1. Until which month, the Reserve Bank of India has extended the enhanced borrowing facility for banks under MSF?
[A] January 2021
[B] March 2021
[C] April 2021
[D] June 2021
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [March 2021]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the enhanced borrowing facility provided to banks by six more months.
The facility to borrow under MSF scheme to meet liquidity shortage till March 31, 2021. Earlier in the March, the RBI had increased the limit from 2 per cent to 3 per cent of their net demand and time liabilities.
2. Which astronomical observatory of India has completed five years of mapping stars?
[A] Astrosat
[B] Risat
[C] Cartosat
[D] South Asian Satellite
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Astrosat]
Notes:
India’s first multi-wavelength astronomical observatory named ‘Astrosat’ has recently completed five years of imaging objects in space.
The satellite was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2015. It has successfully carried out over 1000 observations of 800 unique celestial sources. A discovery of a galaxy located at a distance of about 10 billion light-years from Earth has been made using it.
3. Which country has announced plans to distribute 150 million rapid Covid-19 test kits?
[A] UK
[B] USA
[C] India
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA]
Notes:
The President of United States of America Donald Trump has announced its plans to distribute 150 million “15 minute” rapid Covid-19 test kits in the coming weeks.
Out of these 50 million test kits would be used for most vulnerable communities of the country, like nursing homes, assisted living facilities etc.
4. Which company has started exploration of Kolar Gold Fields after 16 years?
[A] Reliance Industries Limited
[B] Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited
[C] National Mineral Development Corporation
[D] Coal India Limited
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited]
Notes:
Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) has commenced the exploration of the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Karnataka. MECL is a Mini Ratna PSU under the Ministry of Mines.
This mining activity is expected to help resolve Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML) issue over exploration of the gold field, which is pending for past 16 years.
5. What is the name of the initiative by Defence Ministry to identify innovations created by Indian Armed Forces personnel?
[A] Project Armed Force
[B] Idea Force
[C] iDEX4Fauji
[D] Mission Fauji
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [iDEX4Fauji]
Notes:
iDEX4Fauji is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Defence to identify innovations created by Indian Armed Forces personnel.
The initiative has been launched to reward innovations identified by members of the Armed Forces and will boost innovative ideas from soldiers/ field formations. The Minister also launched Defence India Startup Challenge-4.
6. Which decade is named as the “Decade of Healthy Ageing”, as per the World Health Organisation (WHO)?
[A] 2018-2028
[B] 2020-2030
[C] 2021-2031
[D] 2022-2032
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2020-2030]
Notes:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated 2020-2030 as the “Decade of Healthy Ageing”. International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 every year.
United Nations designated this day to focus on the well-being and special needs of the elderly people. The UN theme of the International Day of Older Persons 2020 is “Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing?”.
7. Which country is to send the world’s first mining robot named ‘Asteroid Mining robot’ into space?
[A] India
[B] United States
[C] China
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Notes:
China is expected to send the world’s first mining robot into space by November 2020 through a private Beijing company, Origin Space.
The mining robot named as an ‘Asteroid mining robot’ will be a part of the preliminary assessment to identify and extract valuable resources. The spacecraft NEO-1 will be launched onboard a Chinese Long March rocket.
8. Which organization has released a report on Crime against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes?
[A] CBI
[B] NCRB
[C] NCBC
[D] National Administrative Tribunal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NCRB]
Notes:
As per a report titled “Annual Crime in India 2019” published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), crime against Scheduled Castes (SCs) has increased over 7% and crimes against Scheduled Tribes (STs) has increased over 26% in 2019.
As per the report, Uttar Pradesh has recorded the highest number of crimes against SCs in 2019 followed by Rajasthan and Bihar.
9. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch Venus mission by which year?
[A] 2022
[B] 2023
[C] 2025
[D] 2030
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2025]
Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has proposed to launch its Venus mission by the year 2025.
French space agency CNES would also participate in the mission. Presently, the two nations are working closely on ISRO’s human space mission Gaganyaan that aims to send 3 Indians to space by 2022.
10. Ministry of Defence has designated Alpha Design Technologies Limited for upgrading which defence system?
[A] Pinaka Artillery System
[B] Pechora surface to air systems
[C] Brahmos Missile System
[D] Navic System
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pechora surface to air systems]
Notes:
The Union Defence Ministry has designated Alpha Design Technologies Limited (ADTL) to upgrade the soviet era Pechora surface to air systems.
As per the Rs.591 crore contract, the firm would be upgrading 16 such systems. Alpha Design Technologies Limited is a Bengaluru based company that is specialized in defence electronics, avionics and space satellite systems.