1. Which country, that currently holds the BRICS Presidency, hosted the Meeting of the BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities?
[A] Brazil
[B] Russia
[C] China
[D] South Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
Russia, that currently holds the BRICS Presidency, hosted the meeting of the Heads of Tax Authorities of the BRICS countries.
Though the meeting was originally scheduled to be held in Moscow, owing to Covid-19 restrictions, it was held through video conferencing. The Finance Secretary of India Ajay Bhushan Pandey represented India at the meeting. Possibilities of exploring areas of cooperation in tax matters and response of tax authorities were discussed.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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
5. Who are the beneficiaries of the newly launched scheme PM SVANIDHI?
[A] MSMEs
[B] Migrant Labourers
[C] Street vendors
[D] Textile Industries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Street vendors]
Notes:
The Union Government has recently launched a new micro-credit facility scheme named PM SVANIDHI – Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s Atmanirbhar Nidhi.
Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry launched the scheme, which aims to provide affordable loans to street vendors. The duration of the scheme is till March 2022 and is expected to benefit over 50 lakh street vendors. The vendors can avail a working capital loan of up to Rs 10000, which is repayable in monthly instalments in one-year tenure.
6. Which global rating agency downgraded India’s sovereign ratings to Baa3?
[A] CRISIL
[B] Moody’s Investors Service
[C] Fitch Ratings
[D] S&P Ratings
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Moody’s Investors Service]
Notes:
Global credit ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service has currently degraded India’s foreign currency and local currency long-term issuer ratings to Baa3.
The agency had previously rated India’s ratings as Baa2. The reason for the downgrade of ratings was the high challenges to be faced by the policy-making institutions in enacting and implementing policies for sustainable growth in the country. Moody’s had upgraded India’s ratings to Baa2 in November 2017.
7. STIP 2020, which was seen in news, is a scheme related to which field?
[A] Agriculture
[B] Science & Technology
[C] Sustainable Development Goals
[D] Electronics Manufacturing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Science & Technology]
Notes:
The Central Government has initiated a consultation process for formulation of a new national Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP 2020).
To formulate this policy, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) have jointly initiated a decentralised process. This is the 5th Science and Technology policy of the country.
8. Indian Prime Minister is set to have his first ever virtual bilateral summit with the Prime Minister of which country?
[A] Japan
[B] Singapore
[C] Australia
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Australia]
Notes:
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to have his first ever virtual bilateral summit with the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison.
As per the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, as the Australian head’s visit to India was cancelled due to Covid-19 crisis, this virtual summit is taking place. The leaders will discuss their responses to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This summit is expected to promote the bilateral tie
9. 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.
10. Who has been appointed as the President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)?
[A] V K Kirloskar
[B] Uday Kotak
[C] Adi Godrej
[D] Sanjiv Bajaj
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uday Kotak ]
Notes:
Seasoned banker and Managing director and CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank, Uday Kotak has recently assumed office as the president of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for 2020-21.
As per the chamber, Uday Kotak takes over from the present Chairman and Managing Director of Kirloskar Systems, Vikram Kirloskar. The MD and CEO of Tata Steel, T V Narendran is now the President designate of CII for 2020-21.