31. Dana Zatopkova, a legendary javelin champion who passed away recently, belonged to which country?
[A] Czech Republic
[B] Australia
[C] United Kingdom
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Czech Republic]
Notes:
The 1952 javelin champion of Helsinki Olympics, Dana Zatopkova recently passed away at the age of 97. She belonged to and represented Czech Republic.
Her husband Emil Zatopek is also a four-time Olympic running champion. Zatopkova also won the Olympic silver in Rome in 1960. In 1958, the champion set the world record of 55.73 metres at the age of 35. She also became the European champion in 1954 and 1958.
32. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs recently approved an additional fixed cost of Rs 350 per tonne to which commodity?
[A] Cotton
[B] Urea
[C] Jute
[D] Tea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Urea]
Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has recently approved the proposal of Department of fertilizers to remove ambiguities in the Modified New Pricing Scheme -III (NPS-III) in determining the fixed costs for the urea units.
The Modified NPS-III was notified on 2nd April, 2014 but it has not been implemented. This approval will result in providing a grant of additional fixed cost of Rs 350 per tonne to 30 urea manufacturing units and will reduce import dependency.
33. In context with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) rules notified by the government, what does S stand for in ‘SJPU’?
[A] Special
[B] Sexual
[C] State
[D] Safety
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Special ]
Notes:
The Government has notified the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Rules, 2020 which enables implementation of recent amendments to the Act. Under the new rules, punishment for child abuse has been made more stringent.
The rules state that any person who has received any pornographic material involving a child or any information regarding such material being stored, distributed or is likely to be distributed in any manner shall report the contents to the Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) or Police or the cybercrime portal.
34. The flagship “Ganga Amantran Abhiyan” programme is conducted by which organisation?
[A] National Mission for Clean Ganga
[B] Ganga Flood Control Mission
[C] National Water Development Agency
[D] Central Water Commission
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [National Mission for Clean Ganga ]
Notes:
National Mission for Clean Ganga which functions under the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation-Ministry of Jal Shakti organised its flagship rafting and kayaking expedition programme called “Ganga Amantran Abhiyan”.
The exploratory open-water rafting programme was organised from Devprayag (Uttarakhand) to Gangasagar (West Bengal). The programme which concluded recently allowed people to connect with the river Ganga.
35. Which country is set to levy a 2% tax on digital services from April 1, 2020?
[A] United States
[B] France
[C] United Kingdom
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United Kingdom]
Notes:
The United Kingdom recently announced that it will start charging a 2% tax on digital services from 1st April this year.
The tax is to be imposed on revenue from digital services such as search and advertising. This tax will apply to firms with global sales of more than £500 million with at least £25 million from UK users. This decision of the government has been facing continuous opposition from the US government and top technological firms.
36. 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.
37. 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.
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. 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.
40. Which state government removed reservation in promotions for SC/ST employees?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Bihar
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttarakhand]
Notes:
The state government of Uttarakhand issued orders to remove reservation in promotions for SC/ST employees.
In the month of February 2020, the Supreme Court stated that the government is not bound to make reservations and claiming reservation in promotions is not a fundamental right. Now Uttarakhand government has implemented government order which bans reservation in promotion and removed the restriction in promotions in all state government departments.