11. Kashmir saffron has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Which country is the largest producer of saffron in the world?
[A] India
[B] Iran
[C] Saudi Arabia
[D] Taiwan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Iran]
Notes:
Iran ranks first in the world, in terms of production of saffron and India is a close competitor. Kashmir saffron has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag recently. It is cultivated and harvested in the Karewa (highlands) of Jammu and Kashmir.
The unique characteristics of Kashmir saffron are its longer and thicker stigmas, natural deep-red colour and high quantity of crocin, safranal and picrocrocin, among others. It is the only saffron variety in the world that is grown at an altitude of 1,600 m to 1,800 m above mean sea level.
12. As per the recent report of the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), which areas of the country comprised of the highest number of Internet users?
[A] Metropolitan Areas
[B] Urban Areas
[C] Semi-urban Areas
[D] Rural Areas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rural Areas]
Notes:
According to the ‘Digital in India’ report recently released by the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), there were more Internet users in rural areas when compared to those in urban areas for the first time.
As of last November, out of the total 504 million active internet users, there were 227 million active internet users in rural areas while there were 205 million in urban areas. But the time spent on internet is higher among the urban people. The report also highlighted that there was an increase of 21% in female internet users, higher than that of male users (9%).
13. 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.
14. An affordable model of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed and produced by which Indian Armed Force, has been certified for clinical usage?
[A] Indian Army
[B] Indian Navy
[C] Indian Air Force
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Navy]
Notes:
Recently, the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed and produced by the Indian Navy has been certified for mass production and clinical usage.
The PPE has been developed by the team of Innovation Cell, Institute of Naval Medicine, Mumbai and the Naval Dockyard Mumbai. INMAS (Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences) Delhi, an authorised DRDO organization has tested and certified the PPE. The benchmarks of testing are set by the ICMR and the Health Ministry.
15. Humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) outreach, that was seen in news recently, is a diplomatic initiative of which Armed Force of India?
[A] Indian Air Force
[B] Indian Coast Guard
[C] Indian Army
[D] Indian Navy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Indian Navy]
Notes:
As a part of the humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) outreach of the Indian Navy, the armed force has deployed five of its biggest amphibious warfare vessels on a mission to provide essential supplies to friendly Indian Ocean Region (IOR) countries.
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari, INS Jalashwa, INS Magar, INS Airawat and INS Shardul are deployed in the operations. On their return journey some of them will bring back the stranded Indian nationals in those countries.
16. 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.
17. As per the new guidelines issued regarding the Aarogya Setu app, what is the maximum number of days the data can be stored?
[A] 120
[B] 150
[C] 180
[D] 200
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [180]
Notes:
The Government of India has recently issued a set of guidelines to be followed for data processing of Aarogya Setu app users.
As per the new rules, the storage of data beyond 180 days is prohibited and users can seek deletion of their data from the government’s records within 30 days of request. The new norms allow collection of only demographic, contact, self-assessment and location data of infected persons and their contacts. Any violation of these directions may lead to penalties under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
18. How many mandis (markets) are to be integrated with eNAM platform before May 15, as per the target of Agriculture Ministry?
[A] 500
[B] 750
[C] 1000
[D] 2000
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1000]
Notes:
The Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar recently launched integration of 117 additional wholesale mandis with the electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM) platform.
After the integration, the total number of online mandis became 962, across the country against the target of 1000 mandis before May 15. In the e-NAM platform, distant bidding facility for wholesale produce in APMC mandis without physical presence of buyer or trader and e-payment facility are provided.
19. Which country won the inaugural $180,000 FIDE Chess.com Online Nations Cup?
[A] United States
[B] India
[C] China
[D] South Korea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Notes:
China recently won the inaugural $180,000 FIDE Chess.com Online Nations Cup, whereas India settled in the fifth place.
On the basis of highest points in the round-robin stage, China was declared the winner as it drew 2-2 against USA, which bagged the second position. China won 48,000, USA 36,000 and others received $24,000 each. Representing India, Humpy won Olga Girya and P. Harikrishna drew with Sergey Karjakin.
20. Who is the first Indian to win the Fed Cup Heart Award for Asia/Oceania zone?
[A] Leander Paes
[B] Sania Mirza
[C] Rohan Bopanna
[D] Prajnesh Gunneswaran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sania Mirza]
Notes:
Tennis star Sania Mirza became the first Indian to win the Fed Cup Heart Award for Asia/Oceania zone. The Fed Cup Heart Award winners were determined through online voting by fans, starting from May 1.
She has been nominated for her successful return post motherhood. She secured more than 10,000 votes out of the total 16,985 cast for the nominees of this year. The Fed Cup Heart Award is an International Tennis Federation (ITF) initiative that was established in 2009 to recognise the Fed Cup players for their distinction, courage and commitment.