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 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 is the headquarters of the ‘Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW)?
[A] Switzerland
[B] Netherlands
[C] Italy
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Netherlands]
Notes:
‘Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare’ is observed on November 30 every year, across the world.
United Nations observes the day to pay tribute to millions of lives lost round the globe in the wake of chemical warfare. ‘Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW) is the implementing body for Chemical Weapons Convention. It is headquartered at the Hague, Netherlands.
4. India’s Apex Committee for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (AIPA), formed recently has how many members?
[A] 5
[B] 11
[C] 17
[D] 25
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [17]
Notes:
The Indian Government has constituted a Apex Committee for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (AIPA). It was formed through a gazette notification.
The committee comprises of 17 members. It is entrusted with the responsibility of formulating policies and programmes for implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), under Paris Agreement 2015. The Secretary of Union Environment Minister would be the Chairperson.
5. Which country has given the name “Burevi” formed in South-western Bay of Bengal?
[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Maldives
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Maldives]
Notes:
The cyclone name “Burevi” was suggested by Maldives. The second cyclone approaching India from Bay of Bengal has been named as “Burevi” as per the guidelines of World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
The storm commenced its course from South West Bay of Bengal and it is the fifth tropical cyclone system that has developed in the Norther Indian Ocean, this year.
6. 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.
7. Bashan Char Island, which were seen in the news, are located in which country?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Laos
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bangladesh]
Notes:
Bhasan Char is an uninhabited island in Bangladesh. It is located in the Bay of Bengal, about 60 kilometers from the mainland.
The Bangladesh government started the process of relocating the Rohingyas from Cox’s Bazar refugee camp to the newly developed facility at the Bhashan char Island. Bangladesh constructed shelter houses for Rohingya refugees at an estimated cost of 2,300 crore takas.
8. India Empowerment Fund is set to be launched by which body?
[A] NABARD
[B] RBI
[C] IIT Alumni Council
[D] Institute of Engineers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IIT Alumni Council]
Notes:
India Empowerment Fund is set to be launched by the IIT Alumni Council for investing a sum of Rs.50,000 crore in India’s research system.
The fund would be invested in a period of 10 years. The fund will be operated as IIT Angel Fund and would be regulated under Angel Investor Funds.
9. ‘World’s first foul death’, which was seen in the news recently, is associated with which country??
[A] India
[B] China
[C] United Kingdom
[D] United States
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United Kingdom]
Notes:
In the year 2013, a nine-year-old named Ella Adoo Kissi-Debrah living in the UK, died after suffering from breathing difficulties and asthma.
Recently in 2019, the child’s family has sought for a legal inquest on the issue, to assess the level of air pollution in the city. If this campaign turns out successful, the United Kingdom will have the first foul death, a death occurring due to high air pollution.
10. Which is the first bank to announce linking its executive’s pay to achievement in sustainable development?
[A] Bank of Amerca
[B] HSBC Bank
[C] Deutsche Bank
[D] DBS Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Deutsche Bank]
Notes:
German multinational investment bank, Deutsche Bank has recently announced to link the pay of its top executives with their achievement in reaching sustainability goals.
Under the new policy, which come into effect next year, the volume of sustainable financing and investment and how the bank is ranked by rating agencies on sustainability is measured.