1. The Government has extended the Income tax exemption under leave travel concession (LTC) cash voucher scheme to which segment?
[A] Indian Diplomats
[B] Non-Resident Indians
[C] Non-Central Government Employees
[D] Foreign Nationals residing in India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Non-Central Government Employees]
Notes:
The Government of India has decided to extend the Income tax exemption available under leave travel concession (LTC) cash voucher scheme to non-central government employees also. This is aimed to boost the consumer spending.
Non-central government employees will include employees of state governments, public sector enterprises, banks and private sector.
2. What is the theme of the “Kevadia tourism circuit”, that has been recently inaugurated?
[A] Greatness
[B] Unity
[C] Honesty
[D] Integrity
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Unity]
Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently inaugurated 17 tourism projects around the Statue of Unity complex, at Kevadia in Narmada District, Gujarat.
Sardar Patel’s birthday is being celebrated as Ekta Divas. The Prime Minister inaugurated the projects on the same day, and the 17 tourism projects are called the “Kevadia tourism circuit” have been themed around “Unity”.
3. What quantity of paddy would be procured by the Government during the ongoing Kharif season?
[A] 500 Lakh Metric tonnes
[B] 650 Lakh Metric tonnes
[C] 725 Lakh Metric tonnes
[D] 742 Lakh Metric tonnes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [742 Lakh Metric tonnes]
Notes:
Food Corporation of India and other Government agencies are set to procure 742 Lakh Metric tonnes of paddy during the ongoing Kharif season.
This is seen as a record high paddy procurement. The paddy procurement made by the Government last year was 627 Lakh Metric Tonnes. The number of purchase-centres this year have been increased from 30,791 to 39,122.
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. Which Indian state/UT has recently granted 100% vehicle tax waiver to Electric Vehicles?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The state government of Tamil Nadu has notified 100 per cent motor vehicle tax exemption for transport and non-transport Electric Vehicles.
The state has also planned to set up the first exclusive park for the electric vehicle, for the first time in the country. The state has targeted investments of around Rs 50,000 crore in the Electric Vehicle segment and has announced several incentives to attract investments.
6. Which E-commerce giant has recently acquired mobile gaming start-up Mech Mocha?
[A] Amazon
[B] Flipkart
[C] Snapdeal
[D] Jiomart
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Flipkart]
Notes:
E-commerce giant Flipkart has recently acquired mobile gaming start-up Mech Mocha, which runs the first live-social gaming platform, ‘Hello Play’.
After the acquisition, the intellectual property from the start-up and the skilled gaming team will also join Flipkart. This is a part of the Walmart-owned company’s initiatives to engage with users on its platform.
7. 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.
8. Which organisation has signed a MoU with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for setting key targets for the year?
[A] Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency
[B] Nuclear Power Corporation of India
[C] Bureau of Energy Efficiency
[D] Energy Efficiency Services Limited
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency]
Notes:
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been signed by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA). The MoU sets key targets for IRDAI to be achieved in the year 2020-21.
IREDA is a “Mini Ratna” Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. It is categorized as a Public Financial Institution and NBFC by Reserve Bank of India.
9. 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.
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.