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1.Who has been appointed as the Prime Minister C. Dr. Abhishek Singhvi of Ivory Coast? D. Both C and D A. Hamed Bakayoko B. Amadou Gon 8.Which state government has launched a 1st of C. Alassane Ouattara its kind initiative in where, beneficiaries of D. Daniel Kablan Duncan old-age pensions will be automatically selected using the Navodaya app and their pension 2.Palle Pragathi program has been launched in amount will be paid through the Direct Benefit which state? Transfer (DBT) mode? A. Andhra Pradesh A. Rajasthan B. Telangana B. Tamil Nadu C. Karnataka C. Kerala D. Kerala D. Karnataka

3.Which country ranks immediately below India 9.Which country will host the AFC Women's in the Global Hunger Index 2020? Asian Cup in 2022? A. Nepal A. Sri Lanka B. Pakistan B. Japan C. Ethiopia C. India D. Sudan D. China

4.Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has 10.The Textiles Committee of the Ministry of proposed to acquire defence hardware worth Textiles has signed a Memorandum of ______from Indian industry. Understanding (MoU) with Nissenken Quality A. Rs 27,000 crore Evaluation Centre of which country to boost B. Rs 57,000 crore export of Textile and Apparel in that country? C. Rs 67,000 crore A. Germany D. Rs 77,000 crore B. USA C. Japan 5.Prime Minister Shri launched a D. South Korea new Central Sector Scheme of financing facility under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund of 1 11.For the first time, a 122-member tri-service Lakh. The program will run from 2020 to _____? contingent of which country participated in A. 2022 Republic Day Parade 2021? B. 2024 A. Myanmar C. 2025 B. Bangladesh D. 2029 C. Sri Lanka D. Bhutan 6.Kaja Kallas has been appointed as the first 12.Who inaugurated the ‘Bharat Parv 2021’, a female Prime Minister which country? virtual national festival showcasing the country’s A. Bulgaria B. Estonia diverse culture, cuisines and handicrafts? C. Romania D. Ukraine A. Ramnath Kovind B. M Venkaiah Naidu 7.Who has authored the book titled “The Law of C. Om Birla Emergency Powers: Comparative Common Law D. Prahlad Singh Patel Perspectives”? A. Justice Surya Kant B. Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul

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13.Who has launched the mobile action game 19.Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Fearless and United Guards (FAU-G) on the Corporation (MPIDC) signed an MoU with which occasion of the 72nd Republic Day? IIM to build a roadmap to achieve the state’s A. Amir Khan ‘Atmanirbhar’ goal? B. Ajay Devagan A. IIM Kolkata C. Akshay Kumar B. IIM Indore D. Salman Khan C. IIM Lucknow D. IIM Ahmedabad 14.Who has been sworn in as the new U.S. Secretary of State? 20.Which corporate group is set to act as the A. Janet Yellen knowledge partner of the Government of B. Neera Tanden Madhya Pradesh (MP) in the context of the new C. Kumud Srinivasan education policy at the implementation level? D. Antony Blinken A. Reliance Industries B. Mahindra Group 15.Who has authored the book titled “India C. Tata Industries 2030: The Rise of a Rajasic Nation”? D. Wipro Group A. Fareed Zakaria B. Gautam Chikermane 21.Who has been conferred with ‘Indian C. Mohamed Zeeshan Personality of the Year’ at International Film D. K S Vijayanath Festival of India (IFFI)? A. Anurag Kashyap 16.Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has been re-elected B. Biswajit Chatterjee as the president of which country? C. Dharmendra A. Spain D. Rajnikanth B. Belgium C. Italy D. Portugal

17.Who has been appointed as the first chairperson of Air-Quality Commission setup for detection of air pollution sources across Delhi- NCR that has begun the process of setting up Decision Support System (DSS) for air quality in the region? A. Prakash Javadekar B. M M Kutty C. Rameshwar Prasad Gupta D. Babul Supriyo

18.Renowned personality Narendra Luther passed away recently, he was a veteran ______. A. Journalist B. Author C. Politician D. Nuclear Scientist

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22.Which state launched ‘One School One IAS’ A. Motorbike Ambulance Scheme? B. Air Ambulance A. Bihar C. Unmanned Arial Vehicle B. Maharashtra D. Water Ambulance C. Kerala D. Uttar Pradesh 29.What is the theme of India Digital Summit 2021? 23.Who has authored the book titled “Ten A. Mission – New Pillars of Lessons for a Post–Pandemic World”? Aatmnirbhar Bharat A. Fareed Zakaria B. Aatmanirbhar Bharat – Start of New Decade B. Nandan Nilekani C. Aatmanirbhar Bharat – Enabling the New C. Mohamed Zeeshan Normal D. K S Vijayanath D. Digital India- Make for the World Digital

24.Name the newly appointed President of the 30.Which Union Territories occupied the first UN Human Rights Council for 2021? position among Union Territories and small A. Catarina Vaz Pinto States category in the 2nd edition of India B. Filippo Grandi Innovation Index-2020 released by the NITI C. Sadruddin Aga Khan Aayog? D. Nazhat Shameem Khan A. Delhi B. Chandigarh 25.Which Indian Armed Force has signed a $20- C. Goa million contract with ideaForge to procure high- D. Puducherry altitude variant of SWITCH UAV, drone? A. Indian Army 31.Vishwavir Ahuja has been re-appointed as the B. Indian Airforce Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive C. Indian Navy Officer (CEO) of which bank? D. Indian Coast Guard A. Bandhan Bank B. RBL Bank C. Federal Bank D. DCB Bank 26.Name the veteran leader and former governor of Arunachal Pradesh who passed 32.Who has won the men’s singles title at the away recently? Thailand Open Super 1000 badminton A. Mata Prasad tournament held in Bangkok? B. Satya Paul A. Lin Dan C. Madhavsinh Solanki B. Viktor Axelsen D. Sunil Kothari C. Lee Chong Wei D. Taufik Hidayat 27.Which state/Union Territories has launched state’s first online youth radio station ”Radio 33.Who has authored the book titled “The Hills-Youngistan Ka Dil”? Making of Aadhaar: World's Largest Identity A. Jammu and Kashmir Platform”? B. Himachal Pradesh A. Nandan Nilekani C. Ladakh B. AK Sikri D. Uttarakhand C. Ram Sewak Sharma 28.What is ‘RAKSHIT’ that was launched by the D. Pankaj Kumar Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) 34.The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways recently? (MoRTH) signed a Memorandum of

