1. Fausta, a female black rhino, believed to be the world’s oldest rhino, had recently died in Tanzanian conservation area. What is the IUCN status of the black rhinos?
[A] Least concern
[B] Endangered
[C] Critically Endangered
[D] Near threatened
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Critically Endangered]
Notes:
Also known as “hook-lipped rhinoceros”, these species, though called “black” are in varying colours of brown and grey. They are found in South and East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Its IUCN status is critically endangered, though the South-Western status of the black rhinoceros is classified under vulnerable.
2. Which ministry is set to launch “Santusht” portal for rapid grievance redressal for the employers and the employees?
[A] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[B] Ministry of Finance
[C] Ministry of Labor and Employment
[D] Ministry of Human Resource Development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Labor and Employment]
Notes:
The Ministry of Labour and Employment is going to launch “Santusht” platform next month to ensure an efficient implementation of the labour laws at the grass root levels. It will also look into the services provided by the retirement fund body, EPFO and health insurance and service provider ESIC for those working in the formal sector.
3. The Union Home Minister had recently reviewed the functioning of the Sashastra Seema Bal. SSB was previously known as _______.
[A] Special Service Bureau
[B] Secret Service Bureau
[C] Strategic Support Branch
[D] Sashastra Seema Ayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Special Service Bureau]
Notes:
The Union Minister for Home Affairs had recently visited Sashastra Seem Bal Headquarters in New Delhi. He reviewed the functioning of the SSB during this visit. The deployment, operational achievements and concerns were reviewed. SSB, one of the Central Armed Police Forces, was known as Special Service Bureau prior to 2001.
4. Who is going to head the recently constituted task force for developing the National Infrastructure Pipeline?
[A] Cabinet Secretary
[B] Economic Affairs Secretary
[C] Revenue Secretary
[D] Finance Secretary
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Economic Affairs Secretary]
Notes:
The Union Finance Minister had unveiled a Rs. 102 lakh crore National Infrastructure Pipeline. To create a road map for the national infrastructure pipeline from 2019-2020 to 2024-25, finance ministry had set up a task force. It is to be headed by the Economic Affairs Secretary.
5. Which city was named the cleanest in the recently released Swachh Survekshan League 2020 results?
[A] Kolkata
[B] Chennai
[C] Indore
[D] Rajkot
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indore]
Notes:
According to the central government’s cleanliness survey, Indore is declared to be the cleanest city in India for the fourth time in a row. Kolkata is designated as the worst performer. It the category of cities having population more than 10 lakh, Bhopal stood second in the first quarter of the result and Rajkot got the second spot in the second quarter of the results.
6. Who will launch the “Earthshot Prize” to motivate new solution to tackle climate crisis?
[A] Duke of Cambridge
[B] Queen Elizabeth II
[C] Duke of Sussex
[D] Prince of Wales
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Duke of Cambridge]
Notes:
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge will launch the environmental prize called the Earthshot. The multi-million pound award will be given to five winners each year for the next 10 years, starting from 2021. Its aim is to provide at least 50 solutions to the world’s greatest problems by 2030.
7. ISRO is to set up its second launch port in Tamilnadu for SSLV. What does SSLV stand for?
[A] Space Satellite Launch Vehicle
[B] Speed Satellite Launch Vehicle
[C] Small Satellite Launch Vehicle
[D] Solar Satellite Launch Vehicle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Small Satellite Launch Vehicle]
Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation is to set up its second launch port in Thoothukodi district of southern Tamilnadu. The Government of Tamilnadu will arrange nearly 2300 acres of land for the construction of the launch centre. The proposed launch port will mainly handle the Small Satellite Launch vehicle (SSLV), which is under development. SSLVs will be used to carry a payload of up to 500 kg and are expected to be deployed in the first half of 2020.
8. What is the annual financial assistance given to eligible farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme?
[A] Rs. 10000
[B] Rs. 8000
[C] Rs. 6000
[D] Rs. 5000
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs. 6000]
Notes:
The 3rd installment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM- KISAN) scheme was released by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in Tumakuru, Karnataka. This latest installment is expected to benefit nearly six crore beneficiaries. The PM- KISAN scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on February 2019 to provide financial assistance of Rs.6000 per year to eligible farmers in three installments of Rs.2000 each. The payment of second installment began from April 2019.
9. The Transport Department of which state recently launched a helpline for women called ‘Damini’?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) launched a helpline for women called ‘Damini’, to improve the safety of women in public road transport. The helpline number subscribed for this scheme is ‘81142-77777’, which will have both calling and Whatsapp service. The helpline will be handled by women officers at the headquarters and zonal offices of UPSRTC, which will be operational from 9 am to 6 pm daily. This scheme is launched as a part of the Central Government initiative of ‘Nirbhaya Scheme’.
10. How is the Railway Protection Force (RPF) recently renamed by the Ministry of Railways?
[A] Railway Protection Service
[B] Indian Railway Protection Force Service
[C] Indian Railway Force Service
[D] Indian Railway Service
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Railway Protection Force Service]
Notes:
The Ministry of Railways recently granted ‘Organized Group A Status’ (OGAS) to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and also renamed it as the Indian Railway Protection Force Service. Recently the Union Cabinet approved the restructuring of the Indian Railways and merged eight Group A services of the Railways into a central service called the Indian Railway Management Service. Vinod Kumar Yadav recently assumed charge as the chairman of Railway Board after an extension in his term.