Best PSC / PCS / STATE PCS online Current Affairs

Current Affairs Sept-2021

Showing 61 - 80 of 184 entries

61. Dr Firdausi Qadri and Muhammad Amjad Saqib, who were seen in the news recently, are the recipients of which award?

A
Booker Prize

B
Ramon Magsaysay award

C
Pulitzer Award

D
Abel Prize

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Ramon Magsaysay award]

Explaination : [• Dr Firdausi Qadri, a vaccine scientist from Bangladesh and Muhammad Amjad Saqib, the microfinance pioneer from Pakistan are among the five recipients of this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Award. • Established in 1957, the award is Asia’s highest honour and regarded as the Asian version of the Nobel Prize. • The other winners are Filipino fisher and community environmentalist Roberto Ballon, American Steven Muncy for humanitarian work and refugee assistance and Indonesian torchbearer for investigative journalism, Watchdoc. • The award is given every year to individuals or organisations in Asia who provide significant service to the society. ]

62. Who has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha?

A
M Venkaiah Naidu

B
Dr. Ramacharyulu

C
Utpal Kumar Singh

D
Desh Deepak Verma

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Dr. Ramacharyulu]

Explaination : [• Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu appointed Dr. Parasaram Pattabhi Kesava Ramacharyulu as the new Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha. • Ramacharyulu has been working as Secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat since 2018. • He succeeds Desh Dipak Verma, who demitted office after serving for four years in the post. As per the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Ramacharyulu is the first ever Upper House employee to have reached the Secretary General’s post. ]

63. The multi-nation military exercise named ‘ZAPAD 2021’ is held in which country?

A
Russia

B
China

C
Sri Lanka

D
India

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Russia]

Explaination : [• Indian Army is participating in Exercise ZAPAD 2021, a multination exercise at Nizhniy, Russia from 3 to 16 September. • The two-week military exercise named ‘ZAPAD 2021’ aimed at boosting anti-terror cooperation. • More than a dozen countries from Eurasia and South Asia will also participate in the same exercise. China and Pakistan are also expected to take part in the exercise as observers. A contingent of 200 personnel of the Indian Army will participate in an exercise. ]

64. Who has been appointed as the Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)?

A
J B Mohapatra

B
Rajesh Damor

C
Pramod Y Devikar

D
Deepa Rasal

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [J B Mohapatra]

Explaination : [• Senior bureaucrat J B Mohapatra has been appointed the chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). • Mohapatra, is a 1985-batch Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) officer, is currently the member in the board that frames the policy for the Income Tax department. • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of J B Mohapatra, as the Chairman of CBDT. After the extended tenure of incumbent P C Mody had ended, Mohapatra has been holding the additional charge of CBDT chairman since May 31. ]

65. Which state has launched ‘Innovation Mission’, a public-private partnership, to boost start-up sector?

A
Telangana

B
Punjab

C
Andhra Pradesh

D
Tamil Nadu

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Punjab]

Explaination : [• Chief Minister Amarinder Singh launched ‘Innovation Mission Punjab’ (IMPunjab), a public-private partnership, to boost start-up sector. • The Mission aims to bring in global investors and experts to promote start-ups. • The mission will be accelerated by the private sector with strong government backing. As partners, the Department of Agriculture, Industries and Commerce, Mandi Board and Startup Punjab are providing around Rs. 30 crores in cash and kind. ]

66. Which institution is leading the cross-border CBDC project, undertaken by Central banks in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and South Africa?

C
World Bank

D
BRICS Bank

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [BIS]

Explaination : [• The Central banks in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and South Africa are set to conduct a cross border payments trial using different central bank digital currencies (CBDC). • Bank of International Settlement (BIS) Innovation Hub is leading the scheme. • This latest project aims to develop prototype shared platforms for cross-border transactions using multiple CBDCs Another BIS-led project exploring using CBDCs for cross border payments is also underway involving central banks from China, Hong Kong, Thailand and the UAE. ]

67. Which country has recently developed a prototype miniature helicopter for surveillance work on future Mars missions?

A
Russia

B
China

D
India

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [China]

Explaination : [• China has developed a prototype miniature helicopter for surveillance work on future Mars missions, according to its space science agency. • A few months ago, China achieved the historic landing of a robotic rover on the red planet. • The prototype is similar in appearance to the robotic helicopter Ingenuity, developed by NASA for its Perseverance mission. As per the space agency, the helicopter could be a tool for China’s follow-up exploration on Mars. ]

68. UAE, Uruguay and Bangladesh have been admitted to which global institution?

A
New Development Bank (NDB)

B
International Monetary Fund

C
Asian Development Bank

D
African Development Bank

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [New Development Bank (NDB)]

Explaination : [• The New Development Bank (NDB) set up by the BRICS group of nations had admitted the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay and Bangladesh as members in its first expansion push. • Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, known as BRICS, launched the bank in 2015 and started formal talks with potential new members. • NDB has initiated its membership expansion and started formal negotiations with prospective members recently. NDB has an authorised capital of USD 100 billion, which is open for subscription by members of the United Nations. ]

69. ‘Eat Right Station’ certification is an initiative of which institution?

B
FSSAI

C
NABARD

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [FSSAI]

Explaination : [• ‘Eat Right Station’ certification is awarded by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), to Railway Stations. • FSSAI-empanelled third-party audit agency concludes the certification, with ratings from 1 to 5. The 5-star rating indicates excellent efforts by stations to ensure safe and hygienic food is available to passengers. • Chandigarh Railway Station was awarded a 5- star ‘Eat Right Station’ certification for providing high-quality, nutritious food to passengers. The certification is part of the ‘Eat Right India’ movement of FSSAI. ]

70. Who is the head of the committee set up to review the existing guidelines of the Journalist Welfare Scheme?

A
Ashok Tandon

B
Shashi Shekhar Vempati

C
Neerja Sekhar

D
Alok Agrawal

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Ashok Tandon]

Explaination : [• The Government set up a 12-member committee to review the existing guidelines of the Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS). • The committee is headed by Prasar Bharti Board member Ashok Tandon. The committee will examine the need for revision of the amount of ex-gratia payment in death as well as other cases under the JWS. ]

71. Exercise Bright Star is a multinational military exercise, held in which country?

A
India

B
Japan

D
Egypt

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Egypt]

Explaination : [Exercise Bright Star is a multinational military exercise, held once in two years at Egypt. This year’s exercise would witness participation from 21 countries including the USA. The first such exercises were held in the year 1980 after signing of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The last Bright Star exercise was conducted in 2018, with 16 participating nations. ]

72. India, along with which country has announced $1.2 billion package for finance to Asia’s Green Growth?

C
Switzerland

D
China

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [UK]

Explaination : [India and United Kingdom have announced a $1.2 billion package, which aims to improve finance to green growth of Asian countries. This package includes an $1 billion would be an investment from CDC, the UK’s development finance institution to support businesses working on green technology. The Climate Finance Leadership Initiative (CFLI) India partnership has also been launched to raise private capital for green projects in India. ]

73. ‘Patrakar Kalyan Kosh’ is a scheme for journalists, implemented in which state?

A
Uttar Pradesh

B
Maharashtra

C
Haryana

D
Chhattisgarh

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Chhattisgarh]

Explaination : [The State Government of Chhattisgarh has implemented the scheme named ‘Patrakar Kalyan Kosh’. Under this scheme, the families of journalists who lost their lives in COVID, would be provided with financial assistance. Further, under this scheme, a sum of Rs 2 lakh would be given to journalists for treatment of COVID disease. The state has also decided to increase the monthly pension to senior journalist from Rs.5000 to Rs.10,000, under the Senior Journalist Samman Nidhi scheme. ]

74. “University of Health Sciences Bill” has been passed by the assembly of which state?Tamil Nadu

A
Tamil Nadu

B
Kerala

C
Odisha

D
Karnataka

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Odisha]

Explaination : [The Legislative Assembly of Odisha has passed the University of Health Sciences Bill 2021, recently. This bill seeks to bring all the medical and paramedical institutions of the state under a single University of Health Sciences. Presently, various medical and paramedical institutions of the state are affiliated to different universities. This bill has been passed amidst strict opposition from various fronts.]

75. Where was the World Stamp Exhibition ‘Philanippon 2021’ held?

A
China

B
Malaysia

C
Taiwan

D
Japan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Japan]

Explaination : [Philanippon 2021 is the World Stamp Exhibition, held recently in Tokyo, Japan. This event is held every 10 years in Japan since 1971, to mark the founding of Postal service in Japan. This year marked the 150th year anniversary of Japan’s postal service. The event showcased the vibrant history and culture created by Japan’s postal as well the future potential of the industry including delivery by robots and drones. ]

76. Kasai River, which was seen in the news recently, is located in which country?

A
Democratic Republic of Congo

B
Russia

C
Japan

D
Germany

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Democratic Republic of Congo]

Explaination : [Kasai River is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was seen in the news because the Kasai River had turned red recently. The bodies of hippos and dead fish were seen floating in the river. The pollution was first detected in a tributary of the Kasai River, named the Tshikapa. The Kasai is a tributary of the Congo River. The pollution originates from a major spill at three mining facilities around in Angola. Researchers also fear the potential for lasting contamination of groundwater. ]

77. A new ‘Climate Finance Leadership Initiative (CFLI) India’ partnership has been signed with which country?

B
France

D
Australia

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [UK]

Explaination : [At the 11th India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD), the Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak met virtually. They signed a USD 1.2-billion package of public and private investment in green projects and renewable energy. A new Climate Finance Leadership Initiative (CFLI) India partnership has been agreed to mobilise private capital into sustainable infrastructure in India.]

78. What is the name of the commission India’s first satellite and ballistic missile tracking ship?

A
Ajit

B
Dhruv

C
Naren

D
Rudra

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Dhruv]

Explaination : [India’s first satellite and ballistic missile tracking ship named ‘Dhruv’ is set to be commissioned from Visakhapatnam. The ship is built by Hindustan Shipyard in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO). INS Dhruv can also map ocean beds for research and detection of enemy submarines. This nuclear missile tracking ship will be operated by the Indian Navy with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).]

79. Which state/UT launched ‘Tourist Village network’ to promote tourism and create employment?

B
Jammu and Kashmir

C
Puducherry

D
Assam

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Jammu and Kashmir]

Explaination : [Jammu & Kashmir LG has recently launched the ‘Tourist Village network’ to promote tourism and create sustainable employment for the youth. This initiative is launched under the Mission Youth and will work towards focussing on the 75 villages in the UT that are already famous for their historical, scenic beauty and cultural importance. Under the scheme, the administration will recognise the uniqueness of each village and showcase the landscape. ]

80. Under SAGAR mission, Indian Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel INS Savitri arrived Chattogram harbour, at which country?

A
Sri Lanka

B
Bangladesh

C
Nepal

D
Thailand

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Bangladesh]

Explaination : [Indian Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel INS Savitri arrived Chattogram harbour, Bangladesh, carrying two 960 LPM (Litres Per Minute) Medical Oxygen Plants (MOP) to support the ongoing efforts of the Bangladesh in tackling Covid-19. The MOPs were developed and manufactured by DRDO in India. The ship is also scheduled to participate in a Maritime Partnership Exercise with BN ship on departure from the Chattogram port.]