1. What are the large group of asteroids that share the Jupiter’s orbit around the Sun, commonly called as?
[A] Trojan asteroids
[B] Dragon Asteroids
[C] Migrant Asteroids
[D] Queen Asteroids
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Trojan asteroids]
Notes:
The large group of asteroids that share the Jupiter’s orbit around the Sun are commonly called as Trojan asteroids or Jupiter Trojans. The trojans follow the same orbit of planet but stay either around 60 degrees ahead or 60 degrees behind along the orbit.
Recently, a team of astronomers from the University of Hawaii and Queen’s University Belfast have found that 2019 LD2 is the first known Jupiter trojan asteroid to have a comet-like tail. It was first discovered in June 2019 by the ATLAS system funded by NASA. But it could not be observed then, as it passed behind the sun.
2. Which private foundation is set to become the largest funder of the World Health Organisation (WHO)?
[A] Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance
[B] Ford Foundation
[C] Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
[D] Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]
Notes:
After the United States President Donald Trump announced that the country is to terminate its relationship with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is set to become the largest funder of WHO.
This would be the first time a private foundation is to become the biggest funder of a United Nations Agency. Among the present top 10 funders, only four are member countries, one is European Commission and the remaining are foundations or philanthropies.
3. Which state has launched a month-long drive to spread awareness about COVID-19 pandemic under Mission Fateh?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Punjab
[C] Odisha
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Punjab]
Notes:
During April, the state of Punjab launched an operation to contain the outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19) named ‘Mission Fateh’.
Recently, the Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh has launched a month-long drive to spread awareness about COVID-19 pandemic under Mission Fateh. This campaign will expand the coverage of the original mission beyond the frontline workers to include all general public of the state in fighting the crisis. Various awareness programmes are to be held across the state.
4. Which Indian state/UT has launched a mobile application to give real-time information on number of hospital beds?
[A] Goa
[B] New Delhi
[C] Odisha
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal has recently launched ‘Delhi Corona’ app for real-time information on availability of hospital beds.
The dedicated application would display the availability of beds at both private and government hospitals in the city, available at any particular time. Moreover, the app will also provide redressal of complaints related to refusal of hospitals in admitting COVID-19 positive patients.
5. 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.
6. Which Union Ministry has recently fixed the limit of local content in public procurement of 55 products?
[A] Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers
[B] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[C] Ministry of MSMEs
[D] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers recently fixed the minimum percentage of local content in public procurement of 55 chemical and pesticide products.
This step is a part of the government’s effort to boost domestic manufacturing and the Make-in-India programme. As per the new norm, the minimum local content has been fixed at 60 per cent for 2020-21, 70 per cent for 2021-23 and 80 per cent during 2023-25. Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had revised the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, 2017 for implementing this norm.
7. Which country is set to re-enter the UN Security Council, as a sole contender for the Asia Pacific seat for non-permanent membership?
[A] Thailand
[B] India
[C] China
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
India is the sole contender for the Asia Pacific seat in non-permanent category of the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member.
The General Assembly of UNSC is to hold elections for the five non-permanent members of the Security Council on June 17. It has also proposed new secret ballot voting arrangements due to the Covid-19 restrictions. India has been elected as a non-permanent member of UNSC for seven terms starting from 1950-51 till 2011-12.
8. Which Indian Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) signed a MoU with Energy Efficiency Services for development of Trigeneration projects?
[A] Steel Authority of India
[B] GAIL (India)
[C] Coal India
[D] Power Finance Corporation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [GAIL (India)]
Notes:
The largest state-owned natural gas processing and distribution company, GAIL (India) and Energy Efficiency Services have signed a MoU for cooperation in development of Trigeneration projects in India.
In Trigeneration or Combined Cooling, Heat and Power (CCHP) projects, natural gas-fired generators are used to produce electricity. Under the MoU, the two companies will jointly explore business opportunities in Trigeneration segment, where 50:50 joint venture between GAIL & EESL will be incorporated.
9. When is the ‘International Day for the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing’ observed?
[A] June 5
[B] June 6
[C] June 7
[D] June 8
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [June 5]
Notes:
The International Day for the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is observed every year on June 5. The purpose of this day is to sensitise about the threats posed by unregulated fishing activities to the fisheries resources.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared June 5 as the International Day for the fight against IUU fishing in November 2017. The first such day was celebrated in the year 2018. The Agreement on Port State Measures was brought into force on the same day.
10. Which language day is celebrated by the United Nations on June 6, the birthday of famous poet Alexander Pushkin?
[A] Spanish Day
[B] Russian Day
[C] English Day
[D] French Day
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russian Day]
Notes:
UN celebrates six separate language days to raise awareness of the history, culture and development of each of its six official languages – English, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and French.
June 6 is celebrated as the UN Russian Language Day, which is also the birthday of the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. The poet is considered as the father of modern Russian literature. Some of his popular literary works include novel titled “Eugene Onegin” and his poem titled “The Bronze Horseman”.