31. 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.
32. “Chief Ministers Akhannaba Sanaroisingi Tengbang (CMAST)” and “Chief Ministergi Artiste Singgi Tengbang (CMAT)” are the new schemes of which state?
[A] Manipur
[B] Assam
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Nagaland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Manipur]
Notes:
Chief Minister of Manipur N Biren Singh recently launched two new schemes named “Chief Ministers Akhannaba Sanaroisingi Tengbang (CMAST)” and “Chief Ministergi Artiste Singgi Tengbang (CMAT)” with an outlay of Rs 7.36 crore and Rs.5.7 crore respectively.
The CMAST scheme aims to provide suitable government job to sportspersons who win medals in international events. Incentive to local clubs, cash awards to medal winners, assistance for purchasing sports items are also included. CMAT scheme aims to support artistes in performing arts, literary arts and visual arts.
33. The Central bank of which country slashed its benchmark interest rate to almost zero and announced to buy USD 700 billion in bonds?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] United States
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United States]
Notes:
The Central bank of the United States-the Federal Reserve has recently cut its benchmark interest rate to almost zero.
The Fed Reserve also announced that it would buy $700 billion in bonds to ease the economic activities. The bank also said that it shall maintain this target range until the economy is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goal.
34. Which Indian institution has launched a re-skilling programme for women called ‘Career Back 2 Women’?
[A] Indian Institute of Science
[B] Indian Institute of Management-Ahmadabad
[C] Indian Institute of Technology-Madras
[D] Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Institute of Technology-Madras]
Notes:
The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras has recently launched a re-skilling programme for women called ‘Career Back 2 Women’.
The programme aims at offering 150 hours of training to re-skill women who have taken a break from their career. The certification course comprises of artificial intelligence, machine learning, cyber security data science and big data. This programme is done through the Institute’s Digital Skills Academy.
35. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose birth centenary was celebrated recently, was the Founder President of which country?
[A] Nepal
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Thailand
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bangladesh]
Notes:
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, also known as Bangabandhu was the Founder President of independent nation of Bangladesh. He led the movement against the Pakistani rulers in the then East Pakistan, which led to the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.
His birth centenary was celebrated on March 17, this year in Bangladesh and across the world. The year-long celebration has been named as ‘Mujib Barsho’.
36. Which country has begun the first human trial to evaluate vaccine against COVID-19?
[A] China
[B] United Kingdom
[C] United States
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United States]
Notes:
The United States has begun the first phase of clinical trial of a vaccine to protect against the coronavirus disease.
The initiative is supported by a global coalition founded by India and Norway. It is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The first participant received the investigatory vaccine in the trial, which is to enrol 45 healthy adult volunteers for approximately six weeks.
37. In context with the Supreme Court judgement on granting permanent commission to female Navy officers, for how many years they can serve in permanent commission?
[A] 10
[B] 12
[C] 14
[D] 15
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [14]
Notes:
A bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud pronounced the landmark judgment, which ordered the government to grant permanent commission to female officers in Indian Navy.
After Indian Army, the female officers of Indian Navy are also to be granted permanent commission, which will let them serve for 14 years against the Short Service Commission (SSC), in which they retire in 10 years.
38. Poshan Pakhwara or Nutritional Fortnight’ is a programme held in which Indian state/UT?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Goa
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Goa]
Notes:
An awareness programme called ‘Poshan Pakhwara or Nutritional Fortnight’ is being held in the UT of Goa from March 8 to 22.
The programme is aimed at creating awareness about nutrition among the general public. Several activities are being organised with special focus on the health of women, children and people who are suffering from malnutrition. Guidance by nutrition experts and Paediatricians is also provided to the people.
39. Rishi Sunak, the Finance Minister of which country unveiled a 330-Billion Pound Rescue Package to help fight corona virus?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Thailand
[C] United Kingdom
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United Kingdom]
Notes:
The first Indian-origin Finance Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak unveiled a 330-Billion Pound Rescue Package, which aims to help the businesses of the country to survive the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The £330 billion of loan guarantees will help them meet their day to day needs during the lock-down. He also extended a business rates holiday and cash grant to all businesses in the retail and hospitality sector for 12 months.
40. Noel Quinn has been appointed as the Chief executive officer of which multi-national bank?
[A] HSBC
[B] NatWest
[C] BNP Paribas
[D] Standard Chartered
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [HSBC]
Notes:
Europe’s largest bank and multinational investment bank HSBC recently announced that it appointed Noel Quinn as Chief Executive officer.
Noel Quinn joined the HSBC bank in 1987 and took interim charge of HSBC last August after the sudden exit of the previous CEO John Flint. There have been several speculations regarding the appointment, which ended now as an insider has been appointed.