1. ‘Amrut Mahotsav’, which was seen in the news recently, is the celebration of which event?
[A] 125th birth anniversary of Netaji
[B] 75th year of India’s Independence
[C] 50th year of 1971 War
[D] 50th year of Kargil War
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [75th year of India’s Independence]
Notes:
The Budget Session of Parliament recently began with the address of President Ram Nath Kovind to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.
During the address, the President mentioned that the ‘Amrut Mahotsav’ will be observed in the country from this year, to mark commencement of the celebrations towards the 75th year of India’s Independence.
2. 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.
3. Which Indian personality started the ‘Prabuddha Bharata’ journal in 1896?
[A] Aurobindo Ghosh
[B] Swami Vivekananda
[C] Annie Besant
[D] Subramaniya Bharati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Swami Vivekananda]
Notes:
Swami Vivekananda started the ‘Prabuddha Bharata’, a monthly journal of the Ramakrishna order in 1896, to spread the message of India’s spiritual knowledge.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 125th Anniversary celebrations of ‘Prabuddha Bharata’ organized by Advaita Ashrama in Uttarakhand. It is the place of publication of the journal. Several leaders like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Sri Aurobindo have contributed to the journal.
4. 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.
5. Which country is to introduce a bill to ban all private cryptocurrencies and create a sovereign digital currency?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Japan
[D] New Zealand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
The Indian Government is to introduce a bill in Parliament to ban all private cryptocurrencies and create a sovereign digital currency by the Reserve Bank of India.
The bill is to allow certain exceptions to promote the underlying technology of cryptocurrency and its uses. A legislative framework on official digital currency is also expected to be created.
6. 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.
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. As per Union Budget 2021-22, what is the new threshold for paid up capital applicable to ‘small companies’?
[A] Rs.10 lakh
[B] Rs.1 crore
[C] Rs.20 lakh
[D] Rs.2 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rs.2 crore]
Notes:
As per the Union Budget 2021-22, the threshold for paid up capital applicable for Small Companies has been revised from “not exceeding Rs 50 lakh” to “not exceeding Rs 2 crore”.
This enhancement in capital limit is expected to benefit more than 2 lakh small companies and would ease various compliance requirements for them.
9. As per the Budget 2021-22, what is the estimated Fiscal Deficit for the current financial year?
[A] 9.5%
[B] 7.0%
[C] 4.0%
[D] 2.0%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [9.5%]
Notes:
As per the latest Budget presented by the Union Finance Minister, the Fiscal Deficit of our economy is estimated at 9.5% of GDP for the current financial year. The same is expected to be at 6.8% of GDP for FY 2021-22.
The budget estimate of expenditure for next FY (2021-22) is Rs.34.83 lakh crore.
10. What is the name of the Global conference being hosted by Kerala State Planning Board?
[A] Global Keralites
[B] Kerala Looks Ahead
[C] Kerala Vision 2021
[D] New Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala Looks Ahead]
Notes:
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the ‘Kerala Looks Ahead,’ a three-day virtual global conclave.
The conference aims to frame the roadmap for long-term development of the state by reaping opinions from top economists, industry leaders and administrators. Star speakers include Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, WHO Scientist Soumya Swaminathan and top industry leaders.