21. Which Indian organisation has constituted a working group to study feasibility of forming a ‘pandemic risk pool’?
[A] Reserve Bank of India
[B] Securities Exchange Board of India
[C] Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority
[D] Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority]
Notes:
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) has constituted a working group to study feasibility of forming a ‘pandemic risk pool’.
A pool is proposed to be formed, which addresses the risks that are arising out of the pandemic. The existing insurance laws do not cover business interruption losses and this pool is aimed to address this issue. The panel is expected to submit its report in eight weeks.
22. Union Shipping Ministry’s draft ‘Aids to Navigation Bill, 2020’ seeks to replace which colonial act?
[A] Lighthouse Act, 1927
[B] Coasting vessels Act, 1838
[C] Inland Vessels Act, 1917
[D] India Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Lighthouse Act, 1927]
Notes:
The Union Shipping Ministry has issued a draft ‘Aids to Navigation Bill, 2020’ and sought suggestions from stakeholders and general public.
This draft bill seeks to replace the colonial Lighthouse Act, 1927, which is over nine decades old. The bill seeks to empower the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) with additional power. It also proposes to include global best practices.
23. Which Indian state is the first to conduct state-wide Lok Adalat through video conferencing?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Chhattisgarh
[C] Kerala
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
The state of Chhattisgarh has the become the first in the country, to organise an state-wide e-Lok Adalat, through video conferencing.
As per the State Legal Services Authority, more than 3,000 cases will be taken up for virtual hearing in over 200 benches of various districts, including the High Court. This step is expected to clear pending cases by following precautionary measures amidst Covid-19.
24. Hagia Sophia, the monument that was seen in news recently, is located in which country?
[A] Italy
[B] Turkey
[C] Australia
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Turkey]
Notes:
The President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently announced that the iconic architectural place of the country Hagia Sophia would be made a mosque, which gained criticism from across the world.
After the top Turkish court revoked the museum status of the monument, the President made this announcement. The UNESCO World Heritage site in Istanbul was first constructed as a cathedral but was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. It has been a museum since 1935 and open to people of all faiths.
25. Andrzej Duda has been re-elected as the President of which country?
[A] France
[B] Poland
[C] The Netherlands
[D] Egypt
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Poland]
Notes:
The incumbent President of Poland, Andrzej Duda has been re-elected to a second term, in a narrow count.
Andrzej Duda was backed by the ruling party, the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party. He won with 51.21% of the votes, as per the country’s election committee. Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, of the center-right opposition Civic Platform party (PO) secured 48.79%.
26. Which country has launched a nation-wide campaign to clean up websites, that target users below the age of 18?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [China]
Notes:
The internet regulator of China, Cyberspace Administration of China has announced that it has launched a two-month nation-wide campaign to clean up websites aimed at users under the age of 18.
Earlier, China has imposed limits on online play time for young users after gaming addiction was rising among children. As per the watchdog, the aim of this campaign was to promote a healthy online environment.
27. Ashok Lavasa has been appointed as the new Vice President of which international financial institution?
[A] World Bank
[B] Asian Development Bank
[C] BRICS Bank
[D] Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Asian Development Bank]
Notes:
Election Commissioner of India Ashok Lavasa, has been appointed as the Vice President for Private Sector Operations and Public-Private Partnerships at the Asian Development Bank.
Ashok Lavasa is to replace the incumbent Vice President Diwakar Gupta, whose term is ending on August 31. The retired IAS officer was appointed as the Election commissioner in January 2018 and he was the next senior Election Commissioner, to be appointed as the Chief, after the present CEC Sunil Arora.
28. Jio Platforms is to partner with which Technology company to develop a new operating system for smartphone in India?
[A] Microsoft
[B] Google
[C] Xiaomi
[D] Facebook
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Google]
Notes:
The CMD of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Mukesh Ambani announced at the annual general meeting, that Jio platforms and Google will jointly develop a new Android-based smartphone system.
An entry level affordable smart phone by optimising the Android operating system would be jointly developed by the two giants. Google also announced that it will invest Rs 33,737 crores in Jio for developing 5G technology.
29. Which country has made the ‘Hong Kong Autonomy Act’ into law and ended its preferential treatment for Hong Kong?
[A] China
[B] United States
[C] India
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
The United States President Donald Trump has signed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act into law. He also signed an executive order ending US preferential treatment for Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Autonomy Act was passed unanimously by the Congress. It gives provisions to the country, to hold accountable the individuals involved in suppressing Hong Kong’s freedom. After this act, Hong Kong will be treated the same as mainland China by the US.
30. Which country is to play host to the FIFA World Cup 2022 tournament?
[A] France
[B] Brazil
[C] Qatar
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Qatar]
Notes:
The FIFA World Cup 2022 football tournament is to played in Qatar, for the first time in the history of FIFA.
FIFA has released the new schedule for the World Cup to be played in November and December, 2022. The 60,000-capacity Al Bayt Stadium will be the venue for the inaugural session of the tournament. FIFA will finalise the 30 contestants of the World Cup in April 2022