1. The week from 27th October to 2nd November, 2020 is being observed as which special week in India?
[A] Anti-Corruption Week
[B] Vigilance Awareness Week
[C] Financial Literacy Week
[D] Financial Inclusion Week
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Vigilance Awareness Week]
Notes:
The week from 27th October to 2nd November, 2020 is being observed as Vigilance Awareness Week in India. This is being organized by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The theme for this year’s Vigilance Awareness Week is Vigilant India, Prosperous India.
Observance of Vigilance Awareness Week every year is a part the Commission’s approach where all stakeholders collectively participate in the preventive vigilance measures and fight against corruption.
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 country was the largest source for permanent residents (PR) in Canada, last year?
[A] Australia
[B] India
[C] Mexico
[D] United States
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
As per the 2020 Annual Report on Immigration to Parliament tabled in the Parliament of Canada, Indian immigrants accounted for one-fourth of the total permanent residencies granted by Canada in 2019.
India has set a new record by becoming the largest source country for permanent residents (PR), with 85,593 of them entering into the country last year. India has been retaining the top spot since 2017.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Where is the First Phase of Malabar Training Exercise scheduled to be held?
[A] Indian Ocean
[B] Arabian Sea
[C] Pacific Ocean
[D] Bay of Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bay of Bengal]
Notes:
The First Phase of Malabar Naval Training Exercises would be held in the Bay of Bengal, off the Vishakhapatnam coast from 3rd November to 6th November.
Navies of India, USA, Japan and Australia would participate in the maritime exercise. The second phase is expected to be held from 17th to 20th November in Arabian Sea.
7. IISc Bengaluru has signed a MoU with which organisation to develop biomass gasification-based hydrogen generation technology?
[A] ONGC
[B] NTPC
[C] Indian Oil Corporation Ltd
[D] Gas Authority of India Ltd
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Oil Corporation Ltd]
Notes:
Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru has entered into an MoU with R&D Centre of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL).
The partnership aims to develop biomass gasification-based hydrogen generation technology for producing fuel cell-grade hydrogen. The testing and development would take place in IOCL’s R&D Centre in Faridabad.
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. Who is the chairman of the committee constituted to review guidelines on Television Rating agencies in India?
[A] Atul Mishra
[B] Shashi Shekhar Vempati
[C] Injetti Srinivas
[D] Alok Verma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shashi Shekhar Vempati]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has recently constituted a committee to review guidelines on Television Rating agencies in India. The committee would be chaired by Prasar Bharti CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati.
The committee has been constituted keeping in view the recent recommendations from Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, TRAI and other technological advancements in the industry.
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.