31. The Finance Ministry has called for advisors for the process of Initial Public Offering (IPO) of which organisation?
[A] Air India
[B] Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd
[C] Life Insurance Corporation of India
[D] Container Corporation of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Life Insurance Corporation of India]
Notes:
The Government of India has proposed to appoint two transaction advisors for assisting the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) in preparing the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Life Insurance Corporation of India.
In the Union Budget 2020, Finance Minister proposed that the government will sell a part of its holding in LIC through an initial public offering. This IPO is expected to be the largest ever in the country and the advisors are asked to submit their bids till July 13.
32. Which institution has developed affordable diagnostic kits called ‘Viral Transport Media (VTM)’ kits for COVID-19?
[A] IISc, Bengaluru
[B] IIT, Madras
[C] IIT, Guwahati
[D] AIIMS
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IIT, Guwahati]
Notes:
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, in association with Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and a private firm has developed low-cost diagnostic kits for Covid-19.
The Viral Transport Media (VTM) kits have two transport media for collecting swabs. These unique formulation of the transport medium helps in preserving the viability of viruses for up to 72 hours at refrigerated temperatures. The institution has also developed RT-PCR kits, and RNA isolation kits. Large scale production of these kits has commenced for deploying across the state and the country.
33. When is the ‘International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict’ observed?
[A] June 19
[B] June 20
[C] June 22
[D] June 23
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [June 19]
Notes:
Every year, on June 19, the ‘International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict’ is observed by the United Nations.
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 19 June of each year as this special day in the year 2015, in order to raise awareness to prevent conflict-related sexual violence, to honour the victims and survivors of sexual violence. The day also pays tribute to people who have fought against this crime and laid down their lives. On the same day in 2008, the Security Council resolution condemning sexual violence as a tactic of war, was adopted.
34. Which Union Minister of India is to attend the Russian Victory Parade on June 24, at Moscow?
[A] Minister of External Affairs
[B] Minister of Defence
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Minister of Home Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Minister of Defence]
Notes:
Union Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh is to attend the Russian Victory Parade on June 24, to be held at Russia’s capital Moscow.
The Victory Parade is organised to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the victory of Russia in the Second World War. Earlier, it was announced that a Tri-Service 75- Member Indian Military Contingent has reached Moscow to participate in the Victory Parade, along with other invited troops.
35. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has partnered with which Public sector enterprise to support its Innovation & Entrepreneurship initiatives?
[A] Steel Authority of India
[B] Coal India Limited
[C] GAIL Limited
[D] NTPC Limited
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Coal India Limited ]
Notes:
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has partnered with Coal India Limited (CIL) to boost its Innovation & Entrepreneurship initiatives.
During a virtual e-summit held between AIM and CLI, a Statement of Intent (SoI) of strategic partnership between them was signed and exchanged. Under the collaboration, several programs will be conducted by them to promote innovation ecosystem through the initiatives of Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).
36. 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.
37. Which Indian state/UT is set to launch a welfare scheme for poor named ‘Indira Rasoi Yojna’?
[A] Chhattisgarh
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Punjab
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajasthan]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot has recently announced that Rajasthan will soon launch the ‘Indira Rasoi Yojna’.
The scheme seeks to provide pure and nutritious food on concessional rates to the needy people residing in the state, twice a day. For implementing the Indira Rasoi Yojna (Indira Kitchen Scheme), the state is to spend Rs 100 crore every year. Local NGOs will be engaged to implement the scheme.
38. When is the ‘World Olympic Day’ celebrated across the world?
[A] June 21
[B] June 22
[C] June 23
[D] June 24
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [June 23]
Notes:
World Olympic Day or the International Olympic Day is celebrated across the world on June 23. It was introduced in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on 23 June 1894.
The objective of celebrating the Olympic Day was to promote participation in sports and games across the globe, regardless of age, gender, or other abilities. This year, the world’s largest 24 hour digital-first Olympic workout is organised, to celebrate the day virtually. The campaign is named ‘Stay Healthy, Stay Strong, Stay Active with the #Olympicday Workout On 23 June’.
39. As per a recent study, the researchers detected an exoplanet named ‘HIP 67522 b’. What is it otherwise called?
[A] Hot Jupiter
[B] Super-Earth
[C] Mini-Neptune
[D] Ice giant
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hot Jupiter]
Notes:
According to the new study published in the Astronomical Journal, the researchers have detected the exoplanet HIP 67522 b.
The exoplanet appears to be the youngest hot Jupiter ever found. It also orbits around a well-studied star that is about 17 million years old. This means that the hot Jupiter is only a few million years younger probably. As most known hot Jupiters are more than a billion years old, this is likely the youngest hot Jupiter.
40. Which country’s super computer has become the fastest in the world?
[A] United States
[B] Japan
[C] China
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Japan]
Notes:
The Japanese supercomputer, Fugaku has been recently named the fastest super computer in the Top500 list, which ranks the most powerful benchmarked supercomputers in the world.
It is powered by chipsets from Advanced RISC Machines (ARM). This marks the first time an ARM-based supercomputer to ever top the list. It also marks the first time Japan has taken the top place since 2011. It is followed by IBM’s Summit supercomputer and IBM’s Sierra supercomputer.