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CONTENTS

NATIONAL NEWS .......................................................................................................................... 10

1.1 SUPREME COURT GUIDELINES ON “SECTION 304-B” OF IPC ............................................................ 10

1.5 SECTION 51 OF THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT, 2005 ................................................................ 11

1.6 THREE CAVES FOUND IN BUDDHIST CAVES COMPLEX, NASIK .......................................................... 11

1.8 KEDAR NATH SINGH JUDGMENT, 1962 ............................................................................................. 12

1.9 NTPC JOINS UN’S CEO WATER MANDATE ......................................................................................... 12

1.10 LADAKH LAUNCHES YOUNTAB SCHEME .......................................................................................... 13

1.11 OASIS OF HOPE: FILM DIVISION’S ONLINE FESTIVAL ....................................................................... 13

1.12 PERFORMANCE GRADING INDEX 2019-20 RELEASED ..................................................................... 13

1.13 IIT MADRAS HOSTS ASIA’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL MEMORY STUDIES WORKSHOP ....................... 14

1.14 INCREDIBLE INDIA TOURIST FACILITATOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME ...................................... 14

1.15 WEYAN: 1ST VILLAGE TO VACCINATE 100% ADULT POPULATION .................................................. 14

1.16 MODEL PANCHAYAT CITIZENS CHARTER ......................................................................................... 15

1.17 SURAKSHIT HUM SURAKSHIT TUM ABHIYAAN ................................................................................ 15

1.18 CENTRE ANNOUNCES HIKE IN MSP FOR KHARIF CROPS ................................................................. 16

1.19 MAHARASHTRA: ACTION PLAN TO PROTECT HERITAGE TREES ...................................................... 16

1.20 INDIA BEGINS ‘EXTENSION OF HOSPITALS’ PROJECT ....................................................................... 16

1.21 PROJECT O2 FOR INDIA .................................................................................................................... 16

1.22 FAME II AMENDMENT ...................................................................................................................... 17

1.23 “PENCIL PORTAL” TO REPORT INSTANCES OF CHILD LABOUR ........................................................ 17

1.24 UN TRADE FORUM 2021 .................................................................................................................. 18

1.25 DAGMARA HYDRO-ELECTRIC PROJECT: BIHAR ................................................................................ 18

1.26 JAL SHAKTI ABHIYAN - II ................................................................................................................... 19

1.27 BHARITALASUCHUSTAPANI”- A CARNIVOROUS REPTILE, LIVED 240 MILLION YEARS AGO ............ 19

1.28 WHAT IS KERALA’S “SILVERLINE PROJECT”? .................................................................................... 20

1.29 “OFB CORPORATISATION” APPROVED BY CABINET ........................................................................ 20

1.30 HERBICIDE TOLERANT (HT) BT COTTON........................................................................................... 20

1.31 MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS LAUNCHES “ADIPRASHIKSHAN PORTAL” ........................................ 21

1.32 TELANGANA AI MISSION LAUNCHED ‘REVV UP” ............................................................................. 21

1.33 IIT BOMBAY HOSTS CONFERENCE OF BRICS NETWORK UNIVERSITIES 2021 .................................. 21

1.34 PM MODI VIRTUALLY ADDRESSES 5TH EDITION OF VIVATECH IN PARIS ........................................ 22

1.35 RAJASTHAN GOVT WILL SET VEDIC EDUCATION AND SANSKAR BOARD ........................................ 22




1.36 INDIA RANKED 2ND IN SHARE OF CENTRAL BANK SURPLUS TRANSFERS ....................................... 22

1.37 INTEGRATED POWER DEVELOPMENT SCHEME ............................................................................... 23

1.38 STUDY: BENEFITS IN PUNJAB DUE TO BT COTTON ADOPTION ....................................................... 23

1.39 WORLD’S FIRST GM RUBBER PLANTED IN ASSAM ........................................................................... 23

1.40 MIZORAM ANNOUNCES INCENTIVES FOR HAVING MORE CHILDREN ............................................ 24

1.41 DELHI LAUNCHED MUKHYAMANTRI COVID-19 PARIWAR AARTHIK SAHAYATA YOJANA ............... 24

1.42 NATIONAL MARITIME HERITAGE COMPLEX: LOTHAL...................................................................... 24

1.43 ELECTORAL TRUST SCHEME, 2013 ................................................................................................... 25

1.44 WEST BENGAL APPROVES STUDENT CREDIT CARD SCHEME........................................................... 25

1.45 TOYCATHON 2021 ............................................................................................................................ 26

1.46 GUJARAT INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ARBITRATION CENTRE (GIMAC) ......................................... 26

1.47 INDIA’S OFFICIAL OLYMPIC THEME SONG ‘LAKSHYA TERA SAMNE HAI’ RELEASED ....................... 26

1.48 NTPC WINS RECOGNITION OF INDIA’S BEST EMPLOYERS AMONG NATION-BUILDERS 2021......... 27

1.49 EASE OF LIVING INDEX: BENGALURU ‘MOST LIVEABLE’ CITY .......................................................... 27

1.50 BENGALURU SUBURBAN RAIL PROJECT – KEY FACTS ...................................................................... 27

1.51 EXOTIC DRAGON FRUIT FROM MAHARASHTRA EXPORTED TO DUBAI ........................................... 28

1.52 NSDC AND WHATSAPP LAUNCH “DIGITAL SKILL CHAMPIONS PROGRAM” .................................... 28

1.53 GOA: FIRST RABIES-FREE STATE ....................................................................................................... 28

1.54 ANDHRA PRADESH INTRODUCES SALT PROGRAMME ..................................................................... 29

PRACTICE

MCQS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………30

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS ................................................................................................................. 37

2.3 CABINET APPROVES MOC BETWEEN INDIA & JAPAN ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT .... 37

2.4 BRICS FOREIGN MINISTERS HOLD VIRTUAL MEETING ....................................................................... 38

2.5 MICROSOFT LAUNCHES ASIA-PACIFIC CYBERSECURITY COUNCIL ..................................................... 38

2.6 WORLD’S FIRST HUMAN CASE OF H10N3 BIRD FLU .......................................................................... 39

2.7 INDIA-UK LAUNCH WORKSTREAM TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY: ....................... 39

2.8 KHARG- IRAN’S LARGEST WARSHIP ................................................................................................... 40

2.9 UNION CABINET APPROVES SCO AGREEMENT ON MASS MEDIA COOPERATION ............................ 40

2.10 WHAT IS USA’S EAGLE ACT? ............................................................................................................. 41

2.11 MISSION INNOVATION CLEANTECH EXCHANGE .............................................................................. 41

2.12 WORLD BICYCLE DAY 2021 ............................................................................................................... 41

2.13 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2021 .................................................................................................. 42




2.14 WORLD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT 2021 .................................................................... 42

2.15 DENMARK APPROVES ARTIFICIAL ISLAND OFF COPENHAGEN ........................................................ 42

2.16 INDONESIA’S MERAPI VOLCANO ERUPTS ........................................................................................ 43

2.17 G7 DEAL ON MINIMUM GLOBAL CORPORATE TAX ......................................................................... 43

2.18 24 YEARS OF BIMSTEC ...................................................................................................................... 43

2.19 INTERPOL LAUNCHES “I-FAMILIA” TO IDENTIFY MISSING PERSONS ............................................... 44

2.20 WORLD OCEAN DAY 2021 ................................................................................................................ 44

2.21 MALDIVES’ FOREIGN MINISTER ELECTED AS UNGA PRESIDENT ..................................................... 45

2.22 INDIA ELECTED TO UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL .............................................................. 45

2.23 WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY .............................................................................................................. 45

2.24 EL SALVADOR: FIRST COUNTRY TO FORMALLY ADOPT BITCOIN AS LEGAL TENDER ....................... 46

2.25 OPERATION PANGEA ........................................................................................................................ 46

2.26 INTERNATIONAL LEVEL CROSSING AWARENESS DAY ...................................................................... 47

2.27 INDIA-KUWAIT MOU ON DOMESTIC WORKER RECRUITMENT ....................................................... 47

2.28 WHAT IS NEW ATLANTIC CHARTER? ................................................................................................ 47

2.29 ALBANIA, BRAZIL, GABON, GHANA, UAE ELECTED TO UNSC ........................................................... 48

2.30 42ND SESSION OF FAO CONFERENCE .............................................................................................. 48

2.31 INDIA EXTENDS USD 100 MNLOC TO SRI LANKA ............................................................................. 49

2.32 JAPAN TO ISSUE COVID-19 VACCINE PASSPORT .............................................................................. 49

2.33 WHAT IS JUNETEENTH IN US? .......................................................................................................... 49

2.34 WHAT IS AY.1 VARIANT OF CORONAVIRUS? ................................................................................... 50

2.35 SUMMIT FOR VACCINE INTERNATIONALISM ................................................................................... 50

2.36 WORLD DAY TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT: 17 JUNE ......................................... 51

2.37 INDIA-FIJI MOU FOR COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE ................................................................... 51

2.38 ZYCOV-D: WORLD’S FIRST DNA-BASED VACCINE............................................................................. 51

2.39 INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC DAY 2021 .............................................................................................. 52

2.40 G20 LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT MINISTERS’ MEETING ................................................................ 52

2.41 ANTARCTIC TREATY .......................................................................................................................... 53

2.42 INDIA-BHUTAN: TAX INSPECTORS WITHOUT BORDERS INITIATIVE ................................................ 53

2.43 UNITED NATIONS PUBLIC SERVICE DAY 2021 .................................................................................. 53

2.44 UN WORLD DRUG REPORT 2021 ...................................................................................................... 54

2.45 BLACK SEA ........................................................................................................................................ 54

2.46 NEW HUMAN SPECIES DISCOVERED IN ISRAEL ............................................................................... 54




2.47 MINORITY AFFAIRS MINISTER LAUNCHED “JAANHAITOJAHAANHAI” AWARENESS CAMPAIGN .... 55

2.48 INTERNATIONAL MSMES DAY .......................................................................................................... 55

2.49 ASHGABAT WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE CITY FOR FOREIGN WORKERS .......................................... 55

PRACTICE MCQS.............................................................................................................................. 56

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY .............................................................................................................. 65

3.1 SWASTIIK TECHNOLOGY FOR DISINFECTING WATER ........................................................................ 65

3.2 NEW ZEALAND SIGNS SPACE AGREEMENT WITH NASA .................................................................... 65

3.3 “AMBITAG”- INDIA’S FIRST INDIGENOUS TEMPERATURE DATA LOGGER ......................................... 65

3.4 NASA ANNOUNCES TWO ROBOTIC MISSIONS TO VENUS ................................................................. 66

3.5 IIT-HYDERABAD DEVELOPS NANO-FIBRE BASED AMPHOTERICIN B ORAL TABLETS ......................... 66

3.6 RDSO BECOMES FIRST STANDARDS BODY TO JOIN ‘ONE NATION, ONE STANDARD’ SCHEME ........ 67

3.7 FIRST CAR-T CELL THERAPY CONDUCTED .......................................................................................... 67

3.8 MIT GENERATES ELECTRICITY FROM CARBON NANOTUBES ............................................................. 68

3.9 ISRO DEVELOPS 3 COST-EFFECTIVE VENTILATORS ............................................................................ 68

3.10 WHAT IS ‘MIRACULOUS’ MOSQUITO HACK? ................................................................................... 69

3.11 WHAT IS SPACE PLATE LIGHT MANIPULATION? .............................................................................. 69

3.12 IIT-KHARAGPUR DEVELOPS EARLY CYCLONE DETECTION TECHNIQUE ........................................... 69

3.13 GOOGLE TO BUILD LONGEST UNDERSEA CABLE IN THE WORLD .................................................... 70

3.14 “ENVISION MISSION” TO VENUS BY ESA.......................................................................................... 70

3.15 PASIPHAE: A SKY SURVEYING PROJECT ............................................................................................ 71

3.16 NEW ZEALAND TO LAUNCH WORLD’S FIRST WOODEN SATELLITE ................................................. 71

3.17 WHAT IS THE NEW SHEPHARD ROCKET SYSTEM ? .......................................................................... 72

3.18 “JIVANVAYU”- NATION’S FIRST POWER-FREE CPAP DEVICE DEVELOPED BY IIT ROPAR ................. 72

3.19 CHINA SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED “SHENZHOU-12” MANNED SPACESHIP .................................... 72

3.20 PETER PAN SYNDROME .................................................................................................................... 73

3.21 CEOS COAST: ISRO- NOAA PROJECT ENDORSED BY UN BODY ........................................................ 73

3.22 CHINA PLANS FIRST MANNED MARS MISSION IN 2033 .................................................................. 74

3.23 ESA TO HIRE FIRST DISABLED ASTRONAUT ...................................................................................... 74

3.24 INDIAN PRIVATE PLAYERS ALLOWED TO BUILD AND OPERATE ROCKET LAUNCH SITES ................ 74

PRACTICE MCQS: .............................................................................................................................. 76

ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................................................. 80

4.4 HDFC BANK TO TURN CARBON NEUTRAL BY 2031-32 ...................................................................... 81

4.5 WORLD BANK REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF “BLACK CARBON” IN THE HIMALAYAS ............... 81




4.6 SRIVILLIPUTHUR-MEGAMALAI TIGER RESERVE ................................................................................ 81

4.7 ‘SEA SNOT’ OUTBREAK IN TURKEY ..................................................................................................... 82

4.8 TWO SPECIES OF MONALS SIGHTED TOGETHER IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH .................................... 82

4.9 INDIA TO ADD 20 GW OF WIND ENERGY CAPACITY BY 2025: GWEC ............................................... 83

4.10 DIHINGPATKAI: 7THNATIONAL PARK OF ASSAM .............................................................................. 83

4.11 RESCUING GHARIALS: MAHANADI RIVER ........................................................................................ 83

4.12 UN CONFERENCE ON DESERTIFICATION, LAND DEGRADATION AND DROUGHT............................ 84

4.13 “PYROSTRIALALJII” – A NEW SPECIES DISCOVERED IN ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ......................... 84

4.14 UNITED NATIONS DECADE ON ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION: 2021-2030 ......................................... 85

4.15 PANEL ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY, LOW CARBON TECH ..................................................................... 85

4.16 CABINET APPROVES DEEP OCEAN MISSION .................................................................................... 86

4.17 MAHARASHTRA’S “CHANDRAPUR” DISTRICT IS A HOTBED FOR HUMAN-ANIMAL CONFLICT ....... 86

4.18 ODISHA: ONLY STATE TO HAVE ALL THREE SPECIES OF CROCODILES ............................................. 86

4.19 YELLOW GOLD 48: YELLOW WATERMELON COMMERCIALLY INTRODUCED .................................. 87

4.20 UN: GREAT BARRIER REEF SHOULD BE LISTED AS ‘IN DANGER’ ...................................................... 87

4.21 CASSAVA: FEEDSTOCK FOR BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION ................................................................. 87

4.22 “BLACK SOFTSHELL TURTLE” – PACT SIGNED FOR CONSERVATION IN ASSAM ............................... 88

PRACTICE MCQS ............................................................................................................................... 89

ECONOMICS ..................................................................................................................................... 93

5.1 DIP IN EPF SAVINGS ............................................................................................................................ 93

5.2 SBI REVISES FY22 GDP PROJECTION TO 7.9% .................................................................................... 93

5.3 GOVERNMENT NOTIFIES RULES FOR 74% FDI IN INSURANCE SECTOR ............................................. 94

5.4 GOVT SETS UP EXPERT GROUP ON FIXATION OF MINIMUM WAGES ............................................... 94

5.5 NITI AAYOG SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INDEX............................................................................. 94

5.6 RBI CANCELS LICENCE OF SHIVAJIRAO BHOSALE SAHAKARI BANK ................................................... 94

5.7 SEBI INCREASES FOREIGN INVESTMENT LIMIT FOR MFS .................................................................. 95

5.8 CONFEDERATION OF HOSPITALITY, TECHNOLOGY AND TOURISM INDUSTRY (CHATT) ................... 95

5.9 ATM CASH WITHDRAWAL RULE CHANGED ....................................................................................... 95

5.10 INDIA’S EXPORTS OF ORGANIC FARM PRODUCTS ROSE 51% IN 2020-21 ....................................... 96

5.11 INDIA’S AGRI EXPORTS DURING 2020-21 GREW 17.34% ................................................................ 96

5.12 44TH GST COUNCIL MEETING ........................................................................................................... 97

5.13 INDIA: 4TH LARGEST FOREX RESERVES HOLDER.............................................................................. 97

5.14 CENTRUM TO TAKEOVER PMC BANK............................................................................................... 98




5.15 CII PROJECTS INDIA’S FY22 GDP GROWTH AT 9.5% ........................................................................ 98

5.16 REFORM LINKED BORROWING ........................................................................................................ 99

5.17 FM ADDRESSED USISPF-GLOBAL INVESTORS MEET ........................................................................ 99

5.18 INDIA RANKED 51ST IN TERMS OF MONEY DEPOSITED IN SWISS BANKS ....................................... 99

5.19 REPORT: INDIANS INVESTED $40 BN IN CRYPTOCURRENCY IN 2020 ............................................ 100

5.20 INDIA’S BANK CREDIT-TO-GDP RATIO GROWS 56% IN 2020 ......................................................... 100

PRACTICE MCQS: ............................................................................................................................ 101

REPORTS ....................................................................................................................................... 104

6.1 THE STATE OF RANSOMWARE 2021 REPORT .................................................................................. 104

6.2 ILO RELEASES “WORLD EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL OUTLOOK” REPORT ....................................... 104

6.3 WORLD ENERGY INVESTMENT REPORT, 2021: IEA .......................................................................... 105

6.4 QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2022 ........................................................................................ 105

6.5 ILO- UNICEF REPORT ON CHILD LABOUR ......................................................................................... 105

6.6“COSTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN INDIA REPORT”: INDIA MAY LOSE 3-10% OF ITS GDP IN 2100 .... 106

6.7 GLOBAL HOUSE PRICE INDEX 2021 .................................................................................................. 106

6.8 UNDP REPORT ON ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICTS PROGRAMME .......................................................... 106

6.9 “SIPRI YEARBOOK 2021”: CHINA, INDIA, PAKISTAN EXPANDING “NUCLEAR ARSENAL” ................. 107

6.10 HIMACHAL JUMPS TO THIRD SPOT IN ANEMIAMUKT BHARAT INDEX.......................................... 107

6.11 “WORLD GIVING INDEX 2021” – 10TH EDITION RELEASED ........................................................... 108

6.12 UNESCO SCIENCE REPORT .............................................................................................................. 108

6.13 UNDRR REPORT ON DROUGHT ...................................................................................................... 109

PRACTICE MCQS ............................................................................................................................ 110

SPORTS .......................................................................................................................................... 112

7.1 ASIAN BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP: INDIA’S SANJEET KUMAR WINS GOLD MEDAL ........................... 112

7.2 DJOKOVIC WINS 83RD CAREER TITLE IN BELGRADE OPEN .............................................................. 112

7.3 NOVAK DJOKOVIC CLINCHES FRENCH OPEN MEN’S SINGLES TITLE ................................................ 112

7.4 DEBBIE HEWITT APPOINTED FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION’S FIRST CHAIRWOMAN ............................. 113

7.5 JAPAN TO ALLOW 10,000 LOCAL FANS AT OLYMPICS ..................................................................... 113

7.6 NEW ZEALAND CROWNED FIRST ICC WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP .............................................. 113

7.7 SHELLY-ANN FRASER-PRYCE BECOMES SECOND FASTEST WOMAN OF ALL-TIME AHEAD ............. 113

7.8 MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS 2021 FRENCH GRAND PRIX ...................................................................... 114

7.9 AUSTRALIAN SWIMMER KAYLEE MCKEOWN BREAKS 100-METER BACKSTROKE WORLD RECORD114

PRACTICE MCQS : ........................................................................................................................... 115




AWARDS ........................................................................................................................................ 118

8.1 DAVID DIOP WINS INTERNATIONAL BOOKER 2021 ......................................................................... 118

8.2 PULITZER PRIZE 2021 ....................................................................................................................... 118

8.3 ZIMBABWEAN NOVELIST TSITSI DANGAREMBGA WINS PEN PINTER PRIZE 2021 .......................... 119

8.4 RS SODHI CONFERRED WITH ASIA PACIFIC PRODUCTIVITY CHAMPION AWARD ........................... 119

8.5 THOMAS VIJAYAN WINS NATURE TTL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2021 .................................. 119

8.6 LAND FOR LIFE AWARD: UN ............................................................................................................ 119

8.7 SHAILAJA AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS CEU OPEN SOCIETY PRIZE FOR 2021 ...................................... 120

8.8 CENTRE RELEASES FULL LIST OF SMART CITIES AWARDS 2020 WINNERS ..................................... 120

8.9 COCHIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WON HONOUR IN AIRPORT SERVICE QUALITY ...................... 120

8.10 RK SABHARWAL GETS HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARD OF MONGOLIA................................................ 120

PRACTICE MCQS : ........................................................................................................................... 121

DEFENCE......................................................................................................................................... 123

9.1 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY SHIP “INS SANDHAYAK” DECOMMISSIONED .......................................... 123

9.2 PROJECT 75 INDIA ............................................................................................................................ 123

9.3 MH-60 ROMEO HELICOPTERS .......................................................................................................... 124

9.4 INDIA – THAILAND CORPAT EXERCISE BEGINS................................................................................. 124

9.5 WHAT IS OPERATION OLIVIA? .......................................................................................................... 124

9.6 “IDEX-DIO” – DEFENCE MINISTER APPROVES BUDGETARY SUPPORT............................................. 125

9.7 NATO SUMMIT 2021 – COUNTRIES AGREED TO STEP UP DEFENCE ................................................ 125

9.8 IN-EUNAVFOR JOINT NAVAL EXERCISE ............................................................................................ 125

PRACTICE MCQS ............................................................................................................................. 126

PERSON IN NEWS ........................................................................................................................... 129

10.1 B.V.R. SUBRAHMANYAM TO BE COMMERCE SECRETARY ............................................................. 129

10.2 ARUN KUMAR MISHRA .................................................................................................................. 129

10.3 VICE ADMIRAL RAVNEET SINGH ..................................................................................................... 130

10.4 VETERAN POLITICIAN ISSAC HERZOG BECOMES 11TH PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL: ............................. 130

10.5 RDSO BECOMES FIRST STANDARDS BODY TO JOIN ‘ONE NATION, ONE STANDARD’ SCHEME .... 130

10.6 T.M. KALIANNAN, THE LAST SURVIVING MEMBER OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY, PASSES

AWAY 131

10.7 AIR MARSHAL VIVEK RAM CHAUDHARI APPOINTED AS IAF VICE CHIEF ....................................... 131

10.8 ANUP CHANDRA PANDEY APPOINTED AS ELECTION COMMISSIONER ......................................... 131

10.9 NAFTALI BENNETT: NEW PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL .................................................................. 131




10.10 EMINENT ENVIRONMENTALIST RADHAMOHAN PASSES AWAY ................................................. 132

10.11 INDIA’S NAGRAJ ADIGA ELECTED IN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ULTRARUNNERS

COUNCIL ................................................................................................................................................. 132

10.12 K NAGARAJ NAIDU NAMED TO LEAD UN BUREAUCRACY FOR A YEAR ....................................... 132

10.13 ANTONIO GUTERRES: 2ND TERM UN SECRETARY GENERAL ....................................................... 132

10.14 GOVT APPOINTS AASHISH CHANDORKAR AS DIRECTOR AT INDIA’S WTO MISSION .................. 133

10.15 SANT KABIR DAS JAYANTI ............................................................................................................ 133

10.16 JAMSETJI TATA TOPS INAUGURAL LIST OF TOP PHILANTHROPISTS OF THE CENTURY ............... 133

10.17 MAWYA SUDAN BECOMES IAF’S 1ST WOMAN FIGHTER PILOT FROM J&K ................................ 134

10.18 MONTEK AHLUWALIA NAMED MEMBER OF WORLD BANK-IMF HIGH ADVISORY GROUP ........ 134

10.19 BANKIM CHANDRA CHATTOPADHYAY ......................................................................................... 134

10.20 JOHN MCAFEE, FOUNDER OF MCAFEE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE, PASSES AWAY ......................... 134

10.21 KARNAM MALLESWARI APPOINTED 1ST VICE-CHANCELLOR OF DELHI SPORTS UNIVERSITY .... 135

10.22 VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER SURESH N PATEL APPOINTED AS ACTING CVC ............................... 135

PRACTICE MCQS ............................................................................................................................. 136




NATIONAL NEWS

1.1 SUPREME COURT GUIDELINES ON “SECTION 304-B” OF IPC

• The Supreme Court in its recent judgement has widened the scope of section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). This section punishes persons accused of dowry deaths.

About section 304-b:

• Section 304-b was inserted into the Indian Penal Code(IPC) in november 1986. According to this section, to make out a case of dowry death: • A woman should have died of burns or other bodily injuries or “otherwise than under normal

circumstances” within seven years of her marriage. • A woman should have suffered cruelty or harassment from her husband or in-laws “soon before

her death” in connection with the demand for dowry. • Punishment: the section punishes convicts with a minimum of seven years imprisonment

extendable up to a life term.

1.2 HORTICULTURE CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME(CDP)

The union minister of Agriculture and Farmers welfare have launched the horticulture cluster

development programme (CDP).

About Horticulture Cluster Development Program (CDP)

• Horticulture cluster development programme (CDP) aims at growing and developing identified horticulture clusters to make them globally competitive.

• A cluster is a group of enterprises. They are located within an identifiable and, as far as practicable, contiguous area and producing similar products or services.

• Nodal agency: The nodal agency for the programme will be the National Horticulture Board(NHB). It will implement the programme as a central sector component of NHB.

Key features of the programme:

• Firstly, the programme will address all major issues related to the indian horticulture sector. This includes pre-production, production, post-harvest management, logistics, marketing and branding.

• Secondly, the programme is designed to leverage geographical specialisation and promote integrated and market-led development of horticulture clusters.

• Thirdly, the programme is expected to converge with other initiatives of the government such as the agriculture infrastructure fund.

1.3 SEED MINIKIT PROGRAMME LAUNCHED

• Union Agriculture minister, Narendra singh tomar, launched a Seed Minikit Programme by

distributing high-yielding varieties seeds of oilseeds and pulses to farmers.




• Under the mission distribution of seeds will continue till June 15, 2021. Thus, farmers will get seeds before commencement of kharif sowing season.

• About 20,27,318 seed minikits of pulses, 74000 minikits of groundnut and 8 lakh for soybean will be provided free of cost to the farmers directly under national food security mission.

1.4 K.P. KRISHNAN COMMITTEE ON VARIABLE CAPITAL COMPANY SUBMITS REPORT

• Dr. K.P. Krishnan committee on “variable capital company” has submitted its report to International Financial Services Centres authority (IFSCA) regarding feasibility of variable capital companies in international financial services centres in India.

Background

• IFSCA had set up k.p. Krishnan committee to explore potential for allowing variable capital company (VCC) as an additional option using which asset managers could pool investors’ funds.

About Variable capital company (VCC)

• VCC is an alternative form of corporate vehicle which can be used for open-ended as well as closed-ended alternative and traditional fund strategies. It is a corporate vehicle with flexible capital because of which shares are created when investments are made and shares are readily redeemable by shareholders. It has been designed for fund management industry.

1.5 SECTION 51 OF THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT, 2005

• Recently, the former chief secretary of West Bengal was served a show cause notice by the home ministry under section 51 of the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005.

Key points About the show cause notice:

• The notice was issued for failing to comply with the centre’s directions to attend the review meeting on cyclone yaas chaired by the prime minister in Bengal’s kalaikunda.

• The act is violative of section 51 (b) of the DM act, 2005. SECTION 51 (B) OF THE DM ACT:

• The section prescribes “punishment for obstruction” for refusal to comply with any direction given by or on behalf of the central government or the state government or the national executive committee or the state executive committee or the district authority under the act.

• Anyone refusing to comply with orders is liable for punishment with imprisonment up to one year, or fine, or both. In case this refusal leads to death of people, the person liable shall be punished with imprisonment up to two years.

• Section 51 of the act has two important reservations. • Under the act, the action on the part of the person has to be ‘without reasonable

cause’ and ‘failure of an officer to perform the duty without due permission or lawful excuse’.

1.6 THREE CAVES FOUND IN BUDDHIST CAVES COMPLEX, NASIK

• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found three caves in Buddhist caves complex in Nasik, Maharashtra.

About:




• Newly discovered caves are being discovered about two centuries after the british military officer documented tri-rashmi buddhist caves, which is also called as pandav leni, on a hill in nashik.

• Antiquity of caves is yet to be established. They may have been dwellings of buddhist monks. • Archaeologists believe, these caves could be older than trirashmi caves.

1.7 SENIOR CARE AGEING GROWTH ENGINE (SAGE) PROJECT

• Social justice and empowerment minister, Thaawar Chand Gehlot, will launch senior care ageing growth engine or sage project on June 4, 2021.

What is sage project ?

• Sage project will be launched to select, support and create “one-stop access” of elderly care products and services provided by credible start-ups.

• Once the project is launched, start-ups can apply to be a part of it through dedicated portal. This dedicated portal will also be launched along with the scheme.

• Start-ups will be selected based on their innovative products and services, which they can provide across sectors like housing, health and care centres. They will also be selected based on technological access linked to finances, food & wealth management besides legal guidance.

1.8 KEDAR NATH SINGH JUDGMENT, 1962

Supreme court of India has quashed the FIR lodged against a senior journalist for sedition

charge and other offences. In that, the court held that the journalists need protection against

sedition charges.

About:

• In Kedar nath singh v. State of bihar (1962), the supreme court upheld the constitutional validity of the sedition law.

• The court said that sedition is a reasonable restriction on free speech as provided in article 19(2) of the constitution.

