Consider the following statements regarding IndiGen Project

  1. It is an initiative of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
  2. It aims to undertake whole genome sequencing of a thousand Indian individuals representing diverse ethnic groups from India.

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) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

In NEWS: CSIR’s IndiGen project helps scientists analyse genomes of 1,029 Indians. Hence statement 1 is correct

About IndiGen programme

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/csirs-indigen-project-helps-scientists-analyse-genomes-of-1029-indians-6904863/


Consider the following statements regarding International Financial Services Centres Authority

  1. It is a statutory unified regulatory body under the Ministry of Finance
  2. It will consist of nine members appointed by the central government.

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:

The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) approved regulations on bullion exchange

The Board, after detailed deliberations, approved the following regulations:

International Financial Services Centres Authority (Bullion Exchange) Regulations, 2020

International Financial Services Centres Authority (Global In-House Centres) Regulations, 2020

About International Financial Services Centres Authority

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1668007


Recently, India signed an agreement for Electronic Exchange of Customs data (EAD) related to postal shipments exchanged with which of the following countries?

a) USA

b) China

c) Brazil

d) Japan

Answer: (a) USA

Explanation:

In NEWS: India Post, US Postal Service sign agreement for electronic exchange of customs data

Source: http://www.newsonair.com/News?title=India-Post%2C-US-Postal-Service-sign-agreement-for-electronic-exchange-of-customs-data&id=403156


Maldharis is a traditional pastoral people found in and around the:

a) Gir National Park

b) Kaziranga National Park

c) Jim Corbett National Park

d) Tadoba National Park

Answer: (a) Gir National Park

Explanation:

In NEWS: Project Lion could displace Maldharis within Gir to create ‘inviolate space’

Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/project-lion-could-displace-maldharis-within-gir-to-create-inviolate-space–73992


Which of the following documents announced during the 3rd India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue?

  1. MoU for Technical Cooperation in Earth Observations and Earth Sciences.
  2. Agreement for the Electronic Exchange of Customs Data between the Postal Operator
  3. Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Defence, Government of India and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Department of Defence of the United States of America.
  4. Arrangement extending the duration of the Memorandum of Understanding between India and the USA.

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

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

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

Explanation:

In NEWS: Ind -U.S. 2+2 dialogue U.S to support India’s defence of territory

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held the third edition of the 2+2 talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

Documents announced during the 3rd India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue:

  1. Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Defence, Government of India and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Department of Defence of United States of America.
  2. MoU for Technical Cooperation in Earth Observations and Earth Sciences.
  3. Agreement for the Electronic Exchange of Customs Data between the Postal Operators.
  4. Arrangement extending the duration of the Memorandum of Understanding between India and the USA.
  5. Letter of Intent between the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi and the Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Government of the USA for cooperation in the field of Ayurveda and Cancer Research. Hence all the above statements are correct.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-us-22-dialogue-rajnath-singh-raises-chinas-action-in-ladakh/article32955117.ece


Consider the following statements regarding NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) Mission

  1. NISAR will measure Earth’s changing ecosystems, dynamic surfaces, and ice masses providing information about biomass, natural hazards, sea level rise, and groundwater, and will support a host of other applications.
  2. NISAR scheduled to be launched by 2022.

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: ISRO-NASA satellite NISAR scheduled to be launched by 2022.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/isro-nasa-satellite-nisar-scheduled-to-be-launched-by-2022-2316628


Electricity Access in India and Benchmarking Distribution Utilities’ report which was launched by?

a) NITI Aayog

b) Ministry of Power

c) Ministry of New and Renewable resource

d) Both (a) and (b)

Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b)

Explanation:

In NEWS: NITI Aayog, Rockefeller Foundation & Smart Power India Launch Electricity Access & Utility Benchmarking Report

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1668185


India signed which of the following foundational pacts of India-US military cooperation?

a) Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement

b) Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement

c) Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement

d) All the above

Answer: (d) All the above

Explanation:

In NEWS: BECA — and importance of three foundational pacts of India-US military cooperation

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/beca-india-us-trade-agreements-rajnath-singh-mike-pompeo-6906637/


With reference to the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), consider the following statements:

  1. It was founded in 1950 by Jawaharlal Nehru, independent India’s first Prime Minister.
  2. Its objectives are to actively participate in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs pertaining to India’s external cultural relations.
  3. It is an autonomous organization of the Government of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

Source: AIR


With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements:

  1. The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State.
  2. The value of the vote of MPs of the Lok Sabha is more than the value of the vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha.

Which of the statements 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:

The President is elected not directly by the people but by members of electoral college consisting of:

Value of th vote is determined in the following manner: