11. The Chief Minister of which Indian state has been conferred with the ‘Hero to Animals Award’, by the animal rights body PETA India?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Kerala
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Odisha]
Notes:
The animal rights body PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) India has conferred the ‘Hero to Animals Award’ on the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik.
The Chief Minister was selected for his empathetic act of allocating Rs 54 lakhs from relief fund, to feed public animals in the municipal corporations and all municipalities of Odisha during the COVID-19 lockdown.
12. Aerobiosys Innovations, which has developed an affordable and emergency-use ventilator called ‘Jeevan Lite’, is an incubated start-up of which institution?
[A] Indian Institute of Technology- Madras
[B] Indian Institute of Technology- Hyderabad
[C] Indian Institute of Science
[D] All India Institute of Medical Science
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Institute of Technology- Hyderabad]
Notes:
Aerobiosys Innovations, an incubated start-up of Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Center for Healthcare Entrepreneurship (CfHE) has developed an affordable and emergency-use ventilator called ‘Jeevan Lite’.
This portable device is Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled and can be operated through a mobile application. The ventilator can also be operated by a battery, which enables it to be deployed in areas without power supply.
13. Which Asian country has declared a state of emergency over coronavirus?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] Thailand
[D] Singapore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Japan]
Notes:
The Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe recently declared a state of emergency in the country, due to the rise in the coronavirus cases.
A month-long state of emergency starting from April 7 has been declared in the capital city Tokyo and six other parts of the country. This move gives powers to local governments to contain the spread of the coronavirus, by urging residents to stay at home and calling for businesses to close.
14. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), along with which private firm, has developed a face shield for doctors and medical staff treating COVID-19 patients?
[A] Tata
[B] Wipro
[C] Larsen &Toubro
[D] HCL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Wipro]
Notes:
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), along with Wipro, has developed a unique shield for doctors and medical staff treating COVID-19 patients.
This full-face shield will protect the healthcare personnel from directly contracting the coronavirus infection. DRDO has also developed bio-suit to protect the front-line health workers and has supplied masks, full-body suits and personal protection equipment (PPE) for the medical staff
15. Which Union Ministry of India launched a portal named “Integrated Government Online training” (iGOT) for capacity building of frontline workers fighting COVID-19 pandemic?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[C] Ministry of Human Resource Development
[D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Human Resource Development]
Notes:
Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has launched an online portal named ‘Integrated Government Online Training Portal’ for frontline workers fighting coronavirus outbreak.
This training module has been launched in the DIKSHA platform of the HRD Ministry for capacity building of frontline workers including doctors, nurses, hygiene workers, State Government officers, police organisations and other volunteers to efficiently handle the COVID-19 pandemic.
16. Who was named the leading men’s cricketer of the year by 2020 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack?
[A] Virat Kohli
[B] Ben stokes
[C] Jofra Archer
[D] Pat Cummins
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ben stokes]
Notes:
England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been recently named the ‘Leading Cricketer in the World’ in the 2020 edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. He becomes the first English cricketer to win the award since 2005 after Andrew Flintoff.
Ben Stokes replaced the Indian skipper Virat Kohli who had won the award three straight times till last year’s edition. Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry won the leading woman player in the world award. England’s Jofra Archer, South Africa’s Simon Harmer, Australians Pat Cummins, Marnus Labuschagne and Ellyse Perry were named as the five Wisden Cricketers of the year.
17. According to the Digidhan Dashboard, which was the most popular means of digital transaction in the Financial year 2019-20?
[A] BHIM UPI
[B] Debit cards
[C] Prepaid instruments
[D] Internet Banking
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [BHIM UPI]
Notes:
According to the Digidhan Dashboard, launched by the Electronics and IT Ministry, the total transactions through the digital channels reached ₹4,116.74 crore in 2019-20, which is an increase by over 31 per cent from the last year.
As per the data, BHIM UPI has been the most popular means, with 30.19 per cent share in digital transactions amounting to ₹1,242.98 crore of payment. It was followed by prepaid instruments and debit cards in the second and third place.
18. An initiative of ‘Arogya Setu Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) service’ has been launched by the Centre in association with which state government?
[A] Odisha
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Kerala
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
An Interactive Voice Response System initiative called “Aarogya Setu IVRS” has been launched by the Centre in association with Tamil Nadu government and IIT Madras.
The service has been launched for people who do not use smart phones and to assist them in tackling Covid-19. It will be activated by a missed call and the location of the user is identified. Assistance on healthcare and guidance will be available through the voice service. This service will be launched in other states soon.
19. Which state/UT has announced ‘Operation SHIELD’ in containment zones to contain the spread of COVID-19?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Telangana
[C] New Delhi
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [New Delhi]
Notes:
As per the announcement of the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the government will implement ‘Operation SHIELD’ at 21 locations which have been identified as containment zones in the UT.
‘Operation SHIELD’ is an acronym, which includes Sealing; Home Quarantine; Isolation and Tracing of people; Doorstep Delivery of Essential Items; Local Sanitisation And Disinfection and Door-To-Door Checking of people having symptoms of COVID-19.
20. India’s fiscal deficit stood at 5.07% of gross domestic product (GDP) in February. What is the revised fiscal deficit target for FY20, as a percentage of GDP?
[A] 3.8
[B] 3.5
[C] 3.2
[D] 3.0
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [3.8]
Notes:
According to a recent report released by the government, India’s fiscal deficit stood at 5.07% of gross domestic product (GDP) in February. Industrial output, measured in terms of Index of Industrial Production (IIP), was also at 4.5% in February.
The Government has revised its fiscal deficit target of 3.8% of GDP for FY20, during the 2020 Union Budget presentation. With a 5.07% fiscal deficit, it is expected that the revised target for the year 2019-20 would be difficult to be achieved.