• However, the court made it clear that a citizen has the right to say or write whatever she/he likes about the government or its measures.

• But this is only as long as he/she does not incite people to violence against the government and not do things with the intention of creating public disorder.

1.9 NTPC JOINS UN’S CEO WATER MANDATE

• India’s largest power utility, NTPC Ltd, has become a signatory of un global compact’s CEO

water mandate.

About:

• CEO water mandate is a coveted league of companies focusing on efficient water management.




• Chairman and Managing Director of NTPC, Shri Gurdeep singh, has joined a select group of business leaders who recognize importance of water stewardship and is working to conserve water.

• CEO Water Mandate: It is a un global compact initiative which demonstrate commitment and efforts of companies to enhance their water and sanitation agendas in line with sustainable development goals. It has been designed to assist companies in developing, implementing and disclosing comprehensive water strategies and policies. It provides a platform for companies to link with like-minded businesses, public authorities, un agencies, civil society organizations etc.

1.10 LADAKH LAUNCHES YOUNTAB SCHEME

• Lieutenant Governor of ladakh, Rk mathur, launched the yountab scheme for students. Under the scheme, about 12,300 tablets were distributed among them in leh.

About:

• It is an initiative of department of school education. It was launched with the technical support of information technology department. Under the scheme, 12,300 tablets with preloaded online and offline content like textbooks, video lectures and online class applications would be distributed among students from class 6th to 12th in government schools. Scheme was launched as an attempt for long term technology infusion in education system.

1.11 OASIS OF HOPE: FILM DIVISION’S ONLINE FESTIVAL

• Film division is organising an online festival on environment called “oasis of hope” on the occasion of world environment day 2021.

About oasis of hope festival

• Oasis of hope festival will be organised on 5th and 6th june 2021 to mark the importance of world environment day (wed). It will celebrate the spirit of key words of wed namely, “Reimagine, Recreate, Restore”.

• This 2-day festival will showcase films giving strong message on reviving environment and reimagining nature’s co-existence.

• It will also suggest several ways to restore inseparable relationship of human being and nature. Streaming will be done on films division website and youtube channel.

1.12 PERFORMANCE GRADING INDEX 2019-20 RELEASED

• Education minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, approved release of the performance grading index (PGI) 2019-20.

PGI 2019-20

• PGI provides grading to states and union territories on the basis of 70 parameters to assess and catalyse transformational change in education.

• 5 states & union territories namely Chandigarh, Punjab, Tamil nadu, Andaman & Nicobar islands and Kerala attained highest grade (grade a++) for 2019-20.




• In comparison to previous year, report has improved across most of the states. • This year, 5 states attained level ii score of 901-950 which is grade a or 1++. • Ladakh was graded for first time and was placed in grade vii. • Meghalaya attained score of 601-650 which is grade vi. • Andaman & Nicobar islands, Punjab and Arunachal pradesh improved their score by 20%. • 11 states or uts have improved their score by 10% – 20%. • 10 states including karnataka & delhi have improved their score by 5% to 10%.

1.13 IIT MADRAS HOSTS ASIA’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL MEMORY STUDIES WORKSHOP

• Indian institute of technology madras’ centre for memory studies recently hosted virtually asia’s first international memory studies workshop.

• Indian network for memory studies (INMS), the first national network in the field in asia under the aegis of the international memory studies association, amsterdam.

• This international workshop on memory studies, the first of its kind in asia, precedes the official launch of the Indian Network For Memory Studies (INMS).

• The launch of the inms will take place in mid-june 2021 through a virtual event at iit madras. • The international memory studies workshop also proved to be a promising platform that

brought together academics from Kashmir, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand among others as well as from the university of warwick and leeds beckett university, uk.

1.14 INCREDIBLE INDIA TOURIST FACILITATOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME

• Recently, on the occasion of world environment day, the tourism minister appreciated the incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification Programme (IITFC).

About:

• IITFC programme is a digital initiative of the ministry of tourism (MOT), for the citizens of india to become a part of the booming tourism industry.

• It is an online programme where one can learn about tourism at their own time, space, path and pace.

• The successful completion of this programme would enable the learner to become a certified tourist facilitator of the ministry of tourism.

1.15 WEYAN: 1ST VILLAGE TO VACCINATE 100% ADULT POPULATION

• Weyan, a remote village in Bandipora district of Jammu & kashmir became india’s first village to vaccinate all its adult population against covid-19.

About:

• This successful vaccination drive in village was the result of healthcare workers. • Village, located 28 kilometres away from bandipora district, has an adult population of 362. • In village, distance of 18 kilometres is required to cover by foot as there is no motorable road. • Village was covered under ‘J & k model’, which is a 10-point strategy to vaccinate entire

population.




• Under the model, first strategy is booth-level management which involves preparation of eligible population list. It is followed by “vaccine on wheels” under which health officials reaches out to people in far-flung areas to vaccinate them.

1.16 MODEL PANCHAYAT CITIZENS CHARTER

Recently, the union minister of panchayati raj released a model panchayat citizens charter.

About:

▪ It is prepared by the Ministry of Panchayati raj (MOPR) in collaboration With National Institute Of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR).

▪ NIRDPR is an autonomous organisation under the union ministry of rural development. ▪ It has been developed for the delivery of the services across the 29 sectors, aligning actions with

localised sustainable development goals (SDG’s). ▪ It is expected that the panchayats utilising this framework, and with the due approval of gram

sabha, would draw up a citizens charter, detailing the different categories of services rendered to the citizen by the panchayat, the conditions for such service and also the time limit for such service.

▪ It will help in making the citizens aware of their rights on the one hand, and to make the panchayats and their elected representatives directly accountable to the people, on the other hand.

1.17 SURAKSHIT HUM SURAKSHIT TUM ABHIYAAN

• Niti aayog and Piramal foundation launched ‘Surakshit hum Surakshit tum Abhiyaan’ to

provide home-care support to asymptomatic covid-19 patients or patients with mild symptoms.

About Surakshit Hum Surakshit Tum Abhiyan:

• This campaign was launched in 112 aspirational districts to assist district administrations in providing home-care support to covid-19 patients.

• It will provide covid home-care support to 20 lakh citizens. • It is a part of special initiative in which civil societies, local leaders and volunteers will work with

district administrations to address emerging problems across key focus areas of aspirational districts programme.

• It will be led by district magistrates in partnership with over one thousand local ngos. Ngos will enlist & train about one lakh volunteers to connect with patients through inbound and outbound calls.

• Campaign will also be supported by piramal foundation. It will work with district magistrates to support training of NGO’s and volunteers.

• Ngos will mobilize local volunteers to provide home-care support to affected people and volunteers will be trained to support 20 affected families by educating caretakers to follow covid protocols, provide psychosocial support etc.




1.18 CENTRE ANNOUNCES HIKE IN MSP FOR KHARIF CROPS

Union cabinet approved an increase in minimum support price (MSP) of kharif crops for 2021-22,

to increase farmers’ income.

About:

• Centre has increased MSP for paddy by Rs 72. It now stands at to Rs 1,940 per quintal for 2021-22 crops.

• Highest absolute increase in msp over previous year has been recommended for sesamum, followed by tur and urad.

• Msp on groundnut and niger seed was increased by Rs 275 per quintal and Rs 235 per quintal, respectively.

• Differential remuneration was fixed with the aim of encouraging crop diversification.

1.19 MAHARASHTRA: ACTION PLAN TO PROTECT HERITAGE TREES

Maharashtra cabinet chaired by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray cleared an action plan to protect

ancient and old trees aged 50 years and above in urban areas.

Heritage tree

• Cabinet approved the action plan to implement ‘heritage tree’ concept in maharashtra. • This action plan was proposed by environment department headed by Aaditya thackeray. • Action plan amends Maharashtra (urban areas) tree protection and conservation act, 1975. • Amendment will help in safeguarding green cover across urban landscapes and would also

provide a robust mechanism to protect heritage trees.

1.20 INDIA BEGINS ‘EXTENSION OF HOSPITALS’ PROJECT

India has started “Extension of hospitals” project in several states to bridge the Gap in major health

infrastructure to fight against covid-19 in india

About:

• Project will run especially in rural areas and smaller towns. • Modular hospitals are an extension of hospital infrastructure. • It will be built adjacent to existing hospital building.

1.21 PROJECT O2 FOR INDIA

Office of principal scientific adviser to government has initiated ”project o2 for india” with the aim

of ensuring supply of critical raw materials like zeolites, manufacturing of compressors and setting

up of small oxygen plants.

Background




This project was initiated in aftermath of second wave of covid-19 which witnessed an increase in

demand for medical oxygen across the country. Thus, it is important to meet the current demand as

well as manufacture medical oxygen to ensure adequate supply of oxygen for future needs.

About project O2 for india

This project has been launched by office of principal scientific adviser to enable stakeholders who

are working to augment india’s ability to meet surge in demand for medical oxygen. Under the

project, a national consortium of oxygen will be set up which would enable adequate national level

supply of critical raw materials like zeolites. It would also set up small oxygen plants, manufacture

compressors and final products like oxygen plants, concentrators & ventilators.

1.22 FAME II AMENDMENT

• Ministry of heavy industry has announced major amendments in ongoing fame-ii scheme.

Ministry has fixed incentives for India-made electric two-wheelers.

About:

• With the recent amendments on price side and subsidies government aims to promote electric two-wheeler usage across india.

• Reduction is price will help in ev adoption and strengthen government’s plans of making india an electric vehicle nation by 2030.

What are the recent amendments ?

• Earlier, subsidy rate for electric two-wheelers was Rs 10,000/kwh. It has been increased to Rs

15,000/kwh, which is nearly 40 percent of vehicle cost.

Fame india scheme

• This scheme was launched with the aim of incentivising vehicle segments including 2-wheeler,

passenger 4-wheeler vehicle, 3-wheeler auto, light commercial vehicles and buses. It also covers

hybrid & electric technologies such as mild hybrid, plug in hybrid, strong hybrid and battery

electric vehicles. This scheme is monitored by department of heavy industries.

1.23 “PENCIL PORTAL” TO REPORT INSTANCES OF CHILD LABOUR

Union minister of women and child development appealed to citizens to report the instances of

child labour on the pencil portal or by calling on childline-1098. This appeal came on world day

against child labour.

About:

• Pencil portal stands for platform for effective enforcement for no child labour. • Purpose: it is an electronic platform that aims at achieving the target of a child labour free

society. For this aim, it coordinates actions of the centre, state, district, governments, civil society, and the public.

• Nodal ministry: the portal is administered by the ministry of labour & employment.




• Components: pencil portal has five components- child tracking system, complaint corner, state government, national child labour project, and convergence.

• Significance: the portal has been launched for the effective implementation of the child labour act and the national child labour project (NCLP) scheme.

▪ NCLP aims to eliminate all forms of child labour and rehabilitate them through education in special training centres.

1.24 UN TRADE FORUM 2021

While speaking at un trade forum 2021, union minister piyushgoyal has said, india’s per-capita

carbon dioxide emission is lowest amongst big economies.

About:

• India has an ambitious renewable energy target of 450 gigawatts by 2030. It shows india’s commitment towards united nations 2030 agenda on sustainable development and sustainable development goals.

• He highlighted that, climate justice should be protected and developed countries should reconsider their pattern of consumption to bring about a sustainable lifestyle.

• According to minister, india has taken several steps on clean energy, energy efficiency, afforestation and bio-diversity.

• India has also encouraged global initiatives such as international solar alliance and coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure.

• About un trade forum Un trade forum was established as a space for dialogue on how trade can be harnessed to get a

prosperous, inclusive and sustainable world.

1.25 DAGMARA HYDRO-ELECTRIC PROJECT: BIHAR

▪ Recently, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed between National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) limited and Bihar state hydroelectric power corporation limited (BSHPC) for implementation of Dagmara hydro-electric project, Supaul, and Bihar.

▪ NHPC is a category-a miniratna company under the ministry of power, in the field of hydropower.

▪ It is the largest organization for hydropower development in India, currently, NHPC has 24 operational power stations with a total installed capacity of 7071 megawatt (mw)

About:

▪ The project is located near village dagmara on the right bank and simri on the left bank, about 22.5 km downstream of bhimnagar barrage on kosiriver.

▪ It is a run-of-the-river scheme. Run-of-river hydro projects use the natural downward flow of rivers and micro turbine generators to capture the kinetic energy carried by water.

▪ Typically water is taken from the river at a high point and diverted to a channel, pipeline, or pressurised pipeline (or penstock).

▪ The project will have the total capacity of generating 130 mw energy, in which 17 units of 7.65 mw will be installed for power generation.

▪ The estimated cost of construction of this project is at rs. 2478.24 crore.




1.26 JAL SHAKTI ABHIYAN - II

The minister of Jal shakti has urged all MPS to support the ongoing “Jal shakti abhiyan: catch the

rain” campaign in their respective constituencies and states.

▪ Such interventions would ensure water source sustainability in rural areas and would strengthen the ongoing Jal jeevan mission being implemented by the ministry.

About:

▪ The abhiyan with the theme- “Catch the rain where it falls, when it falls’ was launched on the occasion of world water day (22nd march 2021).

▪ It covers all rural and urban areas of all districts of the country. • Jal shakti abhiyan-i of 2019, covered only 1592 water stressed blocks out of 2836 blocks in 256

districts of the country. ▪ National water mission, under the ministry of Jal shakti, is the nodal agency for its

implementation. ▪ A total of almost rs. 14,000 cr worth of water conservation related work is

completed/ongoing under the mgnregs (mahatma gandhi national rural employment guarantee scheme) of dept of rural development.

1.27 BHARITALASUCHUSTAPANI”- A CARNIVOROUS REPTILE, LIVED 240 MILLION YEARS AGO

Researchers from the indian statistical institute had carried out extensive studies on rocks of the

yerrapalli formation in telangana during the mid-20th century. During that time, they uncovered

several fossils. By studying some of these fossils, the team has now provided information on one of

the reptiles(bharitalasuchustapani).

What information they have provided on the bharitalasuchustapani ?

• The reptile has been named bharitalasuchustapani. It is a carnivorous reptile that lived 240 million years ago.

▪ In the telugu language, bhari means huge, tala means head, and suchus is the name of the egyptian crocodile-headed deity.

• Named after: the reptile has been named after palaeontologist Tapan Roy Chowdhury. For his contribution to indian vertebrate palaeontology, and especially his extensive work at yerrapalli formation.

• Genus: the reptile belonged to a family of extinct reptiles named erythrosuchidae. • Key features: ▪ Bharitalasuchustapani was robust animals with big heads and large teeth, and these probably

predated other smaller reptiles. ▪ They were approximately the size of an adult male lion and might have been the largest

predators in their ecosystems.




1.28 WHAT IS KERALA’S “SILVERLINE PROJECT”?

Kerala cabinet has given the approval to begin acquiring land for the silverline project.

About:

• Silverline project is kerala’s semi high-speed railway project that aims to reduce travel time between kerala’s northern and southern ends.

• Distance: the railway line will be around 529 kms long, covering 11 districts through 11 stations. It will link the southern end and state capital thiruvananthapuram with its northern end of kasaragod.

• Implementation: the kerala rail development corporation limited(KRDCL) will execute this project.

▪ Krdcl is a joint venture between the kerala government and the union ministry of railways. • Significance of the project: once the project is completed, one can travel from kasaragod to

thiruvananthapuram in less than four hours on trains travelling at 200 km/hr. The current travel time on the existing indian railways network is 12 hours.

• Duration of the project: the deadline for the project is 2025.

1.29 “OFB CORPORATISATION” APPROVED BY CABINET

The union government has approved a plan for Ordnance factory board (OFB) corporatisation.

About ordnance factory board(ofb):

• Ordnance factory board (ofb) is an umbrella body of 41 ordnance factories. • Origin: in 1775, british authorities accepted the establishment of the board of ordnance in fort

william, kolkata. This marked the official beginning of the army ordnance in india. • Nodal ministry: It is currently a subordinate office of the ministry of defence (mod). • Mandate: It provides a major chunk of the weapon, ammunition, and supplies for indian armed

forces, paramilitary forces, and police forces. • Headquarters: Kolkata, West bengal

1.30 HERBICIDE TOLERANT (HT) BT COTTON

The illegal cultivation of herbicide tolerant (ht) bt cotton has seen a huge jump as the sale of illegal

seed packets has more than doubled from 30 lakh in 2020 to 75 lakh in 2021.

About:

Bt cotton:

• Bt cotton is the only transgenic crop that has been approved by the centre for commercial cultivation in india.

• It has been genetically modified (gm) to produce an insecticide to combat the cotton bollworm, a common pest.




Herbicide tolerant bt (htbt) cotton:

• The htbt cotton variant adds another layer of modification, making the plant resistant to the herbicide glyphosate, but has not been approved by regulators.

• Fears include glyphosate having a carcinogenic effect, as well as the unchecked spread of herbicide resistance to nearby plants through pollination, creating a variety of superweeds.

1.31 MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS LAUNCHES “ADIPRASHIKSHAN PORTAL”

The minister of tribal affairs has launched the ‘Adiprashikshan portal’.

About adiprashikshan portal:

• Adiprashikshan portal aims to act as a central repository for information on all training programmes conducted by tribal institutions across the country under Adiprashikshan-training for tribals initiative.

• Developed by: ministry of tribal affairs in collaboration with UNDP and tribal research institutes (tris)-odisha.

• Institutions covered under the portal: the portal would act as a central repository of all training programs conducted by:

• Tribal research institutes(tris) • Different divisions of the tribal ministry • National society for education of tribal students(nests) • Centre of excellences funded by the ministry of tribal affairs and • National tribal research institute.

1.32 TELANGANA AI MISSION LAUNCHED ‘REVV UP”

• Telangana government has launched the telangana ai mission (t-aim) powered by NASSCOM and as part of the t-aim, an accelerator programme called “Revv up” has been launched to enable and empower ai startups.

• The programme that will begin its first cohort in july is another step towards making telangana and hyderabad a global destination for ai and other emerging technologies.

• The accelerator programme, exclusively designed for growth-stage ai startups, will cover various sectors.

• Telangana industries and it principal secretary Jayesh Ranjan stated, “Telangana is committed to its vision of positioning the state as the leader .

• After becoming the first state in india to launch an actionable policy framework for artificial intelligence in june 2020, now set in motion the first edition of the revv up accelerator programme to hone innovative ai ideas under T-aim.

1.33 IIT BOMBAY HOSTS CONFERENCE OF BRICS NETWORK UNIVERSITIES 2021

• The indian institute of technology bombay (IIT Bombay) is hosting a three day virtual “Conference of brics network universities”. This conference is being held as a part of india’s chairmanship of the 13th brics summit in 2021.




• the basic objective of BRICS network university is enhancing educational cooperation in general, and especially in the realm of research and innovation. The theme of the conference of BRICS network universities is “Electric mobility”.

• The event will see 18 experts from Brazil, Russia, India, China and S. Africa deliver keynotes on various aspects of electric mobility like traffic management, hydrogen technology, hybrid vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and linkage between e-mobility and livelihoods.

1.34 PM MODI VIRTUALLY ADDRESSES 5TH EDITION OF VIVATECH IN PARIS

• Prime Minister, Narendra Modi virtually addressed the 5th edition of Vivatech. Vivatech is one of the largest digital and startup events of europe, held in paris every year since 2016.

• Pm modi was invited as a guest of honour to deliver the keynote address at Vivatech 2021, which has been organised from 16-19 june 2021 in paris. During his address, PM Modi invited the world to invest in india based on the five pillars: talent, market, capital, eco-system and, culture of openness.

• Other prominent speakers of the event include the president of france mr. Emmanuel macron, prime minister of spain Mr. Pedro sanchez, and ministers/mps from various european countries.

• Vivatech is jointly organized by public is group, a prominent advertising and marketing conglomerate, and les echos, a leading french media group.

• The event brings together stakeholders in technology innovation and the startup ecosystem. • It includes exhibitions, awards, panel discussions and startup contests.

1.35 RAJASTHAN GOVT WILL SET VEDIC EDUCATION AND SANSKAR BOARD

• The Rajasthan government will soon set up a vedic education and sanskar board to revive the knowledge of sanskrit scriptures and vedas. The board is likely to be formed in the next four to five months.

• A committee, formed to define aims, objectives and functioning of the board, has submitted its report to the state government, minister of state (mos) for sanskrit education subhash garg mentioned, adding modules will be presented before the board based on the report.

• He stated the vedic board would come into function after approval from chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

1.36 india ranked 2nd in share of central bank surplus transfers

• The Reserve bank of india (RBI) was second in terms of reserves transferred to the government as a percentage of Gross domestic products (GDP) for the fiscal year 2020-21. Turkey has been ranked first.

• Rbi has transferred rs 99,122-crore surplus to the government for fy21 which is 73% higher than the rs 57,128 crore paid out in 2019-20.

• The surplus transferred by RBI constitutes 0.44% of GDP, while that of the central bank of the republic of turkey constitutes 0.5% of GDP.




1.37 INTEGRATED POWER DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

A 50 KWP solar rooftop in solan, himachal pradesh was inaugurated under integrated power development scheme (IPDS) of the ministry of power. • The project further reinforces the ‘Go Green’ initiative of the government envisaged in the

urban distribution scheme. About IPDS: Launch: • December 2014. Nodal agency: • Power finance corporation ltd. (PFC), a Navratna central public sector enterprise (CPSE) under

the administrative control of the ministry of power. Objectives • 24×7 power supplies for consumers. • Reduction of at&c (aggregate technical and commercial) losses. • Providing access to power to all households.

1.38 STUDY: BENEFITS IN PUNJAB DUE TO BT COTTON ADOPTION

As per recent study in punjab, adoption of bt cotton in punjab has resulted in net economic and

environmental benefits.

About bt cotton

Bt cotton is a Genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically modified pest resistant plant

cotton variety. It produces an insecticide to combat bollworm. Bt toxins are insecticidal to larvae of

moths, butterflies, cotton bollworms, beetles and flies. Commercial cultivation of bt cotton

(bacillus thuringiensis cotton) began in 2002 after genetic engineering approval committee (GEAC)

approved it. Its cultivation was started in 2002 in western and southern parts of the country. It was

introduced by joint venture between Monsanto and Mahyco. India grew the largest GM Cotton

crop in 2011 at 10.6 million hectares.

Bt cotton in punjab

Bt cotton was released for cultivation in punjab in 2005. Even before it was released, 72% farmers

were growing bt cotton on 22% of cotton area

1.39 WORLD’S FIRST GM RUBBER PLANTED IN ASSAM

Rubber board has started field trial of world’s first gm (genetically modified) rubber in the state of Assam. Key points • Gm rubber was developed in biotechnology laboratory at Rubber research institute of india

(RRII) in puthuppally, kottayam.




• It was planted at rubber board’s Sarutari Research farm in Guwahati. • Rubber board launched field trial of gm rubber in assam a decade after kerala government

denied permission for the same because of its adverse impact on environment. Background Gm rubber is the second genetically modified crop for which field trial has started after bt. Cotton. Genetic engineering appraisal committee (GEAC) had allowed to open field trials of GM Rubber in 2010 at Chetchackal, Thombikandom, in Kottayam.

1.40 MIZORAM ANNOUNCES INCENTIVES FOR HAVING MORE CHILDREN

Sports minister of Mizoram, Robert Romawia Royte, has announced a cash incentive of RS 1 lakh for having more children. Highlights • Rs 1 lakh would be given to living parent with highest number of children in minister’s

constituency to encourage population growth among the demographically small mizo communities.

• This declaration was announced at a time when several indian states are advocating population control policy.

• Person will also get a certificate and a trophy. • Cost of the incentive will be borne by a construction consultancy firm which is owned by royte’s

son.

1.41 DELHI LAUNCHED MUKHYAMANTRI COVID-19 PARIWAR AARTHIK SAHAYATA YOJANA

Delhi government has launched “Mukhyamantri Covid-19 Pariwar Aarthik Sahayata Yojana” to provide financial assistance to the families who lost a member due to covid-19 pandemic. Why scheme was launched? • According to notification by social welfare department, RS 50,000 ex-gratia will be provided to

every family that has lost a member amid pandemic. • A pension of RS 2,500 per month would also be given to those families that lost the sole

breadwinner to covid-19 pandemic. • Government will also consider single member of affected family to be enrolled as civil defence

volunteer. • Government will also look after health and education needs of dependent children.

1.42 NATIONAL MARITIME HERITAGE COMPLEX: LOTHAL

The Ministry of culture (MOC) and ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (mopsw) signed a memorandum of understanding (mou) for ‘cooperation in development of national maritime heritage complex (nmhc)’ at lothal, gujarat. About: • NMHC will be developed in Lothal region of Gujarat. • It would be developed as an international tourist destination, where the maritime heritage of

india from ancient to modern times would be showcased. • The idea is to create an edutainment (education with entertainment) approach for this

destination that would be of great interest for the visitors. It is going to cover an area of 400 acres, with structures such as heritage theme park, national maritime heritage museum, lighthouse museum, maritime institute, eco-resorts, and more.




• There will also be many pavilions where all coastal states in india and union territories can showcase their artifacts and maritime heritage.

• The unique feature of nmhc is the recreation of Ancient Lothal City, which is one of the prominent cities of the ancient Indus valley civilization.

1.43 ELECTORAL TRUST SCHEME, 2013

For the first time, an electoral trust (under electoral trust scheme, 2013) has declared donation through electoral bonds and hasn’t revealed the names of the political parties that received the money, citing anonymity guaranteed under the electoral bond scheme. • According to the association of democratic reforms (adr), this “Practice is against the spirit of

the electoral trusts scheme, 2013 and the income tax rules, 1962 which make it mandatory for trusts to furnish each and every detail about the donor contributing to the trust.

• If electoral trusts start adopting this precedent of donating through bonds, it will be a complete situation of unfair practices i.e. total anonymity, unchecked and unlimited funding, free flow of black money circulation, corruption, foreign funding, corporate donations and related conflict of interest etc.

Objective: • It lays down a procedure for grant of approval to an electoral trust which will receive voluntary

contributions and distribute the same to the political parties. • A political party registered under section 29a of the representation of the people act, 1951 shall

be an eligible political party and an electoral trust shall distribute funds only to the eligible political parties.

1.44 WEST BENGAL APPROVES STUDENT CREDIT CARD SCHEME

West bengal cabinet approved the “Student credit card scheme” on june 24, 2021. Trinamool

congress had promised to launch this scheme in its election manifesto.

Students credit card scheme

This scheme will be implemented and launched on june 30, 2021. Under the scheme, student can

get a soft loan of up to ₹10 lakh with the help of credit card to enrol into higher studies. Loans will

be given for higher studies in india as well as abroad. Loans will be given at 4% interest rates. State

government would act as guarantor.

Who can get the loan?

Anyone who has spent 10 years in west bengal can avail loan benefits under the scheme. Loan will

be available for undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and post-doctoral study. One person is

eligible to get loans under scheme till 40 years of age.

How loans can be repaid?

Students will be provided fifteen years to repay the loan after they get a job




1.45 TOYCATHON 2021

Recently, the prime minister of india urged people to be “vocal for local toys”, while interacting

with the participants at the toycathon 2021.

Ministry:

• It was a joint initiative by the ministry of education, WCD (women and child development) ministry, ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises, textile ministry, ministry of information and broadcasting and all india council for technical education.

• It was launched on 5th january 2021 to crowd-source innovative toys and games ideas. Aim:

• To conceptualize innovative toys based on the indian value system which will inculcate positive behaviour and good value among the children.

• To promote india as a global toy manufacturing hub (Atmanirbhar bharat). Features:

• Based on: indian culture and ethos, local folklore and heroes, and indian value systems. • Themes: nine themes, including fitness and sport and rediscovering traditional indian toys. The toycathon is based on nine themes - indian culture, history, knowledge of india and ethos;

learning, education and schooling; social and human values; occupations & specific fields;

environment; divyang; fitness and sport; out of the box, creative and logical thinking and

rediscovering/redesigning traditional indian toys

• Participants: students, teachers, start-ups and toy experts. • Prize: participants can get prizes upto rs. 50 lakhs.

1.46 GUJARAT INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ARBITRATION CENTRE (GIMAC)

Recently, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Gujarat maritime university and international financial services centres authority in gift (Gujarat international finance tec-city) city. • The objective of the mou is to jointly support the establishment of the Gujarat international

maritime arbitration centre (GIMAC). About gimac: • This will be the first centre of its kind in the country that will manage arbitration and mediation

proceedings with disputes related to the maritime and shipping sector. • The gimac will be part of a maritime cluster that the Gujarat maritime board (GMB) is setting up

in gift city at gandhinagar.

1.47 INDIA’S OFFICIAL OLYMPIC THEME SONG ‘LAKSHYA TERA SAMNE HAI’ RELEASED

Why in news ? • Ahead of the Tokyo games, the official olympic theme song for the indian contingent was

launched. • Mohit chauhan has composed and sung the song titled “lakshya tera samne hai”. The games

will open on july 23 and over 100 indian athletes have qualified for the event so far.




• The event was organised by Indian olympic association (IOA) and attended by its president, Secretary-General, Deputy Chef de mission, Sports Secretary and DG Sports authority of india (SAIL). Sports minister Kiren Rijiju was the chief guest at the event

1.48 ntpc wins recognition of india’s best employers among nation-builders 2021

• For the first time, NTPC won recognition as india’s best employers among nation-builders 2021. It has been recognized as the ‘great place to work’ for the 15th straight year by the great places to work institute. It has been ranked at 38th. It was ranked 47 last year.

• It also won it’s first-ever recognition of india’s best employers among nation-builders 2021. NTPC, a maharatna community and public sector unit work under the ministry of power.

• The psu has also won the cii hr excellence role model award in march 2021. It is the highest award in the field of people management in the country.

