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. “SERB POWER” scheme has been launched by the Government targeting which segment?
[A] Self Help Groups
[B] Street Vendors
[C] Farmers
[D] Women Scientists
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Women Scientists]
Notes:
A scheme named SERB POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research) has been launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology, designed exclusively to encourage Women Scientists to work in the field of science and technology.
The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India is implementing the scheme.
3. 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.
4. Which Indian state is the first to launch a project for free Internet for poor families and public offices?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala aims to start providing free, high-speed Internet to schools, public offices, and poor households in the state by December, this year.
Kerala is the first among all states to launch such project, which is similar to the Centre’s BharatNet project. The Kerala Fibre Optic Network Project or KFON has awarded the contract to a consortium led by public-sector company Bharat Electronics Limited.
5. 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.
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. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is determined by which body in India?
[A] Finance Commission
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] GST Council
[D] GST Network
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [GST Council]
Notes:
The percentage of Goods and Service Tax (GST) is decided by GST Council, headed by the Union Finance Minister.
Ministry of Finance has recently published that the GST revenue that has been collected for the month of October 2020 has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore, which is a highest collection after 8 months. The GST revenue collection for the month of Oct 2020 stood at Rs.1,05,155 crore.
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. Rutuja Bhosale, who was seen in news recently, is associated with which sports?
[A] Chess
[B] Tennis
[C] Badminton
[D] Hockey
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tennis]
Notes:
Indian Tennis player Rutuja Bhosale won a singles title in the final of the $15,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
In the final, she won Anna Siskova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 7-5. The 24-year-old sportsperson is a former Asian junior champion and National women’s champion. She played a significant role to help India qualify for the Fed Cup World Group playoff in Dubai.
10. 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.