1) “Nandan Nilekani committee” is sometimes seen in the news recently. It was constituted for which of the following purposes?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently announced formation of a high-level panel to assess digitisation of payments in the country.
The Committee on Deepening of Digital Payments will be chaired by Nandan Nilekani.
The committee will review the existing status of digitisation of payments in the country and assess the current levels of digital payments in financial inclusion.
2) NASA’s probe Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has recently discovered a new planet.Which of the following are not the criteria to designate a celestial body as a full-sized planet?
It has to be perfectly spherical.
It has sufficient mass to assume hydrostatic equilibrium.
It has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.
It has to reside within a zone of other similarly-sized objects.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
A planet is a celestial body that
Is in orbit around the Sun.
Has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape.
Has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.
A body need not be perfectly spherical to be called a planet.
For example, the rotation of a body can slightly distort the shape so that it is not perfectly spherical.
Earth, for example, has a slightly greater diameter measured at the equator than measured at the poles.
Pluto now falls into the dwarf planet category on account of its size and the fact that it resides within a zone of other similarly-sized objects known as the transneptunian region.
NASA’s probe Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) discovers a new planet.
The planet, named HD 21749b, orbits a bright, nearby dwarf star about 53 light years away, in the constellation Reticulum, and appears to have the longest orbital period of the three planets so far identified by TESS.
3) Consider the following statements with respect to Debenture Redemption Reserve (DRR)
It is a provision mandating both listed and unlisted companies to set aside 25 per cent of their profits for protection of bond investors in case of a default.
SEBI has recently scrapped the requirement of Debenture Redemption Reserve (DRR).
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
The finance ministry has rejected the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI’s) proposal to do away with the requirement of the debenture redemption reserve (DRR).
DRR is a provision mandating both listed and unlisted companies to set aside 25 per cent of their profits for protection of bond investors in case of a default.
Financial institutions such as banks and non-banking financial companies are, however, exempted from this requirement if funds are raised through a private placement.
4) The “Global Report on Trafficking in persons 2018” is released recently by which of the following organisations?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
The 2018 UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Global Report on Trafficking in Persons is the fourth of its kind mandated by the General Assembly through the 2010 United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons.
Trafficking victims from South Asian countries including India are detected in many parts of Europe, according to a new UN report that said human trafficking has taken “horrific dimensions” with children accounting for a third of those being trafficked.
5) Consider the following statements with respect to Leptospirosis
It is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals.
Human to human transmission of Leptospirosis occurs very rarely.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals.
Humans become infected through direct contact with the urine of infected animals or with a urine-contaminated environment.
The bacteria enter the body through cuts or abrasions on the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes.
Person-to-person transmission is rare.
6) “Global Economic Prospects Report” is released by which of the following organisations?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Global Economic Prospects is a World Bank Group flagship report that examines global economic developments and prospects, with a special focus on emerging market and developing economies.
It is issued twice a year, in January and June.
7) Consider the following statements with respect to Tea tribes
They are notified scheduled tribe community, inhabited the state of Assam.
They are entitled with the same benefits that are granted to Scheduled Tribes in other states.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
Centre has recently approved the proposal to notify Six Communities from Assam as Scheduled Tribes.
The communities are Koch-Rajbongshis, 36 Tea Tribes, Tai Ahoms, Morans, Motoks and Chutiyas.
These communities are at present listed as other backward classes (OBCs).
As per the information made available by the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), there is no single communitydescribed as “Tea Tribe” in the Central list of OBCs for the State of Assam.
However, there are as many as 96 castes in the Central List of OBCs for the State of Assam falling under the description “Tea Garden Labourers, Tea Garden Tribes, Ex-Tea Garden labourers & Ex-Tea Garden Tribes”.
8) "Irisin" hormone sometimes seen in the news recently is generated by
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : b
Irisin is a hormone generated by muscle tissue that is carried around the body in the bloodstream.
Irisin generated during physical exercise can help counter the loss of memory caused by Alzheimer's as well as delay the onset of the most common type of dementia, according to a study.
Researchers at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), established a link between levels of Irisin and the development of the Alzheimer's disease.
9) Consider the following statements with respect to Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL)
It is a Public Sector Enterprise.
It is responsible for design, construction, commissioning and operation of nuclear power reactors in India.
It comes under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
10) Consider the following statements with respect to Jal Charcha
It is a weekly magazine issued by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
It is a first of its kind initiative by the ministry to bring best practices in water sector to the national stage.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has released the inaugural issue of the monthly magazineJal Charcha – in New Delhi recently.
Jal Charcha is the third magazine being published by the Ministry.
The first is Namami Gange by National Mission for Clean Ganga and second is Jalansh by Central Water Commission.
The magazine is also an effort to bring best practices in water sector to the national stage and move ahead in the direction of creating water consciousness in the minds of the people of the country.
