20-31 October Flashcards
Jezero crater, which was seen in the news recently, is a depression found in which space body? [A] Venus [B] Jupiter [C] Mars [D] Moon
Correct Answer: C [Mars]
Notes:
Jezero crater is known to be a dry, wind-eroded depression in the surface of Mars. However, the first scientific analysis of images taken by NASA’s Perseverance rover has now confirmed that the Jezero crater was once a quiet lake.
It says that the lake was fed steadily by a small river over 3.7 billion years ago. The images also reveal evidence that the crater underwent flash floods. The new analysis is based on images of the outcropping rocks inside the crater on its western side.
Minister for Forest and Environment released the Vision Plan for Indian zoos, for which duration? [A] 2021-2031 [B] 2021-2025 [C] 2022-2032 [D] 2022-2026
Correct Answer: A [2021-2031]
Notes:
Union Environment Minister released important publications of the Central Zoo Authority, at the National conference for Zoo directors and veterinarians organized by Central Zoo Authority and hosted by Sardar Patel Zoological Park, Gujarat.
First is the Vision Plan (2021-2031) for Indian zoos to upgrade them to global standards and strengthening of Central Zoo Authority. It focusses on animal care, research, and visitor experiences. Second is the WASH Manual for Zoos- for creating and maintaining WASH facilities within the premises for staff and visitors. He also gave away ‘Prani Mitra’ Awards, set up by CZA.
India agreed to provide a USD 200 million Line of Credit for development projects in which country? [A] Nepal [B] Tajikistan [C] Kyrgyzstan [D] Indonesia
Correct Answer: C [Kyrgyzstan]
Notes:
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with the top Kyrgyztan leadership to boost bilateral ties, including defence cooperation.
India also agreed to provide a USD 200 million Line of Credit for development projects in the country. Jaishankar is on his four-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Armenia with an aim to further expand bilateral ties with the three Central Asian countries.
Who has been appointed as the advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi? [A] Amit Khare [B] Ramesh Pokhriyal [C] Preeti Sudan [D] Gagandeep Singh Bedi
Correct Answer: A [Amit Khare]
Notes:
Former bureaucrat Amit Khare, who retired recently as higher education secretary, has been appointed as advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Which global association recently made the largest ‘Green bond’ deal, held so far? [A] ASEAN [B] European Union [C] G-20 [D] OPEC
Correct Answer: B [European Union]
Notes:
The European Union issued its debut Green Bonds and attracted strong demand from investors.
Regarded as the largest green bond deal, the €12bn sale of 15-year debt attracted more than €135bn of orders. The proceeds will be passed on to member states to be spent on areas such as energy efficiency, transport and nature protection. EU has joined a host of member states, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Poland, in issuing green debt.
CRISP-M tool, which was seen in the news recently, embeds climate information in implementing which scheme? [A] MGNREGS [B] PM Awas Yojana [C] SAUBHAGYA [D] PM Ujjwala Yojana
Correct Answer: A [MGNREGS]
Notes:
Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Shri Giriraj Singh jointly launched Climate Resilience Information System and Planning (CRISP-M) tool.
It is used for integration of climate information in Geographic Information System (GIS) based watershed planning under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme. It was launched along with Lord Tariq Ahmad, Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through a virtual event.
Which institution released the ‘World Energy Outlook 2021’ Report? [A] International Energy Agency [B] NITI Aayog [C] World Economic Forum [D] OPEC
Correct Answer: A [International Energy Agency]
Notes:
International Energy Agency (IEA) recently released its World Energy Outlook 2021 report. As per the report, almost $4 trillion investment into clean energy is required to meet the Paris Agreement pledge to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The IEA mentioned some developing economies financing such projects, including India’s expansion of solar panels.
Which institution has released the ‘State of The World’s Hand Hygiene’ report? [A] WHO and UNICEF [B] NITI Aayog [C] Bell and Melinda Gates Foundation [D] Indian Medical Association
Correct Answer: A [WHO and UNICEF]
Notes:
World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF jointly released the 2021 State of The World’s Hand Hygiene report.
