Thursday Acknowledge with General Knowledge
Question 1-5
The Ministry of Information Technology, invoking it’s power under the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to block (X) apps with Chinese links.
The move, however, was executed by the IT Ministry’s (Y) and approved by the National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC) who is a part of the National Security Council Secretariat.
Over the last few years, India has emerged as a leading innovator when it comes to technological advancements and a primary market in the digital space.
At the same time, there have been raging concerns on aspects relating to data security and safeguarding the privacy of 130 crore Indians. It has been noted recently that such concerns also pose a threat to sovereignty and security of our country. The Ministry of Information Technology has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India. The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps. This Ministry has also received many representations raising concerns from citizens regarding security of data and risk to privacy relating to operation of certain apps. The (Y) has also received many representations from citizens regarding security of data and breach of privacy impacting upon public order issues. Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside the Parliament of India. There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against Apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.
1. How many mobile applications, been referred to as ‘X’ in the above passage have been blocked by Indian government?
a. 62
b. 58
c. 51
d. 59
S-d
EXPLANATION-
• The Ministry of Information Technology, invoking it’s power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 and in view of the emergent nature of threats blocked 59 apps.
• These applications are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.
2. Which of the following being referred to as ‘Y’ has executed this move?
a. CERT-In
b. NIC
c. AICTE
d. NPCI
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• CERT-In stands for Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, and is being referred as ‘Y’ in the above passage.
• It functions under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• It is the nodal agency to deal with cyber security threats like hacking and phishing.
• HQ-New Delhi
• Director General-Sanjay Bahl
3. Who among the following is the National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC) of India?
a. Gen. Rajesh Pant
b. Gen. Rajesh Mishra
c. Gen. Rajesh Mehta
d. Gen. Rajesh Garg
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• Retired Lt. Gen. Rajesh Pant is India's national cybersecurity coordinator, serving as the special secretary heading the cybercrime and cybersecurity center at the prime minister's office.
• He replaced Dr. Gulshan Rai, India's first cybersecurity chief.
• National Cyber Coordination Centre is a classified project of Indian Government, which works as an operational cyber security and e-surveillance agency in India. The centre coordinates cyber security intelligence, mitigating online threats and handles National security.
4. Who among the following is the Union IT Minister of India?
a. Prakash Javadekar
b. Ravi Shankar Prasad
c. Rajnath Singh
d. Piyush Goyal
S-b
EXPLANATION-
S. Nos. Minister Ministries/ Department
1 Prakash Javadekar 1. Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
2. Minister of Information and Broadcasting
3. Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises
2 Ravi Shankar Prasad Minister of Electronics and Information Technology and Minister of Law and Justice
3 Rajnath Singh Union Defence Minister
4 Piyush Goyal Union Railways Minister and Minister of Commerce and Industry
5. Where are the headquarters of ‘Y’ situated?
a. Mumbai
b. Delhi
c. Pune
d. Lucknow
S-b
Question (6-10)
Hyderabad-based Hetero has received the approval to manufacture and market the investigational antiviral medicine, (X), from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for treatment of Covid-19. Hetero’s generic version of (X) will be marketed under the Indian brand. Besides Hetero, Cipla has also received approval to market (X) for restricted emergency use on hospitalised Covid patients.
The product is launched under a licensing agreement with US-based (Y) to expand the access to Covid-19 treatment in low and middle-income countries. (Y) has decided to build a consortium of manufacturing partners to maximize global supply of (X). Covifor will be used on critically-affected Covid patients in hospitals.
While there is no comparison with other drugs, this product is expected to reduce hospital stay from 14 to 11 days. Sources in the know said this drug will be made available through institutional sales. While the price is yet to be determined by the government, industry sources said it could be in the range of between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000 per vial.
“The government is yet to decide on the pricing of the drug. It is expected during this week. Also, the royalty to (Y) and marketing plan will also be known after (Y) gets final approval from the USFDA,‘‘ sources added.
Following intense criticism from civil society groups, (Y) gave up a special designation from the USFDA that would have allowed for extended monopoly control over the 20-year patents it has filed for in more than 70 countries for (X).
6. Which of the following drug being referred to as ‘X’ in the passage is being manufactures and marketed in India be Hetero and Cipla?
a. Dexomethasone
b. Favipiravir
c. Hydroxyquinone
d. Remdesivir
S-d
EXPLANATION-
• (X) stands for Remdesivir
• DCGI has given its nod to Hetero and Cipla for the manufacture of this drug in India under licensing agreement with Gilead Pharmaceuticals.
7. (Y) represents the US based company with which Hetero and Cipla have entered into licensing agreement for Remdesivir ?
a. Gilead Pharmaceuticals
b. Mylan
c. Abbott laboratories
d. Astra Zeneca
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• ‘Y’ in the passage is Gilead Pharmaceuticals.
• The product is being launched under a licensing agreement with US-based Gilead Sciences to expand the access to Covid-19 treatment in low and middle-income countries.
• Gilead has decided to build a consortium of manufacturing partners to maximize global supply of Remdesivir. Covifor will be used on critically-affected Covid patients in hospitals.
