1. The Union Government has approved Rs 445 Crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in which state/UT?
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Assam
[C] Punjab
[D] Chhattisgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
The Union Government has approved 445 crore rupees for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Chhattisgarh during 2020-21, to provide tap connections to 20 lakh households.
The aim of Jal Jeevan Mission is to provide potable drinking water on a long-term basis to every rural household of the country by 2024. During the Union Budget 2020, 3.6 lakh crores has been allocated for this scheme. The migrant labourers returned to Chhattisgarh will be involved in the jobs related to water supply.
2. Which company has partnered with the Trivandrum-based SCTIMST institute for commercial production of COVID kits?
[A] Larsen & Toubro
[B] Tata Group
[C] Reliance Industries
[D] Mahindra & Mahindra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tata Group]
Notes:
The Tata Group has recently signed a partnership agreement with the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) of Thiruvananthapuram for commercial production of Covid-19 testing kits.
The kits to be produced are based on Reverse Transcriptase Loop-Mediated Amplification (RT-LAMP) technology for Covid-19 detection. The kits provide results in a lesser time against the conventional method. Earlier, Tata Sons had partnered with CSIR- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology to produce CRISPR-based COVID test kits.
3. Which is the first private space company to send astronauts into space?
[A] Blue Origin
[B] Tesla
[C] SpaceX
[D] Orbital
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [SpaceX]
Notes:
California-based American aerospace manufacturing and space transportation services firm SpaceX has become the first private company to send astronauts into space.
The firm is owned by the tech-billionaire Elon Musk. The Crew Dragon spacecraft of SpaceX carried two astronauts of NASA Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station (ISS). Earlier, this feat has been achieved by the governments of the United States, Russia and China. The US halted to use its own shuttles nine years ago.
4. Which state-owned organisation has developed a multi-purpose disinfection unit named Ultra Swachh?
[A] DRDO
[B] CSIR
[C] HAL
[D] BARC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [DRDO]
Notes:
Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), the Delhi based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a disinfection unit named Ultra Swachh.
It is a multi-purpose unit, which can be used to disinfect a wide range of objects and materials including Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), fabrics among others. The system is compliant with international standards of personal and environmental safety. The system will be available in two variants namely Ozonated Space and Trinetra Technology
5. Wajid Khan, who recently passed away, was associated with which profession?
[A] Sportsperson
[B] Musician
[C] Journalist
[D] Politician
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Musician]
Notes:
Famous music composer Wajid Khan recently passed away at the age of 42. He was a part of the popular music duo Sajid-Wajid.
The pair started their musical career in the year 1998 for a Hindi movie starring Salman Khan. Sajid-Wajid scored music for many films of the star including his latest single, ‘Bhai Bhai’. The pair has been popular for their composition of IPL 4 theme song.
6. What is the name of the cyclone that has intensified into a cyclonic storm that is expected to cross Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts?
[A] Amphan
[B] Nisarga
[C] Harold
[D] Amanda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nisarga]
Notes:
As per the recent announcement of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the deep depression in the Arabian Sea has intensified into a cyclonic storm named as Cyclone Nisarga.
It will further turn into a severe cyclonic storm by tonight and cross north Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts between Raigad district and Daman. When the storm crosses the coast, the severe cyclonic storm will have a wind speed of 90-105 kmph. Earlier, the cyclone Amphan hit the state of West Bengal and caused severe damages.
7. Union Cabinet recently approved the MoU between India and which country, on cooperation in the field of Environment?
[A] New Zealand
[B] Bhutan
[C] Japan
[D] Finland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bhutan]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has given its approval for signing a Memorandum of Understanding between India and Bhutan on cooperation in the field of Environment.
Under the agreement, the countries will work together in the areas of environment protection including air, waste, chemical management, climate change and management of natural resources by taking into account the applicable legal provisions in each country.
8. Which private sector bank has partnered with Mastercard India to launch a digital point-of-sale solution named ‘Soft POS’?
[A] ICICI Bank
[B] Axis Bank
[C] Kotak Mahindra Bank
[D] Yes Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Axis Bank]
Notes:
Leading Private sector bank of India, Axis Bank has recently partnered with Mastercard India and payment service provider, Worldline India to launch a digital point-of-sale solution named as ‘Soft POS’.
The solution aims to assist offline merchants and local kirana stores in accepting payments using their smartphones, through several digital form factors including Bharat QR, sending payment links to customers etc. It can accept NFC-based payments to boost contactless payments in the country and features like e-Khata for reconciliations.
9. Which Article of the Indian constitution says, “India, that is Bharat, shall be a union of states”?
[A] Article 1
[B] Article 2
[C] Article 3
[D] Article 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Article 1]
Notes:
Article 1 of the Indian constitution reads “India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States…”. Recently a petition was filed at the Supreme Court, which sought to remove the name of ‘India’ from the first article.
The Chief Justice of India Sharad Bobde said that Bharat and India are both names given in the Constitution and that India is already called ‘Bharat’ in the Constitution. However, the court said that the writ petition should be treated as a representation and to be sent to the Centre for final decision.
10. What is the name of Former Governor of Jharkhand, Manipur and Mizoram, who recently passed away?
[A] Chandrakanta Goyal
[B] Ved Marwah
[C] Basu Chatterjee
[D] Anil Suri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ved Marwah]
Notes:
Former Governor of Jharkhand, Manipur and Mizoram Ved Marwah recently passed away. He was cremated with full state honours in Goa.
The Indian Police Service Officer had also served as the Commissioner of Delhi Police. He was the Chief during critical times like the aftermath of 1984 riots. He had also served in several important positions including Advisor to the J&K Government, besides serving as the Governor of 3 states.