31. Which state has become the first to amend Industries (Facilitation) Act, for all Small, Medium & Large-Scale Industries?
[A] Odisha
[B] Karnataka
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka]
Notes:
Karnataka becomes the first state to amend Industries (Facilitation) Act for all Small, Medium & Large-Scale Industries.
The amendments in the sections of the Karnataka Industries (Facilitation) Act 2002, removed the statutory nods required to begin construction and other works in the state. It allows the industries to commence work without clearances for first 3 years. 100% stamp duty exemption for agreements and other resources for production of electric vehicles (EV) will be given.
32. Who is the Chairperson of the 15th Finance Commission?
[A] A K Sikri
[B] N K Singh
[C] Rajiv Kumar
[D] Ranjan Gogoi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [N K Singh]
Notes:
Economist and former Indian Administrative Service officer N K Singh is the Chairperson of the 15th Finance Commission.
Recently, the Finance Commission has decided to form a group to develop a mechanism to incentivise states for carrying out the agricultural reforms, that were announced as part of the Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package. The group consists of Finance Commission member Ramesh Chand, Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agarwal and Agriculture, Research and Education Secretary T Mahapatra.
33. Which global organisation has enhanced support to USD 400 million, for India’s programme to rejuvenate Ganga river?
[A] International Monetary Fund
[B] World Bank
[C] Asian Development Bank
[D] BRICS Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Bank]
Notes:
The World Bank has recently announced that it has enhanced its support for India’s flagship program to rejuvenate Ganga river.
World Bank would provide a USD 400 million assistance to the program, which will help reduce pollution and strengthen river basin management. The Second National Ganga River Basin Project (SNGRBP) will support the government’s Namami Gange program. The loan has a maturity of 18.5 years including a grace period of 5 years.
34. What is the name of the e-governance platform, which has an online project monitoring system?
[A] e-SamikSha
[B] myGOV
[C] Cabinet Online
[D] e-Sampriti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [e-SamikSha]
Notes:
The Cabinet Secretary of India Rajiv Gauba has ordered to revamp the e-SamikSha platform of the Indian Government.
It is a real time, online system for monitoring projects and decisions taken by the Union government and the follow-up actions by ministries. In the revamped platform, additional information related to milestones with target dates, beneficiary states and districts will also be captured.
35. What is the target year set by the Indian Railways to achieve net zero carbon emission?
[A] 2025
[B] 2027
[C] 2030
[D] 2035
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [2030]
Notes:
The Indian Railways has set the target to achieve net zero carbon emission by the year 2030. In order to achieve the target of becoming a Green Railways, it has accelerated the efforts.
Some of its initiatives include Electrification of lines, improving energy efficiency of trains, green certification for stations, fitting bio toilets in coaches and switching to renewable sources of energy. Recently, a 1.7 mega watt plant at Bina in Madhya Pradesh in collaboration with BHEL has been installed.
36. What is the expansion of CCPA, which is related to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019?
[A] Commission of Consumer Protection Authority
[B] Central Consumer Protection Authority
[C] Chief Consumer Protection Agency
[D] Chief Consumer Products Agency
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Central Consumer Protection Authority]
Notes:
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 came in to force from 20 July. The act aims to establish the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).
CCPA will protect and enforce the rights of consumers, as it will be empowered to conduct investigations into violations of consumer rights. The authority can also institute complaints, order recall of unsafe goods and services, and impose penalties for misleading advertisements.
37. Which state government has signed an MoU with ‘AMUL’, to boost self-help groups and milk cooperatives?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Haryana
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The state government of Andhra Pradesh has signed an MoU with the milk cooperative major AMUL (Anand Milk Union Limited).
The agreement aims to promote empowerment of women self-help groups and encourage milk cooperatives in government sector. It also provides exposure to world class infrastructure, technology and market access to the local groups.
38. Which Indian vaccine maker is to begin trials of the Covid-19 vaccine candidate developed by Oxford University-AstraZeneca?
[A] Serum Institute of India
[B] Biocon
[C] Panacea Biotech
[D] Cadila Healthcare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Serum Institute of India]
Notes:
Pune-based Serum Institute of India announced that the company will start trials of the Covid-19 vaccine candidate developed by Oxford University-AstraZeneca.
The trials are to be carried out by the end of August on about 5,000 Indian volunteers after getting the necessary permissions. The company also hoped that the vaccine will be hopefully launched by June next year. To manufacture 300 million doses, the company is to spend USD 200 million.
39. National Intelligence Grid “NATGRID” is an attached office under which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Finance
[B] Ministry of Home Affairs
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Home Affairs]
Notes:
National Intelligence Grid “NATGRID” is an attached office under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It aims to allow investigation and law enforcement agencies to access real-time information.
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is to partner with the NATGRID to share the financial details of any entity with 10 agencies including the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and the NIA. This information-sharing mechanism is done under the NATGRID platform.
40. Indian Railways is constructing world’s first electrified tunnel to run double-stack containers in which state/UT?
[A] Punjab
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Haryana
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Haryana]
Notes:
The world’s first electrified rail tunnel fit to run double-stack containers is being constructed by the Indian Railways in Haryana.
Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) has recently conducted a tunnel-breaking ceremony on completion of caving work for the tunnel of Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) through Aravalli mountain range. One among the biggest railway tunnels, it connects Rewari and Dadri and itwill be completed within a year.
