31. Aadhimalai Pazhangudiyinar Producer Company and Snehakunja Trust, which won the UNDP Equator Prize are from which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
[B] Tamil Nadu and Kerala
[C] Karnataka and Odisha
[D] Odisha and Telangana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu and Karnataka]
Notes:
Aadhimalai Pazhangudiyinar Producer Company and Snehakunja Trust are the two Indian institution among the 10 awardees of the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) Equator Prize 2021.
This is a biennial award to recognize community efforts for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Aadhimalai Pazhangudiyinar Producer Company Limited is a 1,700-member cooperative, run by indigenous people from the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu. Snehakunja Trust has protected wetland and coastal ecosystems in the Western Ghats and the Karnataka coast.
32. ‘Kraaling’ is a process used in training/ taming which animal?
[A] Elephant
[B] Camel
[C] Giraffe
[D] Gorilla
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Elephant]
Notes:
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is to develop a standard operating procedure for the capture and release of wild elephants based on science and best practices.
As per the state officials, the process of kraaling and training an adult into captivity could be generally tortuous and scientifically not well-established. Kraaling involves capture of the animals by closing them in a stockade (kraal). The Asian elephant species in Tamil Nadu is declining to an alarming level, and so they propose the wild elephants should be sent back to the breeding population.
33. With US$ 608.99 billion worth of Forex Reserves, what is India’s rank as largest forex reserves holder?
[A] 2
[B] 5
[C] 7
[D] 10
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [5]
Notes:
As on June 25, 2021, India’s forex reserves stood at US$ 608.99 billion, making India the fifth largest foreign exchange reserves holder in the world. China, Japan, Switzerland and Russia are ahead of India in the list of largest forex reserves holdings.
India’s forex reserves comprise of Foreign Currency Assets, Gold, Special Drawing Rights and Reserve Tranche Position (RTP) in IMF.
34. Which Indian state has launched the ‘Agar Wood Policy 2021’?
[A] Bihar
[B] Tripura
[C] Kerala
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tripura]
Notes:
Tripura has initiated steps to promote commercial cultivation of Agar, by launching the ‘Tripura Agar Wood Policy 2021’. It aims to double agar wood plantation by 2025
The state has over 50 lakh Agar trees in the state and has a potential of agar trade of Rs 2000 crore. Agar is used in perfumeries and other industries. Agar Chips and Agar Oil have high demand in the market. Under the policy, testing labs and trade centres would be set up and new technology for artificial inoculation would be introduced.
35. Which institution released ‘Inequality Report 2021: India’s Unequal Healthcare Story’?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Oxfam International
[C] Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
[D] World Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Oxfam International]
Notes:
The Oxfam International recently released a report titled ‘Inequality Report 2021: India’s Unequal Healthcare Story’.
As per the report, the states attempting to reduce existing inequalities between the general category and SC and ST populations had lower confirmed cases of Covid-19, such as Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. Also, states that have had higher GDP expenditure on health, such as Assam, Bihar and Goa, have higher recovery rates of Covid cases.
36. “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.
37. Which institution released a Regional Report on Drowning Prevention in South-East Asia and Western Pacific?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] World Health Organisation
[C] World Bank
[D] International Monetary Fund
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Health Organisation]
Notes:
WHO launched its first Regional Status Report on Drowning Prevention in the South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions.
As per the report, nearly two-thirds of global drowning deaths occur in the Asia Pacific. Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, at 7 per cent of all injury-related deaths. Low and middle-income countries account for more than 90 per cent of unintentional drowning deaths.
38. The North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) is located in which Indian state?
[A] Nagaland
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Assam
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Meghalaya]
Notes:
The North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) is a joint initiative of Department of Space (DOS) and the North Eastern Council (NEC). It is located in Umiam, Meghalaya.
The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, recently laid the foundation stone for the Multipurpose Convention Centre and Exhibition Facility of the North Eastern Space Applications Centre-NESAC, in Shillong.
39. Which state/UT has launched ‘MyGov-Meri Sarkar’ portal, to receive feedback from public on government schemes?
[A] Bihar
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Odisha
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the ‘MyGov-Meri Sarkar’ portal, through which, the government will receive feedback from the people.
The portal would also inform the people about various schemes of the government. The portal would help the people of the state to communicate their views, suggestions and feedback to the government, leading to public participation and good governance.
40. Which major country was banned from Tokyo Olympics and is playing under a Generic name and Flag?
[A] Brazil
[B] Russia
[C] Argentina
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
In December 2019, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned Russia for four years from competing in international events, including the Tokyo Olympics and the FIFA World Cup in 2022, after accusing for doping.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there are 335 sportspersons from Russia, who are competing under the acronym ROC, which stands for Russian Olympic Committee. They are not allowed to use their country’s name, flag, and anthem.