1. Which state has launched the portal named “Akanksha”?
[A] Kerala
[B] Odisha
[C] Karnataka
[D] Manipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Karnataka]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Karnataka B S Yediyurappa has launched a portal named Akanksha, which would provide details on all the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in Karnataka.
This comprehensive portal would help the state Government officials, corporates and donors. It seeks to improve transparency in utilisation of CSR funds by the Government.
2. Which Indian organisation has developed near-isothermal forging technology for producing jet engine components?
[A] ISRO
[B] DRDO
[C] BARC
[D] HAL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [DRDO]
Notes:
India’s premier research institution – the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced that it has developed near-isothermal forging technology, for production of high-pressure compressor (HPC) discs, used in jet engines.
These discs are made of titanium alloy, using a unique 2000 MT (metric tonne) isothermal forge press, which even technology rich countries like China are struggling to achieve.
3. “Tianzhou-2” is a spacecraft of which country?
[A] Japan
[B] Russia
[C] China
[D] South Korea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Notes:
Tianzhou-2, or “Heavenly Vessel” is China’s cargo spacecraft which carried supplies, equipment and propellant to the space station which is being developed by China. It has successfully docked itself to the module Tianhe, which is a part of a space station.
The spacecraft was launched from earth using the Long March-7 Y3 rocket.
4. NASA’s Curiosity rover captured images of a cloud over the Gale Crater, situated in which astronomical body?
[A] Jupiter
[B] Mars
[C] Moon
[D] Venus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mars]
Notes:
NASA’s Curiosity rover captured the images of the clouds seen above Gale Crater of the Mars. The crater is 154 km in diameter and estimated to be about 3.5-3.8 billion years old.
The image is a combination of 21 individual photographs the rover took recently to study a strange type of cloud over the Gale Crater. The Scientists made the rover watch for the early clouds, as it was observed that the cloud type was forming earlier in the Martian year.
5. Which institution implements the “Horticulture Cluster Development Programme”?
[A] Food and Agricultural Organisation
[B] National Horticulture Board
[C] NABARD
[D] Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Horticulture Board]
Notes:
The Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has launched the Horticulture Cluster Development Programme. The programme has been launched on a pilot basis in 12 clusters covering 11 States/UTs.
This is a central sector programme implemented by the National Horticulture Board (NHB), which aims to make identified horticulture clusters globally competitive.
6. As per the NRC Annual index of the 10 most neglected displacement crises, which country has the highest number of crises?
[A] Venezuela
[B] Democratic Republic of the Congo
[C] Burundi
[D] Ethiopia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Democratic Republic of the Congo]
Notes:
The Norwegian Refugee Council released its annual index of the 10 most neglected displacement crises in the world.
Two million people were displaced last year in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and it has the world’s most neglected number of displaced people. African Countries dominated this year’s list, wherein DRC is followed by Cameroon, Burundi and Venezuela.
7. The Covid 19 vaccine – Sinovac, which has been granted approval by WHO, is developed by which country?
[A] Japan
[B] UK
[C] USA
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [China]
Notes:
Sinovac vaccine developed by China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd has been granted emergency use approval by the World Health Organisation.
WHO has recommended the vaccine to be used by people who are 18 years and above. The vaccine needs to be administered in two doses with a gap of two to four weeks.
8. The term “Mixing and matching” which is in news, is related to what?
[A] Cricket
[B] Food Processing
[C] COVID Vaccination
[D] Fuel Prices
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [COVID Vaccination]
Notes:
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) of Canada has recommended mixing and matching of the second doses of covid 19 vaccines.
This means that people who reside in Canada and have taken the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine as their first shot, can take either of the vaccines as a second shot, based on their availability.
9. SAGE (Senior-care Aging Growth Engine) is the initiative of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[B] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[C] Ministry of Law and Justice
[D] Ministry of Minority Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment]
Notes:
Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Thaawarchand Gehlot virtually launched the SAGE (Senior-care Aging Growth Engine) initiative.
He also launched the SAGE portal, which can be accessed by the elderly persons for elderly care products and services by select start-ups. The start-ups will be selected on the basis of innovative products and services.
10. “Hisaab Ki Kitaab” – a module of 6 short films has been released by which authority?
[A] Investor Education & Protection Fund Authority
[B] Securities and Exchange Board of India
[C] Reserve Bank of India
[D] National Health Authority
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Investor Education & Protection Fund Authority]
Notes:
The Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs has launched a module of 6 short films of Investor Education & Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), named “Hisaab Ki Kitaab”.
These short films have been developed by CSC eGov for IEPFA, as a part of their training module. These films portray the importance of budget, saving, insurance schemes etc.