Question 1
Which cricketer has been appointed as the Member of Australia-India Council, to promote business ties?
A. Ricky Ponting
B. Adam Gilchrist
C. Mathew Hayden
D. Bret Lee
View Answer
Answer: C [Mathew Hayden]
Explanation : The Government of Australian has appointed former star cricketer Matthew Hayden as trade envoy for promoting business ties with India, along with two new members.
He has been named as the Member of Australia-India Council. Ashok Jacob has been reappointed as Chair and Indian-origin politician Lisa Singh will be the Deputy Chair. Another new member was former Australian politician Ted Baillieu.
Question 2
Which country is to send its expert teams to United Nations missions to help Congo and South Sudan fight Covid-19?
A. United States
B. India
C. China
D. Russia
View Answer
Answer: B
Explanation : As per the recent statement from the India’s UN mission, India is to send two teams of specialists to support UN peacekeeping operations in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This move is aimed to meet the Covid-19 challenge in two countries. One team of 15 specialists will be sent to Goma in DRC and another team of 15 specialists will be sent to Juba in South Sudan. This will strengthen the hospital facilities managed by Indian peacekeepers and will help those two countries in fighting Covid-19.
Question 3
The United States has signed a Defence Cooperation agreement with which country, for peace in Indo-Pacific region?
A. India
B. Maldives
C. Sri Lanka
D. Japan
View Answer
Answer: B
Explanation : A strategic Defence and Security agreement has been recently signed between the Maldives and the United States.
The Framework for U.S. Department of Defense-Maldives Ministry of Defence and Security Relationship seeks to promote cooperation maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean. India had previously opposed a proposed Status of Forces Agreement between the two countries in 2013.
Question 4
The South Pacific territory of New Caledonia has rejected independence from which country?
A. United States
B. France
C. Germany
D. Italy
View Answer
Answer: B
Explanation : The South Pacific territory of New Caledonia has recently rejected independence from France. It chose to remain French in a recent referendum.
In the referendum made two years ago in 2018, the percentage of votes rejecting the breakaway was 56.7 percent, while this year, the percentage was 53.26 percent. French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed this result.
Question 5
The European Union has fixed a target for net Zero Carbon Emission by which year?
A. 2025
B. 2050
C. 2030
D. 2100
View Answer
Answer: B
Explanation : In a meeting held by the European Union (EU) environment ministers in Luxembourg, a law was formulated was signed to make European Union net zero carbon emitter by 2050.
The deal makes it legally binding on all the EU members. This climate law would create a basis for Europe’s plans to reduce greenhouse emissions in various industrial sectors.
Question 6
Which country has issued warning to its citizens about a mysterious cloud of Yellow dust?
A. Philippines
B. North Korea
C. Japan
D. India
View Answer
Answer: B
Explanation : The authorities of North Korea have urged the citizens to avoid contact with a mysterious cloud of ‘yellow dust’.
As per the authorities, the yellow dust blowing in from China could bring SARS CoV-2 with it. The country has directed its citizens to remain indoor to avoid contact with the dust storm, which is expected to land in the country.
Question 7
Who has been elected as the Vice President of United States of America?
A. Joe Biden
B. Hilary Clinton
C. David Blare
D. Kamala Harris
View Answer
Answer: D
Explanation : Joe Biden of the Democratic Party has been elected as the 46th President of United States of America and Kamala Harris has been elected as the Vice President of the country.
She is a member of the Democratic Party and is set to assume the office of the Vice President on January 20, 2021.
Question 8
Which country has announced a contribution of USD 1 million to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund?
A. United States
B. India
C. Singapore
D. China
View Answer
Question 9
The United Nations has adopted a resolution tabled by EU and OIC, related to which event?
A. Covid-19 outbreak
B. Rohingya Crisis
C. Tigray Region crisis
D. Vaccination
View Answer
Answer: B
Explanation : The United Nations has adopted a resolution tabled by the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and European Union (EU), which called for an urgent solution of the Rohingya crisis.
The resolution was adopted by a majority of 132 countries voting in favour. The resolution called for granting citizenship and ensuring return to their homes by creating a safe environment to Rohingya and other minorities.
Question 10
The government of which country has rescued 300 students abducted by the Boko Haram terrorist group?
A. Kenya
B. Albania
C. Nigeria
D. Zimbabwe
View Answer
Answer: C
Explanation : The Government of Nigeria has recently rescued over 300 boys who were abducted by the Boko Haram terrorist.
