21. Which state of the United States has repealed a decade-old law to unveil police discipline records?
[A] California
[B] New York
[C] Florida
[D] Minnesota
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New York]
Notes:
New York state lawmakers have repealed a decades-old law which has kept law enforcement officers’ disciplinary records secret.
After the national uproar over the death of George Floyd, New York passes the historic bill to unveil police discipline records. This is expected to make the Police officer’s records and misconduct public. As per the bill, all state troopers would be provided with body cameras.
22. Which sector of people has been recently included in the Ayushman Bharat scheme?
[A] Street vendors
[B] Migrant workers
[C] Micro enterprise owners
[D] Daily wage earners
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Migrant workers]
Notes:
The Union government has recently extended its flagship health insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to migrant workers across states.
This step seeks to provide healthcare assurance to the migrant workers, who have lost their jobs and sources of livelihood during the lockdown due to Covid-19. The implementing agency, National Health Authority (NHA) is coordinating with the states to identify the eligible migrant workers.
23. Who is the head of the Empowered Group of Secretaries recently constituted to facilitate investment in the country?
[A] Union Finance Minister
[B] NITI Aayog CEO
[C] Cabinet Secretary
[D] Union Corporate Affairs Minister
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Cabinet Secretary]
Notes:
The Union Government has recently constituted an Empowered Group of Secretaries to facilitate investment in the country.
The committee, which is to be headed by the Cabinet Secretary, will identify potential investors and help in accelerating investment in key sectors of the economy. The committee will also recommend specific incentive packages for both domestic and foreign investors. The 7-member empowered group has CEO of NITI Aayog along with secretaries of DPIIT, Commerce, Revenue and Economic Affairs as its members.
24. Gulzar Dehlvi, who recently passed away, was associated with which profession?
[A] Politician
[B] Poet
[C] Mountaineer
[D] Sportsperson
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Poet]
Notes:
Veteran Urdu poet Anand Mohan Zutshi Gulzar Dehlvi recently passed away at the age of 93, in New Delhi.
The poet was earlier infected by Coronavirus and was undergoing treatment. Though he returned home after recovering from Covid-19, he has passed away. He was the editor of ‘Science ki Duniya’, the only science magazine published by the government in Urdu from 1975. He also played an instrumental role in opening Urdu schools across India.
25. Anosmia, which was in news recently, is associated with which biological phenomenon?
[A] Loss of smell
[B] Loss of taste
[C] Loss of perspiration
[D] Loss of skin sensitivity
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Loss of smell]
Notes:
As per the revised clinical management protocols released by the Union Health Ministry, Anosmia (called as Loss of smell) and Ageusia (called Loss of taste) has been added to the official list of COVID-19 symptoms.
These symptoms are being continuously reported by the coronavirus-infected patients before the beginning of respiratory symptoms. Health Ministry also approved use of Remdesivir to treat Covid-19 in moderate stage of criticality and use of HCQ (hydroxychloroquine) to treat Covid-19 in early stages.
26. A 500-year-old ancient temple submerged in river has recently reappeared in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Chhattisgarh
[C] Bihar
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
A 500-year-old ancient temple of Lord Vishnu that was submerged in Odisha’s Mahanadi river during 19th century has reappeared after 15 years.
The river is said to have been submerged due to change of course of the river. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage’s archaeological survey team visited the village in Nayagarh district and said that the top of the Gopinath Dev temple was visible due to the reduction in the water-level of the river.
27. Which country is set to establish an Anti-racism commission?
[A] United States
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Australia
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Kingdom]
Notes:
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that a commission to look at racial equality in the UK will be established.
The proposed body would look at all forms of inequality in employment, health outcomes, academics, criminal justice system and all aspects of life. This announcement has been given after protests have been undertaken after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
28. Galwan valley, that was seen in news recently, is located in which Indian state/UT?
[A] Jammu and Kashmir
[B] Ladakh
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ladakh]
Notes:
In a violent conflict that took place in the Galwan Valley located in the Union Territory of Ladakh, as many as 20 Indian soldiers were killed.
As per the statement of the Indian Army, the two sides disengaged from the area where the fight happened. The US media reported that its intelligent officials quoted about 35 Chinese troops have been killed. The infrastructure projects that India has undertaken recently, a strategic road through the Galwan Valley, connecting the region to an airstrip, has escalated the conflict.
29. Which financial institution is the regulator of housing finance companies (HFCs) after August 2019?
[A] National Housing Bank (NHB)
[B] Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
[C] Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
[D] Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took over the powers to regulate HFCs from the National Housing Bank (NHB) in August 2019.
Recently, RBI proposed to modify the rules of housing finance firms, which includes the formal definition of housing finance as “financing, for purchase/ construction/ reconstruction/ renovation/ repairs of residential dwelling unit”. RBI also proposed to classify HFCs as systemically important HFCs and non-systemically important HFCs.
30. Which country is named the President of the UN Security Council for August 2021?
[A] United States
[B] China
[C] India
[D] Norway
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [India]
Notes:
India, which has been elected as a non-permanent member of the Security Council recently, will serve as its president for the month of August, 2021.
India, Norway, Ireland, Mexico and Kenya were elected as the non-permanent members of the 15-nation-UNSC for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2021. Tunisia will begin 2021 as the President of the Council in January. It will be followed by each of the members in turn for one month, as per the English alphabetical order of the name of member states.