21. Steel Ministry is to conduct a Webinar titled “Fostering Steel Usage in Housing & Building Construction and Aviation Sectors”, along with which organization?
[A] CII
[B] FICCI
[C] ASSOCHAM
[D] L&T
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [CII]
Notes:
The Union Steel Ministry, in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has proposed to organise a webinar titled ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat: Fostering Steel Usage in Housing & Building Construction and Aviation Sectors’.
The webinar would be conducted with the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and Ministry of Civil Aviation. It would focus on promoting designs and construction in Building, Housing, and Airport Projects.
22. Which is the first Gulf Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with Israel?
[A] Qatar
[B] Kuwait
[C] UAE
[D] Bahrain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UAE]
Notes:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties. With this, the UAE has become the first Gulf Arab country to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
UAE also became the third Arab country to enter into diplomatic ties with Israel. This agreement is a part of the deal to stop the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state. US President Donald Trump announced about the strategic ties.
23. What is the name of the DRDO-certified device for disinfection of surfaces, launched by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari?
[A] Aaradhya
[B] Atulya
[C] Abhimanyu
[D] Akansha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Atulya]
Notes:
“Atulya” – a new device that can disinfect any premise in 30 seconds was unveiled by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari.
The design of the device is certified by DRDO and is developed completely in India. It is portable and weighs about 3 kilograms. It can be used to disinfect any premise up to an area of 5 meters at a time. It can also be used to disinfect surfaces of home, office, boxes, furniture etc.
24. What is the quantum of the annual dividend pay-out approved by the Reserve Bank of India, to the Government?
[A] Rs 27000 crore
[B] Rs 37000 crore
[C] Rs 57000 crore
[D] Rs 77000 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 57000 crore]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved an annual dividend pay-out of more than Rs 57,000 crore to the Indian Government.
In this year’s budget, the Government had estimated a dividend of Rs 60,000 crore from the central bank and other government owned financial institutions. The Government’s fiscal deficit stood at a record high Rs 6.62 lakh crore in the April-June period.
25. Which country chaired the 4th session of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group held in August 2020?
[A] Brazil
[B] Russia
[C] India
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
The 4th Session of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group was conducted recently through video conferencing.
Representatives from all 5 member countries: Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa and India participated in the session, which was chaired by Russia. Indian delegation was led by Shri Rakesh Asthana, DG of Narcotics Control Bureau. Misuse of Darknet and advanced technologies for drug trafficking was the theme of the session.
26. The ‘Atal Tunnel’ that was seen in news recently, is located in which state?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Sikkim
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The strategic tunnel under the Rohtang Pass was named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in December last year.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has recently announced that the ‘Atal Tunnel’ in Rohtang would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by September 2020. The 8.8-km long tunnel will be the longest tunnel among those in the world above an altitude of 3000 metres.
27. The World’s tallest Pier bridge is being constructed by Indian Railways in which state?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Manipur
[D] Meghalaya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Manipur]
Notes:
The World’s tallest Pier bridge is being constructed by Indian Railways in Manipur across the river “Ijai”. The height of its tallest pier is 141m. The bridge is a part of Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal railway line project. The existing record for the tallest pier bridge is 139m at Montenegro in Europe.
The bridge is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.280 crore and the construction work is expected to be completed by March 2020. The total length of the bridge is estimated to be 703 meters.
28. Ashok Lavasa, who is set to join the Asian Development Bank, resigned from which position in India?
[A] Comptroller and Auditor General
[B] Election Commissioner
[C] Chief Vigilance Commissioner
[D] UPSC Chairman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Election Commissioner]
Notes:
Ashok Lavasa has recently steeped down from his Election Commissioner position as he is to join the Asian Development Bank.
ADB has appointed Ashok Lavasa as Vice-President for Private Sector Operations and Public-Private Partnerships. His resignation has been accepted by the Indian President Ram Nath Kovind. He was next in the row to become the Chief Election Commissioner.
29. Which company has been awarded the title sponsorship of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020?
[A] Byju’s
[B] Unacademy
[C] Dream 11
[D] Oppo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dream 11]
Notes:
The title sponsorship of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 is awarded to Dream11, an Indian fantasy sports platform. The sponsorship rights have been awarded for Rs.222 crore.
Byju’s came second in the bid at Rs 201 crore and Unacademy stood third in the bid at Rs 171 crore. The 2020 IPL is the 13th edition of the cricket event and is scheduled to be held at the United Arab Emirates.
30. Which Indian cricketer has been recommended for this year’s Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award?
[A] Suresh Raina
[B] Rohit Sharma
[C] KL Rahul
[D] Jasprit Bumra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rohit Sharma]
Notes:
India’s top order batsman Rohit Sharma has been recommended for this year’s Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honour. If awarded, Rohit Sharma will be the 4th cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli to be conferred with the award.
Vinesh Phogat (wrestling), Manika Batra (Table Tennis), Rani Rampal (Hockey) and M Thangavelu (Paralympics) have also been recommended for the award.