1. Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) partners with which bank, to empower Small and Medium Enterprises?
[A] Axis Bank
[B] Yes Bank
[C]
Kotak Mahindra Bank
[D] ICICI Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Yes Bank]
Notes:
Leading stock exchange, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) announced that it has signed a pact with private sector bank Yes Bank to empower the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
As per the BSE, the agreement aims to empower SMEs listed on the platform, through awareness and knowledge-sharing programmes, for export promotion and banking and financial solutions. The bank will also offer customised services and products to the listed SMEs.
2. When is the ‘World Heart Day’ celebrated annually?
[A] September 27
[B] September 29
[C] September 30
[D] October 1
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [September 29]
Notes:
World Health Day was first established in 1999 by the World Heart Federation (WHF) in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
World Heart Day is annually observed on September 29 to raise public awareness about cardiovascular diseases and their prevention. The World Heart Federation asks people around the world to ‘Use Heart to Beat CVD’.
3. Which automobile company has shortlisted five start-ups to promote innovation in automobile sector?
[A] Maruti Suzuki
[B] Volkswagen
[C] Hyundai
[D] Honda
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maruti Suzuki]
Notes:
India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India has announced that it has shortlisted five start-ups, as part of its MAIL (Mobility & Automobile Innovation Lab) programme.
With these new companies, Maruti Suzuki is engaged with 14 start-ups under the MAIL programme in the last 18 months. The initiative aims to create innovative business solutions and promote innovation in automobile sector.
4. India is to set up a “High Level Monitoring Committee” with which nation, to review projects implemented with LoC provided by India?
[A] Maldives
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Myanmar
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bangladesh]
Notes:
A ‘High Level Monitoring Committee’ is proposed to be set up by India and Bangladesh to review projects implemented with Line of Credit (LoC) provided by India.
The decision was made at the 6th Joint Consultative Commission (JCC) meeting between the two countries held in a virtual mode. The High-Level Monitoring Committee would be headed by Secretary, Economic Relations Division of Bangladesh and High Commissioner of India in Bangladesh.
5. As per a recent RBI release, what is the value of India’s external debt at the end of June 2020?
[A] USD 554.5 billion
[B] USD 355.5 billion
[C] USD 654.5 billion
[D] USD 754.5 billion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [USD 554.5 billion]
Notes:
As per the Reserve Bank of India, India’s external debt stood at USD 554.5 billion at the end of June 2020. It is recorded a decrease of USD 3.9 billion compared to March 2020 level. The main reason for the decrease in external debt was depreciation of INR against major currencies like USD, Euro.
RBI has also stated that external debt to GDP ratio has increased to 21.8 % compared to 20.6 % as of March 2020.
6. Mubadala Investment, which is to acquire 1.4% stake in Reliance Retail, is based at which country?
[A] United Arab Emirates
[B] Kuwait
[C] United Kingdom
[D] United States
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [United Arab Emirates]
Notes:
Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment will invest Rs 6,247.5 crore to acquire a 1.4 per cent stake in Reliance Retail.
This is the fourth investor in Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL) and the third such deal recently. Earlier, global private equity firm General Atlantic and Silver Lake bought 0.84 per cent stake and 2.13 per cent stake in the company respectively.
7. What is the name of the nuclear capable hypersonic missile that was test-fired from Odisha test range?
[A] Veer
[B] Shaurya
[C] Agni VII
[D] Tejas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shaurya]
Notes:
India has successfully test fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable hypersonic missile ‘Shaurya’.
The surface-to-surface tactical missile, with a strike range of around 1,000 km, has been test fired from a test range in Odisha. ‘Shaurya’ is the land variant of India’s K-15 missile and is capable of carrying payloads of 200 kg to 1000 kg.
8. The Union Government has paid over Rs. 1000 crore to around 40000 farmers for procurement of which food grain?
[A] Wheat
[B] Rice
[C] Maize
[D] Sorghum
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rice]
Notes:
The Central Government has paid around Rs. 1082 crore were paid to over 41 thousand farmers for procurement of paddy on Minimum Support Price.
As per the Consumer Affairs Ministry, as on October 10, the cumulative procurement of Paddy in this Kharif Marketing Season is over 5.73 lakh tonnes. Paddy procurement for the 2020-21 year has also commenced across the procuring States.
9. Which fin-tech company has launched its own Mini app store?
[A] PhonePe
[B] PayTm
[C] BharatPe
[D] FreeCharge
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [PayTm]
Notes:
Digital payments firm Paytm has recently launched a mini-app store, with an aim to support Indian developers.
This initiative is seen as a direct challenge to Google in the App store system. The payment app was earlier temporarily removed from Google’s Play Store for violating developer guidelines. Paytm provides listing and distribution of these mini-apps within its application.
10. What is the theme of the 66th Wildlife Week celebrated during the first week of October?
[A] WildLife- Lifeline
[B] RoaR: Roar and Revive
[C] Lion King
[D] Animal Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [RoaR: Roar and Revive]
Notes:
The Wildlife Day celebration started in 1955 in India and it was later expanded to Wildlife week celebration in 1957. It aims to spread awareness on conservation and protection of wildlife.
This year the 66th Wildlife Week was celebrated with the theme RoaR (Roar and Revive) – Exploring Human-Animal Relationships. Union Environment Minister Prakash Javdekar presented the Prani Mitra awards to encourage the zoo officers and staff.