1. The Supreme Court has extended the time line for implementation of permanent commission to women SSC officers in which armed force?
[A] Indian Army
[B] Indian Air Force
[C] Indian Navy
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Navy]
Notes:
The apex judicial body, Supreme Court of India has extended the time line till December 31,2020 for implementation of its judgement on grant of permanent commission to women SSC officers in Indian Navy.
On March 17, 2020 the Supreme Court had cleared permanent commission for women in the Navy and asked the Centre to implement the same within three months.
2. “SERB POWER” scheme has been launched by the Government targeting which segment?
[A] Self Help Groups
[B] Street Vendors
[C] Farmers
[D] Women Scientists
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Women Scientists]
Notes:
A scheme named SERB POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research) has been launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology, designed exclusively to encourage Women Scientists to work in the field of science and technology.
The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India is implementing the scheme.
3. Tigersharks squadron, which was seen in news for test-fire of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, is based in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The Indian Air Force has successfully test-fired an air launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a Sukhoi fighter aircraft in the Bay of Bengal.
The aircraft belongs to the Thanjavur-based Tigersharks squadron. India has recently test fired a new version of the surface-to-surface supersonic cruise missile BrahMos and an anti-radiation missile named Rudram-1.
4. India’s first sea plane service has been inaugurated at which Indian state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Kerala
[C] West Bengal
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gujarat]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated a seaplane service that connects Statue of Unity in Kevadia with Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The sea plane service is being operated by Spice jet. Earlier, he inaugurated a cruise service near the Statue of Unity. The 40-minute cruise will cover a distance of six kilometres.
5. Who inaugurated the Vaishwik Bharatiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit, which concluded recently?
[A] President of India
[B] Prime Minister
[C] NITI Aayog CEO
[D] Principal Scientific Advisor
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Prime Minister]
Notes:
The Vaishwik Bharatiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2nd October 2020.
The summit concluded on 31st October 2020 and saw the participation of 3,200 panelists and about 22,500 academicians and scientists from India and overseas. The month-long conference was held in a virtual manner in the form of webinars.
6. Duarte Pacheco has been elected as the President of which international body?
[A] International Monetary Fund
[B] World Bank
[C] International Court of Justice
[D] Inter Parliamentary Union
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Inter Parliamentary Union]
Notes:
Duarte Pacheco of Portugal has been elected as the new President of Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU). He would hold the office for the period from 2020 to 2023.
The Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) is an international organisation of various nations’ parliament. It was established in 1889 and is head quartered at Geneva, Switzerland.
7. ‘Char-chaporis’, which were seen in news recently, is associated with which state/ UT?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Odisha
[C] Assam
[D] Jammu & Kashmir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Assam]
Notes:
Char-chaporis are shifting riverine islands of the Brahmaputra river and they are primarily inhabited by the Muslims of Bengali-origin referred to as ‘Miyas’.
Several people of Assam were requesting the government to fast-track the establishment of Miya museum reflecting the culture and heritage of the people living in char-chaporis. Recently, ahead of the Assembly elections, this was again in news.
8. Which Ministry has launched the “Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge”?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of External Affairs
[C] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[D] Ministry of Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]
Notes:
Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has recently launched a challenge named “Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge”. It aims to develop and implement initiatives that would improve the quality of life of young children, caregivers and families.
It is a 3-year challenge that would be open for 100 Smart Cities, cities with population of more than 5 lakh and State/Union Territory capitals.
9. How many countries are associated with the Nordic – Baltic co-operation framework?
[A] Five
[B] Eight
[C] Twelve
[D] Fifteen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Eight]
Notes:
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar recently virtually addressed the first India -Nordic – Baltic Conclave.
The Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) co-operation framework includes eight countries namely Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden.
10. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is to issue forecast for the outbreak of which disease?
[A] Malaria
[B] Dengue
[C] Covid-19
[D] Chikungunya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Malaria]
Notes:
As per the recent statement from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is set to issue forecast for malaria outbreaks from next monsoon.
India has also planned to increase the high-performance computing (HPC) facility from the current capacity of 10 petaflops to 40 petaflops. India is at fourth place after the US, the UK and Japan in HPC, at present.