1. XPoSat, India’s first polarimetry mission, is being built by which institution?
[A] HAL
[B] DRDO
[C] ISRO
[D] BARC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ISRO]
Notes:
XPoSat (X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite) is India’s first polarimetry mission. It is currently being built by ISRO and Raman Research Institute.
According to ISRO, “XPoSat will study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions” and will carry two payloads. It is only the world’s second polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources in extreme conditions.
2. A ‘New Replenishment Mechanism for Flexible Funding’ has been proposed for which organisation?
[A] WHO
[B] NSIL
[C] DRDO
[D] NITI Aayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [WHO]
Notes:
During the 76th World Assembly Health session, WHO member states discussed on a new replenishment mechanism to help the UN body have more flexible funding options.
It will help WHO become more financial independent and function smoothly as the leading global health coordinator. Replenishment contributions would cover work by country offices, regional offices, and headquarters across all strategic priorities, as well as the enabling functions.
3. ‘Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma’ has been appointed as the MD and CEO of which bank?
[A] Yes Bank
[B] IDBI Bank
[C] Karnataka Bank
[D] HDFC Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Karnataka Bank]
Notes:
Karnataka Bank appoints Srikrishnan Harihara Sarma as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD and CEO).
Sarma has nearly four decades of experience spread across Commercial, Retail, and Transactional Banking, Technology and Payments. He was part of the founding management team at HDFC Bank Ltd for over nine years.
4. Which country has launched the ‘Shenzhou-16’ Mission?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] South Korea
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
China recently launched the Shenzhou-16 mission. As part of this mission, three astronauts lifted off atop a Long March-2F rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi Desert in northwest China.
The astronauts aboard Shenzhou-16 spacecraft will stay in the Tiangong space station for the next five months. This is the country’s fifth manned mission to a fully functional space station since 2021.
5. Northeast India’s First Vande Bharat Express travels from Assam to which state/UT?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Odisha
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [West Bengal]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the first Vande Bharat Express in Northeast India. It will travel from Assam’s Guwahati to West Bengal’s New Jalpaiguri.
The Vande Bharat Express will operate six days a week (except Tuesdays) and will cut down the travel time between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri by one hour.
6. Which country has granted approval to include TOEFL test as a valid option for Student Direct Stream program?
[A] China
[B] Canada
[C] Australia
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Canada]
Notes:
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has granted approval to include TOEFL test scores as a valid option for the Student Direct Stream program in Canada.
The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is a program designed to accelerate the processing of study permit applications for international students intending to enroll in designated learning institutions for post-secondary education in Canada.
7. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO)’?
[A] Ministry of Electronics & IT
[B] Ministry of MSME
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Electronics & IT]
Notes:Ministry of Electronics & IT launched pilot project on Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO).
Revenue potential from outsourced repair likely to be USD 20 billion in next 5 years and also generate millions of jobs. The pilot is being held in Bengaluru and will be run for a period of three months.
8. Which institution has conceptualized ‘Lightweight Payments System’?
[A] NPCI
[B] RBI
[C] NASSCOM
[D] NITI Aayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [RBI]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India has conceptualized a lightweight payment and settlements system that operates independently of conventional technologies, ensuring uninterrupted transactions in extreme situations.
It can be operated from anywhere is minimum staff during times of war or natural calamities.
9. What is Hvaldimir, which is being suspected of being a Russian spy?
[A] Robot
[B] Whale
[C] Eagle
[D] Horse
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Whale]
Notes:
Hvaldimir is the name given to a beluga whale that is suspected of being a Russian spy. It was spotted recently off the Swedish coast.
It was earlier spotted in northern Norway in April 2019 wearing a camera harness. US Navy used dolphins and sea lions as spies.
10. Which country is the host of the ‘22nd SCO Summit’?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
The 22nd Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) will be held in a virtual mode on 4 July, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced.
India is set to host the 22nd SCO summit for the first time under its chairmanship. Invitations were sent to heads of state of all SCO member countries — China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.