1. Which typhoon has recently hit Vietnam killing over 35 people?
[A] Molave
[B] Maysak
[C] Haishen
[D] Noul
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Molave]
Notes:
Vietnam has been recently hit by the typhoon Molave and it has caused over 35 deaths. Over 50 people were missing.
Three villages in the country were repeated hit by landslides which are suspected of burying over 40 people in thick mud and debris.
2. Government has mandated BIS mark for production, sales, import and trade of which product?
[A] Laptops
[B] Mobile Phones
[C] Leather Footwear
[D] Wrist Watches
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Leather Footwear]
Notes:
The Government of India has notified that that no leather footwear can be produced, sold, traded, imported or even stocked, unless they bear the BIS mark.
The notification has been issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). This move is aimed to contain import of cheaper leather products in India.
3. What is the theme of World Cities Day 2020?
[A] Valuing Our Communities and Cities
[B] Towards the New Urban Agenda.
[C] Global urbanization
[D] Sustainable urban development
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Valuing Our Communities and Cities]
Notes:
The United Nations General Assembly has designated the 31st of October as World Cities Day. This year the theme is ‘Valuing Our Communities and Cities’.
The Day aims to promote international community’s interest in global urbanization and contribute to sustainable urban development around the world. UN-Habitat launched Urban October in 2014, to highlight the urban challenges around the world.
4. 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.
5. Which country has hosted the BRICS Business Forum 2020?
[A] India
[B] Russia
[C] Brazil
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
BRICS Business Forum, which is an important annual event of the BRICS Business Council was hosted by Russia from October 20 to 28, 2020. President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia is the current Chairman of the BRICS Business Council.
BRICS Business Forum was held in via Video Conferencing under the title “BRICS Business Partnership: Common Vision for Sustainable Inclusive Development”.
6. The first foreign Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), that was notified by the Finance Ministry, is associated with which country?
[A] United States
[B] United Arab Emirates
[C] Australia
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Arab Emirates]
Notes:
Union Finance Ministry of India has recently announced that Abu Dhabi’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) has become the first foreign SWF that has been notified.
MIC Redwood 1 RSC Limited will get 100 per cent income tax exemption for the long-term investments to be made in specific priority sectors in India.
7. How much financial aid has been released by the Central Government to 15 states for air quality improvement?
[A] Rs.1000 crore
[B] Rs.2000 crore
[C] Rs.2200 crore
[D] Rs.2500 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs.2200 crore]
Notes:
Based on the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, the Central Government has released a financial aid of Rs.2200 crore to 15 states.
The aid would be used to improve the air quality in these states by undertaking capacity building measures. This is the first instalment of the grant towards air quality improvement.
8. As per the Earth Sciences Ministry, what is the economic benefits from use of weather forecasting services to farmers and fishermen since 2015?
[A] Rs 9000 crore
[B] Rs 12000 crore
[C] Rs 19000 crore
[D] Rs 36000 crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 19000 crore]
Notes:
As per the recent statement from the Earth Sciences Ministry, the Economic benefits from the use of weather forecasting services to farmers and fishermen since 2015 amounted to Rs 19,000 crore.
The Ministry cited a study it had commissioned from the research firm National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). The Ministry also stated that this can record Rs 5000 crore, when extrapolated to the next five years.
9. ‘Char-chaporis’, which were seen in news recently, is associated with which state/ UT?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Odisha
[C] Assam
[D] Jammu & Kashmir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Assam]
Notes:
Char-chaporis are shifting riverine islands of the Brahmaputra river and they are primarily inhabited by the Muslims of Bengali-origin referred to as ‘Miyas’.
Several people of Assam were requesting the government to fast-track the establishment of Miya museum reflecting the culture and heritage of the people living in char-chaporis. Recently, ahead of the Assembly elections, this was again in news.
10. India has handed over around Rs 62 crores to which country as reimbursement of Housing Reconstruction Project?
[A] Bangladesh
[B] Nepal
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nepal]
Notes:
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra has recently handed over a cheque of NPR 1 billion (around Rs 62 crore) to the Nepal government as reimbursement of Nepal Housing Reconstruction Project.
India has partnered with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), to provide funds to its neighbouring country.