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. Which is the smallest state of India by area, that celebrates its statehood day on May 30?
[A] Goa
[B] Sikkim
[C] Tripura
[D] Meghalaya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Goa]
Notes:
Goa is the smallest state of India, by are and the fourth-smallest state by population. It recently celebrated its statehood day on May 30.
In 1961, Indian Army invaded and annexed Goa, Daman and Diu into the Indian union, through Operation Vijay. After that, Goa along with Daman and Diu, was categorised as a centrally administered Union territory of India. On 30 May 1987, the union territory was split and Goa was made the 25th state of India and Daman and Diu remained as a UT.
3. When is International Everest Day celebrated across the world?
[A] May 29
[B] May 31
[C] June 1
[D] June 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [May 29]
Notes:
International Everest Day is celebrated on May 29, across the world every year. On the same day in the year 1953, Tenzing Norgay of Nepal and Edmund Hillary of New Zealand had successfully scaled the Mt. Everest.
The mountaineer duo were the first human beings to achieve the prestigious feat. Nepal decided to observe the day as International Everest Day since the climber Edmund Hillary passed away in the year 2008.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Who was the Chairman of the Expert Committees on Rationalisation/Closure/Merger of Film Media Units?
[A] Bimal Julka
[B] Rahul Rawail
[C] Shyama Prasad
[D] Nagabharana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bimal Julka]
Notes:
The Expert Committees on Rationalisation/Closure/Merger of Film Media Units and the committee on Review of Autonomous Bodies under the aegis of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting submitted their report to the Union I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar.
The committees were headed by Bimal Julka with an objective of rationalisation and professionalisation of institutes related to film activities. The committee recommended specific roadmaps for the development of institutes including National Film Development Corporation, Films division, Children’s Film Society of India among others.
7. Who will be the Chairperson of the “Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS)”, that has been approved by the Cabinet?
[A] Prime Minister
[B] CEO of NITI Aayog
[C] Cabinet Secretary
[D] Minister of Corporate affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Cabinet Secretary]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for setting up of an “Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) and Project Development Cells (PDCs) in Ministries/Departments of Government of India.
The establishment of the two cells is expected to attract more investments in India. The Cabinet Secretary would serve as the Chairperson of EGoS, with NITI Aayog CEO and Secretaries of other departments as members. The ‘Project Development Cell’ (PDC) will develop projects in coordination with the Central Government and State Governments and increase FDI inflows.
8. What is the name of the initiative launched by the Environment Ministry to increase urban forest cover?
[A] Nagar Van
[B] Green India
[C] Green Cities Mission
[D] Nature Mission
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Nagar Van]
Notes:
The Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar launched the ‘Nagar Van’ or ‘Urban Forests’ programme to increase forest cover in urban areas.
During the virtual celebration of World Environment Day 2020, themed as ‘Nature and Biodiversity’, the programme was launched with 200 corporations and cities across India. The Minister urged the people to actively participate in the programme to increase the tree cover in their areas. This year, the government’s target for tree plantation is 145 crores.
9. Where is the headquarters of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) located?
[A] New York
[B] Geneva
[C] Paris
[D] Nairobi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Geneva]
Notes:
As per the joint release issued by the Permanent Mission of India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) is urged to play a responsible role and to ensure the protection of vulnerable lives, amidst the current uncertain times.
Eight countries including India, responded to a release issued by OHCHR. It is a department of the Secretariat of the United Nations that works to promote and protect human rights.
10. Under which initiative, Fit India programme and Department of School Education and Literacy are set to launch a series of 10 films on sports?
[A] Khelo India
[B] Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat
[C] Poshan Abhiyan
[D] Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat]
Notes:
The flagship programme of the Sports Ministry has partnered with the Department of School Education and Literacy of the HRD Ministry to launch a series of special film to promote 10 indigenous sports of India.
The programme is to be implemented under the Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat initiative, which aims to sensitise the youngsters about the cultural heritage of the state. The series of film will also create awareness among children about the heritage of the states to which the sports belong.