Recently, Who among the following has become the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine outside of a trial following its rapid clinical approval?
- Hugh Grant
- Margaret keenan
- Elizabeth Hurley
- None of the above
Answer: b) Margaret keenan
Explanation:
In News: UK’s 90-year-old grandmother becomes first person in world to receive Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother from Britain, has become the first person in the world to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine outside of a trial following its rapid clinical approval. Hence option (b) is the correct answer.
The mass inoculation will fuel hope that the world may be turning a corner in the fight against a pandemic that has crushed economies and killed more than 1.5 million.
Source: http://newsonair.com/News?title=UK%e2%80%99s-90-year-old-grandmother-becomes-first-person-in-world-to-receive-Pfizer-COVID-19-vaccine&id=405727
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for Provision of Submarine Optical Fibre Cable Connectivity between
- Kochi and Lakshadweep
- Andaman and West Bengal
- India and Bangladesh
- Andaman and Nicobar Island
Answer: a) Kochi and Lakshadweep
Explanation:
In NEWS: Cabinet approves Provision of Submarine Optical Fibre Cable Connectivity between Mainland, Lakshadweep Islands
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for Provision of Submarine Optical Fibre Cable Connectivity between Mainland (Kochi) and Lakshadweep Islands (KLI Project). Hence option (a) is the correct answer.
The Project envisages provision of a direct communication link through a dedicated submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) between Kochi and 11 Islands of Lakshadweep viz. Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Agati, Amini, Androth, Minicoy, Bangaram, Bitra, Chetlat, Kiltan & Kadmat.
Financial implications: The estimated cost of implementation is about Rs. 1072 crore including operational expenses for 5 years. The Project would be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund.
Impact: The project will vastly improve telecommunication facility in the Lakshadweep Islands by providing large bandwidth.
Target: The project is targeted to be completed by May 2023.
Implementation Strategy:
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) has been nominated as Project Execution Agency and Telecommunications Consultant India Ltd. (TCIL) as the Technical Consultant of the Project to assist Universal Service Obligation Fund, Department of Telecommunications.
The ownership of the asset under the project will rest with USOF, the funding agency, under DoT.
Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cabinet-approves-provision-of-submarine-optical-fibre-cable-connectivity-between-mainland-lakshadweep-islands/story-AjPDZ59UEq60fTTAZHT9MP.html
3.Which of the following statement is not correct regarding Beresheet 2
- It aims at conducting experiments and collecting data on behalf of school students.
- It will involve launching two landing craft and an orbiter that would circle the moon for years.
- It will cost around 100 million dollars raised from international partnerships and donors.
- India could become the fourth nation to land a spacecraft on the moon after the USA, the former Soviet Union and China.
Answer: (d) India could become the fourth nation to land a spacecraft on the moon after the USA, the former Soviet Union and China
Explanation:
In NEWS:
Bersheet 2
Objective: Conducting experiments and collecting data on behalf of school students.
Structure: It will involve launching two landing craft and an orbiter that would circle the moon for years.
Cost: It will cost around 100 million dollars raised from international partnerships and donors.
Significance: Israel could become the fourth nation to land a spacecraft on the moon after the USA, the former Soviet Union and China. Hence option (d) is not the correct answer
Source:
Consider the following statements regarding Atmanirbhar Bharat RojgarYojana
- It aims to boost employment in the formal sector and incentivize creation of new employment opportunities during the Covid recovery phase under Atmanirbhar Bharat Package 3.0.
- Government of India will provide subsidy for two years in respect of new employees engaged on or after 1st October, 2020 and upto 30th June, 2021.
- Government of India will pay both employees’ contribution and employers’ contribution
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In NEWS: Cabinet approves Atmanirbhar Bharat RojgarYojana (ABRY)
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for Atmanirbhar Bharat RojgarYojana (ABRY) to boost employment in the formal sector and incentivize creation of new employment opportunities during the Covid recovery phase under Atmanirbhar Bharat Package 3.0. Hence statement 1 is correct.
