1. On November 29 every year, the UN observes ‘International Day of Solidarity’ related to which country?
[A] Israel
[B] Palestine
[C] Turkey
[D] Syria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Palestine]
Notes:
‘International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People’ is observed every year on November 29, across the world.
The day was established in the year 1977 and it marks the day in 1947 when the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution partitioning Palestine into an Arab State and a Jewish State. The UN Chief called on Israel and Palestine to achieve a two-State solution.
2. What is the name of the portal launched by the Environment Ministry to address climate change and environmental issues?
[A] Paryavaran Portal
[B] Bhoomi Portal
[C] India Climate Change Knowledge Portal
[D] Delhi Pollution Portal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [India Climate Change Knowledge Portal]
Notes:
The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar has recently launched a portal named India Climate Change Knowledge Portal.
The portal would contain all major initiatives taken by the Government of India address the climate change and environment related issues. The portal is expected to be a single point of information regarding climate change initiatives.
3. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to finance a USD 132.8 million loan to improve the power distribution in which state?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Assam
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Meghalaya]
Notes:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India has recently signed a USD132.8 million loan to modernize the distribution network and improve the quality of power supplied in Meghalaya.
This project supports the state government’s initiative “24×7 Power for All” initiative. This will also help the state reduce its high technical and commercial losses. Meghalaya has achieved 100 per cent electrification while there were incidents of frequent power interruptions.
4. Which Indian bank co-launched a Contactless debit card along with Japan’s JCB International?
[A] Punjab National Bank
[B] State Bank of India
[C] HDFC Bank
[D] Axis Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [State Bank of India]
Notes:
State Bank of India has partnered with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Japan’s JCB International Co to launch new ‘SBI RuPay JCB Platinum Contactless Debit Card’.
This card has a dual interface feature, under which customers can use it for both contact and contactless transactions, both in the domestic market as well as overseas. The card has been launched on the RuPay network.
5. India held the inaugural meeting of the Counter-narcotics Working Group (CNWG), with which country?
[A] United States
[B] Japan
[C] Brazil
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [United States]
Notes:
India and the United States attended the inaugural meeting of the Counter-narcotics Working Group (CNWG), in virtual mode.
Indian delegation was represented by the Deputy Director General of Narcotics Control Board, Ministry of Home Affairs. The two countries also agreed to improve their data sharing operations to fight the production, distribution, and export/import of drugs and related chemicals.
6. ‘737 MAX’, which was making news recently, is the airliner of which famous company?
[A] Air Bus
[B] Boeing
[C] Qantas
[D] Emirates
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Boeing]
Notes:
‘737 MAX’ is the best-selling airliner of US-based leading multi-national aerospace company Boeing. It was grounded in March 2019 after two crashes in five months killing a total of 346 people.
The redesigned version of the ‘737 MAX’ airliner has recently staged its first post-grounding flight with media on board. It made a 45-minute flight from Texas to Oklahoma in the US. The flight’s first commercial passenger flight is scheduled in the month-end of December.
7. The strategic Chardham highway project is being constructed in which Indian state?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Bihar
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttarakhand]
Notes:
The Chardham highway project is a 900-km strategic projects, which aims to provide all-weather connectivity to four holy towns in the state of Uttarakhand- Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
Recently, the Supreme Court has asked the committee monitoring the Chardham highway project, to consider the Defence Ministry’s application to widen three highways in the Indo-China Border up to 7 metres.
8. Which country has introduced a Veto Power on any agreements entered with foreign countries?
[A] Pakistan
[B] Afghanistan
[C] Japan
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Australia]
Notes:
The Parliament of Australia has recently passed a legislation that permits the country to block any agreement made between the country and a foreign government.
The legislation empowers foreign minister to veto any international agreement that are inconsistent with the foreign policy of Australia or is seen to affect Australia’s interest.
9. The Supreme court has upheld that GST shall be imposed on which type of goods, referring as ‘Actionable claims’?
[A] Lottery
[B] Medicine
[C] Vaccine
[D] Two-wheelers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Lottery]
Notes:
The Supreme court on Thursday upheld that the Goods and Service Tax (GST) shall be imposed on the sale of lotteries, betting and gambling.
The Bench also highlighted that the GST Act, 2017 defines the goods to include ‘actionable claims’ and included only three categories of such claims namely lottery, betting and gambling, to levy GST. Actionable claim is the claim for a debt related to any benefit from unpossessed movable property and for which relief can be claimed in civil court.
10. 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.