11. The report titled ‘Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2020: Towards sustainable economies’ has been released by which global organisation?
[A] United Nations
[B] World Bank
[C] World Economic Forum
[D] International Labour Organisation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [United Nations]
Notes:
The United Nations has recently released a report titled ‘Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 2020: Towards sustainable economies’.
As per the report, the GDP growth of India for the current fiscal is expected to dip to 4.8 per cent. The report also warned that the COVID-19 pandemic would result in adverse economic impacts globally. UN had earlier estimated the GDP growth of India at 5% for the current fiscal.
12. As per a recently conducted online survey among the IT professionals, which city was the most preferred city to work for?
[A] Hyderabad
[B] Mumbai
[C] Bengaluru
[D] Chennai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bengaluru]
Notes:
According to a recent online survey conducted by the technology community website owned by Times Internet-TechGig, most IT professionals prefer Bengaluru as the best city to work for.
Bengaluru has been voted by over 40 per cent of the professionals, mainly for the high living standards, highest appraisal and career growth opportunities it provide. While Hyderabad and Pune secured the second and third spots respectively, Delhi-NCR secured the least votes among the chart.
13. In the commemoration of small contingent of CRPF who successfully repulsed an attack by a Pakistani Brigade in 1965, April 9 is celebrated as which day?
[A] Bravery Day
[B] Valour Day
[C] Courage Day
[D] Martyrdom Day
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Valour Day]
Notes:
On April 9th, 1965 a small contingent of CRPF successfully fought and repulsed an attack by a Pakistani Brigade at Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat.
That was the first time in the history of military battles, two companies of policemen fought back a whole infantry Brigade. Six CRPF men attained martyrdom during this attack. As a tribute to the martyrs of CRPF, April 9 is celebrated by the CRPF as ‘Valour Day’.
14. April 9 is celebrated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as which day?
[A] Anti-Doping Day
[B] Play True Day
[C] Fair Play Day
[D] World Play Day
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Play True Day]
Notes:
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is celebrating the ‘Play True Day 2020’ on April 9, which has been celebrated since 2014.
Canada-based World Anti-Doping Agency is a foundation launched by the International Olympic Committee, to promote awareness against drugs in sports. WADA is celebrating the day this year with the theme ‘Play Safe on Play True Day 2020’.
15. The Centre has removed the customs duty and health cess on the import of medical equipment related to COVID-19 till which month of 2020?
[A] June
[B] August
[C] September
[D] December
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [September]
Notes:
The Union government recently announced that it has removed customs duty and health cess on the import of medical equipment related to COVID-19 till September 30, 2020.
The exemption on customs duty and cess have been given to all related medical equipment including ventilators, surgical masks, PPE, and test kits. This step is expected to boost availability of the products in the country, as per the Department of Revenue. The exemptions will be applicable on inputs used to manufacture the equipment.
16. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved the diagnostic machines used for testing which disease, for testing coronavirus samples?
[A] Tuberculosis
[B] Pneumonia
[C] Chronic Bronchitis
[D] Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tuberculosis]
Notes:
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved using diagnostic machines that are used for testing drug-resistant Tuberculosis for conducting coronavirus tests.
The ICMR has recommended this as a screening test. As per the guidance issued, throat or nasal swabs are to be collected in the viral transport medium with the ‘virus lysis buffer’, which is provided along with the kit. ICMR-NIV, Pune will inform about the effects of the viral RNA after neutralization of this novel coronavirus by the lysis buffer.
17. Which former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India has been named in the external advisory group of the IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva?
[A]
Urjit Patel
[B] Raghuram Rajan
[C] Y V Reddy
[D] D Subbarao
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Raghuram Rajan]
Notes:
The Chief of International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva has recently named former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India Raghuram Rajan and 11 other experts in her external advisory group.
The group is expected to provide perspectives on policy issues and responses to the challenges faced by the world due to the coronavirus pandemic. The group has 12 eminent individuals who have expertise in policy-making, global market and private sector. Raghuram Rajan is currently serving as a professor at the University of Chicago.
18. Anak Krakatau volcano which was recently seen erupting ash and lava continuously, is located in which country?
[A] Philippines
[B] Indonesia
[C] New Zealand
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indonesia ]
Notes:
Anak Krakatau volcano is located in Indonesia and was seen in news recently as it was continuously erupting ash and lava.
This was the longest eruption since 2018, when the explosion and collapse of the island caused a deadly Tsunami along the coasts of Sumatra and Java, which killed 430 people. A level 2 alert status on a scale of four was made for the eruption.
19. As per the recent notification from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which industry has been exempted from the lockdown?
[A] Coal Mining
[B] Fishing and Aquaculture
[C] Textile
[D] Automobile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Fishing and Aquaculture]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently released a notification, wherein it has exempted the operations of Fishing (Marine) and Aquaculture Industry from the nation-wide lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The operations of the marine and aquaculture industry including harvesting, processing, packaging, cold chain, sale and marketing; hatcheries, movement of fish/shrimp etc. were exempted in the order. The order also directed that social distancing and proper hygiene practices must be ensured.
20. Which multilateral funding agency has tripled its Covid-19 response package, initially announced for its developing member countries, to $20 billion?
[A] World Bank
[B] Asian Development Bank
[C] World Economic Forum
[D] BRICS Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Asian Development Bank]
Notes:
The multilateral funding agency Asian Development Bank (ADB) has tripled its Covid-19 response package initially announced for developing member countries to $20 billion.
Last month, ADB had announced a 6.5 billion package for its 31 DMC (developing member countries) to assist them in recovering the economies. The lender has also announced that 2 billion will be provided through loans for private sector and financial institutions and microfinance loans for medium-sized enterprises.