1. 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.
2. Which file-sharing website has been ordered to be blocked by the Department of Telecom (DoT)?
[A] Media Fire
[B] WeTransfer
[C] Drop Box
[D] One Drive
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [WeTransfer]
Notes:
As per the recent order issued by the Department of Telecom (DoT), it has directed all internet service providers (ISPs) to block the computer file-sharing website ‘WeTransfer’, due to security reasons.
All internet service providers (ISPs) are directed to block two download links on the website WeTransfer as well as the entire website. We Transfer is an Internet-based computer file transfer service platform founded at Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
3. Which venue was originally scheduled for the 47th G-7 summit 2020, that has been postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic?
[A] France
[B] United States
[C] Germany
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
G7 is an association of seven of the world’s largest economies namely the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan. Previously it included Russia and was called the G-8.
The 47th G7 summit was originally scheduled to be held in the month of June 2020, at Camp David, United States. The US President Donald Trump recently announced that he is postponing the 47th summit to September or November. He also suggested to expand the G7 bloc to include India, Australia, South Korea and Russia.
4. As per the recent change in the definition of MSMEs, what is the investment limit for an enterprise to be classified as a medium enterprise?
[A] Rs 20 crore
[B] Rs 25 crore
[C] Rs 50 crore
[D] Rs 75 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 50 crore]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet has approved further changes to the definition of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Earlier, the Union Minister had proposed that Micro units can have up to Rs 1 crore investments and turnover up to Rs 5 crore while Small units can have up to Rs 10 crore investments and turnover up to Rs 50 crore. The investment limit of a medium unit has been increased from Rs 20 crore to Rs 50 crore and the turn over limit from Rs 100 crore to Rs 250 crore. The Cabinet also approved Rs 20,000-crore fund for stressed entities and equity infusion of Rs 50,000 crore.
5. The Union Government has launched a drive to issue Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to which category of farmers?
[A] Dairy farmers
[B] Poultry farmers
[C] Horticulture farmers
[D] Pisciculture farmers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dairy farmers]
Notes:
The Union Government has recently launched Kisan Credit Card campaign to help dairy farmers.
The Government will provide Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to about 1.5 crore dairy farmers who belong to Milk Unions and Milk producing Companies. The drive seeks to provide KCC to the farmers within the next two months before July 31, under a special drive. The special drive to provide KCC is part of the Prime Minister’s Atma Nirbhar Bharat package.
6. Which country is to deliver Rafale fighter air-crafts to India?
[A] United States
[B] France
[C] Germany
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently had a discussion with the French Minister of Armed Forces Florence Parly.
The Minister later announced that France has assured timely delivery of the Rafale fighter aircraft, made by Dassault Aviation company, despite challenges arising out of COVID-19 pandemic. The leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation between India and France and discussed matters of mutual concern regarding COVID-19 and regional security.
7. Who has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Finland?
[A] Vani Rao
[B] Raveesh Kumar
[C] Gaitri I. Kumar
[D] Vinay Kumar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Raveesh Kumar ]
Notes:
Veteran diplomat and former spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry Raveesh Kumar has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Finland.
The 1995-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, served as the spokesperson of the MEA from July 2017 to April 2020 and handled many important issues. In his 25-year career, he had served in several crucial missions including Deputy Chief of Mission in Jakarta and Consul General in Frankfurt. He is set to replace ambassador Vani Rao in Finland.
8. Who will be the Chairperson of the “Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS)”, that has been approved by the Cabinet?
[A] Prime Minister
[B] CEO of NITI Aayog
[C] Cabinet Secretary
[D] Minister of Corporate affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Cabinet Secretary]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for setting up of an “Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS) and Project Development Cells (PDCs) in Ministries/Departments of Government of India.
The establishment of the two cells is expected to attract more investments in India. The Cabinet Secretary would serve as the Chairperson of EGoS, with NITI Aayog CEO and Secretaries of other departments as members. The ‘Project Development Cell’ (PDC) will develop projects in coordination with the Central Government and State Governments and increase FDI inflows.
9. When is ‘International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression’ observed?
[A] June 2
[B] June 4
[C] June 6
[D] June 8
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [June 4]
Notes:
The United General Assembly decided to commemorate 4 June of each year as the ‘International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression’.
The objective of the day is to acknowledge the pain of the children across the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. UN had also ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Moreover, the target 16.2 of the UN’s 2030 SDG agenda seeks to end all forms of violence against children.
10. Who is the only Indian to be ranked in the Forbes 2020 list of World’s Highest-Paid Celebrities?
[A] Virat Kohli
[B] Akshay Kumar
[C] Ranveer Singh
[D] Priyanka Chopra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Akshay Kumar]
Notes:
Bollywood Actor Akshay Kumar is the only Indian to feature on Forbes 2020 list of World’s Highest-Paid Celebrities at rank 52 and earnings of 48.5 million dollars.
The first spot was bagged by American media person and businesswoman Kylie Jenner, famous for her Kylie Cosmetics. She is followed by US based musician Kanye West with an estimated USD170 million earnings. Ace Tennis player Roger Federer is placed at the third place, followed by Football stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.