1. ‘Hualong One’, which was seen in news recently, was the first domestically made nuclear reactor of which country?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] Israel
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
China’s first domestically made nuclear reactor ‘Hualong One’, has started its operations, as per the China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC).
The third-generation pressurised water nuclear reactor has been connected to the national grid. The reactor can generate 10 billion kw-hours of electricity each year and cut carbon emissions by 8.16 million tons. This is expected to reduce China’s dependency in nuclear power from its western allies.
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. Which state received the best State award for Organ donation by the Health Ministry, for the sixth consecutive year?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Every year, November 27th is observed as Indian organ donation day by the Government of India. This year marks the 11th Organ Donation Day event.
Tamil Nadu received the ‘Best State award’ for organ donation, by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This is the sixth consecutive year of the state receiving the award.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Which organization has released the provisional 2020 State of the Global Climate report?
[A] UNFCC
[B] WMO
[C] IMF
[D] UNESCO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [WMO]
Notes:
As per the provisional 2020 State of the Global Climate report released by U.N.’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the last 6 years from 2015 to 2020 are the hottest years on record.
The report has stated that the average global temperature in 2020 would be 1.2 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level
7. Which Indian state has approved to rename caste-based settlements?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The government of Maharashtra has decided to rename the settlements in the state having names based on caste.
Habitations like Maharwada, Mangwada, Bramhanwada etc that have indications of caste-based settlements would be changed and named after leaders of the nation. The State Cabinet has recently approved to change the names of those settlements.
8. 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.
9. 3RF Plan prepared by World Bank, the European Union (EU) and UN, is intended to help which country?
[A] Britain
[B] China
[C] Lebanon
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Lebanon]
Notes:
In response to the August 4 Ammonium Nitrate explosions that occurred in Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, a new framework named Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) has been announced by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The plan has been prepared jointly by World Bank, the European Union (EU) and the UN.
10. The 3D-object creation platform named “Poly” is operated by which technology major?
[A] Microsoft
[B] Google
[C] Intel
[D] Amazon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Google]
Notes:
The 3D-object creation platform named “Poly” is operated by the Technology company Google.
Google has proposed to shut down the poly platform from next year, since its service will expire in June 2020. From then on, users will not be able to upload 3D models on the platform.