1. Which Ministry has recently introduced changes to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Rules?
[A] Ministry of Commerce and Industries
[B] Ministry of Social Justice
[C] Ministry of Corporate Affairs Ministry
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Corporate Affairs Ministry]
Notes:
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has recently introduced several changes to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Rules.
It includes mandatory “Impact Assessment” for big CSR projects. It also includes mandatory disclosure of all CSR projects and the CSR Committee’s composition on the company’s website.
2. Which construction major has bagged the contract for construction of steel bridges for Mumbai and Ahmedabad bullet train project?
[A] Tata Projects
[B] Adani Group
[C] GMR Infrastructure
[D] L&T Construction
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [L&T Construction]
Notes:
The Indian construction major L&T Construction, has bagged the contract for building 28 steel bridges for Mumbai and Ahmedabad bullet train project.
The order costs about Rs.1000 crore to Rs.2500 crore. It involves procurement, fabrication, assembly and erection of bridges at various sites in the line. This project has been bagged as a consortium of L&T and Japan’s IHI Infrastructure Systems.
3. The Government of India has approved the closure of which state-owned company recently?
[A] Wheels India Limited
[B] Brakes India Limited
[C] Scooters India Limited
[D] Hindustan Automobiles
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Scooters India Limited]
Notes:
The central government has recently announced the closure of the government owned Scooters India Limited, on account of persistent losses posted by the company. The company was incorporated in the year 1972 and is headquartered at Lucknow.
The company has presently 100 employees and has been manufacturing three wheelers in the name of Vijai Super, Vikram and Lambro.
4. What is the corpus of the Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), which was approved recently?
[A] Rs 95 crore
[B] Rs 250 crore
[C] Rs 500 crore
[D] Rs 945 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rs 945 crore]
Notes:
The Central Government has approved the Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) with a corpus of Rs 945 crore to provide financial assistance to start-ups.
As per the recent notification of thethe Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the funds will be disbursed through selected incubators across India from 2021 to 2025. DPIIT will also set up an Experts Advisory Committee (EAC) to monitor the scheme.
5. NaBFID, the new bank which is proposed to be set up, is to finance which sector?
[A] Agriculture
[B] Infrastructure
[C] MSMEs
[D] Fishery
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Infrastructure]
Notes:
The National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) Bill 2021 is to be introduced in the Budget session.
The government is set up a National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID), which will facilitate the infrastructure financing of the country. The developmental financial institution (DFI) will act as a principal financial institution and development bank to support infrastructure projects.
6. Which country recently commenced operations in its ‘Hualong One unit’ nuclear reactor?
[A] Russia
[B] China
[C] Israel
[D] UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
The China National Nuclear Corporation has stated that it has begun commercial electricity production from its “Hualong One unit” which are the third-generation pressurised water nuclear reactors of the country.
The reactor constructed for more than five years at Fuqing in Fujian province was first connected to the grid in November.
7. ‘Neptune Declaration’, which was seen in the news recently, is associated with which sector?
[A] Aviation
[B] Migrant Labourers
[C] Maritime
[D] Sports
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maritime]
Notes:
The ‘Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change’, is a declaration released by the global maritime industry recently.
The declaration focusses on recognising seafarers as key workers by all governments in line with the UNGA resolution adopted recently. The Maritime Union of India (MUI) urged the Centre to consider the declaration while formulating ‘Maritime India Vision 2030’.
8. Who is the chairperson of 15th Finance Commission?
[A] Raghuram Rajan
[B] NK Singh
[C] D Subbarao
[D] YV Reddy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NK Singh]
Notes:
The 15th Finance Commission headed by NK Singh, with 117 core recommendation, has tabled its report in the Parliament recently.
The Finance Commission maintained the vertical devolution of taxes with the states at 41%. The divisible pool of financial resources is recommended at 42%, with 1% adjustment made for change of status. So, the vertical devolution of taxes to the states stands at 41%.
9. Which country has announced that it will formally apply for the trans-Pacific trade association, CPTPP?
[A] United States
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Russia
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Kingdom]
Notes:
The United Kingdom has recently announced that it will formally apply to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
CPTPP is a trans-Pacific trading association which removes most tariffs between 11 countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
10. Which word is selected as the Oxford Hindi word of 2020?
[A] Aadhar
[B] Samvidhan
[C] Aatmanirbharta
[D] Mahaa maaree
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Aatmanirbharta]
Notes:
The Oxford group has selected ‘Aatmanirbharta’ as the Oxford Hindi word of 2020. In Hindi language, it means self-reliance.
Previous Hindi words of the year selected by Oxford are ‘Aadhar’ (2017), ‘Nari Shakti’ (2018) and ‘Samvidhaan’ (2019). Following the prime minister’s address, there was a significant increase in the usage of ‘aatmanirbharta’ following the Prime minister’s address.