11. Which state-owned institution has approved the project for developing ‘Human monoclonal antibodies (hmAbs)’ that can neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus?
[A] Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR
[B] S.N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences
[C] Agharkar Research Institute
[D] Institute of Nano Science and Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR]
Notes:
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR through its flagship New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) programme has approved a project towards development of human monoclonal antibodies (hmAbs).
The antibodies can neutralize the mutated virus SARS-CoV-2 and could be used for fighting future SARS-CoV infections. The team that is going to develop the therapeutic antibodies comprises of academic institutes and industries.
12. What is ‘Covid Kavach Elisa’, that was seen in news recently?
[A] Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
[B] Mask
[C] Testing Kit
[D] Disinfectant
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Testing Kit]
Notes:
Pune-based National Institute of Virology under the Indian Council of Medical Research has successfully developed the first indigenous antibody detection kit for Covid-19 named ‘Covid Kavach Elisa’.
Technically, it is an anti-SARS-CoV-2 human IgG ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test kit for detecting coronavirus. As per the Union Health Ministry, the kit can test up to 90 samples together in 2.5 hours. This is expected to ramp up the testing speed in the country.
13. Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) is an organisation under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Defence
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of Law and Justice
[D] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Home Affairs]
Notes:
Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) was established under Ministry of Home Affairs in 1970, as a think-tank with the objective of modernization of police force.
Recently BPRD released a 40-page manual titled ‘Fake News and Disinformation: How to Spot and Investigate’ to help investigators and police officers to identify fake news aimed at spreading communal hatred among the people.
14. Hari Shankar Vasudevan, who passed away recently, was associated with which profession?
[A] Sportsperson
[B] Historian
[C] Healthcare Worker
[D] Politician
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Historian]
Notes:
Veteran Indian scholar and historian Hari Shankar Vasudevan passed away recently after contracting Covid-19. He had tested positive for novel coronavirus on May 6.
Professor Hari Vasudevan was working as a UGC Emeritus Professor in the Department of History and China Centre of Calcutta University after his superannuation. He was an important personality in the field of Russian and Central Asian history. He also served as the Director of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, institution under Ministry of Culture Govt of India.
15. The Suraksha Store initiative has been launched by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Consumer Affairs
[C] Ministry of Finance
[D] Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Consumer Affairs]
Notes:
The Suraksha Store initiative has been launched by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
The aim of this scheme to educate Kirana store owners across the country about safety guidelines and sanitation measures to be followed while running their businesses. Recently the Department of Consumer Affairs has partnered with tech start-ups Safejob and Seekify to leverage technology in implementing this scheme.
16. What is ‘HR 6819’, that has been discovered by the European Southern Observatory (ESO)?
[A] Galaxy
[B] Black hole
[C] Star
[D] Exo-planet
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Black hole]
Notes:
A team of astronomers using the Chile-based La Silla Observatory of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) has recently discovered the nearest black hole from Earth.
This triple-structure black hole named as HR 6819, is located just 1000 light-years from Earth. Unlike the other black holes that have been detected till date, HR 6819 does not actively interfere with their surroundings. The team was able to distinguish its existence and measure its mass.
17. Which Indian organisation administers the social-security scheme Atal Pension Yojana?
[A] Reserve Bank of India
[B] Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority
[C] Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
[D] Securities Exchange Board of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority]
Notes:
The social security scheme of Government of India ‘Atal Pension Yojana’ (APY) has completed five years of successful implementation. The scheme has witnessed 2.23 Crore enrolments since its launch.
It was launched in the year 2015 by the Indian Prime Minister to deliver a minimum guaranteed pension to workers in unorganised sector. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) administers the scheme.
18. Sebastian Vettel, who is set to leave Ferrari at the end of 2020 F1 season, belongs to which country?
[A] United Kingdom
[B] Germany
[C] France
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Germany]
Notes:
Legendary racer from Germany, Sebastian Vettel is set to leave Ferrari at the end of 2020 F1 season, as per the recent statement from Ferrari.
The 32-year-old racer and four times world champion is yet to break the record by another legend Michael Schumacher in winning multiple Formula One titles with Ferrari. Vettel is one of the highest-paid drivers and has so far won 14 races for Ferrari.
19. As per the India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative, what is the cause of 68% of the under-five deaths in India?
[A] Pollution
[B] Child and maternal malnutrition
[C] Early Marriage
[D] Poor healthcare facilities
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Child and maternal malnutrition]
Notes:
As per the Lancet report titled ‘India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative’, 68% of the under-five deaths in India are caused due to child and maternal malnutrition.
The report has the first comprehensive estimates of district-level trends of child mortality in India since 2000. It also highlighted that 83% of the neonatal deaths were due to low birth weight and short gestation. Though the child mortality has improved across the country from 2000 to 2017, inequalities among the districts have also raised.
20. New Development Bank provided $1 billion loan to India recently. Where is the headquarters of the Bank located?
[A] Shangai
[B] Moscow
[C] Brasilia
[D] Cape Town
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Shangai]
Notes:
New Development Bank (NDB) was established by the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) countries in 2014. Its headquarters is Shangai and is headed by veteran Indian K V Kamath.
BRICS’ New Development Bank was seen in news recently, as it has provided $1 billion loan to India to fight COVID-19. The complete emergency funds have been disbursed by the development institution, to help India in containing the human and economic losses due to Covid-19.