1. The Union Government has decided to forego interest on eight categories of loans up to what amount, on account of Covid-19?
[A] Rs 25 lakh
[B] Rs 50 lakh
[C] Rs 1 crore
[D] Rs 2 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rs 2 crore]
Notes:
The Central Government has decided to forego interest on eight specified categories of loans paid up to Rs two crore, on account of Covid-19 pandemic.
The Supreme Court of India has directed the government again to take steps to forego the interest in eight categories of loans, namely MSME, Education, Housing, Consumer durable, Credit card, Automobile, Personal and Consumption.
2. Which type of eclipse is also known as the ‘Beaver moon’?
[A] Full Lunar Eclipse
[B] Partial Lunar Eclipse
[C] Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
[D] Solar Eclipse
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Penumbral Lunar Eclipse]
Notes:
Based on the shadow of the earth falling on the moon, the lunar eclipse is classified into three categories. Full, Partial or Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.
The Penumbral Lunar Eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the outer shadow of the earth. The last full moon occurring in November, before the winter solstice, is also called as the ‘Beaver moon’, named after Beavers, the rodents found in temperate regions.
3. Which country has test fired ‘Tsirkon’ hypersonic cruise missile?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] Russia
[D] Canada
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Russia]
Notes:
Russia has successfully test fired a ‘Tsirkon’ hypersonic cruise missile in the Arctic Region recently. The missile was fired from a frigate war ship named Admiral Gorshkov.
The missile was fired from the white sea on to a naval target located 450 km away in the Barents Sea. The missile cruised at a speed of over Mach 8 and brought down the target.
4. The first ever SCO Online Exhibition that has commenced recently is centered on which theme?
[A] COVID Pandemic
[B] Maritime Security
[C] Shared Buddhist Heritage
[D] International Security
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Shared Buddhist Heritage]
Notes:
The first ever SCO Online Exhibition on “Shared Buddhist Heritage” has been launched recently at the 19th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government. The meeting was held in New Delhi in a virtual mode.
This online exhibition has been developed by National Museum, New Delhi in association with the museums and cultural institutions of SCO member countries.
5. Which state has implemented a PPP model for rescue and rehabilitation of leopards?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Haryana
[C] Jammu and Kashmir
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Gujarat]
Notes:
As many as 12 leopards from Sakkar Baug Zoological Park, which came in conflict with the humans, have been transferred to a private rehabilitation centre by Gujarat Forest Department.
The leopard’s maintenance would be done in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode by the Government of Gujarat and Reliance Industries Ltd- RIL’s Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Kingdom. This is the first of its kind PPP model for protection of wild animals in India.
6. What is the new limit of transaction made using contactless card, as per the recent statement of the RBI?
[A] Rs 1000
[B] Rs 2000
[C] Rs 5000
[D] Rs 10000
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 5000]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to increase the limit for contactless card transactions to Rs 5,000 from Rs 2,000 per transaction from January 1, 2021.
This announcement was part of the RBI’s Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies, announced during the RBI’s bi-monetary policy announcement. The limit for e-mandates for recurring transactions using cards and UPI is also raised to Rs 5000.
7. Which country has announced to establish ‘Friendship Association’ with India, to strengthen its ties?
[A] Saudi Arabia
[B] Oman
[C] Brazil
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Oman]
Notes:
During the India-Oman virtual dialogue recently held, Oman announced to establish first-of-its-kind Oman-India Friendship Association.
This is the first such initiative in West Asia led by the Foreign Ministry. In December 2019, India and Oman signed a Maritime Transport Agreement during the visit of Foreign Minister Jaishankar to the country.
8. Polavaram Lift Irrigation project is being constructed in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Telangana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The Polavaram lift irrigation project which is being constructed in the state of Andhra Pradesh, is expected to be completed in 2022.
It has been reported that the project would be completed on time and would commence to supply water during Kharif 2022. The Polavaram project is seen as a life line for the irrigation of Andhra Pradesh.
9. As per the recent study by the Zoological Survey of India, which type of squirrel is on the verge of extinction?
[A] Malayan Giant Squirrel
[B] Flying Squirrel
[C] Indian Giant Squirrel
[D] Green bush Squirrel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Malayan Giant Squirrel]
Notes:
In the first-of-its-kind study by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Malayan Giant Squirrel is at the verge of extinction.
It has projected that the numbers of the Malayan Giant Squirrel could decline by 90 per cent in India by 2050. If steps are not taken by the Government, the species could become extinct in the country.
10. Which Ministry has issued advisory guideline to private satellite channels on online gaming and betting?
[A] Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[D] Ministry of Information Technology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has recently issued an advisory to all the private satellite channels to ensure that no advertisements that promote prohibited activities are telecasted.
The advisory mentioned that advertisements on online gaming, betting and fantasy sports were misleading and are inconsistent with the Ministry’s Advertising Code.