• The ‘Great place to work’ certification is recognised worldwide and is considered the gold standard in identifying and recognizing great workplaces with high trust and high-performance cultures. It is the most definitive ‘employer of choice’ recognition certification that the organization aims to achieve.

1.49 EASE OF LIVING INDEX: BENGALURU ‘MOST LIVEABLE’ CITY

• Bengaluru has been named as the most liveable city of india, in the ease of living index 2020, released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

• The ease of living index 2020 is part of the report titled state of india’s environment 2021. Bengaluru is followed by chennai, shimla, bhubaneshwar, and mumbai, as the top five best cities respectively.

• The report focused on four parameters to determine the ease of living index score of each city, which are: Quality of life, Economic ability, Sustainability and Citizens’ Perceptions.

• Each city was rated out of 100 in all parameters. • The ease of living index 2020 is the second edition of the index after the first one was launched

in 2018.

1.50 BENGALURU SUBURBAN RAIL PROJECT – KEY FACTS

As per Karnataka government, work on ‘Bengaluru suburban Rail project’ will start in month of september 2021. Project is expected to be completed by 2026. Highlights • Project will be completed at an estimated cost of rs 15,767 crore. • It is being considered as india’s most integrated rail project. • Project will connect bengaluru with its suburbs through a rail-based rapid-transit system. • This project has been a dream of Karnataka governments since 1983. Background Bengaluru suburban rail project was proposed by karnataka government in 1983. It was first proposed by an expert team from southern railway (then bengaluru was under purview of southern railway). Its proposal was submitted as karnataka’s first transportation survey which was commissioned by the then chief minister r gundu rao. Aim of the project Project was proposed with the aim of linking bengaluru to its suburbs, satellite townships and surrounding rural areas by rail-based rapid-transit system. It is expected air-conditioned and metro-




like trains will run across the network. It will also provide a fast, safe and more comfortable mode of travel to rural and urban commuters.

1.51 EXOTIC DRAGON FRUIT FROM MAHARASHTRA EXPORTED TO DUBAI

A consignment of dragon fruit was exported to after sourcing it from farmers of tadasar village in Sangli district, maharashtra. About dragon fruit • Dragon fruit is also referred to as “kamalam”. • They are grown mostly in states including, Odisha, karnataka, kerala, tamil nadu, maharashtra,

west bengal, gujarat, andhra pradesh, and Andaman & Nicobar islands. • Its cultivation requires less water. • It can be grown in variety of soils. • There are three main varieties of dragon fruit: 1. White flesh with pink skin, 2. Red flesh with pink skin, and 3. White flesh with yellow skin. • Fruit is rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. • Its production was commenced in india in early 1990s. • Apart from india, dragon fruit is cultivated in southeast asia, united states, caribbean, and

mesoamerica, australia and throughout tropical & subtropical world regions. • It is a fruit of several different cactus species which is indigenous to America.

1.52 NSDC AND WHATSAPP LAUNCH “DIGITAL SKILL CHAMPIONS PROGRAM”

• The national skill development corporation and whatsapp announced an alliance to launch the digital skill champions program that aims to train india’s youth on digital skills, in order to make them employment ready.

• The partnership identifies two broad areas of collaboration viz., whatsapp digital skills academy and Pradhan mantri kaushal kendra (PMKK) and whatsapp business app training sessions.

• Through this program, school and university students would be coached to imbibe digital and online skills that would culminate with whatsapp and nsdc awarding ‘Digital skill champions’ certification.

1.53 GOA: FIRST RABIES-FREE STATE

Goa has become the first rabies-free state of india. According to chief minister, Pramod Sawant, state has not reported a single rabies case in last three years. About: • Chief minister highlighted; Goa has achieved 5,40,593 vaccinations against rabies in dogs. • State has also educated nearly a lakh people about dog bite prevention and has set up 24-hours

rabies surveillance which comprise of an emergency hotline and rapid response team for dog bite victims.

• Task of controlling rabies was being carried out by mission rabies project which is a central government grant.

Mission rabies




It is a charity, initially founded as an initiative by worldwide veterinary service (WVS). It is a united kingdom-based charity group which assists animals. Mission rabies works with ‘one health approach’ which is driven by research to eliminate dog bite transmitted rabies disease. It was launched in september 2013 with the objective of vaccinating 50,000 dogs against rabies in india. Rabies has estimated to kill 59,000 people annually. Mission rabies teams have vaccinated 968,287 dogs since 2013. Organisation has worked in the states of Tamil nadu, Kerala, Andhra pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, West bengal, Goa, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Assam.

1.54 Andhra pradesh introduces salt programme

Why in news ? • Andhra pradesh has started a supporting Andhra’s learning transformation (salt) programme to

transform foundational learning in government schools for which the world bank has approved a loan of 250 million dollars.

• The main objectives of the programme are strengthening foundation schools and providing training and skill development to teachers. Andhra pradesh’s public school education system has more than 40 lakh children and nearly 2 lakh teachers.

Practice MCQ’s

Question.1 The ‘Adi prashikshan portal’

comes under the ambit of which ministry ?

A. Ministry of education

B. Ministry of tribal affairs

C. Ministry of youth affairs and sports

D. Ministry of home affairs

Question.2 The HT in HTBT Cotton stands for-

A. High thermo-stable

B. Herbicide tolerant

C. Heat treated

D. Hybrid and treated

Question.3 The headquarters of Ordnance

factory board (OBF) are situated in

A. Lucknow

B. Hyderabad

C. Nagpur

D. Kolkata

Question.4 Kerala’s silverline project is

associated with-

A. Silver mining

B. Jewellery exports

C. Railways

D. Airports

Question.5 A new fossil of reptile,

Bharitalasuchustapani, has been recently

discovered in yerrapalli formations which are

situated in-

A. Kerala

B. Tamil nadu

C. Telangana

D. Andhra pradesh




Question.6 Jal shakti abhiyaan is an initiative

of ministry of jal shakti for conservation of

water. It was launched on world water day,

celebrated on

A. March 22

B. April 22

C. May 22

D. June 22

Question.7 Dagmara hydraulic project is

located in which state?

A. Uttar pradesh

B. Jharkhand

C. West bengal

D. Bihar

Question.8 India’s target for renewable

energy is aimed at _______GW by year

______.

A. 550, 2025

B. 450, 2030

C. 350, 2025

D. 650, 2029

Question.9 Platform for effective

enforcement for no child labour (pencil)

portal, comes under the ambit of-

A. Ministry of women and child development

B. Ministry of commerce

C. Ministry of labour and employment

D. Ministry of health and family welfare

Question.10 The FAME-II Scheme comes

under the ambit of which ministry ?

A. Ministry of road transport and highways

B. Ministry of commerce

C. Ministry of heavy industry

D. Ministry of power

Question.11 ‘Project o2 for india’ is

associated with-

A. Ensuring availability of medical oxygen

across the country

B. Planting trees in urban forest areas

C. Promoting sustainable marine fishing

industry

D. None of the above

Question.12 Project extension hospitals has

been promoted at central level by-

A. Department of science and technology

B. Department of biotechnology

C. Office of the principal scientific adviser


Question.13 Which state has recently

launched heritage tree project to conserve

trees aged 50 years and above ?

A. Punjab

B. Kerala

C. Karnataka

D. Maharashtra




Question.14 The highest absolute increase in

msp, over previous year, in msp for kharif

crops 2021-22 has been in-

A. Paddy

B. Tur

C. Urad

D. Sesamum

Question.15 ‘Surakshit hum surakshit tum

abhiyaan’ launched recently is a joint

initiative of niti aayog and-

A. Adani foundation

B. Reliance foundation

C. Piramal foundation


Question.16 National institute of Rural

development & Panchayati raj (NIRDPR) is an

autonomous organisation under-

A. Ministry of rural development

B. Ministry of panchayati raj

C. Ministry of home affairs

D. Ministry of social justice and empowerment

Question.17 Weyan, india’s first village to

vaccinate all its adult population

against covid-19 is situated in-

A. Jammu and kashmir

B. Kerala

C. Maharashtra

D. Punjab

Question.18 Incredible india tourist

facilitator certification programme comes

under the ambit of-

A. Ministry of culture

B. Ministry of tourism

C. Ministry of education

D. Ministry of youth affairs and sports

Question.19 Asia’s first international

memory studies workshop was recently

hosted by ?

A. Iit delhi

B. Iit ropar

C. Iit bombay

D. Iit madras

Question.20 Performance grading index

(PGI) 2019-20 was released by which ministry

?

A. Ministry of education

B. Ministry of health and family welfare

C. Ministry of new and renewable energy

D. Ministry of labour and employment

Question.21 Loiya Ngamba, on whose story,

‘Jungle man Loiya’ movie was featured by

films division, belongs to which state ?

A. Nagaland

B. Arunachal pradesh

C. Manipur

D. Tripura




Question.21 The scheme to distribute tablets

among children, yountab scheme, is launched

in which union territory ?

A. Puducherry

B. Goa

C. Delhi

D. Ladakh

Question.22 Which indian company has

recently became a signatory of un global

compact’s ceo water mandate ?

A. National thermal power corporation ltd.

B. National hydro power corporation ltd.

C. Steel authority of india ltd.

D. Gas india authority ltd.

Question.23 The kedarnath judgement that

upheld the constitutional validity of sedition

law came out in-

A. 1962

B. 1963

C. 1973

D. 1980

Question.24 The SAGE Project, seen recently

in news, is related to-

A. Old age care

B. Sustainable agriculture

C. Smartphone gaming

D. Gold purity standards

Question.25 Trirashmi buddhist caves are

located in which state ?

A. Haryana

B. Goa

C. Meghalaya

D. Maharashtra

Question.26 The enforcement of disaster

management act comes under the ambit of ?

A. Ministry of home affairs

B. Ministry of defence

C. Ministry of health and family welfare

D. Ministry of social justice and empowerment

Question.27 The committee on variable

capital company, which recently submitted

its report, was headed by-

A. Arun goel

B. Rajesh pant

C. K.v kamath

D. K.p.krishnan

Question.28 The Agriculture ministry has

launched ‘seed minikit programme’ to boost

production of-

A. Wheat

B. Rice

C. Cotton

D. Pulses and oilseeds

Question.29 The Artificial intelligence

focussed programme ‘REVV UP’ has been

launched by which state?

A. Kerala




B. Maharashtra

C. Telangana

D. Andhra pradesh

Answer: c

Question.30 A Virtual “conference of brics

network universities” was recently hosted

by-

A. Iit madras

B. Iit bombay

C. Iit delhi

D. Iim ahmedabad

Question.31 Vivatech, one of the largest

digital and startup events of europe, is held

annually in-

A. Paris

B. Copenhagen

C. Bonn

D. London

Question.32 Which state has announced that

it will setup a vedic education and sanskar

board?

A. Rajasthan

B. Uttar pradesh

C. Madhya pradesh

D. Gujarat

Question.33 In share of central bank surplus transfers to the government, india was ranked second. Which country got first rank ? A. Turkey B. China

C. Seychelles D. Maldives Question.34 Under Integrated power development scheme (ipds) of the ministry of power, a 50 kwp solar rooftop in _________, himachal pradesh was inaugurated. A. Solan B. Shimla C. Chamba D. Bilaspur Question.35 The Commercial cultivation of

bt (bacillus thuringiensis ) cotton started in

india in-

A. 2002

B. 2004

C. 2006

D. 2008

Question.36 The field trial of world’s first gm (genetically modified) rubber has been started in- A. Kerala B. Assam C. Andaman islands D. Tamil nadu Question.37 Which north-eastern state has recently announced incentives for having more children ? A. Manipur B. Arunachal pradesh C. Nagaland D. Mizoram Question.38 Delhi government has launched scheme to provide _______ex gratia to every family that has lost a member amid covid-19 pandemic.




A. Rs 25000 B. Rs 50000 C. Rs 1 lac D. Rs 2 lac Question.39 Lothal, one of the major sites of indus valley civilisation, is situated in- A. Madhya pradesh B. Haryana C. Punjab D. Gujarat Question.40 Electoral trusts scheme 2013, was notified for receiving donations by political parties, by- A. Election commission of india B. Central board of direct taxes C. Ministry of home affairs D. Central vigilance commissioner

Question.41 Which state has recently

launched “Student credit card scheme” ?

A. West bengal

B. Uttar pradesh

C. Goa

D. Sikkim

Question.42 Which of the following is not one of the themes under toycathon 2021 ? A. Fitness and sports B. Agriculture C. Environment D. Divyang Question.43 The first maritime arbitration centre in india is slated to come up at- A. Kolkata B. Mumbai C. Chennai

D. Gandhinagar Question.44 The official olympic theme song for the indian contingent “Lakshya tera samne hai” has been composed and sung by- A. Shankar ehsaan loy B. Lucky ali C. Arijeet singh D. Mohit chauhan Question.45 Which organisation has been awarded as india’s best employers among nation-builders 2021 ? A. NTPC- National thermal power corporation B. NHPS- National hydroelectric power corporation C. GAIL- Gas authority of india limited D. Sail- Steel authority of india limited Question.46 The most liveable city of india, according to the ease of living index 2020 is- A. Mumbai B. Bhubaneshwar C. Bengaluru D. Chennai Question.47 India’s most integrated upcoming rail project to connect a megacity to its suburbs, is located in which city ? A. Bengaluru B. Mysore C. Hyderabad D. Jaipur Question.48 Which fruit is traditionally also known as “kamalam”? A. Avocado B. Lichi C. Jack fruit D. Dragon fruit




Question.49 The digital skill champions

program has been launched recently by

national skill development corporation and

_________.

A. Whatsapp

B. Google

C. Microsoft

D. Twitter

Question.50 Which state has recently become the first rabies free state in india ? A. Jharkhand B. Goa C. Assam

D. Kerala

Question.51 Andhra pradesh’s salt programme is associated with- A. Poverty alleviation B. Mining C. Marine agriculture D. School education Question.52 The nodal agency for the

horticulture cluster development programme

will be-

A. Indian council of agricultural research

B. Indian agricultural research institute

C. National horticulture board


ANSWERS

1.ANSWER: B

2.ANSWER: B

3.ANSWER: D

4.ANSWER: C

5.ANSWER: C

6.ANSWER: A

7.ANSWER: D

8.ANSWER: B

9.ANSWER: C

10.ANSWER: C

11.ANSWER: A

12.ANSWER: C

13.ANSWER: D

14.ANSWER: D

15.ANSWER: C

16.ANSWER: A

17.ANSWER: A

18.ANSWER: B

19.ANSWER: D

20.ANSWER: A

21.ANSWER: C

22.ANSWER: D

23.ANSWER: A

24.ANSWER: A

25.ANSWER: A




26.ANSWER: D

27.ANSWER: A

28.ANSWER: D

29.ANSWER: D

30.ANSWER: B

31.ANSWER: A

32.ANSWER: A

33.ANSWER: A 34.ANSWER: A 35.ANSWER: A

36.ANSWER: B 37.ANSWER: D 38.ANSWER: B 39.ANSWER: D 40.ANSWER: B

41.ANSWER: A

42.ANSWER: B 43.ANSWER: D 44.ANSWER: D 45.ANSWER: A 46.ANSWER: C 47.ANSWER: A 48.ANSWER: D

49.ANSWER: A

50.ANSWER: B

51.ANSWER: D

52.ANSWER: C




International Affairs

2.1 LOUVRE GETS ITS FIRST FEMALE LEADER IN 228 YEARS

• Historian Laurence des Cars becomes the first female president of Musée du Louvre, the world’s largest museum in Paris, France in 228 years.

About:

• She was appointed as the first female president of Musée du Louvre by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

• Laurence des Cars, 54, is currently heading the Musée d’Orsay, the Paris landmark museum which is dedicated to 19th-century art.

• On September 1, 2021, she will replace the current president, Jean-Luc Martinez, who had been heading the Orsay museum for the past eight years

2.2 RWANDA GENOCIDE 1994 – FRENCH PRESIDENT SEEKS FORGIVENESS

• French President has asked for forgiveness for his country’s role in the Rwanda Genocide, 1994. About Rwanda Genocide, 1994:

• The “Rwandan Genocide” refers to the 1994 mass slaughter in Rwanda. It was of the ethnic Tutsi by members of the Hutu majority government.

• The killings began in early 1994 and continued for approximately 100 days. As per a few estimations, there was killing of more than 800,000 Rwandans during that period.

What role did France play during the Rwanda Genocide 1994?

• During the genocide, France was accused. It was for acting as a staunch ally of the Hutu-led government that ordered the killings.

• In 1994, France deployed an UN-backed military force in Rwanda called Operation Turquoise– which was able to save some people. However, it was accused of sheltering some of the genocide’s perpetrators

2.3 CABINET APPROVES MOC BETWEEN INDIA & JAPAN ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

• Union Cabinet approved Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on Sustainable Urban Development between India and Japan by suspending the existing MoU of 2007 on Urban Development.

How MoC will be implemented?

• To implement and strategize programmes on cooperation under MoC, a Joint Working Group (JWG) will be constituted. JWG will meet once in a year in Japan as well as in India, alternately.




Cooperation under MoC will continue for a period of 5 years, which can be auto-renewed for 5 years at a time.

Significance of the MoC

• It will promote strong, deep and long-term bilateral cooperation with respect to Sustainable Urban Development between India and Japan. It is expected to create employment opportunities in listed areas of sustainable urban development including Urban Planning, affordable housing, rental housing, Smart Cities Development, Urban Flood Management, water management, Sewerage & Waste Water Management etc.

Objective of MoC

• It seeks to facilitate and strengthen India-Japan technical cooperation in field of Sustainable urban development and other listed areas which will be mutually identified by both the countries. It will also enable exchange of key learning’s and best practices in listed areas.

2.4 BRICS FOREIGN MINISTERS HOLD VIRTUAL MEETING

• BRICS foreign ministers meeting was held virtually on June 1, 2021. Agenda of the meeting

• During the minister’s meet, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted significant principles which were guiding BRICS.

• He also referred to international law and UN Charter which recognises sovereign equality of all states and respects territorial integrity.

• According to him, desired change can be achieved only by conducting policies in line with these principles.

Who hosted the meeting?

• BRICS meeting was hosted by India in its capacity as chair of BRICS. It was attended by Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergey Lavrov; Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi; Minister of International Relations of South Africa, Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor; and Foreign Minister of Brazil, Carlos Alberto Franco.

2.5 MICROSOFT LAUNCHES ASIA-PACIFIC CYBERSECURITY COUNCIL

• Microsoft has launched first ever “Asia Pacific Public Sector Cyber Security Executive Council”. It was launched with the aim of building strong communications channel to address cyber threats and to share best practices among participating countries.

Asia-pacific cybersecurity Council

• Cybersecurity Council comprises of policy makers and influencers from countries like Indonesia, Korea, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, and Thailand. It is supported by cybersecurity professionals. Council was set up with the aim of accelerating public-private partnerships in cybersecurity, and share threat intelligence.

Why this council was set up?

• Council was set up to build strong coalition and to strengthen cyber security defense. It was launched in the view that; these countries experience higher-than-average encounter rate of




malware and ransomware attacks. They experience 1.6 times higher malware attacks and 1.7 times higher ransomware attacks as compared to other countries.

2.6 WORLD’S FIRST HUMAN CASE OF H10N3 BIRD FLU

• First Human case of H10N3 bird flu was reported in eastern province of Jiangsu in China. Highlights

• A 41-year-old man has become first human case of infection with H10N3 strain of bird flu. He was diagnosed of H10N3 avian influenza virus on May 28. It is still not confirmed how he was infected with virus.

What is H10N3 bird flu?

• H10N3 is a low pathogenic or less severe strain of virus in poultry. The risk of it transmitting on a large scale is also very low. In about 40 years, only 160 isolates of this virus were reported, in wild birds or waterfowl across Asia and North America. It has not been detected in chickens.

What is Influenza?

• It is commonly called as “the flu”. This infectious disease is caused by influenza viruses. Its symptoms include mild to severe fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, coughing, muscle pain and fatigue. Symptoms usually start 1–4 days after exposure to virus and lasts for 2–8 days. It may also cause pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, encephalitis, meningitis, and worsening of pre-existing health problems like asthma.

Avian influenza or Avian flu or Bird flu

• It caused by viruses adapted to birds. It is similar to swine flu, horse flu, dog flu and human flu. Among three types of influenza viruses namely, A, B, and C; influenza A virus is zoonotic infection which entirely affects birds.

2.7 INDIA-UK LAUNCH WORKSTREAM TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY:

• India and United Kingdom have launched a new workstream to promote industrial energy efficiency. The workstream was launched under Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI) of Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM).

12th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM)

• 12th CEM is being organised by Chile in virtual mode. It was started on May 31 and will conclude on June 6.

• India and United Kingdom launched a new workstream which is also coordinated by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Objective of IDDI

• Primary objective of this initiative is to infuse green technologies and stimulate demand for low-carbon industrial material.




2.8 KHARG- IRAN’S LARGEST WARSHIP

• Largest warship of Iranian navy caught fire and sank in the Gulf of Oman, circumstances are still unclear. Kharg used to resupply other ships in fleet and conduct training exercises. It sank near Iranian port of Jask.

IRIS Kharg

• Kharg, named after Island Kharg, was a modified Ol-class fleet replenishment oiler of Islamic Republic of Iran Navy. It was built by Swan Hunter in United Kingdom, which was officially launched in 1977. It was largest naval vessel of Iran on the basis of tonnage.

Ol-class Tankers

• They were Royal Fleet Auxiliary “fast fleet tankers” which provides fuel, food, fresh water and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels across the world.

Replenishment oiler or replenishment tanker

• Naval auxiliary ship with fuel tanks and dry cargo holds, used to supply fuel as well as dry stores during underway replenishment at sea. However, such ships are slower and carry fewer dry stores than modern fast combat support ships by USA.

Kharg or Khark Island

• Kharg is a continental island, located in Persian Gulf and is about 25 km off the coast of Iran. It belongs to Iran while administered by adjacent coastal Bushehr Province. Island provides a sea port for export of oil and extends territorial sea claims of Iran into Persian Gulf oil fields.

2.9 UNION CABINET APPROVES SCO AGREEMENT ON MASS MEDIA COOPERATION

• The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 2, 2021, approved the signing and ratification of an Agreement on ‘Cooperation in the field of Mass Media’ between all the Member States of Shangai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

• The Agreement on ‘Cooperation in the field of Mass Media’ between all the Member States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization was signed in June 2019.

• The Member States of the Shangai Cooperation Organization consists of eight countries: India, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Russia, and Uzbekistan.

About:

• The Agreement on ‘Cooperation in the field of Mass Media’ between all the Member States of Shangai Cooperation Organization will:

• Provide an opportunity for the Member States to share new innovations and best practices in the field of Mass Media.

• Boost equal and mutually beneficial cooperation between associations in the field of Mass Media.




2.10 WHAT IS USA’S EAGLE ACT?

• US House of Representatives has reintroduced bipartisan legislation to eliminate per country cap on employment-based green card. This legislation is called as “EAGLE Act” and was introduced to benefit Indian IT professionals who are waiting over decades for green card.

What is EAGLE Act, 2021?

• EAGLE Act is called as “Equal Access to Green cards for Legal Employment Act”. It proposes to phase out limit of seven per cent per-country on employment-based immigrant visas. It also seeks to raise seven per cent per-country limit to 15 percent on family-sponsored visas.

How will it help Indians?

• Due to existing cap, a person from a large-population country like India with extraordinary qualifications, who could contribute to US economy & create jobs, waits behind person with lesser qualifications from small country. Thus, new legislation will reduce waiting time for Indian professionals.

2.11 MISSION INNOVATION CLEANTECH EXCHANGE

• India launched a global Initiative ‘Mission Innovation CleanTech Exchange’ with the aim of creating a network of incubators in member countries to boost clean energy innovation.

About: • Mission was launched virtually at “Innovating to Net Zero Summit, 2021″ organised by Chile. • It will provide access to expertise and market insights that are required to support new

technologies in order to access new markets across the world. • A total of 23 governments participated, out of which India launched new plans to prompt action

and spearheaded decade of innovation so that it could navigate worldwide investment in clean energy research, development and demonstration.

Aim of the Mission

Mission was launched with the aim of making clean energy affordable, attractive and accessible for

decades and to escalate action towards Paris Agreement & net-zero emissions.

2.12 WORLD BICYCLE DAY 2021

• World Bicycle Day (WBD) is observed on June 3 every year with the objective of promoting health benefits of cycling among all age groups.

Aim of WBD

• Its primary aim is to draw attention of people towards the fact cycling is a zero-pollution mode of transportation which is good for environment.

Background

• United Nations General Assembly had declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day. UN resolution recognises “uniqueness, longevity, and versatility of bicycle, which has been in use for two




centuries.”. Campaign to promote UN resolution for World Bicycle Day was led by Professor Leszek Siblisk, a social scientist in the United States. Campaign is supported by 56 countries.

Logo of WBD

• The logo of WBD is a Blue and White in colour, depicting bicyclists around the globe. Its tagline is #June3 World Bicycle Day. It was designed by Isaac Feld. Accompanying animation was created by Professor John E. Swanson.

2.13 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2021

World Environment Day (WED) is being observed on June 5 under the theme “Ecosystem

Restoration”. It will be hosted by Pakistan.

About:

• Amid the on-going covid-19 pandemic, which the world has been fighting for 1.5 years, WED has become more significant. Pandemic has shown how disastrous ecosystem loss can be.

• As the area of natural habitat for animal is shrinking pathogens like coronavirus are easily spreading. Thus, only healthy ecosystems can enhance livelihoods, counter climate change and stop collapse of biodiversity.

2.14 WORLD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT 2021

• World Sustainable Development Summit was organised on the eve of World Environment Day. Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar, addressed the summit and underlined the importance of water conservation by adopting conservation technologies and changing water use habits.

• It is the annual flagship event of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). Theme of Summit

• World Sustainable Development Summit 2021 was held under theme “Redefining our common future: Safe & Secure Environment for All”.

Highlights

• According to the minister, availability of water is continuously declining and agriculture sector alone consumes 85 percent of available water. Thus, water conservation methods should be used in Agriculture to manage available water resources efficiently.

2.15 DENMARK APPROVES ARTIFICIAL ISLAND OFF COPENHAGEN

• Parliament of Denmark has approved plans for an artificial island which will house 35,000 people and help in protecting port of Copenhagen from rising sea levels.

Lynette Holm Island

• This giant island would have an area of 1 sq mile and would be connected to mainland through ring road, tunnels and metro line. Plans include construction of a dam system across its perimeter. This dam will help in protecting the harbour from rising sea levels and storms.




2.16 INDONESIA’S MERAPI VOLCANO ERUPTS

• As per Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Centre, Indonesia’s Merapi volcano erupted four times with lava spreading to 1,500 metres from crater.

Most Active Volcano

• Merapi is considered as Indonesia’s most active volcano. It erupted four times and experienced 43 avalanche earthquakes. Mountain was belching thick white smokes as high as 50 meters above the mountain’s peak.

Mount Merapi

• In Indonesian and Javanese language, Merapi means Fire Mountain. It is an active stratovolcano located on border of Central Java and Yogyakarta in Indonesia. The most active volcano, has erupted regularly since 1548. It is located near Yogyakarta city with population of 2.4 million. Several people live in villages on flanks of volcano as high as 1,700 metres which result into fatalities. It has been designated as one of Decade Volcanoes.

2.17 G7 deal on Minimum Global Corporate Tax

Recently, Group of seven (G7) advanced economies signed a landmark deal on taxing multinational

companies. As per the deal, minimum global tax rate would be at least 15 percent.

About:

Agreement was signed by finance ministers of United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Canada,

France, Italy and Japan. It opens way for levies on multinational companies in countries where they

operate rather than just where they are headquartered.

Why new system was proposed?

• Old system of global taxation was being criticized over the years as it allowed big companies

to save billions of dollars in tax bills by shifting their jurisdictions.

• Major digital companies were making money in multiple countries and paying taxes only in

home country.

• Thus, this proposal was made which would impose an additional tax on several multinational

companies and technology giants like Facebook, Amazon and Google to pay taxes to

countries based on where their goods or services are sold irrespective of their physical

presence there. The deal seeks to modernize century-old international tax code.

2.18 24 years of BIMSTEC

• Extending greetings on 24th BIMSTEC Day on June 6, PM Narendra Modi said, BIMSTEC has emerged as a promising regional grouping and made progress on several factors including finalisation of master plan for connectivity.

What is BIMSTEC?




• BIMSTEC is acronym for “Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation”. It is a regional multilateral organisation established on June 6, 1997 in Bangkok under the name BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation). Myanmar was included to it in 1997 following which group was renamed as ‘BIMST-EC’ (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Economic Cooperation). After Nepal & Bhutan become full members in 2004, BIMSTEC was renamed to its current form.

Members of BIMSTEC

• Seven members of BIMSTEC are littoral and adjacent areas of Bay of Bengal constituting a regional unity. 5 are South Asian countries namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal & Sri Lanka while 2 countries- Myanmar & Thailand- are from Southeast Asia.

Aim of BIMSTEC

BIMSTEC connects South and Southeast Asia besides ecologies of Great Himalayas and Bay of

Bengal. It was established with the aims of creating an enabling environment for rapid economic

development and accelerating social progress.

2.19 INTERPOL LAUNCHES “I-FAMILIA” TO IDENTIFY MISSING PERSONS

• Interpol has launched a new global database named “I-Familia”. About I-Familia:

• I-Familia is a global database launched to identify missing persons through family DNA. It will help the police to solve cases in member countries.

• Interpol applies cutting-edge scientific research and uses the DNA of relatives to identify missing persons or unidentified human remains around the world.

• DNA kinship matching is used mostly in cases where a direct sample of the missing person is not available.

• Components: I-Familia has three components: • Dedicated global database to host the DNA profiles provided by relatives. It is held separately

from any criminal data • DNA matching software called Bonaparte developed by Dutch company Smart Research; and

Interpretation guidelines developed by Interpol.