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Understanding (MoU) with which organization to boost collaboration in the field of technical 39.The Union Government has decided to export exchange & cooperation on sustainable Geo- which missile to friendly foreign countries? hazard management? A. Brahmos A. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) B. Agni B. Defence Research and Development C. Akash Organisation (DRDO) D. Helina C. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) D. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research 40.The NASSCOM has partnered with which (CSIR) state’s Artificial Intelligence Mission to launch an Innovation Factory to identify and promote 35.The 1st India-EU IPR dialogue 2021 was held innovative artificial intelligence solutions to virtually between European Union (EU) address challenges in agricultural sector? Commission and which department of A. Andhra Pradesh to discuss key Intellectual B. Telangana Property Rights (IPR) issues affecting C. Karnataka businesses? D. Tamil Nadu A. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) 41.Which organization releases the India B. National Informatics Centre Innovation Index on the line Global Innovation C. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Index? Enterprises A. Department of Science and Technology D. Copyright Office, India B. NITI Aayog C. Confederation of Indian Industry 36.Name the Co-founder of Precision D. Ministry of Finance Automation and Robotics India (PARI) who passed away recently? 42.Which state government has announced to A. Mangesh Kale increase the number of days under the Mahatma B. V Shanta Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee C. Shashi Kumar Madhusudan Act (MGNREGA) from 100 to 150? D. Turlapati Kutumba Rao A. Uttar Pradesh B. Odisha 37.The Maharashtra government has renamed C. Uttarakhand Gorewada International Zoo in Nagpur after who D. Jharkhand among the following? A. Atal Bihari Vajpayee 43.Who has been assigned the additional charge B. Balasaheb Thackeray of the Ministry of AYUSH during the C. Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar hospitalization and treatment of AYUSH Minister D. Shivraj Patil Shripad Naik following a road accident? A. Smriti Irani 38.With reference to STARStreak Air Defence B. Prakash Javadekar system India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) C. Piyush Goyal has signed a 'Teaming Agreement' with which D. Kiren Rijiju company? A. Dassault 44.Who has been chosen for 'Press Club Person B. Boeing of the Year' given by the Press Club of Bangalore? C. General Electric A. Azim Premji D. Thales B. Shiva Nadar

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C. Narayan Murthy 50.Which country unveiled new laws to protect D. Nandan Nilekani England's cultural and historic heritage in the form of statues and monuments? 45.Who was the chairman of the 10-member task A. France force set up by the Union Govt to evaluate the B. Germany marriageable age of girls which has submitted its C. Russia recommendations to the Prime Minister's Office D. United Kingdom and the Women and Child Development Ministry? 51.Who has authored the book titled 'Manohar A. Menka Gandhi Parrikar -Off the Record'? B. Jaya Jaitley A. Pramod Sawant C. Jaya Bachchan B. Prakash Javadekar D. Rekha Chinoy C. Waman Subha Prabhu D. Bhagat Singh Koshyari 46.In collaboration with which company the Ministry of Electronics and Information 52.The Madya Pradesh state government has Technology (MeitY) will establish a Quantum signed a memorandum of understanding with Computing Applications Lab in the country? which state to for replicating the latter’s pioneering Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative? A. Amazon Web Services (AWS) A. Karnataka B. Facebook B. Kerala C. Google C. Tamil Nadu D. Microsoft D. Andhra Pradesh

47.Joint military exercise 'Ex-Desert Knight 21' is 53.Which state government has inaugurated to be conducted between India and which India’s 1st air taxi service under Regional country? Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik A. USA (RCS-UDAN) of Govt of India? B. Israel A. Rajasthan C. France B. Himachal Pradesh D. Russia C. Punjab D. Haryana 48.The Indian Farm Forestry Development Co- operative Ltd (IFFDC) entered into an MoU with 54.Nazhat Shameem Khan has been elected as which entity to work together for tribal president of UN Human Rights Council in an livelihood generation? unprecedented secret ballot, she is an A. NITI Aayog ambassador of which country to the UN body? B. SIDBI A. Pakistan C. TRIFED B. Maldives D. NABARD C. Afghanistan D. Fiji 49.Who has been conferred with Quaide Milleth Awards 2021? 55.Which was the inaugural film of Kolkata A. N Ram International Film Festival 2021? B. Bilkis dadi A. Pather Panchali C. Javed Akhtar B. Aparajito D. Nasiruddin Shah C. Apur Sansar D. Charulata

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D. V. Muraleedharan 56.What is India’s rank in the list of 500 most 62.Which state government has launched a valuable companies across the world? mobile application ‘DigiNest’ that will enable A. 8th people to have digital access to the directory of B. 10th state govt? C. 15th A. Punjab D. 18th B. Haryana C. Gujarat 57.India’s first ‘Fire Park’ was inaugurated in D. Himachal Pradesh which state and also a virtual platform ‘Agnishama Seva’ has been launched? 63.Which state government has launched state’s A. Telangana own crop relief scheme ‘Kisan Fasal Rahat B. Andhra Pradesh Yojana’ which will replace Government of India’s C. Odisha crop insurance scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal D. Karnataka Bima Yojana (PMFBY)? A. Bihar 58.CSIR- National Institute of Oceanography and B. Odisha National Geophysical Research Institute virtually C. Jharkhand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) D. Chhattisgarh with which country in the field of Marine Sciences and Technology? 64.Which state government and Kendriya A. USA Vidyalaya Sangathan have signed an agreement B. Japan with Oakridge Energy to solarise schools in the C. Russia state? D. Israel A. Uttar Pradesh B. Karnataka 59.Which defence manufacturing company of C. Kerala India has signed an agreement with European D. Delhi defence company Thales to manufacture STARStreak Air Defence System in India? 65.Japarov Sadyr Nurgojoevich was elected as A. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited the president of which country? B. Bharat Dynamics Limited A. Tajikistan C. Bharat Earthmovers Limited B. Kyrgyzstan D. Bharat Electronics Limited C. Uzbekistan D. Kazakhstan 60.John Fulton Reid passed away recently, he was former cricketer of which country? 66.Who has authored the book titled A. New Zealand ‘Unscripted: Conversations on Life and Cinema’? B. Australia A. Karan Johar C. South Africa B. Subhash Ghai D. Zimbabwe C. Vidhu Vinod Chopra D. Yash Chopra 61.Who has launched the Global Pravasi Rishta Portal and Mobile application to connect with 67.Which state government has approved the 3.12 Crore Indian Diaspora across the world? ‘One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for A. Amit Shah Recovery of Outstanding Dues – 2021’ for B. S Jaishankar Traders to clear their Pending Arrears? C. Ravishankar Prasad A. Punjab

