1. ‘What does ‘R’ stand in the STARS project, co-sponsored by World Bank, which was in news recently?
[A] Response
[B] Results
[C] Remote
[D] Redressal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Results]
Notes:
‘STARS’ stand for Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States. It is a project of the Union Ministry of Education for improving the quality of education in six selected states.
The total project cost of project is Rs 5718 crore with the financial support of World Bank amounting to approximately Rs. 3700 crore. Recently, the agreement for the financial support of the project was signed with World Bank.
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. Chauri Chaura is a town located in which Indian state/UT?
[A] Punjab
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Bihar
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Chauri Chaura is a town located near Gorakhpur, in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to inaugurate the Chauri Chaura Centenary celebrations.
The historic Chauri Chaura incident took place on 5 February 1922 at the Chauri Chaura town in the United Province in British India. After a clash between the Police and a group of volunteers, the Police opened fire and the group torched the Police station. Gandhi withdrew the Non-cooperation movement after this incident.
4. What is the expansion of BNI, mentioned in the Economic Survey 2020-21?
[A] Broad Necessities Index
[B] Bare Necessities Index
[C] Base Necessities Indicator
[D] Base National Indicators
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bare Necessities Index]
Notes:
The Economic Survey for 2020-21 has mentioned “Bare Necessities Index” (BNI), to describe the inequalities in access to bare necessities like drinking water, sanitation and housing conditions between urban and rural India.
The index lists 26 indicators on five dimensions namely water, sanitation, housing, micro-environment, and other facilities. It also classifies the regions in three levels of access to bare necessities namely high, medium, low.
5. Which country has the highest share in global basmati rice trade?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Pakistan
[D] Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
India exported 4.45 million tonnes basmati rice (worth USD 4.33 billion) in financial year 2019-20. It has a 65 per cent share in global basmati trade.
Pakistan makes the rest of the global trade. Recently, Pakistan’s basmati rice has received a Geographical Indication (GI) registration within the country. India has applied to the EU for the GI tag for its basmati rice in September 2020. Both countries are exporting basmati to the EU without a GI tag from it.
6. India’s first Amputee clinic has been recently launched in which city/UT?
[A] Chandigarh
[B] Hyderabad
[C] Varanasi
[D] Ahmedabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Chandigarh]
Notes:
The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh has launched the first Amputee clinic of India.
The ‘PGI Amputee Clinic’ aims to provide social, mental and physical support to its patients. It also aims to provide complete amputation patient care and provide medical care and rehabilitation of amputees who cannot afford the cost.
7. Amazon has been in a legal dispute against which company for selling its retail assets to Reliance Retail?
[A] D-Mart
[B] Future Retail
[C] Aditya Birla Retail
[D] K Raheja Corp
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Future Retail]
Notes:
Amazon has moved the Delhi High Court against Future Retail for selling its retail assets to Reliance Retail.
Amazon alleges that the ₹24,713 crore worth Future-Reliance deal violates its own contract with the Future Group. The Delhi High Court asked Future retail to maintain status quo. Earlier the Singapore Arbitration gave the Emergency Arbitrator (EA) award in favour of Amazon.
8. ‘Manufacturing Zones under Atmanirbhar Bharat Package’ scheme is to be implemented by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Heavy Industries
[B] Ministry of Power
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Communication
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Power]
Notes:
The Ministry of Power is set to launch a domestic manufacturing programme for critical power and renewable energy equipment.
The scheme titled ‘Manufacturing Zones under Atmanirbhar Bharat Package’ was announced in the Union Budget. With an outlay of Rs 1,500 crore in the coming financial year, the scheme includes setting up three manufacturing zones per year.
9. SEBI has banned the Chairperson and promoters of which company from the Securities Market?
[A] Reliance
[B] Future Retail
[C] DHFL
[D] Lakshmi Vilas Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Future Retail]
Notes:
Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has banned the Future Retail’s Chairman Kishore Biyani and other promoters from the securities market for one year.
They have been charged for indulging in insider trading in the shares of the company. SEBI has also imposed a fine of Rs 1 Crore each on the promoters and ordered them to pay back Rs 17.78 crore with interest.
10. As of February 2020, how many green zone sites have been approved for operating drones?
[A] 12
[B] 32
[C] 52
[D] 72
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [32]
Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Defence have recently approved 26 green zone sites across the country, to operate Drones. With this, the total green sites stand at 32.
Under the No-Permission-No-Takeoff (NPNT) compliance regulations, the drones are not authorised to fly without the NPNT automated green signal. The Government is also developing the Digital Sky platform, for automatic authorisations.