As per the report, all households in the world’s 46 least developed countries could have handwashing facilities by 2030 if the world invested less than $1 per person per year, in hand hygiene. An annual cost to governments on promoting handwashing with soap at home comes to 2.5% of the average government health expenditure in these countries.
Which country was recently hit by the tropical storm Kompasu?
[A] Philippines
[B] USA
[C] Indonesia
[D] Germany
Correct Answer: A [Philippines]
Notes:
Tropical storm Kompasu hit the Philippines and left dead at least 19 people. The storm has triggered landslides and flash floods as it crossed the northern tip of the Asia-Pacific islands.
Another 14 people have been reported missing in the Philippines. Kompasu returned to tropical storm strength after making landfall on the Chinese island province of Hainan. It also crossed Hong Kong and Vietnam and caused damages.
Mount Harriet, which was seen in the news recently, is an island peak located in which state/UT? [A] Goa [B] Andaman and Nicobar Islands [C] Lakshadweep [D] Kerala
Correct Answer: B [Andaman and Nicobar Islands]
Notes:
Mount Harriet is the third-highest island peak in Andaman and Nicobar islands. Union Home Minister has announced that the peak will now be known as Mount Manipur, as a tribute to the freedom fighters of Manipur.
Manipur’s Maharaja Kulchandra Singh and 22 other freedom fighters were imprisoned during the Anglo-Manipuri war (1891) at the Mount Harriet. They were sent to Kalapani and kept on Mount Harriet.
Praggnanandhaa, who was seen in the news recently, is associated with which game? [A] Cricket [B] Chess [C] Soccer [D] Volleyball
Correct Answer: B [Chess]
Notes:
Praggnanandhaa is Indian ace Chess player and is one of the young Grandmasters of the country. Recently, he won Julius Baer Challengers Chess Tour by winning against his American opponent Christopher Yoo.
“Collective Security Treaty Organisation”, which is an intergovernmental military alliance, comprises how many full-time members? [A] 17 [B] 13 [C] 11 [D] 6
Correct Answer: D [6]
Notes:
The Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) is an intergovernmental military alliance of 6 full time members (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan) and two non-member observer states (Afghanistan and Serbia).
Recently the CSTO has proposed to hold a military drill near the Afghan border in Tajikistan from October 22-23.
What is the name of NASA’s robotic spacecraft, launched to reach Jupiter’s asteroids, named the Trojans? [A] Lucy [B] Lucky [C] Layman [D] Craft-hopper
Correct Answer: A [Lucy]
Notes:
The American space agency NASA has launched a robotic spacecraft named Lucy, which is set to reach the Trojans (Jupiter’s asteroids) by 2027.
The spacecraft is designed to reach seven Trojan asteroids along with another one in the main Asteroid Belt. The spacecraft was launched using an Atlas V rocket from Florida.
Dubbed as ‘New QUAD’, India participated in the first meeting of the foreign ministers of which three countries? [A] USA, UAE and Israel [B] UK, Italy, Germany [C] UK, USA, Israel [D] UAE, Israel, Japan
Correct Answer: A [USA, UAE and Israel]
Notes:
The first meeting of the Foreign ministers of India, Israel, the UAE and the USA held recently. It is dubbed as the New QUAD.
The virtual meeting discussed on increasing trade, enhancing cooperation in maritime security and global public health, as well as joint infrastructure projects in transportation and technology. Indian foreign minister S. Jaishankar held discussions with his counterparts.
Bhavani Devi, who recently won the title at Charlellville Competition in France, is associated with which sports? [A] Weight-lifting [B] Archery [C] Fencing [D] Shooting
Correct Answer: C [Fencing]
Notes:
Fencer Bhavani Devi, won the women’s individual sabre title at the Charlellville National Competition in France.
She made history at the Tokyo Olympics by becoming the first Indian to compete in fencing at the Olympics. Though she won the first round, she was defeated by bronze-medallist Manon Brunet of France in the next round. The top-ranked fencer from India is currently ranked 50th in the world.
