1. An international commission named USCIRF, which was seen in news recently, is headquartered in which city?
[A] Geneva
[B] Paris
[C] Washington D.C
[D] Nairobi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Washington D.C]
Notes:
The US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its annual report recently, where it has classified India under ‘Countries of particular concern’ (CPC) for increasing assault on religious minorities.
The report has placed India in the concern list along with 13 other nations including nine countries which were placed in December 2019 and 5 countries added now. The recently added countries include Nigeria, Russia, Syria, and Vietnam in addition to India.
2. The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) was constituted to address dispute over water sharing among how many states/UT?
[A] Two
[B] Three
[C] Four
[D] Five
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Four]
Notes:
The Government of India constituted the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) in the year 2018, to address the dispute over sharing of Cauvery river water among Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry.
Recently, the CWMA, which was earlier under the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, has been officially brought under the Jal Shakti Ministry. Along with CWMA, Godavari River Management Board and Krishna River Management Board are also brought under the Department of Water Resources River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation in the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
3. The Reserve Bank of India recently extended the benefits under its SLF-MF scheme. What does MF stand for, in the scheme?
[A] Micro Finance
[B] Mutual Funds
[C] Micro Funds
[D] Multiple Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mutual Funds]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India launched a Rs 50,000-crore scheme which enables banks to extend liquidity support to Mutual Funds, called Special Liquidity Facility for Mutual Funds SLF-MF scheme.
This was introduced at the backdrop of the shutting down of six debt funds of Franklin Templeton Mutual Funds. Recently, the RBI extended the benefits of the scheme to all banks, irrespective of whether they avail funding from the Reserve Bank or deploy their own resources.
4. Which is the first state to bring its migrant labourers, after lock-down, through the Special Shramik Trains run by Ministry of Railways?
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Kerala
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Jharkhand]
Notes:
The Indian Railways has launched the Special Shramik Trains to bring back stranded labourers and students stuck in different states across the country to their home states.
Jharkhand becomes the first state to bring its migrant labourers back home through the first train run from Telangana to Ranchi. Recently, another special train carrying 1,200 migrant workers from Kerala left to Bhubaneswar in Odisha.
5. The centenary special edition e-book “Prof. B. B. Lal -India Rediscovered” was recently. Professor B. B. Lal is associated with which field?
[A] Epidemiology
[B] Archaeology
[C] Scientific Research
[D] Literature
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Archaeology]
Notes:
The Union minister of Culture Prahlad Singh Patel released a centenary special edition e-book “Prof. B. B. Lal -India Rediscovered” on the birthday of B.B.Lal, as a tribute for his contribution in the field of archaeology.
Professor B.B Lal, born on May 2, 2961 in Uttar Pradesh, is a renowned archaeologist. On the occasion of his 100th birth year, the e-book has been released by the Ministry of culture in collaboration with Prof B B Lal Centenary Celebration Committee.
6. Who has received the Department of Science and Technology’s (DST) Young Career Award in Nano Science and Technology for the year 2020?
[A] Saurabh Lodha
[B] Dar Yasin
[C] Mukhtar Khan
[D] Channi Anand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Saurabh Lodha]
Notes:
Professor at the Electrical Engineering Department, IIT Bombay, Mr. Saurabh Lodha has received the Young Career Award in Nano Science and Technology for the year 2020 instituted by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
He has been selected for the prestigious award for contributing in development of logic transistor technologies beyond the conventional silicon transistors and development of nano electronic devices based on two-dimensional ‘Van der Waals’ materials. His work has been presented at global device conferences and have been incorporated in semiconductor equipment for advanced transistor technologies.
7. What is the name of the campaign launched by NITI Aayog to ensure well-being of senior citizens during COVID-19 pandemic?
[A] Surakshit Dada-Dadi & Nana-Nani Abhiyan
[B] Take care of Elders
[C] Dada and Dadi Bachao Abhiyan
[D] Suraksha Samriddhi Abhiyan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Surakshit Dada-Dadi & Nana-Nani Abhiyan]
Notes:
The Think tank of the country NITI Aayog in coloration with Mumbai-based Piramal Foundation has launched a campaign ‘Surakshit Dada-Dadi & Nana-Nani Abhiyan’.
The campaign focusses on ensuring well-being of senior citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is expected to cover as many as 29 lakh senior citizens in 25 aspirational districts named by NITI Aayog. This project is currently piloted in seven states and will create awareness about the health and lifestyle of elder people.
8. International Day of Vesak, commemorated on May 7 globally, is associated with which spiritual leader?
[A] Mahavir
[B] Buddha
[C]
Guru Nanak
[D] Guru Gobind Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Buddha]
Notes:
The United Nations celebrates May 7 as the International Day of Vesak across the world, to commemorate the day of enlightenment of Lord Buddha.
In India, Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) held a Virtual Prayer Event to celebrate Buddha Poornima. Indian Prime Minister also delivered the keynote address. The virtual celebrations will be streamed live from various historic sites from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
9. Which state government has raised the retirement age of government employees to 59 from 58?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Odisha
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The state government of Tamil Nadu has recently raised the retirement age of State Government employees to 59 from 58.
The Government order comes to force with immediate effect, as per the notification released. This order will also apply to all teachers in government and government-aided schools and colleges, and employees working in State public sector undertakings.
10. Project CARD, that was seen in news recently, is associated with the launching of which product?
[A] Temporary PDS card
[B] Covid-19 Testing kit
[C]
Temporary AADHAR card
[D] Face Masks for Doctors
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Covid-19 Testing kit]
Notes:
NITI Aayog and the Department of Biotechnology have launched the Consortium for Affordable & Rapid Diagnostics (CARD) project.
The project aims to scale up India’s capacity to make coronavirus testing kits. The primary goal is to manufacture at least 10 million rapid antibody tests for Covid-19 by July. It also aims to expand RT-PCR test kits in India. The announcement has come after quality issues faced with Chinese-made antibody testing kits.