1. Which Indian state has been adjudged the best governed State in the Public Affairs Index-2020?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Kerala
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Telangana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
As per the Public Affairs Index-2020 released by the Public Affairs Centre, Kerala was adjudged the best governed State in the large States category.
States were ranked on governance performance based on a composite index in sustainable development. Kerala is followed by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Uttar Pradesh is ranked at the bottom of the list.
2. Which country has recently conducted a referendum for euthanasia?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] Australia
[D] New Zealand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [New Zealand]
Notes:
The people of New Zealand, in a recent referendum have voted to legalise euthanasia. Preliminary results of the referendum showed that 65.2% of voters supported the End of Life Choice Act coming into force as a new law.
The proposed law will permit terminally ill people with less than 6 months of life to choose assisted dying, if approved by 2 doctors.
3. Which category of transaction has crossed 2 billion mark in the month of October?
[A] IMPS
[B] UPI
[C] BHIM
[D] NEFT
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [UPI]
Notes:
As per the CEO of NITI Aayog, the number of Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-based transactions crossed the 2 billion mark in October 2020.
The UPI transactions grew 80 per cent from 1.14 billion transactions that were recorded in October 2019. This has signified that the digital mode of payments has been widely accepted by the people.
4. When is the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ observed every year?
[A] November 1
[B] November 2
[C] November 3
[D] November 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [November 2]
Notes:
The United Nations General Assembly designated 2 November as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’.
As per the United Nations, during the past fourteen years (2006-2019), around 1,200 journalists have been killed for reporting the news to the public. It also reveals that in nine out of ten cases the killers go unpunished.
5. Which Ministry has released the draft rules for the Industrial Relations Code, 2020?
[A] Ministry of Heavy Industries
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of Commerce
[D] Ministry of Labour and Employment
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Labour and Employment]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified draft rules for the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. This is expected to enhance the flexibility to employers to retrench workers.
It also mandates that Labour Unions should give a prior notice before a strike. The Government has aimed to implement the labour codes from April 1, 2021.
6. Which country has hosted the BRICS Business Forum 2020?
[A] India
[B] Russia
[C] Brazil
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
BRICS Business Forum, which is an important annual event of the BRICS Business Council was hosted by Russia from October 20 to 28, 2020. President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia is the current Chairman of the BRICS Business Council.
BRICS Business Forum was held in via Video Conferencing under the title “BRICS Business Partnership: Common Vision for Sustainable Inclusive Development”.
7. Which body has issued a notice to Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) regarding ban on use of fire crackers November 7 to 30?
[A] Supreme Court of India
[B] National Administrative Tribunal
[C] National Green Tribunal
[D] Central Pollution Control Board
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [National Green Tribunal]
Notes:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently issued notice to seek response from Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and four State Governments regarding the ban on use of fire crackers from November 7 to 30 in the interest of public health and environment.
The NGT has also appointed a senior advocate Raj Panjwani and advocate Shibhani Ghosh to assist the tribunal as amicus curiae in the matter.
8. Which Indian city is set to host a virtual Tech Summit in the month of November 2020?
[A] Chennai
[B] Bengaluru
[C] Hyderabad
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bengaluru]
Notes:
The 23rd edition of Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) is to be held virtually between November 19 and 21, this year.
The summit will be organised by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Bio Technology and Science and Technology of the State Government of Karnataka. Several Technology Leaders are expected to participate in the summit.
9. Which has become the first country to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement?
[A] India
[B] Australia
[C] USA
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [USA]
Notes:
The United States of America (USA) has become the first nation in the world to formally withdraw from the Paris climate agreement.
This decision was made by the President Donald Trump in June 2017, but has been formalized now. USA can re-join the agreement any time in future. The Paris deal was drafted in 2015 to strengthen the global response against climate change.
10. CARAT is a naval training exercise between which two countries?
[A] India – USA
[B] India – Bangladesh
[C] Bangladesh – USA
[D] USA – Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bangladesh – USA]
Notes:
The Naval Forces of Bangladesh and USA have launched ‘Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh-2020’.
The naval training would be held in an inline manner due to the prevailing COVID pandemic, while the sea phase of the exercise would take place in Bay of Bengal. The events of the training are designed to enhance interoperability between the two navies.