31. India recently joined which international multi-stakeholder alliance as its founding member?
[A] Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence
[B] Global Vaccination Alliance
[C] Global Covid-19 vaccine Alliance
[D] Global Partnership for SDGs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence]
Notes:
India has recently joined the Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) as its founding member, along with USA, UK, EU, Australia among others.
Union minister for Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad announced that this multi-stakeholder international partnership will promote responsible human centric development and use of Artificial Intelligence. India has recently launched the National AI Strategy and also launched its dedicated National AI Portal.
32. What is the target number of Van Dhan Self Help Groups (SHGs), as per the recent announcement of TRIFED?
[A] 10000
[B] 20000
[C] 30000
[D] 50000
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [50000]
Notes:
TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India) recently organised a webinar titled “Van Dhan: Tribal Start-ups Bloom in India”.
As per the Managing Director of TRIFED, the target of TRIFED is to expand the current coverage of 8,000 SHGs to 50,000 Van Dhan SHGs. The number of tribal gatherers is also to be made three times to 10 lakhs, through the Covid19 relief plan of the Tribal Affairs Ministry. TRIFED website was commissioned for a trial run.
33. 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.
34. Which Indian software company signed on to the Climate Pledge and announced to go net carbon free by 2040?
[A] Wipro
[B] Tata Consultancy Services
[C] Infosys
[D] Tech Mahindra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Infosys]
Notes:
Indian software major, Infosys signed on to ‘The Climate Pledge’, an initiative by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Global Optimism founder and former United Nations climate chief Christian Figueres.
The initiative seeks to fast-track the transition to a low carbon economy. Infosys also announced that it will make its business net zero carbon by 2040, ten years ahead of the deadline set out by the Paris Agreement. US-based Verizon and British firm Reckitt Benckiser also signed on the climate pledge.
35. Where is the fourth edition of the Asian Youth Para Games scheduled to be held?
[A] United Arab Emirates
[B] Bahrain
[C] Thailand
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bahrain]
Notes:
The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) recently announced that Bahrain will host the fourth edition of the Asian Youth Para Games from December 1 to 10 next year.
This would be the first time that Bahrain is to host a big para-sport event, which will take place across several venues in Khalifa Sports City and Isa Sports City of the country. Around 800 athletes under the age of 20 are expected to take part in the event in nine different sports.
36. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP) is implemented by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
[B] Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
[C] Ministry of Women and Child Development
[D] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers]
Notes:
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is an initiative by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
The scheme seeks to make high-quality medicines available to all at affordable prices, through exclusive outlets of Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Recently, Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkin is being made available in more than 6300 PMBJP Kendras at a minimum price of Rs.1 per pad.
37. 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.
38. Who has been elected as the President of 75th United Nations General Assembly?
[A] Gita Gopinath
[B] Volkan Bozkir
[C] Masatsugu Asakawa
[D] David Malpass
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Volkan Bozkir]
Notes:
The United Nations General Assembly has recently elected Turkish diplomat Volkan Bozkir to be its president. He is the first Turkish national to head the General Assembly.
This decision has been taken ahead of the 75th General Assembly in September. Volkan Bozkir is serving as the head of the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. He had also served as Turkey’s Minister of European Affairs and Chief Negotiator. He would assume office in September 2020 and hold the post for one year.
39. As per the recent report of the National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), which ocean has seen the greatest decline of ice in the last 41 years?
[A] Arctic Ocean
[B] Antarctic Ocean
[C] Pacific Ocean
[D] Indian Ocean
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Arctic Ocean]
Notes:
The National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has found that the Arctic Ocean has seen the largest decline in the last 41 years due to global warming.
This has led to localised increase in evaporation, air humidity, cloud cover and rainfall. NCPOR noted that this decline in Arctic Sea ice was -13 per cent in July 2019 while it was -4.7 per cent per decade in the last 40 years. The study also noted that if this trend continues, there would be no ice left in the Arctic sea by 2050.
40. What is the name of the economist and founder of Centre for Economic and Social Studies, who recently passed away?
[A] BPR Vithal Baru
[B] Ramchand Goala
[C] A. L. Raghavan
[D] Vidyaben Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [BPR Vithal Baru]
Notes:
Veteran economist and retired IAS officer BPR Vithal Baru passed away recently, at the age of 93, due to age-related ailments.
Vithal Baru had served in several important assignments including Secretary Finance and Planning in the state of Andhra Pradesh from 1972 to 1982 and Member of 10th Finance Commission. He had also been the Chairman of Expenditure Commission, Kerala. He also established the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad.