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. Census 2021, which was postponed due to COVID-19, includes options for how many religions?
[A] Four
[B] Six
[C] Eight
[D] Ten
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Six]
Notes:
The Next Census will only count Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain as distinct religion options.
This is despite demands from several sections including Sarnaism, the Lingayat religion, to be counted as a separate religion. Census 2021, which was to be conducted in two phases, has been postponed indefinitely, with the Central government initially attributing the delay to the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. RBI has recently sanctioned the merger of which Co-op banks?
[A] Cosmos Co-op and Maratha Co-op
[B] Saraswat Co-op and Cosmos Co-op
[C] Bharat Co-op and Maratha Co-op
[D] SVC Bank and Maratha Co-op
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cosmos Co-op and Maratha Co-op]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has sanctioned the merger of Maratha Co-op Bank with Cosmos Co-op Bank.
The Scheme has been sanctioned in exercise of the powers conferred under Sub-Section (4) of Section 44A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. All branches of Maratha Sahakari Bank will function as branches of The Cosmos Co-operative Bank.
4. 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.
5. Which city hosted the ‘India-EU Global Gateway Conference’?
[A] Guwahati
[B] Shillong
[C] Kolkata
[D] Itanagar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shillong]
Notes:
India-EU Global Gateway Conference will be held in Shillong focusing on boosting connectivity and infrastructure in the Indian subcontinent.
It will focus on three pillars – digital, energy and transport. Ministry of External Affairs, EU Delegation to India and the Asian Confluence are jointly organizing the India-EU Connectivity Conference.
6. Which institution notified ‘Indian Standards Related to AYUSH Herbs and Products’?
[A] FSSAI
[B] BIS
[C] AYUSH Ministry
[D] FAO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [BIS]
Notes:
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recently notified 31 Indian standards related to Ayush herbs and products.
It includes 30 herbs and one product including a stainless steel neti pot. An additional department was earlier established with a dedicated focus on Ayush at BIS.
7. Which country signed MoU with India for development of Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project?
[A] Bangladesh
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Nepal
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nepal]
Notes:
NHPC Limited, a Government of India Enterprise and Vidhyut Utpadan Company Limited (VUCL), Nepal signed an MoU in New Delhi for development of Phukot Karnali Hydro Electric Project in Nepal.
This hydroelectric project will flow from Karnali River to generate power and the generated power will be fed into integrated power system of Nepal.
8. Which is the first AIIMS to receive NABH accreditation?
[A] AIIMS New Delhi
[B] AIIMS Nagpur
[C] AIIMS Madurai
[D] AIIMS Jodhpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [AIIMS Nagpur]
Notes:
AIIMS Nagpur received the NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers) accreditation recently.
It is the first of all AIIMS to achieve this feat. The NABH accreditation is recognized globally as a standard for healthcare excellence.
9. Training Launch of a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile, Agni-1, was successfully carried out in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Punjab
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
A training launch of a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile, Agni-1, was successfully carried out by the Strategic Forces Command from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, in Odisha.
In October last year, India successfully fired ‘Agni Prime’ – a new generation of ballistic missiles – from off the coast of Odisha.
10. Osimertinib is a new drug capable of cutting the risk of death from which disease?
[A] COVID 19
[B] Lung Cancer
[C] Brain Diseases
[D] Liver Diseases
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lung Cancer]
Notes:
The Osimertinib is a new drug capable of cutting the risk of death from lung cancer by half. Lung cancer accounts for around 1.8 million deaths each year.
Taking the drug daily after surgery reduced non-small cell lung cancer patients’ death risk by more than 50%.