The students of Government Science Secondary School were kidnapped by the terrorist groups and were successfully freed by the country’s security forces. The government stated that the kidnappings were done against western education.
Question 11
Chinese Market regulators filed Anti-trust probe for monopoly, against which company?
A. Apple
B. Alibaba
C. Samsung
D. Amazon
View Answer
Answer: B
Explanation : China's leading Multi-national company and tech-giant Alibaba, is being investigated by Chinese regulators on charges of monopolistic practices.
China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has started investigation on Alibaba Group for monopoly practices, including implementing an 'exclusive dealing agreement'. In September, China announced new rules to regulate financial holding firms.
Question 12
Seven countries including Iran have lost the right to vote in which organisation?
A. United Nations General Assembly
B. International Court of Justice
C. World Health Organisation
D. World Bank
View Answer
Answer: A
Explanation : Seven countries including Iran have recently lost their right to vote in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
As the countries have not paid their dues more than two years, seven countries including Iran, Niger, Libya, the Central African Republic, Congo Brazzaville, South Sudan and Zimbabwe lost their voting rights as per the UN Charter.
Question 13
START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is an agreement between which two countries?
A. China-U.S.
B. Russia- U.S.
C. Germany- Russia
D. China-Russia
View Answer
Answer: B
Explanation : START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is a bilateral agreement signed in 2010 between the United States and Russia.
The treaty, which emphasised on the reduction and limitation of strategic nuclear arms by the two countries, is set to expire next week. Russia’s lower house of parliament approved the extension of the treaty.
Question 14
Which country is resettling its refugees in the Bhashan Char Island?
A. China
B. Bangladesh
C. Nepal
D. Sri Lanka
View Answer
Answer: B
Explanation : Bangladesh has sent a third group of Rohingya refugees to Bhashan Char Island, which is a newly developed island in the Bay of Bengal.
Around 4,000 refugees have been sent to the island since December. After the third set of 1,778 refugees, the fourth set is also expected to be sent soon. There have been several calls from human rights activists against resettlement of refugees in the island.
Question 15
Tianwen-1, is a Mars probe launched by which country?
A. Russia
B. China
C. Japan
D. Israel
View Answer
Answer: B
Explanation : China launched the Tianwen-1 Mars probe in July 2020. The space craft is expected to enter the Mars orbit around February 10 and to touch down the planet later this year.
The probe has recently sent back its first image of Mars, with the geological features including the Schiaparelli crater and the Valles Marineris stretch of canyons. As per the country's space agency CNSA, the photograph was taken about 2.2 million kilometres from Mars.
Question 16
Which top populous country recorded over 15% dip in registered births year on year?
A. India
B. China
C. Indonesia
D. Pakistan
View Answer
Answer: B
Explanation : The number of registered births in 2020 was 10.04 million, which is over 15 percent down from the number of registered births of the last year.
As per the data, this is the fourth consecutive year to register a decline in birth rate. China launched the one-child policy in the late 1970s to slow rapid population growth. It was reversed only in the year 2016.
Question 17
Which county has rejoined the Paris climate agreement recently?
A. USA
B. Japan
C. China
D. Russia
View Answer
Answer : A
Explanation : The United States of America (USA) has rejoined the Paris Agreement on climate change. The new President Joe Biden reversed his predecessor Donald Trump’s order to exit the agreement.
The Paris Agreement on climate change is an international treaty under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), that came into effect in 2015.
Question 18
Which country has decided to pause oil and gas leasing in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
A. Canada
B. UK
C. USA
D. Ireland
View Answer
Answer : C
Explanation : The new US administration headed by Joe Biden has announced its plans to halt temporarily its oil and gas leasing in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The preceding administration headed by Trump had issued leases in this region which is considered sacred by Indigenous Gwich’in.
Gwich'in are an Athabaskan language speaking people of Canada and Alaska. They live in the northwestern part of North America close to the Arctic circle.
Question 19
Tianwen-1, which was making news recently, is the spacecraft of which country?
A. Russia
B. China
C. South Korea
D. Israel
View Answer
Answer : B
Explanation : As per the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the Tianwen-1 spacecraft successfully entered the Mars orbit.
Tianwen, 'Questions to Heaven' in Chinese, is the first independent mission to the Mars. In future, the probe will launch a landing capsule to the planet, which will explore the Martian surface for 90 days and study its soil.
Question 20
Which country holds the presidency of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-26)?
A. India
B. United Kingdom
C. Brazil
D. Japan
View Answer
Answer : B
Explanation : The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, also known as COP26, is scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021.
