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. What is the modified deadline for filing income tax returns, as announced by the Union Government after July 31?
[A] August 31
[B] September 30
[C] October 31
[D] December 31
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [September 30]
Notes:
The Union Government has extended the deadline for filing income tax returns for 2018-19 fiscal by two months till September 30.
The reason for the extension is constraints due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown. The Central Board of Direct Taxes has extended the deadline for the third time to September 30. Earlier it was postponed from March 31 to June 30 and then to July 31.
3. Which technology company released the ‘Security Endpoint Threat Report 2019’?
[A] Google
[B] Microsoft
[C] Amazon
[D] Apple
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Microsoft]
Notes:
Major technology company Microsoft has unveiled the latest edition of its Security Endpoint Threat Report 2019.
As per the report, India has been placed among the countries with the highest cryptocurrency mining encounters in the last year. India registered the seventh highest malware encounter rate in the past year and the third highest ransomware encounter rate across the Asia-Pacific region.
4. What will be the effective contribution by the employees and employers to the Employee’s Provident Fund (EPF) from August 2020?
[A] 25%
[B] 24%
[C] 20%
[D] 18%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [24%]
Notes:
In the month of May, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had reduced EPF contribution by 4% for three months of May, June and July.
2% of employer’s contribution and 2% of employee’s contribution were reduced. This step was taken as a part of relief measures announced by the Government during the Covid-19 pandemic. From the month of August, the effective contribution will come back to the old deduction rate of 24%.
5. Which trade association organised the “National Digital conference on Ease of Doing Business for Atmanirbhar Bharat”?
[A] FICCI
[B] CII
[C] ASSOCHAM
[D] NASSCOM
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [CII]
Notes:
Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) organised the “National Digital conference on Ease of Doing Business for Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the conference and said that the country is heading towards a complete digital eco-system. He also said that the government is aiming to cover the entire nation through optic fibres in the next two years.
6. What is the name of the Incubator enhancement program launched by the Atal Innovation Mission?
[A] AIM Incubate
[B] AIM iCREST
[C] AIM Support
[D] AIM Enhance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [AIM iCREST]
Notes:
NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) has recently launched an Incubator Capabilities enhancement program named ‘AIM iCREST’.
AIM has collaborated with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Wadhwani Foundation for support and expertise in entrepreneurship and innovation. The program aims to support start-ups in knowledge transfer and reaching global markets.
7. ‘Indira Rasoi Yojana’ is a welfare scheme of which Indian state?
[A] Punjab
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Mizoram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajasthan]
Notes:
The Rajasthan state government is set to launch the ‘Indira Rasoi Yojana’ in urban areas of the state from August 20.
Under the scheme, the poor and needy people will get nutritious food for Rs 8. As many as 358 kitchens in 213 urban bodies will be made functional. The state government is to spend Rs 100 crore per year on this scheme.
8. Which Indian state has signed an MoU with leading MNCs such as ITC, P&G and Hindustan Unilever, for women empowerment?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The state government of Andhra Pradesh signed an MoU with leading Multinational companies such as ITC, Procter and Gamble and Hindustan Unilever Limited.
The MoU seeks to conduct skill-based training programmes for women in rural areas of the state aged between 45-60 years. The state would also launch a scheme called YSR Cheyutha to provide financial assistance to women belonging to backward and scheduled communities.
9. Which global organisation has estimated that about 24 million additional children may drop out of school?
[A] World Bank
[B] World Economic Forum
[C] UNESCO
[D] International Monetary Fund
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UNESCO]
Notes:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has estimated that around 24 million children may drop out of their schools next year.
UNESCO released a policy brief on the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on education. It also estimated that the educational financing gap is also likely to increase by one third. Girls and young women are likely more vulnerable to child marriage, early pregnancy and gender-based violence.
10. As per the Petroleum Ministry, what is the minimum net worth to be eligible for obtaining license to sell petrol and diesel?
[A] Rs 100 crore
[B] Rs 200 crore
[C] Rs 500 crore
[D] Rs 1000 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 500 crore]
Notes:
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has recently revised the guidelines to be eligible for obtaining the liberalised licence to sell petrol and diesel to retail and bulk consumers.
As per the new guidelines, a net worth of at least Rs 500 crore at the time of application is eligible for selling both bulk and retail. The net worth of Rs 250 crore can get a license for either retail or bulk selling. The simplified guidelines aim to increase private sector participation in the marketing of petrol and diesel.