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B. Rajasthan preservation of Ladakh’s land, culture and C. Haryana language? D. Uttarakhand A. G Kishan Reddy B. Thiksay Rinpoche 68.Which e-commerce platform has collaborated C. Thupstan Chhewang with NITI Aayog to launch the updated Women D. Chering Dorjay Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)? A. Amazon B. Myntra C. Flipkart D. IndiaMart

69.Renowned personality Sheldon Adelson passed away recently, he was associated with which profession? A. Retail Chain B. Software Technology C. Casino D. Investment Banking

70.Who becomes the world’s richest person according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index surpassing Amazon’s Jeff Bezos? A. Bill Gets B. Elon Musk C. Zhong Shanshan D. Bernard Arnault

71.What was the theme of the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention organized on 9th January 2021? A. Cooperating to Aatmanirbhar Bharat B. Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat C. Supporting to Aatmanirbhar Bharat D. Understanding the Aatmanirbhar Bharat

72.The government of India has formulated a New Industrial Development Scheme for which Union Territories? A. Ladakh B. Jammu and Kashmir C. Puducherry D. Andaman and Nicobar

73.Under whose chairmanship the Union Government has decided to form a committee to find a solution to issues associated with the

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74.Who has been appointed as the first Chief 75.Which country has successfully test launched Information Officer of the US Army, after the Fatah-1, the indigenously developed guided Pentagon created the position in July 2020? multi-launch rocket system? A. Neera Tonden A. Bangladesh B. Rohini Kosoglu B. Pakistan C. Ali Zaidi C. Iran D. Raj Iyer D. Afghanistan

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ANSWERS 1. Ans. A. • The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund is a • Ivory Coast‘s Defence Minister, Hamed medium - long term debt financing facility for Bakayoko has been named as the Prime Minister investment in viable projects for post-harvest of the country. He was presently serving as the as management infrastructure and community interim PM of the country since the sudden death farming assets through interest subvention and of former Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly. credit guarantee. 2. Ans. B. • The duration of the scheme shall be from • The second phase of Telangana Palle Pragathi FY2020 to FY2029 (10 years). Under the scheme, was launched across the district by conducting Rs. 1 Lakh Crore will be provided by banks and grama sabhas on Thursday. Senior IAS officer financial institutions as loans with interest and member of State-level Flying Squad of subvention of 3% per annum and credit Telangana Palle Pragathi Neethu Prasad guarantee coverage under CGTMSE scheme for participated in the programme at Gorukondla loans up to Rs. 2 Crore. village of Chinthapally mandal. • The beneficiaries will include farmers, PACS, 3. Ans. D. Marketing Cooperative Societies, FPOs, SHGs, • The GHI 2020 report has placed India 94th Joint Liability Groups (JLG), Multipurpose position among 107 countries, much behind Cooperative Societies, Agri-entrepreneurs, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal. The situation is Startups, and Central/State agency or Local Body grim and the country is battling widespread sponsored Public-Private Partnership Projects. hunger. 6. Ans. B. • The GHI score is determined on a 100-point • Estonia President Kersti Kaljulaid appointed scale based on these four parameters. Countries Kaja Kallas as the Prime Minister(PM) of the with score within the range 20-34.9 are country. With this appointment she becomes the considered to be grappling with acute hunger. 1st female PM of the country since the nation High-income countries and those with very low regained independence in 1991. populations were excluded from evaluation. • She succeeds Jüri Ratas. She is the leader of the • At the time of the release of GHI 2019 report, Reform party. the country had a food stock of more than 68 • The 15-member Cabinet of Prime Minister Kaja million tonnes (excluding un-milled paddy) in Kallas is a coalition of 2 parties namely, Reform the central pool stored at different warehouses Party & Centre Party. of Food Corporation of India. • Kaja Kallas, a lawyer was a member of the 12th • Till September 2020, the food stock went up to & 14th Riigikogu(All important state-related 70 million tonnes (excluding un-milled paddy), questions pass through the Riigikogu) which is enough to ensure that no one went • She was a member of the european parliament hungry. from 2014-2018, representing the Alliance of 4. Ans. A. Liberals and Democrats for Europe. • The defence ministry has given its nod for the • She served as the Chairman of the Economic acquisition of weapon systems worth Rs 28,000 Affairs Committee. crore, including an indigenous programme to 7. Ans. D. develop a large Airborne Early Warning and • The book titled “The Law of Emergency Control System (AWACS) and next generation Powers: Comparative Common Law offshore patrol vessels. Perspectives” was jointly authored by Dr. • The go ahead was given by the Rajnath Singh- Abhishek Singhvi and Prof. Khagesh Gautam. led Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), with Rs • It presents a detailed study on legal and 27,000 crore worth of systems to be developed constitutional provisions of Emergency powers indigenously. under Article 356. 5. Ans. D.

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• It also includes detailed discussions on Martial Evaluation Centre, Japan to boost export of law, wartime & peacetime invocations, Textile and Apparel to Japanese market. Constitutional & statutory law. • The MoU signing ceremony was held through • The book also compares the emergency powers video conferencing which was presided over by of India, USA & UK. Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani and State • In Depth analysis on S.R, Bommai Case that Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of turned India’s Emergency powers. Japan Yasumasa Nagasaka. • The book was launched by one of the Senior • The main objective of the MoU is to provide Judges of the Supreme Court of India, Justice N. V. required support to textile’s trade and industry Ramanna, along with 3 other supreme court for ensuring quality as per the requirement of judges, Surya Kant, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul Japanese buyers. and Justice D. Y. Chandrachud. • It is expected that the MoU will strengthen the 8. Ans. D. bilateral trade by enhancing India’s export of • During the statewide campaign, Karnataka CM Textile and Apparels to Japan, which is the third B S Yediyurappa Launched a 1st of its kind largest export destination of the world. initiative in India where, beneficiaries of old-age 11. Ans. B. pensions will be automatically selected using the * For the first time, a marching contingent and Navodaya app and their pension amount will be band of Bangladesh tri-services participated in paid through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) the Republic Day Parade to commemorate 50 mode. years of its historic liberation. • This model was piloted in Udupi and Ballari * The 122-member contingent of the Bangladesh districts of the state. Armed Forces comprising soldiers of the • Navodaya app is developed in accordance with Bangladesh Army, sailors of the Bangladesh the National Education Policy guidelines. Navy, and air warriors of the Bangladesh Air • The aim of the initiative is to enable Force was led by the contingent Commander beneficiaries to get the pension without the need Lieutenant Colonel Abu Mohammed Shahnoor of middlemen. Shawon and his deputies, Lieutenant Farhan 9. Ans. C. Ishraq and Flight Lieutenant Sibat Rahman. • As per the announcement made by the Asian * All the three services of the Bangladesh Armed Football Confederation the 2022 Women's Asian Forces had played a key role in securing Cup, to be hosted by India, will be held from independence for their country in the January 20 to February 6. Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. • The tournament will feature 12 teams, 12. Ans. C. expanded from eight in the previous edition, Speaker Shri Om Birla inaugurated comprising three groups of four with a minimum today the ‘Bharat Parv 2021’, a virtual national of 25 matches being played over 18 days. Eight festival showcasing the country’s diverse teams will qualify for the newly-introduced culture, cuisines and handicrafts. Minister of quarterfinals. State (Independent charge) for Tourism and • The event will also serve as a qualification Culture Shri Prahlad Singh Patel was also present tournament for the 2023 FIFA Women's World on this occasion. The Ministry of Tourism in Cup, which will see a record five Asian teams seal collaboration with other central Ministries is their spots to join co-host Australia for the organizing this year a virtual ‘Bharat Parv’ event newly-expanded 32-team global showpiece. from 26th to 31st January 2021, showcasing the 10. Ans. C. spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. • The Textiles Committee of the Ministry of 13. Ans. C. Textiles has signed a Memorandum of * Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar announce the Understanding- MoU with Nissenken Quality launch of the mobile action game Fearless and

