1. What is the name of the mobile application launched by Delhi to bring pollution causing activities to the government’s notice?
[A] My Delhi
[B] Mera Delhi
[C] Green Delhi
[D] Hara Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Green Delhi]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal has launched a mobile application named ‘Green Delhi’. Using the application, the residents of Delhi can bring pollution causing activities to the government’s notice.
The application has been designed to identify the location of pollution source and the complaint will be automatically forwarded to the concerned department for time bound action.
2. What is the theme of World Cities Day 2020?
[A] Valuing Our Communities and Cities
[B] Towards the New Urban Agenda.
[C] Global urbanization
[D] Sustainable urban development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Valuing Our Communities and Cities]
Notes:
The United Nations General Assembly has designated the 31st of October as World Cities Day. This year the theme is ‘Valuing Our Communities and Cities’.
The Day aims to promote international community’s interest in global urbanization and contribute to sustainable urban development around the world. UN-Habitat launched Urban October in 2014, to highlight the urban challenges around the world.
3. 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.
4. Which body has released a draft model Act and rules on conclusive land titling?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Agriculture
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] Land Development Authority of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [NITI Aayog]
Notes:
India’s premier think tank Niti Aayog has recently released a draft model Act and rules on conclusive land titling, to be used by the states. The draft rules aim to reduce litigations and ease the land acquisition process for infrastructure projects.
The draft provides state governments with power to order for establishment, administration and management of a system of title registration of immovable properties.
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. The first foreign Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), that was notified by the Finance Ministry, is associated with which country?
[A] United States
[B] United Arab Emirates
[C] Australia
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Arab Emirates]
Notes:
Union Finance Ministry of India has recently announced that Abu Dhabi’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) has become the first foreign SWF that has been notified.
MIC Redwood 1 RSC Limited will get 100 per cent income tax exemption for the long-term investments to be made in specific priority sectors in India.
7. The Government has asked which organisation to tie up with rice mills for increasing supply of fortified rice?
[A] Food Corporation of India
[B] Food and Agriculture Organization
[C] The Energy and Resources Institute
[D] World Food Programme
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Food Corporation of India]
Notes:
The government has announced that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) has been asked to tie up with rice mills for increasing supply of fortified rice.
The state-run organisation is asked to supply fortified rice through ration shops and other welfare schemes. Out of the 15 states identified for ‘Central scheme on fortified rice and its distribution via public distribution system (PDS)’, five states are implementing it in one district each.
8. Priyanca Radhakrishnan, who was seen in news recently, is the first-ever Indian-origin minister of which country?
[A] New Zealand
[B] Australia
[C] United Kingdom
[D] United States
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [New Zealand]
Notes:
Priyanca Radhakrishnan became New Zealand’s first-ever Indian-origin minister after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced five new ministers into her executive.
The 41-year-old Member of Parliament belonging to the Labour Party, was born in India. In 2019, she was appointed the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic Communities. She has been advocating tights of women survivors of domestic violence and migrant workers.
9. The Business Expectation Survey is conducted by which body?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] National Council for Applied Economic Research
[C] National Statistical Office
[D] Confederation of Indian Industries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Council for Applied Economic Research]
Notes:
The Business Expectation Survey is conducted by National Council for Applied Economic Research (NACER). As per the report of the survey, the Business Confidence Index (BCI) in India rose to 65.5 in the second quarter of FY 20 after recording a sharp drop to 46.4 in the first quarter.
NCAER is a non-profit think tank of economics based at New Delhi. Nandan Nilekani is president of the governing body and Dr Shekhar Shah is current director general of NCAER.
10. As per the Earth Sciences Ministry, what is the economic benefits from use of weather forecasting services to farmers and fishermen since 2015?
[A] Rs 9000 crore
[B] Rs 12000 crore
[C] Rs 19000 crore
[D] Rs 36000 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 19000 crore]
Notes:
As per the recent statement from the Earth Sciences Ministry, the Economic benefits from the use of weather forecasting services to farmers and fishermen since 2015 amounted to Rs 19,000 crore.
The Ministry cited a study it had commissioned from the research firm National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). The Ministry also stated that this can record Rs 5000 crore, when extrapolated to the next five years.