31. People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has acquired a stake in which Indian private sector bank?
[A] Yes Bank
[B] Axis Bank
[C] ICICI Bank
[D] IDBI Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ICICI Bank]
Notes:
People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has acquired a small equity stake in the leading Indian private sector bank, ICICI Bank.
It is one among the 357 institutional investors which had subscribed to the issue of the Qualified institutional investors (QIP) placement, of Rs 15,000 crore. PBOC has invested Rs 15 crore in the issue. It had earlier bought a stake in leading institution, HDFC.
32. What is the expansion of ‘NRA’, that has been approved by the Cabinet, for conducting common entrance examinations?
[A] New Recruitment Agency
[B] National Recruitment Agency
[C] New Recruitment Administration
[D] National Rating Agency
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Recruitment Agency]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet has recently approved to set up a new entity named ‘National Recruitment Agency (NRA)’ to carry out a national Common Entrance Test (CET).
This exam would be a common screening test for non-gazetted vacancies in both departments of Central government and public sector organisations. It is to conduct first level tests currently conducted by agencies like SSC, RRB and IBPS among others.
33. Death Valley, that is seen in news recently, is located in which country?
[A] South Africa
[B] USA
[C] Canada
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
The Death Valley is a desert valley which is located in Eastern California, USA. Recently, the temperature at the Death Valley’s Furnace Creek is recorded at 54.4°C. This would be hottest temperature officially verified since 1913, as per World Meteorological Organization.
According to the World Meteorological Organization, Death Valley’s all-time record high is 56.7°C that was recorded in the year 1913. It still stands as the hottest ever temperature recorded on the surface of the earth.
34. 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.
35. Which city has won the cleanest city award in the Swachh Survekshan 2020 survey?
[A] Surat
[B] Indore
[C] Navi Mumbai
[D] Trichy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indore]
Notes:
The Union Government has announced the results of annual survey of cleanliness, the ‘Swachh Survekshan 2020’.
Indore of Madhya Pradesh bagged the top spot in the list, for four years consecutively. Gujarat’s Surat was ranked at the second place while Maharashtra’s Navi Mumbai on third place. This is the fifth edition of the survey, that ranks states based on their performance in Swachh Bharat Mission.
36. India is set to launch a direct ferry service to which neighbouring country?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Maldives
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maldives]
Notes:
India is set to launch a new direct cargo ferry service to the Maldives, in the third week of September, as per the Indian high commission in the Maldives.
The service will link Kochi and Tuticorin with Male and will boost bilateral trade relations. A vessel operated by the Shipping Corporation of India, will be used for the ferry service. The vessel is to carry electrical machinery, medicines, construction material as well as perishable goods.
37. What is the position of India in requesting Twitter to remove content during second half of 2019?
[A] Second
[B] Third
[C] Fourth
[D] Fifth
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Fifth]
Notes:
Social networking major Twitter released its latest transparency report, which has the data between July -December 2019 on its rule enforcement, legal demands on content removal among others.
As per the report, India stands at fifth position in requesting Twitter and Periscope to remove content, based on local laws. Japan, Russia and Turkey ranked in the top 3 positions in the list. Twitter recorded a 21% rise in global account information requests and 789 requests from India.
38. When is International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism observed?
[A] August 21
[B] August 22
[C] August 23
[D] August 24
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [August 21]
Notes:
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 August as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
The day is observed to honour and support the victims and survivors of terrorism. It also strives to promote and protect their human and fundamental rights. This year, the UN held a virtual commemoration of the 3rd International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
39. Which two Indian leaders are selected for USISPF 2020 Leadership Awards?
[A] Anand Mahindra and Shantanu Narayen
[B] Uday Kotak and Urjit Patel
[C] Ratan Tata and Anil Ambani
[D] Narayanamurthy and Azim Premji
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Anand Mahindra and Shantanu Narayen]
Notes:
The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), an US based India-centric business advocacy group has announced to honour Anand Mahindra and Shantanu Narayen with 2020 Leadership Awards.
The Mahindra group Chairman and Adobe Chairman and CEO are awarded for promoting US-India bilateral ties. It will be presented at 3rd Annual Leadership Summit of USISPF titled “US-India Week: Navigating New Challenges”, that will be virtually convened from August 31.
40. Which country has signed Peace Agreement with its armed ethnic groups for ceasefire agreement?
[A] Thailand
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Myanmar
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Myanmar]
Notes:
The Myanmar government has signed an agreement for implementing “National Ceasefire Agreement” (NCA) with 10 armed ethnic groups. The peace accord is called Union Peace Accord III contains 15 provisions to implement the NCA.
The agreement was entered into by the parties at Nay Pyi Taw during the 4th session of the Union Peace Conference named – 21st Century Panglong.