41. Who has been nominated to be the Vice-Chairman of the International Union of Railways (UIC)?
[A] Arun Kumar
[B] Sylendra Babu
[C] Rajiv Ranjan Verma
[D] Rajan Bhagat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Arun Kumar]
Notes:
The Director General of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Arun Kumar, has been nominated to be the Vice-Chairman of the Security Platform of International Union of Railways (UIC).
The Paris-based union also called as Union Internationale Des Chemins, is a global platform for railway systems for improving inter-operability and developing common standards. India has been working closely with the UIC in several initiatives. After the two-year tenure of vice-chairmanship, the DG will hold the chairmanship for the next two years.
42. Which social media platform is set to partner with banks to expand rural banking services in India?
[A] WhatsApp
[B] Telegram
[C] Twitter
[D] Snapchat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [WhatsApp]
Notes:
Social media Giant WhatsApp announced that it is set to partner with banks to expand banking services in India.
India is the biggest market of WhatsApp with over 400 million users. The messaging platform has already collaborated with banks including ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank for automated business messaging. This partnership would help expand banking services for low-income people and in rural areas.
43. A France-based refinery has spilled toxic chemicals over 15 acres in which sea?
[A] Mediterranean Sea
[B] Red Sea
[C] Pacific Ocean
[D] Atlantic Ocean
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mediterranean Sea]
Notes:
Following a leak at a Lavera petrochemical refinery in southern France, an orange-brown chemical sheet spread over 15 acres in the Mediterranean Sea.
This area includes the nationally recognized marine life area. The plant is said to have spilled 200 gallons or more of iron chloride into the sea. The chemical could harm eyes and mucous membranes and could even cause death.
44. Which Indian state/UT is to play host to the 4th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games in 2021?
[A] Odisha
[B] Haryana
[C] Goa
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Haryana]
Notes:
Haryana will host the fourth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games after the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, in Panchkula.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that unlike the usual schedule of January, the tournament has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will be participated by all states with over 10000 sportspersons.
45. Which country is the largest holder of American government securities, at the end of May 2020?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Japan
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Japan]
Notes:
Japan remains the largest holder of American government securities, at the end of May 2020 with an exposure of USD 1.260 trillion.
India has increased its holdings of American government securities purchased through the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), by nearly USD 13 billion to USD 169.9 billion at the end of May. In February, the country had a record high of USD 177.5 billion worth securities and have seen fluctuations throughout this year.
46. Which country has rejected the claims of China in the South China Sea, in a formal declaration to the United Nations?
[A] United States
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Australia
[D] New Zealand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Australia]
Notes:
Australia has recently filed a formal declaration statement to the United Nations to reject the claims of China in the South China Sea.
Australia has claimed that there were no legal issues to the disputed claims of China in the sea, including those related to construction of artificial islands on shoals and reefs. Earlier, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared China’s claims of territory and resources in the South China Sea as illegal.
47. As per the UN World Wildlife Crime Report, which two countries were the main suppliers of illegal tiger products in the world?
[A] India and China
[B] India and Thailand
[C] China and Thailand
[D] India and Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India and Thailand]
Notes:
According to the recently released United Nations World Wildlife Crime Report, India and Thailand supplied highest illegal tiger products in the world.
It also highlighted that the biggest destination of the tiger parts was China, followed by Thailand and Vietnam. The most valuable body part of the tigers is their bones which are used to treat bone and ligament injuries in humans.
48. Which district has topped the list of aspirational districts ranked by NITI Aayog for the February-June 2020 period?
[A] Nawada
[B] Moga
[C] Bijapur
[D] Bahraich
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bijapur]
Notes:
Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh has topped the list of aspirational districts ranked by Niti Aayog for the February-June 2020 period.
Ri-Bhoi district in Meghalaya and Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh have been placed at the second and third positions respectively. This delta ranking considers incremental progress made by over 112 aspirational districts across six developmental areas including Health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion, skill development and basic infrastructure.
49. When is ‘Global Tiger Day’ celebrated across the world every year?
[A] July 27
[B] July 29
[C] July 31
[D] August 1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [July 29]
Notes:
During the Saint Petersburg declaration on tiger conservation that was signed by Tiger range countries in 2010, it was decided to celebrate 29th July as Global Tiger Day across the world.
The countries had pledged to double the tiger population by the year 2022. Global Tiger Day aims to create awareness on tiger conservation. Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar has released the All India Tiger Estimation Report-2018 and said that India has nearly 70 per cent of the global tiger population.
50. Which Union Ministry launched ‘Indian Report on Digital Education, 2020’?
[A] Ministry of Science and Technology
[B] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[C] Ministry of Human Resource Development
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Human Resource Development]
Notes:
Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has recently launched the ‘Indian Report on Digital Education, 2020’.
The report has details on innovative methods adopted by Education Departments of various States and Union Territories for providing inclusive education to children at home. Initiatives of HRD Ministry including DIKSHA platform and Swayam Prabha TV Channel are highlighted.