1. Which body is set to submit its report to the Indian President on November 9?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Finance Commission
[C] National Commission for Backward Classes
[D] National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Finance Commission]
Notes:
The 15th Finance Commission (FFC) has announced that it is set to submit its report to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on 9 November, this year.
The report will have recommendations for next five years beginning the financial year 2021-22. The report may be tabled in the Parliament along with action taken report by the government, during the next budget session.
2. Antrix Corporation, that was seen in news recently, is the commercial arm of which organisation?
[A] DRDO
[B] ISRO
[C] BHEL
[D] HAL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ISRO]
Notes:
Antrix Corporation is the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It functions under the administrative control of the Department of Space.
Recently, a United States court has asked Antrix Corporation to pay compensation of USD 1.2 billion to a Bengaluru-based startup, Devas Multimedia, for cancelling a satellite deal in 2005.
3. Which Indian company has been announced as the title sponsor of Women’s T20 Challenge 2020?
[A] Byju’s
[B] Jio
[C] Airtel
[D] Sahara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jio]
Notes:
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has recently announced Jio as the title sponsor for the upcoming 2020 edition of the Women’s T20 Challenge.
The partnership will also be supported by Reliance Foundation Education and Sports for All (RF ESA). This is the first time a sponsor has signed with BCCI exclusively for the women’s matches. Women’s T20 Challenge will be played from November 4-9 in Sharjah.
4. Which Union Ministry along with Invest India, is to set up a “Strategic Policy & Facilitation Bureau”?
[A] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[B] Ministry of AYUSH
[C] Ministry of Finance
[D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of AYUSH]
Notes:
The Ministry of AYUSH and Invest India will collaborate to set up a “Strategic Policy & Facilitation Bureau”.
Invest India will collaborate with the AYUSH Ministry to frame the work plan of the Bureau and define its targets. It will also deploy expert resources to implement and execute the plans of the AYUSH Ministry.
5. The Mansar Lake Development Plan has been inaugurated in which state / UT?
[A] Delhi
[B] Jammu and Kashmir
[C] Ladakh
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Shri. Jitendra Singh has inaugurated the Mansar Lake Development Plan in Jammu and Kashmir.
This has been done to increase the tourism sector in this region. The project aims at attracting 20 lakh tourists every year along with creation of employment for 1.15 crore man-days.
6. 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.
7. India’s first of its kind solar energy-driven miniature train has been inaugurated in which city?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Ahmadabad
[C] Varanasi
[D] Thiruvananthapuram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Thiruvananthapuram]
Notes:
A first of its kind in the country, a solar energy-driven miniature train has been inaugurated at the Veli Tourist Village in Thiruvananthapuram.
The miniature rail has all the features of a fully-equipped rail system like a tunnel, a station and a ticket office. The train has three compartments that can accommodate around 45 people at a time. This children attraction train was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan.
8. Which international organisation has created two new services to facilitate cybercrime related communication?
[A] Interpol
[B] Central Bureau of Investigation
[C] National Investigation Agency
[D] Intelligence Bureau
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Interpol]
Notes:
Two secure and flexible services have been created by the Interpol to facilitate cybercrime related communication among law enforcement agencies.
One of them is the Cybercrime Knowledge Exchange workspace and the other is Cybercrime Collaborative Platform-Operation. The former handles general, non-police information and is open to all relevant users whereas the latter is restricted to select few agencies only.
9. 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.
10. How many countries are associated with the Nordic – Baltic co-operation framework?
[A] Five
[B] Eight
[C] Twelve
[D] Fifteen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Eight]
Notes:
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar recently virtually addressed the first India -Nordic – Baltic Conclave.
The Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) co-operation framework includes eight countries namely Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden.