31. 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.
32. India is set to send a 75-member Tri-Service contingent to participate in the Victory Day parade of which country?
[A] Germany
[B] Russia
[C] France
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
Russia is to conduct a military parade in Moscow on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of their victory in the Second World War.
The Defence Minister of Russia has invited an Indian contingent to take part in the Victory Day Parade scheduled to be held on June 24, 2020 in Moscow. It was originally scheduled on the occasion of the Victory Day – May 9, but later postponed due to Covid-19. India is sending a 75-member Tri-Service contingent to participate in the parade.
33. Which technology company has launched a dedicated search prompt to help people with sources to tackle domestic violence?
[A] Facebook
[B] Twitter
[C] Google
[D] Microsoft
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Twitter]
Notes:
Leading social-media platform Twitter has recently launched a dedicated search prompt that will direct people looking for domestic violence-related keywords to authentic information from the Ministry of Women and Child Development and National Commission for Women.
The search prompt will be available on iOS, Android and will be in English and Hindi languages. The prompt will also direct them towards sources of help available on Twitter. This initiative is an expansion of #ThereIsHelp prompt, which was launched to provide information on critical issues.
34. How many states have been identified by the Sports Ministry for creating Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE), in the first phase?
[A] Six
[B] Eight
[C] Ten
[D] Fifteen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Eight]
Notes:
The Union Sports Ministry is set to establish Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) under the flagship Khelo India Scheme.
One KISCE will be identified in each state and union territory, to create a strong sporting ecosystem in the country. In the first phase, the Ministry has identified the sports facilities in eight states out of the 15 proposals, to be converted to KISCEs. The eight centres will be given a grant and the government will extend a Viability Gap Funding, for upgradation.
35. Which eclipse is to be witnessed on 21 June, 2020 in India?
[A] Total solar eclipse
[B] Partial solar eclipse
[C] Annular solar eclipse
[D] Lunar eclipse
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Annular solar eclipse]
Notes:
An annular solar eclipse would occur on 21 June this year. The annular phase is expected to be visible from some places of the country.
It would be seen as partial solar eclipse from the rest part of the country. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the earth and blocks the light of the sun from reaching the earth. As a result, the shadow of the moon is cast on the earth. Annular eclipse happens when the moon is farthest from the earth and a ring of fire structure is seen.
36. 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.
37.
Who is the author of the book titled ‘Klara and the Sun’ that was seen in news recently?
[A] Kazuo Ishiguro
[B] Margaret Atwood
[C] Bernardine Evaristo
[D] Salman Rushdie
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kazuo Ishiguro]
Notes:
Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro announced that his book titled ‘Klara and the Sun’ will be released in March 2021. He is a British novelist born in Japan.
The theme of the book is ‘what does it mean to love’. This is the first novel by Kazuo Ishiguro since he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. His previous literary works have earned several prestigious awards including the Booker Prize. He has also won the highest honorary awards from France and Japan.
38. When is ‘Sustainable Gastronomy Day’ celebrated by the United Nations every year?
[A] June 16
[B] June 17
[C] June 18
[D] June 19
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [June 18]
Notes:
Sustainable Gastronomy Day is celebrated every year across the world on June 18, by the United Nations and its member countries.
Sustainable Gastronomy means cuisine that considers the place where food is grown, how it is grown and how it gets into markets. UNESCO, FAO and the UN General Assembly work to facilitate the observance of Sustainable Gastronomy Day, in collaboration with Member States and other international bodies.
39. Who has become the first Indian to participate in the $150,000 Chessable Masters tournament?
[A] B. Adhiban
[B] P. Harikrishna
[C] Praggnanandhaa
[D] Sasi Kiran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [P. Harikrishna]
Notes:
Indian Grandmaster P. Harikrishna is the first Indian to participate in the in the million-dollar Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour that continues with the $150,000 Chessable Masters.
The Chessable Masters is a 12-player tournament which is to be played by the top six players of the world, on the classical ranking list, including Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, China’s Ling Diren and USA’s Fabiano Caruana. The field has been divided into two groups of six players each.
40. Which institution has developed affordable diagnostic kits called ‘Viral Transport Media (VTM)’ kits for COVID-19?
[A] IISc, Bengaluru
[B] IIT, Madras
[C] IIT, Guwahati
[D] AIIMS
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IIT, Guwahati]
Notes:
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati, in association with Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and a private firm has developed low-cost diagnostic kits for Covid-19.
The Viral Transport Media (VTM) kits have two transport media for collecting swabs. These unique formulation of the transport medium helps in preserving the viability of viruses for up to 72 hours at refrigerated temperatures. The institution has also developed RT-PCR kits, and RNA isolation kits. Large scale production of these kits has commenced for deploying across the state and the country.