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United Guards (FAU-G) on the occasion of the * The book showcases the numerous aspects of 72nd Republic Day. the future that will result in India becoming the * Akshay unveiled the game with an animated world’s 3rd largest economy and regional power. trailer. He wrote, "FAU-G : Fearless And United * This book will act as a roadmap for Guards. Face the enemy. Fight for your country. policymakers and guide for scholars. Protect our Flag. India's most anticipated action 16. Ans. D. game, Fearless and United Guards: FAU-G takes * Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has been re-elected as you to the frontlines and beyond! the president of Portugal for the 2nd term after * The game has been developed by Bangalore securing over 60% of the votes in the election based studio nCore Games, with a concept by held on January 24, 2021. Akshay himself. * He belongs to Social Democratic Party (Partido 14. Ans. D. Social Democrata-PSD) * The US Senate overwhelmingly confirmed * He was elected as the president for 1st term in Antony Blinken to be the nation’s 71st secretary 2016. of state as lawmakers scrambled to approve * He was one of the founders of the People’s President Joe Biden's Cabinet nominees before Democratic Party, later the Social Democratic impeachment proceedings begin against his Party, and was party leader from 31 March 1996 predecessor. to 27 May 1999. * Blinken will become America’s top diplomat as * He was the co-founder, Director and the world confronts a confluence of threats: the Administrator of the Expresso newspaper, COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and a great- owned by Pinto Balsemão. power competition that increasingly pits the 17. Ans. B. United States against China on trade, technology • Former Delhi Chief Secretary M. M. Kutty has and other issues. been appointed first chairperson of Air Quality * Blinken will be charged with unraveling much Commission. The Centre has notified the of President Donald Trump's foreign policy, Commission for Air Quality Management for the which made even some of his most ardent National Capital Region (NCR) to set up the new Republican supporters squeamish. Trump agency with sweeping powers to monitor and act alienated U.S. allies, from Canada to Germany, against sources of air pollution across five north and he embraced some of the world's most Indian states (Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar brutal dictators, including North Korean leader Pradesh and Rajasthan). Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir • Commission for Air Quality Management Putin. Trump withdrew from international (CAQM) has begun the process of setting up agreements on arms control, climate change and Decision Support System (DSS) for air quality for trade, among other nettlesome global problems. Delhi-NCR 15. Ans. B. • It will have Geographical Information System * Gautam Chikermane, Vice President of (GIS) and multi-model based operational and Observer Research Foundation authored and planning decision support tool. edited the book titled “India 2030: The Rise of a • It will help immensely in capturing the static Rajasic Nation”, a Collection of Essay which and dynamic features of the emissions from describes about the likes of 20 forecasts by 20 various sources. thought leaders from India based on 20 themes. • It will have an integrated framework to handle The book was published by Penguin eBury Press. both primary and secondary pollutants using AI * The book features 20 themes on various fields tools. ranging from education to healthcare, science, 18. Ans. B. energy, politics and foreign policy, that predicts • Renowned author Narendra Luther (89 years) the evolution of India in this decade. passed away in Hyderabad, Telangana.

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• He was a writer, civil servant, author and provide more opportunities to the youth in the columnist and 1955 batch IAS officer. field of Information Technology (IT). • He served in various positions before retiring 21. Ans. B. as the chief secretary of the undivided Andhra • The 51st edition of the International Film Pradesh in 1991. Festival of India, Goa has conferred Biswajit • He worked on the history and culture of Chatterjee, veteran actor, producer, director and erstwhile Hyderabad state and its rulers since singer of Hindi and Bengali cinema, with the the city’s birth in 1591. Indian Personality of the Year Award. • He was President of the Society to Save Rocks, • The Award has been announced at the opening Hyderabad, India. ceremony of the festival, by Union Minister for 19. Ans. B. Information & Broadcasting, Shri Prakash • Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indore & Javadekar. Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development • Biswajit Chatterjee is known for his roles of Corporation (MPIDC) signed a Memorandum of Kumar Vijay Singh in Bees Saal Baad, Raja Amit Understanding (MoU) to build a roadmap to Kumar Singh in Kohra, Ashok in April Fool, achieve MP’s goal of ‘Atmanirbhar Madhya Ramesh Kumar in Mere Sanam, Jeevan in Night Pradesh’, the agreement will be valid for a period In London, Shekhar in Do Kaliyaan and Vicky in of three years. Kismat. • IIM Indore will help MP to frame New • He was usually paired with notable actresses Industrial Policy & help in Improving the Ease of such as Asha Parekh, Waheeda Rehman, Mumtaz, Doing Business in MP Mala Sinha and Rajshree. • IIM Indore will devise Strategic campaigns for ‘Brand Madhya Pradesh’ as ‘Atmanirbhar Evam Samriddh’. 22. Ans. C. • IIM Indore will also provide advisory support & • Kerala’s Governor Arif Mohammad Khan management consultancy for Global & national launched ‘One School One IAS’ Scheme. summits which will be conducted by the • The scheme is launched under the Vedhik Government of MP. Erudite Foundation Scholarship Programme. • The scheme aims to provide free coaching classes for civil services and other competitive 20. Ans. D. examinations to 10,000 meritorious who are not • Wipro group is set to act as the knowledge financially stable across the state. partner of the Government of Madhya Pradesh 23. Ans. A. (MP) in the context of the new education policy • The book titled “Ten Lessons for a Post– at the implementation level. Pandemic World” has been authored by Indian • WIPRO has taken an initiative to establish a American journalist Fareed Zakaria. University in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh and the • He is a CNN host and one of the “top 10 global state government will provide all the required thinkers of the last decade” (Foreign Policy) support to the Azim Premji Foundation to • The book published by Penguin book speaks establish a university in the MP. about the nature of the post pandemic world and • The Azim Premji Foundation has been allotted the social, political, technological and economical 50 acres of land for the proposed university in effects that may take years to develop. Bhopal. • The book with 10 lessons includes the • The university in Bhopal is expected to start in acceleration of natural and biological risk, the next 18 months. datedness of the political categories, the rise of • WIPRO will also establish a Software digital life, globalization and the developing Development Centre in Bhopal, which will world order split between US and China. 24. Ans. D.

