1. ‘Litoria Mira’, that has been discovered from the rainforests of New Guinea, is a ……….?
[A] Snake
[B] Frog
[C] Otter
[D] Toucan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Frog]
Notes:
A team of Australian scientists has discovered a new species of a tree frog from the rainforests of New Guinea.
Also called as the “chocolate frog” due to its chocolate colour, it belongs to the Australasian tree frog genus Litoria. Hence the new species was named as ‘Litoria mira’. The closest known relative of this new species is the Australian green tree frog.
2. Which country has recently come up with a policy for three children, as against the present two children limit?
[A] India
[B] USA
[C] Japan
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [China]
Notes:
China has announced that it would permit couples to have three children as against the present two children limit, which was brought in 2016.
This decision has been made by the Chinese government, since the country’s birth rates have registered a steep decline as per the latest census release.
3. What was India’s fiscal deficit for 2020-21 as per the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) data?
[A] 10%
[B] 9.3%
[C] 8%
[D] 3.5%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [9.3%]
Notes:
As per the data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), India’s fiscal deficit for 2020-21 stood at 9.3% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the financial year 2020-21. This is lower than the Finance Ministry’s Budget estimates of 9.5%.
As per the CGA data, the revenue deficit stood at 7.42% during 2020-21.
4. What is Canadarm2, which was making news recently?
[A] Covid Vaccine Initiative
[B] Robotic Arm of International Space Station
[C] Super Computer
[D] New Microprocessor
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Robotic Arm of International Space Station]
Notes:
Recently, a piece of space debris hit and damaged a part of the ISS’s robotic arm, called as Canadarm2.
The astronomers confirmed that the arm’s functions will not be impacted by the damage. Canadarm2, the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), is used to move objects outside the station and to help in repairing works in the station.
5. What is the profession of Mahesh Jethmalani, who has been nominated to Rajya Sabha by the Union Government?
[A] Doctor
[B] Advocate
[C] Scientist
[D] Banker
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Advocate]
Notes:
Mahesh Jethmalani, who is a noted advocate has been recently nominated by the Union Government to the Rajya Sabha. Additionally, former journalist Swapan Dasgupta has also been nominated to the upper house.
Mahesh Jethmalani has been nominated to Rajya Sabha to fill the vacancy of seat due to the demise of Raghunath Mohapatra.
6. ‘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.
7. CBSE has introduced coding as a subject for students, in collaboration with which company?
[A] Infosys
[B] Microsoft
[C] Dell
[D] Intel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Microsoft]
Notes:
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has collaborated with tech major Microsoft to launch coding as a subject for students of Class 6-8 and data science subject for Class 8-12. This move is in line with the New Education Policy 2020.
These new subjects would come in force from the 2021-2022 academic session. According to CBSE, these subjects are expected to develop analytical thinking and problem-solving skills of students.
8. Which Union Ministry has released a Model Citizen Charter, aligning actions with SDGs?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Education
[C] Ministry of Panchayat Raj
[D] Ministry of MSME
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Panchayat Raj]
Notes:
Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) in collaboration with National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) has prepared the ‘Gram Panchayat Citizen Charter’.
It is a model Citizens Charter/ framework for prompt delivery of services across the 29 sectors. The Charter has been aligned with localised Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It aims to empower the citizens in relation to public services and to improve the quality of services.
9. Which Indian Armed Force is set to create `Integrated battle groups (IBGs)’?
[A] Indian Army
[B] Indian Navy
[C] Indian Air Force
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Army]
Notes:
The Indian Army is on its way to create new self-contained fighting units called `integrated battle groups (IBGs)’.
The initial units of IBGs, each with around 5,000 soldiers will have a mix of tanks, artillery, air defence, signals, engineers and other units permanently deployed together. The units are expected to be formed by 2022.
10. Himachal Pradesh Government is to install ‘Anti-Hail Guns’, to prevent ………
[A] Covid
[B] Hailstorm
[C] Flood
[D] Lightning
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Hailstorm]
Notes:
The State Horticulture Ministry of Himachal Pradesh announced that the Government will test the use of indigenously developed ‘Anti-hail guns, to help horticulturists facing crop damage due to hailstorms.
An anti-hail gun is a machine which generates shock waves to disrupt the growth of hailstones in clouds. The gun is fired by feeding explosive mixture of acetylene gas and air into its lower chamber, which releases a shock wave.