1. Which country has passed a bill to promote the legacies of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr?
[A] India
[B] United States
[C] Australia
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
The US House of Representatives has recently passed a legislation to promote the legacies of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr.
The bill seeks to set up an educational forum and an exchange programme for Indian and American students to study about the two great leaders. It also seeks to develop a professional development training initiative based on the principles of non-violence.
2. ‘Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar’ is awarded by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Defence
[C] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[D] Ministry of Corporate affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Home Affairs]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs presents the ‘Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar’ award.
The award recognises individuals as well as institutions for their contributions in the field of disaster management. The Government of India has recently invited the nominations for the award, which is presented on the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, on January 23.
3. Which financial institution has launched the ‘MSME Saksham’ portal, in association with TransUnion CIBIL?
[A] SIDBI
[B] RBI
[C] NABARD
[D] NHB
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [SIDBI]
Notes:
The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has launched a knowledge portal named ‘MSME Saksham’, in association with TransUnion CIBIL.
The comprehensive financial education and knowledge platform will provide financial awareness to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and assist them in getting quick access to formal and affordable credit facilities.
4. Which country is the first to make Facebook and Google pay its media outlets for news content?
[A] China
[B] Russia
[C] Australia
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Australia]
Notes:
For the first time in the world, US Technology Giants Facebook and Google will pay the media outlets of Australia for news content.
Australia is set to pass a dedicated law which mandates a royalty-style system. This is a historic move by the country to protest independent journalism. Last year, the Australian government asked the tech firms to negotiate with media companies to use their content.
5. India observed the 100th death anniversary of which freedom fighter, on August 1?
[A] Lala Lajpat Rai
[B] Bal Gangadhar Tilak
[C] Subash Chandra Bose
[D] Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bal Gangadhar Tilak]
Notes:
The 100th death anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak is being observed on 1st August, across the country.
Tilak was a prominent extremist leader in the Indian National Congress. Being an integral part of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio, he proclaimed “Swaraj is my birth right and I shall have it”. Tilak was born on July 23, 1856 in Maharashtra and passed away on August 1 in the year 1920.
6. When is Sanskrit Diwas (Sanskrit Day) 2020 celebrated?
[A] August 3
[B] August 4
[C] August 5
[D] August 6
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [August 3]
Notes:
Sanskrit Diwas also known as ‘Vishva samskrita dinam’ is celebrated on the full moon of the ‘Shravana’ month of Hindu calendar.
This year, Sanskrit Day that promotes the revival of the language is celebrated on August 3. All India Radio broadcasted the first special program in Sanskrit titled ‘Bahujan Bhasha – Sanskrit Bhasha’ to mark the occasion.
7. Ebrahim Alkazi, who passed away recently, was associated with which field?
[A] Politics
[B] Arts
[C] Sports
[D] Business
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Arts]
Notes:
Veteran theatre mentor and the longest serving director of the National School of Drama, Ebrahim Alkazi has passed away recently at the age of 94.
He won several prestigious awards including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award & Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship. He had trained several artists and his significant plays include Tughlaq and Andha Yug.
8. Who has been given an 18-month extension as the Chairman of the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI)?
[A] Ajay Tyagi
[B] M S Sahoo
[C] U K Sinha
[D] S K Mohanty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ajay Tyagi]
Notes:
The present Chairman of Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Ajay Tyagi has been given an 18-month extension till February 2022.
According to a Personnel Ministry order, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved his extension. The 1984 batch IAS (retired) officer has been serving as the Chairman since March 2017.
9. What is the new repo rate, after the Monetary Policy Committee meeting of August 2020?
[A] 4.75 per cent
[B] 4.5 per cent
[C] 4.0 per cent
[D] 3.8 per cent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [4.0 per cent]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) held its second bi-monthly monetary meeting of FY 2020-21 on August 6, 2020.
After the meeting, the RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das announced that the central bank has decided to keep the key policy rates unchanged with ‘accommodative stance’. Hence, the repo rate will remain at 4 per cent and the reverse repo at 3.35 per cent. There were two rate cuts in March and May.
10. Which Indian Armed Police Force took over security of the Leh Airport?
[A] Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
[B] Central Reserve Police Security Force (CRPF)
[C] Border Security Force (BSF)
[D] Indo-Tibetan Police Force (ITPF)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)]
Notes:
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) took over the security at the strategic Leh airport from local Police.
The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is one among the country’s highest-altitude commercial aerodromes. It is also the 64th civil airport to be brought under the security cover of the CISF. Around 185 CISF personnel will provide round-the-clock armed security in the airport.