11. Which organisation is set to release Digital Payments Index (DPI), which will assess the digitalisation of payments in the country?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
[C] Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
[D] National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently released its statement on developmental and regulatory policies, along with the February 2020 Monetary policy statement.
In the statement, the central bank announced about the launch of Digital Payments Index (DPI), which will assess the digitalisation of payments in the country. The DPI will accurately measure the penetration of digital payment modes among the general public of the country. The index is proposed to be launched from July 2020.
12. 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.
13. Which city recently organized the Nutan International Theatre Festival (NITF)?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Chandigarh
[C] Jammu
[D] Dehradun
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jammu]
Notes:
The Nutan International Theatre Festival (NITF) began on Feb 1 in Jammu and has veen a big it. This is first time in history of Jammu & Kashmir that a theatre festival of international repute was organized here.
14. Which city was host to the National Conference on e-Governance 2020?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Bengaluru
[C] Mumbai
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mumbai]
Notes:
23rd edition of the two day annual National Conference on e-Governance recently concluded in Mumbai. Its focus was on improving delivery of public services by promoting use of digital platforms. During the event, Blockchain Sandbox – Maharashtra was also launched. Mumbai Declaration on e-Governance was also unanimously adopted on the concluding day.
15. Which country has reportedly auctioned licenses to hunt elephants, to tackle human-animal conflict?
[A] Zimbabwe
[B] Namibia
[C] Botswana
[D] Mozambique
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Botswana]
Notes:
The South African country Botswana has the largest elephant population in the world. Recently, the country was seen in news as it auctioned licenses to hunt elephants, to tackle human-animal conflict.
In the capital city of the country Gaborone, the licenses to hunt 70 elephants were said to be auctioned. The government had lifted the ban on hunting, which was prevalent for five years.
16. Giriraj Kishore, who recently passed away recently, was associated with which field?
[A] Literature
[B] Arts
[C] Politics
[D] Sports
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Literature]
Notes:
Renowned writer and academician Giriraj Kishore passed away recently. The Gandhian writer was 82-years-old. He was also the recipient of the prestigious civilian award ‘Padma Shri’.
The famous literary works of Giriraj Kishore include ‘Pahla Girmitiya’ and ‘Dhaai Ghar’. A recipient of ‘Sahitya Samman’, he was also a former member of the Sahitya Academy working committee.
17. Which city is host to the 33rd African Union (AU) summit, being held recently?
[A] Addis Ababa
[B] Nairobi
[C] Cairo
[D] Harare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Addis Ababa]
Notes:
The 33rd African Union (AU) summit has commenced recently in Addis Ababa, the capital of the African nation Ethiopia. The summit is being held under the theme ‘Silencing the Guns: Creating conducive conditions for Africa’s development’.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, took over as the African Union chair, from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Heads of countries and government officials from across Africa have assembled in the city for participating in the summit.
18. Aditya Mehta, who was seen in news recently, is associated with sports?
[A] Snooker
[B] Weight-lifting
[C] Archery
[D] Boxing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Snooker]
Notes:
Indian cueist Aditya Mehta was seen in news recently as he won the National Snooker Championship, held at Pune. He represented the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) and defeated the 22-time-world champion Pankaj Advani 6-2 to win the title. Pankaj recently won the National Billiards Championship.
Vidya Pillai of Karnataka clinched the women’s snooker title, by beating Amee Kamani of Madhya Pradesh.
19. Which film recently won the Oscar for best picture, which is also the first non- English film to win the award?
[A] Les Misérables
[B] Irishman
[C] Parasite
[D] Border
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Parasite]
Notes:
The South Korean film Parasite created history at the 2020 Oscars, by being the first film not in the English language to win the coveted award. It won a total of four Oscars, including best picture, best director, best screenplay and best international feature.
This is also the first film to have won both international feature and best picture at the Oscars, in its history. Joaquin Phoenix and Renee Zellweger won the award for best actor and actress respectively.
20. ‘Ajeya Warrior‘ is the joint military exercise conducted between India and which country?
[A] Japan
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Israel
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Kingdom]
Notes:
The fifth edition of joint military exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior’ between India and the United Kingdom will be conducted at Salisbury Plains, United Kingdom. The exercise is scheduled from February 13 to 26, 2020.
120 soldiers each from Indian and United Kingdom Army would participate in the exercise. The joint military exercise has been conducted alternatively in United Kingdom and India. The training will be held with emphasis on counter-terror operations in urban and semi-urban areas.