1. Which is the first country in the world to use drones for locust control after finalizing the protocols?
a. India
b. United States
c. Afghanistan
d. Iran
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• India has become the first country in the world to use drones for locust control after finalizing the protocols.
• Union Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar flagged off a Bell Helicopter with spray equipment from a helipad facility at Gautam Buddh Nagar, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• The helicopter will fly for Air Force Station at Uttarlai, Barmer where it will be stationed initially and from there deployed for locust control in desert areas of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Nagaur. The deployment of the helicopter for locust control operations follows the need to strengthen air control capabilities for locust control through drones, helicopters and aircrafts.
2. Which Indian institute has launched the World’s first-ever Online B.Sc. Degree in Programming and Data Science?
a. IIT-Delhi
b. IIT-Madras
c. IIT-Mumbai
d. IIT-Kharagpur
S-b
EXPLANATION-
• The Union Minister of HRD Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank' virtually launched World’s first ever online B.Sc. degree in Programming and Data Science by IIT-Madras.
• It is open to anyone who has passed Class XII, with English and Maths at the Class X level, and enrolled in any on-campus UG course.
• This unique online offering will be offered in three different stages - Foundational Programme, Diploma Programme and Degree Programme.
• At each stage, students will have the freedom to exit from the program and receive a Certificate, Diploma or a Degree, respectively, from IIT Madras. Based on the eligibility, interested candidates will have to fill a form and pay a nominal fee of Rs. 3,000 for the qualifier exam.
3. Which of the following Indian states has launched world's largest convalescent plasma therapy project?
a. Maharashtra
b. Punjab
c. Karnataka
d. Telangana
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched a convalescent plasma therapy-cum-trial project, PLATINA for treatment of critical COVID-19 patients, dubbed as the world's largest project of its kind.
• The trial will be carried out at 21 centres across the state, including 17 medical colleges under the Medical Education and Drugs Department and four medical colleges of the BMC in Mumbai.
• All critical patients will receive two doses of 200 ml of convalescent plasma. The entire plasma therapy treatment will be free of cost to all the patients of Maharashtra admitted in the above centres.
4. Which of the following Indian states launched ‘Skill Connect Forum’-a portal to connect job seekers and employers?
a. Karnataka
b. West Bengal
c. Madhya Pradesh
d. Andhra Pradesh
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa launched ‘Skill Connect Forum’, a portal that connects job seekers with employers on a common platform.
• The initiative comes even as the state continues to reel under the economic uncertainty and acute fund crunch due to the covid-19 induced lockdown that has resulted in job losses across the state and country.
• The Skill Connect Forum portal provides information on available jobs.
5. Which Indian state has launched ‘Hamara Ghar-Hamara Vidyalaya’ campaign?
a. Maharashtra
b. Madhya Pradesh
c. Uttar Pradesh
d. Andhra Pradesh
S-b
EXPLANATION-
• Madhya Pradesh has prepared a ‘Hamara Ghar-Hamara Vidyalaya’ means My Home-My school scheme, in which children will be taught at home in a school-like environment. The scheme will start from 6th July 2020.
• It has been done to maintain the academic regularity of students during the Corona crisis.
• The school bell will be ringing in the houses of the state too from July 6. Children will read, perform yoga, write and listen to stories and make notes on them.
