41. India’s first moss garden has been developed in which state/UT?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Sikkim
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttarakhand]
Notes:
India’s first moss garden has been developed at Khurpatal, Nainital district, Uttarakhand. It was inaugurated by renowned water conservation activist Rajendra Singh.
The moss garden was approved under the CAMPA scheme by the Uttarakhand Forest Department, last year. It aims to conserve various species of moss and other bryophytes. Two of the moss species found here- Hyophila involuta (Cement Moss) and Brachythecium Buchanani are in IUCN red list.
42. Indian-origin economist and author Lord Meghnad Desai has resigned from a major party in which country, citing racism?
[A] United States
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Germany
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Kingdom]
Notes:
Indian-origin economist and author Lord Meghnad Desai has resigned as a member of the UK’s Opposition Labour Party, over its failure to tackle racism.
The 80-year-old peer was against the readmission of former party leader Jeremy Corbyn without apology, after being suspended. The Labour Party has been alleged of antisemitism over several years.
43. The Internal Working Group of RBI has proposed to increase the promoters’ stake in private sector banks to what percentage?
[A] 10%
[B] 15%
[C] 26%
[D] 51%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [26%]
Notes:
An Internal Working Group (IWG) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recommended raising the cap on promoters’ stake in private sector banks to 26% in 15 years.
At present, the percentage of stake is mandated at 15% of the equity share capital of the bank. The group also suggested to allow large corporate or industrial houses, as promoters of banks after necessary amendments to the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
44. Where is the headquarters of the Airports Authority of India located?
[A] Mumbai
[B] New Delhi
[C] Lucknow
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is a statutory body working under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in New Deli.
Airports Authority of India (AAI) commenced Aviation Safety Awareness Week 2020 from 23rd November to 27th November 2020. It is being observed at all airports and Airport Navigation Service (ANS) locations managed by AAI across India.
45. As per a recent survey conducted by CII and Ernst & Young, which country is the top destination of investors?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] United States
[D] Mauritius
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
As per a recent survey conducted by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and Ernst & Young, Multi-national Companies regard India as their first option, in terms of investments across the globe.
Out of the total key decision makers of those MNCs, 82 per cent of them said that they have plans to expand their business in the next 2 to 3 years. After India, the second most favourable place is North America followed by the rest of Asia-Pacific.
46. The Union Cabinet has approved the merger of Lakshmi Vilas Bank with which institution?
[A] DBS India
[B] Clix Capital
[C] Muthoot Finance
[D] Indiabulls
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [DBS India]
Notes:
Union Cabinet has recently approved the merger of Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) with DBS Bank India. The Reserve Bank of India had earlier proposed the merger of the private sector lender with the Indian arm of Singapore’s DBS Bank.
It also placed LVB under one-month moratorium and capped withdrawals for depositors. As a part of the amalgamation, DBIL will infuse fresh capital of Rs 2,500 crore into LVB.
47. As per a recent report by Transparency International, which is considered as the biggest problem, by around 75% of Asian respondents?
[A] Population
[B] Corruption
[C] Unemployment
[D] Poverty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Corruption]
Notes:
As per the recent report released by ‘Transparency International’, as many as 74 per cent of the respondents said corruption is one of the biggest problems in their country.
The report also highlighted that around 19 % paid a bribe in the last 12 months, to access public service and youngsters are more likely to pay a bribe or use personal connection to avail public service.
48. What is the theme of the ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women’ 2020?
[A] Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect
[B] Elimination of Violence to Protection of Rights
[C] Stop Violence against women and girls
[D] Fighting Domestic Violence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect]
Notes:
‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women’ is observed every year on November 25, led by the United Nations General Assembly.
This year, the theme for the International Day is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”, to focus on bridging the funding gaps to serve the survivors of violence. UN observed that violence against women and girls has increased during the pandemic, terming it ‘Shadow Pandemic’.
49. Who has become the second Independent Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC)?
[A] Manu Sawhney
[B] Greg Barclay
[C] Imran Khwaja
[D] Rahul Dravid
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Greg Barclay]
Notes:
New Zealand’s Greg Barclay has been elected as the new independent Ahairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
He is also the second independent chairman of the international body, after Shashank Manohar of India. Greg Barclay served as the Director of New Zealand Cricket Team since 2012. He had also been the Director of 2015 Men’s World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand.
50. Which state debarred its Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and retired IPS officer Lalduhoma, from its state assembly?
[A] Assam
[B] Mizoram
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mizoram]
Notes:
Mizoram has debarred its Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and retired IPS officer Lalduhoma from the state assembly. He was in charge of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s security.
In 1988, he was the first Member of Parliament to have been disqualified from the Lok Sabha, under the Anti-Defection Law. At present, the charge on him is despite being elected as an independent candidate, he declared himself as a representative of ZPM.