1. What was the real fiscal deficit of India, as a percentage of GDP, for the previous financial year 2019-20?
[A] 3.8%
[B] 4.0%
[C] 4.25%
[D] 4.59%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [4.59%]
Notes:
As per the data from the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), India’s fiscal deficit was 4.59% of gross domestic product (GDP) for the year 2019-20. Fiscal Deficit is the gap between the government’s revenue and expenditure
The government’s revised target for its fiscal deficit was 3.8%, and the real deficit has exceeded it. However, the budget estimate was 3.5% of GDP. The Union Finance Minister invoked the escape clause in the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act to peg the deficit 0.5% higher than the Budget estimate.
2. K-FON project, that is to be implemented in Kerala this year, is associated with which field?
[A] Nutrition-added food
[B] Internet access
[C] Water conservation
[D] Space Science
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Internet access]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan has announced that Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) project would be launched by December 2020.
The objective of the Rs 1,500 crore scheme is to provide free internet access to the poor and at affordable rates to others. It is being implemented by Kerala State IT Infrastructure Limited and Kerala State Electricity Board. Using the KSEB posts, optical fibre cables are being laid across the state.
3. Which is the smallest state of India by area, that celebrates its statehood day on May 30?
[A] Goa
[B] Sikkim
[C] Tripura
[D] Meghalaya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Goa]
Notes:
Goa is the smallest state of India, by are and the fourth-smallest state by population. It recently celebrated its statehood day on May 30.
In 1961, Indian Army invaded and annexed Goa, Daman and Diu into the Indian union, through Operation Vijay. After that, Goa along with Daman and Diu, was categorised as a centrally administered Union territory of India. On 30 May 1987, the union territory was split and Goa was made the 25th state of India and Daman and Diu remained as a UT.
4. Which company has partnered with the Trivandrum-based SCTIMST institute for commercial production of COVID kits?
[A] Larsen & Toubro
[B] Tata Group
[C] Reliance Industries
[D] Mahindra & Mahindra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tata Group]
Notes:
The Tata Group has recently signed a partnership agreement with the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) of Thiruvananthapuram for commercial production of Covid-19 testing kits.
The kits to be produced are based on Reverse Transcriptase Loop-Mediated Amplification (RT-LAMP) technology for Covid-19 detection. The kits provide results in a lesser time against the conventional method. Earlier, Tata Sons had partnered with CSIR- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology to produce CRISPR-based COVID test kits.
5. Ashwani Bhatia has been appointed as the new Managing Director of which Indian public sector bank?
[A] Punjab National Bank
[B] Bank of India
[C] State Bank of India
[D] Union Bank of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [State Bank of India]
Notes:
The Banks Board Bureau (BBB) has recently recommended the appointment for the top-level position of three public sector banks.
The BBB recommended the appointment of Ashwani Bhatia as the next Managing Director of State Bank of India. Ashwani Bhatia is currently the Deputy Managing Director in SBI. The Board also recommended the appointment of Matam Venkat Rao as the MD & CEO of Central Bank of India and PP Sengupta as the MD & CEO of Indian Overseas Bank.
6. India’s largest energy exchange Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) launched its RTM platform. What does RTM stand for?
[A] Renewable Energy Market
[B] Real-Time Electricity Market
[C] Regulatory Electricity Medium
[D] Renewable Energy Medium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Real-Time Electricity Market]
Notes:
Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) is the largest electronic system-based power trading exchange of India and it is regulated by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. IEX platform provides physical delivery of electricity and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
IEX has recently launched its Real-Time Electricity Market (RTM) platform. The objective of the platform is to help the DISCOMs plan their power requirements. The trade in electricity is carried out through half-hourly auctions i.e. 48 daily sessions.
7. Which state/UT is set to produce the high-quality Australian Merino sheep wool indigenously?
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttarakhand]
Notes:
As per the test report of the Animal Husbandry Department of the state of Uttarakhand, the quality of the state’s sheep wool compiled was similar to the Merino sheep wool.
The Merino sheep wool of Australia is famous across the world in the textile industry for its fine texture. India imports nearly 8000 MT of fine wool every year. Uttarakhand received 250 Merino sheep in Tehri Garhwal district under the national livestock scheme last year. With appropriate breeding programmes, Uttarakhand would produce high-quality fine Merino wool.
8. Which state-owned organisation has developed a multi-purpose disinfection unit named Ultra Swachh?
[A] DRDO
[B] CSIR
[C] HAL
[D] BARC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [DRDO]
Notes:
Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), the Delhi based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a disinfection unit named Ultra Swachh.
It is a multi-purpose unit, which can be used to disinfect a wide range of objects and materials including Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), fabrics among others. The system is compliant with international standards of personal and environmental safety. The system will be available in two variants namely Ozonated Space and Trinetra Technology
9. Which country has announced its eleventh outbreak of Ebola virus disease?
[A] Democratic Republic of the Congo
[B] Nigeria
[C] Rwanda
[D] Uganda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Democratic Republic of the Congo]
Notes:
The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo recently announced that it has witnessed a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease.
The country located in Central Africa has seen its 11th outbreak since the virus was first discovered in the country in 1976. At present, the disease is occurring in the Equateur province. The World Health Organisation (WHO) also announced about the disease.
10. What is the name of the initiative launched by the Sports Ministry to train Physical Education teachers and Community Coaches?
[A] Bharat Coach Development Programme
[B] Khelo India Community Coach Development Programme
[C] Khelo India Sports Development Programme
[D] National Sports Mission
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Khelo India Community Coach Development Programme]
Notes:
The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju has recently launched a 25-day Khelo India Community Coach Development Programme.
The programme seeks to train about 15,000 Physical Education Teachers and Community Coaches across India. Sports Ministry will collaborate with the Human Resources Ministry to implement this programme in all school in India.