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• Nazhat Shameem Khan, the Permanent emergency or battle injury in Maoist affected Representative of Fiji to the United Nations areas. Office at Geneva, has been elected by the UN • These bikes will give assistance to CRPF jawans Human Rights Council as its President for 2021. and paramedics in case of any injuries during 25. Ans. A. encounters. • The Indian Army has signed a $20-million • These bikes will be more useful in areas like contract with ideaForge, a player in unmanned Bijapur, Sukma, Dantewada etc., as it is tough for aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, to procure the force to take big vehicles or ambulances undisclosed quantities of a high-altitude variant inside the jungle. of SWITCH UAV, an indigenous system used in 29. Ans. B. surveillance operations. • Industry body Internet and Mobile Association • SWITCH UAV is an indigenous system built to of India (IAMAI) organised its flagship two-day cater to the most demanding surveillance annual summit — the India Digital Summit 2021 operations of the Indian forces. — virtually on January 19-20 with Atmanirbhar • This fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing Bharat — Start of a New Decade as its central UAV can be deployed at high altitudes and under theme. harsh environments for day and night • The summit will have panel discussions around surveillance. investment, advertising, policies, business, e- 26. Ans. A. commerce, startups, online sports and more • Former Arunachal Pradesh Governor and involving some of the country’s most prominent senior Congress leader Mata Prasad passed away faces in the internet and mobile ecosystem. at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of 30. Ans. A. Medical Sciences. • NITI Aayog today released the second edition • Mata Prasad served as minister in the Congress of the India Innovation Index-2020. government in Uttar Pradesh in 1988- 89 and • The index demonstrates the government's appointed as Governor of Arunachal Pradesh in continued commitment towards transforming 1993. the country into an innovation-driven economy. 27. Ans. B. • In the India Innovation Index-2020, the States • Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched and Union Territories have been divided into 17 Himachal Pradesh’s first online youth radio Major States, 10 North-East and Hill States and station ‘Radio Hills-Youngistan Ka Dil’. nine Union Territories and Small States for • The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of effectively comparing their performance. young entrepreneurs and said that the online • In the 2020 ranking, Karnataka retained its first radio would go a long way in promoting the position in the Major States category. culture and traditions of the state, besides • Maharashtra moved one position higher and providing an opportunity to the youth to exhibit stood at 2nd spot while Tamil Nadu slid to 3rd their talents. position. • The founders of the online radio, Deepika and • In the North East and Hill States category, Saurabh, told the Chief Minister that the platform Himachal Pradesh stands at first position would also be available on Apple i-phones, followed by Uttarakhand and Manipur. besides Android. • Delhi stands at the first position while 28. Ans. A. Chandigarh retained its second spot in the Union • The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Territories and small States category. Defence Research and Development 31. Ans. B. Organisation (DRDO) on Monday launched a • Private sector lender, RBL Bank Board of specially developed ''RAKSHITA'' - a bike Directors has approved the re-appointment of ambulance to attend urgent evacuation needs of Vishwavir Ahuja as the Managing Director (MD) the security force personnel in event of a medical and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the bank for

14 www.gradeup.co a period of three years, with effect from June 30, • It has been agreed that MoRTH and DRDO will 2021 to June 29, 2024. co-operate in the areas of mutual benefit • This is based on the recommendation of the including, conceptual planning of integrated nomination and remuneration committee. avalanche/landslide protection schemes for all • Subsequently, the bank has recommended the weather connectivity in snow bound areas of our re-appointment of Ahuja to the Reserve Bank of country including pre-feasibility of tunnels and India for the regulator's approval. viaducts, planning and designing of various • Ahuja has been the Managing Director and CEO avalanche/landslide control structures, of RBL Bank since June 30, 2010. association in preparation of proposals/DPRs for 32. Ans. B. tunnels including • Denmark's Viktor Axelsen won the men's geological/geotechnical/terrain modeling and singles title at the Thailand Open Super 1000 other related aspects of tunnels etc. badminton tournament in Bangkok. • This initiative will ensure safety of road users • Axelsen, meanwhile, recorded his second on NHs in the country against the adverse effects consecutive tournament win with a 21-14, 21-14 of landslides and other natural calamities. win over Hong Kong's Angus Ng Ka Long. Axelsen 35. Ans. A. had earlier won the All England Open • The 1st India-EU IPR dialogue 2021 was held Championship in March. virtually between European Union (EU) • Indonesia's Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu Commission and Department for Promotion of beat Thailand's Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to discuss Rawinda Prajongjai 21-15, 21-12 to win the key Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues women's doubles final. affecting businesses. • Taiwan's Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin beat • The dialogue saw the exchange of information Malaysia's Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong 16- in specific areas of IP. 21, 23-21, 19-21 to win the men's doubles title. • Indian side gave a general review on the IPR 33. Ans. C. developments inclined with National IPR policy • Ram Sewak Sharma, the first director general of 2016 which resulted in legislative reforms to the Unique Identification Authority of India stimulate innovation and creativity among start- (UIDAI) writes an insider’s account in The ups and MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Making of Aadhaar: World’s Largest Identity Enterprises). Platform. 36. Ans. A. • Sharma begins by summing up his experiences • Mangesh Kale, co-founder of Precision during various bureaucratic postings in Automation and Robotics India (PARI) passed Jharkhand, ranging from streamlining personnel away in Pune. records and digitising public grievances to • Kale had set up the company along with Ranjit managing election logistics — all using Date in 1990. innovative digital means. • PARI, which is a leading provider of turnkey • The learnings from these episodes proved to be solutions in industrial and robotic automation the building blocks of the Aadhaar project. was sold to Wipro Infrastructure for an 34. Ans. B. undisclosed sum in December 2020. • Ministry of Road Transport & Highways • Anand Deshpande, founder of Persistent (MoRTH) and Defence Research and Systems, another Pune-headquartered firm Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of tweeted saying this was a great personal loss. Defence signed a framework Memorandum of 37. Ans. B. Understanding (MoU) to strengthen • The Maharashtra government has renamed collaboration in the field of technical exchange Gorewada International Zoo in Nagpur as and co-operation on sustainable geo-hazard ‘Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International management. Zoological Park.

