Best PSC / PCS / STATE PCS online Current Affairs

Current Affairs MAR-2021

Showing 101 - 120 of 121 entries

101. ‘Carbon border agreements’, which was making news recently, has been proposed by which global association?

B
G 20

C
QUAD

D
European Union

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [European Union]

Explaination : [The European Commission released the European Green Deal in December 2020 and set a deadline of March 2021 to propose the first-ever European Climate Law. The document highlights plans to implement a carbon border agreement. It aims to avoid carbon leakage from less determined nations who are likely to continue depending on fossil-fuel based energy sources.]

102. Which state has introduced a new centralised system for inspections at factories?

A
Tamil Nadu

B
Kerala

C
Odisha

D
Karnataka

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Karnataka]

Explaination : [The industries department of the Government of Karnataka has introduced a new system of centralised inspection of factories. Under the new and simplified system, departments of factories, boilers and industrial safety, labour and legal metrology, and the Pollution Control Board will carry on joint inspections of factories, manufacturing units and business entities in a single window manner.]

103. When is the ‘Zero Discrimination Day’ observed annually across the world?

A
March 1

B
March 2

C
March 3

D
March 4

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [March 1]

Explaination : [The ‘Zero Discrimination Day’ is observed annually across the world on March 1, by UNAIDS. The day was first celebrated on March 1, 2014. This year, UNAIDS is focussing on the urgent need to take action to end the inequalities remaining in the world.The symbol for Zero Discrimination Day is the butterfly.]

104. Which Union Ministry has launched the field assessment of Swachh Survekshan, 2021?

A
Ministry of Home Affairs

B
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

C
Ministry of Jal Shakti

D
Ministry of Rural Development

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]

Explaination : [The Ministry of Housing and Housing Affairs (MoHUA) has launched the field assessment of Swachh Survekshan, 2021. It is the sixth edition of this annual cleanliness survey which is conducted by the Government of India. The Swachh Survekshan 2021 was introduced by the MoHUA in the year 2016. It was launched as a competitive framework in a bid to encourage the cities to improve their status of the urban sanitation.]

105. The Government has amended which rules to bring insurance brokers within its ambit?

A
Insurance Act, 1938

B
IRDA Act, 1999

C
Insurance Ombudsman Rules 2005

D
Insurance Ombudsman Rules, 2017

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Insurance Ombudsman Rules, 2017]

Explaination : [The government has recently notified comprehensive amendments to the Insurance Ombudsman Rules, 2017. As per the amendments, the insurance brokers are brought within the ambit of the Government. It also allowed policyholders to file online complaints. The scope of complaints also include deficiencies in service by insurers, agents, brokers and other intermediaries. ]

106. Which country is building the world’s first Platypus Sanctuary?

A
New Zealand

B
Australia

D
Canada

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Australia]

Explaination : [The New South Wales State government and the Taronga Conservation Society of Australia announced that they are building the world’s first Platypus Sanctuary. This first-of-its kind refugee centre aims to promote breeding and rehabilitation of the duck-billed mammal, which has been facing extinction due to climate change. The facility is to be created in a zoo which is over 390 km from Sydney.]

107. Which herb is being cultivated in Jammu as part of the Aroma Mission?

A
Lavender

B
Parsley

C
Mint

D
Basil

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Lavender]

Explaination : [Lavender is being cultivated in Jammu as part of the Aroma Mission that was launched in 2016. Lavender is an aromatic herb with medicinal properties. It is a commercially important crop cultivated mainly for production of essential oils. Each litre of lavender essential oil is sold for INR 10,000.]

108. The “space hurricane”, which was discovered recently, was spotted in which region of the Earth?

A
North pole

B
South pole

C
Inter Tropical Convergence Zone

D
Mascarene High

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [North pole]

Explaination : [The scientists have discovered a “space hurricane” for the first time. The hurricane swirled for eight hours over the North Pole in the upper atmosphere of Earth. The team of scientists from USA, Norway, China and United Kingdom observed and produced the image of space hurricane using the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites and a 3D magnetosphere modelling.]

109. Which insurance company launched the ‘Business Kisht Suraksha cover’?

A
ICICI Prudential

B
HDFC Ergo

C
Bharati AXA

D
Bajaj Allianz

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [HDFC Ergo]

Explaination : [HDFC ERGO General Insurance has recently introduced Business Kisht Suraksha cover. It is a unique cover which aims to protect the balance sheet of MFIs, financial institutions and banks in the event of a natural disaster. It covers the institutions from the non-payment of EMIs by borrowers, resulting out of listed calamities.]

