Consider the following statements regarding Sputnik V
- It is based on the DNA of a SARS-CoV-2 type adenovirus
- It has been developed by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian defence ministry.
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: Covid-19 vaccine update: All about Russia’s ‘Sputnik V’ and its availability
- Sputnik V vaccine has been developed by Gamaleya Research Institute and the Russian defence ministry. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The vaccine is based on the DNA of a SARS-CoV-2 type adenovirus, a common cold virus. The vaccine uses the weakened virus to deliver small parts of a pathogen and stimulate an immune response. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The vaccine is administered in two doses and consists of two serotypes of a human adenovirus, each carrying an S-antigen of the new coronavirus, which enter human cells and produce an immune response.
- The platform used for the vaccine was developed by Russian scientists over two decades and had formed the basis for several vaccines in the past, including those against Ebola.
Consider the following statements regarding Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT)
- It is an initiative aimed at setting up of Compressed Bio-Gas production plants
- It is launched by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
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: A sustainable way of generating fuel from farm waste
- A webinar on the occasion of the World Biofuel day was organized by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas with the theme “Biofuels towards Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
- It has been celebrated by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas since 2015.
Classification of Biofuels:
- First generation biofuels: It refers to the fuels that have been derived from sources like starch, sugar, animal fats and vegetable oil.
- Second generation biofuels – These are produced from non-food crops, such as cellulosic biofuels and waste biomass (stalks of wheat and corn, and wood). Examples include advanced biofuels like biohydrogen, biomethanol.
- Third generation biofuels – These are produced from specially engineered energy crops such as algae.
- Fourth-Generation Biofuels: It uses genetically modified (GM) algae to enhance biofuel production.
About Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation
- Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) is an initiative aimed at setting up of Compressed Bio-Gas production plants and make it available in the market for use in automotive fuels by inviting Expression of Interest from potential entrepreneurs. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The initiative was launched in October 2018 by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas in association with Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) viz. Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. Hence statement 2 is correct
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1644755
Student Entrepreneurship Programme 2.0 is launched by the which of the following organisation?
- National Development Council
- National Integration Council
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
- NITI Aayog
Answer: (d) NITI Aayog
Explanation:
In NEWS: Atal Innovation Mission launches second edition of student entrepreneurship programme
- Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, in collaboration with Dell Technologies launched Student Entrepreneurship Programme 2.0 for young innovators of Atal Tinkering Labs. Hence option (d) is correct
- SEP 2.0 will allow student innovators to work closely with Dell volunteers.
- The emerging technologies will be leveraged to empower students to craft their own experiences and enable them to develop an innovative mindset.
About Student Entrepreneurship Programme:
- SEP 1.0 began in January 2019.
- Through a 10-month-long rigorous programme, the top 6 teams of ATL Marathon—a nationwide contest where students identify community challenges and create grassroots innovations and solutions within their ATLs—got a chance to transform their innovative prototypes into fully functioning products, which are now available in the market.
Source: https://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1645098
Consider the following statements regarding Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs)
- It is established by the National Skills Development Corporation of India
- Schools with minimum Grade VI – X managed by Government, local body or private trusts/society can set up ATL.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Atal Innovation Mission launches second edition of student entrepreneurship programme
AIM is among one of the flagship initiatives of NITI aayog to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the country to set up the Atal Tinkering Labs across the country.
About Atal Tinkering Labs:
- Atal Innovation Mission is establishing Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) in schools across India. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- Vision: To cultivate one Million children in India as Neoteric Innovators.
- The objective of this scheme is to foster curiosity, creativity and imagination in young minds; and inculcate skills such as design mindset, computational thinking, adaptive learning, physical computing etc.
- AIM will provide grant-in-aid that includes a one-time establishment cost of Rs. 10 lakh and operational expenses of Rs. 10 lakhs for a maximum period of 5 years to each ATL.
