11. Robert Baptiste, who was seen in news recently, is associated with which field?
[A] Epidemiology
[B] Virology
[C] Cyber-security Research
[D] Architecture
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Cyber-security Research]
Notes:
French cybersecurity researcher and ethical hacker Robert Baptiste who writes in the pseudonym Elliot Alderson on Twitter, warned about the security issues in the Aarogya Setu application. He also explained how the application could be manipulated to retrieve data of people infected in a given area.
As per the recent announcement of the Indian government, more than 90 million people have downloaded the application. However, the team of Aarogya Setu assured that no data or security breach has been identified.
12. What is the name of the application launched by the AYUSH Ministry as a part of the launch of clinical research on Ayurveda interventions?
[A] AYUSH Raksha
[B] AYUSH Sanjivani
[C] AYUSH Suraksha
[D] AYUSH Shakti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [AYUSH Sanjivani]
Notes:
Union Health Minister along with the Union AYUSH Minister launched the clinical research studies on Ayurveda interventions as an add-on to the standard care in tackling COVID 19. This will be a joint initiative of Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Science & Technology through CSIR.
They also launched the Ayush Sanjivani application developed by the AYUSH Ministry, with an aim of generating data on acceptance and usage of AYUSH recommendations among the public and record their impact in prevention of COVID 19.
13. United Nations Environment Programme extended the term of which Indian personality as its Goodwill ambassador?
[A] Deepika Padukone
[B] Virat Kohli
[C] Dia Mirza
[D] Vidya Balan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dia Mirza]
Notes:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has recently extended the term of Bollywood star and environmentalist Dia Mirza, as its National Goodwill Ambassador for another two years.
Dia Mirza is also an advocate of United Nations Sustainability Development Goals. She was famous for her #BeatPlasticPollution campaign when she was the UNEP Goodwill ambassador for the first time.
14. Which day is celebrated in the month of May, to observe and create awareness on a blood-related disorder?
[A]
World Anaemia Day
[B] World Haemophilia Day
[C] World Thalassaemia Day
[D] World Leukaemia Day
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [World Thalassaemia Day]
Notes:
The World Thalassaemia Day is observed every year across the world on May 8. It is observed with an aim of creating awareness about a blood disorder called Thalassaemia.
Thalassaemia is a genetic blood disorder that affects the production of haemoglobin. Lesser red blood cells and low haemoglobin are the effects of this disorder. This year the theme is “The dawning of a new era for thalassaemia: Time for a global effort to make novel therapies accessible and affordable to patients”.
15. Which international rating agency has projected zero economic growth for India in the year 2020-21?
[A] S&P
[B] Moody’s Investor Service
[C] CRISIL
[D] Fitch Ratings
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Moody’s Investor Service]
Notes:
Moody’s Investors Service has recently projected India’s growth at zero per cent for the current fiscal 2020-21.
It had estimated a growth of 4.8 per cent for the last fiscal year. Last month the ratings agency estimated that the Indian economy would grow at 0.2 per cent. It had also provided a ‘Baa2’ rating for India, which represents moderate credit risk. It also said that India would regain its growth rate at 6.6 per cent in the 2021-22 fiscal.
16. What is the new borrowing target of the government for the current financial year, after the gross market borrowing target has been raised from the budget estimate?
[A] Rs. 9 lakh crore
[B] Rs 10 lakh crore
[C] Rs 12 lakh crore
[D] Rs 15 lakh crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 12 lakh crore]
Notes:
The government has recently raised its gross market borrowing target for the current financial year to Rs 12 lakh crore.
As per the latest budget estimate, the target was Rs 7.8 lakh crore for the current fiscal year. The increase in the target accounts for more than 50% increase from the estimate. The decision has been taken at the backdrop of the Covid-19 outbreak that has crippled the economy. Lower tax collections and the fiscal stimulus required are the reasons for the increased borrowing.
17. When is the “Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War” observed by the United Nations, every year?
[A] 1-2 May
[B] 4-5 May
[C] 8-9 May
[D] 11-12 May
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [8-9 May]
Notes:
On 8 and 9 May every year, the United Nations commemorates the millions who lost their lives during the Second World War. The World War-II led to the formation of the United Nations.
The commemoration to pay tribute to all victims is officially called the “Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War”. It was created by a General Assembly resolution in 2004.
18. What is the theme of the World Migratory Bird Day 2020 observed on May 9?
[A] Love the Birds
[B] Birds Connect Our World
[C] Birds transcend the Globe
[D] Birds are precious
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Birds Connect Our World]
Notes:
The World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated on May 9 every year, across the world. The theme of the World Migratory Bird Day 2020 is ‘Birds Connect Our World’.
The day is celebrated to raise awareness about conservation and ecological importance of migratory birds in the global ecosystem. The day was first introduced in the year 2006 and since then several awareness events and bird watching events for bird enthusiasts will be conducted on the day.
19. What is the permitted stay period of an individual in India, to be included as a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), in context of tax calculation?
[A] 60 days
[B] 90 days
[C] 120 days
[D] 150 days
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [120 days]
Notes:
The Union Budget 2020 proposed to reduce the stay period of an individual in India to 120 days, from the previous 182 days. But this reduction is only applicable to persons with less than Rs 15 lakh as Indian income during the Financial year.
Recently, Finance Ministry allowed a relief in determining the residential status during 2019-20, where a person came to India before 22nd March, 2020 and was unable to leave India on or before 31st March 2020, his period of stay in India from 22nd March to 31st March shall not be taken into account. Otherwise they shall have to file tax returns as Indian residents.
20. 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.