the Parliament by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
36. World’s first 3D-printed steel bridge was recently unveiled in which city?
[A] Amsterdam
[B] Rome
[C] Paris
[D] Rio De Janeiro
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Amsterdam]
Notes:
World’s first 3D-printed steel bridge was opened to the public in Amsterdam recently. It was developed by MX3D, a Dutch robotics company, in collaboration with a team of experts.
The bridge was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. The bridge was developed for four years and was installed over one of the oldest canals in Amsterdam’s city centre – the Oudezijds Achterburgwal. This bridge represents a major milestone for 3D-printing technology.
37. Which Indian company has issued $2-billion Sustainability-linked bonds?
[A] Reliance Industries Limited
[B] Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited
[C] Tata Power
[D] Tata Consultancy Services
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited]
Notes:
Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited (AEML) which is a group company of the Adani Transmission Ltd has proposed to set up Global Medium-Term Notes bonds programme for $2-billion.
This along with sustainability-linked bond issuance is a part of the company’s plan to raise capital of the company.
38. Under which scheme, children orphaned due to COVID-19 are being assisted by the Union Government?
[A] PM CARES
[B] PM JAY
[C] PM JBY
[D] PM SBY
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [PM CARES]
Notes:
The Government of India has launched a dedicated portal for children who have been orphaned due to COVID 19 pandemic. Anyone can share the details of such children in this portal, in turn help them to be benefited by the PM CARES Scheme.
The portal can be accessed at www.pmcaresforchildren.in.
39. As per the recent Quality of Life (QoL) survey, what is the per cent of adults in India leading a poor quality of life?
[A] 16.2
[B] 25.6
[C] 46.2
[D] 72.6
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [46.2]
Notes:
The Quality of Life (QoL) survey, based on a WHO questionnaire and additional tools, was conducted between May and June 2021 among Indian adults in several cities. It marks the launch of fifth year of Protein Week.
As per the survey, nearly 46.2 per cent of adults in India lead a poor quality of life. While Kolkata recorded the highest percentage of adults (65 per cent) with poor QoL score, Mumbai topped the list with high score. The Protein Week is celebrated annually between July 24-30, by Danone India in collaboration with CII.
40. Christmas Island, which was making news recently, belongs to which country?
[A] USA
[B] Australia
[C] Russia
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Australia]
Notes:
The remains of a collapsed underwater volcano, resembling “Eye of Sauron” from the fantasy series “The Lord of the Rings,” have been discovered in the Indian Ocean.
Two other seafloor structures named after places in Tolkien’s Middle-earth were also identified. The eye is actually an oval-shaped depression measuring 6.2 kilometers long by 4.8 km wide. Called as a ‘Caldera’, this giant structure is left over from the ancient collapse of a deep-sea volcano. It is located 280 km southeast of Christmas Island, an Australian external territory, at a depth of 10,170 feet.