21. As of July 2020, which state has topped the in implementation of Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors Atma Nirbhar Nidhi-PM SvaNidhi scheme?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
Madhya Pradesh has topped in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors Atma Nirbhar Nidhi-PM SvaNidhi scheme.
The scheme was launched to provide a free working capital of 10,000 rupees for one year to street vendors. The state also provides assistance for vendors of rural areas in the state, along with those in urban areas. Over 15000 cases have been approved in the state and loans worth above 15 crore have been approved.
22. Which Union Ministry has released a set of guidelines named ‘PRAGYATA’?
[A] Ministry of MSME
[B] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare
[C] Ministry of Human Resource Development
[D] Ministry of Health and Family welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Human Resource Development]
Notes:
Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has recently released a set of guidelines on Digital Education through online medium.
It is named ‘PRAGYATA’, which includes eight steps of digital learning namely Plan- Review- Arrange- Guide- Yak(talk)- Assign- Track- Appreciate. It aimed at addressing teachers, parents, and students on coping with stress during digital learning and recommended screen time for children.
23. India has signed an agreement with which country to expand cooperation in cyber security?
[A] Denmark
[B] Finland
[C] New Zealand
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Israel]
Notes:
India has signed a new agreement with Israel to collaborate in the field of cyber security and to tackle the challenges in the field amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
The MoU has been signed between the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and Israel’s National Cyber Directorate (INCD). Under the MoU, technological assistance and mutual services in cyber security will be exchanged.
24. Who has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of the Indian Maritime University?
[A] Malini Shankar
[B] Sanjeev Ranjan
[C] Sujeet Kumar
[D] Leela Nandan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Malini Shankar]
Notes:
Union Shipping Ministry has named the retired IAS officer Malini Shankar, as the Vice-Chancellor of Indian Maritime University.
Malini Shankar is also the Chairperson of the National Shipping Board (NSB), the ace advisory agency to the Central government on shipping-related matters. Before being appointed as the VC in the Chennai-based University, she was the Director General of Shipping.
25. Which Union Ministry implements PM SVANidhi (PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) scheme?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
[C] Ministry of Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs]
Notes:
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs is implementing the PM SVANidhi (PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) scheme.
PM SVANidhi was launched by the government on June 1, 2020, to provide working capital loan to street vendors. Recently, the Ministry has launched a mobile application of PM SVANidhi scheme, in a virtual event from New Delhi.
26. What is the modified timeline for introducing private trains in India, as per the Chairman of the Railway Board?
[A] March 2024
[B] March 2025
[C] March 2026
[D] March 2027
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [March 2024]
Notes:
The Chairman of the Railway Board VK Yadav has recently announced that the Government has deferred the timeline for introducing private trains to March 2024.
Earlier, the timeline was fixed at April 2023. It has deferred because the major infrastructure upgradation of the railway network is expected to be completed only in the year 2024. The Board also said that North Eastern state capitals will be connected via rail network by 2023.
27. Which Union Ministry has established an ‘Investment Clearance Cell’, for easier clearance of proposals?
[A] Ministry of Defence
[B] Ministry of Civil Aviation
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Civil Aviation]
Notes:
Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has recently established an Investment Clearance Cell (ICC), aimed at providing assistance and clearance of proposals.
The ICC will comprise of ten members and it will be headed by a Joint Secretary in the Ministry. The cell will be a single-window system for attracting investments and it will work closely with states to rope in investors.
28. ‘Plasma Donation Campaign’ has been organised in which Indian state/UT?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] New Delhi
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has flagged off a ‘Plasma Donation Campaign’ at AIIMS, New Delhi.
The campaign programme was co-organized by Delhi Police. As many as 26 police personnel who had recovered from COVID-19 volunteered to donate blood plasma. New Delhi has recently inaugurated the first Plasma bank of the country.
29. CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, which has developed COVID Protection System (COPS), is located in which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] West Bengal
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [West Bengal]
Notes:
CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute has developed COVID Protection System (COPS) for Workplace. It is located in Durgapur, West Bengal.
The system comprises of a contactless Solar Intelligent Mask Dispensing Unit and Thermal Scanner (IntelliMAST), Touchless Faucet (TouF) and a 360° Car Flusher. This would provide full protection to Healthcare Workers as well as the frontline Security Guards.
30. Which Indian personality has crossed six crore followers on Twitter?
[A] Ranveer Singh
[B] Virat Kohli
[C] Narendra Modi
[D] Amit Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Narendra Modi]
Notes:
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has recently crossed six crore followers on micro-blogging platform Twitter.
The Prime Minister joined Twitter in the year 2009 and his handle is following 2,354 accounts. The Twitter handle of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has 3.7 crore followers. US President Donald Trump has over 8.3 crore followers on Twitter.