1. Kholongchhu is the first joint venture hydroelectric project between India and which country?
[A] Singapore
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Bhutan
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bhutan]
Notes:
Kholongchhu is the first joint venture hydroelectric project between India and Bhutan. A concession agreement for project was recently signed virtually.
This agreement will commence the construction and related works of the project, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025. The 600 MW project is located on the Kholongchhu river in eastern Bhutan. It will be implemented by Kholongchhu Hydro Energy Limited, a JV company formed between DGPC of Bhutan and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) of India.
2. Who has been appointed as the next Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations?
[A] Indra Mani Pandey
[B] Ronen Sen
[C] Vivek Katju
[D] Taranjit Singh Sandhu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indra Mani Pandey]
Notes:
Veteran diplomat Indra Mani Pandey has been appointed as India’s next Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva.
The Indian Foreign Service officer is currently serving as an additional secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He is to succeed the current representative hRajiv K Chander in Geneva. I.M Pandey had served in Indian missions in several places including Cairo, Islamabad and Kabul among others.
3. Which financial institution has approved a USD 750 million MSME Emergency Response program?
[A] Asian Development Bank
[B] World Bank
[C] International Monetary Fund
[D] United Nations
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Bank]
Notes:
The World Bank has approved a USD 750 million MSME Emergency Response program, to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As per the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors, the programme will help in improving funding capacity of Small finance banks (SFBs) and Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) for the MSME sector. This is expected to provide liquidity to about 1.5 million viable MSMEs. The loans have a maturity period of 19 years.
4. Which Indian institution has launched the world’s first online Bachelor of Science Degree in Data Science and programming?
[A] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras
[B] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
[C] Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
[D] Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras]
Notes:
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has launched the world’s first online Diploma and Bachelor of Science Degree in Data Science and programming.
The course has no age limit and students who have passed class 12 can enrol. The course will be conducted online and its exams will be conducted in an offline mode. The course has three levels including the foundation, diploma and degree and it is divided into six semesters.
5. Who has been recognised as the constitutional interim President of Venezuela, by the United Kingdom?
[A] Nicolas Maduro
[B] Juan Guaido
[C] Nigel Teare
[D] Sarosh Zaiwalla
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Juan Guaido]
Notes:
The United Kingdom has recently recognised Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country’s constitutional interim President.
A case has been held over whether Guaido or Nicolas Maduro have control on the country’s USD 1 billion worth gold reserves held in the Bank of England. In the ruling of the English High Court, it has declared Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. Though Maduro won the second term, the opposition has majority.
6. A new Sanskrit school building, that was funded by India, has been inaugurated in which country?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Nepal
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nepal]
Notes:
As per the recent announcement from the Indian embassy, a new school building built with Indian assistance of Rs 1.94 crore has been inaugurated in Nepal.
The new four-storey building has been built in the premises of the Shri Saptmai Gurukul Sanskrit Vidyalaya school, which was constructed in the year 2009. It is a prestigious institution which teaches both Vedic and Modern education.
7. Which country has launched a new military surveillance satellite named ‘Ofek 16’?
[A] United States
[B] Israel
[C] Germany
[D] UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Israel]
Notes:
Israel has launched a new surveillance satellite named ‘Ofek 16’, that will provide high-quality surveillance for its military activities
The satellite was launched into space by its indigenously developed Shavit rocket, which was used to launch the previous versions of Ofek satellites. It is an advanced electro-optical surveillance satellite developed by Israel Aerospace Industries.
8. Which country has passed the Expat quota bill, which could force about 8 lakh Indians to leave, when enacted?
[A] United Arab Emirates
[B] Kuwait
[C] Oman
[D] Bahrain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kuwait]
Notes:
The legal and legislative committee of Kuwait’s National Assembly has recently approved the draft expat quota bill.
If the bill is enacted into a law, over 8 lakh Indians could be forced out of Kuwait. As per the proposed bill, Indians should not exceed 15% of the population. Out of the 4.3 million population of Kuwait, there are 3 million expats. Moreover, Indians are the largest expatriate community with 1.45 million.
9. Which organisation released a report titled “Community based programme for children below 5 years of age with severe acute malnutrition in India”?
[A] World Bank
[B] UNICEF
[C] UNESCO
[D] Save the Children
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UNICEF]
Notes:
New York headquartered United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has recently released a report titled “Community based programme for children below 5 years of age with severe acute malnutrition in India—Progress so far and lessons learned 2020”.
The report considered the malnutrition programmes being implemented in 12 states. As per UNICEF, the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted care for malnourished children. This may increase the burden and availability of food and livelihood in the country.
10. Which company has posted a net loss of Rs 73,878 crore in this fiscal year, the highest ever reported by an Indian company?
[A] Reliance Industries
[B] Vodafone Idea
[C] BSNL
[D] Bharti Airtel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vodafone Idea]
Notes:
India’s third largest telecom operator, Vodafone Idea reported the highest net loss in a fiscal year 2019-20.
The net loss of Rs 73,878 crore is the highest ever made by an Indian firm. The company had provisioned for the statutory dues, as mandated by the Supreme Court of India. This is the main reason of their huge net losses. Out of the total dues estimated by the Department of Telecom, it has paid Rs 6,854.4 crore.