8. Which of the following is an Indian brand name for Hetero’s version of ‘X’?
a. Covifor
b. Coronil
c. Cipremi
d. Fabiflu
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• Covifor -Hetero’s COVID-19 drug for Remdesivir
• Cipremi-Cipla’s COVID-19 drug for Remdesivir
• Fabiflu-Glenmark’s COVID -19 drug brand name of Favipiravir)
9. Which of the following drug has shown reduced mortality among the COVID-19 patients?
a. Dexomethasone
b. Favipiravir
c. Hydroxyquinone
d. Remdesivir
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• Dexamethasone is a major breakthrough in the fight against the deadly virus. The drug is part of the world's biggest trial testing existing treatments to see if they also work for coronavirus.
• It cut the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators. For those on oxygen, it cut deaths by a fifth.
• It is a steroid and the results come from the Recovery (Randomised Evaluation of Covid-19 therapy) trial, conducted by the University of Oxford.
10. Where are the headquarters of CSIR situated?
a. Delhi
b. Pune
c. Mumbai
d. Lucknow
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• CSIR stands for Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
• Founded-1942
• President-Prime Minister of India (Narendra Modi)
• Director General-Shekhar Mande
• CSIR’s HQ- New Delhi
Question (11-15)
“Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21) for the Most Affected Districts’ was e-launched by ‘X’ on ‘Y’.
Addressing on the occasion, (X) said that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment observes (Y) every year as “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”. It is the nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction which coordinates and monitors all aspects of drug abuse prevention which include assessment of the extent of the problem, preventive action, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, dissemination of information and public awareness.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Annual Action Plan will launch a three-pronged attack combining efforts of Narcotics Bureau, Outreach/Awareness by Social Justice and Treatment through the Health Dept. The Action Plan has the following components: Awareness generation programmes; Focus on Higher Educational institutions, University Campuses and Schools; Community outreach and identification of dependent population; Focus on Treatment facilities in Hospital settings; and Capacity Building Programmes for Service Provider.
Based on the finding of the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India and list of districts which are vulnerable from the supply point of view provided by Narcotics Control Bureau, (X’s) ministry would undertake intervention programmes in vulnerable districts across the country with an aim to: Reach out to Children and Youth for awareness about ill effect of drug use; Increase community participation and public cooperation; Supporting Government Hospitals for opening up De- addiction Centers in addition to existing Ministry Supported De-addiction Centers (IRCAs); and Conducting Training programme for participants.
11. In the given passage ‘Y’ represents the day when Nasha Must Bharat was launched. What does ‘Y’ stand for?
a. 26 June 2020
b. 20 June 2020
c. 29 June 2020
d. 30 June 2020
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• ‘Y’ refers to 26 June 2020, which is the “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”.
• Ministry of Social Justice is the nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction which coordinates and monitors all aspects of drug abuse prevention which include assessment of the extent of the problem, preventive action, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts, dissemination of information and public awareness.
12. In how many districts was the Nasha Must Bharat Action Plan for 2020-21 launched?
a. 272
b. 290
c. 280
d. 221
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• Nasha Mukt Bharat Annual Action Plan for 2020-21 would focus on 272 most affected districts.
• It will launch a three-pronged attack combining efforts of Narcotics Bureau, Outreach/Awareness by Social Justice and Treatment through the Health Dept.
13. Who among the following, being represented as ‘X’ in the above passage launched the Nasha Must Bharat campaign?
a. Rain Lal Kataria
b. Rajnath Singh
c. Amit Shah
d. Narendra Modi
S-a
EXPLANATION-
“Nasha Mukt Bharat: Annual Action Plan (2020-21) for 272 Most Affected Districts’ was e-launched by Shri Rattan Lal Kataria, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment on the occasion of “International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”- 26 June.
14. Under which of the following ministries does the Narcotics Control Bureau function?
a. Ministry of Defence
b. Ministry of Home Affairs
c. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
d. Ministry of Law
S-b
EXPLANATION-
• Narcotics Control Bureau will function under the Home Affairs Ministry.
• Union Home Minister-Amit Shah
• Director General-Rakesh Asthana
• HQ- New Delhi
15. Who among the following is the Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau?
a. Ramesh Mehta
b. Mohan Bhargava
c. RN Srivastava
d. Rakesh Asthana
S-d
EXPLANATION-
• The Director General of NCB is an officer of the Indian Police Service(IPS) or the Indian Revenue Service(IRS).
• Current Director General-Rakesh Asthana
Question (16-20)
As part of the 6th International Yoga Day commemorations, the world’s first yoga university outside India has been launched in (X) , offering programmes that combine scientific principles and modern research approaches to the ancient Indian practice.
The Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU) was jointly launched y Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on External Affairs P P Chaudhary during a virtual event held at the Consulate General of India in New York.
Eminent Indian yoga guru Dr H R Nagendra, Chancellor of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA), is the first Chairman of VaYU.