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• The zoological park will come up on nearly promote innovative artificial intelligence 2,000 hectares forest land. solutions to address challenges in agricultural • Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will sector. inaugurate the Indian safari at the zoo on January • They have announced an ‘innovation challenge’ 26. for start-ups, inviting ideas that can make the • Three special 40-seat capacity vehicles and an lives of farmers easier by helping them increase online ticket booking facility will be made incomes. available to the people as soon after the Indian • The winner will get a chance to win a prize safari is inaugurated. money of ₹1 lakh, while the runner-up will get 38. Ans. D. ₹50,000. • City-based Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) 41. Ans. B. under the Ministry of Defence and Thales have • NITI Aayog releases the India Innovation Index, signed a 'Teaming Agreement' to work in the second edition will be released on 20th partnership on the 'STARStreak Air Defence January, 2021 by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Dr system' with the support of both the Rajiv Kumar in the presence of NITI Aayog governments of India and the United Kingdom. Member Dr V.K. Saraswat and Chief Executive The system is to be developed under the 'Make in Officer Amitabh Kant. India' programmes. • The India Innovation Index-2020 seeks to rank • The system is to be developed under the ‘Make the States and Union Territories based on their in India’ programmes. relative performance of supporting innovation • The ‘STARStreak Missile System’ is in service in and to empower them to improve their the British Army and has been procured by innovation policies by highlighting their defence forces worldwide. strengths and weaknesses. • It is touted to be the fastest missile in its • The ranking methodology is designed in a way category and the missile system is unique due to that states can draw lessons from the national its three laser-guided darts, which cannot be leaders in innovation. jammed by any known countermeasure. The • The States and Union Territories have been system also has the capability to defeat any air divided into 17 Major States, 10 North-East and target – even armoured helicopters – as the last Hill States, and nine City States and Union line of defence. Territories, for effectively comparing their 39. Ans. C. performance. • In a major move to boost domestic defence • The States and Union Territories have been manufacturing, the government on Wednesday ranked on two broad categories: outcome and approved the export of indigenously-developed governance. surface-to-air Akash missile system and set up a 42. Ans. C. high-level committee to authorise the sale of • In a move to encourage employment major platforms to various countries. opportunities, Uttarakhand Government has • The decision to export the missile systems was announced that the number of working days taken at a Cabinet meeting presided by Prime under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Minister Narendra Modi. Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) will be • The Akash missile systems have over 96 per increased from 100 to 150. cent indigenous components and the weapon • government will increase the number of can hit targets at a range of 25km. working days from 100 to 150 under MGNREGA 40. Ans. B. and the entire cost will be borne by the state • The National Association of Software and government. Services Companies (Nasscom) has tied up with • This decision was taken during a meeting of the Telangana Artificial Intelligence Mission (T-AIM) State Employment Guarantee Council. to launch an Innovation Factory to identify and

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• NREGA was first proposed in 1991 by former Rate (TFR), Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), Child Sex Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. Passed in Ratio (CSR) etc. Parliament in 2008, it aims to provide 100 days • and any other relevant points pertaining to of wage employment to enhance livelihood health and nutrition in this context. security in rural areas. (ANI) 46. Ans. A. 43. Ans. D. • The Ministry of Electronics and Information • Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has been assigned Technology (MeitY) in collaboration with the additional charge of the Ministry of AYUSH Amazon Web Services (AWS) will establish a during the hospitalization and treatment of Quantum Computing Applications Lab in the AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik following a road country, to accelerate quantum computing-led accident. research and development (R&D) and enable • The move was necessitated as Shripad Yesso new scientific discoveries. Naik, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) • The MeitY Quantum Computing Applications for the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Lab will provide quantum computing as a service Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy to government ministries and departments, (AYUSH) was undergoing treatment at a hospital researchers, scientists, academia, and in Goa. developers, to enable advances in areas such as • Mr Naik, 68, was admitted to the hospital on manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and January 12 after he met with an accident while aerospace engineering. on his way back to Goa from Karnataka. 47. Ans. C. 44. Ans. A. • India and France will carry out a five-day Mega • The chairman of Wipro Limited Azim Premji Air Ex- Desert Knight 21 near Jodhpur. has been chosen for 'Press Club Person of the • It is expected to see Rafale jets of the two Year' award given by the Press Club of Bangalore. countries engaging in complex maneuvers to • The founder chairman of Narayana Health Dr enhance operational coordination. Devi Prasad Shetty and actor-Director Sudeep • The aim of the exercise is to provide Sanjeev have been selected for the 'Press Club operational exposure and share best practices Special Award.' towards enhancing combat capability. • Besides them 25 senior journalists have been • Both the air forces will deploy frontline fighter selected for the 'Press Club Annual Awards'. jets as well as transport, and tanker aircraft in • Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa will facilitate the exercise. the awardees at a function scheduled for the 48. Ans. C. third week of February. • TRIFED and Indian Farm Forestry 45. Ans. B. Development Co-operative Ltd (IFFDC) entered • The union government early last year, set a into an MoU to work together for tribal panel under the chairmanship of Jaya Jaitley to livelihood generation. evaluate the marriageable age of girls. • the two organizations have agreed to partner • The Committee has sent its recommendations with each other to organise training to the Prime Minister's Office and the Women programmes for tribal artisans in the area of and Child Development Ministry. entrepreneurship skill and business • The committee was tasked with examining the development. correlation of age of marriage and motherhood • They will also collaborate further to identify with health, medical well-being and nutritional and implement Corporate Social Responsibility status of mother and neonate/infant/child, initiatives and tribal development efforts. during pregnancy, birth and thereafter, key • TRIFED has been actively exploring parameters like Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), convergences with various like-minded Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Total Fertility organizations to continue the mission towards tribal empowerment.

