1. Which state has recently reduced value-added tax (VAT) rate for petrol and diesel by 2%?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Kerala
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajasthan]
Notes:
The state government of Rajasthan has recently reduced value-added tax (VAT) by two percent on petrol and diesel. This has relaxed the fuel prices in the state. Recently, the price of premium petrol price crossed Rs.100 in the state.
Petrol, Diesel and other fuels in India have been kept outside the ambit of Goods and Services Tax (GST). Presently, the state governments determine the VAT on these fuels.
2. External Affairs Minister S Jai Shankar proposed Eight Guiding principles to repair the strained relations with which country?
[A] China
[B] Pakistan
[C] Afghanistan
[D] United States
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [China]
Notes:
Union External Affairs Minister S Jai Shankar recently delivered his virtual keynote address at the All-India Conference of China Studies.
During the conference, he proposed Eight Guiding principles to repair the strained relations of India with China. He also highlighted the disturbance in their ties due to the stand-off at Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
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 was ‘IN FAC T-81’, which was seen in the news recently?
[A] Covid vaccine candidate
[B] Naval Craft
[C] Super computer
[D] Virtual Intelligence tool
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Naval Craft]
Notes:
IN FAC T-81 is the Indian Naval Fast Attack Craft of the Super Dvora MK II class, which served the nation successfully for more than 20 years in surveillance and Search & Rescue.
It was recently decommissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. It is a 25-meter-long vessel with 60 tonnes displacement and was built at Goa Shipyard Ltd in collaboration with an Israel manufacturer. The INFAC was commissioned into the Navy in 1999.
5. As per the ‘India Justice Report’, which state has employed most women in its police force?
[A] Kerala
[B] Bihar
[C] West Bengal
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bihar]
Notes:
The ‘India Justice Report’ was an initiative of Tata Trusts, along with the Centre for Social Justice and some other social agencies.
The report analysed expenditure, vacancies, representation of women and members of SC, ST and OBCs across large, mid-sized states and smaller states. Bihar has employed most women in its police force at 25.3 per cent. Tamil Nadu has the highest percentage of women police officers and Karnataka is the only state to meet SC, ST and OBC quotas.
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. Arun Hydropower Project, which was making news recently, is being constructed in which country?
[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Bhutan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nepal]
Notes:
The Investment Board Nepal (IBN), chaired by the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has awarded the Arun Hydropower Project to India’s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam.
The project to develop the 679-megawatt Lower Arun Hydropower Project, is awarded to the SJVN under the build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) delivery method. The project cost is estimated at over 100 billion Nepalese rupees.
8. Who has taken charge as the Vice Chief of Army Staff in India?
[A] M M Naravane
[B] C P Mohanty
[C] Yogesh Kumar Joshi
[D] Anil Chauhan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [C P Mohanty]
Notes:
Lieutenant General C P Mohanty assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff. Prior to this appointment he was the Army Commander of the Southern Army.
The area of responsibility of the Southern Army includes 11 states and four Union Territories. C P Mohanty has replaced the previous Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant General Satinder Kumar Saini.
9. As per the recent Union Budget, the Gig economy workers are to be covered under which organisation?
[A] LIC
[B] ESIC
[C] EPFO
[D] PFRDA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ESIC]
Notes:
In the recent Union Budget, the Finance Minister announced that all social security benefits will be extended to gig and platform workers.
Minimum wages will be ensured to all categories of workers. All those workers will also be covered by the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC). She also announced that women will be allowed to work in all categories and in the night-shifts with adequate protection.
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.