1. The Environment Ministry recently released a National action plan for conservation of which species?
[A] Marine Turtle
[B] Great Indian Bustard
[C] Brahmaputra Dolphin
[D] Black Buck
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Marine Turtle]
Notes:
The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recently released ‘Marine Mega Fauna Stranding Guidelines’ and ‘National Marine Turtle Action Plan’.
The documents contain framework for handling stranded animals on shore, entangled animals in the sea or boat, management actions for reducing threats to marine species and their habitats, rehabilitation of degraded habitats, among others.
2. As per a report released by Alvarez & Marsal India, what is the average time taken for resolution in India under IBC, as on Sep’20?
[A] 330 days
[B] 360 days
[C] 400 days
[D] 440 days
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [440 days]
Notes:
As per a recent report by Alvarez & Marsal India, as at September 2020, it took an average of 440 days for resolving 277 cases approved by the NCLT under the IBC.
The report stressed on the need for time-bound resolution of stressed assets and enhancing the resolution processes under Insolvency and Bankruptcy code as recovery percentages fell sharply to 15-25 % whenever there is an increase in time taken for resolution.
3. 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.
4. As per the NSO’s revised estimates released recently, what was India’s GDP growth rate for 2019-20?
[A] 1.3%
[B] 3.2%
[C] 4.0%
[D] 5.2%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [4.0%]
Notes:
The National Statistical Office (NSO) recently released its revised national account data. As per the data, the economic growth rate for 2019-20 was revised downwards to 4 per cent.
The decrease from the previous estimate of 4.2 per cent was mainly due to contraction in secondary sectors like manufacturing and construction. Real GDP growth of 2018-19 is estimated at 6.5 per cent, against the 6.1 per cent revealed in January estimate.
5. Who has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the National Health Authority (NHA)?
[A] N S Viswanathan
[B] R S Sharma
[C] Tarun Gogoi
[D] B P Kanungo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [R S Sharma]
Notes:
Former chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), RS Sharma is appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of National Health Authority (NHA).
He is to replace Indu Bhushan after his three-year term. NHA is responsible for implementing the public health insurance scheme ‘Ayushman Bharat’ or Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Sharma is also the Chairperson of an empowered committee on Co-WIN platform.
6. Which tournament would be conducted this year by the BCCI in place of Ranji Trophy?
[A] Anna Hazare Trophy
[B] Sachin Trophy
[C] Vijay Hazare Trophy
[D] Seema Roy Trophy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vijay Hazare Trophy]
Notes:
The BCCI has decided to conduct Vijay Hazare Trophy in place of its first-class domestic tournament Ranji Trophy.
BCCI has stated that the decision has been made as per the wishes of majority of the state units. Additionally, BCCI would also be hosting U-19 National One Day tournament for the Vinoo Mankad Trophy and a Women’s national 50-over tournament.
7. As per a recent research, by what percentage the number of oceanic sharks and rays have declined in Indian Ocean?
[A] 15.3%
[B] 26.4%
[C] 39.7%
[D] 84.7%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [84.7%]
Notes:
As per a recent research published in the journal “Nature”, the number of shark and ray in Indian ocean have declined by 84.7% and has been falling continuously since 1970.
The research noted that oceanic sharks and rays worldwide has fallen by 71% since the last 50 years. Also, 24 out of 31 oceanic shark and ray species are presently classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
8. Al Hol, which was making news recently for its refugee camp, is a town in which country?
[A] Israel
[B] Syria
[C] China
[D] Chile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Syria]
Notes:
The UN counterterrorism chief has urged countries to repatriate the children stranded in a massive camp in Al Hol.
Out of the 27,000 abandoned children, many of them are children of Islamic State extremists. Al Hol camp is the largest camp for refugees and displaced Syrians in the country, located in the north-eastern Syria.
9. Aadi Mahotsav is an initiative of which Union Ministry?
[A] Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry
[B] Tribal Affairs Ministry
[C] Culture Ministry
[D] Tourism Ministry
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tribal Affairs Ministry]
Notes:
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated Aadi Mahotsav, a National Tribal Festival at Dilli Haat, New Delhi. The event is scheduled to be held from February 1 to February 15, this year.
Aadi Mahotsav is a national-level tribal festival and a joint initiative of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED). The event showcases traditional art, handicrafts and cultural heritage of the country. It has been organised from 2017.
10. 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.