21. Who has presented India’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the United Nations High-level Political Forum (HLPF)?
[A] S Jai Shankar
[B] Shaktikanta Das
[C] Rajiv Kumar
[D] Amitabh Kant
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rajiv Kumar]
Notes:
Dr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog presented India’s second Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the United Nations High-level Political Forum (HLPF) 2020.
The HLPF is the international platform for review of progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It meets annually in July under the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The India VNR 2020 report was titled “Decade of Action: Taking SDGs from Global to Local”.
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. 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.
25. Shipping Ministry has approved Rs 107 Crore for improving fire-fighting facilities in which major port?
[A] Chennai Port
[B] Cochin Port
[C] Kolkata Port
[D] Mumbai Port
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kolkata Port]
Notes:
Union Minister of State for Shipping Shri Mansukh Mandaviya has recently approved Rs. 107 Crore for improving fire-fighting facilities at Haldia Dock Complex, Kolkata Port.
The existing fire fighting facility does not support handling of petroleum products as per the guidelines of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. This augmentation is a step towards compliance of global standards for fire safety and secure handling of petroleum products.
26. 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.
27. Mile Jedinak, who recently announced his retirement, is associated with which sports?
[A] Athletics
[B] Football
[C] Cricket
[D] Hockey
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Football]
Notes:
Former captain of Australian Football team recently announced that he is retiring from all forms of football.
He had earlier announced retirement from international football in the year 2018. The 35-year old footballer led the Australian men’s national team, also called as Socceroos, to the 2015 Asian Cup title.
28. Who is the President of the European Commission, who has represented the EU in the India-EU virtual summit?
[A] Ursula von der Leyen
[B] Christine Lagarde
[C] Kristalina Georgieva
[D] Philip R. Lane
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ursula von der Leyen]
Notes:
The 15th summit between the India and the European Union was held recently through a virtual mode. India was represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The EU was represented by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission and Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The leaders adopted the “India-EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025”, a strategic guide for mutual cooperation, over the next five years.
29. Which Union Minister inaugurated the Conference on Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Technologies?
[A] Rajnath Singh
[B] Shripad Naik
[C] Jitendra Singh
[D] Hardeep Singh Puri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shripad Naik]
Notes:
Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik recently inaugurated the 5th edition of the Conference on Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing Technologies.
The webinar was jointly organised by Tamil Nadu Technology Development & Promotion Centre (TNTDPC), Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The theme of the conference is Empowering India with ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Mission’.
30. Which Indian shipyard is set to build autonomous electric ferries for a Norwegian firm ASKO Maritime AS?
[A] Cochin Shipyard Limited
[B] Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers
[C] Mazagon Dock Ltd
[D] Hindustan Shipyard
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cochin Shipyard Limited]
Notes:
Cochin Shipyard Limited has signed a contract for construction and supply of two autonomous electric ferries for ASKO Maritime AS, Norway.
This firm is a subsidiary of NorgesGruppen ASA, one of the major players in the Norwegian retail market. The project is partially funded by the Norwegian government and aimed at emission-free transport of goods. The 67-metre-long vessels will be delivered as a full-electric transport ferry, initially. The Ship yard is also building 23 hybrid electric boats for the Kochi Water Metro.