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. Which cricketer has become the first batsman to hit 1000 sixes in T20 cricket?
[A] Virat Kohli
[B] Chris Gayle
[C] Andre Russell
[D] Eoin Morgan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chris Gayle]
Notes:
Chris Gayle, who plays for Kings XI Punjab, has recently become the first batsman in history to hit 1000 sixes in T20 cricket.
Kieron Pollard has hit 690 sixes and ranks second in the list of maximum sixes in T20 cricket. In the ongoing edition of IPL 2020, Gayle has scored a total of 276 runs from six outings.
3. ‘Aarambh’, that was seen in news recently, is associated with which set of beneficiaries?
[A] Farmers
[B] Civil Services Probationers
[C] College Students
[D] Underserved Women
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Civil Services Probationers]
Notes:
An integrated foundation course for the Officer Trainees (OTs) of the Indian Civil Services named ‘AARAMBH’ was launched for the first time in 2019.
The Prime Minister has recently interacted with the Officer Trainees (OTs) of the Indian Civil Services at LBSNAA Mussoorie through a Video conference. This is a part of the AARAMBH course.
4. Shane Watson, who announced retirement from all forms of Cricket, belongs to which country?
[A] England
[B] Australia
[C] New Zealand
[D] South Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Australia]
Notes:
Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has recently announced retirement from all forms of Cricket.
The 39-year-old had already retired from international cricket in 2015. He announced this after the Chennai Super Kings’ final IPL match. He has played 59 Tests, 190 ODIs, and 58 T20s at the international level.
5. Which body has issued a notice to Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) regarding ban on use of fire crackers November 7 to 30?
[A] Supreme Court of India
[B] National Administrative Tribunal
[C] National Green Tribunal
[D] Central Pollution Control Board
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [National Green Tribunal]
Notes:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently issued notice to seek response from Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and four State Governments regarding the ban on use of fire crackers from November 7 to 30 in the interest of public health and environment.
The NGT has also appointed a senior advocate Raj Panjwani and advocate Shibhani Ghosh to assist the tribunal as amicus curiae in the matter.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Which state has awarded 25,000 land pattas to refugee population of the state?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Assam
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [West Bengal]
Notes:
A number of welfare schemes for the refugee and the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) population have been announced by the state Government of West Bengal.
One among them is providing land pattas to refugee colonies. The state has decided to give a total 1,25,000 land pattas to the refugees, of which 25,000 pattas were given by the Chief Minister recently.
9. CARAT is a naval training exercise between which two countries?
[A] India – USA
[B] India – Bangladesh
[C] Bangladesh – USA
[D] USA – Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bangladesh – USA]
Notes:
The Naval Forces of Bangladesh and USA have launched ‘Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Bangladesh-2020’.
The naval training would be held in an inline manner due to the prevailing COVID pandemic, while the sea phase of the exercise would take place in Bay of Bengal. The events of the training are designed to enhance interoperability between the two navies.
10. Which state has recently become a part of the “Padhna Likhna Abhiyan” programme?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Bihar
[C] Kerala
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kerala]
Notes:
Kerala has recently become a part of the “Padhna Likhna Abhiyan” programme and is ready to receive the central funds for literacy programmes, after ten years.
Padhna Likhna Abhiyan is the reading and writing campaign launched by the Central Government. IT aims to achieve the goal of complete literacy in the country by 2030.