11. Which Indian Public sector enterprise has recently raised $750 million Japanese yen loan, to reduce air pollution from its power projects?
[A] Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
[B] NTPC Limited
[C] Power Grid Corporation of India
[D] NHPC Limited
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NTPC Limited]
Notes:
Indian Maharatna Public sector enterprise NTPC Ltd has recently raised $750 million syndicated Japanese yen loan, which will help to reduce air pollution from its power projects across India.
This is the highest single-foreign currency loan raised by the enterprise and also the largest syndicated Japanese yen loan raised by an Asian firm. The yen-denominated bond issued in the Japanese capital by non-Japanese companies is called Samurai bond. The loan will fund the installation of Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) system, which will help reduce SOx emissions. New hydro projects and projects using advanced technologies are also set to be established with the fund.
12. ‘Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana’ is a flagship scheme of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
[B] Ministry of Tribal Affairs
[C] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
[D] Ministry of Human Resource Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship]
Notes:
‘Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana’ (PMKVY) is the flagship skill development scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. It is implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation and aims to impart skills to one Crore persons of the country by 2020. It was launched in the year 2015, on the National skills day, July 15.
Recently, the Skill Development Ministry announced that over 73 lakh candidates undertook training under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana. The Ministry had earlier announced that PMKVY-III will be launched this year, with enhanced initiatives.
13. What is the rank of India in the recently released International intellectual property index 2020?
[A] 36
[B] 40
[C] 42
[D] 44
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [40]
Notes:
The US Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Centre (GIPC) recently released the latest edition of International intellectual property index. In the list, India is ranked 40, with a score of 38.46%, higher than the last year’s score.
India was placed at 36th rank in the last year’s list, which ranked 50 countries across the world. This year the Centre included 53 economies. The United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, France and Germany retained their positions and were placed at the top five spots in the intellectual property index list.
14. Which Indian PSU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RailTel Corporation of India for mutual co-operation in communication and defence projects?
[A] Bharat Electronics Limited
[B] Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
[C] Defence Research and Development Organisation
[D] Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bharat Electronics Limited]
Notes:
India’s leading defence PSU Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RailTel Corporation of India for mutual co-operation in the fields of Cloud Services, IoT, e-Governance and Networks for Defence projects.
BEL also signed an agreement with a Bengaluru-based start-up, Newspace & Research Technologies Limited (NRT), for co-operation in design, testing and supply of Unmanned Systems. The PSU also partnered with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) to develop and market products for defence and non-defence applications. All the agreements were inked during the ongoing defence exhibition-DefExpo 2020, at Lucknow.
15. High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), which recently tied up with the Russian organisation Rosoboronexport to import new technologies, is a lab of which Indian organisation?
[A] Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO)
[B] Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
[C] Ordnance Factory Board (OFB)
[D] Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)]
Notes:
High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) is a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Head-quartered in Pune, it conducts research in the area of High Energy Materials and Explosive materials.
Recently, the lab has tied up with the Russian state military organisation Rosoboronexport to import new technologies for the development of high energy materials required for missiles, rockets and guns. A technology development contract was signed with the organisation in this regard.
16. How many major ports of India are named after individuals?
[A] Two
[B] Three
[C] Four
[D] Five
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Four]
Notes:
India has 12 major ports viz. Deendayal Port Trust, Paradip Port Trust, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Mumbai Port Trust, Visakhapatnam Port Trust, Chennai Port Trust, Kolkata Port Trust, New Mangaluru Port Trust, V. O. Chidambaranar Port Trust, Kamarajar Port Limited, Kochi Port Trust, Mormugao Port Trust. Of these, Deendayal (earlier Kandla), JNPT (earlier Nava Sheva), V. O. Chidambaranar (earlier Tuticorin) and Kamarajar (earlier Ennore Port) are named after individuals.
17. In context with India’s defence, what is Pranash?
[A] A rifle
[B] A missile
[C] A tank
[D] A helmet
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A missile]
Notes:
Pranash is the name of India’s 200-km strike range tactical ballistic missile which is currently under development by DRDO. This missile is advanced version of the 150-km strike range Prahar missile. Pranash will be a surface-to- surface ballistic missile and will be used by Air Force and Army.
18. Which country has recently unveiled Raad-500 missile?
[A] Pakistan
[B] Iran
[C] Iraq
[D] Saudi Arabia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Iran]
Notes:
Raad-500 is a short-range ballistic missile recently unveiled by Iran. It can be powered by a “new generation” of engines designed to put satellites into orbit.
19. Which state has recently launched an initiative to establish hotels to provide meals at subsidised price called ‘Kudumbashree’ hotels?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Telangana
[C] Kerala
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kerala]
Notes:
The state government of Kerala has recently unveiled a scheme to establish hotels to provide meals at subsidised rates called ‘Kudumbashree’ hotels. The announcement was made during the presentation of state’s budget.
The hotels are to be set up in in each of the 1034 local bodies and Kerala meals is to be available at a subsidised price of Rs 25. Kudumbashree is an initiative of the state government for poverty eradication and women empowerment.
20. Which state recently launched “Mukhyamantri Parivar Samridhi Yojana”, which provides an annual assistance of Rs 6000 to the needy families?
[A] Odisha
[B] Haryana
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Haryana]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal has recently launched Mukhyamantri Parivar Samridhi Yojana. Under this scheme, an annual financial assistance of Rs 6000 is to be provided to the families in the State, whose annual income is up to Rs 1.80 lakh and who own land below 5 acres.
This ensures that the premiums for various welfare schemes of the Central Government, pension scheme and crop insurance are paid automatically from the bank accounts of the needy families.