Government of India will provide subsidy for two years in respect of new employees engaged on or after 1st October, 2020 and upto 30th June, 2021. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Government of India will pay both 12% employees’ contribution and 12% employers’ contribution i.e. 24% of wages towards Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in respect of new employees in establishments employing upto 1000 employees for two years. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Government of India will pay only employees’ share of EPF contribution i.e. 12% of wages in respect of new employees in establishments employing more than 1000 employee for two years.
An employee drawing monthly wage of less than Rs. 15000/- who was not working in any establishment registered with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) before 1st October, 2020 and did not have a Universal Account Number or EPF Member account number prior to 1stOctober 2020 will be eligible for the benefit.
Any EPF member possessing Universal Account Number (UAN) drawing monthly wage of less than Rs. 15000/- who made exit from employment during Covid pandemic from 01.03.2020 to 30.09.2020 and did not join employment in any EPF covered establishment up to 30.09.2020 will also be eligible to avail benefit.
Source https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1679336
Consider the following statements regarding Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP)
- The project envisages to provide mobile coverage to 2374 uncovered villages at an estimated cost of implementation including operational expenses for five years.
- The project would be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund.
- The work related to provision of 4G mobile services in identified uncovered villages will be awarded through open competitive bidding process as per extant USOF procedures.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In News: Cabinet approves Universal Service Obligation Fund Scheme for providing Mobile Coverage in Arunachal Pradesh and two Districts of Assam under the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for North Eastern Region
The Union Cabinet has approved for provision of a Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) Scheme for providing Mobile Coverage in Arunachal Pradesh and two Districts of Assam, namely Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, under the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP) for North Eastern Region (NER).
The project envisages to provide mobile coverage to 2374 uncovered villages (1683 in Arunachal Pradesh and 691 in two districts of Assam) at an estimated cost of implementation about Rs.2,029 crore including operational expenses for five years. Hence statement 1 is correct.
The project would be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund. The project is targeted to be completed by December, 2022. Hence statement 2 is correct.
The work related to provision of 4G mobile services in identified uncovered villages will be awarded through open competitive bidding process as per extant USOF procedures. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Source:https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1679338
What is the aim of PM-WANI scheme?
- To promote the growth of WiFi networks in the country.
- To promote the growth of Wetlands in the country.
- To providing broadband access in all villages in the country by 2022.
- To give rural people affordable life insurances services.
Answer: (a) To promote the growth of WiFi networks in the country.
Explanation:
In NEWS: Cabinet approves setting up of public WiFi networks under ‘PM-WANI’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet approved the setting up of public Wi-Fi networks across the length and breadth of the country
The public network will set up by the public data office aggregators (PDOAs) to provide Wi-Fi service through the public data offices (PDOs) spread throughout the country. The public Wi-Fi network service will be known as PM Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (WANI) scheme.
The Cabinet said that the initiative will provide a boost to ease of doing business and employment opportunities. The move is also said to accelerate the proliferation of broadband internet services through a public Wi-Fi network and is another step towards Digital India.
How will PM-WANI scheme work:
The public Wi-Fi access network interface will be known as PM-WANI and it will be an eco-system operated by different players. Here’s how the PM-WANI scheme will work, as operated by the players: Hence option (a) is the correct answer.
Public Data Office (PDO): These units will establish, operate, and maintain only the WANI compliant Wi-Fi access points and will deliver broadband services to subscribers.
Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): These units will be an aggregator of the PDOs and will perform the functions relating to authorization and accounting.
App Provider: An application will be developed to register users and discover the WANI-compliant Wi-Fi hotspots in the nearby area and display them within the application for accessing internet service.
Central Registry: A central registry will maintain the details of the app providers, PDOAs, as well as PDOs. This central registry will be maintained by C-DoT or Centre of Development for Telematics, a government-owned telecommunications technology development centre.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cabinet-approves-setting-up-of-public-wifi-networks-pm-wani-7098010/
Consider the following statements regarding the Charas
- It is the resin obtained from a species or strain of the cannabis plant which grows naturally in the valley
- It was not banned in India under the NDPS Act
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Explained: What is special about Mallana Cream, Himachal’s unique cannabis product?