Addressing the virtual launch, Muraleedharan said Swami Vivekananda gave the message of universal brotherhood from the US and through the first of its kind yoga university outside India, the message of yoga will be broadcast from America to the world.
“As the symbol of India’s culture and heritage, yoga has become the means for unity and brotherhood in the world. Through the medium of yoga, we can give the message of world peace,” he said, adding that yoga provides mental balance and emotional stability.
The event was jointly hosted by the Consulate General and Jaipur Foot USA Chairperson and founding director of VaYU Prem Bhandari.
16. ‘X’ represents the place where India’s first university for Yoga outside India is situated. What does ‘X’ Stand for?
a. New York
b. Melbourne
c. Tokyo
d. Los Angeles
S-d
EXPLANATION-
• ‘X’ stands for Los Angeles and it is the world’s first yoga university outside India.
• It will be named as Vivekananda Yoga University (VaYU).
17. When was the sixth International Yoga day celebrated?
a. 21 June 2020
b. 19 June 2020
c. 20 June 2020
d. 25 June 2020
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• The Sixth International Yoga day was celebrates on 21 June 2020 with the theme Yoga for health-yoga at home.
• The United Nations theme for this year is “Yoga for Health – Yoga at Home”, which takes into account the social distancing measures announced by most countries.
18. Where is World’s first Yoga University situated?
a. Bengaluru
b. Pune
c. Nagpur
d. Nanital
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana- a Deemed University at Bengaluru for the study of yoga is the World’s first University.
• It was established in 2002.
19. When was the World’s first International Yoga day observed?
a. 2019
b. 2015
c. 2020
d. 2018
S-b
EXPLANATION-
• The UN proclaimed June 21 as International Day of Yoga by passing a resolution on December 11, 2014, during the 69th session of the General Assembly.
• The first International Day of Yoga was observed in 2015.
• The Yoga Day celebrations in 2015 at Rajpath in New Delhi, with Modi and other dignitaries in attendance, had created two Guinness World Records, performing around 21 yoga asanas. The first record was set for housing 35,985 people and being the world’s largest yoga session. The second was for having the most number (84) of nationalities participating in it.
20. Who among the following is the AYUSH Minister of India?
a. Shripad Naik
b. Mahendra Nath Pandey
c. Rao Inderjit Singh
d. Narendra Singh Tomar
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.
• Union Minister of State -Shripad Yesso Naik
Question (21-25)
(X), in partnership with Bill andMelinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Centre for Social and Behavioural Change (CSBC), Ashoka University, and the Ministries of Health and WCD, launched a behaviour change campaign called ‘Navigating the New Normal’, and its website.
The campaign focuses on Covid-safe behaviours, especially wearing masks, during the ‘Unlock’ phase of the ongoing pandemic.
Developed under the guidance of Empowered Group 6 on covid-19 constituted by centre, the campaign has two parts-- a web portal, containing resources informed by behavioural science and the use of nudge and social norms theory, related to Covid-safe behavioural norms during the ongoing Unlock phase, and the second is a media campaign focused on the wearing of masks.
The portal focuses on easy implementation of four key behaviours in the unlock phase-- mask-wearing, social distancing, hand hygiene and not spitting in public. The website will have sector-specific collaterals and guidelines for health, nutrition, and public transport (in metro cities).
21. Which of the following being referred to as ‘X’ have launched a behaviour change campaign called ‘Navigating the New Normal’?
a. Niti Aayog
b. Prime Minister’s Office
c. AIIMS-Delhi
d. Union Health Ministry
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• Niti Aayog launched a behaviour change campaign called ‘Navigating the New Normal.
• It was launched in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Centre for Social and Behavioural Change (CSBC), Ashoka University, and the Ministries of Health and WCD.
22. Who among the following was the head of Empowered Group 6 constituted by the Central government?
a. Amitabh Kant
b. Rajiv Kumar
c. Rajesh Pant
d. Ravish Kumar
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• Empowered Group 6 was created for Coordinating with Private Sector, NGOs, and International Organisations for COVID-19-related Response Activities
• It is headed by Niti Aayog CEO-Amitabh Kant.
• The group will address the issues pertaining to identification of problems, effective solutions and formulation of plans with three groups of stakeholders –
1) The UN agencies, World Bank, Asian Development Bank
2) Civil Society Organisations and development partners
3) Industry associations – CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, NASSCOM
23. Who among the following is the Union WCD Minister?
a. Smriti Irani
b. Maneka Gandhi
c. Nirmala Sitharaman
d. Prakash Javadekar
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• WCD stands for Woman and Child Development Ministry and the Union WCD Minister is Smriti Irani.
24. Where are the headquarters of ‘X’ situated?
a. New Delhi
b. Pune
c. Lucknow
d. Mumbai
S-a
25. Who among the following is the chairman of ‘X’?
a. Prime Minister
b. Union Health Minister
c. Union Finance Minister
d. Union Defence Minister
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• Niti Aayog is National Institution for Transforming India. It was formed in 1 January 2015.
• Chairman-Prime Minister (Narendra Modi)
• CEO-Amitabh Kant
• Vice-Chairman-Rajiv Kumar
