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 state has been adjudged the best governed State in the Public Affairs Index-2020?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Kerala
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Telangana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
As per the Public Affairs Index-2020 released by the Public Affairs Centre, Kerala was adjudged the best governed State in the large States category.
States were ranked on governance performance based on a composite index in sustainable development. Kerala is followed by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Uttar Pradesh is ranked at the bottom of the list.
4. Which organisation has launched Inflation Expectations Survey of Households (IESH)?
[A] National Housing Bank
[B] NABARD
[C] Reserve Bank of India
[D] State Bank of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Reserve Bank of India]
Notes:
The nation’s central bank Reserve Bank of India has launched the latest round of Inflation Expectations Survey of Households (IESH). The survey would give vital inputs to RBI for framing the monetary policy.
The survey is conducted regularly in 13 cities namely Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna and Thiruvananthapuram.
5. Which organisation has stated that remittances to India would fall this year by 9%?
[A] Reserve Bank of India
[B] International Monetary Fund
[C] World Bank
[D] Bank for International Settlement
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [World Bank]
Notes:
The World Bank has stated that remittances to India would fall this year by 9% to USD 76 billion, but India will continue to be the top destination for remittance.
The fall in remittance to India would be on account of COVID 19 and the global economic recession. As per the report, India, China, Mexico, Philippines, and Egypt would to be the top five countries in 2020 to receive foreign remittances.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.