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49. Ans. B. latter’s pioneering Responsible Tourism (RT) • Bilkis dadi and social activist and writer Harsh initiative. Mander of Karwan-e-Mohabbat were presented • The States signed a joint declaration under the Quaide Milleth Award. which Kerala will extend a series of services • Dadi was the face of the Shaheen Bagh anti-CAA under a 16-point programme. protests. • The MoU was exchanged by Tourism Minister • Both were awarded for Probity in Political and Kadakampally Surendran and his Madhya Public Life at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, Pradesh counterpart Usha Thakur. New Delhi. • As part of the agreement, Kerala will provide a • The award consists of a shawl, citation and cash series of services under a 16-point programme. of ₹2.5 lakh. 53. Ans. D. • Both recipients had made a mark in public life • Haryana Chief Minister(CM) Manohar Lal with their determination and zeal to protect the Khattar inaugurated India’s 1st air taxi service secular fabric of the country. from Chandigarh to the newly constructed Hisar 50. Ans. D. airport in Haryana under Regional Connectivity • UK unveiled new laws to protect England's Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) cultural and historic heritage in the form of of Govt of India. statues and monuments. • As part of the inauguration, Haryana CM • This was done to ensure that they are not flagged off the 1st flight from Chandigarh under removed at a whim. the scheme. • The move comes in the wake of Black Lives • It is the 1st time in India a small aircraft is being Matter protests in the country last year targeting used for services in form of an air taxi several historic monuments, including with • The airline Aviation Connectivity & graffiti on Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Infrastructure Developers Pvt. Ltd (Air Taxi) will Parliament Square in London. operate the air taxi services and has become the • Under the new regulations, if the council 1st startup airline of India to assist India with intends to grant permission for removal of a this service. particular statue and Historic England objects, • This service uses Tecnam P2006T VT aircraft, a the Communities Secretary will be notified so he twin-engine four-seat plane. or she can make the final decision about the 54. Ans. D. application in question. • The United Nations Human Rights Council 51. Ans. C. (UNHCR) elected Fiji's ambassador as its 2021 • Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant released a president in an unprecedented secret ballot after book ‘Manohar Parrikar- Off the Record’ at a a diplomatic standoff blocked the usual function organized at Institute Menezes consensus decision. Braganza hall in the city. • The island nation's ambassador in Geneva, • The book has been written by senior journalist Nazhat Shameem Khan, beat off competition Waman Subha Prabhu. from Bahrain and Uzbekistan to lead the only • The book ‘Manohar Parrikar- Off the Record’ is intergovernmental global body to promote and a collection of memories of Mr Prabhu who protect human rights worldwide. happened to be with late Parrikar during the • Khan, who served as the council's vice journey of his life. president in 2020 and is considered a rights • In the book the author has endeavored to champion, won with 29 out of 47 votes. narrate multi-faceted personality of late • Bahrain's ambassador and his Uzbek Manohar Parrikar. counterpart received 14 and four votes, 52. Ans. B. respectively. • Madhya Pradesh signed a memorandum of 55. Ans. C. understanding with Kerala for replicating the

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• Mamata Banerjee Chief Minister of West Bengal • The Fire Park will be open to the public on inaugurated the 7 day 26th edition of the Kolkata every Saturday from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm. International Film Festival (KIFF) 2021 (From 58. Ans. C. 8th to 15th January 2021). • V.I. Il’Ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute • Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, the brand (POI), Russia along with CSIR- National Institute ambassador of West Bengal virtually attended of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO), Goa & CSIR- the inaugural ceremony from Mumbai. National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR- • As a part of the 26th KIFF, 81 full length movies NGRI), Hyderabad have signed a Memorandum and 50 short films and documentaries from more of Understanding in the field of Marine Sciences than 45 countries will be screened at 8 venues and Technology. which include the state run halls, Nandan, • The POI is the largest research institution in the Rabindra Sadan, Calcutta Information centre, Far Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sisir Mancha and others. Sciences comprising 31 research units equipped • “Apur Sansar” by Satyajit Ray was screened as with modern scale devices. the inaugural film. • Whereas, CSIR-NIO and CSIR-NGRI, the 56. Ans. B. constituent research laboratories of the Council • Total 11 private Indian firms have made it to of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are the list of 500 most valuable companies across world renowned Institutes in the fields of the world, and the country is ranked 10th on the Oceanography and Earth Sciences respectively. chart. 59. Ans. B. • The total value of these 11 companies grew 14 • Bharat Dynamics and Thales have signed a per cent and has been pegged at $805 billion or Teaming Agreement to work in partnership on nearly a third of the Indian GDP. the STARStreak Air Defence system with the • All these companies in the list of non-state support of both the Governments of India and the enterprises have gained in value during 2020, United Kingdom. which was hit by the pandemic, barring tobacco • The Teaming Agreement was signed at a virtual major ITC and second largest private sector ceremony held on 13 January 2021. lender ICICI Bank, as per the Hurun Global 500 • BDL will become a part of the STARStreak report. global supply chain, providing the opportunity • Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries leads for export of the system to existing and future among the local enterprises with a 20.5 per cent STARStreak Air Defence customers, including jump in valuation to $168.8 billion as of the UK Armed Forces through this agreement. December 1 and is ranked 54th globally, as per • BDL, as a part of its Global Outreach, is the list. endeavouring to forge alliance with foreign 57. Ans. C. companies to take the "" mission • Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik further. virtually inaugurated India’s first ‘Fire Park’ at • Earlier, Thales and BDL have signed a Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. "Memorandum of Understanding‟ to assess the • On that occasion CM Patnaik also launched the opportunity for the transfer of technology for virtual platform ‘Agnishama Seva’ to provide STARStreak. through which 16 fire related services can be 60. Ans. A. availed. • John Fulton(F) Reid, former New Zealand • The Fire Park is a first of its kind initiative to cricketer passed away at the age of 64 after a provide awareness on fire safety measures, long illness at Christchurch, City in the South mainly focusing on School and College students. Island, New Zealand. • It is located under the premises of the Odisha • The Left-handed batsman was born on March Fire and Disaster Academy in Bhubaneswar. 3, 1956 in Auckland, City in the North Island, New Zealand.

