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. Hubble Space Telescope has captured a detailed photo of NGC 691, a ………….
[A] Galaxy
[B] Meteor
[C] Cloud
[D] Exo-planet
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Galaxy]
Notes:
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has captured a detailed photograph of a spiral galaxy called NGC 691.
NGC 691 is a spiral galaxy located at around 125 million light-years away in the constellation of Aries. It is the foremost member of the NGC 691 group, a collection of nine galaxies of varied shapes and colors.
3. Japanese player Naomi Osaka plays which sports?
[A] Badminton
[B] Tennis
[C] Archery
[D] Weight Lifting
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tennis]
Notes:
Leading Tennis champion and world number two Naomi Osaka has announced that she would withdraw from the French Open and would spend some time away from the court.
She had posted that she would boycott the mandatory post-match press conferences on the grounds of mental health reasons. In turn, the organisers imposed a penalty on the player.
4. CSIR-NCL developed a technology called ‘SWASTIIK’, to disinfect water using which medicinal system?
[A] Siddha
[B] Ayurveda
[C] Homeopathy
[D] Sowa-Rigpa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ayurveda]
Notes:
CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) Pune has developed a hybrid technology called “SWASTIIK”, for disinfecting water by using natural oils.
With support from the Water Technology Initiative of the department of science and technology (DST), the team has developed the technology. It involves boiling of a liquid as a result of pressure reduction (cavitation) and also uses natural oils having antimicrobial properties, to disinfect.
5. Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) is a Scientific Experiment being undertaken by which country?
[A] USA
[B] China
[C] Israel
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) has set a new record in the latest experiment.
The experiment achieved a plasma temperature of 216 million Fahrenheit for 101 seconds. The scientists working on the “Artificial sun” project also achieved 288 million Fahrenheit for 20 seconds. The Tokamak device has been designed to reproduce the nuclear fusion process, natural to the Sun and stars.
6. What is the quantum of the ‘Special liquidity window’ announced by the RBI to support contact-intensive sectors hit by Covid-19.?
[A] Rs 5000 crore
[B] Rs 10000 crore
[C] Rs 15000 crore
[D] Rs 20000 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 15000 crore]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced to create a Special liquidity window of Rs 15,000 crore with a tenor of 3 years at the repo rate to provide liquidity support to the contact-intensive sectors hit by Covid-19.
This encourages banks to provide fresh lending support to hotels, restaurants, tourism, aviation ancillary services, and other services including private bus operators, car repair and rental service providers, event/conference organizers, spa clinics, and beauty parlours/saloons. RBI will extend a special liquidity facility of ₹16,000 crore to SIDBI for on-lending/refinancing.
7. ICAR- Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) has received a patent for the micronutrient foliar formulation?
[A] Black Pepper
[B] Clove
[C] Cardamom
[D] Cumin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Black Pepper]
Notes:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) has received a patent for black pepper micronutrient foliar formulation.
ICAR-IISR has developed crop-specific micronutrient foliar formulations for major spices (black pepper, ginger, turmeric, and cardamom) to overcome micronutrient deficiencies.
8. ‘Taskheer-e-Jabal’ military exercise was conducted by which country?
[A] Israel
[B] Iran
[C] Pakistan
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pakistan]
Notes:
The Pakistani Army has conducted a military exercise named ‘Taskheer-e-Jabal’ near Kotli in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) region. Under this exercise, the troops rehearsed various defensive and offensive manoeuvres in mountain terrains.
The exercise was overseen by its Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. It was aimed to enhance the operational preparedness, defensive and offensive formations of various contingencies.
9. The Consumer confidence index, which has recently fallen to a record low, is released by which organisation?
[A] State Bank of India
[B] Ministry of Consumer Affairs
[C] India Ratings
[D] Reserve Bank of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Reserve Bank of India]
Notes:
The Consumer Confidence Survey is conducted by the Reserve Bank of India, which provides the respondent’s perceptions on general economic conditions.
Recently, the RBI has released the Consumer Confidence Index, which has recorded an all-time low due to the second wave of COVID 19 disease. The Current Situation Index (CSI) fell to 48.5 and the Future Expectation Index (FEI) fell to 96.4.
10. YounTab scheme for students is launched in which state / UT?
[A] Delhi
[B] Puducherry
[C] Karnataka
[D] Ladakh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ladakh]
Notes:
The Union Territory of Ladakh has launched a scheme named “YounTab”, under which the Ladakh Lt Governor RK Mathur distributed tablets to the students studying in 9 to 12, in the UT. This was the first phase of the scheme’s implementation.
The scheme aims to provide free tabs to nearly 12,300 students of 6th to 12th class who are studying in government schools of the UT.