The event is to be held under the presidency of the United Kingdom. British MP and President-designate of COP-26, Alok Sharma called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Question 21
Which Asian country has recently appointed a Minister for Loneliness?
A. India
B. China
C. Japan
D. Thailand
View Answer
Answer : C
Explanation : The Government of Japan headed by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has recently appointed Tetsushi Sakamoto as the country’s 1st ever Minister for Loneliness.
This decision has been made to tackle the rise in suicide rates due to COVID crisis. Also, the minister is responsible for managing the fall in birth rate in the country.
Question 22
The Zulus tribe, which was making news recently, belong to which country?
A. Argentina
B. South Africa
C. Ghana
D. Spain
View Answer
Answer : B
Explanation : The Zulu people are the largest ethnic group in South Africa with an estimated 10–12 million people.
Goodwill Zwelithini, the famous king of the Zulus, has died at the age of 72. Though he did not hold any official power in modern South Africa, the king had a great influence among millions of Zulus through his spiritual role.
Question 23
Noura al-Matroushi has been identified as the first female astronaut by which country?
A. USA
B. India
C. UAE
D. Iran
View Answer
Answer : C
Explanation : The United Arab Emirates has named the next two astronauts for its space programme. The ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has named Noura al-Matroushi as the UAE’s first female astronaut.
The two astronauts have been identified among more than 4000 applications received. The two astronauts will undergo special space training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Question 24
Anzac Day is observed on which date of every year?
A. April 1
B. April 15
C. April 25
D. April 30
View Answer
Answer : C
Explanation : Anzac Day, is observed every year on the 25th of April. It is observed as a Remembrance Day in Australia and New Zealand, which commemorates all those who have served and died during wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
Anzac stands for "Australian and New Zealand Army Corps" who served in the Gallipoli Campaign during the first world war.
Question 25
Which country has launched the Tianhe module to space?
A. Russia
B. Japan
C. USA
D. China
View Answer
Answer : D
Explanation : China has launched the Tianhe module, which is a key component of the new permanent space station of the country. The launch was made using the country’s Long March-5B rocket.
The component launched to space consists of living quarters for crew members. China has proposed to make the space station operational by the year 2022.
Question 26
Tianwen-1, which has successfully landed on Mars, was launched by which country?
A. USA
B. UAE
C. North Korea
D. China
View Answer
Question 27
Moctar Ouane, who is sometimes seen in the news, is the Prime Minister of which country?
A. Maldives
B. Mali
C. Mauritius
D. Myanmar
View Answer
Question 28
Zhurong rover, which sent back its first photographs of Mars, was launched by which country?
A. USA
B. China
C. Israel
D. UAE
View Answer
Question 29
Which among the following is not a G7 member?
A. Britain
B. Canada
C. Italy
D. India
View Answer
Question 30
Which neighbouring country of India has issued an ordinance to amend its Citizenship Act?
A. Nepal
B. Bangladesh
C. Sri Lanka
D. Myanmar
View Answer
Question 31
Tianzhou-2 is a spacecraft of which country?
A. Japan
B. Russia
C. China
D. South Korea
View Answer
Question 32
Which County has announced additional USD 800 million funding to COVAX programme?
A. India
B. China
C. USA
D. Japan
View Answer
Question 33
With reference to the law enforcement, what is ANOM, that was seen in the news recently?
A. Messaging App
B. Military Equipment
C. Medical Equipment
D. Super Computer
View Answer
Question 34
Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is a Defence initiative of which association?
A. G-20
B. G-7
C. European Union
D. ASEAN
View Answer
Question 35
Which country has recently agreed to extend IAEA nuclear monitoring deal?
A. UAE
B. Israel
C. Iran
D. USA
View Answer
Question 36
The Fourth of July is the annual celebration of nationhood of which country?
A. Australia
B. USA
C. Japan
D. Russia
View Answer
Question 37
Pedro Castillo has been elected as the new President of which country?
A. Brazil
B. Peru
C. Sweden
D. Denmark
View Answer
Question 38
Where was the UN Food Systems Pre-Summit 2021 organised recently?
A. Moscow
B. New Delhi
C. Rome
D. New York
View Answer
Question 39
Kunming Declaration, which was seen in the news recently, is associated with which country?
A. China
B. Japan
C. USA
D. South Korea
View Answer
Question 40
Which country has warned of increase in West Nile Virus (WNV) infections?
A. USA
B. Russia
C. China
D. UK
View Answer