1. 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%.
2. When is ‘World Day against Trafficking in Persons’ observed?
[A] July 30
[B] July 31
[C] August 1
[D] August 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [July 30]
Notes:
‘World Day against Trafficking in Persons’ is observed every year on July 30 across the world, to raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for protection of their rights.
In the year 2013, the United Nations General Assembly held a high-level meeting to review the Global Plan of Action and designated July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) assists member countries in their efforts.
3. 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.
4. Which major Technology Company is to launch ‘Project Kuiper’, for building satellite infrastructure?
[A] Google
[B] Amazon
[C] Facebook
[D] Apple
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Amazon]
Notes:
Technology giant Amazon recently announced that it will invest more than USD 10 billion to build a network of over 3000 satellites.
The network is expected to provide high-speed broadband internet services to people around the world. Named as ‘Project Kuiper’, the plan aims to build a network of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. This will compete with the SpaceX’s Starlink network.
5. India has imposed restrictions on the import of which electronic gadget after two decades?
[A] Mobile Phones
[B] Colour Television sets
[C] Speakers
[D] Microwave Ovens
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Colour Television sets]
Notes:
India has recently imposed restrictions on the import of Colour Television sets, in an effort to promote its domestic production.
The import of the TV sets was freed from previous restrictions two decades ago and since then there has been no amendments in the import policy. Now the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notified to change the policy from free to ‘restricted’. However, there is no restriction on importing monochrome TVs.
6. 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.
7. Who is the head of the Sports Ministry’s committee to select this year’s National Sports Awards winners?
[A] Mukundakam Sharma
[B] S B Sinha
[C] Markandey Katju
[D] Jagannadha Rao
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mukundakam Sharma]
Notes:
The Sports Ministry has constituted a 12-member committee to select this year’s National Sports Awards winners.
The committee is to be headed by retired Supreme Court Justice, Mukundakam Sharma. It will select the award winners among both athletes and coaches. The members include Former India Cricketer Virender Sehwag, Hockey star Sardar Singh and Paralympic silver-medallist Deepa Malik.
8. What is the name of India’s solar-powered ferry that has won the prestigious Gustave Trouve Award?
[A] Aditya
[B] Arunan
[C] Ravikant
[D] Soorya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Aditya]
Notes:
India’s solar-powered ferry Aditya has won the prestigious Gustave Trouve Award for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating.
It has been named the best electric boat in the category of ferries designed for paid passenger service. Aditya was the first solar-powered ferry of the country when it began its operations in 2017 in Kerala. The ferry built by NavAlt Boats belongs to the Kerala State Water Transport Department.
9. 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.
10. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has been sworn in as the new President of which South American country?
[A] Guyana
[B] Venezuela
[C] Brazil
[D] Columbia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Guyana]
Notes:
Mohamed Irfaan Ali has been sworn in as the new President of the South American country Guyana, five months after the General Elections.
The 40-year-old former housing minister and lawmaker will succeed the previous President David Granger. After several allegations in the elections, the opposition candidate has been selected by the Election Commission.