2.20 WORLD OCEAN DAY 2021

• World will observe the World Ocean Day on June 8, 2021 under the theme- ‘The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods’.

About World Ocean Day

• The day is observed annually on June 8. The day provides governments across the world an opportunity to inform people about impact of economic activities and human actions on ocean.

How this day is significant?

• Oceans play a major role in everyday life of people and are considered as lungs of our planet. It is an important part of biosphere as it provides us with water which is an integral element of our daily lives. However, oceans are bearing the brunt of man-made destruction over the years.




• Industrial waste and unwanted litter into ocean are degrading & destabilizing earth’s dynamics with its natural resources.

• It might lead to an eventual and unfortunate end. Thus, it becomes important to save oceans and World Ocean Day is committed towards it.

2.21 MALDIVES’ FOREIGN MINISTER ELECTED AS UNGA PRESIDENT

Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid, was elected as new President of UN General

Assembly (UNGA).

About:

Abdulla Shahid won against Afghanistan’s former foreign minister Zalmai Rassoul with three-fourth

majority. He fetched 143 votes while Rassoul got 48 votes out of 191 votes polled. Maldives will

occupy office of President of UNGA for the first time.

Election to UNGA President:

Election to UNGA presidential post is held annually. It is rotated amongst various regional groupings.

76th UNGA session for 2021-22 was the turn of Asia-Pacific group.

2.22 INDIA ELECTED TO UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

• India was elected to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for 2022-2024 terms.

About:

• India has been selected in Asia-Pacific States category. Other elected countries include Oman, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan.

• Elected African countries are- Cote d’Ivoire, Eswatini, Mauritius, Tunisia, and United Republic of Tanzania.

• Among eastern European states Croatia and Czech Republic were elected. • Belize, Peru and Chile are among elected Latin American and Caribbean states. • In by-election of Economic and Social Council, New Zealand & Denmark were elected for January

to December 2022 term while Israel was elected for January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023.

2.23 WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare virtually attended the World Food Safety

Day (7th June) celebrations organized by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

About:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) jointly facilitate the observance of World Food Safety Day, in collaboration with Member States and other relevant organizations.




• It was first celebrated in 2019, to strengthen the commitment to scale up food safety made by the Addis Ababa Conference and the Geneva Forum in 2019 under the umbrella of “The Future of Food Safety”.

• Aim:

• To draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks,

contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market

access, tourism and sustainable development.

• 2021 Theme:

• Safe Food for a Healthy Tomorrow.

2.24 EL SALVADOR: FIRST COUNTRY TO FORMALLY ADOPT BITCOIN AS LEGAL TENDER

El Salvador has become the first country to formally adopt bitcoin as legal tender. Proposal to

legalise cryptocurrency was put forward by President Nayib Bukele which was later approved by

Congress.

About:

• Even though there was concern regarding potential impact of legalising cryptocurrency on El Salvador’s program of $1 billion with International Monetary Fund, proposal was passed with majority of 62 out of 84 possible votes.

• Bitcoin was approved considering its potential to help Salvadorans living abroad to send remittances back home. U.S. dollar will also continue as legal tender in country.

• It will bring financial inclusion, investment, innovation, tourism and economic development in El Salvador.

2.25 OPERATION PANGEA

Interpol has conducted Operation Pangea XIV to target the sale of counterfeit and illicit medicines

and medical products.

About:

• Operation Pangea is an international effort to target the online sale of counterfeit and illicit health products. It also aims to raise public awareness of the potential dangers of buying medicines online.

• The first time Operation Pangea was conducted was in 2008. • Led by: The operation is coordinated by INTERPOL. It involved police, customs and health

regulatory authorities from 92 countries. • India: Indian agencies also participated in the operation. The Central Bureau of

Investigation(CBI) is the nodal body for Interpol in the country. • Impact:

• The operation resulted in around 1 lakh web links including websites and online marketplaces being closed down or removed.

• Moreover, more than half of all medical devices seized during the operation were fake and unauthorized COVID-19 tests.




2.26 INTERNATIONAL LEVEL CROSSING AWARENESS DAY

International Level Crossing Awareness Day was observed by “South-Central Railway (SCR)” on June

10, 2021. Awareness programmes was conducted for public at level crossing gates.

About:

• On the occasion, railway authorities took up operation to remove manned level crossings in phased manner by constructing Limited Height Subways (LHS), Road Under Bridges (RUBs) and Road Over Bridges (ROBs) in the zone.

• About 81 manned level crossings have been removed by constructing LHS, ROB and RUBs in collaboration with State governments.

2.27 INDIA-KUWAIT MOU ON DOMESTIC WORKER RECRUITMENT

India and Kuwait signed a MoU on cooperation on domestic worker recruitment on June 10, 2021.

About MoU

• This MoU will bring Indian domestic workers in Gulf nation within the legal framework which will provide them protection under law.

• Agreement will also streamline recruitment of domestic workers. • It will ensure rights and obligations of domestic workers as well as employer. • A 24-hour assistance mechanism will be established to assist domestic workers. • A joint committee will also be set up to assess and review periodically on implementation of

MoU.

2.28 WHAT IS NEW ATLANTIC CHARTER?

US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held meeting recently in Cornwall

and inspected documents related to Atlantic Charter and signed a document titled “New Atlantic

Charter”.

What is New Atlantic Charter?

New Atlantic Charter is an agreement was signed on June 10, 2021 at 2021 G7 summit in England

between Boris Johnson and Joe Biden. It is a new version of the Atlantic Charter of 1941. Agreement

was signed to redefine Western alliance.

Objectives of New Atlantic Charter

• New Atlantic Charter was signed with the objective of defending principles & institutions of

democracy and strengthening & adapting the institutions.

• Charter seeks to remain united behind principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity &

peaceful resolution of disputes.




• It will also try to maintain collective security & international stability even against cyber

threats. It prioritises climate change across all international action.

2.29 ALBANIA, BRAZIL, GABON, GHANA, UAE ELECTED TO UNSC

Countries including Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been

elected unopposed to powerful UN Security Council (UNSC) as non-permanent members for 2022-

23 term.

Key Points

• UN General Assembly (UNGA) has held elections to elect five non-permanent members for UNSC. They will take their seats on Council for two-year term from January 1, 2022.

• Five countries won elections unopposed because they were the only candidates from their respective regional groups.

Regional distribution of seats in UNSC

As per regional distribution for 2021 election, three seats were available from African & Asian

States. Gabon, Ghana and United Arab Emirates won these three sears. Apart from that, one Latin

American and Caribbean Group seat was available for which Brazil was elected while, Albania won

Eastern European Group seat.

2.30 42ND SESSION OF FAO CONFERENCE

Recently, the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare addressed the 42nd session of

Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Conference.

Food and Agriculture Organization

▪ FAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.

▪ World Food Day is celebrated every year on 16th October to mark the anniversary of the founding of the FAO in 1945.

▪ It is one of the UN food aid organisations based in Rome (Italy). Its sister bodies are the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Initiatives Taken:

▪ Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). ▪ Monitors the Desert Locust situation throughout the world. ▪ The Codex Alimentarius Commission or CAC is the body responsible for all matters regarding the

implementation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. ▪ The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.




2.31 INDIA EXTENDS USD 100 MNLOC TO SRI LANKA

India has extended a USD 100 million Line of Credit to Sri Lanka to finance projects in solar energy

sector.

About:

• Agreement was signed between Sri Lankan government and Export-Import Bank of India. • This LOC will also ensure that Sri Lanka’s 70 percent power requirements are fulfilled by

renewable energy sources by 2030. • LOC will also finance solar energy projects in Sri Lanka, announced during Founding Conference

of International Solar Alliance (ISA) in 2018. It includes project like rooftop solar photo-voltaic systems for households and government buildings.

2.32 JAPAN TO ISSUE COVID-19 VACCINE PASSPORT

Japan is going to make a vaccine passport available from next month for Japanese travellers in a bid

to re-launch tourism and business trips abroad.

About:

• This certificate will be paper-based rather than digital. • It will be issued by local governments from next month. Digital Vaccine Passport in EU

European Union is working on digital vaccine passport for summer of 2021 to reboot tourism and

attract tourists. EU version of certificate will comprise of information on whether a person has been

vaccinated or had the virus, tested negative or had been recovered.

2.33 WHAT IS JUNETEENTH IN US?

US President Joe Biden is to sign a law to make June 19 or “Juneteenth” a national holiday. This

holiday will be recognized by federal government to commemorating end of slavery after American

Civil War.

About:

• Bill to establish Juneteenth National Independence Day was supported in both houses of US Congress and now needs to be approved by White House to become law.

• It was passed in the backdrop of killing of George Floyd that triggered anti-racism protests in US. • Juneteenth is going to be first new federal holiday created in almost four decades.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, combination of June and nineteenth, is observed on June 19 every year. It is the oldest

nationally celebrated commemoration of end of slavery in America. The day is recognized as holiday




in 47 US states and District of Columbia. Juneteenth is also known as Emancipation Day or

Juneteenth Independence Day.

2.34 WHAT IS AY.1 VARIANT OF CORONAVIRUS?

Recently, WHO tagged B.1.617.2 strain of coronavirus as ‘Delta’ variant, which now has further

mutated. Mutated form of Delta variant is being termed as “Delta Plus” or “AY.1” variant.

About:

• Delta variant was identified as one of the factors of second wave of coronavirus infections in India.

• Initial data shows that, Delta plus variant have resistance against monoclonal antibody cocktail treatment, which was recently authorised by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) for COVID-19 treatment.

Delta plus variant

• Variant B.1.617.2.1 of coronavirus is known as AY.1 which is characterized by acquisition of

K417N mutation. Delta plus variant was identified in six genomes in India as of now.

• Health agency has also confirmed the presence of 63 genomes of Delta variant with the new

K417N mutation. However, there is no immediate cause for concern since prevalence of

Delta plus Variant is still low in India.

2.35 SUMMIT FOR VACCINE INTERNATIONALISM

Four-day Summit for vaccine internationalism by Progressive International was opened on June 18,

2021.

Highlights

• Summit was opened with the goal of ending “covid-19 pandemic as quickly as possible by administering and securing COVID-19 vaccines for all”.

• Vaccine summit brings together political leaders, Global south governments, healthcare workers and vaccine manufacturers from about twenty countries and follows criticism of G7’s plan.

• Recently, U.N. aid Chief Mark Lowcock had criticised G-7 plan as not serious and lacking necessary urgency.

Agenda of the summit

• Participants of the summit seek to boost up production, distribution and delivery of the vaccines across world as presently, only 6.2% of the world population is fully vaccinated against COVID.

• Summit hope to consider concrete proposals to bring technology, invoke patent waivers and invest in rapid production of vaccines.

• Representatives from governments of Argentina, Mexico, Bolivia, Cuba, Venezuela Kerala (India) and Kisumu (Kenya) will be joined by four vaccine manufacturers namely, Fiocruz (Brazilian




manufacturer), Virchow Laboratories (Indian manufacturer), Biolyse (Canadian firm) and BioFarma Cuba (Cuba manufacturer)

2.36 WORLD DAY TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT: 17 JUNE

• World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on 17th June every year. The day is celebrated to raise awareness of the presence of desertification and drought, and highlight methods of preventing desertification and recovering from drought.

• “Restoration. Land. Recovery. We build back better with healthy land” is the theme for 2021 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

• In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 17 the “World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought” to market public awareness of the difficulty.

• The World Day to Combat Desertification may be a unique occasion to remind everybody that desertification is often effectively tackled, that solutions are possible, which key tools to the present aim lay in strengthened community participation and co-operation in the least levels.

2.37 INDIA-FIJI MOU FOR COOPERATION IN AGRICULTURE

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in agriculture & allied sectors was signed

between Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar and Fiji’s

Minister of Agriculture, Waterways & Environment, Dr. Mahendra Reddy.

Key Points

• India and Fiji share a cordial and friendly relations based on mutual respect, cooperation and strong cultural & people-to-people ties.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Fiji and first Forum for India Pacific Islands Cooperation(FIPIC) have given a new boost to India’s engagement with Fiji and Pacific region.

• In the lines, signing of this MoU will further strengthen the multi-faceted cooperation between both the countries.

Cooperation between countries Food and agriculture are closely associated to climate change. Both countries are cooperating to deal with global challenges in agriculture. Amid the covid-19 pandemic, India have distributed about 7 tonnes of seeds of 14 varieties of fruits and vegetables to Fiji as a grant for livelihood restoration of communities who were affected by Cyclone Yasa.

2.38 ZYCOV-D: WORLD’S FIRST DNA-BASED VACCINE

Indian pharmaceutical company Zydus Cadila is soon going to apply Central Drugs Regulator (DGCI) for emergency approval of the corona vaccine ZyCoV-D. If approved, it will be the world’s first DNA-based vaccine. With this, the number of vaccines available in the country will increase to 4. So far, Serum Institute’s Covishield, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Russia’s Sputnik-V are being used in India.




How does this vaccine work?

• ZyCoV-D is a DNA-plasmid vaccine. This vaccine uses genetic material to increase the immunity of the body. Just as Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines in many countries including the US use mRNA to increase immunity; in the same way it uses plasmid-DNA.

• mRNA can also be called messenger RNA, which goes into the body and gives the message to make antibodies against the corona virus. Whereas, plasmid is a small DNA molecule present in human cells. This DNA is different from the common chromosome DNA.

• Plasmid-DNA is commonly found in bacterial cells and can replicate independently. The plasmid-DNA is converted into a viral protein when it enters the human body.

• This develops a strong immune response to the virus in the body. This stops the virus from growing. If a virus changes its shape, that is, it has a mutation, then this vaccine can be changed in a few weeks.

2.39 INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC DAY 2021

World Olympic Day is observed on June 23 across the world to embrace all through pure Olympic

values.

Key points

• This day signifies the Olympic Games which is held every four-year featuring summer and winter sports competitions.

• During the event, thousands of athletes from world take part in several competitions. • Athletes participate in sports activities like runs, music, exhibitions, and educational seminars on

this day.

2.40 G20 LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT MINISTERS’ MEETING

Recently, the Union Minister for Labour and Employment has said that India is making collective efforts to reduce gender gaps in labour force participation. • He was delivering the Ministerial Address on Declaration and Employment Working Group

Priorities at G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting. G20 • It is an informal group of 19 countries and the European Union, with representatives of the

International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. • The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies,

representing about two-thirds of the world’s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, 80% of global investment and over 75% of global trade.

• Members: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and the European Union.




2.41 ANTARCTIC TREATY

Recently, the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty was celebrated. • The Antarctic treaty remains the only example of a single treaty that governs a whole continent. • It is also the foundation of a rules-based international order for a continent without a

permanent population. About: • The Antarctic Treaty was signed between 12 countries in Washington on 1st December 1959 for

making the Antarctic Continent a demilitarized zone to be preserved for scientific research only. • The twelve original signatories are Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New

Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the UK and the US. It entered into force in 1961 and has since been acceded by many other nations.

• Antarctica is defined as all of the land and ice shelves south of 60°S latitude. • Recently, an enormous iceberg 'A-76' has calved from the western side of the Ronne Ice Shelf,

lying in the Weddell Sea, in Antarctica. Members: • Currently it has 54 parties. India became a member of this treaty in 1983. Headquarters: • Buenos Aires, Argentina.

2.42 INDIA-BHUTAN: TAX INSPECTORS WITHOUT BORDERS INITIATIVE

India and Bhutan have jointly launched the “Tax Inspectors without Borders (TIWB)” on June 23, 2021. Tax Inspectors without Borders (TIWB) • TIWB is a joint initiative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Organisation

for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). • TIWB seeks to provide support to the developing countries to help them strengthen national tax

administrations by building audit capacity. • It complements the efforts of international community to strengthen cooperation on tax matters

& contribute to domestic tax mobilisation efforts. Aim of TIWB TIWB programme aims to strengthen tax administrations among developing countries by transferring technical know-how and skills to their tax auditors and by sharing general audit practices & dissemination of knowledge products with them.

2.43 UNITED NATIONS PUBLIC SERVICE DAY 2021

United Nations Public Service Day is observed on June 23, to recognise value and virtue of public service to community. About: • The day emphasizes on the importance of public service in advancement phase. • It recognises work of public servants & encourages young people to undertake careers in public

sector. • Background




United Nations Public Service Day is celebrated on June 23 every year. The day was designated by United Nations General Assembly’s resolution to “celebrate the value and virtue of public service to community”. Theme of the day This day was observed under the theme “Innovating the Future Public Service: New Government Models for a New Era to Reach Sustainable Development Goals” in 2021.

2.44 UN World Drug Report 2021

World Drug Report 2021 was released by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). As

per the report, 275 million people used drugs across the world in 2020.

Key findings of report • As per the report, 36 million people suffered from drug use disorders. • In last 24 years, cannabis potency had increased by four times in some parts of the globe. • Percentage of adolescents who perceived drug as harmful has reduced by 40 per cent. • Despite that, cannabis use is associated with a variety of health and other harms, particularly

among regular long-term users. • Drug Report highlights the need to close gap between perception and reality to educate young

people about harmful effects of drugs and safeguard public health. • Percentage of Δ9-THC, main psychoactive component in cannabis, has increased from six per

cent to 11 per cent in Europe between 2002-2019.

2.45 BLACK SEA

In a recent event, Russia alleged that the British warship had breached its territorial waters in Black Sea which Britain and most of the world say belong to Ukraine. Geographical Location of Black Sea: • The Black Sea, also known as the Euxine Sea, is one of the major water bodies and a famous

inland sea of the world. • This marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. • It is surrounded by the Pontic, Caucasus, and Crimean Mountains in the south, east and north

respectively. • The Turkish straits system - the Dardanelles, Bosporus and Marmara Sea - forms a transitional

zone between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. • The Black Sea is also connected to the Sea of Azov by the Strait of Kerch. • The bordering countries of Black Sea are: Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and

Romania.

2.46 NEW HUMAN SPECIES DISCOVERED IN ISRAEL

An international group of archaeologists have discovered new human species in Israel which is being considered as a missing piece in the history of human evolution. About: • Excavations were done at Israeli site of Nesher Ramla. • Archaeologists have recovered a skull which might represent a late-surviving example of a

distinct Homo population.




• It is expected that, they lived about 420,000 to 120,000 years ago.

2.47 MINORITY AFFAIRS MINISTER LAUNCHED “JAANHAITOJAHAANHAI” AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

• The Minority Affairs Minister, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi launched nationwide “Jaan Hai To Jahaan Hai” awareness campaign on Corona vaccination for rural and remote areas.

• The aim of this campaign is to aware people of the Corona vaccination and to crush rumours and apprehensions related to Corona vaccination. It has been launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in association with various socio-educational organizations, NGOs, and Women Self Help Groups.

• Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi urged members of Central Waqf Council, Maulana Azad Education Foundation, and other social and educational institutions to take part in this awareness campaign. India is running the world’s largest Corona vaccination drive.

2.48 INTERNATIONAL MSMES DAY

Every year, Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Day is celebrated on 27th June to recognise the contribution of these industries in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). History: • The United Nations (UN) designated 27th June as Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Day through a resolution passed in the UN General Assembly in April 2017. • In May 2017, a program titled 'Enhancing National Capacities for Unleashing Full Potentials of

MSMEs in Achieving the SDGs in Developing Countries' was launched. • It has been funded by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Sub-Fund of the United

Nations Peace and Development Fund. Significance: • The UN wants countries to recognise sustainable development goals and create

awareness about them. • An International Trade Centre survey on Covid-19 impact among businesses in 136 countries has

shown that nearly 62% of women-led small businesses have been strongly affected by the crisis, compared to just over half of firms led by men, and women-owned are 27% more likely not to survive the pandemic. Formal and informal MSMEs make up over 90% of all firms and account, on average, for 70% of total employment and 50% of GDP. As such, they are key actors in achieving a green recovery.

• 2021 Theme: • MSME 2021: Key to an inclusive and sustainable recovery

2.49 ASHGABAT WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE CITY FOR FOREIGN WORKERS

. • Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan in Central Asia, has been named the world’s

most expensive city for foreign workers. The city topped the list in a 2021 cost-of-living survey by consultancy firm Mercer

• Hong Kong was on the second position, followed by Beirut in Lebanon and Tokyo in Japan. Ashgabat is known for its magnificent marble buildings and monuments. It is also home to one of Central Asia’s most colourful bazaars called Tolkuchka Bazaar.




• Other tourist attractions include the National Museum, White Marble, Turkmenbashi Cableway, Museum of Fine Arts, Alem Cultural and Entertainment Center, and Turkmen Carpet Museum.

• Mumbai remains India’s most expensive city at 78th rank but has dropped 18 places in this year’s ranking “due to a relatively weak Indian rupee in comparison with other cities in the ranking.” Other Indian cities on the list are New Delhi (117), Chennai (158), Bengaluru (170), and Kolkata (181).

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11 International Affairs: Practice MCQs




QUESTION.1 Who has been appointed the

president of Musée du Louvre, world’s

largest museum?

A. Laurence des Cars

B. Martha Koome

C. Tsang yin Hung

D. Jagjit Pavadia

QUESTION.2 The Rwanda Genocide involved

mass killings of which community ?

A. Yazidi

B. Tutsi

C. Houthi

D. Rohingya

QUESTION.3 India has recently signed a

Memorandum of Cooperation for sustainable

urban development with which country?

A. Netherlands

B. Japan

C. China

D. Germany

QUESTION.4 Which country hosted the

BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting held in June

2021?

A. India

B. China

C. Brazil

D. Russia

QUESTION.5 Which tech-giant has recently

launched Asia-Pacific Cybersecurity Council?

A. Avast

B. IBM

C. Google

D. Microsoft

QUESTION.6 The first Human case of H10N3

bird flu was reported from which country?

A. Indonesia

B. Thailand

C. Korea

D. China

ANSWER: D

QUESTION.7 Which country hosted the 12th

Clean Energy Ministerial?

A. China

B. France

C. Chile

D. Paraguay




QUESTION.8 A naval ship Kharg, which sank

recently, belonged to which country?

A. Pakistan

B. Iran

C. Oman

D. UAE

QUESTION.9 Which of the following is not a

member of Shanghai Cooperation

Organisation?

A. Kazakhstan

B. Uzbekistan

C. Tajikistan

D. Turkmenistan

QUESTION.10 The EAGLE Act, reintroduced

in USA, is associated with-

A. Environment conservation

B. Agricultural norms

C. Green card for employees


QUESTION.11 A global Initiative ‘Mission

Innovation CleanTech Exchange’ has been

recently launched by

A. India

B. Chile

C. France

D. Brazil

QUESTION.12 World Bicycle Day is observed

every year on-

A. June 2

B. June 3

C. June 4

D. June 5

QUESTION.13 World Environment Day is

observed every year on-

A. June 3

B. June 4

C. June 5

D. June 6

QUESTION.14 World Sustainable

Development Summit 2021 was conducted

by ?

A. United Nations Framework for Combating

Climate Change.

B. United Nations Environment Program

C. International Union for Conservation of

Nature

D. The Energy and Resources Institute




QUESTION.15 Which Nordic country has

recently approved plans for building an

artificial island?

A. Finland

B. Norway

C. Denmark

D. Sweden

QUESTION.16 Merapi volcano, which

erupted recently, is located in?

A. Indonesia

B. South Sudan

C. Democratic Republic of Congo

D. Japan

QUESTION.17 The minimum global tax rate

to be levied, agreed upon by the G7

economies, would be at least?

A. 12%

B. 15%

C. 14%

D. 18%

QUESTION.18 The last two countries to join

BIMSTEC as full members were?

A. Nepal & Myanmar

B. Nepal & Bhutan

C. Myanmar & Bhutan

D. Myanmar & Thailand

QUESTION.19 I-Familia, seen recently in

news, is an initiative of-

A. Interpol

B. United Nations Children’s Fund

C. Food and Agriculture Organisation


QUESTION.20 World Ocean Day is celebrated

every year on-

A. June 6

B. June 7

C. June 8

D. June 9

QUESTION.21 Who has been elected as new

President of UN General Assembly?

A. Abdulla Shahid

B. Martha Koome

C. Bashar al-Assad

D. Reuven Rivlin

QUESTION.22 India has been elected to

United Nations Economic and Social Council

(ECOSOC) for 2022-2024 from Asia Pacific

states, along with-




A. Oman, Iran and Tajikistan

B. Oman, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan

C. Kuwait, Iran and Tajikistan

D. Iran, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan

QUESTION.24 World Food Safety Day is

celebrated every year on-

A. June 6

B. June 7

C. June 8

D. June 9

QUESTION.25 Which country has become

the first in the world to adopt Bitcoin as legal

tender?

A. Paraguay

B. Venezuela

C. El Salvador

D. Argentina

QUESTION.26 Operation Pangea of Interpol,

is associated with-

A. Illicit medicines and medical products

B. Wildlife trafficking

C. Child trafficking

D. Stolen artefacts

QUESTION.27 International Level Crossing

Awareness Day was observed recently on-

A. June 9

B. June 10

C. June 11

D. June 12

QUESTION.28 India has recently signed a

MoU for domestic worker recruitment with-

A. Qatar

B. Kuwait

C. UAE

D. Saudi Arabia

QUESTION.29 The ‘Atlantic Charter’ was

originally signed during World War 2 in-

A. 1939

B. 1940

C. 1941

D. 1942

QUESTION.30 Food and Agriculture

Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of

the United Nations, headquartered in Rome.

It was established in-

A. 1919




B. 1945

C. 1962

D. 1975

QUESTION.31 India has recently extended a

USD 100 million Line of Credit to which

country for financing projects in solar energy

sector?

A. Nepal

B. Srilanka

C. Madagascar

D. Bangladesh

QUESTION.32 Which country has recently

announced that it will be issue a paper based

COVID vaccine passport?

A. USA

B. Germany

C. China

D. Japan

QUESTION.33 ‘Junteenth holiday’ in the USA

signifies-

A. Independence from british

B. Civil rights movement

C. End of slavery


QUESTION.34 AY.1, seen recently in news, is

-

A. a new variant of COVID

B. SpaceX’s launch vehicle

C. new variety of paddy

D. a new humanoid robot by Suzuki

QUESTION.35 Who is the current head of UN

Aid?

A. Antonio Guterres

B. Jagjit Pavadia

C. Mark Lowcock

D. Martha Koome

QUESTION.36 World Day to Combat

Desertification and Drought is observed

every year on-

A. June 15

B. June 16

C. June 17

D. June 18

QUESTION.37 A MoU for cooperation in

agriculture & allied sectors has been recently

signed by India with a FIPIC member

country__________.




A. Vanuatu

B. Samoa

C. Palau

D. Fiji

QUESTION.38 ZyCoV-D, world’s first DNA-

based vaccine against covid-19, has been

developed by-

A. Johnson and Johnson

B. Pfizer

C. Moderna

D. Zydus Cadila

QUESTION.39 World Olympic Day is

observed every year on-

A. June 21

B. June 22

C. June 23

D. June 24

QUESTION.40 Which of the following is not a

member of G20 ?

A. Turkey

B. Mexico

C. Switzerland

D. Indonesia

QUESTION.41 The headquarters for Antarctic

Treaty are located in-

A. Melbourne

B. Auckland

C. Johannesburg

D. Buenos Aires

QUESTION.42 India has recently launched the

“Tax Inspectors without Borders (TIWB)”

initiative with

A. Nepal

B. Bangladesh

C. Bhutan

D. Myanmar

QUESTION.43 United Nations Public Service

Day is observed on-

A. June 21

B. June 22

C. June 23

D. June 24

QUESTION.44 World Drug Report 2021 is

released by which institution ?

A. Interpol

B. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

C. World Health Organization

D. National Institute on Drug Abuse

QUESTION.45 Which of the following

countries does not border the Black sea ?

A. Bulgaria

B. Russia

C. Georgia

D. Armenia

QUESTION.46 A new human species has

been recently discovered from Nesher Ramla.

It is situated in-




A. Yemen

B. Saudi Arabia

C. Oman

D. Israel

QUESTION.47 A nationwide “Jaan Hai To

Jahaan Hai” awareness campaign on Corona

vaccination has been recently launched by-

A. Ministry of Health and Family Affairs

B. Ministry of Panchayati Raj

C. Ministry of Rural Development

D. Ministry of Minority Affairs

QUESTION.48 International MSMEs Day is

celebrated on-

A. June 25

B. June 26

C. June 27

D. June 28

QUESTION.49 According to 2021 cost-of-

living survey by Mercer, the world’s

most expensive city for foreign workers is-

A. Ashgabat

B. Beirut

C. Tokyo

D. Hongkong




ANSWERS

1. ANSWER: A

2. ANSWER: B

3. ANSWER: B

4. ANSWER: A

5. ANSWER: D

6. ANSWER: D

7. ANSWER: C

8. ANSWER: B

9. ANSWER: D

10. ANSWER: C

11. ANSWER: A

12. ANSWER: B

13. ANSWER: C

14. ANSWER: D

15. ANSWER: C

16. ANSWER: A

17. ANSWER: B

18. ANSWER: B

19. ANSWER: A

20. ANSWER: C

21. ANSWER: A

22. ANSWER: B

23. ANSWER: B

24. ANSWER: C

25. ANSWER: A

26. ANSWER: B

27. ANSWER: B

28. ANSWER: C

29. ANSWER: B

30. ANSWER: B

31. ANSWER: D

32. ANSWER: C

33. ANSWER: A

34. ANSWER: C

35. ANSWER: C

36. ANSWER: D

37. ANSWER: D

38. ANSWER: C

39. ANSWER: C

40. ANSWER: D

41. ANSWER: C

42. ANSWER: C

43. ANSWER: B

44. ANSWER: D

45. ANSWER: D

46. ANSWER: D

47. ANSWER: C

48. ANSWER: A




Science and Technology

3.1 SWASTIIK Technology for Disinfecting Water

.

• CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune has launched a new technique called SWASTIIK to disinfect water by using natural oils. It was launched because, water-borne diseases have increased India’s disease burden.

About SWASTIIK Technology

• This method can eliminate harmful bacteria and antibiotic-resistant strains, economically. It integrates Indian traditional knowledge of Ayurveda to disinfect water and offer possible health benefits of natural oils.

• It uses hydrodynamic cavitation; combines chemistry, biology, & chemical engineering along with natural resources like natural oils & plant extracts to disinfect water. Thus, method has increased the efficiency and reduced cost of water treatment.

3.2 New Zealand signs space agreement with NASA

.

• New Zealand has become the latest country to sign “space agreement with NASA” with the objective of boosting nascent space industry of New Zealand.

Key Points • New Zealand is the eleventh signatory to Artemis Accords. • Artemis Accords is a blueprint for space cooperation and supporting NASA’s plan to return

humans to moon by 2024. It also supports NASA’s plan of launching historic human mission to Mars.

Why New Zealand signed the accord?

• New Zealand wants to ensure, future space exploration is conducted in a safe, sustainable and transparent manner in accordance with international law. New Zealand is also interested in ensuring that minerals taken from moon or elsewhere in space are used sustainably.

Artemis Accords

• Artemis accords are an international agreement and American-led effort which seeks to relaunch humans to Moon by 2024. Agreement was signed by governments participating in Artemis programme with the objective of expanding and deepening space exploration. It was drafted under the aegis of NASA. It provides a framework for cooperation in civil exploration and peaceful use of Mars, Moon and other astronomical objects. The accord was signed in October 13, 2020.

3.3 “AmbiTAG”- India’s First Indigenous Temperature Data Logger

.




• Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar(IIT Ropar) in Punjab has developed a device named AmbiTag.

About AmbiTag:

• AmbiTag is the first-of-its-kind Internet of Things(IoT) device. The device will be helpful in the secure transportation of vaccines, blood and body organs, perishable products (food and dairy) among others.

• How does the device work? o The device records real-time ambient temperature during the transportation of perishable

products, vaccines, and even body organs and blood. o The recorded temperature helps to know whether that particular item transported from

anywhere in the world is still usable or perished because of temperature variation. • Developed under: AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) and its

Startup ScratchNest developed the device. o AWaDH is a research center at IIT Ropar. Established with support from the Department of

Science and Technology(DST) and the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). It carries out extensive research in the field of agriculture and water.

3.4 NASA announces Two Robotic Missions to Venus

.

• American space agency, NASA, has announced its two new robotic missions namely Davinci+ and Veritas, to Venus to examine atmosphere and geological features on the planet.

About the mission

• Each of the missions has been awarded $500m funding. They will be launched in between 2028 and 2030. Missions would provide a chance to investigate the planet Venus that hasn’t been provided in about 30 years. Two missions were selected after a peer-review process. They were chosen on the basis of their potential scientific value and feasibility of their development plans. Both the missions will be launched with aim to understand, how Venus surface is capable of melting lead and how this planet became an inferno-like world.

Davinci+ Mission

• Davinci+ is “Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging” mission. It will measure atmosphere of Venus to gain insight into how it formed and evolved. It also seeks to determine whether Venus ever had an ocean.

Veritas Mission

• This mission is called as “Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy”. It will map surface of Venus to understand its geologic history. It will also investigate how it developed differently than Earth. It will use a form of radar to investigate surface elevations and will discover if volcanoes and earthquakes are still happening.

3.1 IIT-Hyderabad develops Nano-Fibre based Amphotericin B oral tablets

.




• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad has developed nano-fibre based oral tablets of Amphotericin B, called as AmB.

About:

• IIT Hyderabad researchers decided to keep this technology free of intellectual property rights and are ready for technology transfer so that tablet can be produced on mass level.

• This medicine is reportedly cheaper, higher AmB absorption and less Nephrotoxicity. • AmB was earlier available in injectable form only. What are Amphotericin B tablets?

• Amphotericin B tablets are nano-fibre based oral medicine that can be used to treat fungal infections which is currently spreading in India post COVID treatment.

3.2 RDSO Becomes First Standards Body to Join ‘One Nation, One Standard’ Scheme

.

• Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), which sets standards for the Indian Railway Sector, has become the first standards body in the country to join the ‘One Nation, One Standard’ scheme of the central government.

• The RDSO, the sole R&D wing of the Railways Ministry, has now been recognised as a ‘Standard Developing Organisation’ by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), for a three years period.

• BIS is the implementing agency for the ‘One Nation, One Standard’ scheme. RDSO and BIS will be now jointly defining the parameters to ensure quality goods and services for the Railways.

• The ‘One Nation, One Standard’ scheme was launched in 2019 with the objective to develop one template of standard for one given product in the country, instead of having multiple agencies set it, thereby building a ‘Brand India’ identity in the long run.

3.3 First CAR-T Cell Therapy Conducted

.

• Clinical trials of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy were conducted globally. Therapy has emerged as a breakthrough in cancer treatment. It has shown promising results on end stage patients, especially in patients of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.

About: • CAR-T technology has a remarkable therapeutic potential for cancer patients. • This technology is not available in India, currently. What are the challenges?

• CAR-T cell therapy costs rupees 3-4 crore for each patient. Thus, biggest challenge is there to develop this technology in cost-effective manner and make it available patients. Manufacturing of this technology is complex which increases the cost.

First CAR-T cell Therapy

• First CAR-T cell Therapy was done by IIT Bombay and cancer care in India at Bone Marrow Transplant unit of Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai. CAR-T cells were designed and




manufactured at Bioscience and Bioengineering (BSBE) department, IIT Bombay. This was also supported by BIRAC-PACE scheme. Now, this therapy will undergo Phase I and II trial of their CAR-T product through National Biopharma Mission.

3.5 MIT generates Electricity from Carbon Nanotubes

.

• MIT engineers have discovered a new way of generating electricity using carbon nanotubes. A new material made up of carbon nanotubes has potential to generate electricity by collecting energy from its environment.

How electricity is generated?

• These micro carbon particles can create current by interacting with liquid around them. • Liquid, an organic solvent, attracts electrons out of the nanoparticles, which generates

current. • This current can be used to drive chemical reactions or to power micro or nanoscale robots. • This electric current can also be used to drive a reaction known as alcohol oxidation.

Properties of discovery

• This discovery grew out of research on carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are hollow

tubes made of lattice of carbon atoms. These tubes have unique electrical properties.

• Potential of carbon nanotubes to generate thermopower waves was demonstrated way back

in 2010. When Carbon nanotube is coated with layer of fuel, moving pulses of heat or

thermopower waves travelling along tube generates electrical current.

3.6 ISRO develops 3 Cost-Effective Ventilators

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed

three types of cost-effective ventilators and an oxygen concentrator.

About:

• 3 ventilators have been named as Prana, VaU and Svasta while oxygen cylinder has been named as Shwaas.

• All three are user-friendly and fully automated along with touch-screen specifications. It meets all safety standards.

• VSSC will transfer the Technology for commercial production of these three ventilators and one oxygen concentrator.

• Ventilators are likely to be priced around ₹1 lakh as compared to mini conventional ventilators which are priced around ₹5 lakh.

About Prana, VaU, Svasta and Shwaas

• Prana ventilator will deliver respiratory gas to patient by automated compression of Ambu bag. • Svasta ventilator will work without electric power. • VaU is a low-cost ventilator similar to commercial high-end ventilators in use. • Shwaas oxygen cylinder is capable of supplying 10 litres of enriched oxygen per minute and is

adequate for two patients at a time. It enhances oxygen gas content by selectively separating




nitrogen gas from ambient air through Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA). PSA is commonly used for production of oxygen from the air.

3.7 What is ‘Miraculous’ mosquito hack?

Recently, in Yogyakarta city of Indonesia, dengue fever cases have been cut by 77% through a trial

that manipulates the mosquitoes spreading dengue.

About the trial

• Scientists used mosquitoes infected with “miraculous bacteria” and released across the cities. These bacteria reduce insect’s ability to spread dengue.

• Trial used mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria. • Wolbachia doesn’t harm mosquito, but it goes in same parts of its body where dengue virus

needs to get into. • The bacteria compete for resources and make it much harder for dengue virus to replicate, so

the mosquito is less likely to cause an infection when it bites again. • According to team of World Mosquito Programme, this method can be a solution to virus that

has spread worldwide. • The technique is successful and mosquitoes have been released across whole city. This project is

targeting to cover more areas with the aim of eradicating dengue.

3.8 What is Space plate Light Manipulation?

Researchers from University of Ottawa proposed a new optical element that could turn a telescope

into thin sheet of paper, or a much smaller & lighter high-performance camera. This idea can turn

into reality by dramatically miniaturizing optical devices.

About new optical element

• Researchers have developed a new optical element called ‘Spaceplate’ which “spreads out” light when it is travelling through it. In every telescope there is a large gap between eyepiece and objective lens giving light room to spread. Spaceplate stimulates same spreading which light would experience travelling large distance in small device. Space plate looks like “more space” for light, than it actually occupies. It is a counterpart to lens that shrink down entire imaging systems.

3.9 IIT-Kharagpur develops Early Cyclone Detection Technique

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur have developed an early cyclone detection technique

which will help in early detection of development or strengthening of tropical cyclones in North

Indian Ocean region.

About Cyclone Detection Technique




• IIT developed this technique using Eddy detection technique. It will investigate formative

stages and advance detection time of tropical cyclogenesis. This technique was studied under

Climate Change Program with support from Department of Science and Technology.

• The technique was developed with the aim of identifying initial traces of pre-cyclonic eddy

vortices in atmospheric column.

• It also seeks to track its spatio-temporal evolution. Researchers used a coarser grid

resolution of 27 kilometres to identify the characteristics of eddy vortices.

3.10 Google to build longest Undersea Cable in the World

Alphabet’s Google is all set to build world’s longest undersea cable connecting United States, Brazil,

Argentina and Uruguay. This undersea cable will boost internet connection capacity in these

regions.

About:

• Undersea cable, called Firmina, will run from East Coast of United States to Las Toninas,

Argentina along with additional landings in Praia Grande, Brazil, and Punta del Este, Uruguay.

• Announcement was made following a surge in demand for internet and cloud services amid

covid-19 pandemic which has pushed online shopping, online entertainment, online and

work from home culture.

Significance of Firmina

• Firmina undersea cable will improve access to Google services for users in South America. It

will comprise of 12 fibre pairs which will carry traffic quickly & securely between North &

South America.

• It will thus provide the users fast, low-latency access to Google products like Gmail, Search,

YouTube and Google Cloud services.

3.11 “EnVision Mission” to Venus by ESA

European Space Agency (ESA) has announced a new mission with the name EnVision mission.

About EnVision Mission:

• EnVision is a European Space Agency(ESA)-led mission. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is working as a contributor.

• Aim: The mission will carry instruments to study the Venus atmosphere and surface. Also, to monitor trace gases in the atmosphere, and analyze the surface composition of Venus.

• Launch Year: The mission is likely to be launched sometime in the 2030s. It will be launched on an Ariane 6 rocket. The rocket will take about 15 months to reach Venus and will take 16 more months to achieve orbit circularization.




3.12 PASIPHAE: A Sky Surveying Project

The Wide Area Linear Optical Polarimeter (WALOP), a vital instrument for the PASIPHAE Project, is

being developed at Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), India.

▪ Polar-Areas Stellar-Imaging in Polarisation High-Accuracy Experiment (PASIPHAE) is an international collaborative sky surveying project.

About:

• It is an optopolarimetric survey aiming to measure the linear polarization from millions of stars. • The survey will use two high-tech optical polarimeters to observe the northern and southern

skies, simultaneously. • The survey will be conducted concurrently from the South African Astronomical Observatory in

Sutherland, South Africa in the southern hemisphere, and the Skinakas Observatory in Crete, Greece, in the north.

• It will focus on capturing starlight polarisation of very faint stars that are so far away that polarisation signals from there have not been systematically studied.

• The distances to these stars will be obtained from measurements of the GAIA satellite. • GAIA is on a mission to chart a three-dimensional map of our Galaxy, the Milky Way, in the

process revealing the composition, formation and evolution of the Galaxy. It is a European Space Agency astronomical observatory mission.

3.13 New Zealand to launch World’s First Wooden Satellite

European Space Agency (ESA) will launch world’s first wooden satellite called WISA Woodsat in

Earth’s orbit by the end 2021.

WISA Woodsat

• It will be launched to test the applicability of wooden materials such as plywood in

spacecraft structures. Mission will expose wooden materials to extreme space conditions like

heat, cold, vacuum and radiation.

• Wooden satellite will be launched to space by end of 2021 with a Rocket Lab Electron rocket.

It will be launched from Mahia Peninsula launch complex in New Zealand. Satellite has been

designed and built in Finland.

Features of satellite

• Satellite will orbit at around 500-600 km altitude in polar Sun-synchronous orbit. It is

a10x10x10 cm nano satellite which was built up using standardised boxes and surface panels

of plywood, which is usually found in hardware store and are used to make furniture.

• Wood have been placed in a thermal vacuum chamber to keep dry when it is in space. Thin

layer of aluminium oxide has been applied to it to minimise vapour coming from wood and

to protect it from erosive effects of atomic oxygen.

• The non-wooden external parts of satellite are corner aluminium rails which will be used for

its deployment into space and a metal selfie stick.




3.14 What is the New Shephard rocket system ?

Amazon founder and billionaire Jeff Bezos’s space company named Blue Origin has concluded the

online auction for the first seat on the New Shephard rocket system. It is a rocket system meant to

take tourists to space.

About:

• New Shephard is a reusable rocket system that has been designed to take astronauts and research payloads past the Karman line – the internationally recognized boundary of space.

• Built by: The rocket system has been built by Blue Origin, space company of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

• Named after: The rocket system has been named after astronaut Alan Shephard – the first American to go to space.

3.15 “JivanVayu”- Nation’s first power-free CPAP device developed by IIT Ropar

Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar has developed a device named ‘JivanVayu’.

About:

• JivanVayu is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure(CPAP) device. It can be used as a substitute for existing CPAP machines.

Key Features of the Device:

▪ Firstly, it is India’s first CPAP device that functions even without electricity. ▪ Secondly, the device is adapted to both kinds of oxygen generation units like O2 cylinders and

oxygen pipelines in hospitals. ▪ Thirdly, the device can deliver high flow oxygen up to 60 Litres per Minute (LPM). ▪ Fourthly, the device has an inbuilt viral filter which ensures that the air does not bring in any

pathogens from the environment. • Significance: This device is especially important during the present Covid-19 pandemic. Further,

the power supply is the key concern for saving lives of those on medical equipment such as ventilators and oxygen concentrators.

3.16 China successfully launched “Shenzhou-12” manned spaceship

China has launched the Long March 2F rocket transporting the Shenzhou-12 or Divine Vessel.

About:

• Shenzhou-12 is a manned mission. It is the third of the 11 missions that needed to complete China’s first Permanent space station, named Tiangong Space Station. Among these missions, four will be manned missions.

• Working: ▪ Shenzhou-12 is made up of three sections—an orbiter module, a return module and a propelling

module.




▪ It will carry three astronauts to the orbiting Tianhe core module. The astronauts will test the module’s technologies, including its life-support system.

▪ Moreover, the men will also be monitored for how they fare in space physically and psychologically for an extended period of time.

• Significance: Shenzhou-12 is China’s seventh manned mission to space and the first during the construction of China’s space station.

▪ It is also the first in nearly five years after China’s manned mission in 2016.

3.17 Peter Pan Syndrome

Recently, a special court in Mumbai granted bail to an accused of sexually assaulting a minor as he was suffering from Peter Pan Syndrome (PPS). • A syndrome is a combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process. About: • PPS is a psychological condition that is used to describe an adult who is socially immature. • People who develop similar behaviours of living life carefree, finding responsibilities challenging

in adulthood, and basically never growing up suffer from PPS. • The term was coined by psychologist Dan Kiley to explain the behaviour of such men who ‘refuse

to grow’ and behave their age in 1983. • Dan Kiley got the idea of PPS after noticing Peter Pan, a fictional character created by Scottish

novelist James Matthew Barrie. • Peter Pan was a care-free young boy, who never grew up.While the WHO (World Health

Organization) does not recognise Peter Pan Syndrome as a health disorder, many experts believe it is a mental health condition that can affect one’s quality of life.

Symptoms: • PPS hasn’t officially been diagnosed as a health disorder, there are no clearly-defined symptoms

or characteristics or even reasons which cause it. • However, it could affect one’s daily routine, relationships, work ethic, and result in attitudinal

changes.

3.18 CEOS COAST: ISRO- NOAA Project endorsed by UN Body

Recently, UN body has endorsed a multinational project called “Committee on Earth Observation Satellites Coastal Observations, Applications, Services, and Tools (CEOS COAST)”. About CEOS COAST • CEOS COAST programme is co-led by ISRO and NOAA from US. • This programme aims to improve accuracy of coastal data on the basis of satellite and land-

based observations. • It also seeks to foster trust and collaboration among scientists. • This pilot projects are uniquely capable of using Earth Observation technologies to meet 17 UN-

designated sustainable development goals for Ocean Decade initiative. • Themes of these projects are disaster risk reduction & coastal resilience among continental

shorelines & small island nations.




3.19 China plans First Manned MARS Mission in 2033

China has planned to send its first crewed mission to MARS in the year 2033. Key points • Manned MARS Mission will be launched with regular follow-up flights. • Mission will be launched with a long-term plan to build a permanently inhabited base on MARS

and extract its resources. • This ambitious plan will intensify a race with United States to put humans on MARS. • Plan was disclosed after China landed a robotic rover on Mars in May 2021. It was China’s

inaugural MARS mission. Manned Mission by China China has planned manned launches to Mars for 2033, 2035, 2037, 2041 and so on. Before the manned missions, China will send robots to Mars that will study possible sites to set up base and to build systems to extract resources there. Resources would be extracted to study it properly for manned mission.

3.20 ESA to hire First Disabled Astronaut

European Space Agency is set to hire and launch world’s first physically disabled astronaut.

Key points

It is going to be 22-member space programme for which decennial recruitment call for

astronauts. It received 22,000 applicants. Space mission will ESA’s 7-billion-euro budget mission

and is a third of NASA’s. Seven or eight launches in a year are dwarfed by 40 launches by United

States.

How Space Missions are evolving?

• Space is developing fast. Different space agencies are refashioning their outlining plans to refresh space missions. Founder of Amazon, Bezos hopes, will become the first man to go into space on his own rocket in July 2021.

• This highlights the role that tech billionaires are playing in space field which was once dominated by public agencies.

• European Space Agency (ESA)

• ESA is an intergovernmental organization comprising of 22 member states. The agency,

established in 1975, is dedicated to exploration of space.

• It is headquartered in Paris. Its space flight programme includes human spaceflight, launch &

operation of unmanned exploration missions to other planets & Moon, Earth observation,

science & telecommunication etc.

3.21 Indian Private players allowed to build and operate rocket launch sites

Government has allowed private companies to establish & operate rocket launch sites within and outside the country. However, it is subject to prior authorisation from government. Key Points




• Draft National Space Transportation Policy-2020 which was put forward by the Department of Space and IN-SPACe is the nodal agency responsible for overall approval.

• As per the policy, any orbital or sub-orbital rocket launch from Indian or overseas territory can be carried out only after authorisation from Indian National Space Promotion & Authorization Center (IN-SPACe).

• Mission can be launched from own or leased launch site or from mobile platforms like land, sea or air.

• Currently, Agnikul Cosmos is developing small rocket to launch small satellites into orbit. Skyroot Aerospace is the other small rocket maker.

• As per the policy, IN-SPACe authorisation requires financial guarantee or insurance cover by proposer under its ownership to fulfil nation’s liability as per international agreements.

• If the launch will be carried outside the India, all approvals necessary to undertake the scope of activities in another nation or territory will be in accordance with applicable laws of concerned nation or territory.

• Compliance and approvals of administration which is controlling the territory from where Launch is performed will be ensured by proposer. The proof of compliance or approvals will be enclosed with application for authorisation.




Practice MCQs:

QUESTION.1 Which is the nodal agency for

allowing private companies to establish

operate rocket launch sites within and

outside the country?

A. Department Of Science and Technology

B. Ministry of Defence

C. IN-SPACe

D. ISRO

QUESTION.2 The headquarters of European

Space Agency are located in-

A. Paris

B. London

C. Bonn

D. Frankfurt

QUESTION.3 China plans to send first

manned mission to Mars by-

A. 2030

B. 2033

C. 2036

D. 2040

QUESTION.4 A multinational project, called “Committee on Earth Observation Satellites Coastal Observations, Applications, Services, and Tools (CEOS COAST)” is jointly led by ISRO and- A. World Meteorological Organisation

B. International Maritime Organisation

C. National Aeronautics and Space Agency

D. National Oceanic & Atmospheric

Administration

QUESTION.5 Peter pan Syndrome, seen

recently in news, is a __________disease.

A. Psychological

B. Genetic

C. Pathogenic

D. Communicable

QUESTION.6 Long March rocket family is a

propulsion system of-

A. NASA

B. China National Space Agency

C. Blue Origin

D. SpaceX

QUESTION.7 JivanVayu, India’s first power

free Continuous Positive Airway

Pressure(CPAP) device is invented by-

A. IIT Ropar

B. IISER Mohali

C. IISER Bengaluru

D. IIT Madras

QUESTION.8 The internationally recognised

boundary of space is called-

A. Van Allen Line

B. Karman Line

C. Mohorovic Line




D. Mcmohan Line

QUESTION.9 Which country will become the

first country to launch a wooden satellite?

A. China

B. South Korea

C. New Zealand

D. India

QUESTION.10 Pasiphae Project, seen

recently in news, is associated with-

A. Space exploration

B. Mapping ocean floor

C. Discovery of microorganism species in

Antarctica

D. Tracking greenhouse gases

QUESTION.11 EnVision Mission by European

Space Agency is aimed at exploration of-

A. Venus

B. Mars

C. Asteroid Bennu

D. Saturn

QUESTION.12 Firmina, seen recently in

news, is-

A. new Google assistant

B. world’s longest undersea cable

C. a new species of corals


QUESTION.13 An early cyclone detection

technique has been recently developed by-

A. IIT Bombay

B. IIT Roorkee

C. IIT Madras

D. IIT Kharagpur

QUESTION.14 Space plate, seen recently in

news is-

A. Debris from asteroid Bennu

B. An optical element for telescopes

C. New launch technology of SpaceX

D. A simulation app developed for astronauts

QUESTION.15 Which bacterium is used in

controlling dengue by manipulating the

mosquito breeding technique?

A. Streptomyces

B. Wolbachia

C. Rhizobium


QUESTION.16 Prana, VaU and Svasta, seen

recently in news, are-

A. Covid helplines

B. Cost effective ventilators

C. Healthcare insurance schemes of LIC


QUESTION.17 Which institute recently

discovered a new way of generating

electricity using carbon nanotubes?

A. MIT

B. Stanford University




C. IIT Bombay

D. Cambridge University

QUESTION.18 CAR-T therapy used in cancer

is acronym for-

A. Cancer Anti Radiation Treatment

B. Cancer Antibody Receptor T-cell

C. Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell


QUESTION.19 An oral version of

Amphotericin-b, used to cure post covid

fungal infections, is developed by-

A. IIT Ropar

B. IIT Hyderabad

C. IIT Delhi

D. IIT Bombay

QUESTION.20 NASA’s has planned new

robotic missions, Davinci+ and Veritas, for

which planet?

A. Venus

B. Mars

C. Jupiter

D. Pluto

ANSWER: A

QUESTION.21V Ambitag, India’s first

indigenous temperature data logger, has

been developed by?

A. IIT Ropar

B. IIT Bombay

C. IISER Mohali

D. IIT Delhi

QUESTION.22 The term ‘Artemis Accords’ is

associated with program for-

A. Launching humans to Moon

B. Studying impact of climate change on Poles

C. Mapping ocean floor of Atlantic Ocean


QUESTION.23 CSIR-National Chemical

Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune has recently

launched SWASTIIK, a new technique for-

A. Combating air pollution

B. Curing Covid

C. Disinfecting water

D. Check on food adulteration




ANSWERS

1. ANSWER: C

2. ANSWER: A

3. ANSWER: B

4. ANSWER: D

5. ANSWER: A

6. ANSWER: B

7. ANSWER: A

8. ANSWER: B

9. ANSWER: C

10. ANSWER: A

11. ANSWER: A

12. ANSWER: B

13. ANSWER: D

14. ANSWER: B

15. ANSWER: B

16. ANSWER: B

17. ANSWER: A

18. ANSWER: C

19. ANSWER: B

20. ANSWER: A

21. ANSWER: A

22. ANSWER: A

23. ANSWER: C




ENVIRONMENT

4.1 LITORIA MIRA— A CHOCOLATE FROG SPECIES FOUND IN NEW GUINEA

• A research team led by Griffith University has discovered a new Frog Species in New Guinea. It has been named Litoria Mira.

About:

• The Litoria Mira or chocolate frog is a tree frog belonging to the genus Litoria. • Name: Litoria is the genus of the common tree frog, and Mira comes from Latin mirum which

means strange or surprised. • When was it discovered? The frog was first discovered in 2016 in the rainforest swamps of New

Guinea. However, it took years to complete the genetic analysis and found out that it is a completely new tree frog species.

Features: • Litoria Mira can be distinguished from all other Litoria. It has a unique combination of

moderately large size, webbing on hand, relatively short and robust limbs, and small violet patch of skin on the edge of its eyes.

• Moreover, it was found that the litoria Mira looks similar to the Australian green tree frog. However, there is only one difference, the former is usually green while Litoria Mira usually has chocolate coloring

4.2 BLUE-FINNED MAHSEER MOVED OUT OF IUCN RED LIST

• According to TATA Power, Blue-finned Mahseer has moved to “least concern” status which was listed in red list of endangered species of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) earlier.

About:

• TATA group is involved in conservation of blue-finned and golden mahseer for 50 years in Lonavala.

• Golden mahseer is still in danger of going extinct. • About five lakh mahseer are bred at Walvan Hatchery in Lonavala, where group has created an

artificial lake for their conservation. About Mahseer

• Mahseer is the common name for genera Tor. These fishes are found across Vietnam in north and China in south, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, southern Asia, Indian Peninsula, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. They are commercially important game fish and highly esteemed food fish. They have a high market price and are potential candidate species for aquaculture.

4.3 UN DECADE ON ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION REPORT




• UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Food & Agriculture Organisation of UN (FAO) launched ‘UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’ report for 2021-2030 and called on nations to meet commitments

About:

• As per the report, world is facing triple threat of climate change, loss of nature and pollution. So, world must deliver on its commitment to restore at least one billion degraded hectares of land (equal to size of China) in next decade.

• Report highlights, countries also need to meet similar commitments for oceans.

• Humanity is using 1.6 times the number of services that nature can provide sustainably.

• Thus, conservation efforts alone are insufficient to prevent ecosystem collapse and biodiversity loss on larger scale.

• Communities living across two billion of degraded hectares and include world’s poorest and marginalized people.

4.4 HDFC BANK TO TURN CARBON NEUTRAL BY 2031-32

• HDFC Bank has planned to become carbon neutral by 2031-32. Bank is now looking for reducing its emissions, energy, and water consumption.

How HDFC will turn carbon neutral?

• HDFC will continue to incorporate and scale up use of renewable energy in its operations. Under its environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) strategy, bank will also offer loans for green products such as electric vehicles at lower interest rates. It will incorporate ESG scores in its credit decisions. Apart from that, bank is also working on framework of issuing green bonds.

4.5 WORLD BANK REPORT HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF “BLACK CARBON” IN THE HIMALAYAS

The World Bank has released a report titled “Glaciers of the Himalayas, Climate Change, Black

Carbon and Regional Resilience”.

About:

• The report studies the impact of Black Carbon (BC) on Glacier melting. It covers the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush (HKHK) mountain ranges.

• In the end, it concludes that managing Black Carbon emissions in South Asia has the potential not only to achieve global and regional climate benefits but will also lead to other valuable advantages like improved air quality and energy security.

4.6 SRIVILLIPUTHUR-MEGAMALAI TIGER RESERVE

The recently declared Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu will provide protection

to Megamalai.

Establishment:




• It was established in February 2021. It was jointly declared by the Centre and Tamil Nadu governments.

• For this, the Megamalai WLS and the adjoining Srivilliputhur WLS were clubbed together. • Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve is the fifth Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu, and 51th tiger

reserve of India. Ecological Diversity:

• Animals seen here are Bengal tiger, elephants, gaur, Indian giant squirrel, leopard, Nilgiri Tahrs, etc.

• It has a mix of tropical evergreen forests and semi-evergreen forests, dry deciduous forests and moist mixed deciduous forests, grassland.

4.7 ‘SEA SNOT’ OUTBREAK IN TURKEY

• Recently, Turkey’s Sea of Marmara, which connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, has witnessed the largest outbreak of ‘sea snot’.

▪ A ‘sea snot’ outbreak was first recorded in the country in 2007. About:

▪ Sea Snot and its Formation: ▪ It is marine mucilage that is formed when algae are overloaded with nutrients as a result

of water pollution combined with the effects of climate change. • The nutrient overload occurs when algae feast on warm weather caused by global warming. ▪ It looks like a viscous, brown and foamy substance.

4.8 TWO SPECIES OF MONALS SIGHTED TOGETHER IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Two species of monals were sighted together by local wildlife enthusiasts in upper Siang district of

central Arunachal Pradesh. Monals is a colour pheasant.

About:

• One discovered species is While Himalayan monal also called as Lophophorus impejanus. It is widely distributed from Afghanistan to northeast India

• While, other is Sclater’s monal which is also called as Lophophorus sclateri. It is found in southern China and northern Myanmar. It is listed as vulnerable by IUCN (International Union of Conservation of Nature). It was sighted near Komji Lipik at 2,850 metres.

