21. Gharials, that were recently released in the Ghaghara river in Uttar Pradesh, belong to which species family?
[A] Crocodile
[B] Fish
[C] Turtle
[D] Dolphin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Crocodile]
Notes:
The Bahraich forest division of Uttar Pradesh released about forty gharials in the Ghaghara river, a major left bank tributary of the Ganges.
The scientific name of Gharials is Gavialis gangeticus and are commonly called as fish-eating crocodiles. The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) India supports the exercise of collecting the eggs, hatching at the Kukrail centre and releasing them in the river. Gharials are critically endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Species.
22. 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.
23. Roberto Azevedo, who was in news recently, is the Chief of which international organisation?
[A] International Monetary Fund
[B] World Bank
[C] World Trade Organisation
[D] United Nations
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [World Trade Organisation]
Notes:
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) recently announced that its Director-General of Roberto Azevedo will step down on August 31, 2020 on personal grounds. This is a year before the end of his second term as he has completed 7 years as the WTO chief.
The Geneva-based World Trade Organisation (WTO) was founded in the year 1995 and India is one of the founder members of this body. The main objective of WTO is to frame rules for global exports and imports and regulate international trade by reducing barriers.
24. In the recent economic stimulus package, it was announced that India is to become a global MRO hub. In this context, MRO is associated with which sector?
[A] Education Sector
[B] Aviation Sector
[C] Power Sector
[D] Mineral Sector
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Aviation Sector]
Notes:
In the recent economic stimulus package, the Finance Minister announced that the government is taking steps to make India a global Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub of aircraft.
As the aircraft component repairs and airframe maintenance is set to increase from Rs 800 crore to Rs 2,000 crore in three years, India can make use of the opportunity. Major engine manufacturers in the world are expected to set up engine repair facilities in India in future. The Minister also announced auctioning of six more airports on public-private partnership (PPP) basis.
25. Which country recently sworn in its new government led by the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz?
[A] Iran
[B] Oman
[C] Israel
[D] Iraq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Israel]
Notes:
The parliament of Israel recently sworn in its new government led by the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz.
Israel was functioning without a stable government for over 500 days and held three inconclusive elections. The law-makers of the country have approved the coalition of Netanyahu-Gantz. Benny Gantz was a former rival of Netanyahu. This step is expected to end the longest political crisis in the country’s history.
26. Which country announced a USD 2 billion fund to help developing countries for fighting COVID-19, at the recently held World Health Assembly (WHA)?
[A] United States
[B] China
[C] Germany
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
This year’s World Health Assembly, the key decision-making body of the World Health Organization, the 73rd edition was recently held virtually. The assembly is usually held in Geneva and attended by representatives of the United Nation’s 194 member states.
India along with other 122 countries, supported the key conference paper, which proposes for a review of the world’s response to Covid-19. The draft called for a global approach to identify the zoonotic source of the virus and its path of introduction to the human population. China committed to provide USD 2 billion over two years to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
27. Which Indian state/ UT has launched the ‘Charan Paduka’ campaign to assist migrant labourers?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Chhattisgarh
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Uttarakhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The state of Madhya Pradesh has recently launched a new initiative, the first in the country named Charan Paduka campaign.
The campaign seeks to assist the migrant labourers who are walking barefoot by providing foot-wears to them. It was started from a Police station at Indore and is being implemented with the help of civilians, across the state. This scheme has been launched amid several accidents of the state involving migrants.
28. Who has been conferred with the 2019 Alexander Dalrymple Award for his contribution to Indian hydrography?
[A] R K S Bhaduaria
[B] Vinay Badhwar
[C] Ashok Kumar
[D] Krishnaswamy Natarajan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vinay Badhwar]
Notes:
The National Hydrographer to the government of India, Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar, has been conferred with the 2019 Alexander Dalrymple Award.
The award has been given for his significant contribution to Indian hydrography and across the Indian Ocean region. The award is presented to the personalities who contribute in raising the standards of hydrography, cartography and navigation around the world. It was first presented in 2006 by the UK Ministry of Defence-sponsored UKHO (UK Hydrographic Office).
29. ‘Smiling Buddha’ was the codename of which first-of-its kind operation of India?
[A] First space mission
[B] First nuclear test
[C] Elimination of Polio
[D] Elimination of small-pox
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [First nuclear test]
Notes:
India recently observed the 46th anniversary of its first nuclear test in Rajasthan’s Pokhran, conducted on May 18.
The peaceful first nuclear was codenamed the ‘Smiling Buddha’, which proclaimed India as a nuclear power. As the test was conducted on the Buddha Poornima of that year, the event was codenamed after Buddha. Indira Gandhi was the Prime of Minister of India during the tests and it was the first confirmed nuclear test by a country that was not a permanent member of the UNSC.
30. As per the notification of the Jammu& Kashmir administration, what is the minimum duration of residence in the UT, to be eligible for domicile status?
[A] 10 years
[B] 15 years
[C] 18 years
[D] 20 years
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [15 years]
Notes:
The Jammu & Kashmir government notified Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules, 2020. There shall be a timeline of 15 days for issuance of the certificate after which the applicant can approach an Appellate Authority.
According to that, all people who have resided in the UT for 15 years, or have studied for 7 years and appeared in class 10th or 12th examination there and their children, Children of Government officials who have served in the UT for 10 years are eligible. Now, West Pakistan Refugees (WPRs), sanitation workers and children of women married outside Jammu and Kashmir shall also be eligible for Domicile Certificate.