- Schools (minimum Grade VI – X) managed by Government, local body or private trusts/society can set up ATL. Hence statement 2 is correct
Source: https://pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1645098
Consider the following statements regarding Council of Architecture (COA)
- It has been constituted by the Government of India under the provisions of the Architects Act, 1972
- It provides for registration of Architects, standards of education, recognized qualifications and standards of practice to be complied with by the practicing architects.
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: Architecture students can exit after three years with ‘appropriate degree’: COA
- Education Minister launches Minimum Standards of Architectural Education Regulations, 2020
- Council of Architecture should draw inspiration from the present and past treasures of Architecture and bring a paradigm shift in the field of Architecture to make India a world leader again.
About Council of Architecture:
- The Council of Architecture (COA) is constituted under the Architects Act, 1972. Hence statement 1 is correct
- The Act provides for registration of Architects, standards of education, recognized qualifications and standards of practice to be complied by the practicing architects. Hence statement 2 is correct
- CoA has the responsibility to regulate the education and practice of profession throughout India besides maintaining the register of architects.
- Any person desirous of carrying on the profession of Architect must have registered himself with Council of Architecture.
- If any person falsely claims to be registered or misuses title and style of architect, such acts tantamount to committing of a criminal offence, punishable under section 36 or 37 (2) of the Architects Act, 1972.
About Minimum Standards of Architectural Education Regulations (MSAR), 2020
- The Minimum Standards of Architectural Education Regulations (MSAR), 2020 are being revised after 37 years (last done in 1983).
- Undergraduate architecture students could soon have the option to exit the 5-year degree programme after three years with a basic degree.
- CoA is considering the possibility of a professional qualifying exam for architecture to license practitioners.
- The universities could choose what to call the 3-year degree — a Bachelors in Draftsmanship, Building Science, or Architectural Science etc.
- CoA is planning to conduct an exit examination to decide whether these three-year degree holders can practise as professional architects.
- MSAR 2020 wants to include more hands-on training in the 8th and 9th semesters of the B.Arch. programme.
- Apprenticeship-based learning will be encouraged, along with a practice-oriented, industry-led approach.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/education/barch-students-to-get-3-year-exit-option/article32328219.ece
http://newsonair.com/Main-News-Details.aspx?id=397069
Consider the following statements regarding Island Development Agency
- It is chaired by the prime minister of india
- It will undertake holistic development in the project islands after giving due consideration to unique maritime and territorial bio-diversity of the islands.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches submarine cable connectivity to Andaman & Nicobar Islands (CANI)
- Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said the connectivity would now enable endless opportunities in the islands. He said the laying of the 2300 KMs submarine cable and completing it before the set target is very praise worthy.
- The Prime Minister said that the service had begun today on a major chunk of the islands from Chennai to Port Blair, Port Blair to Little Andaman and Port Blair to Swaraj Island
- under the Act-East policy, the role of Andaman and Nicobar in India’s strong relations with East Asian countries and other countries connected to the sea is very high and is going to increase. He said that the Island Development Agency was formed 3 years ago to strengthen its role.
About Island Development Agency (IDA):
- It was constituted under the aegis of Union Ministry of Home Affairs in 2017 for the development of islands.
- Island Development Agency (IDA) is chaired by the Union Home Minister. Hence statement 1 is incorrect
- It will undertake holistic development in the project islands after giving due consideration to unique maritime and territorial bio-diversity of the islands. Hence statement 2 is correct
- 10 islands five each from Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep have been identified for holistic development in the first phase.
- In the second phase, suitable sites in 12 more islands of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and 5 islands in Lakshadweep have been covered.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1644712
Consider the following statements regarding Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance
- It was developed by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and National e-Governance Division to drive Mobile Governance in India.
- It provides a single platform for all Indian Citizens to access pan India e-Gov services ranging from Central to Local Government bodies and other citizen centric services.
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: EPF subscribers prefer UMANG app over EPFO Member Portal
- The Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) has been a big hit among the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) subscribers, enabling them to utilize services during the COVID-19 pandemic from the comfort of their homes in a hassle-free manner.
