1. Which country has recently announced the "International Climate Finance Plan"?

North America

US President Joe Biden unveiled the "US International Climate Finance Plan". Joe Biden announced that the US would double down on public climate finance to help poor countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A new climate finance plan has been released with a target to cut emissions by 50%-52% from 2005 levels.

2. Which country has recently launched a hotline to report online derogatory remarks made by “Historical Nihilists”?

Answer – China

"Historical Nihilism" is a phrase used in China to describe public doubts over past events described by the Chinese Communist Party. Recently China's cyber regulator launched a hotline to report comments online.

3. Which film has recently won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) – Best Picture award?

Answer – Nomadland

“Nomadland” has won four awards at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Chloe Zhao has become only the second woman and the first black woman. Who has won the BAFTA Award for Best Director for the film 'Nomadland'. The Best Actor award went to 83-year-old Anthony Hopkins while the Best Actress award went to Frances McDormand.

4. Recently Sputnik V, Kovid-19 Vaccine was launched by which country?

Answer – Russia

Expert committee recommends emergency use of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in India. Now, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) will consider this recommendation and authorize restricted emergency use in India. The other two vaccines are Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Serum Institute of India's Covishield. The Sputnik V will be manufactured by several companies in India.

5. What is the original name of "Doomsday Glacier" of Antarctica?

Answer – Thwaites Glacier

Thwaites Glacier - Also known as "Doomsday Glacier". exists in Antarctica and has been melting rapidly over the years. Due to its large size of 1.9 lakh sq km, it contains enough water to raise the world water level by more than half a metre. Recently researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have found that this glacier is melting at a high rate.

6. Which state has recently included “arhatiyas” in the direct payment process for farmers?

Answer – Punjab

The Punjab government has told the central government that it will pay the Minimum Support Price (MSP) directly into the accounts of farmers. Earlier the arhtis (commission agents) used to pay the farmers. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh announced that the State Food Department has amended the procurement software to enable the Arhtiyas to participate in the direct payment process.

7. Recently 'Crash Course Program for Kovid-19 Frontline Workers' has been prepared under which scheme?

Answer – PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana 3.0

The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi has launched a customized crash course program for COVID-19 frontline workers, which will provide trained health workers across the country to assist in the fight against COVID. The course has been launched under the central component of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 3.0 with a financial outlay of Rs 276 crore.

8. 'Varuna' and 'Assi' rivers flow through which Indian state?

Answer – Uttar Pradesh

The National Green Tribunal has constituted a committee in Varanasi to rejuvenate the Varuna and Assi rivers, both of which join the Ganges. The tribunal has taken this step in view of the alleged discharge of untreated sewage into these rivers and unauthorized construction on the banks of these rivers.

9. Recently CSIR has tied up with which health care institute to increase COVID-19 testing across towns and rural India?

Answer – Tata MD

CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) has partnered with Tata Group's health care venture “Tata MD”. The aim of this partnership is to increase the COVID-19 testing capacity in Tier 2 and 3 towns and rural areas of the country. Under this partnership, the Tata MD CHECK SARS-CoV-2 test kit will be used extensively to conduct RT-PCR tests at CSIR laboratories in India.

10. Recently with which two countries India has launched a trilateral for Indo-Pacific stability?

Answer – Italy-Japan

India, Italy and Japan have launched a trilateral through a virtual meeting in which India was represented by the Union Ministry of External Affairs. The aim of this tripartite is to create stability and a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific, based on the "consensus of all" and not the "power of the few".