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 word has been selected as the ‘Top Word of 2020’, by Merriam-Webster?
[A] Lock down
[B] Pandemic
[C] Vaccine
[D] Immunity
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pandemic]
Notes:
US based- Merriam-Webster, known for its dictionaries, has recently announced ‘pandemic’ as its 2020 word of the year.
As per the company, when the World Health Organisation declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic on March 11, the searches on the site for ‘pandemic’ rose hugely. The word has roots in Latin and Greek. It is a combination of pan, meaning all, and demos, meaning people.
3. World Investor Week (WIW) is a global campaign observed in which month?
[A] October
[B] November
[C] December
[D] January
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [November]
Notes:
World Investor Week (WIW) is a week-long global campaign observed to raise awareness about the importance of investor education.
The campaign is promoted by the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). In India, the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chose November 23 – 29, 2020 to celebrate this week. Various bodies including AMFI, NSDL and stock exchanges conduct awareness campaigns.
4. Which Indian PSU has launched the country’s first 100 Octane petrol?
[A] HPCL
[B] IOC
[C] ONGC
[D] GAIL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IOC]
Notes:
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has recently launched the nation’s first 100 Octane petrol. Union Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the petrol.
The 100-octane petrol also called as XP100 premium petrol will be initially available at select outlet of IOC in 10 cities. The fuel is manufactured at IOC’s Mathura refinery in Uttar Pradesh. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) had earlier launched Octane 99. Higher the octane number of a fuel, higher will be its compression and performance.
5. 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.
6. DCOAS (Strategy) is the new post to be created in which Indian Armed Force?
[A] Indian Army
[B] Indian Navy
[C] Indian Air Force
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Army]
Notes:
The Union Government has announced the post of a Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, or DCOAS, (Strategy), to bring about structural reforms in the army.
The proposal for creating this post was initiated before two years. The DCOAS would oversee the work of the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) and the Director General Military Intelligence (DGMI), who would otherwise report to the Vice Chief f Army Staff.
7. Where is the National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN) located?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Nainital
[C] Mussoorie
[D] Pune
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pune]
Notes:
The National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN) is located in the city of Pune. The present building of NIN is called the “Bapu Bhavan”. Gandhiji performed many Naturopathy experiments and organised various national and International activities while staying here.
The Ministry of Ayush has proposed to name the upcoming new campus of National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN), Pune as “Nisarg Gram”.
8. When is the ‘International Day of Banks’ celebrated by the UN for the first time in 2020?
[A] December 2
[B] December 4
[C] December 6
[D] December 8
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [December 4]
Notes:
In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly designated December 4 as the International Day of Banks. It is celebrated for the first time in 2020.
The day is celebrated to recognise the importance of multilateral development banks and international development banks in financing sustainable development. It also recognises the role of the banking systems in improving the standard of living.
9. The National Green Tribunal has raised concern on pollution and frothing of which river?
[A] Ganga
[B] Yamuna
[C] Godavari
[D] Krishna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Yamuna]
Notes:
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has recently raised concern on pollution and frothing in Yamuna River.
The body has asked Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and other states to implement effective sewage treatment. Increase in ammonia level from untreated water and industrial effluents containing phosphorous are the two main reasons for frothing.
10. Which state is set to organise first ever migratory bird festival this year?
[A] Assam
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Sikkim
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bihar]
Notes:
Bihar state is set to organise the first ever migratory bird festival this year. This three-day long festival is aimed to enhance the awareness about migratory birds among common public and to check cases of poaching in the region.
The festival would be jointly organised by Bhagalpur forest division, Bombay Natural History Society and Mandar Nature Club of Bihar.
