In which one of the following States is Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve located?
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Madhya Pradesh
- Uttar Pradesh
- Andhra Pradesh
Answer: (b) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation:
In NEWS: Time to try out Bandhavgarh reserve’s hot air balloon safari
- The Balloon Safari will be operated by SkyWaltz Balloon Safari, which is the country’s first fully licensed and government approved commercial hot Air BalloonHence option (b) is the correct answer.
- Madhya Pradesh was declared the Tiger State in July 2019. As per the Tiger census report in July 2019, the tiger count in the state had risen to 526 in 2018 from 308 in 2014.
- The Forest Minister of Madhya Pradesh recently launched the first hot air balloon safari of India in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve of India in MP.
- The hot air balloons work on the principle “Hot air rises”. When the air inside the balloon is heated, it becomes lighter than the cooler air outside. This causes the balloon to float upwards. When the air is allowed to cool, the balloon begins to come down.
- The hot air balloons do not have separate mechanism for steering or propulsion. The balloons use the speed of the wind to move.
Consider the following statements regarding Ethnomedicine
- It refers to a wide range of healthcare systems/structures, practices, beliefs, and therapeutic techniques that arise from indigenous cultural development
- It applies the methods of ethnobotany and medical anthropology.
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: How Adivasis of one Jharkhand village are trying to preserve ethnomedicine
- Jana village is located in the Gumla district of Jharkhand. More than 90 per cent of its population is Adivasi or tribal.
- Though the villagers still remember their traditional practices in agriculture to some extent, the ancestral knowledge of ethnomedicine has now been limited to only a handful of elderly people.
About Ethnomedicine
- Ethnomedicine is a term that refers to a wide range of healthcare systems/structures, practices, beliefs, and therapeutic techniques that arise from indigenous cultural development. Hence statement 1 is correct
- Example, traditional medicine, ayurvedic medicine, yoga, meditation, dance and music, etc.
- Ethnomedicine uses indigenous plants and ingredients to treat the sick.
- It applies the methods of ethnobotany and medical anthropology. Hence statement 2 is correct
- Scientific ethnomedical studies constitute either anthropological research or drug discovery research.
- The purpose of drug discovery research is to identify and develop a marketable pharmaceutical product.
The area known as ‘Sea of Galilee’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to
- Central Asia
- Middle East
- South-East Asia
- Central Africa
Answer: (b) Middle East
Explanation:
In NEWS: Drying Sea of Galilee swells after years of drought
- The Sea of Galilee, well-known in Jewish, Christian and Islamic lore, has swelled up due to recent rains, according to reports in the Israeli media. Hence option (b) is the correct answer.
- The lake lies in northern Israel, between the occupied Golan Heights and the Galilee region. It is fed by underground springs but its major source is the Jordan river.
- The lake, also known as Lake Tiberias or Kinneret, rose to 209.905 metres below sea level December 17, 2020 due to heavy rainfall in the surrounding areas
- The Jordan flows into the lake, Israel’s largest freshwater body and then exits it before ending in the Dead Sea, the saltiest and the lowest point on the planet.
- The region the lake is located in, had been suffering from drought till 2018. However, the winters of 2018, 2019 and of this year so far have been wet and have led to the lake swelling up.
- Water is not extracted from the Sea of Galilee. But it is considered to be an important barometer of the water situation in Israel.
Consider the following statements regarding Electors Photo Identity Card
- It is an identification card issued by the Election Commission to all eligible voters to enable voter identification
- The election laws have made a provision of Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960
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: EC gears up to launch digital voter ID cards
- From two QR codes for additional security, to free duplicate copies, the Election Commission is gearing up to launch digital voter ID cards by January 25, marked as national voters’ day in India.
- Voter ID card delivery through normal means will also continue, this person added, asking not to be named. Registered electors seeking a digital card will need to register with their mobile number or email ID on the voter helpline app. Once the verification is done with a one time password, the digital card will be downloadable. The same verification process will also apply for overseas electors.
About EPIC (Electors Photo ID card):
- The voter ID card or EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) is an identification card issued by the Election Commission to all eligible voters to enable voter identification on Election Day.
- All those who are already enrolled in the voter’s list are eligible to receive a voter ID card also known as election card. Hence statement 1 is correct
- It includes: personal details and a distinct identification number.
- The election laws have made a provision of Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) under Rule 28 of Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. Hence statement 2 is correct
- In future, data of a biometric nature like digital signature and fingerprints may also be contained inside a microchip, embedded in the given election card.
- The EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) proves to be a unique identity document for all Indians.
