Consider the following statements regarding Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

  1. It seeks to amend the Essential Commodities Act, 1955
  2. It empowers the central government to designate certain commodities including food items, fertilizers, and petroleum products as essential commodities.

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: Lok Sabha passes Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020

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Defence Trade and Technology Initiative is associated with which of the following two countries?

1.India and United States of America

2.India and United Kingdom

3.India and Switzerland

4.India and France

Answer: (a) India and United States of America

Explanation:

In NEWS: India, US sign statement of intent to strengthen dialogue on defence tech cooperation

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Consider the following statements regarding AICTE-SPICES (Scheme for Promoting Interests, Creativity and Ethics among Students)

1.It provides financial support to institutions for developing students club for well-rounded development of students by promoting their interests, creativity and ethics.

2.Only AICTE approved institutes with minimum 8 years of existence are eligible for this scheme.

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: Union Education Minister presents first ever AICTE – Visvesvaraya Best Teachers Award 2020 to 12 faculty members of AICTE approved institutes

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Consider the following statements regarding Global Preparedness Monitoring Board

1.It is an independent monitoring and accountability body to ensure preparedness for global health crises.

2.It is a joint arm of the WHO and the UNICEF

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: Pandemic preparedness: Global spending needs 500 years to match COVID-19 rout

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Sometimes the term i-ATS technology is seen in news, it is associated with

1.5G Spectrum

2.Corona Virus Testing

3.Desalination of Seawater

4.Train Operation

Answer: (d) Train Operation

Explanation:

In NEWS: Delhi Metro launches first indigenous signal system

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What is/are unique about ‘Kharai Camel’, a breed found in India?

1.Odisha is the only home to Kharai camel.

2.It can swim upto three kilometres into the sea

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: National Research Centre on Camels

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Consider the following statements regarding Interest Rate Derivatives

1.It is a financial derivative contract whose value is derived from one or more interest rates

2.They are often used by institutional investors, banks, companies, and individuals to protect themselves against changes in market interest rates.

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: RBI issues draft rupee interest rate derivatives

The Reserve Bank proposed allowing foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to undertake exchange-traded rupee interest rate derivatives transaction subject to an overall ceiling of Rs 5,000 crore.

The proposed Rupee Interest Rate Derivatives (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2020 are aimed at higher non-resident participation, enhance the role of domestic market makers in the offshore market, improve transparency and achieve better regulatory oversight

About Interest Rate Derivatives (IRDs)

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Consider the following statements regarding the solar cycle

1.It is the amount of magnetic flux that rises up to the Sun’s surface

2.This cycle lasts 110 years on average.

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 Solar Cycle 25, recently announced by NASA and NOAA scientists?

Scientists from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced their predictions about the new solar cycle, called Solar Cycle 25, which they believe has begun.

What is a solar cycle?

How do scientists track solar activity?

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-solar-cycle-25-nasa-noaa-scientists-6598367/


Which the following statements is/are correct with reference to Impacts of Solar Cycle?

  1. Impact radio communications
  2. Affect satellite electronics and limit their lifetime.
  3. Radiation can be dangerous for astronauts who do work on the outside of the International Space Station.
  4. Affect electricity grids on Earth.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1,2 and 3 only
  2. 2,3 and 4 only
  3. 1 and 4 only
  4. 1,2,3 and 4

Answer: (d) 1,2,3 and 4

Explanation:

In NEWS: A new solar cycle has begun. What does this mean?

Impacts of Solar Cycle

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-solar-cycle-25-nasa-noaa-scientists-6598367/


Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples?

  1. Arasavalli
  2. Amarakantak
  3. Omkareshwar

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation:

The Sun Temple is situated in Arasavalli Village in Andhra Pradesh. Sun temples are not located in Amarkantak and Omkareshwar. Hence option (a) is correct