• Birds were sighted on Mount Eko Dumbing at 4,173 metres above mean sea level. Monal bird

• Monal bird belongs to genus Lophophorus of pheasant family called Phasianidae. Male birds

have colourful, iridescent plumage with plump physique.

• They prefer like roots, bulbs and insects as diet. Males are polygamous during mating. They

mate with several females.

• Females only mate with selected male and enter into monogamous relationship. They are

listed as vulnerable due to habitat destruction and hunting.




4.9 INDIA TO ADD 20 GW OF WIND ENERGY CAPACITY BY 2025: GWEC

• India wind energy market outlook was released by Global Wind Energy Council. As per the report, India has a pipeline of 10.3 GW in Central and State markets. These pipelines will drive installations until 2023. Report highlights India will install 20 GW of wind energy capacity by 2021-25.

Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)

• GWEC was established in 2005. It provides credible and representative forum for entire wind energy sector at international level.

• Its mission is to ensure that, wind power is established as the leading energy sources in world, providing several environmental and economic benefits. As per GWEC, even though there are temporary supply chain difficulties, international wind markets are growing strongly. European Union is the leading market in wind energy having around 48 GW of installed capacity.

• Headquarters-Brussels, Belgium

4.10 DIHINGPATKAI: 7THNATIONAL PARK OF ASSAM

Assam Government has notified DihingPatkai as a National Park which was the last remaining

stretches of the Assam Valley tropical wet evergreen forests.

About:

• This notification comes four days after creating 422-sq. km Raimona National Park in Kokrajhar district of Assam.

• Assam now has the third most National Parks (7) in India. • Madhya Pradesh with 12 national parks maintains the top slot and it is followed by Andaman &

Nicobar Islands having 9 national parks.

4.11 RESCUING GHARIALS: MAHANADI RIVER

Recently, Odisha announced a cash award of Rs. 1,000 to conserve gharials in Mahanadi River

Basin.

About Gharials:

• Gharials, sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts. Crocodilians are a group of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and more.

• India has three species of Crocodilians namely: • Gharial (Gavialisgangeticus): IUCN Red List- Critically Endangered • Mugger crocodile (Crocodyluspalustris): IUCN- Vulnerable. • Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylusporosus): IUCN- Least Concern. • All the three are listed on Appendix I of CITES and Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act,

1972. • Exception: Saltwater Crocodile populations of Australia, Indonesia and Papua New

Guinea are included in Appendix II of CITES.




4.12 UN CONFERENCE ON DESERTIFICATION, LAND DEGRADATION AND DROUGHT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to address a high-level virtual conference on

desertification, land degradation and drought at UN on 14th June 2021.

About:

• This conference will be convened by President of 75th session of General Assembly, Volkan Bozkir.

• PM Modi was President of 14th session of Conference of the Parties to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP14 President) at New Delhi in 2019 in which New Delhi declaration was adopted to encourage transition and increase access to energy in rural & urban communities with the aim of combating desertification, land degradation and drought.

• During this year’s session, representatives from international organisations and civil society groups will address the conference with aim of assessing the progress made in fighting land degradation. They will also map way forward on global efforts to revive and restore healthy land.

4.13 “PYROSTRIALALJII” – A NEW SPECIES DISCOVERED IN ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR

Pyrostrialaljii, a new species of coffee family, has been discovered in the Andaman Islands by a team

of researchers from India and the Philippines.

About:

• Pyrostrialaljii is a 15-meter-tall tree that belongs to the genus of the coffee family. It is the first species of the genus Pyrostria in India.

o The genus Pyrostria plants are usually found in Madagascar

.

FEATURES:




o The tree is distinguished by a long stem with a whitish coating on the trunk. It has oblong-

ovate leaves with a cuneate base.

o Another physical feature that distinguishes the tree from other species of the genus is its

umbellate inflorescence with eight to 12 flowers.

4.14 UNITED NATIONS DECADE ON ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION: 2021-2030

• The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration has been officially launched, which will run from 2021 to 2030.

• United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration will be co-led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in a 2019 resolution.

• Protection and revival of millions of hectares of ecosystems all around the world for the benefit of people and nature. This in turn will contribute to the achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals.

• A Multi-Partner Trust Fund has also been launched for the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Germany is the first country to provide funding of Euro 14 million towards this fund.

• In order to support the launch of the UN Decade, a report has also been released which defines the need of having such a global restoration effort.

4.15 PANEL ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY, LOW CARBON TECH

According to Power and Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh, a committee will be set up

comprising of members from all relevant Ministries to implement Roadmap on Energy Efficiency

and low carbon technologies.

About:

• This was highlighted during a high-level meeting of reviewing progress of several energy efficiency programmes and preparedness for Climate Change Actions in India.

• Activities in the field of energy efficiency across all sectors of economy was discussed with the objective of reducing CO2 emissions.

• It was directed to focus on sectors having highest emissions intensity like Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Transport and Power plants.

• Activities defined under Mission document ROSHANEE was also discussed. Mission document ROSANEE has been developed to implement several Energy Conservation schemes across India.

Mission ROSHANEE

This mission has been developed by Bureau of Energy Efficiency along with Mission UNNATEE. Both

the missions lay down Sector wise action plan for period 2021-2030. Mission ROSHANEE envisages

several activities in the field of energy efficiency across different sectors of economy. It aims to

reduce CO2 emissions by more than 550 million tonnes by 2030.




4.16 CABINET APPROVES DEEP OCEAN MISSION

Union Cabinet has approved ‘Deep Ocean Mission’ proposed by Ministry of Earth Sciences to

conduct study on biodiversity, impact of climate change and to establish an offshore marine station

in order to explore source of thermal energy.

Deep Ocean Mission

• It is an Indian initiative to undertake deep ocean exploration. It focuses on India’s exclusive

economic zones and continental shelf

• Mission comprise of various manned and unmanned submersibles to explore sea bed. Main

aim of this mission is to explore & extract polymetallic nodules which are composed of

minerals such as nickel, manganese, copper, cobalt and iron hydroxide.

• These metals are useful in manufacturing electronic devices, smartphones, solar panels and

batteries.

About:

• Mission will explore Deep Ocean for resources and help in development of deep-sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources.

• Mission will be completed in an estimated budget of Rs 4,077 crores in five-year period. • It will be implemented in phases. First phase will be implemented during 2021-2024. • Estimated cost for first phase for three years is Rs 2,823.4 crore. • Ministry of Earth Sciences will be the nodal ministry to implement this mission.

Which countries conduct such mission?

Such technology and expertise is currently available with five countries Russia, US, France, Japan

and China. India will be sixth country to have it now.

4.17 MAHARASHTRA’S “CHANDRAPUR” DISTRICT IS A HOTBED FOR HUMAN-ANIMAL CONFLICT

Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district has seen 22 deaths from tiger attacks in 2021. However, the

Central Chanda divisional forest area has kept the numbers down to two only.

Tigers in Chandrapur District of Maharashtra:

• Chandrapur accounts for as many as 200 of Maharashtra’s 311 tigers. Under this, the Central Chanda area is estimated to hold 25 adult tigers. Hence, this district is a hotbed for man-animal conflict.

4.18 ODISHA: ONLY STATE TO HAVE ALL THREE SPECIES OF CROCODILES

Odisha has become the only state in India to have all the three species of crocodiles. About: • Three species in the state of Odisha are: 1. Reptile freshwater Gharials at Satkosia in Mahanadi,




2. Muggers in Bhitarkanika National Park and 3. Saltwater crocodiles. • Odisha has witnessed natural nesting of Gharials (a critically endangered species) for the first

time since they were introduced in its rivers in 1975. • About 28 hatchlings of Gharials were spotted in Mahanadi River in Baladamara area near

Satkosia range.

4.19 YELLOW GOLD 48: YELLOW WATERMELON COMMERCIALLY INTRODUCED

German agrochemicals major Bayer has commercially launched first-ever yellow watermelon variety called “Yellow Gold 48” in India under Seminis brand. About: • Yellow watermelon has been developed from superior germplasm under Bayer’s global research

and development efforts. • Yellow watermelon variety has been commercially introduced in India after two years of local

trials. • Yellow Gold 48 have enhanced yield potential, better disease & pest tolerance and higher

returns which can benefit watermelon growers. • Yellow Gold 48 variety is best suited for cultivation during October to February. Harvest can be

done from April onwards after which it will be available in market until mid-July. Significance of Yellow Gold 48

• Yellow Gold 48 is having high yield and income potential which will empower watermelon growers to diversify into new categories.

• It will also help in growing demand for exotic fruits. It is the first of its kind yellow flesh watermelon which have moderate to good plant type.

• It has dark green rind with slight stripes and orange yellow flesh colour. Average weight of the fruit is 2.5 -3 kg.

4.20 UN: GREAT BARRIER REEF SHOULD BE LISTED AS ‘IN DANGER’

UN committee recommended adding Great Barrier Reef to the list of “in danger” World Heritage

Sites. However, this recommendation is opposed by Australia which is blaming political interference.

Key Points

Recommendation was made by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation

(UNESCO) committee. This committee sits under UNESCO.

According to the committee, world’s biggest coral reef system should be added to ‘in danger’ list

because of impact of climate change.

4.21 CASSAVA: FEEDSTOCK FOR BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION

ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) has found CASSAVA as a raw material for

bioethanol production to meet Ethanol Blending Petrol (EBP) programme target of 2025 by India.

Key Points • As a biofuel crop, cassava has several advantages over sugarcane.




• Cassava is having a high starch content and ability to grow under low management conditions. It has been globally recognised as a potential candidate for bioethanol production.

• However, economic viability to scale-up production from cassava varieties has to be ascertained because of failure of an alcohol plant set up in Palakkad in 1990s.

Pas biofuel crop

• Its starch is having unique physicochemical and functional properties which find extensive applications in food and industrial sectors.

• Agricultural residues of cassava like peels, stems and leaves are the potential feedstock for 2G bioethanol production.

Production of Cassava in India

• Cassava, also known as Tapioca, production in India is estimated to be 4.98 million tonnes. Tamil Nadu, followed by Kerala accounts for major amount of production.

• Its cultivation is also extending towards non-traditional areas like Maharashtra in order to meet projected demand for starch.

4.22 “BLACK SOFTSHELL TURTLE” – PACT SIGNED FOR CONSERVATION IN ASSAM

The Hayagriva Madhava Temple Committee in Assam has signed a MoU with Turtle Survival Alliance India, Help Earth, and Assam Forests Department to conserve the Black Softshell Turtle. As part of the pact, a Vision Document 2030 was also released. The document aims to raise at least 1,000 black softshell turtles by 2030. About Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans): • Black Softshell Turtle is a species of freshwater turtle. It is found in India and Bangladesh. Distribution: • Brahmaputra’s drainage and Near Temple Ponds in Assam • Bangladesh (Chittagong and Sylhet) • IUCN Status: Critically Endangered • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: It does not enjoy legal protection. Significance: • Temple Ponds in Assam conserve Turtles based on religious grounds. • At the Bayazid Bostami shrine in Chittagong, Bangladesh, the black softshell turtle is known as

mazari(inhabitant). Threats: • Hunted for turtle meat and cartilage in regional and international markets.




Practice MCQs

QUESTION.1 The term ‘Litoria Mira’ seen

recently in news is-

A. A species of coral reefs

B. A drone developed by Argentinean Army

C. A newly discovered frog species

D. Recently discovered galaxy

QUESTION.2 An artificial lake for

conservation of mahseer fish is located in-

A. Nainital

B. Lonavala

C. Chennai

D. Vizag

QUESTION.3 ‘UN Decade on Ecosystem

Restoration’ report talks about triple threats

that world is facing today. Which of the

following is not one of the 3 threats ?

A. Pollution

B. Climate Change

C. Over population

D. Loss of nature

QUESTION.4 Which Indian bank recently

announced to attain carbon neutrality by

2031-32 ?

A. ICICI Bank

B. IndusInd Bank

C. Yes Bank

D. HDFC Bank

QUESTION.5 A report titled “Glaciers of the

Himalayas, Climate Change, Black Carbon

and Regional Resilience” has been recently

released by-

A. World Wildlife Fund for Nature

B. United Nations Environment Program

C. World Bank

D. International Monetary Fund

QUESTION.6 Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger

Reserve is situated in ?

A. Karnataka

B. Kerala

C. Tamil Nadu


QUESTION.7 Sea Snot, seen recently in news,

is-

A. Temperate cyclone region in Atlantic Ocean

B. Marine algal bloom

C. Newly discovered coral species


QUESTION.8 The IUCN lists Sclater’s monal

(Lophophorus sclateri), sighted recently in

Arunachal Pradesh, as -

A. ‘Extinct in wild’ species

B. ‘Least concern’ species

C. Endangered species

D. Vulnerable species




QUESTION.9 The headquarters of Global

Wind Energy Council are located in-

A. Antwerp

B. Paris

C. Bonn

D. Brussels

QUESTION.10 Raimona National Park is

located in-

A. Assam

B. Arunachal Pradesh

C. Manipur

D. Mizoram

QUESTION.11 IUCN classifies Saltwater

crocodile (Crocodylusporosus) as

a__________ species.

A. Critically endangered

B. Vulnerable

C. Endangered

D. Least concern

QUESTION.12 The ‘New Delhi declaration’

adopted in 2019 is primarily associated with-

A. Land degradation

B. Women empowerment

C. Preventing child trafficking


QUESTION.13 Pyrostrialaljii, a newly

discovered tree species belonging to coffee

genus has been recently discovered from-

A. Assam

B. Kerala

C. Meghalaya

D. Andaman Islands

QUESTION.14 The United Nations Decade on

Ecosystem Restoration will be co-led by-

A. UNEP and FAO

B. UNEP and IUCN

C. IUCN and FAO

D. UNSC and WWF

QUESTION.15 Mission Roshanee seen

recently in news has been developed by-

A. Bureau of Energy Efficiency

B. Bureau of Indian Standards

C. Department of Science and Technology


QUESTION.16 The ‘Deep Ocean Mission’

comes under the ambit of-

A. Ministry of Home Affairs

B. Ministry of Earth Sciences

C. Ministry of Environment, Forests and

Climate Change

D. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

QUESTION.17 Chandrapur, recently in news

for being a hotbed for human-tiger conflict, is

situated in-

A. Maharashtra

B. Madhya Pradesh




C. Chhattisgarh

D. West Bengal

QUESTION.18 Which state has recently become the only one to have all the three species of crocodiles in India ? A. Andhra Pradesh B. Tamil Nadu C. Goa D. Odisha QUESTION.19 Yellow Gold 48, seen recently in news, is a- A. standard for gold purity B. new supercomputer made by Iran C. new variety of yellow watermelon D. new variety of oilseeds QUESTION.20 The Great Barrier Reef is

world’s largest coral reef system, off the

coast of-

A. Queensland

B. Tasmania

C. New South Wales

D. Victoria

QUESTION.21 Cassava or Tapioca can be potentially used in the production of________ because of high ______content. A. Edible oil, fats B. Bioethanol, starch C. Biodiesel, protein D. None of the above

QUESTION.22 IUCN categorises Black Softshell Turtle as a/an ________species. A. Near threatened B. Vulnerable C. Endangered D. Critically endangered

ANSWERS

1. ANSWER: D

2. ANSWER: B

3. ANSWER: A

4. ANSWER: C

5. ANSWER: D

6. ANSWER: A

7. ANSWER: B

8. ANSWER: A

9. ANSWER: A




10. ANSWER: D

11. ANSWER: A

12. ANSWER: D

13. ANSWER: A

14. ANSWER: D

15. ANSWER: D-

16. ANSWER: B

17. ANSWER: C

18. ANSWER: C

19. ANSWER: D

20. ANSWER: C

21. ANSWER: B

22. ANSWER: C




Economics

5.1 DIP IN EPF SAVINGS

• According to Union Government, about 7.63 million salaried workers have used their retirement savings to deal with covid-19 crisis since 2020. Back then, centre had allowed EPF subscribers to withdraw more money from their Employees’ Provident Fund corpus so that they can deal with hardships and income loss.

What does it reflect?

• EPFO’s (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) efforts to offer non-refundable advances amid covid-19 helped millions. EPF subscribers had withdrawn almost ₹18,700 crore by May 31, 2021. Disbursements also reflect hardships that salaried class is facing amid pandemic.

Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)

• EPFO is social security body responsible for running and supervising “state pension scheme” for people across India. It assists Central Board in administering compulsory contributory provident fund, pension and insurance scheme for workforce.

• It implements bilateral social security agreements among countries. Schemes cover both Indian workers and international workers in countries.

• Central Board of Trustees (CBT) is the apex decision making body of EPFO. CBT is a statutory body established by the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. It works under Ministry of Labour and Employment.

5.2 SBI REVISES FY22 GDP PROJECTION TO 7.9%

• Economic research department of State Bank of India has published “Ecowrap 2021” report and revised real GDP projection for Financial Year 2022 to 7.9 percent from 10.4 percent earlier. Report highlights disproportionately larger impact of second wave of Covid-19 pandemic on economy.

About:

• It says, GDP outlook will be impacted by trajectory of international commodity prices in current financial year.

• Pass-through impact of higher commodity prices will be visible in domestic prices which will also impact consumption.

• Overall consumption trajectory will depend on recovery in services such as Trade, Transport, hotels, communication & services related to broadcasting, supporting 25 crore households.

• Corporate reported better growth numbers in Q4 of Financial Year 2021. However, the trend might get reversed as per report.

• Nominal loss of ₹4-lakh crore was reported in H1 (April 2020-September 2020) while 7.3 lakh crore reported in H2 (October 2020 – March 2021). Thus, overall annual loss was ₹6.1-lakh crore.




5.3 GOVERNMENT NOTIFIES RULES FOR 74% FDI IN INSURANCE SECTOR

• The Finance Ministry notified the Indian Insurance Companies (Foreign Investment) Amendment Rules, 2021. These rules will apply to all insurers irrespective of the stake held by the foreign partner.

• These rules will give an effect to increased FDI limit in the Insurance Sector to 74% from 49%.

5.4 GOVT SETS UP EXPERT GROUP ON FIXATION OF MINIMUM WAGES

• Labour and Employment Ministry set up expert group that will provide technical inputs and recommendations on fixation of minimum wages and national floor for minimum wages.

Key Points • This is the second expert committee on minimum wages formed by government in last two

years. • Last panel was headed by Anoop Satpathy and was set up by ministry on January 17, 2018. It

conducted an evidence-based analysis to determine methodology of fixing national minimum wage. It recommended to set national floor wave at RS 375 per day or RS 9,750 per month in accordance with 2018 prices. However, recommendations were not accepted.

About Expert Group on fixation of minimum wages

• Expert group has been set for a period of three years. It is chaired by Ajit Mishra who is Director of Institute of Economic Growth. Other members include- Tarika Chakraborty from IIM Calcutta; Anushree Sinha; Vibha Bhalla, Joint Secretary; et-al.

5.5 NITI AAYOG SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INDEX

• NITI Aayog released third edition of Sustainable Development Index for 2020-2021, evaluating progress of states and Union Territories with respect to social, economic and environmental parameters.

Sustainable Development Index 2021

• In the index, Kerala has retained the top rank with score of 75. • Bihar, Jharkhand and Assam were worst performers. • Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu retained second spot with score of 74. • Chandigarh retained top spot among UTs with a score of 79. It is followed by Delhi with score 68. • In terms of score improvement, Mizoram, Haryana and Uttarakhand are the top gainers in 2020-

21 who have gained 12, 10 and 8 points, respectively as compared to index of 2019-2020.

5.6 RBI CANCELS LICENCE OF SHIVAJIRAO BHOSALE SAHAKARI BANK

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of Pune-based Shivajirao Bhosale Sahakari Bank. The bank ceases to carry on banking business, with effect from the close of business on May 31.




• The bank does not have adequate capital and earning prospects. As such, it does not comply with the provision of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

• The RBI observed that the bank with its present financial position would be unable to pay its present depositors in full. The bank was placed under RBI Directions from the close of business on May 4, 2019.

5.7 SEBI INCREASES FOREIGN INVESTMENT LIMIT FOR MFS

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has increased overseas investment limit for local

mutual funds.

About:

• With this, mutual funds can make overseas investments to a maximum of US $ 1 billion per Mutual Fund out of overall industry limit of US $ 7 billion.

• While in overseas Exchange Traded Fund, mutual funds can invest a maximum of US $ 300 million per Mutual Fund with industry limit of US $ 1 billion.

5.8 CONFEDERATION OF HOSPITALITY, TECHNOLOGY AND TOURISM INDUSTRY (CHATT)

Airbnb, EaseMyTrip, OYO and Yatra have established a new industry association called

“Confederation of Hospitality, Technology & Tourism Industry (CHATT)”. CHATT will help small

companies and travel & hospitality technology players.

About:

CHATT association

• It will promote domestic tourism and help in digital transformation of domestic tourism. • It will act as a thought leader to run training programmes. • Every member will have the access to CHATT resources and benefits. • It provides for participation in year-round programmes, access to travel-tech ecosystem,

signature business events, inclusion of experts & regional leads among others. • Members of association CHATT association comprises of members like-

• Amanpreet Bajaj who is General Manager of Airbnb – India, Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong

• Nishant Pitti who is Co- Founder & CEO of EaseMyTrip.com; • Rohit Kapoor who is CEO of OYO India & Southeast Asia and • Dhruv Shringi who is Co-Founder and CEO of Yatra.com.

5.9 ATM CASH WITHDRAWAL RULE CHANGED

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has changed some rules regarding cash withdrawal from automated

teller machine (ATM). New rules include high charges on transactions beyond free permissible limit,

new free ATM transaction limit and increase in interchange fee.




About:

• Changes were made on the basis of recommendations of Chief Executive Committee it constituted in June 2019.

• Indian Banks’ Association reviewed entire ATM charges and fees with its focus on interchange structure for ATM transactions.

• What are the new rules?

New rules are listed below:

a. Free cash withdrawal limit from own bank:

Bank customers can now do five free financial and non-financial transactions every month from

their own bank ATMs.

b. Free ATM transaction limit from other bank:

ATM card holders can do three free financial and non-financial transactions in metro centres while

five in non-metro transaction from other bank ATMs

c. Charges on ATM cash withdrawal beyond free limit:

RBI allowed banks to increase charges on ATM transactions beyond free ATM transaction limit.

d. Rise in interchange fee:

Interchange fee per transaction changed from Rs 15 to Rs 17 for financial transactions while from Rs

5 to Rs 6 for non-financial transactions in effect from August 1, 2021.

5.10 INDIA’S EXPORTS OF ORGANIC FARM PRODUCTS ROSE 51% IN 2020-21

According to commerce secretary, Anup Wadhawan, exports of India’s organic farm products has

increased to 51 percent in 2020-21 challenging the hiccups in supply chain amid covid-19.

About:

• Outbound shipments of organic products have hit 1,040 million dollars in last fiscal as compared to 689 million dollars in 2020.

• Farm exports have increased over 17 percent to 41.25 billion dollars in last fiscal. • Exports of organic products increased by 39 percent and reached to 8 lakh 88 thousand 179

tonnes in terms of volume in last fiscal. • Organic products that were shipped include oil cake & meals, oil seeds, millets, cereals, spices

and condiments, tea, dry fruits, sugar, coffee and medicinal plant products.

5.11 INDIA’S AGRI EXPORTS DURING 2020-21 GREW 17.34%

India’s export of agricultural and allied products in 2020-21 have increased by 17.34 percent. It now

equals to USD 41.25 billion.




About:

• As per commerce secretary Anup Wadhawan, this growth momentum in Agri export is expected to be sustained during current fiscal as well.

• India experienced huge growth in the export of cereals, wheat, millets, non-basmati rice, maize and other coarse grains.

• Exports have taken place from several clusters for first time. For example, export of fresh vegetables & mangoes from Varanasi and black Rice from Chandauli.

• Exports of agricultural products (excluding marine and plantation products) increased by 28.36 per cent in 2020-21 as opposed to USD 23.23 billion in 2019-20.

5.12 44TH GST COUNCIL MEETING

44th meeting of Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council was chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala

Sitharaman on June 12, 2021. Several changes in GST rate have been made which would be

applicable till September 30, 2021.

What decisions were taken?

• As per the Finance Minister, GST Council has accepted recommendations of Group of Ministers (GoM) which was set up to look on tax relief on Covid-19 medical supplies.

• Following the recommendations, GST rate for ambulances has been reduced from 28 percent to 12 percent.

• GST rate for COVID-19 testing kits, medical-grade oxygen and ventilator have been reduced from 12 percent to 5 percent.

• Rate on hand sanitisers has been reduced from 18 percent to 5 percent. • For temperature check equipment, rate was reduced from 18 percent to 5 percent. • 5% GST tax will be applicable on pulse oximeters, including personal imports, from earlier 12

percent. • On specified inflammatory diagnostic kits was reduced from 12 percent to 5 percent. • GST rates on gas or electric or other furnaces used in crematorium including the installation

charges has been reduced to 5% from 18%. • No GST rate would be imposed on Covid-19 related drugs including Tocilizumab and

Amphotericin B. Earlier it was kept at 5 percent. • GST rates on anticoagulants such as Heparin and Remdesivir have been cut to 5 percent from 12

percent. • 5% tax would be applied on ventilator masks or cannula or helmets.

5.13 India: 4th largest Forex Reserves holder

.

India’s forex reserves crossed $600 mark for the first time and as on June 4; it stood at $605 billion.

With this, India equals Russia as the fourth largest reserve holder worldwide.

Highlights

• India’s forex reserve was $605.008 billion while for Russia it was $605.2 billion. • It took a year for reserves to rise by $100 billion.




• Huge forex reserves have improved India’s import cover substantially. • By December 2020, foreign exchange reserves cover of imports increased to 18.6 months. Foreign exchange or Forex reserves

• Forex are assets on reserves which are held by central bank in foreign currencies. It includes

bonds, treasury bills and other government securities. Most of the foreign exchange reserves

are held in U.S. dollars.

• These reserves serve several purposes and ensure that central bank has backup funds in case

national currency rapidly becomes insolvent or devaluate.

• India’s Forex Reserves include- Gold, Foreign Currency Assets, Special Drawing Rights and

Reserve position with International Monetary Fund (IMF).

5.14 CENTRUM TO TAKEOVER PMC BANK

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cleared proposal to takeover of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperatives

Bank (PMC Bank) by a consortium of non-bank lender Centrum Financial Services & fintech startup

Bharat Pe.

Background

• This decision was taken in the backdrop of collapse of Punjab & Maharashtra Cooperatives

Bank. This state cooperative lender was on the verge of collapse when regulator seized it on

September 24, 2019.

• Regulator seized the cash withdrawals for six months and launched an investigation into its

accounting lapses. Following this, Centrum Financial Services and BharatPe had submitted a

joint proposal to overtake PMC Bank in February 2021.

RBI’s Approval

• RBI has decided to grant in-principle approval to Centrum so as to set up a small finance

bank. It will be set up under on-tap licensing norms.

• On-tap licensing means, when regulator gives out bank licences on continuous basis rather

than once in several years.

Centrum Financial Services

• It is a step-down subsidiary of listed entity Centrum Capital which provides credit to small

and mid-sized companies having asset of ₹2 lakh to ₹2 crore.

• Resilient Innovations Pvt. Ltd, operating BharatPe, will also be an equal partner in small

finance bank.

5.15 CII PROJECTS INDIA’S FY22 GDP GROWTH AT 9.5%

• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has estimated the gross domestic product (GDP) of India to grow at 9.5 per cent in the current financial year, i.e. FY 2021-22. This will take the GDP to a level that is slightly higher than in FY20.




• Rising medical expenditure has squeezed incomes and demand. But recovery is on the cards. Global growth and macroeconomic stability will support trade and investment flows.

5.16 REFORM LINKED BORROWING

Indian states were able to borrow an extra Rs. 1.06 lakh crore in 2020-21 (FY21) due to the Reform Linked Borrowing window. • This was announced to provide an additional leeway to states in order to cope with the adverse

effects of Covid-19 pandemic on the economy. About: • This was a nudge, incentivising the States to adopt progressive policies to avail additional funds. • In October 2020, the Central government had linked permission for additional borrowing of 1%

of their GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) to implementation of four critical reforms, which are:

• Implementation of One Nation One Ration Card System, • Ease of doing business reform, • Urban Local body/ utility reforms and • Power Sector reforms. Under this reforms-linked borrowing window, states were to get access to funds of up to Rs 2.14 lakh crore on completion of all the four reforms. • For states completing three of the four reforms, the Centre would provide additional funds

assistance of Rs. 2,000 crore for capital expenditure. • For FY 2021-22, the net borrowing ceiling for states has been fixed at 4% of the projected GSDP

(about Rs 8.46 lakh crore), based on recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission.

5.17 FM ADDRESSED USISPF-GLOBAL INVESTORS MEET

Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, addressed the Global Investors Roundtable organised by US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) on June 24, 2021. Highlights • While addressing the investor’s meet she asserted that; continuous reforms make India a great

place to do business. • She also invited global investors to take advantage of recent FDI reforms, privatisation policy and

performance linked incentive (PLI) scheme in India. • She further highlighted, fiscal situation is under control and is expected to improve in coming

days and emphasised the strong fundamental of economy. • According to her, COVID-19 and its aftermath has shown Indian economy’s resilience. Highest

ever Goods and Services Tax (GST) were collected amid the pandemic. It signifies the bright spot and indicates greater formalisation of economy and tax compliance.

5.18 INDIA RANKED 51ST IN TERMS OF MONEY DEPOSITED IN SWISS BANKS

• According to ‘Annual Bank Statistics of 2020’ released by Swiss National Bank (SNB), the Central Bank of Switzerland.

