1. Which state has recommended a judicial inquiry against central agencies including the Enforcement Directorate?
[A] Punjab
[B] Kerala
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Telangana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
The Left front government in Kerala has decided to recommend a judicial inquiry against the central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate.
Earlier, the Crime Branch registered an FIR against some ED officials for derailing the probe in the gold smuggling and dollar cases. The state has decided to appoint Justice (Retd) KV Mohan to head the commission.
2. When is the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade observed by UN?
[A] March 1
[B] March 10
[C] March 15
[D] March 25
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [March 25]
Notes:
Every year on 25th March, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is observed by the United Nations.
This day remembers those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. It also aims to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice.
3. The Indian Prime Minister launched the ‘Swarna Jayanti’ scholarships for the youth of which country?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Nepal
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bangladesh]
Notes:
The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is on a 2-day official visit to Bangladesh as a part of National Day celebrations in Bangladesh.
He has announced the ‘Swarna Jayanti’ scholarships for the youth of Bangladesh to mark half a century ling ties between the two countries. PM has invited 50 entrepreneurs of Bangladesh to visit India and to join India’s start-up and innovation ecosystem.
4. India has inked 5 MoUs in the fields of trade, IT and setting up of sports facilities with which country recently?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] Bangladesh
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bangladesh]
Notes:
India has signed 5 MoUs in the fields of trade, IT and setting up of sports facilities with Bangladesh. This event took place during the concluding sessions of Indian Prime Minister’s 2-day visit to Bangladesh.
During the visit, both national leaders discussed progress achieved on various parameters like health, trade, connectivity etc.
5. The Union Jal Shakti Minister has approved Rs 465 crore performance incentive to how many states in India?
[A] 7 states
[B] 10 states
[C] 20 states
[D] 28 states
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [7 states]
Notes:
The Union Jal Shakti Ministry approved Rs 465 crore performance to 7 states under the Jal Jeevan Mission. These states are Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
The Ministry has stated that Gujarat was among the best performing in implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission.
6. What is the name of the report published by FICCI-EY on Indian Media and Entertainment?
[A] Playing by new rules
[B] Covid and Media
[C] OTT the game changer
[D] Social distancing the new norm
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Playing by new rules]
Notes:
As per the report titled “Playing by new rules”, released by FICCI-EY, Indian media and entertainment (M&E) sector is expected to grow upward by 25% during the year 2021.
The total value of the sector is expected to reach Rs 1.73 lakh crore during 2021 and with the same level growth, the industry is expected to reach Rs 2.23 lakh crore by 2023.
7. China has recently signed a 25-year strategic cooperation pact with which country?
[A] India
[B] USA
[C] Iran
[D] Jamaica
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Iran]
Notes:
The Government of China has entered into a 25-year “strategic cooperation pact” with the Government of Iran. The pact which was under work for more than 5 years has been materialised recently
China has always backed Iran even during fractious moments with USA. China is one of the largest trade partners of Iran.
8. ‘VAJRA PRAHAR 2021’ is a military exercise held between the special forces of India and which other country?
[A] France
[B] USA
[C] Japan
[D] Sri Lanka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
Special forces of India carried out a joint military exercise with the US Special forces at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh.
The 11th edition of the joint special forces exercise ‘Vajra Prahar 2021’ was held with an aim to share the best practices and experiences in joint mission planning and operational tactics. In February 2021, the Armies of both the countries carried out ‘Exercise Yudh Abhyas’.
9. Which international organisation releases the ‘Global Gender Gap Report’?
[A] Work Economic Forum
[B] World Bank
[C] UNDP
[D] IMF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Work Economic Forum]
Notes:
The Work Economic Forum (WEF) has recently released the Global Gender Gap Report 2021. India has been ranked at 140th place among 156 countries. In last year’s report, India ranked 112 and, in this year, India has fallen back 28 spots.
The report has stated that India had so far closed 62.5% of its gender gap. It noted that most of the decline was seen on the Political Empowerment sub-index.
10. Which body decides the interest cut on small saving schemes such as the PPF and NSC?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Finance Commission
[C] Department of Economic Affairs
[D] Department of Financial Services
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Department of Economic Affairs]
Notes:
The Department of Economic Affairs, Union Finance Ministry decides the small saving schemes such as the PPF, NSC and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana.
The Government announces interest rates for small saving schemes at the end of every quarter. Recently after announcing steep cuts in the rates, the Finance Minister rolled back the changes to previous rates for the next quarter.