- As per the Ministry of Labour & Employment, presently a provident fund (PF) member can access 16 different services of EPFO on their mobile phone using UMANG App.
About Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG):
- UMANG was developed by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and National e-Governance Division (NeGD) to drive Mobile Governance in India. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It was launched in 2017.
- It provides a single platform for all Indian Citizens to access pan India e-Gov services ranging from Central to Local Government bodies and other citizen centric services. Hence statement 2 is correct
- This is a key component of Digital India government initiative to make all traditional offline government services available 24/7 online through single unified app.
- It is a unified application that can be used to avail a number of pan India e-government services such as: Filing income tax, Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) services, Aadhar, Pension, ePathshala, e- Land Records, Crop Insurance etc.
Consider the following statements regarding Arctic Council
- It is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States.
- Canada, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Russia and USA are the member countries of this council
- India is not an observer country in this council
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1,2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation:
In NEWS: Arctic sea ice is melting faster than ever: Study
- A recent study from the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa has pointed out that Arctic sea ice is melting at an alarming rate, especially during the boreal or northern hemisphere summer.
- The study, published in the journal Heliyon, highlighted the increasing decline of the Arctic sea ice due to climate change. It reported that September sea ice declined to its lowest extent of 4.71 million square kilometeres in 2018, its lowest in the past four decades.
- The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the globe, a phenomenon known as arctic amplification. Arctic sea ice loss is attributed to several factors such as rising global temperatures. The study suggests that due to more open seas in winters, the growth of sea ice is delayed, leading to disproportionate loss of sea ice occurring during summer.
About Arctic Council:
- The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It was established by Ottawa Declaration in 1996.
- Member countries – Canada, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Russia and USA. Hence statement 2 is correct
- The Chairmanship of the Arctic Council rotates every two years among the Arctic States.
- The secretariat became operational in 2013 in Tromso, Norway.
- Observer status in the Arctic Council is open to non-Arctic states, along with inter-governmental, inter-parliamentary, global, regional and non-governmental organizations.
- India holds an Observer status in Arctic Council since 2013. Hence statement 3 is incorrect
In which one of the following States is Papum Reserve Forest (RF) located?
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Manipur
- Meghalaya
- Nagaland
Answer: (a) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation:
In NEWS: Forest cover loss threatens hornbills in Arunachal
- A study based on satellite data has flagged a high rate of deforestation in a major hornbill habitat in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Using fine-scale satellite imagery, a trio of ecologists assessed the changes in forest cover of the 1,064 sq.km. Papum Reserve Forest (RF) adjoining the Pakke Tiger Reserve as well as a part of Assam affected by illegal felling and ethnic conflict.
- Papum RF is a nesting habitat of three species of the large, colourful fruit-eating hornbills: Great, Wreathed and Oriental Pied. The 862 sq.km. Pakke reserve houses a fourth species, the Rufous-Necked.
- The satellite data pointed to alarming deforestation rates in Papum RF with annual loss rates as high as 8.2 sq.km. as per estimates from 2013-2017 where forest cover declined to 76% of the total RF area
About Papum Reserve Forest (RF)
- Papum Reserve Forest (RF) is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in Arunachal Pradesh. Hence option (a) is correct
- It is located between two IBAs, Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary to the east and Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary to the west.
- Papum Reserve Forest forms part of the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area. A large part of the site is covered by Sub-tropical Dry Evergreen and Semi-evergreen Forests, while the higher areas are under Subtropical Broadleaf Hill Forest cover.
Which one of the following is not a Harappan site?
- Chanhudaro
- Kot Diji
- Sohgaura
- Desalpur
Answer: (c) Sohgaura
Explanation:
- Sohgaura is located in Gorakhpur district of U.P.is a copper plate inscription found here. Here Ashokan inscriptions were found. Whereas, Chanhudaro, Kot Diji, Desalpur are Harappan sites. Hence option (c) is correct