The Narcotics Control Bureau in Mumbai Wednesday claimed to have seized the contraband ‘Malana Cream’ from a person linked to actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.
What is Malana Cream?
It is the charas or hash or hashish which comes from the Malana Valley in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Charas, called bhang in Himachal, is the resin obtained from a species or strain of the cannabis plant (botanical classification of cannabis is disputed), which grows naturally in the valley and is also cultivated illegally. Hence statement 1 is correct
What makes it unique?
The cannabis plant has a number of chemical compounds called cannabinoids, among which tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive constituent which produces the high sensation.
Strains of the plant with low levels of THC are used for industrial and non-drug purposes such as making ropes, paper, textiles etc. Plants with a high level of another cannabinoid called CBD (cannabidiol) are used for medicinal purposes.
A high proportion of THC in the plant extract is required for recreational drug use and Malana Cream is believed to be particularly rich in THC, making it more potent
How is it produced so widely if it is illegal?
Malana is a remote village which remained isolated from other habitations in the area for centuries and developed its own distinct culture. The nearest road is still four kilometres down the hill, and it was built in 2007 to facilitate a hydropower project
Charas was banned in India in 1986 under the NDPS Act, but the plant was considered an important crop in Kullu, used for a variety of other purposes such as making footwear. Hence statement 2 is incorrect
Source:https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-mallana-cream-himachal-pradesh-cannabis-7098907/
Consider the following statements regarding the Quantum key distribution
- It is a secure communication method which implements a cryptographic protocol involving components of quantum mechanics.
- It has developed by the DRDO
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: DRDO successfully demonstrates quantum communication between two labs
The Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) team successfully demonstrated the Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) communication.
DRDO developed QKD technology underwent trials in Hyderabad between two DRDO labs, Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI) to show secure communication. Hence statement 2 is correct
Quantum key distribution (QKD):
QKD uses quantum properties to exchange secret information such as a cryptographic key, which can then be used to encrypt messages that are being communicated over an insecure channel.
The security of QKD relies on fundamental laws of nature, new attack algorithms or quantum computers.
It is secure against the most arbitrarily powerful eavesdroppers (a secret listener to private conversations).
It is a secure communication method which implements a cryptographic protocol involving components of quantum mechanics. Hence statement 1 is correct
It enables two parties to produce a shared random secret key known only to them, which can then be used to encrypt and decrypt messages.
It is the best-known example of a quantum cryptographic task.
How does QKD Work?
The security of QKD is based on a fundamental characteristic of quantum mechanics.
An eavesdropper trying to intercept a quantum exchange will inevitably leave detectable traces.
The legitimate exchanging parties can decide either to discard the corrupted information, or reduce the information available to the eavesdropper by distilling a shorter key.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/drdo-successfully-demonstrates-quantum-communication-between-two-labs/article33292632.ece
Which of the following statements are correct regarding Hanukkah?
- It is an eight-day Jewish celebration
- It is an important festival celebrated in Tripura.
- It is an agricultural festival in Iran
- It is a Handicrafts Exhibitions for promotion of Geographical Indication (GI) Crafts and heritage of India organized by Ministry of Textiles.
Answer: (a) It is an eight-day Jewish celebration
Explanation:
In NEWS: PM Narendra Modi wishes people of Israel on festival of Chag Hanukkah Sameach
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted the people of Israel on the festival of Chag Hanukkah Sameach.
It is an eight-day Jewish celebration that marks the rededication during the second century BC of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend, Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. Hence option (a) is the correct answer.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-narendra-modi-wishes-people-of-israel-on-festival-of-chag-hanukkah-sameach/articleshow/79666142.cms
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs:
- Parivrajaka : Renunciant and Wanderer
- Shramana : Priest with a high status
- Upasaka : Lay follower of Buddhism
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation:
The word Parivrajaka means “roaming ascetic”. A wandering religious mendicant.
The Shramana group – Buddhism, Jainism and various ‘heterodox’ sects – is one such well -established group.
Lay followers were referred to as upasaka and upasika.
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