Best PSC / PCS / STATE PCS online Current Affairs

Current Affairs JAN-2021

Showing 261 - 280 of 300 entries

261. Sagarmala Development Company, which was seen in the news recently, will function under Union Ministry?

A
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

B
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

C
Ministry of Communication

D
Ministry of Defence

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]

Explaination : [Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is set to commence Seaplane services on select routes. It is called the Sagarmala Seaplane Services (SSPS). It is to be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named the Sagarmala Development Company Ltd (SDCL), which will function under the administrative control of the Shipping Ministry. The SPV will also include airline operators.]

262. Kottayam, where H5N8 – avian influenza has been confirmed recently, is located in which state?

A
Kerala

B
Tamil Nadu

C
Rajasthan

D
Madhya Pradesh

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Kerala]

Explaination : [Several ducks in Kottayam city of Kerala state have been found to be infected with Avian influenza – H5N8. The state and district administration have initiated war-footing steps to prevent further spread of the disease. It has been stated that the virus killed 1,700 ducklings in the city which are around 70 days old.]

263. ‘Fatah-1’, which was successfully tested, is the indigenous Rocket system of which country?

B
Israel

C
Pakistan

D
Afghanistan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Pakistan]

Explaination : [Pakistan has successfully conducted the test-flight of an indigenously developed Guided Multi Launch Rocket System. Named as ‘Fatah-1’, the system is capable of hitting targets up to a range of 140 km. The Guided Multi Launch Rocket System can deliver conventional warheads with utmost precision, as per the Army sources of the country.]

264. Which Airline’s all-women crew is to operate the non-stop service between San Francisco and Bengaluru?

A
IndiGo

B
Air India

C
Vistara

D
Spice Jet

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Air India]

Explaination : [Air India’s first non-stop flight service between San Francisco and Bengaluru has commenced recently. It was in the news because the flight is operated by a all-women crew led by the accomplished pilot Captain Zoya Aggarwal. Boeing 777-200LR aircraft is used in the service and operated on Saturdays and Tuesdays.]

265. ‘Bhraman Sarathi’ buses were recently launched by which Indian state/UT?

A
Uttar Pradesh

B
Gujarat

C
Assam

D
Bihar

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Assam]

Explaination : [Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inagurated 25 pink buses for free and dedicated service to women and senior citizens. Named as the ‘Bhraman Sarathi’ scheme, this free transport service has been introduced by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC), for the first time in Guwahati.]

266. ‘Davos Agenda’, which was making news recently, is the online event of which organisation?

A
International Monetary Fund

B
World Economic Forum

C
G-7 Association

D
International Olympic Committee

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [World Economic Forum]

Explaination : [Davos Agenda is the online event of World Economic Forum’s annual meeting held at Davos, Switzerland. The rich and powerful of the world are said to be the participants. This year, the five-day meeting is scheduled to be held between January 25 and 29, in the virtual mode, on account of Covid pandemic. WEF’s ‘Great Reset Initiative’ is also to be launched during the meeting. Several Union Ministers and top businesspersons from India are to attend the event.]

267. The Cabinet approved the MoU between India and which country in Solar Energy sector?

A
France

B
Uzbekistan

C
Sri Lanka

D
Nepal

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Uzbekistan]

Explaination : [The Union cabinet approved the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India and Uzbekistan for solar energy cooperation. Under the MoU, the two countries will identify research and pilot projects in fields such as solar photovoltaic, storage technologies and technology transfer. National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Ministry of New & Renewable Energy is involved in the projects.]

268. Which state has launched the door delivery programme for supply of ration to general public?

A
Tamil Nadu

B
Kerala

C
Andhra Pradesh

D
Karnataka

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Andhra Pradesh]

Explaination : [The Government of Andhra Pradesh headed by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched the door delivery programme for ration, wherein 9,260 “Mobile Dispensing Units” / vehicles will supply ration (rice and other essential commodities) at the door steps of ration cardholders in the State. This move aims to eliminate adulteration of food commodities and also prevent formation of long queues at the fair price shops.]

269. Hawk-I platform, which was making news recently, is owned by which organisation?

A
DRDO

B
BHEL

D
Ordnance Factory Board

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [HAL]

Explaination : [The Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) has been indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s research centre Imarat. Recently, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) successfully test fired a Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) from a Hawk-I aircraft, off the coast of Odisha. HAL deploys its Hawk-I platform for certification of systems and weapons.]

270. An FIR has been filed by which organization against Cambridge Analytica and Global Scientific Research for data theft in India?

B
Enforcement Directorate

C
Directorate General of Telecommunication

D
National Investigation Agency

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [CBI]

Explaination : [Recently, the Central Board of Investigation (CBI) has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against two UK based firms Cambridge Analytica and Global Scientific Research. The FIR has been filed after 30 months since probe was initiated against these two firms, based on a complaint by the IT Ministry. Investigation have revealed that the firm Global Scientific Research has illegally harvested Indian data and passed on to Cambridge Analytica for commercial gains.]

271. Which country has recently revealed a “Draft Arctic Policy”?

A
China

C
India

D
South Africa

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [India]

Explaination : [A new draft ‘Arctic’ policy has been released recently by the Government of India. The draft policy would be available for public opinion till Jan 26, 2021. It has been prepared after deliberations with several Ministries. The policy aims to expand India’s scientific research, sustainable tourism and mineral oil and gas exploration in the Arctic region.]

272. Which Indian Economist has been chosen to be a part of UN high-level advisory board on socio-economic challenges in post-COVID-19 world?

A
Arundhati Roy

B
Amartya Sen

C
Jayati Ghosh

D
Raghuram Rajan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Jayati Ghosh]

Explaination : [India’s economist Jayati Ghosh has been chosen to be a part of UN high-level advisory board on socio-economic challenges in post-COVID-19 world. The board would make recommendations to U.N. Secretary-General for making response to the future, especially after the post COVID era. Ms. Ghosh is presently a professor of economics at University of Massachusetts.]

273. What type of missile is “Akash-NG”, which was test-fired recently?

A
Surface to Surface Missile

B
Air to Air Missile

C
Anti-Tank Missile

D
Surface to Air Missile

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Surface to Air Missile]

Explaination : [The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden launch of Akash-NG (New Generation) Missile. It is a New Generation Surface to Air Missile designed to be used in Indian Air Force. It has the capacity to intercept high maneuvering low RCS aerial threats. The test was carried out at the Integrated Test Range off the coast of Odisha.]

274. Which organisation releases the ‘World Economic Situation and Prospects 2021’?

A
World Bank

B
International Monetary Fund

C
United Nations

D
Asian Development Bank

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [United Nations]

Explaination : [The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) released the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2021. As per the report, India’s economy is projected to grow at 7.3 per cent in 2021 while it is estimated to contract by 9.6 per cent in 2020. According to the UN, the reasons for the contraction are the lockdown and the fallen domestic consumption.]

275. As per the International Monetary Fund, which is the only key country that would record a double-digit growth in FY22?

A
China

B
India

C
United States

D
Germany

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [India]

Explaination : [The International Monetary Fund released its latest World Economic Outlook Update recently. As per the report, Indian economy would grow 11.5 per cent in FY22. It has revised the earlier forecast of 8.8 per cent growth. As per the IMF, India would be the only key country to record a double-digit growth and reclaim the status of the fastest-growing major economy of the world.]

276. Which country has recently signed a MoU with the International Energy Agency (IEA), for strengthening cooperation in global energy security?

B
India

C
China

D
Cuba

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [India]

Explaination : [India has recently signed the “Framework for Strategic Partnership” – an MoU with International Energy Agency (IEA). This agreement aims to strengthen India’s cooperation in global energy security, stability and sustainability. This partnership would result in exchange of knowledge between India and IEA member countries. This is seen as a step by India towards becoming a full time IEA member.]

277. Who has been nominated to the board of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) from India?

A
Rajiv Kumar

B
Narendra Modi

C
Harsh Vardhan

D
Amitabh Kant

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Harsh Vardhan]

Explaination : [Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan has been nominated by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) as a member on the GAVI Board. The Minister is to succeed Mr. Myint Htwe of Myanmar and will represent the South East Area Regional Office (SEARO)/ Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) constituency from 1st January 2021 until 31st December 2023.]

278. What is the name of the online event launched by Agriculture Ministry, to promote innovation in agriculture?

A
Atmanirbhar Agri

B
Agri India Hackathon

C
Kisan Mela

D
Krishi Sammelan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Agri India Hackathon]

Explaination : [Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated the Virtual Agri India hackathon 2020 in New Delhi. It is the largest virtual gathering to organise dialogues and promote innovations in agriculture. This year, the event organized by Pusa Krishi, ICAR – IARI, ICAR & Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers’ Welfare. 24 best innovations will be awarded 1 lakh cash award and incubation support.]

279. Which Defence force has proposed to acquire 12 high-performance patrol boats?

A
Indian Navy

B
Indian Coast Guard

C
Indian Air Force

D
Indian Army

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Indian Army]

Explaination : [The Indian Army has signed a deal with the state-run Goa Shipyard Ltd., for procurement of 12 high performance patrol boats. This is aimed to secure and perform surveillance of large lakes like the Pangong lake in Ladakh. This comes in back drop of the tussle between the Indian Army and the Chinese counterpart at the eastern Ladakh.]

280. Which company has partnered with SIDBI, to provide a finance scheme to MSMEs in rooftop solar segment?

A
Tata Power

B
Mahindra & Mahindra

D
Ashok Leyland

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Tata Power]

Explaination : [Tata Power has partnered with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), to provide a finance scheme to the MSMEs in the rooftop solar segment. Under the financing solution, MSMEs will be able to get financial aid without any collateral at an interest rate of less than 10 per cent. The loan will also be sanctioned and disbursed in a quick manner.]