1. What is the name of the scientoon book, which has been published by Vigyan Prasar?
[A] Better India Better World
[B] Bye Bye Corona
[C] India and the World
[D] Corona Bachat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bye Bye Corona]
Notes:
The World’s first scientoon book named “Bye Bye Corona” has been published by Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous agency under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
The book has been written by Dr Pradeep Srivastava who is the former Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow. The main purpose of this book is to make people aware of COVID-19 in an engaging way
2. Which country has launched a mega scheme to dredge 10,000 kilometres of riverways?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Bangladesh
[C] India
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bangladesh]
Notes:
The Government of Bangladesh has launched massive scheme to dredge 10,000 kilometres of riverways in the country. This is done to improve the inland water navigation system in the country.
The dredging work would be done on 178 rivers of Bangladesh and would be carried out by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) at a cost of Taka 4371 crore.
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. 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.
5. Who inaugurated the Vaishwik Bharatiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit, which concluded recently?
[A] President of India
[B] Prime Minister
[C] NITI Aayog CEO
[D] Principal Scientific Advisor
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Prime Minister]
Notes:
The Vaishwik Bharatiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 2nd October 2020.
The summit concluded on 31st October 2020 and saw the participation of 3,200 panelists and about 22,500 academicians and scientists from India and overseas. The month-long conference was held in a virtual manner in the form of webinars.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Which state has got the Accelerator for Electronics Technologies (ACE) for nurturing hi tech start-ups?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Karnataka
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
The state of Kerala has got the Accelerator for Electronics Technologies (ACE), which has been established as a joint initiative of Kerala Start-up Mission (KSUM) and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC).
The ACE will develop and evolve itself as a leading accelerator in the electronics technologies sector of India. It will nurture the development of high-tech start-ups in electronics and allied disciplines.
9. What is the name of the Indian Navy’s ship that has carried 100 tonnes of food aid to Sudan?
[A] INS Kalwari
[B] INS Kavaratti
[C] INS Airavat
[D] INS Kolkata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [INS Airavat]
Notes:
The Indian Naval Ship Airavat carrying 100 tonnes of food aid has reached Sudan. This is a part of the “Mission Sagar-II” under which Indian Navy would deliver food aid to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea.
Earlier in May – June 2020, Mission Sagar was undertaken by the Indian Navy to provide food and medicines to Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros.
10. Which social media platform has received approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), to enter UPI market?
[A] Telegram
[B] WhatsApp
[C] WeChat
[D] Facebook Messenger
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [WhatsApp]
Notes:
WhatsApp has received the National Payments Corporation of India’s (NPCI) approval to enter Unified Payment Interface (UPI) in phased manner.
The Social-media giant, owned by Facebook has over 400 million users in India. The UPI payments service is expected to be launched to 2 crore WhatsApp users initially. NPCI stated that a 30% cap will be implemented on total payment volumes via every third-party payment app.