110. The Simlipal biosphere reserve is located in which Indian state?

A
Odisha

B
Uttarakhand

C
Rajasthan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Odisha]

Explaination : [Simlipal biosphere reserve comprises of the Simlipal national park cum tiger reserve along with its adjoining areas. It is located in the eastern end of the Eastern Ghats, in Odisha. The name ‘Simlipal’ is derived from ‘Simul’ meaning silk cotton tree. Recently, there was a wildfire in the National Park and is raging for nearly a week.]

111. What does ‘T’ stand for in the SFURTI scheme, which was making news recently?

A
Transmission

B
Traditional

C
Transformation

D
Tournament

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Traditional]

Explaination : [Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) was launched to organize traditional industries and artisans into clusters, which will make them competitive and increase their income. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Nitin Gadkari has recently inaugurated 50 artisan-based SFURTI clusters across 18 States. The Union MSME Ministry has funded Rs 85 crore for development of these SFURTI clusters. ]

112. Indian Government signed a USD 68 million project with the World Bank, to enhance the education system in which state?

A
Meghalaya

B
Manipur

C
Nagaland

D
Arunachal Pradesh

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Nagaland]

Explaination : [The Indian government, Government of Nagaland and the World Bank signed a USD 68 million project to enhance the governance of schools across Nagaland. It also aims to improve teaching practices and environments in some select schools. The project titled “Nagaland: Enhancing Classroom Teaching and Resources Project” also provides technology support to hybrid and online learning.]

113. Which is the world’s first country to ban all Vulture-Toxic Drugs known so far?

A
India

B
Bangladesh

C
Russia

D
New Zealand

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Bangladesh]

Explaination : [Bangladesh has recently banned the painkiller ketoprofen used widely to treat the cattle. With this it became the first country to ban all the drugs known so far to be toxic to vultures. Over 10 years ago, the country banned the veterinary drug diclofenac. As per Ornithologists, this is a landmark step to save the small existing population of Asia’s globally threatened vultures.]

114. The Horticulture Department of which state has proposed to set up a flower processing centre?

A
Tamil Nadu

B
Uttar Pradesh

C
Haryana

D
Karnataka

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Karnataka]

Explaination : [The Horticulture Department of Karnataka has collaborated with International Flower Auction Bangalore, to set up a flower processing centre. This centre is aimed to convert unsold flowers into value added and useful products like floral papers, incense sticks, flower petal powder, floral embedded works etc.]

115. Which is the first country to receive the batch of free Covid vaccines through COVAX scheme?

B
Ghana

C
Sudan

D
Ethiopia

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Ghana]

Explaination : [Ghana became the first country to receive a batch of free Covid vaccine doses through the COVAX initiative. The World Health Organization (WHO) leads the COVAX initiative together with Gavi the Vaccine Alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. It aims to share the vaccines to poorer countries. ]

116. Where is the headquarters of the “International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD)”?

A
Geneva

B
Paris

C
Rome

D
Lausanne

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Paris]

Explaination : [“International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD)” is an international non-governmental organization, which shares knowledge of design, construction, maintenance, and impact of large dams, based at Paris. The ICOLD ‘Symposium on Sustainable Development of Dams & River Basins’ was inaugurated by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister for Jal Shakti. It has been organised with Central Water Commission (CWC), Dam Rehabilitation Improvement Project (DRIP) and National Hydrology Project (NHP). ]

117. Which bird has been spotted in Indonesia after 170 years?

A
Black-browed Babbler

B
White Sparrow

C
Forest Owlet

D
Bengal Florican

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Black-browed Babbler]

Explaination : [Black-browed Babbler, which was considered to be extinct, has reappeared after 170 years. The bird has been spotted in Borneo of Indonesia. The bird was first described by scientists around 1848 and it was then considered to be extinct. According to Global Wildlife Conservation, two men accidentally photographed the bird in Borneo, Indonesia.]

118. Deepak Kumar, who won the silver medal at the Strandja Memorial Tournament in Bulgaria, is associated with which sports?

A
Weight Lifting

B
Boxing

C
Wrestling

D
Badminton

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Boxing]

Explaination : [Indian boxer Deepak Kumar has won the silver medal at the 72nd Strandja Memorial Tournament, recently held in Sofia, Bulgaria. Deepak Kumar was a silver medal winner of the Asian Games, and a former India Open gold-medallist.]

119. Which Union Ministry launched the real-time monitoring system of toll plazas at national highways across the country?

A
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

B
Ministry of Finance

C
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

D
None of the above

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Ministry of Road Transport and Highways]

Explaination : [The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways launched the real-time monitoring system of toll plazas at national highways across the country. It will be used to measure the Daily Congestion Index for each plaza and overall congestion across national highway network in real time. It will also collect real time data on high peak hours’ traffic. The purpose is to reduce congestion and improve efficiency of FASTag usage.]

120. As per the recent SBI report, India’s second Covid wave may last up to how many days?