21. Which country is set to establish an Anti-racism commission?
[A] United States
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Australia
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Kingdom]
Notes:
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that a commission to look at racial equality in the UK will be established.
The proposed body would look at all forms of inequality in employment, health outcomes, academics, criminal justice system and all aspects of life. This announcement has been given after protests have been undertaken after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
22. “Raja Parba”, a festival seen in news recently, is celebrated in which state?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Odisha
[C] Assam
[D] Meghalaya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Odisha]
Notes:
“Raja Parba” is a three-day-long festival celebrated in the state of Odisha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people of Odisha on the festival.
As per the Odisha tourism website, the second day signifies beginning of the solar month of “Mithuna”, that represents the beginning of rains. It is also considered as an agricultural festival and a festival that marks the menstruation cycle of women.
23. What is the name of the co-founder and chief executive of digital music platform Qyuki Digital Media, who recently passed away?
[A] Samir Bangara
[B] Nagendranath Jha
[C] Sarah Hegazi
[D] Arun Kumar Mehta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Samir Bangara]
Notes:
The co-founder and chief executive of digital music platform Qyuki Digital Media, Samir Bangara, recently passed away following a motorcycle accident.
Samir Bangara had served as Managing Director (Digital) at Disney India, before joining the start-up firm Qyuki. In 2012, Director Shekhar Kapur and Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman launched Qyuki in Mumbai. Samir also played an instrumental role in the sale of Indiagames firm to Disney.
24. What is the theme of the “World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought”?
[A] Food.Feed.Fibre: Sustainable production and consumption
[B] Combatting Drought in 2020
[C] Cooperation in combatting Drought
[D] No more desertification
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Food.Feed.Fibre: Sustainable production and consumption]
Notes:
“World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought” is celebrated on June 17, every year across the world.
UN General Assembly declared June 17 as the specified World Day, to promote public awareness of the issues of Desertification and Drought. This year, the theme is “Food.Feed.Fibre: Sustainable production and consumption.” The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification leads the observance.
25. When is the ‘International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR)’ celebrated every year?
[A] June 15
[B] June 16
[C] June 17
[D] June 18
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [June 16]
Notes:
‘International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR)’ is celebrated on June 16, every year across the world.
The United Nations General Assembly declared IDFR to be celebrated on June 16. The day also recognizes the contribution of over 200 million migrants to improve the lives of their 800 million family members. The impact of the remittances on households, communities and countries is also focussed.
26. Which technology company has launched a new feature called ‘Teams for Education’, to support online education?
[A] Google
[B] Microsoft
[C] Amazon
[D] Apple
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Microsoft]
Notes:
Technology Giant Microsoft has recently launched a new feature called ‘Teams for Education’, to support online education.
The new feature seeks to engage and prepare students and teachers for new remote learning ecosystem. It also has an expanded audience view of up to 49 participants, custom backgrounds and virtual breakout rooms among others. Students can digitally raise their hands during class meetings in the feature.
27. Galwan valley, that was seen in news recently, is located in which Indian state/UT?
[A] Jammu and Kashmir
[B] Ladakh
[C] Uttarakhand
[D] Sikkim
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ladakh]
Notes:
In a violent conflict that took place in the Galwan Valley located in the Union Territory of Ladakh, as many as 20 Indian soldiers were killed.
As per the statement of the Indian Army, the two sides disengaged from the area where the fight happened. The US media reported that its intelligent officials quoted about 35 Chinese troops have been killed. The infrastructure projects that India has undertaken recently, a strategic road through the Galwan Valley, connecting the region to an airstrip, has escalated the conflict.
28. Which financial institution is the regulator of housing finance companies (HFCs) after August 2019?
[A] National Housing Bank (NHB)
[B] Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
[C] Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
[D] Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took over the powers to regulate HFCs from the National Housing Bank (NHB) in August 2019.
Recently, RBI proposed to modify the rules of housing finance firms, which includes the formal definition of housing finance as “financing, for purchase/ construction/ reconstruction/ renovation/ repairs of residential dwelling unit”. RBI also proposed to classify HFCs as systemically important HFCs and non-systemically important HFCs.
29. Which global institution has estimated that India’s economy will contract by 4% in the financial year 2020-21?
[A] Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
[B] Asian Development Bank (ADB)
[C] World Bank
[D] International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Asian Development Bank (ADB)]
Notes:
Manila-based Asian Development Bank recently announced that the economy of India would contract by 4% in the financial year 2020-21.
In its earlier outlook released in the month of April, it had estimated that India would grow at 4%. But it has been reduced to -4%. It also projected that the GDP of India would grow at 5.0% in the following year, as compared to 6.2% projected in April. A growth of 0.1% is expected for the whole Developing economies of Asian region.
30. IM Vijayan, who has been nominated for Padma Shri award, is associated with which sports?
[A] Cricket
[B] Foot ball
[C] Hockey
[D] Table-Tennis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Foot ball]
Notes:
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has recently recommended former skipper IM Vijayan for the country’s fourth highest civilian award, the Padma Shri.
The 51-year-old legendary player served as the India striker. Since he made his debut in the early 90s, he had scored 40 goals in 79 matches for India. He was also awarded the prestigious Arjuna award in 2003. Six Indian footballers including Bhaichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri have earlier won the Padma Shri award.