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• He served as the New Zealand Test captain. • The main objectives of the scheme are – Food • He played 25 ODIs, 19 tests from 1979 to 1986, Safety, Crop Diversification, rapid development where he scored 633 runs in ODIs and 1296 runs in Agriculture & paving way for competition. in Tests. The test runs of him came at an average 64. Ans. D. of 46.28, along with 6 centuries and 2 half • Solar Energy firm, Oakridge Energy has signed centuries. agreements with Delhi Government and • He holds the New Zealand record of scoring Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan to solarise over 1,000 test runs in the fewest innings. schools in Delhi. 61. Ans. D. • The project will be developed by Oakridge and • Minister of State for External Affairs, V. subsidised under the Ministry of New & Muraleedharan launched the Global Pravasi Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) capital subsidy Rishta Portal & Mobile application to connect scheme for Government Buildings. with 3.12 Crore Indian Diaspora across the • The installation of solar plants will help in world. making institutions energy independent, reduce • The portal web interface will be used by Indian their electricity bills and generate additional Missions whereas the mobile app will be used by income through sale of surplus power. diaspora & Indian nationals. • Oakridge has set a target to solarise 1, 000 • The portal will be used by MEA for sharing schools & educational institutions by 2022. information on Visa, Passport & other activities like consular services, conducting surveys and 65. Ans. B. news about events organised by missions. • Japarov Sadyr Nurgojoevich was elected as the • It will also connect the Indian diaspora president of Kyrgyzstan after securing nearly community to connect them to new & existing 80% votes. He belongs to the ‘Patriotic’ Political Government schemes. Party. 62. Ans. A. • About Japarov Sadyr Nurgojoevich: • Punjab CM, Captain Amarinder Singh virtually • He served as the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan launched a mobile application ‘DigiNest’ that will till 14th November 2020 after which his official enable people to have digital access to the powers in office are suspended due to the directory of state govt. pending results of the January 2021 presidential • In addition to this, he also launched an online election. Punjab Advertisement Release Order System. • He served as the acting president of the country • This will bring transparency and efficiency in after the resignation of Sooronbay Jeenbekov. the entire process of releasing State • After his resignation, Talant Mamytov, speaker Government’s advertisements and payments to of Kyrgyzstan’s Parliament became the acting media houses. president of the country. 63. Ans. C. 66. Ans. C. • Jharkhand state government has launched the • The book titled ‘Unscripted: Conversations on state’s own crop relief scheme ‘Kisan Fasal Rahat Life and Cinema’ is authored by Vidhu Vinod Yojana’ which will replace Government of India’s Chopra, Indian film director, screenwriter and crop insurance scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal producer and Abhijat Joshi, Indian screenwriter. Bima Yojana (PMFBY). ‘Penguin eBury Press’ is the publisher of the • The new scheme is a compensation scheme book. which will provide security cover to farmers of • The book is scheduled to be released on Jharkhand in cases of crop damage due to natural January 25. hazards. • Essence of the Book • Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry • The book gives a glance into the mind, method & Co-operative, Jharkhand will be the and madness of Vidhu Vinod Chopra, one of implementing agency of the scheme. contemporary Hindi cinema’s best filmmakers.

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• In this book, Vidhu Vinod Chopra speaks to his • He was a staunch supporter of Israel. long-time collaborator and scriptwriter Abhijat 70. Ans. B. Joshi about his journey. • According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, 67. Ans. A. Tesla CEO Elon Musk overtakes Amazon’s Bezos • Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Captain to become the world’s richest person Amarinder Singh approved the ‘One Time • Musk had a net worth of more than $188.5 Settlement (OTS) Scheme for Recovery of billion, $1.5 billion more than Bezos$1.5 billion Outstanding Dues – 2021’ for Traders to clear more than Bezos. their Pending Arrears. • Mukesh Ambani is now 13th richest in the • The OTS will help Traders to settle their world. Pending arrears under the Punjab Value Added • Zhong Shanshan, chairman of Chinese bottled- Tax Act, 2005 & Central Sales Tax Act, 1956. water company Nongfu Spring, become Asia’s • It will cost around INR 121.06 Crore to the richest person and 6th richest person in the Punjab Government. world. • Will benefit Small & Medium Business 71. Ans. B. Dealers/Traders who suffered due to COVID-19. * Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is • Dealers who have filed assessments upto the flagship event of the Ministry of External December 31, 2020 can apply under the scheme Affairs and provides an important platform to till April 30, 2021. engage and connect with the overseas Indians. 68. Ans. C. * In view of the sentiments of our vibrant • As part of the efforts to enhance community diaspora community, the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya experience for women entrepreneurs in India, Divas Convention, is being organized on 9th Flipkart & NITI Aayog have collaborated to January 2021, despite the ongoing Covid launch the updated Women Entrepreneurship pandemic. Platform (WEP). WEP is a first of its kind, unified * The Convention will be held in virtual format, access portal launched by NITI Aayog in 2017 to as were the PBD Conferences held recently in the support Women Entrepreneurs. run up to the Convention. • The revamped platform has multiple regional * The theme of 16th PBD Convention 2021 is language support, allows interaction with "Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat". women, fellow women entrepreneurs and 72. Ans. B. mentors to communicate and also has a Question * The government of India has formulated a New and Answer Portal. Industrial Development Scheme for Jammu & • The community on WEP platform will connect Kashmir (J&K IDS, 2021) as the Central Sector women entrepreneurs who seek clarification on Scheme for the Development of Industries in the GST, funding, effects of the pandemic & Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. progression of already established businesses. * The main purpose of the scheme is to generate • Through the platform, mentorship is also being employment which directly leads to the socio- offered to women mentees through a dedicated economic development of the area. online mechanism. 69. Ans. C. • Sheldon Adelson, the multibillionaire casino 73. Ans. A. mogul and Republican Party megadonor, died * The Centre has decided to form a committee from complications related to cancer treatment, under Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy according to Las Vegas Sands. to find a solution to issues associated with • Adelson, whose net worth was estimated by preservation of Ladakh’s land, culture and Forbes to be around $33 billion, had been among language apart from demands from the region to the most-watched donors supporting President be included under the Sixth Schedule of the Trump’s 2020 reelection effort. Constitution.

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* A 10-member delegation from Ladakh met * The weapon system will give Pakistan Army the Home Minister Amit Shah Wednesday. The capability of precision target engagement deep delegation is learnt to have expressed concern in enemy territory. over threat to the region’s unique culture, language and demography due to recent changes brought about by the Centre to the status of the region. * The delegation included former MPs Thiksay Rinpoche and Thupstan Chhewang, former BJP minister Chering Dorjay, Leh chief executive councillor Tashi Gyalson and sitting BJP MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal. 74. Ans. D. * Indian-American Dr Raj Iyer has taken over as the first Chief Information Officer of the US Army, after the Pentagon created the position in July 2020. * One of the highest-ranking Indian-American civilians in the US Department of Defense, Raj Iyer, who holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Army and directs representation of the secretary in matters relating to information management/information technology (IT). * Equivalent in rank to a three-star General, Raj Iyer will supervise an annual budget of USD 16 billion for the US Army's IT operations. * Over 15,000 civilians and military personnel posted across 100 countries work under him.

75. Ans. B. * Pakistan successfully test launched Fatah-1, the indigenously developed guided multi-launch rocket system. * The rocket system is capable of delivering a conventional warhead up to a range of 140 kilometres.

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