1. Which country recently test-fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile, named ‘K-4’, which can be launched from submarine?
[A] China
[B] Russia
[C] India
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [India]
Notes:
Recently, India has successfully test-fired fired a 3,500 km range nuclear capable missile from the coast of Andhra Pradesh. The ballistic missile named ‘K-4’ that can be launched from a submarine, is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The missile, which is to be fitted into the Arihant-class submarines of the Indian Navy, has ideal configuration to strike its targets. Arihant is India’s first nuclear-powered submarine of 6000 tonnes, which was successfully tested in November 2018.
2. Which country recently took over the chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G77) for the year 2020?
[A] Palestine
[B] Guyana
[C] Brazil
[D] Colombia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Guyana]
Notes:
The South American country Guyana recently took over the chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G77) for the year 2020 from Palestine, which chaired the group for 2019. The Foreign Minister of Palestine formally handed over the gavel to the Prime Minister of Guyana.
The Group of 77(G77), which was established in 1964 in Geneva, is the largest inter-governmental organization of developing countries in the United Nations. India, a member of the G77, recently congratulated Guyana on taking over the chairmanship of the Group of 77 for 2020, the year which commemorate 75th anniversary of the United Nations.
3. The Election Commission of which country is to take over the Chair of the Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) in 2020?
[A] India
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
Election Commission of India (ECI) will take over the Chair of the Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA), for the year 2020.
ECI hosted the 10th Annual Meeting of the FEMBoSA forum in New Delhi recently. During the Annual meeting, an International Conference was also organised on the theme ‘Strengthening Institutional Capacity’. ECI is also set to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation in the field of election management with the Election Commission of Afghanistan. The forum was established in 2012 with an aim of sharing experiences of the Election commissions and experts.
4. Which country recently introduced a new scheme of fast-track visa to attract scientists?
[A] Russia
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Germany
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Kingdom]
Notes:
The Britain Prime Minister Boris Johnson has recently announced the new scheme of fast-track visa to attract world’s best scientists.
The United Kingdom is expected to face a major job crunch as after the Brexit deal, the European Union citizens will lose the right to live and work in the UK and the natives of Britain will settle in the 27 remaining nations of the union. The Prime Minister also announced the ‘Global Talent route program’ of 300 million pounds for research in advanced mathematics.
5. India recently signed agreements with which country to establish a Tourism Zone in its Addu islands?
[A] Maldives
[B] Mauritius
[C] Seychelles
[D] Philippines
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Maldives]
Notes:
India and Maldives signed 5 agreements for establishing ‘Addu Tourism zone’ in five islands of Addu atoll. An atoll is a ring-shaped chain of islands formed of coral.
The Tourism zone is expected to be set up at a cost of $2.49 million. It aims at generating local employment and boost the eco-tourism opportunities in Addu. The High Commissioner of India Sunjay Sudhir signed the MoUs with the Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid and Addu City Council. Another MoU to establish a bottled water plant in Hoarafushi was also inked.
6. Arun-III, is the hydropower project of which country, to be built with assistance from India?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Nepal
[D] Bhutan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nepal]
Notes:
India and Nepal recently signed the financial closure of Arun-III, which is the largest hydropower project of Nepal. The 900 MW hydropower project is under construction in Nepal, with an estimated cost of $1.04 million.
The project, which is to be built with the financial assistance from India, is to be completed in 5 years. It is being built by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Arun-III Power Development Company (SAPDC), a joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh.
7. What does ‘GSP’ stand for, in the context of India- US trade?
[A] Globalised System of Preferences
[B] Generalized System of Preferences
[C] Globalised System of Partners
[D] Generalized System of Partners
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Generalized System of Preferences]
Notes:
The United States Trade Representative’s (USTR’s) office has recently classified India as a developed economy and it is ineligible for GSP benefits from the US.
The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) scheme offers a lower tariff to the exporters of a select group of developing countries. India is the largest beneficiary nation under the GSP, which enjoyed a tariff-free access to the US, till last June.
8. Ra’ad-II, which was tested recently, is a nuclear-capable cruise missile of which country?
[A] Israel
[B] Pakistan
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Iran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pakistan]
Notes:
Pakistan recently successfully flight tested the air-launch of nuclear-capable cruise missile Ra’ad-II. The missile has a striking range of 600 km.
The Ra’ad-II weapon system comprises of world-class navigation systems for better precision. Last month, Pakistan successfully conducted a successful training launch of surface-to-surface ballistic missile Ghaznavi.
9. Leo Varadkar, who recently tendered his resignation, was the Prime Minister of which country?
[A] France
[B] Ireland
[C] The Netherlands
[D] Greece
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ireland]
Notes:
The Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar recently tendered his resignation as Taoiseach, which means Prime minister in the country.
Though he submitted his resignation to the Irish President Michael Higgins, he continued to stay on as interim leader. As per the country’s constitution, the Taoiseach and the government will continue to carry on their duties until successors are appointed.
10. Which global institution has announced a fast-track aid of USD 12 billion to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak?
[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 a USD 12 billion fast-track aid package that will provide funds to help countries for tackling the coronavirus outbreak.
As per the notification of the World Bank President David Malpass, the funds are targeted to the poorest nations of the world and it can be used for medical equipment, health services or policy advice.
