1. Which body has launched ‘National Program and Project Management Policy Framework’ for infrastructure sector’, along with QCI?
[A] Finance Commission
[B] NITI Aayog
[C] National Development Council
[D] World Trade Organisation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NITI Aayog]
Notes:
NITI Aayog and Quality Council of India has recently launched the ‘National Program and Project Management Policy Framework’ (NPMPF).
The report aims to bring radical reforms in the way infrastructure projects are executed in India. Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari also released the Indian Infrastructure Body of Knowledge (InBoK).
2. 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.
3. Antrix Corporation, that was seen in news recently, is the commercial arm of which organisation?
[A] DRDO
[B] ISRO
[C] BHEL
[D] HAL
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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 country was the largest source for permanent residents (PR) in Canada, last year?
[A] Australia
[B] India
[C] Mexico
[D] United States
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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.
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
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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. 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.
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
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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. The Typhoon named “Goni” has recently hit which country?
[A] Philippines
[B] Indonesia
[C] Australia
[D] United States of America
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Philippines]
Notes:
A Super Typhoon name Goni, has hit the Philippines recently. This is considered to be the most powerful storms in the last four years and has resulted in huge catastrophic damage to the coastal Philippines.
Philippines has been badly affected by two typhoons in October, by the COVID Pandemic and its resultant unemployment.
9. The Business Expectation Survey is conducted by which body?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] National Council for Applied Economic Research
[C] National Statistical Office
[D] Confederation of Indian Industries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [National Council for Applied Economic Research]
Notes:
The Business Expectation Survey is conducted by National Council for Applied Economic Research (NACER). As per the report of the survey, the Business Confidence Index (BCI) in India rose to 65.5 in the second quarter of FY 20 after recording a sharp drop to 46.4 in the first quarter.
NCAER is a non-profit think tank of economics based at New Delhi. Nandan Nilekani is president of the governing body and Dr Shekhar Shah is current director general of NCAER.
10. 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.