28 February 2024

Q1. “Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)” works under the administrative control of:

(a) Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

(b) Department of Pharmaceuticals

(c) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

(d) Prime Minister’s Office

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is a department of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization of the Government of India responsible for approval of licences of specified categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines, and sera in India.
• Drugs Controller General of India, comes under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
• DCGI also sets standards for manufacturing, sales, import, and distribution of drugs in India.

Q2. What is CAR-T cell therapy used for?

(a) Treating bacterial infections in the respiratory system.

(b) Treating autoimmune diseases by suppressing the immune response.

(c) Targeting cancer cells by modifying a patient’s immune cells.

(d) Replacing damaged heart tissue with engineered cardiac cells.

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• Context: India’s Drug Controller General (DCGI) has granted market authorization for CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor-T) cell therapy developed by ImmunoACT, a spin-off company from IIT-Bombay.
• This ground-breaking treatment, known as NexCAR19, is now approved for use in cases of relapsed-refractory B-cell lymphoma and leukaemia.
• The therapy’s market authorization follows extensive scrutiny of data from phase 1 and 2 clinical trials by the Central Drugs Standards and Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Q3. A spacecraft dubbed “Psyche” was recently launched by NASA on a six-year mission to investigate the?

(a) Moon

(b) Jupiter

(c) Earth

(d) Asteroid

Ans: (d)

Explanation:

• Context: NASA has launched a spacecraft called ‘Psyche’ on a six-year mission to study a unique metal-rich asteroid also named ‘Psyche.’
• This asteroid orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
• The primary goal of the Psyche mission is to explore the iron core, a previously unexplored aspect of planet formatio
• For the first time, the mission will examine a celestial body primarily composed of metal rather than rock and ice.
• Additionally, it aims to gain insights into the internal structure of terrestrial planets, including Earth, by directly studying the interior of a differentiated body, which would otherwise remain hidden.

Q4. Consider the following statements about the Ecomark Scheme:

1. It provides accreditation and labelling for household and consumer products that meet specific environmental criteria while maintaining quality standards as per Indian norms.
2. The Central Pollution Control Board administers the Ecomark Scheme in partnership with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

• The Ecomark Scheme, notified on 13th October 2023, replaces the previous Notification. It provides accreditation and labelling for household and consumer products that meet specific environmental criteria while maintaining quality standards as per Indian norms. Products accredited under the Ecomark Scheme will adhere to specific environmental criteria, ensuring minimal environmental impact. It will build consumer awareness of environmental issues and encourage eco-conscious choices. It will also motivate manufacturers to shift towards environmentally friendly production. The scheme seeks to ensure accurate labelling and prevent misleading information about products.
• The Central Pollution Control Board administers the Ecomark Scheme in partnership with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is the national body for standards and certification.

Q5. Consider the following statements:

1. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is a non-governmental sports organization responsible for organizing the Olympic Games and governs National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
2. In 2009, the UN General Assembly granted the IOC Permanent Observer status.
3. The IOC Session is the annual meeting of IOC members where each member has one vote, and its decisions are final.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Ans: (c)

Explanation:

About IOC:

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) (founded: 1894; HQ: Lausanne, Switzerland) is a non-governmental sports organization responsible for organizing the Olympic Games and governs National Olympic Committees (NOCs). In 2009, the UN General Assembly granted the IOC Permanent Observer status. The IOC Session is the annual meeting of IOC members where each member has one vote, and its decisions are final.