21. When is Malala Day celebrated every year?
[A] July 12
[B] July 13
[C] July 14
[D] July 15
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [July 12]
Notes:
The United Nations declared July 12 as ‘Malala Day’ every year, to honour the sixteen-year old Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who was advocating the promotion of education of girls.
On the same day in 2013, she delivered an inspiring speech at the United Nations (UN) headquarters on the need for gender equality in education. The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate has recently completed her degree at the Oxford University.
22. What is the rate of TDS deducted if cash withdrawal of above 1 crore is made by a person who is an income-tax payee?
[A] 0.5 per cent
[B] 1 per cent
[C] 2 per cent
[D] 3 per cent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2 per cent]
Notes:
TDS is deductible at the rate of 2 % if cash withdrawal of above 1 crore made by a person who is an income-tax payee. While, TDS is deductible at the rate 2 % if cash withdrawal exceeds 20 lakh rupees and at the rate of 5 % if it exceeds one crore rupees, if made by a non-income-tax filer.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has launched a new tool, through which Banks and Post offices can determine the TDS rates on cash withdrawals, by entering their PAN number.
23. Which Indian state celebrates the birth anniversary of poet Bhanu Bhakta Acharya as ‘Bhanu Jayanti’?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Assam
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Nagaland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sikkim]
Notes:
The birth anniversary of Nepali poet Bhanu Bhakta Acharya is celebrated as ‘Bhanu Jayanti’, in the state of Sikkim.
The poet is revered in Nepali Literature as ‘Adikavi’ and he is said to have laid the foundation of the Nepali literature. He had also translated several religious scripts from Sanskrit to Nepali. The Governor Ganga Prasad and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang participated in the commemorative event.
24. One of the richest temples in the country, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is located in which city of Kerala?
[A] Cochin
[B] Kozhikode
[C] Thiruvananthapuram
[D] Kannur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Thiruvananthapuram]
Notes:
The historic Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple located at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, has been in dispute over its management. It is considered as one of the richest temples in the country.
The Supreme Court of India has recently upholded the rights of Travancore royal family in the administration of the temple. This dispute has been pending in the Supreme Court for the past nine years after charges of financial irregularities. The Travancore Royal house had ruled southern Kerala and some parts of Tamil Nadu.
25. Which organisation has collaborated with trade body FICCI, for a campaign to support vulnerable population?
[A] World Bank
[B] UNICEF
[C] International Monetary Fund
[D] World Economic Forum
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UNICEF ]
Notes:
United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) has announced its partnership with trade body FICCI, to develop a campaign to support the most vulnerable populations and children.
FICCI and UNICEF will jointly work on an action plan based on the document prepared by the International Chamber of Commerce and UNICEF. FICCI’s Economic Development Foundation (SEDF) will be deployed to mobilise funds, reach out the vulnerable and provide assistance.
26. Who has been appointed as India’s new High Commissioner to Bangladesh?
[A] Vikram Doraiswami
[B] Akhilesh Mishra
[C] Indra Mani Pandey
[D] Arun K. Chatterjee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Vikram Doraiswami]
Notes:
The Union Government has appointed Vikram Doraiswami as the new high commissioner to Bangladesh. Prior to this appointment, he was the Additional Secretary in charge of International Organisations and Summits at the Foreign Ministry.
Another Foreign Service Officer Rudrendra Tandon was named as the new envoy to Afghanistan. He is currently the Indian envoy to ASEAN at Jakarta.
27. Which state government has launched the ‘Operation Muskaan’, to trace missing children?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Andhra Pradesh state government officials along with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) launched ‘Operation Muskaan’ in the state.
This week-long drive aims to trace the missing children, prevent child labour and bonded labour, and rescue children engaged in domestic works. Hundreds of children are being rescued in the drive and are united with parents or provided with shelters.
28. As per the Health Ministry, what percentage of the country’s GDP is to be spent for public health, by 2025?
[A] 1.5%
[B] 2.0%
[C] 2.5%
[D] 5%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2.5%]
Notes:
The Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan announced during the meeting with the 15th Finance Commission, that the Government is to gradually increase the public health expenditure to 2.5 per cent of the country’s GDP by 2025.
This is the government’s target of the National Health Policy 2017. He also confirmed that the primary health expenditure will be made about two-third of the total public health expenditure in the country.
29. Which is the Headquarters of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)?
[A] Geneva
[B] New York
[C] Washington
[D] Paris
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New York ]
Notes:
The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, headquartered at New York.
The High-Level Segment of UN ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council) is to be held on July 17 in New York in the theme of “Multilateralism after COVID19: What kind of UN do we need at the 75th anniversary”. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to address the valedictory session.
30. 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.