- The election card is helpful not only for casting a vote in elections but also acts as an identity proof and address proof for opening a bank account, getting a new gas connection, and online reservations for travel and accommodation.
- A voter ID card is also essential for registration in the electoral roll in case a person migrates to a place other than the place of his/her domicile.
Consider the following statements regarding India International Science Festival (IISF)
- IISF is an annual event organized jointly by science & technology-related Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and Vijnana Bharati
- The First and Second IISF were held in Kolkata
- IISF is a festival to celebrate the achievements of India’s scientific and technological advancements with students, innovators, craftsmen, farmers, scientists and technocrats from India and abroad.
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: India International Science Festival-2020 concludes with the Valedictory address by the Vice President
- IISF is an annual event organised jointly by science & technology-related Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and Vijnana Bharati (Vibha). Hence statement 1 is correct.
- The first and second IISF were held in New Delhi, the third in Chennai, the fourth in Lucknow, and the fifth IISF was held in Kolkata. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
- IISF is a festival to celebrate the achievements of India’s scientific and technological advancements with students, innovators, craftsmen, farmers, scientists and technocrats from India and abroad. Hence statement 3 is correct.
- The 6th edition of India International Science Festival (IISF-2020) concluded with the valedictory address by the Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1683683
Which of the following Companies framed a policy to protect its employee from domestic abuse?
- Hindustan Unilever Limited
- Bharat Petroleum
- Tata Consultancy Service
- None of the above
Answer: a) Hindustan Unilever Limited
Explanation:
In NEWS: In a first for India Inc, HUL to help staff facing domestic abuse
- In perhaps a first, Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has framed a policy to protect its employees from domestic abuse. Hence option (a) is the correct answer.
- This extends the scope of employee well-being beyond work — that is, the office —to his/her personal life and home.
- HUL’s policy comes at a time when a significant number of its office-based staff are working from home. The policy seeks to protect and grant relief to employees who are survivors of abuse, or acts of physical/emotional abuse beyond the workplace.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/in-a-first-for-india-inc-hul-to-help-staff-facing-domestic-abuse/articleshow/79948570.cms
Consider the following Statements
- A mutation means an alteration in genetic material.
- In the UK variant, one mutation has made the virus more likely to bind with human proteins called receptors.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation:
In NEWS: Mutated coronavirus vs tests and vaccines
- A mutation means an alteration in genetic material. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- In an RNA virus such as SARS-CoV-2, proteins are made of a sequence of amino acids. Such a virus contains some 30,000 ‘base pairs’, which are like bricks placed next to each other to form a structure. An alteration in this base can be a mutation, effectively changing the shape and behaviour of the virus.
- In the UK variant, one mutation has made the virus more likely to bind with human proteins called receptors. This is called N501Y. Hence statement 2 is correct.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/mutated-coronavirus-vs-tests-vaccines-7118986/
Recently, India’s First driverless metro train inaugurated in which of the following?
- Delhi Metro
- Chennai Metro
- Kolkata Metro
- Bengaluru Metro
Answer: a) Delhi Metro
Explanation:
In NEWS: India’s first driverless metro in Delhi and why it is significant
- The first ‘driverless’ train will roll out on the 38-km Line 8 or Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro, which has a 390-km-long network spread across the national capital and adjoining cities such as Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Bahadurgarh. Hence option (a) is the correct answer.
Source https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-indias-first-driverless-metro-in-delhi-and-why-it-is-significant-7119916/
Consider the following statements Kamov Ka 226
- It is a small, twin-engine Russian utility helicopter.
- It features an interchangeable mission pod rather than a conventional cabin allowing the use of various accommodation or equipment configurations.
- In 2015, India and Russia had concluded an Inter-Governmental Agreement to buy 200 such helicopters.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
In News: Army seeks to expedite helicopter deal
- The Kamov Ka-226 is a small, twin-engine Russian utility helicopter. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- The Ka-226 features an interchangeable mission pod, rather than a conventional cabin, allowing the use of various accommodation or equipment configurations. Hence statement 2 is correct.
- In 2015, India and Russia had concluded an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for at least 200 Ka-226T twin-engine utility helicopters estimated to cost over $1 billion with 60 helicopters to be directly imported and remaining 140 manufactured locally. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/army-seeks-to-expedite-helicopter-deal/article33420856.ece
Convertibility of rupee implies
- Being able to convert rupee notes into gold
- Allowing the value of rupee to be fixed by market forces
- Freely permitting the conversion of rupee to other currencies and vice versa.
- Developing an international market for currencies in India.
Answer: (c) freely permitting the conversion of rupee to other currencies and vice versa.
Explanation:
The ease with which a country’s currency can be converted into another currency
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