11. What is the objective of the “Vande Bharat Mission”, that was seen in news recently?
[A] Testing more samples for Covid-19
[B] Using AYUSH medicines
[C] Evacuating Indian citizens stranded abroad
[D] Educating people about sanitation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Evacuating Indian citizens stranded abroad]
Notes:
The evacuation exercise of India, considered to be one of the largest, has been named the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’, will engage about 64 flights to bring home Indian nationals stranded abroad.
Several countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, UK, Singapore and the US will be covered. In the first week of repatriation, the Gulf countries will be focussed. The highest number of flights to bring back people, were allotted for the states of Kerala (15), Tamil Nadu (11) and Delhi (11).
12. The strategically important Ghatiabagar-Lipulekh motor road, that was inaugurated recently, is located in which state?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uttarakhand]
Notes:
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently inaugurated the strategically important Ghatiabagar-Lipulekh motor road.
The road connects the last Indian post on the Indo-China border in Uttarakhand’s Vyas valley. The construction of the road commenced in 2008 and was scheduled to be completed in 2013, but it was delayed due to the tough terrain. The Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra from Lipulekh pass is more convenient for pilgrims, after the road has been commissioned.
13. MeerKAT, which has captured high-quality imaging of a PKS 2014-55 galaxy, is a satellite of which country?
[A] South Korea
[B] Israel
[C] South Africa
[D] United States
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [South Africa]
Notes:
According to the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), using the high-quality imaging of a galaxy called PKS 2014-55, sent by the South African satellite MeerKAT, the ‘X’ galaxies were found to be of a ‘double boomerang’ shape.
The galaxy that is located 800 million light years from Earth, is classified as ‘X-shaped’ because of its appearance from previous blurry images. The study also showed that these structures ultimately turn black due to the pressure of tenuous intergalactic gas.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. Defence Research Ultraviolet Sanitiser (DRUVS), that was seen in news recently, is developed by which organisation?
[A] DRDO
[B] BHEL
[C] HAL
[D] BEL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [DRDO]
Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory based at Hyderabad, Research Centre Imarat (RCI), has developed an automated sanitisation cabinet, called Defence Research Ultraviolet Sanitiser (DRUVS).
The sanitiser uses the UV-C type of light to sanitise currency notes, electronic gadgets and paper. The significant feature of the sanitiser is its contactless operation, which will help in containing the spread of infection.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. What is “Airlens Minus Corona”, that was seen in news recently?
[A] Air purifier
[B] Disinfectant Robot
[C] Special Mask
[D] Sanitiser
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Disinfectant Robot]
Notes:
A team of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Stanford alumni have developed a technology named “Airlens Minus Corona”. It has received certification from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
It is an ‘intelligent robot’ machine that can travel to hospitals and other crowded public places and disinfect surfaces with a water-based technology. Unlike the alcohol-based or UV-based method, the technology works on the basis of ‘Water Electro Activation’ technique. Charged or ionised water droplets will kill the virus by destroying its proteins.
20. Which is the venue of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, that has been rescheduled for February-March 2021?
[A] Brazil
[B] India
[C] Japan
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was originally scheduled to be held in India from November 2-21 in 2020 and was subsequently postponed due to the pandemic.
Recently, FIFA announced that the World Cup tournament has been rescheduled to February 17-March 7, 2021. It was originally planned to be held across five host cities of India namely – Navi Mumbai, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Bhubaneswar. The original eligibility criteria of the players will be followed.