1. Which draft bill has been recently released by the Union Shipping Ministry?
[A] Coastal Shipping Bill
[B] Aids to Navigation Bill
[C] Major Port Authorities Bill
[D] National Waterways Bill
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Coastal Shipping Bill]
Notes:
The draft Coastal Shipping Bill, 2020 has been issued by the Union Ministry of Shipping. The draft has been left open for suggestions from the stakeholders and general public.
The draft bill is made available in the Shipping Ministry’s official website and would be available for suggestions till 6th November 2020.
2. Which organisation has launched the initiative named “Meri Saheli”?
[A] Indian Army
[B] Indian Railways
[C] Indian Bank
[D] India Post
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Indian Railways]
Notes:
The Indian Railways has launched an initiative named “Meri Saheli” which will focus on security of women. Its main objectives are to provide safety and security to lady passengers travelling by trains.
Under this initiative, a team of lady officer and staff will visit all of the passenger coaches including ladies’ coaches to identify women passengers. The details of the journey will be noted down by the team, especially if a lady is travelling alone.
3. 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.
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 institution has developed an online one-minute game to create awareness about Covid-19?
[A] IIT Delhi
[B] IIT Madras
[C] IIT Guwahati
[D] IIT Kharagpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIT Madras]
Notes:
Students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have developed a digital game to create awareness about Covid-19.
The online one-minute game has been created as part of an elective course. The game which aims to create awareness among the children, is available for free in 12 languages. The game has derived inspiration from the popular game Super Mario.
6. Which Racing Driver has won Formula One Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Tournament?
[A] Sebastien Vettel
[B] Lewis Hamilton
[C] Valtteri Bottas
[D] Max Verstappen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lewis Hamilton]
Notes:
British Racing Driver Lewis Hamilton has recently won the Formula One Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Tournament.
Mercedes officially clinched the 2020 constructors’ championship. Another Racing Driver Max Verstappen came second while Valtteri Bottas came at the third spot. Hamilton won his third straight race.
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. The Business Expectation Survey is conducted by which body?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] National Council for Applied Economic Research
[C] National Statistical Office
[D] Confederation of Indian Industries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Council for Applied Economic Research]
Notes:
The Business Expectation Survey is conducted by National Council for Applied Economic Research (NACER). As per the report of the survey, the Business Confidence Index (BCI) in India rose to 65.5 in the second quarter of FY 20 after recording a sharp drop to 46.4 in the first quarter.
NCAER is a non-profit think tank of economics based at New Delhi. Nandan Nilekani is president of the governing body and Dr Shekhar Shah is current director general of NCAER.
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 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.