1. Which body has launched ‘National Program and Project Management Policy Framework’ for infrastructure sector’, along with QCI?
[A] Finance Commission
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] National Development Council
[D] World Trade Organisation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NITI Aayog]
Notes:
NITI Aayog and Quality Council of India has recently launched the ‘National Program and Project Management Policy Framework’ (NPMPF).
The report aims to bring radical reforms in the way infrastructure projects are executed in India. Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari also released the Indian Infrastructure Body of Knowledge (InBoK).
2. As per the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2020, what percentage of surveyed children had access to live online classes?
[A] 11
[B] 16
[C] 24
[D] 37
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [11]
Notes:
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2020 was recently released, by conducting a phone survey of 60,000-odd students across rural India.
As per the report, only 11 per cent of the surveyed children had access to live online classes. Only one-third of the surveyed children had access to online learning. The report reveals the digital inequality prevalent in the country.
3. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is determined by which body in India?
[A] Finance Commission
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] GST Council
[D] GST Network
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [GST Council]
Notes:
The percentage of Goods and Service Tax (GST) is decided by GST Council, headed by the Union Finance Minister.
Ministry of Finance has recently published that the GST revenue that has been collected for the month of October 2020 has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore, which is a highest collection after 8 months. The GST revenue collection for the month of Oct 2020 stood at Rs.1,05,155 crore.
4. 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.
5. As per the recent report released by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), how many Indian cities will face water risks in the next few decades?
[A] 5
[B] 10
[C] 20
[D] 30
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [30]
Notes:
As per the recent report released by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), 30 Indian cities will face increasing water risks in the next few decades.
According to the WWF Water Risk Filter report, 30 Indian cities, including Jaipur, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai among others, will face acute water risks. The report estimates that hundreds of millions of people in cities across the globe could face water risks.
6. How much financial aid has been released by the Central Government to 15 states for air quality improvement?
[A] Rs.1000 crore
[B] Rs.2000 crore
[C] Rs.2200 crore
[D] Rs.2500 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs.2200 crore]
Notes:
Based on the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, the Central Government has released a financial aid of Rs.2200 crore to 15 states.
The aid would be used to improve the air quality in these states by undertaking capacity building measures. This is the first instalment of the grant towards air quality improvement.
7. The Election Commission of which country has organised ‘International Virtual Election Visitors Programme’?
[A] India
[B] United States
[C] Japan
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
Election Commission of India is organizing a three-day International Virtual Election Visitors Programme.
In the context of the ongoing Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections, the programme is being organised for Foreign Election Management Bodies and Organizations. Delegates from over 40 countries across the world are invited.
8. 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.
9. Virtual Global Investor Roundtable (VGIR) is organized by Ministry of Finance along with which organisation?
[A] Reserve Bank of India
[B] Securities and Exchange Board of India
[C] National Investment and Infrastructure Fund
[D] India Infrastructure Finance Company
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [National Investment and Infrastructure Fund]
Notes:
The Virtual Global Investor Roundtable (VGIR) is being organised by the Ministry of Finance and the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Prime Minister will chair the Investor Roundtable conference, which will provide an opportunity to leading global investors and Indian business houses to discuss with policy makers.
10. Public Investment Fund (PIF) of which country has acquired over 2 per cent stake in Reliance Retail Ventures?
[A] Israel
[B] Saudi Arabia
[C] United States
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is set to invest Rs 9,555 crore (USD 1.29 billion) for 2.04 per cent equity stake in Reliance Retail Ventures (RRVL).
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the chairman of PIF. It had previously invested in several giant companies including Facebook, Boeing, and Disney.