31. “North-South Gas project” is a gas pipeline agreement between which of the two countries?
[A] India and Iran
[B] India and Russia
[C] Pakistan and Russia
[D] USA and Canada
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pakistan and Russia]
Notes:
Pakistan and Russia have signed an agreement for construction of a 1,100-km gas pipeline from Port Qasim in Karachi to Lahore. This project is commonly named as North-South Gas project and is also called the Pakstream Gas Pipeline Project.
A special purpose vehicle has been formed between Pakistan and Russia, with a shareholding of 74:26 per cent.
32. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘COVID Teeka Sang Surakshit Van, Dhan aur Uddyam’ programme?
[A] Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Tribal Affairs]
Notes:
Arjun Munda, Minister of Tribal Affairs, virtually launched the nationwide campaign “COVID Teeka Sang Surakshit Van, Dhan aur Uddyam”. It aims to fast-track the pace of COVID vaccination among tribals, in India.
The campaign will focus on the 45,000 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVK) of the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED). It will be implemented with the help of traditional village headsmen, SHGs and ground level workers in villages.
33. The Jayanagar – Kurtha Railway link, which was seen in the news recently, connects India with which country?
[A] Nepal
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Myanmar
[D] Laos
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Nepal]
Notes:
IRCON / Indian Railway Construction Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Indian Railways, which is involved in engineering & construction.
The company has built the Jayanagar – Kurtha Railway between India and Nepal under the India – Nepal friendship rail project at a cost of Rs. 619 crores. The project is financed by the Government of India.
34. Which state in India is set to appoint Dowry prohibition officers in all districts of the state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Kerala
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kerala]
Notes:
The State Government of Kerala has amended its Dowry Prohibition rules and is set to appoint ‘Dowry prohibition officers’ in all 14 districts of the state.
This move has been made on the backdrop of rising number of dowry related complaints in the state. The district women and child development officers would act as dowry prohibition officers in each district.
35. Bashar al-Assad has sworn in as the President of which country for the 4th time?
[A] Palestine
[B] Iraq
[C] Iran
[D] Syria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Syria]
Notes:
Bashar al-Assad has won the recent election held in Syria and has sworn in as the President of the country for the 4th time. He has been serving as the 19th president of Syria since 17 July 2000. He would serve as the President for a seven-year term.
He has won the recent elections with more than 95% votes favouring him, while his opponents claim the election to be illegitimate.
36. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which was making the news recently, is associated with which country?
[A] China
[B] USA
[C] Russia
[D] Syria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, is an immigration policy that grants some extra rights to illegal immigrants who were brought into the United States as minors. As per the program, they can claim a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and can receive work permits.
Recently, a Federal judge in Texas has ruled that the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program created by former president Barack Obama is illegal because Congress never properly approved it.
37. In which year was the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) established?
[A] 1991
[B] 2015
[C] 2016
[D] 2020
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2016]
Notes:
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) was established in the year 2016, under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
Recently, IBBI has made amendments to the “Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons Regulations”, under which, resolution professional should submit his / her opinion on avoidance transactions made by a corporate debtor (undervalued transactions, extortionate credit transactions, fraudulent trading, wrongful trading etc).
38. Which is the first High Court in India, to begin live-streaming of court proceedings?
[A] Madras High Court
[B] Gujarat High Court
[C] Mumbai High Court
[D] Delhi High Court
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat High Court]
Notes:
The Gujarat High Court has become the first high court to begin live-streaming of court proceedings. Chief Justice of India NV Ramana launched the first live broadcast of the court functioning.
The Chief Justice also announced that the Supreme Court will start the live broadcast soon. This is seen as a step towards ensuring transparency and openness in the Indian judiciary. He also released the Gujarat High Court (Live Streaming of Court Proceedings) Rules, 2021.
39. Union Cabinet approved Rs 6,322 crore production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for which product?
[A] Medical Equipment
[B] Specialty Steel
[C] Coking Coal
[D] Automobile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Specialty Steel]
Notes:
Union Cabinet has been approved Rs 6,322 crore production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for speciality steel.
It is expected to attract an additional investment of about Rs 40,000 crore and capacity addition of 25 million tonnes in the segment. Out of a production of 102 million tonnes of steel in 2020-21, only 18 million tonnes of value-added steel/speciality steel were produced in the country.
40. How many virology research and diagnostic labs are proposed to be set up by the Union Government, during 2021-22 to 2025-26?
[A] 12
[B] 42
[C] 82
[D] 142
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [42]
Notes:
The Government of India has proposed to establish 42 virology research and diagnostic laboratories across the country, at a total cost of Rs324 crore. These would be established during the 15th Finance Commission period of 2021-22 to 2025-26.
These would be established through a scheme under the Department of Health Research (DHR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).