Consider the following statements regardingInternational Commission of Jurists 

  1. 1. It is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
  2. 2. It is a standing group of 60 eminent jurists including senior judges, attorneys and academics.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation:

In NEWS: Prashant Bhushan’s conviction seems at odds with international free speech law: International Commission of Jurists

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Consider the following statements regardingInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

1.It is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly

2.It is monitored by the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS:Prashant Bhushan’s conviction seems at odds with international free speech law: International Commission of Jurists

About International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

The ICCPR is a multilateral treaty adopted by UN General Assembly Resolution on 16 December 1966, and in force from 23 March 1976.Hence statement 1 is correct.

The covenant commits its parties to respect the civil and political rights of individuals, including the right to life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, electoral rights and rights to due process and a fair trial.

As of September 2019, the Covenant has 173 parties and six more signatories without ratification.

It is part of the International Bill of Human Rights, along with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

It is monitored by the UN Human Rights Committee (a separate body to the UN Human Rights Council). Hence statement 2 is correct.

India is a party to this treaty.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prashant-bhushans-conviction-seems-at-odds-with-international-free-speech-law-international-commission-of-jurists/article32496322.ece#:~:text=The%20International%20Commission%20of%20Jurists,that%20India%20was%20a%20party

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Consider the following statements regarding Entrepreneurs in ResidenceProgramme

1.It is one of the sub-programs introduced under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) programme.

2.Department of Science and Technology is a nodal agency to implement this programme

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS:NIDHI-EIR Brochure featuring Entrepreneurs in Residence launched

The Department of Science & Technology(DST) secretary has launched a brochure featuring Entrepreneurs in Residence(EIR) under the National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) programme.Hence statement 2 is correct and Hence statement 1 is correct.

The goal of achieving Atmanirbhar starts with translation of knowledge, innovation, capacity building, workforce, Industries, and markets. 

It is a whole chain starting from the knowledge and goes on to markets. 

The NIDHI-EIR Program conceived to inspire the S&T qualified youth in India to take up entrepreneurship as a viable career and help shape India’s future and the economy

The programme aims to provide guidance to these aspiring entrepreneurs from experienced, innovative and highly successful entrepreneurs on the business concept strategy and insight into specific industries or markets, inspire the best talents to be entrepreneurs, to minimise the risk involved in pursuing start-ups, and to partially set off their opportunity costs of high paying jobs.

Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIR) Programme under National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing innovations (NIDHI) of Department of Science and Technology supports aspiring or budding entrepreneur of considerable potential for pursuing a promising technology business idea over a period up to 18 months with a subsistence grant up to Rs 30000 per month with a maximum cap for total support of Rs 3.6 lakh to each EIR over a maximum of 18 months

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1650688

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COVID-19 Ignition Grants’ is an initiative of :

1.India and Israel

2.India and United kingdom

3.India and Iran 

4.India and United states of America

Answer: (d) India and United states of America

Explanation:

In NEWS:Eleven teams of Indo-US scientists selected to jointly scout for COVID 19 solutions

Eleven teams of Indian and US scientists will soon start jointly scouting for out of the box solutions ranging from novel early diagnostic tests, antiviral therapy, drug repurposing, ventilator research, disinfection machines, and sensor-based symptom tracking for COVID 19. Hence option (d) is correct

The teams have been selected to take up these initiatives through a rigorous binational review process of proposals received for an invitation under COVID-19 Ignition Grants in April 2020 issued by the U.S.-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF).

The USISTEF announced the awards to eleven bilateral teams proposing out-of-the-box, innovative ideas to address the COVID-19 challenge. 

The joint U.S.-India S&T based entrepreneurial teams will work on initiatives that address the development and implementation of new technologies, tools, and systems to address COVID-19 related challenges including monitoring, diagnosis, health and safety, public outreach, information and communication.

The USISTEF has been established by the Government of India (through the Department of Science & Technology) and the governments of the United States of America (through the Department of State) for the promotion of joint activities that would lead to innovation and entrepreneurship through the application of science and technology.

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1650677

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Consider the following statements 

1.Under Section 4 of The Indian Forest Act, 1927, the state government can constitute any land as a reserved forest by issuing a notification in the Official Gazette

2.Under the law, the government must also appoint a Forest Settlement Officer (FSO) to inquire into and determine the existence, nature and extent of any rights alleged to exist in favour of any person in or over any land comprised within such limits or in or over any forest-produce, and to deal with the same.
 

Recently the Maharashtra government announced the Aarey forest land as a reserve forest.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 

1 and 2 only

2 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1,2 and 3 

Source:https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-has-uddhav-thackeray-decided-to-create-a-forest-in-the-middle-of-mumbai-6581456/


Consider the following statements regarding Energy Efficiency Service Limited (EESL)

1. It is a Super Energy Service Company under the administrative control of the Ministry of Power, Government of India

2. EESL enables consumers, industries, and governments to effectively manage their energy needs through energy-efficient technologies.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2 
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2 

Explanation:

In NEWS: EESL to procure 250 EVs from Tata Motors, Hyundai Motor India

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/power/eesl-to-procure-250-evs-from-tata-motors-hyundai-motor-india/articleshow/77910250.cms


the following statements regarding National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF)

1. It is defined in Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 as a fund managed by the Central Government

2. NDRF amount is used to compensation for loss/damage to properties and crops

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? 

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation:

In NEWS: Finance Ministry clears way for individual, institutional contributions to NDRF

About National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/finance-ministry-clears-way-for-individual-institutional-contributions-to-ndrf/article31890128.ece


Recently GW190521 seen in news, which is?

1.Cryptocurrency

2.Malware

3.Asteriods

4.Gravitational wave 

Answer: (d) Gravitational wave

Explanation:

In NEWS: Two black holes merged billions of years ago. Why is this puzzling scientists?

Billions of years ago, a collision between two black holes sent gravitational waves rippling through the universe. In 2019, signals from these waves were detected at the gravitational wave observatory LIGO (United States) and the detector Virgo (Italy). The discovery and the analysis are described in two research papers published recently.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/black-hole-merger-ligo-virgo-6581811/


Global Innovation Index is published by which of the following organisations?

1.World Bank

2.International Monetary Fund

3.World Economic Forum

4.World Intellectual Property Organization.

Answer: (d) World Intellectual Property Organization.

Explanation:

In NEWS: India ranked in top 50 nations in the Global Innovation Index 2020

Source: 

https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-ranked-in-top-50-nations-in-the-global-innovation-index-2020-11599092197685.html

Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual portrait?

  1. Humayun
  2. Akbar
  3. Jahangir
  4. Shah Jahan

Answer: (c) Jahangir 

Explanation: