21. National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), that has ‘SwasthVayu’ ventilator, is an aerospace laboratory of which organisation?
[A] Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
[B] Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
[C] Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
[D] Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)]
Notes:
India’s first aerospace firm and a laboratory of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) has developed a portable non-invasive ventilator, ‘SwasthVayu’.
SwasthVayu is a microcontroller-based control system, that has a potential use to treat moderate or mid-stage patients. It can be used in wards, Make shift Hospitals, dispensaries and homes. The ventilator has been developed by NAL in record 36 days.
22. Which bureaucrat has been appointed as the new chief of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)?
[A] V. Vidyavathi
[B] P K Sharma
[C] I V Subba Rao
[D] Nripendra Misra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [V. Vidyavathi]
Notes:
A 1991 batch Karnataka cadre officer Ms. Vidyavathi has been recently appointed as the new Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
According to the order of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, the bureaucrat will be serving in the rank of Additional Secretary to the Government of India. Usha Sharma was the previous DG of ASI, that is headquartered at New Delhi.
23. What is the rank of India in the recently released global ‘Energy Transition Index’ (ETI) of the World Economic Forum?
[A] 52
[B] 68
[C] 74
[D] 82
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [74]
Notes:
The World Economic Forum has recently released the global ‘Energy Transition Index’. The index ranks 115 economies on the current performance of their energy systems and their readiness for transition to secure and sustainable energy systems.
India has moved up two positions to rank 74th from previous year, and has improved on all key parameters. Sweden has topped the Energy Transition Index (ETI) for the third consecutive year. Switzerland and Finland were ranked in the next two positions.
24. “GOAL (Going Online as Leaders)” is an initiative of which Union Ministry of India?
[A] Ministry of HRD
[B] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[C] Ministry of MSME
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Tribal Affairs]
Notes:
“GOAL (Going Online As Leaders)” programme is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).
Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda launched the scheme was launched in partnership with Facebook. The programme aims to provide mentorship and training to tribal youth through digitally enabled programs. The scheme is expected to promote and empower 5,000 tribal youths in the current phase.
25. As per the 3rd Advance Estimates of production of major crops for 2019-20, what is the estimated total food-grain production in India?
[A] 237.67 million tonnes
[B] 258.67 million tonnes
[C] 279.67 million tonnes
[D] 295.67 million tonnes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [295.67 million tonnes]
Notes:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare recently released the 3rd Advance Estimates of production of major crops for 2019-20.
As per the estimates, the total food-grain production in the country is estimated at record 295.67 million tonnes in the 2019-20 crop year. This projected production is higher by 10.46 million tonnes from previous year. The total production of Rice and Wheat during 2019-20 is estimated at around 118 million tonnes and 107 million tonnes respectively.
26. Which institution published the corona studies series titled “Psycho-Social impact of pandemic & lockdown and how to Cope With”?
[A] NCERT- National Council of Education, Research and Training
[B] CBSE- Central Board of Secondary Education
[C] NBT- National Book Trust
[D] IGNOU- Indira Gandhi National University
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [NBT- National Book Trust]
Notes:
National Book Trust (NBT) India has published the corona studies series titled “Psycho-Social impact of pandemic & lockdown and how to Cope With”.
Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank recently virtually launched the print and e-editions of the seven titles of the series. The series was prepared by a Study Group, that also has recommended strengthening of ‘Preventive Mental Health component’ of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP), as a long-term strategy to prepare a post-Corona society.
27. Which state is set to implement sensor-based service delivery monitoring system for rural drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)?
[A] Punjab
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Gujarat
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gujarat]
Notes:
The state of Gujarat is set to implement sensor-based service delivery monitoring system for rural drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
It has already implemented a pilot project in two districts of the state to monitor whether potable water in prescribed quantity and quality is provided to every rural household regularly. The state has planned to provide 11.15 lakh household tap connections in the rural areas during 2020-21.
28. Debesh Roy, who passed away recently, was associated with which field?
[A] Literature
[B] Politics
[C] Sports
[D] Business
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Literature]
Notes:
Veteran Bengali author Debesh Roy passed away recently at the age of 84, after he suffered from a massive cardiac arrest.
The author was actively writing articles in several Bengali dailies and had participated in protests against the attack on liberals. He had won several awards during his five-decade long writing career. He was conferred the Sahitya Akademi award for his novel ‘Teesta Parer Brittanto’. His other famous works are ‘Borisaler Jogen Mondal’, ‘Manush Khun Kore Keno’ and ‘Samay Asamayer Brittanto’.
29. Operation Greens, that was in news recently, is a scheme under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[B] Ministry of Food Processing Industries
[C] Ministry of MSME
[D] Ministry of Rural Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Food Processing Industries]
Notes:
Operation Greens was introduced in 2018, under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, with a main aim to enhance value realisation of TOP (Tomatoes, Onion and Potatoes) farmers by strengthening production clusters and FPOs and to connect them with market.
In the recent stimulus package, it was announced that Operation Greens will be extended from Tomatoes, Onion and Potatoes (TOP) to ALL fruits and vegetables (TOTAL), as a pilot project for 6 months. 50% subsidy on transportation from surplus to deficient markets and 50% subsidy on storage, including cold storages will be provided.
30. Which GIF-making and sharing website has been recently acquired by the social-media giant Facebook?
[A] Gifmaker
[B] Giphy
[C] Easygif
[D] Makeagif
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Giphy]
Notes:
The Social-media giant Facebook has recently acquired the popular GIF-making and sharing website GIPHY. Facebook is also planning to integrate its GIF library Instagram, its photo-sharing app.
GIPHY, one of the most popular GIF-making and sharing sites on the internet, allows users to create, share and remix GIFs. Several platforms including Apple, Twitter, Pinterest and Reddit use Giphy’s API for providing GIFs.