• India with Swiss Francs (CHF) 2.55 billion (INR 20,706 Crore) has been placed at 51st place in the list of foreign clients’ money in Swiss Banks during 2020. The United Kingdom (UK) topped the list with CHF 377 billion, followed by the US (152 billion).




• India was ahead of countries like New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Mauritius, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in terms of foreign clients’ money in Swiss banks.

• Funds held by Indian individuals and firms in Swiss banks raised over 2.55 billion Swiss francs (over Rs 20,700 crore) in 2020 marking the highest level in 13 years.

• The figures stood at a record high of nearly CHF 6.5 billion in 2006, after which it has been mostly on a downward path, except for a few years including in 2011, 2013, and 2017, as per the Swiss National Bank (SNB) data.

5.19 REPORT: INDIANS INVESTED $40 BN IN CRYPTOCURRENCY IN 2020

As per Chinalysis reports, Indians who are known to traditionally invest in gold are now investing into cryptocurrency. Key Findings

• India is home to world’s biggest holders of gold (25,000 tonnes). • Now, Indians are shifting towards cryptocurrency and have invested billions in it. • Investments in cryptocurrency has increased from $200 million $40 billion in last one year.

Concerns This investment has increased even though Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is not inclined towards digital currency. RBI had banned banks from supporting cryptocurrency transactions in 2018 following several digital currency frauds. However, in March 2020, Supreme Court struck down the ban and prompted RBI to notify that its earlier order has been reverted.

5.20 INDIA’S BANK CREDIT-TO-GDP RATIO GROWS 56% IN 2020

• Notwithstanding incremental credit growth plunging to a 59-year low at 5.56 per cent in FY21, the bank credit-to-GDP ratio rose to a five-year high of a little over 56 percent in 2020, according to the latest data from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

• At a 56.075 percent credit-to-GDP ratio, total outstanding bank credit stood at USD 1.52 trillion in the country in 2020, according to the BIS data for the year, but this is still the second-lowest among all its Asian peers.

• And when it comes to the emerging market peers, it is 135.5 percent and at 88.7 percent in advanced economies. Bank credit growth is a key indicator of economic growth & credit-GDP ratio of 100% ideal.




Practice MCQs:

QUESTION.1 Who is the chairman of recently

constituted Expert Committee on Minimum

Wages ?

A. Rakesh Asthana

B. Tarika Chakraborty

C. Ajit Mishra


QUESTION.2 According to Economic

Research Dpartment of SBI, India’s GDP

growth has been revised to-

A. 7.2%

B. 7.5%

C. 7.7%

D. 7.9%

QUESTION.3 Employees’ Provident Fund

Organisation (EPFO) comes under the ambit

of which ministry?

A. Ministry of Labour and Employment

B. Ministry of Corporate Affairs

C. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances

and Pensions

D. Ministry of Social Justice and

Empowerment

QUESTION.4 Sutainable Development Index

is released by-

A. Ministry of Home Affairs

B. The Energy and Resources Institute

C. NITI Aayog


QUESTION.5 According to new rules by RBI,

the number of free transactions for cash

withdrawal from own bank has been fixed at-

A. 3

B. 4

C. 5

D. 6

QUESTION.6 According to recent

reports,exports of India’s organic farm

products has increased to_______percent in

2020-21.

A. 48%

B. 49%

C. 50%

D. 51%

QUESTION.7 According to Commerce

Ministry recent report, India’s export of

agricultural and allied products in 2020-21

have increased by-

A. 13.74%

B. 15.34%




C. 16.74%

D. 17.34%

QUESTION.8 As per 44th meeting of Goods

and Services Tax (GST) Council, the GST tax

rate on ambulances, covid testing kits and

pulse oximeters has been reduced to ____,

____ and ______ respectively.

A. 28%, 15% and18%

B. 5%, 12% and 5%

C. 12%, 5% and 5%

D. 18%, 5% and 12%

QUESTION.9 SEBI has increased the overseas

investment limit for local mutual funds to-

A. $600 million

B. $300 million

C. $ 1 billion

D. $ 2 billion

QUESTION.10 CHATT, heard recently in

news, is-

A. A new messaging app

B. Confederation of hospitality sector

companies

C. An automatic chatbox for Covid related

queries


QUESTION.11 Who has been recently

allowed by RBI to takeover Punjab and

Maharashtra Cooperatives Bank?

A. Centrum and Bharatpe

B. Airtel Payments Bank

C. State Bank of India

D. Paytm Bank

QUESTION.12 India’s Forex reserves recently

breached the _________mark in June 2021.

A. $500 Billion

B. $600 Billion

C. $450 Billion

D. $475 Billion

QUESTION.13 According to the latest data from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the bank credit-to-GDP ratio in India stands at approximately- A. 26%

B. 36%

C. 46%

D. 56%

QUESTION.14 RBI has recently cancelled the

license of which bank?

A. Bandhan Bank

B. Punjab State Cooperative Bank

C. Shivajirao Bhosale Sahakari Bank


QUESTION.15 According to Chinalysis

reports, amount invested by Indians in

cryptocurrency in 2020 is approximately-

A. $400 million

B. $4 billion

C. $40 billion

D. $400 billion




QUESTION.16 According to ‘Annual Bank

Statistics of 2020’ released by Swiss National

Bank, India ranks_____ in terms of money

deposited in Swiss banks.

A. 49th

B. 50th

C. 51st

D. 61st

QUESTION.17 The FDI limit in insurance

sector has been recently increased to-

A. 49%

B. 74%

C. 87.5%

D. 100%

QUESTION.18 For the fiscal year 2020-2021,

fiscal deficit was recorded at ____of the GDP.

A. 9.1%

B. 9.2%

C. 9.3%

D. 9.5%

QUESTION.19 With respect to Reform Linked

Borrowing window for states in India, which

of the following was not one of 4 critical

areas ?

A. Power Sector reforms

B. Implementation of One Nation One Ration

Card System

C. Agriculture sector reforms

D. Ease of doing business reform

ANSWERS

1. ANSWER: C

2. ANSWER: D

3. ANSWER: A

4. ANSWER: C

5. ANSWER: C

6. ANSWER: D

7. ANSWER: D

8. ANSWER: C

9. ANSWER: C

10. ANSWER: B

11. ANSWER: A

12. ANSWER: B

13. ANSWER: D

14. ANSWER: C

15. ANSWER: C

16. ANSWER: C

17. ANSWER: B

18. ANSWER: C

19. ANSWER: C




REPORTS

6.1 THE STATE OF RANSOMWARE 2021 REPORT

• Global cybersecurity firm, Sophos, published it “the State of Ransomware 2021 report’. It finds, 68% of Indian organisations were by ransomware in last 12 months.

4.1Key findings • India is one among most affected countries with respect to ransomware attacks. • India tops list of top 30 countries for ransomware attacks. • 68 percent of Indian organisations were hit by ransomware in last 12 months. Though, this

number is less than 82 percent, reported in 2020 report. • 72 percent of Indian organisations admitted, data was encrypted in most significant ransomware

attack. • There is overall drop in attacks. However, attacker’s behaviour has changed at some places. At

Sophos, it was reported, attackers were switching to more targeted attacks which include human hands-on keyboard hacking so as to bypass organisation’s defences.

• 67 per cent of Indian organisations, whose data was encrypted, paid ransom to recover as opposed to global average of 32 percent.

• 86 per cent of Indian organisations are of view that, cyber attacks are now too complex for their own IT team to handle.

6.2 ILO RELEASES “WORLD EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL OUTLOOK” REPORT

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released the annual World Employment and Social

Outlook: Trends 2021 (WESO) report.

About:




• The report analyses key labour market issues including unemployment, labour underutilisation, working poverty, income inequality, labour income share and factors that exclude people from decent work.

• It highlights how the COVID-19 crisis had worsened pre-existing inequalities by hitting vulnerable workers harder.

6.3 WORLD ENERGY INVESTMENT REPORT, 2021: IEA

Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) published the World Energy Investment Report,

2021.

About IEA:

• It is an autonomous Intergovernmental Organisation established in 1974 in Paris, France. • IEA mainly focuses on its energy policies which include economic development, energy security

and environmental protection. These policies are also known as the 3 E’s of IEA.

6.4 QS WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS 2022

In QS World University Rankings 2020, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati was ranked at

41st in ‘Research Citations per Faculty’ category.

About:

• IIT Guwahati has also obtained global 395th rank in World University Ranking. • Its ranking has improved from 470 in QS World University Ranking 2021 to 395th to this edition

as a result of strong improvement in ‘Citations per Faculty’ category. • In this category, IIT Guwahati improved its score from 77.9 in 2021 to 94.8 in 2022. • IIT Guwahati was ranked in 12 different subject categories with a break into 51-100 range in

Petroleum Engineering.

6.5 ILO- UNICEF REPORT ON CHILD LABOUR

International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF jointly published report on child labour. As per

report, world has marked rise in child labour in two decades.

Key Findings of report

• Report highlights, coronavirus crisis might push millions more youngsters toward child labour. • As of 2020, number of child labour stands at 160 million. It has increased by 8.4 million in four

years. • Number started increasing before covid-19 pandemic hit, marking dramatic reversal of

downward trend where numbers decreased by 94 million in between 2000 and 2016. • Amid the covid-19 pandemic, 1 in 10 children globally were engaged in child labour. • Sub-Saharan Africa is the worst affected country. • Boys are more likely to be affected. They will account for 97 million out of 160 million children

engaging into child labour at start of 2020.




• Number of children, between ages 5 and 17 doing hazardous work, has increased. About 79 million children were considered to be engaged in hazardous work. This could affect child’s development, education or health.

6.6“COSTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN INDIA REPORT”: INDIA MAY LOSE 3-10% OF ITS GDP IN 2100

Costs of Climate Change in India report has been released by London-based global think tank

Overseas Development Institute.

About Costs of Climate Change in India Report:

• It looks at the economic costs of climate-related risks in India. It also points to the possibility of increased inequality and poverty due to climate change.

6.7 Global House Price Index 2021

According to Knight Frank’s Global House Price Index for Q1 2021, India has moved down by 12

spots in global home price index because property price in India has declined amid covid-19

pandemic.

About:

This year, India has been ranked at 55th position while during Q1 2020, India was ranked at 43rd

position in terms of property prices.

Key Findings of index

• Home prices in India decreased by 1.6 percent on a year-on-year basis. • In terms of changes in 6-month (Q3 2020-Q1 2021) and 3-month (Q4 2020-Q1 2021), residential

prices have increased by 0.6 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively. • US witnessed highest annual price growth rate since 2005. Prices have increased by 13.2 percent

year on year (YoY) • Turkey is the topper in annual rankings with prices of 32 percent. • Turkey is followed by New Zealand at 22.1 percent and Luxembourg with 16.6 percent growth in

prices YoY. • Spain emerged as weakest-performing territory in Q1 2021. In Spain, home prices fell by 1.8

percent. • Spain is followed by India with 1.6 per cent decline on prices.

6.8 UNDP REPORT ON ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICTS PROGRAMME

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India has released an independent report and

lauded Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) as ‘a successful model of local area development’.

Key findings of report




• As per the report, ADP should serve as a best practice for other countries where regional disparities are persisting with respect to development.

• Report highlights, ADP has made concerted efforts due to which neglected districts in remote locations and those districts affected by Left Wing Extremism are on positive trajectory of growth with more growth and development in last three years.

• Health & nutrition, education, and agriculture & water resources have registered massive improvements.

6.9 “SIPRI Yearbook 2021”: China, India, Pakistan expanding “nuclear arsenal”

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute(SIPRI) has released the SIPRI Yearbook 2021.

The report assesses the current state of armaments, disarmament and international security.

About:

• Nine Nuclear-Armed States- the US, Russia, UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea together possessed an estimated 13,080 nuclear weapons at the start of 2021.

• Russia and the U.S. together possessed over 90% of global nuclear weapons. Further, both of them have an extensive and expensive modernisation programme underway.

• China is in the middle of significant modernisation and expansion of its nuclear weapon inventory. India and Pakistan also appear to be expanding their nuclear arsenals.

• India possessed an estimated 156 nuclear warheads at the start of 2021 compared to 150 at the start of 2020. o On the other hand, Pakistan had 165 warheads, up from 160 in 2020. China’s nuclear arsenal

consisted of 350 warheads, up from 320 at the start of 2020. • Concerns: The overall number of nuclear warheads in global military stockpiles appears to be

increasing. This is a worrying sign as the declining trend that started since the end of the Cold War has stalled.

6.10 HIMACHAL JUMPS TO THIRD SPOT IN ANEMIAMUKT BHARAT INDEX

• Himachal Pradesh has climbed to the third spot in the Anemia Mukt Bharat Index 2020-21 national ranking with a score of 57.1. Himachal Pradesh was at rank 18 in the year 2018-19, but with consistent efforts of the government and the field functionaries, the state was able to achieve the third spot.

• Madhya Pradesh is in the first position with a score of 64.1 followed by Odisha with a score of 59.3. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths had decreased from 29% to 0.3% in a short span of three years.




• Anemia remains a major public health issue with high prevalence across the country irrespective of gender, age and geography.

• India is one of the countries with anemia as a serious public health concern today. • Almost 50% of the pregnant women, 59% of children fewer than five years of age, 54% of

adolescent girls and 53% of non-pregnant non-lactating women in India are anemic.

6.11 “WORLD GIVING INDEX 2021” – 10TH EDITION RELEASED

The 10th edition of the World Giving Index (WGI) 2021 has been released.

About:

• The World Giving Index (WGI) is published by the Charities Aid Foundation(CAF). • Parameters: The index provides combined insight into the scope and nature of giving around the

world. It looks at three aspects of giving behaviour and asks: Have you done any of the following in the past month?

▪ Helped a stranger or someone you didn’t know who needed help? ▪ Donated money to a charity? ▪ Volunteered your time to an organization? • Data Source: The index uses data gathered by Gallup and ranks countries in the world according

to how charitable they are. ▪ The report includes the results of 1.6 million individuals interviewed across the globe since

2009. What are the Key Findings of the World Giving Index 2021? India:

• India is among the top 20 generous countries in the world. It has been ranked 14th position in the Index.

▪ This is a significant improvement from the 10-year global rank of 82. • In India, at least 61% of Indians helped strangers. Meanwhile, 34% volunteered for a cause and

36% donated money.

6.12 UNESCO SCIENCE REPORT

.

Latest edition of UNESCO Science Report (USR) was published which is entitled as “Race against

time for smarter development”.

About USR

• USR is a flagship publication of UNESCO which is published once every five years. • It is a report on science, technology and innovation (STI). • Every edition comprises of a chapter on India. • Chapter on India in latest edition was authored by Prof Sunil Mani, director at Centre for

Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram. • This chapter provides an overview of STI developments in India along with suggestions and

recommendations




6.13 UNDRR REPORT ON DROUGHT

The report titled “Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction: Special Report on

Drought 2021” was published on June 18, 2021 by UNDRR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk

Reduction). It will be a part of discussions at vital UN climate talks called COP26, scheduled to take

place in Glasgow in November 2021.

About:

• As per the report, Drought is a hidden global crisis which can become “the next pandemic” if no urgent action is taken on water & land management and tackling climate emergency.

• About 1.5 billion people are directly affected by drought this century. • Economic cost was roughly estimated at $124 bn. However, True cost is likely to be many times

higher as these estimates do not include much impact in developing countries. • Most of world will be with water stress in next few years and demand will outstrip the water

supply during certain periods. • Report highlights, drought is now widespread and by end of this century most of the countries

will experience it in some form.




Practice MCQs

QUESTION.1 A Special Report on Drought

2021 has been recently released by-

A. Food and Agriculture Organisation

B. UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

C. International Union for Conservation of

Nature

D. World Bank

QUESTION.2 UNESCO Science Report (USR), a

flagship publication of UNESCO, is published

once every_______.

A. 6 months

B. year

C. 2 years

D. 5 years

QUESTION.3 ‘The State of Ransomware’

report is released by which company?

A. McAfee

B. Sophos

C. Cisco

D. IBM Security

QUESTION.4 The ‘World Employment and

Social Outlook’ report is released by-

A. International Labour Organisation

B. World Bank

C. International Monetary Fund


QUESTION.5 The World Energy Investment

Report is published by-

A. International Energy Agency

B. World Economic Forum

C. United Nations Environment Program

D. World Bank

QUESTION.6 Which Indian institute has

secured the 41st rank in ‘Research Citations

per Faculty’ category of QS World University

Rankings 2020?

A. IIT Guwahati

B. IIT Delhi

C. IIT Madras

D. IIT Ropar

QUESTION.7 The report on Child Labour has

been recently released, jointly by ILO and

_______-

A. UNESCO

B. World Bank

C. UNICEF


QUESTION.8 ‘Costs of Climate Change in

India’ report has been recently published by-

A. International Energy Agency

B. NITI Aayog

C. Overseas Development Institute





QUESTION.9 Which country has topped in

Knight Frank’s Global House Price Index for

Q1 2021?

A. India

B. Spain

C. USA

D. Turkey

QUESTION.10 India’s Aspirational Districts

Programme has been recently lauded by-

A. World Bank

B. United Nations Development Programme

C. International Monetary Fund

D. United Nations Environment Programme

QUESTION.11 The SIPRI yearbook, seen

recently in news, is associated with-

A. Endangered species

B. Climate change

C. natural disasters

D. status of armaments and weapons

QUESTION.12 In the AnemiaMukt Bharat

Index 2020-21, Himachal Pradesh got_______

place in national rankings.

A. 1st

B. 2nd

C. 3rd

D. 6th

QUESTION.13 World Giving Index (WGI) is

published by the-

A. Amnesty International

B. Charities Aid Foundation

C. UNESCO

D. Salvation Army

ANSWERS

1. ANSWER: B

2. ANSWER: D

3. ANSWER: B

4. ANSWER: A

5. ANSWER: A

6. ANSWER: A

7. ANSWER: C

8. ANSWER: C

9. ANSWER: D

10. ANSWER: B

11. ANSWER: D

12. ANSWER: C

13. ANSWER: B




SPORTS

7.1 ASIAN BOXING CHAMPIONSHIP: INDIA’S SANJEET KUMAR WINS GOLD MEDAL

• India’s pugilist Sanjeet Kumar won a gold medal in the 91 kg weight category at the ASBC Asian Boxing Championships.

• Sanjeet pulled off a massive upset as he defeated five-time Asian Championships medallist and Rio Olympic silver medalist Vassiliy Levit of Kazakhstan in a 3-2 split decision in the final of Asian Championships in Dubai to clinch the gold.

7.2 DJOKOVIC WINS 83RD CAREER TITLE IN BELGRADE OPEN

• World No. 1 Novak Djokovic captured the 83rd title of his career with victory on home soil at the Belgrade Open.

• The Serbian superstar lost his serve three times in the first set before changing his game to defeat Slovakian qualifier and first-time ATP Tour finalist Alex Molcan 6-4, 6-3 in 88 minutes at the Novak Tennis Center.

7.3 NOVAK DJOKOVIC CLINCHES FRENCH OPEN MEN’S SINGLES TITLE

Novak Djokovic has won his 19th Grand Slam title in French open 2021 in Men’s single category at

Roland Garros in Paris.

Novak Djokovic

• Born on 22 May 1987, Novak is a Serbian professional tennis player who is currently ranked

as world No. 1 by Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). He has been No. 1 for record

total of 325 weeks.

• He has won 19 Grand Slam men’s singles titles and 84 ATP singles titles. It also includes a

record nine Australian Open titles and a record 36 Masters events which he shares with

Rafael Nadal.

• He is the only player who have won all Big Titles on all four Grand Slam tournaments, all

nine ATP Masters events and ATP Finals.

French Open

• French Open, also known as Roland Garros, is a major tennis tournament organised for two

weeks at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, France. It starts in late May each year.

• Tournament and venue have been after French aviator Roland Garros. It is a clay court tennis

championship tournament.




7.4 DEBBIE HEWITT APPOINTED FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION’S FIRST CHAIRWOMAN

• England’s Football Association named corporate executive and former RAC chief, Debbie Hewitt as its first woman chair, ending months of speculation over Greg Clarke’s successor following his exit over inappropriate remarks.

• The FA, which was formed in 1863 and has been working to become more inclusive, launched its ‘Pursuit of Progress’ initiative in 2018. FA is the governing body of football located in England.

7.5 JAPAN TO ALLOW 10,000 LOCAL FANS AT OLYMPICS

Olympics organisers has capped the number of spectators at 10,000 for each venue in the 2020 Tokyo Games following the warnings of experts that event without fans will be a least risky option during the Covid-19 pandemic. Key Points • This decision was taken because; vaccine roll-out has been slow in Japan and medical system

pushed to the brink. Though, Japan has avoided explosive coronavirus outbreaks which have devastated other countries.

• Limit for Games will be set at 50% of venue capacity. • This limit is subject to reduction after July 12, on the basis of provisions of any emergency or

anti-infection measures.

7.6 NEW ZEALAND CROWNED FIRST ICC WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP

• New Zealand defeated India to win the first ICC World Test Championship. New Zealand chased down the target of 139 to win the first-ever World Test Championship final with eight wickets in hand.

• The last day of the match was played on June 23, 2021. The match saw 6 days play in place of the regular 5 days due to the rain factor. Kyle Jamieson (NZ) has been adjudged as the “Player of the match”, while Kane Williamson (NZ) is the “Player of the series”.

• The first test championship began in 2019 with the finals being played in 2021. • The top three teams, as a result, are: First: New Zealand; Second- India; Third- Australia. • The final match was played at Ageas Bowl Stadium (Rose Bowl Stadium) in Southampton,

England. • The next Test Championship will be held between 2021-2023

7.7 SHELLY-ANN FRASER-PRYCE BECOMES SECOND FASTEST WOMAN OF ALL-TIME AHEAD

• Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce became the second-fastest woman of all-time behind 100 metres world record holder Florence Griffith-Joyner when she clocked 10.63 seconds at a meet in Kingston.

• American Griffith-Joyner still holds the women’s 100m world record of 10.49 seconds, set in Indiana polis in 1988, as well as the three fastest times ever, with 10.61 and 10.62, also in 1988.




7.8 MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS 2021 FRENCH GRAND PRIX

• Max Verstappen (Netherlands-Red Bull) has won the 2021 French Grand Prix. This race is the seventh round of the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship.

• With this win, Max Verstappen has 131 points and now leads Lewis Hamilton (119 points) in the Formula One drivers’ title race, after seven matches. Lewis Hamilton (Britain-Mercedes) stood second and Sergio Perez (Mexico- Red Bull) stood third.

7.9 Australian swimmer Kaylee McKeown breaks 100-meter backstroke world record

• Australian swimmer Kaylee McKeown breaks the 100-meter backstroke world record at the South Australian Aquatic Centre with a time of 57.45 seconds from the previous mark of 57.57 seconds set by American Regan Smith in 2019.

• Emily Seebohm finished second in 58.59 to qualify for her fourth Olympics




Practice MCQs :

QUESTION.1 Who won the men’s gold medal

in Asian Boxing Championship 2021 ?

A. Shiva Thapa

B. Sanjeet Kumar

C. Amit Panghal


QUESTION.2 Who recently won the Belgrade

Open ?

A. Novak Djokovic

B. Andy Murray

C. Rafael Nadal

D. Roger Federer

QUESTION.3 Who won the French Open

2021 Men’ singles title?

A. D Medvedev

B. Rafael Nadal

C. Andy Roddick

D. Novak Djokovic


appointed the first ever chairwomen of

England’s Football Association?

A. Laurence Des cars

B. Debbie Hewitt

C. Martha Koome

D. Megha Rajagopalan

QUESTION.5 The 2020 Tokyo Olympics,

being held in July-August 2021, is officially

called-

A. Games of XXII Olympiad

B. Games of XXXII Olympiad

C. Games of XXXIII Olympiad

D. Games of XXXI Olympiad

QUESTION.6 In the recently concluded

first ICC World Test Championship, who won

the “Player of the series” award?

A. Tom Latham

B. Kyle Jamieson

C. Kane Williamson

D. Tim Southee

QUESTION.7 Who holds the women’s 100m

world record of 10.49 seconds?

A. Griffith Joyner

B. Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce

C. Carmelita Jeter

D. Marion Jones

QUESTION.8 2021 French Grand Prix has

been recently won by-

A. Lewis Hamilton

B. Max Verstappen

C. Sergio Perez

D. Sebastian Vettel

QUESTION.9 Kaylee McKeown who recently broke the women’s 100-meter backstroke world record, belongs to




A. Australia

B. USA

C. UK

D. Germany




ANSWERS

1. ANSWER: B

2. ANSWER: A

3. ANSWER: D

4. ANSWER: B

5. ANSWER: B

6. ANSWER: C

7. ANSWER: A

8. ANSWER: B

9. ANSWER: A




Awards

8.1 DAVID DIOP WINS INTERNATIONAL BOOKER 2021

• David Diop has become the first French novelist to win the International Booker prize for translated fiction with At Night All Blood Is Black, his first novel translated into English.

• Diop, the author of two novels, and his translator Anna Moschovakis split the £50,000 annual prize, which goes to the best author and translator of a work translated into English.

• The International Booker Prize, formerly known as the Man Booker International Prize, has been awarded since 2005 when it was won by Albanian writer Ismail Kadare. It is a sister prize to the Booker Prize, awarded to a novel written in English.

8.2 PULITZER PRIZE 2021

Pulitzer Prize 2021 was recently conferred recently. Megha Rajagopalan, an Indian-origin journalist,

has won this top journalism award of USA on June 11, 2021.

Highlights

• Megha won the prize along with two contributors. • She has won Prize for innovative investigative reports exposing infrastructure of prisons and

mass internment camps which were built secretly by China and detained Muslims in Xinjiang region.

• Other two winners are Tampa Bay Times’ Neil Bedi who won for local reporting and Kathleen McGrory who has been awarded for series exposing a Sheriff’s Office initiative which used computer modelling to identify some 1000 people who could be future criminals.

Pulitzer Prize

• This prize is awarded since 1942 for a distinguished example of reporting on international

affairs. Till 1947, this award was called as Pulitzer Prize for Telegraphic Reporting –

International.

• It is an award for achievements in newspaper, magazine and online journalism, musical

composition and literature within the United States. It was established by provisions in the

will of Joseph Pulitzer.

• These prizes are awarded yearly in twenty-one categories. Winners receive a certificate and

a US$15,000 cash award.




8.3 ZIMBABWEAN NOVELIST TSITSI DANGAREMBGA WINS PEN PINTER PRIZE 2021

• Tsitsi Dangarembga, the Booker-shortlisted Zimbabwean writer who was arrested last year in Harare while protesting against corruption, has been awarded the PEN Pinter prize, praised for her “ability to capture and communicate vital truths even amidst times of upheaval”.

• Dangarembga was also shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize for her work, This Mournable Body.

• Established in 2009, PEN Pinter prize is given in memory of Nobel-laureate playwright Harold Pinter.

• The annual award is given to an author who, the website specifies, must have “a significant body of plays, poetry, essays, or fiction of outstanding literary merit, written in English.

8.4 RS SODHI CONFERRED WITH ASIA PACIFIC PRODUCTIVITY CHAMPION AWARD

• The Managing Director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (Amul), R.S. Sodhi, was conferred with the regional award as Asia Pacific Productivity Champion from Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Tokyo, Japan in recognition of enhanced productivity and efficient milk supply chain.

• He is the first Indian to have received the prestigious award, in the last 20 years. The award is conferred to eligible individuals who have significantly contributed to advancing the productivity movement in the Asia-Pacific region and those in a specific member economy of the APO.

• The APO regional awards are conferred every five years and each country can nominate only one candidate out of all nominations. Every five years only five regional nominees receive the award. Sodhi received the award on behalf of 3.6 million dairy farmers

8.5 THOMAS VIJAYAN WINS NATURE TTL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2021

• Kerala-based Thomas Vijayan, who is now settled in Canada, has won the 2021 Nature TTL Photography Awards for his photo of an Orangutan clinging to a tree. The photograph is titled ‘The World is Going Upside Down’.

• Vijayan was adjudged as the overall winner of the competition from over 8,000 entries for Nature TTL Photographer of the Year 2021, which carries a grand prize of 1,500 pounds (Rs.1.5 lakh). Nature TTL is the world’s leading online nature photography resource.

8.6 Land for Life Award: UN

• Recently, Shyam Sundar Jyani, a Rajasthan-based climate activist, has won the prestigious United Nations' Land for Life Award for his environment conservation concept, Familial Forestry.

• Familial Forestry means transferring the care of the tree and environment in the family so that a tree becomes a part of the family's consciousness.




8.7 SHAILAJA AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS CEU OPEN SOCIETY PRIZE FOR 2021

• The Central European University (CEU) Open Society Prize for 2021 has been awarded to KK Shailaja, the former Health Minister of Kerala. The award was presented to her in recognition of “her determined leadership and community-based public health work, saving lives during the pandemic”.

• She demonstrates to the world that determined leadership, community-based public health and effective communication can save lives. CEU was founded in 1991 by George Soros, a Hungarian-born political activist and billionaire philanthropist based on his vision of a unique institution that would train future generations of scholars, professionals, politicians, and civil society leaders “To contribute to building open and democratic societies that respect human rights and adhere to the rule of law”

8.8 CENTRE RELEASES FULL LIST OF SMART CITIES AWARDS 2020 WINNERS

• The Central government has declared Smart City awards 2020 in which Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Surat (Gujarat) won the award jointly for their overall development.

• Whereas Uttar Pradesh emerged on the top among all states, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu under the Smart City award, 2020.

• The Smart City awards were given across the themes of Social Aspects, Governance, Culture, Urban Environment, Sanitation, Economy, Built Environment, Water, Urban Mobility

8.9 COCHIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WON HONOUR IN AIRPORT SERVICE QUALITY

• Cochin International Airport (CIAL) won Airport Council International (ACI) Director General’s Roll of Excellence honour in Airport Service Quality. This recognition is awarded to those airports which, in the opinion of passengers, consistently delivered excellent services.

