11. The second phase of Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0 began recently. What is the scheme associated with?
[A] Merger of Banks
[B] Universal Vaccination
[C] Defence Procurement
[D] Space Mission
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Universal Vaccination ]
Notes:
Mission Indradhanush is a Universal Vaccination Programme launched by the Ministry of Health and Family welfare in 2014. The Intensified Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0 is carried out from December 2019 to March 2020.
Under the Indradhanush scheme, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children and pregnant women are vaccinated. The target fixed for the scheme is 2020. Recently the Ministry launched IMI 2.0 portal to record the target and real time data of the campaign.
12. Which Indian Grandmaster won the title in the Hastings International Chess Congress?
[A] Pendyala Harikrishna
[B] Sasikiran Krishnan
[C] P Magesh Chandran
[D] Abhijeet Gupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [P Magesh Chandran]
Notes:
Indian Grandmaster, P Magesh Chandran who presently lives in the USA, won the prestigious title of the Hastings International Chess Congress. The tournament was held in Hastings, England.
He completed the game with 7.5 points and remained unbeaten in all rounds. The 36-year-old chess player became the Grand master in 2006. With 6 points each, other Indian players Deep Sengupta and Swayam Mishra were placed in the 13th and 14th ranks respectively.
13. Amazon recently partnered with which leading retail Group of India, to deepen its market presence?
[A] Future Group
[B] D-Mart
[C] Mahindra Retail
[D] Big Basket
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Future Group]
Notes:
E-Commerce Giant Amazon recently partnered with the leading retailer, Future Group. By this partnership the Future Group would be allowed to access the online platform of Amazon and Amazon India will be designated as the authorised online store of the Future Retail Ltd (FRL) stores.
This agreement would also deepen the market presence of Amazon in India, while increasing the reach of the Future Group’s products. Big Bazaar is a famous subsidiary of Future Group.
14. Which is the first state to integrate its land records with the web portal of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)?
[A] Odisha
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Gujarat
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The Department of Agriculture of the state of Maharashtra has seamlessly integrated the state’s land records with the web portal of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). It is the first state in the country to perform such linkage.
After the records are linked online, the farmers are required to provide only their Aadhar number, details of bank and the land records, during the process of insuring crops. The process which is implemented during the current rabi season, is expected to improve efficiency and transparency of the system.
15. What will the GDP growth rate of India for FY20, as estimated by the State Bank of India’s economic research department?
[A] 5.6%
[B] 5.4%
[C] 4.8%
[D] 4.6%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [4.6%]
Notes:
The State Bank of India’s economic research department has lowered its projection for the GDP growth rate of India for FY 20 to 4.6%. Earlier it has projected the GDP rate to be 5%.
The research department also estimated that the GDP of India would be below 6% for two successive years. The CSO also recently estimated the GDP growth of FY20 to be 5%, in lines with the Reserve Bank of India. But the RBI projected 5.9 – 6.3% growth rate for the next fiscal.
16. Recently, Supreme Court of India has asked the centre to consider deployment of which force to guard various courts of India?
[A] Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
[B] Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
[C] National Security Guard (NSG)
[D] Indian Army
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) ]
Notes:
Supreme Court recently asked the Centre to consider the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to guard the various courts in India — taking over the job of securing the courts from the local police forces.
17. Which airline is currently headed by Ashwani Lohani?
[A] Indigo
[B] Spicejet
[C] Air India
[D] Vistara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Air India ]
Notes:
Current Ashwini Lohani heads Air India. It began operations in 1932 with a single-engine, de Havilland Puss Moth monoplane. In 1962, it became the world’s first airline to boast an all-jet fleet. Last October, it also became the world’s first airline to use a Taxibot on an A320 aircraft with passengers onboard. Recently, Group of Ministers (GoM) of the central government have approved the proposal to divest stake in the national carrier. Led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the GoM met on Tuesday and approved all proposals on debt transfer from Air India to a special purpose vehicle. The Expression of Interest (EoI) and the share purchase agreement would be issued in January 2020.
18. The recently approved Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 has done away with so called captive end-use criteria of which mineral / natural resource?
[A] Coal
[B] Gas Hydrates
[C] Natural Gas
[D] Crude Oil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Coal ]
Notes:
On January 8, 2020, Union Cabinet has approved promulgation of Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2020. The Ordinance will amend Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation ) Act 1957 and Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act 2015. The Ordinance will ease rules for auctioning of coal mines and to open up to all sectors. Government has also done away with end-use restrictions of the coal mining blocks.
19. Which country has recently proposed a “Global Electricity Grid”?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] United States
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ India ]
Notes:
Proposed “Global Electricity Grid” was an idea mooted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The grid plans to leverage solar power generated in one geography to feed the electricity demands of other nations. India is reportedly in talks with World Bank as its technical partner to implement the plan.
20. Which city is host to the annual World Economic Forum?
[A] Geneva
[B] Davos
[C] New York
[D] Paris
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Davos ]
Notes:
The World Economic Forum, held annually at Davos, is a meeting in which world leaders discuss economic matters. This year’s summit will take place on January 21- 24.