31. ‘Akshay Urja Portal’ is an initiative of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Power
[B] Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
[C] Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
[D] Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of New & Renewable Energy]
Notes:
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has recently launched its new website to make information about new schemes and projects presented in a better manner to the stakeholders.
The newly launched website includes optimized user interface and facilitates better access from various devices including mobile phones. The website has additional portals such as ‘Akshay Urja Portal’ and ‘India Renewable Idea Exchange’ (IRIX).
32. In the video conference held between the leaders of SAARC member countries, which country proposed a “Covid-19 emergency fund”?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] India
[C] Pakistan
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
A meeting of the heads of countries of the SAARC alliance was held via video conferencing recently. Last time the leaders had a meeting together in November 2014.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi proposed a “Covid-19 emergency fund” to which India would provide $10 million as an initial contribution. He offered the services of a rapid response team of doctors armed with testing kits. The Prime Minister also offered online training for health workers in SAARC countries for upgrading skills to tackle Covid-19.
33. An important personality in Ambedkar’s historic conversion to Buddhism passed away recently. What is his name?
[A] Santu Mukherjee
[B] Sadanand Fulzele
[C] H R Bhardwaj
[D] Potturi Venkateswar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sadanand Fulzele]
Notes:
Sadanand Fulzele, the founder secretary of the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti, recently passed away at the age of 91.
The federation looks after Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, the site of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism in 1956. Fulzele was a follower of Ambedkar’s ideologies and was instrumental in building the stupa at the place. Fulzele was also the Deputy Mayor of Nagpur when the leader converted along with over 6 lakh followers.
34. A new passenger ferry service called ‘Ropax’, was recently inaugurated in which state?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] West Bengal
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maharashtra]
Notes:
A passenger ferry service called ‘Ropax’ was launched between Mumbai and Mandwa of Maharashtra by the Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Mandaviya.
The vessel which can carry as many as 200 cars and 1,000 passengers was built in Greece. The Ropax jetty and terminal at Mandwa has been built by Maharashtra Maritime Board while the jetty facilities at Mumbai were set up by Mumbai Port Trust.
35. Which European country recently imposed a record 1.1 billion euro fine on tech-firm Apple for its anti-competitive behaviour?
[A] Germany
[B] France
[C] Italy
[D] Spain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
The competition authority of France recently slapped a record 1.1 billion euro (equivalent to $1.2 billion) fine on US tech major Apple.
The fine was imposed for the firm’s anti-competitive behaviour towards its independent retail distributors. The country’s authority announced that it found Apple prevented independent retailers in France from competing on price and allegedly used its economic power on them.
36. ‘Hemostat’ which was in news recently, is a material developed to stop rapid blood loss during accidents. It is made up of which component?
[A] Starch
[B] Plastic
[C] Cotton
[D] Paper
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Starch]
Notes:
Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, have developed a material called ‘Hemostat’.
It is a starch-based ‘hemostat’ developed to stop rapid blood loss during accidents, as it physically absorbs excess fluid and concentrates the natural clotting factors in blood. The product possesses increased absorption capacity, improved absorption, inexpensive and biodegradable.
37. Imtiaz Khan, who passed away recently, was associated with which field?
[A] Sports
[B] Business
[C] Politics
[D] Cinema
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Cinema]
Notes:
Veteran Bollywood actor and filmmaker Imtiaz Khan recently passed away in Mumbai at the age of 77. He was famous for acting in several movies including YaadonKiBaaraat, Dharmatma and Dayavan.
He is the husband of Krutika Desai, who is a popular film and television actress. He was also the brother of late actor Amjad Khan and son of the actor Jayant.
38. 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.
39. Which famous application introduced a unique feed named ‘Discover’, which lets users report negative content and provides customised articles?
[A] Google
[B] Facebook
[C] Twitter
[D] LinkedIn
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Google]
Notes:
Technological Major Google introduced a unique feed named ‘Discover’ which provides curated articles to Google Pixel and Google app users based on their interests.
In its latest update to the app, this new feature has been introduced which enables the users to report misleading articles on the ‘Discover’ feed. Users can now report misleading content as various categories which includes violent, misleading, abusive and others.
40. Which country has handed over the Olympic flame to Tokyo 2020 organisers?
[A] China
[B] Greece
[C] Brazil
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Greece]
Notes:
In a ceremony at iconic Panathenaic stadium of Athens, Greece has handed over the Olympic flame to Tokyo 2020 organisers.
The ceremony did not include the planned cultural ceremonies from Greece or Japan, due to COVID-19 pandemic. The Governing Olympic body of Greece, Hellenic Olympic Committee’s President Spyros Capralos handed the torch over to the Tokyo Organising Committee. The Hellenic Olympic Committee organises the lighting ceremony of Olympic Torch and its relay in Greece.