1. 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.
2. 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.
3. IISc Bengaluru has signed a MoU with which organisation to develop biomass gasification-based hydrogen generation technology?
[A] ONGC
[B] NTPC
[C] Indian Oil Corporation Ltd
[D] Gas Authority of India Ltd
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Oil Corporation Ltd]
Notes:
Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru has entered into an MoU with R&D Centre of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL).
The partnership aims to develop biomass gasification-based hydrogen generation technology for producing fuel cell-grade hydrogen. The testing and development would take place in IOCL’s R&D Centre in Faridabad.
4. 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.
5. Which Indian Airport has launched an on-site COVID-19 testing laboratory?
[A] Chennai International Airport
[B] Cochin International Airport
[C] Mumbai International Airport
[D] Hyderabad International Airport
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Hyderabad International Airport]
Notes:
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad has recently launched an on-site COVID-19 testing laboratory.
As per the GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), the air passengers will have an option to get themselves tested on their arrival. GHIAL has collaborated with the ICMR certified agency and Mapmygenome.
6. Rutuja Bhosale, who was seen in news recently, is associated with which sports?
[A] Chess
[B] Tennis
[C] Badminton
[D] Hockey
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tennis]
Notes:
Indian Tennis player Rutuja Bhosale won a singles title in the final of the $15,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
In the final, she won Anna Siskova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 7-5. The 24-year-old sportsperson is a former Asian junior champion and National women’s champion. She played a significant role to help India qualify for the Fed Cup World Group playoff in Dubai.
7. 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.
8. What county has recently announced a plan to ease foreign workers’ contractual restrictions?
[A] United Arab Emirates
[B] United States of America
[C] Qatar
[D] Saudi Arabia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
Saudi Arabia has recently announced a new plan to ease foreign workers’ contractual restrictions in the country. This would pave way to improvement of a sponsorship system known as Kafala, which is highly controversial.
The new plan is expected to take effect from March 2021 and would make Saudi Arabia more labour attractive.
9. Which Ministry has launched the “Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge”?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of External Affairs
[C] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[D] Ministry of Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs]
Notes:
Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has recently launched a challenge named “Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge”. It aims to develop and implement initiatives that would improve the quality of life of young children, caregivers and families.
It is a 3-year challenge that would be open for 100 Smart Cities, cities with population of more than 5 lakh and State/Union Territory capitals.
10. Who is the chairman of the committee constituted to review guidelines on Television Rating agencies in India?
[A] Atul Mishra
[B] Shashi Shekhar Vempati
[C] Injetti Srinivas
[D] Alok Verma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shashi Shekhar Vempati]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has recently constituted a committee to review guidelines on Television Rating agencies in India. The committee would be chaired by Prasar Bharti CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati.
The committee has been constituted keeping in view the recent recommendations from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, TRAI and other technological advancements in the industry.