• Cochin International Airport has consistently delivered excellence in customer service by winning multiple awards for five years in past 10 years. It is one among six airports across the world that will receive recognition in 2021.

8.10 RK SABHARWAL GETS HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARD OF MONGOLIA

• Engineers India Limited (EIL) Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), RK Sabharwal has been honoured with the highest civilian award of Mongolia ‘The Order of Polar Star by his excellency.

• The President of Mongolia recognises the outstanding contribution made by him towards the establishment of the first-ever oil refinery in Mongolia. On behalf of the government of Mongolia, this award was presented by His Excellency, the Ambassador of Mongolia to India, Gonching Ganbold, at a ceremony organised at the Embassy of Mongolia.

• The ‘Order of Polar Star’ is the most desirable and prestigious state award bestowed by the

President of Mongolia which is highly valuable and distinguished and recognises individuals who have made an invaluable contribution with their outstanding hard work, intelligence and sincerity to the prosperity of Mongolia and its friendship with other nations, as well for outstanding contributions in the fields of arts, culture, science and humanity.




Practice MCQs :

QUESTION.1 Which Indian airport has

recently won the Airport Council

International (ACI) Director General’s Roll of

Excellence honour in Airport Service Quality?

A. New Delhi

B. Cochin

C. Chennai

D. Mumbai

QUESTION.2 Which state has topped among

all states under the rankings of Smart City

award, 2020?

A. Maharashtra

B. Uttar Pradesh

C. Karnataka

D. Tamil Nadu

QUESTION.3 ‘The Order of Polar Star’, the highest civilian award of Mongolia has been recently awarded to- A. Martha Koome

B. Vladimir Putin

C. Narendra Modi

D. R K Sabharwal

QUESTION.4 Who won the International

Booker prize 2021?

A. David Diop

B. Martha Koome

C. Laurence des Cars


QUESTION.5 The Pulitzer Prize 2021 for

international reporting has been won by-

A. Megha Rajagopalan

B. Laurence Des Cars

C. Martha Koome

D. JagjitPavadia

QUESTION.6 Who has recently won PEN

Pinter prize 2021?

A. David Diop

B. TsitsiDangarembga

C. Martha Koome



conferred with the regional award as Asia

Pacific Productivity Champion from Asian

Productivity Organization in milk production?

A. B S Kumar

B. R S Sodhi

C. RakeshAsthana

D. Ravneet Singh

QUESTION.8 Who has been the winner of the

2021 Nature TTL Photography Awards?

A. Thomas Vijayan

B. SudhiShivaram

C. Jayanth Sharma

D. Aishwarya Sridhar




QUESTION.9 Who has recently won the

prestigious United Nations' Land for Life

Award?

A. Nuklu Phom

B. Shyam Sundar Jyani

C. Jagjit Pavadia

D. Martha Koome

QUESTION.10 Central European University

Open Society Prize for 2021 has been

recently awarded to-

A. Jagjit Pavadia

B. Narendra Modi

C. Yogi Adityanath

D. K K Shailaj

ANSWERS 1. ANSWER: B

2. ANSWER: B

3. ANSWER: D

4. ANSWER: A

5. ANSWER: A

6. ANSWER: B

7. ANSWER: B

8. ANSWER: A

9. ANSWER: B

10. ANSWER: D




Defence

9.1 HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY SHIP “INS SANDHAYAK” DECOMMISSIONED

• Indian Navy’s oldest hydrographic survey ship INS Sandhayak was decommissioned at Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam after serving the nation for 40 years.

About INS Sandhayak:

• INS Sandhayak was the lead ship of the Sandhayak class of survey ships. • The ship operated as a hydrographic survey ship in the Indian Navy, under the Eastern Naval

Command. • Purpose: The ship conducted shallow coastal and deep-sea hydrographic surveys. The ship also

collected oceanographic and geophysical data. ▪ In addition to conducting surveys, it also assisted as military transport and casualty-carrying

vessels in times of war and natural disasters. • Developed by:

▪ The ship was conceptualised by the then Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India, Rear Adm FL Fraser.

▪ The ship was developed by Garden Reach Ship Builders Limited(GRSE), Kolkata. ▪ The ship was then commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1981.

• Operations: The ship has been an active participant in many significant operations such as ▪ Operation Pawan (assisting the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka in 1987) and ▪ Operation Rainbow (rendering humanitarian assistance in Sri Lanka post Tsunami of 2004).

• The ship also participated in the maiden joint INDO-US HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) exercise ‘Tiger-Triumph’ in 2019.

9.2 PROJECT 75 INDIA

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the construction of six conventional submarines under Project-75I (India).

About the Project:

• This project envisages indigenous construction of submarines equipped with the state-of-the-art Air Independent Propulsion system at an estimated cost of Rs. 43,000 crore.

• Project 75 (I), approved in 2007, is part of the Indian Navy’s 30 year Plan for indigenous submarine construction.

• It will be the first under the strategic partnership model which was promulgated in 2017 to boost indigenous defence manufacturing. • The strategic partnership model allows domestic defence manufacturers to join hands with

leading foreign defence majors to produce high-end military platforms to reduce import dependence.

• Acquisitions under the Strategic Partnership model refer to participation of private Indian firms along with foreign OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) in ‘Make in India’ in defence.




9.3 MH-60 ROMEO HELICOPTERS

• Indian Navy will receive the first set of three of the 24 MH-60 ‘Romeo’ multi-role helicopters from the US in July this year. India and the US had inked a deal worth $2.4 billion (Rs 16,516 crore) in February 2020 to buy 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters from Lockheed Martin.

• The first batch of Indian pilots has reached the US for training on the helicopters that are scheduled to arrive in India in July 2022. The pilots would undergo training first in the Pensacola in Florida, US, and then in San Diego in California, US.

About:

• The MH-60 Romeo helicopters would be equipped with multi-mode radars and night vision devices, and they would be armed with Hellfire missiles, torpedoes, and precision-guided weaponry.

• The MH-60 helicopters have been designed to operate from cruisers, aircraft carriers destroyers, and frigates. MH-60 helicopters are built to target submarines, ships, and conduct search and rescue operations at sea. The MH-60 will replace Sea Kings.

9.4 INDIA – THAILAND CORPAT EXERCISE BEGINS

India and Thailand started 31st edition of Coordinated Patrols or CORPAT, with the aim of

reinforcing maritime links between two countries and to keep Indian Ocean safe and secure for

international trade.

CORPAT Exercise

This is the first biannual exercise in which Saryu, an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel

called Saryu from Indian Navy and His Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Krabi along with Dornier

Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies are participating.

Significance of CORPAT

CORPAT biannual exercise builds up understanding and interoperability between both the navies. It

facilitates institution of measures to prevent & suppress unlawful activities such as Illegal

Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, maritime terrorism, drug trafficking, armed robbery and

piracy. It also helps in enhancing operational synergy by exchanging information to prevent

smuggling, illegal immigration and to conduct SAR operations at sea.

9.5 WHAT IS OPERATION OLIVIA?

Recently, Coast Guard have enforced laws and started operation Olivia to protect Olive

Ridley turtles in Odisha.

What is Operation Olivia?

Operation Olivia was started by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), first in early 1980s. This operation

helps in protecting Olive Ridley turtles every year when they start nesting along Odisha coast for

breeding in months of November to December. Under it, round-the-clock surveillance is conducted




from November till May through Coast Guard assets like Fast patrol vessels, Interceptor craft, Air

cushion vessels and Dornier aircraft.

9.6 “IDEX-DIO” – DEFENCE MINISTER APPROVES BUDGETARY SUPPORT

The Defence Minister has approved the budgetary support of Rs 498.8 crore for iDEX-DIO

(Innovations for Defence Excellence – Defence Innovation Organisation) for the next five years.

About:

• Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) were launched by the Government of India in 2018. • Aim: It aims to create an ecosystem to promote innovation and technology development in

Defence and Aerospace. For that, it will attract industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes & academia.

o It will also provide grants/funding and other support to them to carry out R&D. However, R&D should have a good potential for future adoption for Indian defence and aerospace needs.

• Objectives of IDEX: o Facilitate rapid development of new, indigenized, and innovative technologies for the Indian

defence and aerospace sector in shorter timelines. o Create a culture of engagement with innovative startups, to encourage co-creation for defence

and aerospace sectors. o Empower a culture of technology co-creation and co-innovation within the defence and

aerospace sectors. • Nodal Body: iDEX will be funded and managed by Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).

9.7 NATO SUMMIT 2021 – COUNTRIES AGREED TO STEP UP DEFENCE

The NATO Summit was held recently in Brussels. During the summit, countries agreed to step up

their collective defence against threats from all directions.

About NATO:

• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) also called North Atlantic Alliance is an intergovernmental military alliance.

• Formed in: NATO was formed in 1949 with the signing of the Washington Treaty. • Members: It consists of 30 countries from North America and Europe. ▪ The most recent member state is North Macedonia, included in NATO in 2020. • Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.

9.8 IN-EUNAVFOR JOINT NAVAL EXERCISE

The maiden Indian Navy - European Union Naval Force (IN-EUNAVFOR) Exercise is being conducted

in Gulf of Aden.

▪ Participants • Along with Indian Navy, other naval forces are from Italy, Spain and France. • The naval exercise included advanced air defence and anti-submarine exercises, tactical

manoeuvres, Search & Rescue, and other maritime security operations.




▪ Aim: • To enhance and hone their war-fighting skills and their ability as an integrated force to promote

peace, security and stability in the maritime domain.

Practice MCQs

QUESTION.1 What was the name of mission

sent for assisting the Indian Peace Keeping

Force in Sri Lanka in 1987?

A. Operation Rainbow

B. Operation Thunderbird

C. Operation Pawan

D. Operation Prakaram

QUESTION.2 Project-75I of the Indian Navy,

is associated with construction of domestic-

A. Aircraft Carriers

B. Corvettes

C. Patrol Boats

D. Submarines

QUESTION.3 MH-60 Romeo Helicopters are

built by which company?

A. Boeing

B. General Dynamics

C. Raytheon Company

D. Lockheed Martin

QUESTION.4 India has recently conducted

the biannual exercise CORPAT with-

A. Thailand

B. Indonesia

C. Vietnam

D. Cambodia

QUESTION.5 Operation Olivia is associated

with-

A. Saving Olive Ridley Turtles

B. Saving Indus river dolphins

C. Promoting hand hygiene practices


QUESTION.6 Innovations for Defence

Excellence (iDEX) initiative will be funded and

managed by-

A. Defence Research and Development

Organisation

B. Defence Innovation Organisation

C. Department of Science


QUESTION.7 The headquarters of North

Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are

situated in-

A. New York

B. Washington D.C

C. London




D. Brussels

QUESTION.8 A joint Indian Navy - European

Union Naval Force (IN-EUNAVFOR)

Exercise was conducted in-

A. Mediterranean sea

B. Gulf of Aden

C. Arctic Ocean

D. Bering Sea




ANSWERS

1. ANSWER: C

2. ANSWER: D

3. ANSWER: D

4. ANSWER: A

5. ANSWER: A

6. ANSWER: B

7. ANSWER: D

8. ANSWER: B




Person in news

10.1 B.V.R. SUBRAHMANYAM TO BE COMMERCE SECRETARY

• The appointments committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary Jammu & Kashmir as an officer on special duty in the Department of Commerce. An order issued by the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

About:

• He appointments committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary Jammu & Kashmir as an officer on special duty in the Department of Commerce. An order issued by the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

• Mr Subrahmanyam is a 1987 batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre and was sent on deputation to Jammu and Kashmir in June 2018.

• He served as Chief Secretary when the State was bifurcated into two Union Territories in 2019. He is a widely experienced bureaucrat having worked in Manmohan Singh Prime Minister’s Office as Joint Secretary.

10.2 ARUN KUMAR MISHRA

The former judge of Supreme Court Arun Kumar Mishra on June 2, 2021, took charge as the

Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

• President Ram Nath Kovind appointed Justice (Retd.) Mishra as the Chairman of the NHRC based on the recommendation of a selection panel comprising of PM Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Home Minister Amit Shah, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh.

Arun Kumar Mishra

• Justice Arun Kumar Mishra enrolled as a lawyer in 1978 and was elected as the youngest chairperson of India in 1998-99. Mishra has also served as the Chief Justice of Rajasthan and Calcutta High Courts.

• The Madhya Pradesh High Court is the parent High Court of Mishra as his father late Hargovind Mishra was also a judge of the MP High Court.




• Justice Kumar Mishra first became the judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in October 1999 and remained there till 2010. In November 2010, he was transferred to Rajasthan High Court as Chief Justice and he remained there till December 2012.

• After that, Mishra became the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court before being transferred to the Supreme Court as a judge in 2014.

10.3 VICE ADMIRAL RAVNEET SINGH

• Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh takes charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff. About:

• Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1983 and specialized in Aviation. Throughout his illustrious naval career, he has had a wide-ranging experience on-board diverse platforms.

• The Vice-Admiral has held several challenging command, staff and diplomatic assignments.

• He has commanded various Naval Air Squadrons and frontline ships including INS Himgiri, INS Ranvir, INS Ranvijay, INAS 551B, INAS 300 and premier Air Base INS Hansa

• He is a qualified flying instructor with a Master Green instrument rating. • He has flown Kiran HJT 16, HT-2, TS 11 Iskra, Hunter, Harrier Gr 3, Jet Provost, Chetak, Gazelle,

Hawk and Mig 29 KUB aircraft.

• When he held the Flag rank, he had held key assignments of Assistant Controller Carrier Project &

Assistant Controller Warship Production and Acquisition at IHQ MoD(N), Flag Officer Goa Area/ Flag

Officer Naval Aviation at Goa and Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet at Mumbai.

10.4 VETERAN POLITICIAN ISSAC HERZOG BECOMES 11TH PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL:

• Labor Veteran Issac Herzog has been elected as the 11th President of Israel in a secret ballot in the Knesset (Parliament).

• The former labor leader was elected by the Parliament in a vote as the opposition lawmakers were holding the negotiations to form a coalition to end Prime Minister Netanyahu’s 12 straight years in office.

• The 60-year old will be the first President of Israel who is the son of a former president. Herzog’s father Chaim Herzog had also served as Israel’s head of state between 1983 and 1993.

• Herzog will replace President Reuven Rivlin, who was elected as a President in 2014, and will assume his position as Israel’s President on July 9, 2021

10.5 RDSO BECOMES FIRST STANDARDS BODY TO JOIN ‘ONE NATION, ONE STANDARD’

SCHEME

• Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), which sets standards for the Indian Railway Sector, has become the first standards body in the country to join the ‘One Nation, One Standard’ scheme of the central government.

• The RDSO, the sole R&D wing of the Railways Ministry, has now been recognised as a ‘Standard Developing Organisation’ by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), for a three years period.

• BIS is the implementing agency for the ‘One Nation, One Standard’ scheme. RDSO and BIS will be now jointly defining the parameters to ensure quality goods and services for the Railways.




• The ‘One Nation, One Standard’ scheme was launched in 2019 with the objective to develop one template of standard for one given product in the country, instead of having multiple agencies set it, thereby building a ‘Brand India’ identity in the long run.

10.6 T.M. KALIANNAN, THE LAST SURVIVING MEMBER OF THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY,

PASSES AWAY

• T.M. Kalliannan Gounder, the last surviving former member of the Indian Constituent Assembly, died at the age of 101.

• He served as a Member of the Legislative Council in Tamil Nadu and also as an MLA thrice, between 1952 and 1967.

• He was reportedly the youngest member in the Constituent Assembly then and also a member of India’s first provisional parliament.

10.7 AIR MARSHAL VIVEK RAM CHAUDHARI APPOINTED AS IAF VICE CHIEF

• The Indian Air Force will see a number of changes at the top as Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of Air Staff in the Air headquarters.

• Air Marshal Ballabha Radha Krishna would be succeeding Chaudhari at the Western Command in Delhi while Air Marshal RJ Duckworth would be taking charge of the Central Air Command in Prayagraj.

10.8 ANUP CHANDRA PANDEY APPOINTED AS ELECTION COMMISSIONER

Union government has appointed Anup Chandra Pandey, as Election Commissioner. He is a retired

IAS officer if 1984 batch from Uttar Pradesh cadre. He will serve the office for around three years

and will retire in February 2024.

About:

• He has been appointed to position after retirement of former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora.

• Thus, Election Commission now restores to its full strength of three members. Other members of the panel are CEC Sushil Chandra and Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

• It will now which will now oversee upcoming crucial assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Punjab, Manipur and Uttarakhand in 2022.

10.9 NAFTALI BENNETT: NEW PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL

49-year-old, Naftali Bennett has become new Prime Minister of Israel. He is a religious-nationalist

and a multi-millionaire former tech entrepreneur who has also served as defence minister. With

this win, he has ended 12 unbroken years of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the helm.

Who is Naftali Bennett?




• He is son of American-born parents who speaks perfect English. He is a religious Jew who

began life with his parents in Haifa. He kept moving between North America and Israel for

military service, law school and private sector. He is an ultra-nationalist and & hard-right

leader.

• He served in elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit after which he went to law school at

Hebrew University. He co-founded an anti-fraud software company called Cyota in 1999.

• Cyota was sold to U.S.-based RSA Security in 2005.

10.10 EMINENT ENVIRONMENTALIST RADHAMOHAN PASSES AWAY

• Padma Shri winning noted Economist and Environmentalist, Prof Radhamohan Ji has passed away.

• He was the former information commissioner of Odisha and had also served as a lecturer of Economics in different colleges in Odisha.

• He along with his daughter Sabarmatee was conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 2020 for their contribution to the agriculture sector.

10.11 INDIA’S NAGRAJ ADIGA ELECTED IN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ULTRARUNNERS

COUNCIL

• India’s Nagraj Adiga has been elected as the Asia-Oceania Representative at the recently concluded 2021 International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) Congress at which the IAU council elections were held.

• Adiga works closely with the Athletics Federation of India and with various Government bodies to promote health, fitness, and encourage budding sportspersons.

10.12 K NAGARAJ NAIDU NAMED TO LEAD UN BUREAUCRACY FOR A YEAR

• Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, K Nagaraj Naidu was named chef de cabinet by the incoming UN general assembly president, Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Shahid.

• He was appointed for the duration of one-year tenure to lead the world body through its return to normalcy as countries strive to bring the pandemic under control.

• Naidu is India’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, and he will be on loan from the Indian government to the United Nations for a position that is comparable to the Indian prime minister’s principal secretary, who oversees the cabinet bureaucracy; also something like the chief of staff to the US president.

10.13 ANTONIO GUTERRES: 2ND TERM UN SECRETARY GENERAL

The United Nations General Assembly appointed Antonio Guterres as the ninth UN Secretary

General (UNSG) for a second term beginning 1st January, 2022 and ending on 31st 2026.

About Antonio Guterres:

• Guterres took oath of office on 1st January, 2017 and his first term ends on 31st December 2021.




• Guterres served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for a decade from June 2005 to December 2015.

• He was the former Prime minister of Portugal

10.14 GOVT APPOINTS AASHISH CHANDORKAR AS DIRECTOR AT INDIA’S WTO MISSION

• The government of India has appointed a private person Aashish Chandorkar as Counsellor in India’s Permanent Mission in the World Trade Organisation for three years. For the first time, a private person has been appointed at the Mission.

• Chandorkar is director of Bengaluru-based policy think tank Smahi Foundation of Policy and Research. The WTO is a 164-member multi-lateral body, which deals with global trade. India is a member since 1995.

10.15 SANT KABIR DAS JAYANTI

Recently, Sant Kabir Das Jayanti was observed on 24th June, 2021 to mark the birth anniversary of Sant Kabirdas. • Kabirdas Jayanti is celebrated on the Jyeshtha Purnima tithi, as per the Hindu lunar calendar. • About: • Sant Kabir Das was born in the city of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He was a 15th century mystic

poet, saint and social reformer and a proponent of the Bhakti Movement. • Kabir's legacy is still going on through a sect known as Panth of Kabir, a religious community that

considers him as the founder. • Teacher: His early life was in a Muslim family, but he was strongly influenced by his teacher, the

Hindu bhakti leader Ramananda. • Literature: Kabir Das' writings had a great influence on the Bhakti movement and includes titles

like Kabir Granthawali, Anurag Sagar, Bijak, and Sakhi Granth. • His verses are found in Sikhism's scripture Guru Granth Sahib. • The major part of his work was collected by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev. • He was best known for his two-line couplets, known as 'Kabir Ke Dohe'. • Language: Kabir's works were written in the Hindi language which was easy to comprehend. He

used to write in couplets to enlighten people.

10.16 JAMSETJI TATA TOPS INAUGURAL LIST OF TOP PHILANTHROPISTS OF THE CENTURY

• Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, Indian pioneer industrialist and founder of the Tata Group, has topped the inaugural, EdelGive Hurun Philanthropists of the Century list, which ranks the world’s 50 most generous individuals in the last century.

• As per the report, the total donations made by Mumbai-based Jamsetji Tata is estimated at US$102.4 billion. He is the only Indian among the top 10 list, compiled by Hurun Research and EdelGive Foundation.

• The only other Indian in the list of 50 global philanthropists is Azim Premji, former chairman of Wipro. He is ranked at 12th position.

• Bill Gates & Melinda French Gates ranked second with donations worth $74.6 billion. They are followed by Henry Wellcome ($56.7 billion), Howard Hughes ($38.6 billion), and Warren Buffett ($37.4 billion) respectively.




10.17 MAWYA SUDAN BECOMES IAF’S 1ST WOMAN FIGHTER PILOT FROM J&K

• Flying Officer Mawya Sudan has become the first woman from Jammu and Kashmir to be inducted as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF). She is the 12th female fighter pilot to be inducted in the IAF.

• The 24-year-old Mawya hails from Lamberi village near the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu division.

• Mawya was commissioned as a fighter pilot at the Airforce Academy in Hyderabad on June 19, 2021, during the Combined Graduation parade ceremony. She will now undergo rigorous fighter training for over a year to become ‘fully operational’ as a fighter pilot

10.18 MONTEK AHLUWALIA NAMED MEMBER OF WORLD BANK-IMF HIGH ADVISORY GROUP

• Former Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia was named a member of a high-level Advisory Group formed by the World Bank and IMF.

• The group will be jointly led by Mari Pangestu, Ceyla Pazarbasioglu and Lord Nicholas Stern. The group was formed by the World Bank and IMF in the face of the dual crisis posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change.

• Mari Pangestu is Managing Director for Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank. Ceyla Pazarbasioglu is Director, Strategy, Policy and Review Department, International Monetary Fund. The group will also include Gita Gopinath. Gita Gopinath as an Economic Counsellor and Director of the Research Department at the IMF.

10.19 BANKIM CHANDRA CHATTOPADHYAY

Indian Prime Minister paid homage to Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay on his Jayanti on 27th June. About: • He was one of the greatest novelists and poets of India. • He was born on 27th June 1838 in the village of Kanthapura in the town of North 24 Parganas,

Naihati, present day West Bengal. • He composed the song Vande Mataram in Sanskrit, which was a source of inspiration to the

people in their freedom struggle. • In 1857, there was a strong revolt against the rule of East India Company but Bankim Chandra

Chatterjee continued his studies and passed his B.A. Examination in 1859. • The Lieutenant Governor of Calcutta appointed Bankim Chandra Chatterjee as Deputy

Collector in the same year. He was in Government service for thirty-two years and retired in 1891. He died on 8th April, 1894.

10.20 JOHN MCAFEE, FOUNDER OF MCAFEE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE, PASSES AWAY

• British-American Software pioneer, John David McAfee, the creator of the McAfee antivirus software, has passed away.

• John was found dead in his cell in a jail near Barcelona, where he had been since October 2020, for evading taxes.




• The incident happened shortly after his extradition to the United States was authorized by Spain’s National Court, on criminal charges filed in Tennessee by the Justice Department’s tax division.

• He was accused to have deliberately failed to file tax returns between 2014 and 2018, despite earning millions from consulting work, cryptocurrencies, among other things.

10.21 KARNAM MALLESWARI APPOINTED 1ST VICE-CHANCELLOR OF DELHI SPORTS UNIVERSITY

• The Delhi government appointed former Olympic medalist weightlifter Karnam Malleswari as the first Vice-Chancellor of Delhi Sports University. She is the first Indian woman weightlifter to bring home an Olympic medal.

• She created history at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 by lifting 110 kilograms and 130 kilograms in the ‘snatch’ and ‘clean and jerk’ categories. She has also been awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award and Padma Shri

10.22 VIGILANCE COMMISSIONER SURESH N PATEL APPOINTED AS ACTING CVC

• The incumbent Vigilance Commissioner, Suresh N Patel has been appointed as the acting Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) of India in the Central Vigilance Commission with effect.

• He has been appointed in place of Sanjay Kothari, who completed his term on June 23, 2021. He will remain on the post until the appointment of the new Central Vigilance Commissioner.

• The Central Vigilance Commission is headed by the CVC and can have a maximum of two

vigilance commissioners. Currently, Mr Patel is the only VC in the commission. The Personnel Ministry has invited applications for the posts of CVC and a vigilance commissioner




Practice MCQs

QUESTION.1 Who has been named a member

of a high-level Advisory Group formed by

the World Bank and IMF in the face of the

dual crisis posed by the Covid-19 pandemic

and climate change?

A. Montek Singh Ahluwalia

B. Jagjit Pavadia

C. K K Shailaja

D. none of the above

QUESTION.2 The National Song Vande

Mataram in Sanskrit, was composed by ?

A. Ram Prasad Bismil

B. Roshan Singh

C. Rabindranath Tagore

D. B C Chatterjee

QUESTION.3 John David McAfee, the creator

of the McAfee antivirus software, was

recently found dead in a prison in-

A. Spain

B. Italy

C. USA

D. China

QUESTION.4 The composition of Central

Vigilance Commission of India is-

A. 1 Central Vigilance Commissioner +2

vigilance commissioners

B. 1 Central Vigilance Commissioner +3

vigilance commissioners

C. 1 Central Vigilance Commissioner +1

vigilance commissioner


QUESTION.5 Who is slated to be the next

Commerce Secretary ?

A. Rakesh Asthana

B. Subodh Jaiswal

C. BVR Subramanium


QUESTION.6 Who has been appointed

recently as the Chairman of National Human

Rights Commission ?

A. Arun Kumar Mishra

B. N V Ramana

C. Subodh Kumar Jaiswal


QUESTION.7 Who has recently been

appointed as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff ?

A. Karambir Singh

B. Dinesh Tripathi

C. Ravneet Singh

D. Sandeep Nithani

QUESTION.8 Who has been recently elected

as President of Israel ?

A. Martha Koome

B. Issac Herzog

C. Reuven Rivlin

D. Laurence des Cars

QUESTION.9 Research Design and Standards

Organisation, which recently became first

standards body in the country to join




the ‘One Nation, One Standard’ scheme, is

associated with ?

A. Railways

B. Airline Research and Development

C. Nuclear Safety

D. Green Energy

QUESTION.10 _______________, who

passed away recently, was the last surviving

member of Constituent Assembly.

A. Soli Sorabjee

B. Sunderlal Bahuguna

C. Vanraj Bhatia

D. T M Kaliannan

QUESTION.11 Who has been appointed as

the Vice Chief of Air Staff in the Air

headquarters ?

A. Ravneet Singh

B. Vivek Ram Chaudhari

C. RJ Duckworth


QUESTION.12 Who has been recently elected

as the Election Commissioner ?

A. Anup Chandra Pandey

B. Ravneet Singh

C. Subodh Jaiswal

D. Rajesh Pendharkar

QUESTION.13 Who has recently become the

new prime minister of Israel ?

A. Benjamin Netanyahu

B. Naftali Bennett

C. ReuvenRivlin

D. Martha Koome

QUESTION.14 Prof. Radhamohan, who

passed away recently, was a noted ?

A. Musician

B. Writer

C. Painter

D. Environmentalist

QUESTION.15 Which Indian has been elected

as representative at recently concluded 2021

International Association of Ultrarunners

(IAU) Congress ?

A. NagrajAdiga

B. K Nagaraj Naidu

C. RakeshAsthana


QUESTION.16 Which Indian diplomat has

been named recently to lead UN Bureaucracy

?

A. T S Tirumurti

B. JagjitPavadia

C. K Nagaraj Naidu


QUESTION.17 Antonio Gutterres, who has

been re-elected as UN Secretary General,

belongs to which country ?

A. Brazil




B. Spain

C. Argentina

D. Portugal

QUESTION.18 Who has been appointed as

director at India’s World Trade Organisation

mission ?

A. Aashritha v Oletty

B. Aashish Chandorkar

C. Ravneet Singh

D. K Nagaraj Naidu

QUESTION.19 Sant Kabir Das is believed to be

born in the city of -

A. Gaya

B. Haridwar

C. Varanasi

D. Lucknow

QUESTION.21 Who has topped the

recentEdelGive Hurun Philanthropists of the

Century list?

A. Jamsetji Tata

B. Bill and Melinda Gates

C. Reliance Foundation

D. Warren Buffet

QUESTION.22 Flying Officer Mawya

Sudan has become the first woman fighter

pilot in the Indian Air Force from the

state/UT of-

A. Jammu and Kashmir

B. Puducherry

C. Jharkhand

D. Chhattisgarh

ANSWERS

1. ANSWER: A

2. ANSWER: D

3. ANSWER: A

4. ANSWER: A

5. ANSWER: C

6. ANSWER: A

7. ANSWER: C

8. ANSWER: B

9. ANSWER: A

10. ANSWER: D

11. ANSWER: B

12. ANSWER: A

13. ANSWER: B

14. ANSWER: D

15. ANSWER: A

16. ANSWER: C

17. ANSWER: D

18. ANSWER: B

19. ANSWER: C

20. ANSWER: A

21. ANSWER: A



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