1. ‘Privileged Partnership’, which was seen in news recently, is associated in the Joint Commission Meeting between India and which country?
[A] Japan
[B] Mexico
[C] Brazil
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mexico]
Notes:
The 8th India-Mexico Joint Commission Meeting was recently held through Video-Conference. The Meeting was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard.
Both the countries agreed to promote economic strengths and work on strengthening their ‘Privileged Partnership’.
2. Government has mandated BIS mark for production, sales, import and trade of which product?
[A] Laptops
[B] Mobile Phones
[C] Leather Footwear
[D] Wrist Watches
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Leather Footwear]
Notes:
The Government of India has notified that that no leather footwear can be produced, sold, traded, imported or even stocked, unless they bear the BIS mark.
The notification has been issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). This move is aimed to contain import of cheaper leather products in India.
3. 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.
4. The Government of India has decided to import which vegetable to control its prices?
[A] Onion
[B] Garlic
[C] Tomato
[D] Potato
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Potato]
Notes:
The Government of India has proposed to import 10 lakh tonnes of potato, out of which 30,000 tonnes would be imported from Bhutan without license.
The import is being made in order to control the rise in prices of potato in India. The Centre has also planned to import 25,000 tonnes of onions before Diwali.
5. Where is the First Phase of Malabar Training Exercise scheduled to be held?
[A] Indian Ocean
[B] Arabian Sea
[C] Pacific Ocean
[D] Bay of Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bay of Bengal]
Notes:
The First Phase of Malabar Naval Training Exercises would be held in the Bay of Bengal, off the Vishakhapatnam coast from 3rd November to 6th November.
Navies of India, USA, Japan and Australia would participate in the maritime exercise. The second phase is expected to be held from 17th to 20th November in Arabian Sea.
6. Which Indian state/UT has launched a scheme for distribution of fortified rice?
[A] Punjab
[B] Kerala
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has recently launched a scheme for distribution of fortified rice through Public distribution System (PDS).
The scheme, which was launched virtually on the statehood day, aims at helping in checking malnutrition and anaemia. The fortified rice is a mixture of iron, vitamin B-12 and folic acid enriched fortified rice kernel (FRK).
7. What amount has been released as the 2nd tranche to 16 states and 3 UTs for GST compensation?
[A] Rs 3000 crore
[B] Rs 4500 crore
[C] Rs 6000 crore
[D] Rs 10000 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 6000 crore]
Notes:
The Central Government is set to release the second tranche of Rs 6,000 crore to 16 states and 3 union territories.
As per the recent statement from the Finance Ministry, the total amount released to states to meet the compensation shortfall under goods and services tax (GST) under the special window is Rs 12,000 crore.
8. 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”.
9. Shane Watson, who announced retirement from all forms of Cricket, belongs to which country?
[A] England
[B] Australia
[C] New Zealand
[D] South Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Australia]
Notes:
Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has recently announced retirement from all forms of Cricket.
The 39-year-old had already retired from international cricket in 2015. He announced this after the Chennai Super Kings’ final IPL match. He has played 59 Tests, 190 ODIs, and 58 T20s at the international level.
10. 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.