31. What is the theme of the ‘World Consumer Rights Day’, 2020?
[A] The Perfect Consumer
[B] The Sustainable Consumer
[C] The Vigilant Consumer
[D] Leaving no consumer behind
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [The Sustainable Consumer]
Notes:
World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated every year on March 15 across the world to spread awareness about the rights and needs of a consumer. Several awareness programmes are held across the world on this day.
This year, the theme of the World Consumer Rights Day, according to the Consumers International organisation is – “Sustainable Consumer”. In India, 24th December is observed as National Consumer Day every year.
32. Phool Dei is a harvest festival celebrated in which Indian state?
[A] Manipur
[B] Tripur
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uttarakhand]
Notes:
Phool Dei is the harvest festival celebrated in the state of Uttarakhand. The cultural festival is celebrated to mark the beginning of spring season.
It is usually celebrated in the month of Chaitra (March-April) in the Hindu calendar. The people of the state decorate their houses with flowers as a part of the celebration. Children shower flowers at the doorsteps of houses wishing prosperity.
33. ‘Chaitra Jatra’ is an annual festival celebrated in which Indian state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Odisha
[C] Telengana
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Odisha]
Notes:
The famous annual Chaitra Jatra festival is celebrated in the state of Odisha. The festival which was scheduled to be held on March 17 at the Tara Tarini hill shrine of the state was cancelled as a precautionary measure against COVID-19 outbreak.
According to the state officials, more than 1.5 lakh visitors usually arrive for the festival and some out of them reach the hill-top to offer prayers, as a part of the festival.
34. What is the toll-free number issued by the Health Ministry for the public to inquire about coronavirus (COVID-19)?
[A] 1071
[B] 1075
[C] 1082
[D] 1089
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1075]
Notes:
The Union Health Ministry has issued a toll-free number 1075 for the public to inquire about coronavirus (COVID-19).
As the number of infections keeps rising, a high-level meeting of the Group of Ministers COVID-19 was held in New Delhi under the chairpersonship of Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan. Travel of passengers from member countries of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, Turkey and the United Kingdom to India is prohibited.
35. Which Indian state uses robots to spread awareness on COVID-19 among the public?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Telangana
[C] Kerala
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala has launched an initiative to use robots for creating awareness on COVID-19 among the public. Two robots have been built by a start-up in Kerala called Asimov Robotics, under the Kerala Start-up Mission, an initiative by the state government to promote start-up firms.
One wears a mask and distributes hand sanitisers, napkins, and masks to people while the other robot responds to queries. They are deployed in Kochi on a pilot basis.
36. What will be the economic growth of India in 2020, as predicted by S&P Global Ratings in March 2020?
[A] 5.7%
[B] 5.5%
[C] 5.2%
[D] 5%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [5.2%]
Notes:
S&P Global Ratings lowered India’s economic growth forecast to 5.2 per cent for the year 2020. The rating agency had earlier predicted the growth rate of 5.7% for 2020.
The agency also estimated that the Asia-Pacific economic growth in 2020 will dip to less than 3 per cent. It also revealed that saying the global economy is entering a recession amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
37. The validity of authorization issued to which company was extended by the Reserve Bank of India till 31 March 2021, to setup, own and operate the White Label ATMs?
[A] Hitachi
[B]
State ATM
[C] Tata Communications Payment Solutions
[D] Vakrangee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Vakrangee]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the validity of authorization issued to IT service management company Vakrangee, to setup, own and operate the White Label ATMs (WLA) in India.
The validity of authorization has been extended till 31 March 2021. RBI has assigned a target of minimum 1,000 ATMS to be deployed by Vakrangee for three years starting from 2020, with the stipulated ratio in Metro & Urban, Semi-Urban and Rural regions.
38. Which social-media platform launched ‘Coronavirus Information Hub’ in partnership with WHO, UNICEF and UNDP?
[A] Twitter
[B] WhatsApp
[C] Instagram
[D] Telegram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [WhatsApp]
Notes:
Facebook-owned WhatsApp has recently announced the global launch of “WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub” in partnership with the World Health Organization, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Development Program.
It has also contributed $1m to the Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), to enhance the fact-checking network to curb fake news and rumours around coronavirus.
39. The ‘COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force’, unveiled by the Prime Minister of India, is to be headed by which Union minister?
[A] Piyush Goyal
[B] Harsh Vardhan
[C] Nirmala Sitharaman
[D] Rajnath Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nirmala Sitharaman]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his public address, announced the setting up of a COVID-19 economic response task force.
The task force is to be headed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, to measure the economic impact of the pandemic and take appropriate steps. The Finance Minister is set to meet the Ministers of animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries, civil aviation, tourism and MSME, for getting feedback and assessing the economic impact of COVID-19.
40. The study of the fossil of a fish called Elpistostege watsoni revealed the evolutionary origin of which part of the human body?
[A] Heart
[B] Hand
[C] Lungs
[D] Brain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Hand]
Notes:
The recent research of the fossil of a fish called Elpistostege watsoni has revealed the evolutionary origin of human hands.
After the research on the fossil of the fish, which was believed to be in today’s Canada about 380 million years ago, scientists have found the evolutionary origins. This research represents a crucial stage in the history of life on Earth especially the transition of fish to land vertebrates.