6th March 2021
1.Which state recently launched ‘e-Gazette’ portal, a digital platform for gazette publications?
[A] Odisha
[B] Kerala
[C] West Bengal
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
The State Government of Odisha recently launched the e-Gazette portal, to release all gazette publications of the state in digital format. This scheme is launched a s part of the ‘5T initiatives’ of the Odisha Government. After the launch of the portal, the gazette notifications will be published online saving paper and cost of transportation. All the departments of the state will be asked to upload their data in the portal, which will be monitored and verified by digital signatures.
2.The Government of India and the state government of Assam recently signed a tripartite agreement with which tribal group?
[A] Bodo
[B] Kuki
[C] Adi
[D] Nishi
Correct Answer: A [Bodo]
Notes:
The Centre and the state government of Assam recently signed a tripartite agreement with National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB). The Bodo tribal group was demanding a separate state of Bodoland from Assam for several years.
The All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) and another group called United Bodo People’s Organisation, which led the insurgency, also signed the agreement. More than 1500 militants of NDFB are expected to surrender with arms. Rs.1500 crore has been sanctioned by the government for implementing the accord in next three years.
3.Which state recently signed MoUs with premier agricultural institutions, for development of agriculture in the state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Correct Answer: B [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The Department of Agriculture of Andhra Pradesh recently signed Memoranda of understanding with 11 premier agricultural institutions of the country, in the presence of its Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Under the agreement, the institutions will provide technical assistance for increasing the farmers income sustainably, by following organic and natural farming practices. The Chief Minister also announced that more than 11000 Rythu Bharosa Kendras would be set up across the state.
4.In context of the recent Supreme Court ruling on the right of an organisation to receive foreign contributions, what does FCRA stand for?
[A] Foreign Currency (Regulation) Act
[B] Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act
[C] Foreign Currency (Rights) Act
[D] Foreign Contribution (Rights) Act
Correct Answer: B [Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act]
Notes:
The Supreme Court recently ruled that an organisation supporting public causes by legitimate means of opposition like ‘bandh’ and ‘hartal’ cannot be deprived of its legitimate right of receiving foreign funds.
But the organisations which are used for channelling the foreign funds by political parties shall come under the purview of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). The act was enacted in 2010 to regulate the acceptance and utilization of Foreign contribution.
5.‘Shaadi Bhagya Scheme’, which was making news recently, was a scheme of which state?
[A] Bihar
[B] Odisha
[C] Karnataka
[D] Maharashtra
Correct Answer: C [Karnataka]
Notes:
The state government in Karnataka recently stopped the Shaadi Bhagya Scheme that was launched by the previous government in the state in 2013.
Under the scheme, a financial assistance of Rs 50,000 was given to Muslim brides for marriage expenses when they submit their Aadhar and BPL cards. The previous coalition government had allocated Rs 60 crore budget for the scheme.
6.In context with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) rules notified by the government, what does S stand for in ‘SJPU’?
[A] Special
[B] Sexual
[C] State
[D] Safety
Correct Answer: A [Special ]
Notes:
The Government has notified the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Rules, 2020 which enables implementation of recent amendments to the Act. Under the new rules, punishment for child abuse has been made more stringent.
The rules state that any person who has received any pornographic material involving a child or any information regarding such material being stored, distributed or is likely to be distributed in any manner shall report the contents to the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) or Police or the cybercrime portal.
7.In context with the recently passed Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020, how many regulatory institutions are to be converted into statutory bodies?
Correct Answer: B [3]
Notes:
A bill that seeks to convert three existing regulatory bodies under the Civil Aviation Ministry into statutory bodies was passed by Lok Sabha. The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was passed by a voice vote and the bill seeks to amend Aircraft Act, 1934.
The regulatory institutions, which are mentioned in the bill are DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) and AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau).
8.Which state recently announced that the Sanitary personnel employed by urban and rural civic bodies shall be called ‘cleanliness workers’?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Maharashtra
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu K Palaniswami announced in the Assembly that 64,583 sanitary personnel employed by urban and rural civic bodies in the State shall be called ‘cleanliness workers’.
This announcement was made to honour their work in maintaining public health. The state government is already implementing several welfare measures for the workers including building residences, periodic health check-ups, employment camps and skill development for their children.
9.National Commission for Women (NCW) launches WhatsApp number to report cases of domestic violence. Where is the Headquarters of NCW located?
[A] Lucknow
[B] New Delhi
[C] Nagpur
[D] Mumbai
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has recently launched a WhatsApp number, where people can report cases of domestic violence.The head-quarters of NCW is New Delhi.
As per the announcement of NCW, the cases of domestic violence have seen a big increase during the lockdown period resulting from coronavirus pandemic. This WhatsApp number service will be operated in addition to the existing online complaint links and emails and only for the period of lockdown.
10.Which is the first Indian state to get approval from the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) for ‘
pool testing’ the samples for Covid-19?
[A] Kerala
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Rajasthan
Correct Answer: C [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The state of Uttar Pradesh becomes the first to be approved by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) to start the method of ‘Pool Testing’ the samples for Covid-19.
The pool testing method is aimed at speeding up the process of testing the samples. In this method, multiple swab samples are pooled together and tested. If the result of the particular pool comes negative, it is assured that all samples of the pool are negative. If the result is positive, all individual samples are tested again. This method was widely used in Germany.
