1. Which country has terminated its relationship with World Health Organization over its handling of the Corona virus pandemic?
[A] China
[B] United States
[C] Brazil
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
The President of the United States Donald Trump has recently announced that US is terminating its relationship with World Health Organization over its handling of the Corona virus.
The President has been blaming WHO and China for the deaths and damages caused by the pandemic across the world. The President also said that the funds provided by the US to WHO will be redirected to other global public health needs. He also issued directions to deny entry to certain Chinese nationals and tightened regulations against Chinese investments in America.
2. What is the name of the scheme launched by the Uttarakhand state government, to provide loans to migrant workers?
[A] Mukhya Mantri Samriddhi Yojana
[B] Mukhya Mantri Yatra Yojana
[C] Mukhya Mantri Pravasi Yojana
[D] Mukhya Mantri Swarojgar Yojana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mukhya Mantri Swarojgar Yojana]
Notes:
The state government of Uttarakhand has recently launched a scheme called ‘Mukhya Mantri Swarojgar Yojana’, to provide loans to the migrant workers amid Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the scheme, Uttarakhand government will provide loans worth ₹25 lakh in the manufacturing sector and ₹10 lakh in the service sector. The migrant workers who are returning to the state are eligible to apply for the loans, that will be provided by nationalised banks, scheduled commercial banks and co-operative banks.
3. Which state/UT is set to produce the high-quality Australian Merino sheep wool indigenously?
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttarakhand]
Notes:
As per the test report of the Animal Husbandry Department of the state of Uttarakhand, the quality of the state’s sheep wool compiled was similar to the Merino sheep wool.
The Merino sheep wool of Australia is famous across the world in the textile industry for its fine texture. India imports nearly 8000 MT of fine wool every year. Uttarakhand received 250 Merino sheep in Tehri Garhwal district under the national livestock scheme last year. With appropriate breeding programmes, Uttarakhand would produce high-quality fine Merino wool.
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. What is the name of the former Union Minister and 3-time Member of Parliament from Ladakh, who recently passed away?
[A] Bejan Daruwalla
[B] Ajit Jogi
[C] P Namgyal
[D] K N Lakshmanan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [P Namgyal]
Notes:
Veteran politician and former Union Minister P Namgyal recently passed away at the age of 83, after contracting Covid-19.
He was also 3-time Member of Parliament from Ladakh representing the Congress Party. He had served as Minister of state for Parliamentary Affairs, Surface Transport and Chemicals & Petro chemicals. The Senior leader played a crucial role in obtaining ‘Tribal area’ status for Ladakh.
6. Which subordinate office of Agriculture Ministry recommends the change in minimum support price (MSP) to the Union Cabinet?
[A] Commission for Agricultural Costs & Price
[B] Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre
[C] National Centre of Organic Farming
[D] Directorate of Pulses Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Commission for Agricultural Costs & Price]
Notes:
The Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP) is an attached office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Based on the recommendation of CACP, the Union Cabinet fixes the minimum support price (MSP).
Recently, the government raised the minimum support price (MSP) of paddy marginally by Rs 53 per quintal to Rs 1,868 per quintal for the 2020-21 crop year. It also hiked the rates for oilseeds, pulses cereals and commercial crops. This is expected to give 50-83 per cent higher return over the cost of production to farmers.
7. Which player has been nominated for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award by Hockey India?
[A] Vandana Kataria
[B] Monika
[C] Rani Rampal
[D] Lalremsiami
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rani Rampal]
Notes:
Apex Governing body of men and women’s hockey, Hockey India has recently nominated national women’s team captain Rani Rampal for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
Rani Rampal is the first Indian to be named as the World Games Athlete of The Year. She played an important role in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers in 2019. Hockey India also nominated other players Vandana Kataria, Monika and Harmanpreet Singh for the Arjuna award.
8. What is the name of the initiative launched by the Sports Ministry to train Physical Education teachers and Community Coaches?
[A] Bharat Coach Development Programme
[B] Khelo India Community Coach Development Programme
[C] Khelo India Sports Development Programme
[D] National Sports Mission
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Khelo India Community Coach Development Programme]
Notes:
The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju has recently launched a 25-day Khelo India Community Coach Development Programme.
The programme seeks to train about 15,000 Physical Education Teachers and Community Coaches across India. Sports Ministry will collaborate with the Human Resources Ministry to implement this programme in all school in India.
9. What is the name of the tropical Storm that has hit El Salvador and Guatemala?
[A] Amphan
[B] Nisarga
[C] Harold
[D] Amanda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Amanda]
Notes:
Central American countries El Salvador and Guatemala have recently witnessed a tropical storm Amanda.
The heavy rains from Tropical Storm Amanda caused many people dead and missing. It has caused extreme damages across the two countries. The countries have set up temporary shelters to accommodate thousands of people after their homes were damaged.
10. Which technology company has announced the launch of a programme for agritech start-ups in India?
[A] Google
[B] Microsoft
[C] Amazon
[D] Facebook
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Microsoft]
Notes:
Major technology company Microsoft has announced the launch of a programme named “Microsoft for Agritech Startups”.
The programme is to focus on the start-ups that are committed to driving transformation in agriculture. The programme seeks to assist start-ups in building industry-specific solutions, access to deep technology and markets. The selected start-ups can also get access to Azure FarmBeats, an aggregation platform available in Azure Marketplace.