1) Param Shivay sometimes seen in the news recently, is a
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Indian Prime Minister has recently inaugurated ‘Param Shivay’Supercomputer of 833 teraflop capacity built at the cost of Rs 32.5 crore under the National Super Computing Mission at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
India’s first supercomputer called PARAM 8000 was launched in 1991.
India's first Indigenous Semiconductor Chips was recently launched by Bengaluru based semiconductor company "SIGNALCHIP" for 4G/LTE and 5G NR MODEMs in New Delhi.
At present only 8 companies and a few countries can design and build semiconductor chips.
India is just breaking into the elite club of the world and this will have huge implications for India’s data security and data sovereignty, besides the positive economic implications.
2) Consider the following statements with respect to Atal Jai Anusandhan Biotech Mission – UNaTI
It aims to transform Health, Agriculture and Energy sectors during the next 5 years.
It was launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology has announced key missions at the 33rd foundation day ceremony of Department of Biotechnology, including Atal JaiAnusandhan Biotech Mission - Undertaking Nationally Relevant Technology Innovation (UNaTI).
It is expected to transform Health, Agriculture and Energy sectors during the next 5 years.
This mission includes -
GARBH-ini – A Mission to promote Maternal and Child Health and develop prediction tools for pre-term berth.
IndCEPI – A Mission to develop affordable vaccines for endemic diseases, Development of Bio-fortified and Protein Rich wheat - contributing to POSHAN Abhiyan.
Mission on Anti-Microbial Resistance for Affordable Diagnostics and Therapeutics.
Clean Energy Mission – Innovative Technology interventions for Swachh Bharat.
3) Consider the following statements with respect to Geneva Conventions
It comprises of four conventions and three additional protocols.
They were adopted in 1919 in the backdrop of World War I.
The treatment of prisoners of war is dealt with by the Third Geneva Convention.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
The Geneva Convention was adopted in 1949 in the backdrop of World War II.
However, the four Geneva Conventions, with three protocols added since 1977, continue to apply today to situations of armed conflicts. The conventions have been ratified by 196 countries.
The first convention requires that all wounded and infirm soldiers as well as medical personnel and chaplains in the field are treated humanely without discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender, religion or faith, and the like. It prohibits acts such as torture, mutilation, outrages upon personal dignity, and execution without judgment. It also grants them the right to proper medical treatment and care.
The second convention extends the protections described above to shipwrecked soldiers and other naval forces, including special protections afforded to hospital ships.
The third convention is related to the treatment of Prisoners of War (PoWs).
The last Convention focuses on the protection of civilians in times of war.
4) Consider the following statements with respect to Sundarbans
It is the largest protected wetland in India.
The Indian side of the Sundarbans received the Wetland of International Importance tag, since 1992.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
The Indian side of the Sunderbans has received the prestigious ‘Wetlands of International Importance’ tag under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, making it the largest protected wetland in the country.
Home to the royal Bengal tiger, this is the second Ramsar site in Bengal after the East Kolkata Wetlands, which got the tag in 2002.
The decision was taken at a Ramsar Convention held recently.
The Sunderban Wetland was listed as the 27th site in India on the official Ramsar website.
The Bangladesh part of the Sunderbans had received the Ramsar tag way back in 1992.
5) Inclusive Internet Index (3i) 2019 was prepared by which of the following?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
India has been ranked 47th in the overall "Inclusive Internet Index 2019" score while Sweden topped the chart, followed by Singapore and the US, a Facebook-led study has revealed.
Inclusive Internet Index (3i) was prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)for Facebook.
6) Consider the following statements with respect to TRIFED
Its main objective is to promote tribal products and socio-economic development of tribes.
It functions under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are incorrect?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
7) Consider the following statements
The first specification of a Scheduled Tribe in relation to a particular State/ Union Territory is by a notified order of the President.
A notified order by a President can be modified subsequently only through an Act of Parliament.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
According to Article 342, the first specification of Scheduled Tribes in relation to a particular State/ Union Territory is by a notified order of the President, after consultation with the State governments concerned.
These orders can be modified subsequently only through an Act of Parliament.
It also provides for listing of scheduled tribes, State/Union Territory wise and not on an all India basis.
8) Consider the following statements with respect to National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)
It was established to provide long-term capital to India’s infrastructure sector.
It is considered as India’s quasi sovereign wealth fund.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : c
NIIF, short for National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, is an Indian-government backed entity established to provide long-term capital to the country’s infrastructure sector.
NIIF was set up as an alternative investment fund (AIF) in December 2016 with a planned corpus of Rs. 40,000 crore.
The Indian government has 49 per cent stake in NIIF with the rest held by marquee foreign and domestic investors such as Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Temasek and HDFC Group.
With the Centre’s significant stake, NIIF is considered India’s quasi sovereign wealth fund.
9) Consider the following statements
It lies on the western and north-western margins of the peninsular plateau.
These are highly eroded hills and are found as broken hills.
Luni – the largest river system of Rajasthan located west to this mountain.
Identify the mountain that correctly matches with the above description
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : d
10) Consider the following statements
Turtles and Tortoises belong to the same family of reptiles and look similar.
Turtles prefer land while tortoises live mainly on water.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Answer : a
Turtles and Tortoises belong to the same family of reptiles and look similar.
However, their lifestyle differences set them apart.
They do not share the same habitat — turtles prefer water while tortoises live mainly on land.
From that stems the major differences:
Turtles have webbed feet, which make them able swimmers. Tortoises have huge stubby feet with claws, which help them to move easily on sandy or grassy terrain, as well as strong forelegs for digging burrows.
The reptiles are protected by shells into which they can draw when threatened. A turtle's shell is flat and suitable for its aquatic environment. The tortoise's shell is heavier and dome-shaped.
Turtles are omnivorous — they eat plant and fish. The diet of tortoises, on the other hand, mainly consists of grasses, weeds, leafy greens, flowers and fruits.
Tortoises, being slow-moving land animals, do not migrate to warmer climes during winter unlike turtles. Instead, they hibernate in deep long burrows that they dig with their forelegs.
Lastly, tortoises win the longevity factor hands down — their lifespan ranges from 80-150 years. Turtles live for 20-40 years on an average.
