11. The country’s second Kisan Rail that was flagged off recently, would connect which two cities?
[A] Bangalore – Mumbai
[B] Chennai – Delhi
[C] Anantapur – Delhi
[D] Hyderabad – Kolkata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Anantapur – Delhi]
Notes:
The Country’s second and South India’s first Kisan Rail service has been recently flagged off.
This would connect Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh to Adarsh Nagar Railway Station in Delhi. The train was flagged off by the Union Minister for Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar. The Kisan Rail scheme was announced in Budget 2020-21 for transport of agricultural products.
12. ‘PNGRB’ and ‘CGD Authorisation’, that were seen in news recently, are associated with which Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
[B] Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
[C] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[D] Ministry of Power
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas]
Notes:
The Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas has recently dedicated 56 Compressed natural gas (CNG) stations spread across 13 states, to the nation.
He also said that the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is working to launch the 11th City gas distribution (CGD) authorisation round. The regulator board gives licenses for Retail CNG to automobiles and Piped cooking gas to household kitchens.
13. Which organization has decided to formulate Digital Payment Index?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] RBI
[C] NPCI
[D] SBI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [RBI]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to measure the extent of digital payment in India by devising Digital Payment Index.
The index would also assess innovation in existing modes and will help bridge digital divide. The development of the Digital Payment Index is based on the recommendations made by Nandan Nilekani Committee on Digital Payments.
14. Which Ministry has released guidelines to states regarding welfare of migrant workers?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Social Justice
[C] Ministry of Labour and Employment
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Labour and Employment]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has released guidelines to states and Union Territories pertaining to welfare of migrant workers returning to destination States on account of COVID 19.
The States and UTs have been advised by the Ministry to conduct free corona virus (COVID-19) tests for migrant labourers. Also, the ministry has directed to maintain a database of all workers moving out of their States.
15. Briton Jane Fraser is set to become the first woman head of which global group?
[A] Microsoft
[B] IBM
[C] Citi Group
[D] Google
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Citi Group]
Notes:
Briton Jane Fraser has been named the new chairperson of the American multinational investment bank Citigroup.
Jane Fraser is set to become the first woman head of the Group. She is currently the President and head of global consumer division of the group. The present head of the group Michael Corbat would retire in February 2021 after 37 long years of service in the group.
16. What may be the growth in India’s GDP in FY 2020-21, as per the recent estimates of Moody’s, after its earlier estimate of -4%?
[A] – 6.5%
[B] – 9.5%
[C] -11.5%
[D] -15%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [-11.5%]
Notes:
Global rating agency Moody’s Investors Service has estimated that India’s real GDP would contract by 11.5 per cent in fiscal year 2020-21.
Earlier, the agency has estimated that India’s economy would contract by 4.0 per cent during 2020-21. CRISIL also said that the collapse in GDP was one of the sharpest among all major G-20 nation and the growth is expected to rebound to 10.6 per cent in 2021-22.
17. Which state has launched ‘Piggery Mission’ to reduce the import of pork?
[A] Assam
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Meghalaya]
Notes:
Meghalaya government has recently launched Piggery Mission with an outlay of Rs 200 Crore. The biggest piggery project aims to reduce the annual import of pork worth Rs 150 Crore.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has launched the project. National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has partnered with Meghalaya to implement the ‘Meghalaya State Piggery Mission’.
18. The United States has signed a Defence Cooperation agreement with which country, for peace in Indo-Pacific region?
[A] India
[B] Maldives
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maldives]
Notes:
A strategic Defence and Security agreement has been recently signed between the Maldives and the United States.
The “Framework for U.S. Department of Defense-Maldives Ministry of Defence and Security Relationship” seeks to promote cooperation maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean. India had previously opposed a proposed Status of Forces Agreement between the two countries in 2013.
19. The Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) functions under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of MSME
[B] Ministry of Textiles
[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[D] Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Textiles]
Notes:
The Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) was established by the Ministry of Textiles in 1982, to promote export of Carpets and other allied Products from India.
Recently, CEPC was in news as the organization has announced a three-day virtual Buyer-Seller Meet. The programme is to focus on Australia and adjoining countries, as India is the biggest exporter of handmade carpets to those countries.
20. Which country has been hit by the storm Sally and has declared emergency in its states?
[A] United States
[B] Australia
[C] Japan
[D] Philippines
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [United States]
Notes:
The Governor of the costal State of Louisiana, United States has declared a state of emergency on account of the tropical Storm Sally.
The storm is expected to strengthen to a hurricane and will weaken back to a tropical storm while moving inland over Louisiana.