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. Which technology major has announced to launch a virtual private networks (VPN) service for consumers?
[A] Microsoft
[B] Google
[C] Apple
[D] Amazon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Google]
Notes:
Alphabet Inc’s Google has recently announced that it is set to launch a virtual private networks (VPN) service for its consumers.
The VPN service would be available for its Google One cloud storage services. VPN is used by individuals in countries where access to certain sites and services have been banned by governments.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. As per the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2020, what percentage of surveyed children had access to live online classes?
[A] 11
[B] 16
[C] 24
[D] 37
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [11]
Notes:
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2020 was recently released, by conducting a phone survey of 60,000-odd students across rural India.
As per the report, only 11 per cent of the surveyed children had access to live online classes. Only one-third of the surveyed children had access to online learning. The report reveals the digital inequality prevalent in the country.
6. What quantity of paddy would be procured by the Government during the ongoing Kharif season?
[A] 500 Lakh Metric tonnes
[B] 650 Lakh Metric tonnes
[C] 725 Lakh Metric tonnes
[D] 742 Lakh Metric tonnes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [742 Lakh Metric tonnes]
Notes:
Food Corporation of India and other Government agencies are set to procure 742 Lakh Metric tonnes of paddy during the ongoing Kharif season.
This is seen as a record high paddy procurement. The paddy procurement made by the Government last year was 627 Lakh Metric Tonnes. The number of purchase-centres this year have been increased from 30,791 to 39,122.
7. 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.
8. Which Indian state/UT has launched a scheme for distribution of fortified rice?
[A] Punjab
[B] Kerala
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has recently launched a scheme for distribution of fortified rice through Public distribution System (PDS).
The scheme, which was launched virtually on the statehood day, aims at helping in checking malnutrition and anaemia. The fortified rice is a mixture of iron, vitamin B-12 and folic acid enriched fortified rice kernel (FRK).
9. How many more Rafale Aircrafts are scheduled to arrive India on 4th November?
[A] Two
[B] Three
[C] Four
[D] Five
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Three]
Notes:
Three more Rafale fighter jets are scheduled to arrive on November 4th from France. These aircrafts would be flying non-stop from France to India. With the 3 additional aircrafts, India will have a Rafael fleet of 8 aircrafts.
The first batch of five Rafale jets were inducted into the No.17 ‘Golden Arrows’ squadron of the Indian Air Force on September 10th 2020.
10. India’s first of its kind solar energy-driven miniature train has been inaugurated in which city?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Ahmadabad
[C] Varanasi
[D] Thiruvananthapuram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Thiruvananthapuram]
Notes:
A first of its kind in the country, a solar energy-driven miniature train has been inaugurated at the Veli Tourist Village in Thiruvananthapuram.
The miniature rail has all the features of a fully-equipped rail system like a tunnel, a station and a ticket office. The train has three compartments that can accommodate around 45 people at a time. This children attraction train was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan.