31. How many non-permanent members are elected by the UN Security Council every year?
[A] Four
[B] Five
[C] Six
[D] Seven
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Five]
Notes:
India has been recently elected as the non-permanent member of UN Security Council for 2021-22, along with Ireland, Mexico and Norway. India’s term is to begin from January 2021.
Each year the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members, out of the 10 total seats, for a two-year term. In the recent election, India won 184 votes out of 192 valid votes cast. Previously, India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the Council for seven terms.
32. IM Vijayan, who has been nominated for Padma Shri award, is associated with which sports?
[A] Cricket
[B] Foot ball
[C] Hockey
[D] Table-Tennis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Foot ball]
Notes:
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has recently recommended former skipper IM Vijayan for the country’s fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri.
The 51-year-old legendary player served as the India striker. Since he made his debut in the early 90s, he had scored 40 goals in 79 matches for India. He was also awarded the prestigious Arjuna award in 2003. Six Indian footballers including Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri have earlier won the Padma Shri award.
33. As per the recent report of the National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), which ocean has seen the greatest decline of ice in the last 41 years?
[A] Arctic Ocean
[B] Antarctic Ocean
[C] Pacific Ocean
[D] Indian Ocean
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Arctic Ocean]
Notes:
The National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has found that the Arctic Ocean has seen the largest decline in the last 41 years due to global warming.
This has led to localised increase in evaporation, air humidity, cloud cover and rainfall. NCPOR noted that this decline in Arctic Sea ice was -13 per cent in July 2019 while it was -4.7 per cent per decade in the last 40 years. The study also noted that if this trend continues, there would be no ice left in the Arctic sea by 2050.
34. When is ‘Sustainable Gastronomy Day’ celebrated by the United Nations every year?
[A] June 16
[B] June 17
[C] June 18
[D] June 19
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [June 18]
Notes:
Sustainable Gastronomy Day is celebrated every year across the world on June 18, by the United Nations and its member countries.
Sustainable Gastronomy means cuisine that considers the place where food is grown, how it is grown and how it gets into markets. UNESCO, FAO and the UN General Assembly work to facilitate the observance of Sustainable Gastronomy Day, in collaboration with Member States and other international bodies.
35. Which Union Ministry is to conduct a special session titled ‘Bharat: A Cultural Treasure’, to mark International Yoga Day?
[A] Ministry of Culture
[B] Ministry of Tourism
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Tourism]
Notes:
Ministry of Tourism is organising a week-long celebration of International day of Yoga from 15th June, 2020.
It has also launched social media activities focussed on Yoga under the central theme “Yoga @ home & Yoga with family”. The Tourism Ministry will also conduct a special session titled ‘Bharat: A Cultural Treasure’ under Dekho Apna Desh Webinar. Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel will attend the session along with celebrity participants.
36. ‘SATYABHAMA’ portal, that was seen in news recently, aims to promote Research and Development in which sector?
[A] Climate Change
[B] Mining
[C] Virology
[D] Epidemiology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mining]
Notes:
Union Minister for Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi has recently launched SATYABHAMA (Science and Technology Yojana for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Mining Advancement) Portal.
The portal has been launched for Science and Technology Programme Scheme of Ministry of Mines. It has been designed and implemented by National Informatics Centre (NIC), Mines Informatics Division. The portal aims to promote Research and Development in Mining and Mineral sector.
37. Quantum communications satellite –Micius, that was seen in news recently, was launched by which country?
[A] United States
[B] China
[C] Russia
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
The World’s first Quantum communications satellite, Micius was launched by China in the year 2016. It has pioneered in the field of quantum encryption.
The satellite was seen in news recently, as it sends particles of light to Earth to establish the world’s most secure communication link. This is considered to be a milestone in the research, as long-range secure communication can be obtained without the help of traditional communication satellites. Secure long-distance links such will be the foundation of the future global network called the quantum internet.
38. What is the theme of the ‘World Hydrography Day 2020’?
[A] Hydrography enabling autonomous technologies
[B] Work and Contribution of Hydrographers
[C] Opportunity to highlight Hydrography
[D] Celebrating Hydrographic data
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hydrography enabling autonomous technologies]
Notes:
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and its international members celebrate World Hydrography Day every year on June 21.
The day highlights the importance of hydrography and its relevance in the modern world. This year, the theme of the World Hydrography Day is “Hydrography enabling autonomous technologies”. The autonomous technologies include aerial, surface and underwater survey drones as well as autonomous ships.
39. Which country has successfully launched the last satellite of its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS)?
[A] Japan
[B] South Korea
[C] China
[D] North Korea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Notes:
China has successfully launched the last satellite of its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), onboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket.
This BDS system is claimed to be a competitor to the popular Global Positioning System (GPS) of the United States. The satellite was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in Southwest China. It is the 55th in the family of BeiDou, which means “Big Dipper” in Chinese language.
40. When is the United Nations Public Service Day celebrated?
[A] June 21
[B] June 23
[C] June 25
[D] June 24
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [June 23]
Notes:
Every year the United Nations Public Service day is observed on June 23 to honour people engaged in public service, around the world.
On 20 December 2002, the United General Assembly designated 23 June as UN Public Service Day. The United Nations also established the UN Public Service Awards (UNPSA) programme in 2003, to recognise the UN Public Service Day and to encourage youngsters to take up their career in public sector.