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. China is set to impose a ban on pork related imports from China after concerns regarding which disease?
[A] Corona virus Disease
[B] African swine fever
[C] Porcine parvovirus
[D] Mastitis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [African swine fever]
Notes:
China recently announced that it will impose a ban on imports of pigs, wild boar and pork related products from India.
After India reported African swine fever (ASF) in Assam last month and nearly 14,000 deaths among pigs and wild boars in Assam, China is set to ban those products. This was released by Chinese state media Global Times amidst the border tensions between the countries.
3. The Union Government has approved Rs 445 Crore for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in which state/UT?
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Assam
[C] Punjab
[D] Chhattisgarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
The Union Government has approved 445 crore rupees for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in Chhattisgarh during 2020-21, to provide tap connections to 20 lakh households.
The aim of Jal Jeevan Mission is to provide potable drinking water on a long-term basis to every rural household of the country by 2024. During the Union Budget 2020, 3.6 lakh crores has been allocated for this scheme. The migrant labourers returned to Chhattisgarh will be involved in the jobs related to water supply.
4. What is the name of the scheme launched by the Uttarakhand state government, to provide loans to migrant workers?
[A] Mukhya Mantri Samriddhi Yojana
[B] Mukhya Mantri Yatra Yojana
[C] Mukhya Mantri Pravasi Yojana
[D] Mukhya Mantri Swarojgar Yojana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mukhya Mantri Swarojgar Yojana]
Notes:
The state government of Uttarakhand has recently launched a scheme called ‘Mukhya Mantri Swarojgar Yojana’, to provide loans to the migrant workers amid Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the scheme, Uttarakhand government will provide loans worth ₹25 lakh in the manufacturing sector and ₹10 lakh in the service sector. The migrant workers who are returning to the state are eligible to apply for the loans, that will be provided by nationalised banks, scheduled commercial banks and co-operative banks.
5. What is the name of the Video Blogging Contest, associated with International Yoga Day, that was recently announced?
[A] Yoga with Family
[B] My Life – My Yoga
[C] Yoga fights Covid-19
[D] Yoga for the world
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [My Life – My Yoga]
Notes:
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Mann Ki Baat address announced the Video Blogging Contest named “My Life – My Yoga” (also called “Jeevan Yoga”).
It is a collaboration of Ministry of AYUSH and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The contest is a part of activities related to the 6th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21st June 2020. The contest is open to participants from all countries. The first phase will select winners within the country and the second phase will select global winners.
6. What are the large group of asteroids that share the Jupiter’s orbit around the Sun, commonly called as?
[A] Trojan asteroids
[B] Dragon Asteroids
[C] Migrant Asteroids
[D] Queen Asteroids
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Trojan asteroids]
Notes:
The large group of asteroids that share the Jupiter’s orbit around the Sun are commonly called as Trojan asteroids or Jupiter Trojans. The trojans follow the same orbit of planet but stay either around 60 degrees ahead or 60 degrees behind along the orbit.
Recently, a team of astronomers from the University of Hawaii and Queen’s University Belfast have found that 2019 LD2 is the first known Jupiter trojan asteroid to have a comet-like tail. It was first discovered in June 2019 by the ATLAS system funded by NASA. But it could not be observed then, as it passed behind the sun.
7. The recent income-tax return (ITR) forms notified for AY 2020-21, captures information on cash deposits above which limit?
[A] Rs 10 lakh
[B] Rs 50 lakh
[C] Rs 1 crore
[D] Rs 2 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 1 crore]
Notes:
The Union government has notified the income-tax return (ITR) forms for the assessment year (AY) 2020-21 for individual, professional and corporate tax payers.
For the first time, the form separately captures information on cash deposits exceeding ₹1 crore, expenditure on foreign travel exceeding ₹2 lakh and electricity expenses exceeding ₹1 lakh. It was earlier announced that the taxpayers may avail the benefits of investments in tax-saving instruments for an extended period up to June 30. Deadline for filing returns was also extended from July 31 to November 30.
8. What is the name of the cyclone that has intensified into a cyclonic storm that is expected to cross Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts?
[A] Amphan
[B] Nisarga
[C] Harold
[D] Amanda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nisarga]
Notes:
As per the recent announcement of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the deep depression in the Arabian Sea has intensified into a cyclonic storm named as Cyclone Nisarga.
It will further turn into a severe cyclonic storm by tonight and cross north Maharashtra and Gujarat coasts between Raigad district and Daman. When the storm crosses the coast, the severe cyclonic storm will have a wind speed of 90-105 kmph. Earlier, the cyclone Amphan hit the state of West Bengal and caused severe damages.
9. 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.
10. Union Cabinet has approved to rename which major port of India as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port?
[A] Kandla Port
[B] Chennai Port
[C] Cochin Port
[D] Kolkata Port
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kolkata Port]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has recently approved to rename Kolkata Port as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port.
During the 150th anniversary celebration of the Kolkata Port trust, the Prime Minister announced that the Port trust would be named after the leader Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The Port trust’s board of trustees passed a resolution to re-name Kolkata Port on February 2020. The Kolkata Port is the first Major Port as well as the only riverine port of the country.