Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2020
1. Sea Guardian drones, which were seen in the news recently, were obtained from which country?
[A] Israel
[B] United States
[C] United Kingdom
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
The Indian Navy has taken two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones from an American defence company, on lease for 1 year.
The unmanned aerial vehicles, manufactured by US firm General Atomics, have been obtained on lease, to enhance surveillance over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The vehicles arrived at the naval air station INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu.
2. Which state has launched an outreach programme called ‘Duare Sarkar’?
[A] Odisha
[B] West Bengal
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [West Bengal]
Notes:
West Bengal state government has recently launched a massive outreach programme named “Duare Sarkar” or “Government at your doorstep”.
Under the programme, people can avail the benefit of over 11 schemes of the state including Kanyashree, Khadya Sathi and Sikshashree. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had announced to set up ‘Duare Sarkar’ camps in the state for redressing grievances of people.
3. Which country has banned cotton imports from China citing ‘slave labour’?
[A] India
[B] United States
[C] Russia
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
The United States has issued an order to ban the cotton and cotton products from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), one of the largest producers of China.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency issued “Withhold Release Order” to increase economic pressure on the Xinjiang region. US cites the reason for the ban as ‘slave labour’ of detained Uighur Muslims used by China.
4. NGR (negotiating group on rules), which was seen in the news recently, is associated with which organisation?
[A] UNESCO
[B] WTO
[C] FAO
[D] IMF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [WTO]
Notes:
Recently, a NGR (negotiating group on rules) meeting on fisheries subsidies was organized by the World Trade Organization.
Indian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO has stated that member countries should cut down subsidies on unsustainable fishing which leads to the problem of over fishing. India also asked to reduce the role of dispute panels in fisheries management.
5. Which organization has become India’s first regulated Gas Exchange?
[A] NCDEX
[B] IGX
[C] MCX
[D] NCML
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IGX]
Notes:
Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) was launched in 2020 as India’s first automated national-level trading platform for physical delivery of natural gas.
IGX is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX). Recently, IGX obtained all necessary approvals as per the provisions of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (Gas Exchange) Regulations, 2020. It becomes the first regulated Gas Exchange of the country.
6. Which start-up has partnered with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) to launch India’s private remote-sensing satellite?
[A] Pixxel
[B] Bellatrix Aerospace
[C] Agnikul
[D] Vesta Space
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pixxel]
Notes:
Leading space start-up Pixxel has signed an agreement with the NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) to launch the country’s first private remote-sensing satellite.
The satellite is to be launched on an ISRO PSLV rocket in early 2021. Earlier, regulatory body under the Department of Space called ‘IN-SPACe’ was established to enable private players undertake space activities in India.
7. First ever radish crop has been grown in space by which organisation?
[A] ISRO
[B] NASA
[C] European Space Agency
[D] Russian Space Agency
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NASA]
Notes:
NASA astronaut Kate Rubins has for the first-time harvested radish crop at the International Space Station.
This is a part of NASA’s planet experiment named Plant Habitat-02 (PH-02), which is aimed to understand the plant growth in micro gravity conditions. The crops have been harvested in a time of 27 days.
8. Gaofen-14 earth observation satellite has been sent to space by China using which launch vehicle?
[A] PSLV C 51
[B] GSLV Mark 3
[C] Long March 3B
[D] Fat Boy 1A
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Long March 3B]
Notes:
The Chinese space agency has recently launched an optical stereo mapping Earth Observation satellite named Gaofen-14.
The satellite was placed in its designated orbit using Long March-3B carrier rocket. The satellite can capture high resolution images of ground objects across the globe.
9. USA has terminated five cultural-exchange programmes with which country?
[A] India
[B] Japan
[C] Israel
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [China]
Notes:
The Government of United States of America (USA) has recently terminated five cultural exchange programmes with China. USA has stated that these programmes had no benefit to the United States and they were being used for Chinese propaganda.
This decision follows the new Visa restriction imposed by USA on China where by individuals belonging to China’s Communist Party cannot stay in USA beyond a stipulated time.
10. What would be the GDP growth of India in the current fiscal year FY21, as per the Fitch ratings in December 2020?
[A] -4.4
[B] -6.4
[C] -9.4
[D] -11.4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [-9.4]
Notes:
In its Global Economic Outlook, the Fitch ratings has raised India’s GDP forecast to -9.4 per cent in the current fiscal year.
Earlier, Fitch had estimated that Indian economy would contract by 10.5 per cent in current fiscal 2020-21. Now, the firm says that the outlook is brighter due to an expected rollout of vaccines in 2021.
The above questions are part of Daily Current Affairs 20 MCQs Series in GKToday's Academy Android Application. This series can be subscribed in the app only for Rs. 750/- for entire year.
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