11. Which international organisation has launched a USD 6.7 billion global appeal to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, as a part of its updated response plan to help fragile nations?
[A] World Economic Forum
[B] International Monetary Fund
[C] United Nations
[D] Asian Development Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [United Nations]
Notes:
The United Nations along with its partner agencies has launched a USD 6.7 billion global appeal to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UN also updated a global plan to fight the COVID-19 in fragile and more vulnerable countries. The plan includes nine more vulnerable countries including the Philippines, Togo and Zimbabwe, beyond the 54 countries covered in the original appeal-the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan.
12. The India International Exchange Limited (India INX), that was seen in news recently, is a subsidiary of which Indian stock exchange?
[A] National Stock Exchange of India (NSE)
[B] Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)
[C] Calcutta Stock Exchange
[D] United Stock Exchange of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)]
Notes:
India International Exchange Limited (India INX) is India’s first international stock exchange located in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT) city and is a subsidiary of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
Recently the Union Finance Minister launched INR-USD futures and options contracts on the two international exchanges — BSE’s India INX and NSE’s NSE-IFSC, at GIFT city, Gandhinagar. This decision of allowing rupee derivatives will bring the rupee trading to our country, which are presently dominated by exchanges in Dubai and Singapore.
13. Coir Board signed a MoU with which institute, to establish a Centre of Excellence for Coir Applications?
[A] IISc, Bengaluru
[B] IIT, Madras
[C] IIT, Delhi
[D] IIT, Mumbai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [IIT, Madras]
Notes:
Coir Board, a statutory body under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has recently signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras, to establish a Centre of Excellence for Coir Applications.
As per the announcement of the MSME Ministry, Coir Board will provide a financial assistance of five crore rupees for two years for the establishment and running of the Centre of Excellence. The Centre will take up and develop the Research and Development work done in the coir sector.
14. The provisions of which act is relaxed by the states to increase the working hours of labourers?
[A] Companies Act
[B] Factories Act
[C] Epidemic Diseases Act
[D] Trade Unions Act
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Factories Act]
Notes:
Several states in India including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Goa have relaxed the provision of the Factories Act, 1948 and increased the working hours of labourers, after facing a shortage of workers following the lock-down.
Recently, Odisha and Maharashtra labour departments exempted their industries from four sections of the Factories Act, 1948, related to working hours of the staff, till June 30. Uttar Pradesh suspended key labour laws for three years through an ordinance. With the approved exemption, employers can allow labourers to work in two shifts of 12 hours each.
15. Defence Research Ultraviolet Sanitiser (DRUVS), that was seen in news recently, is developed by which organisation?
[A] DRDO
[B] BHEL
[C] HAL
[D] BEL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [DRDO]
Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory based at Hyderabad, Research Centre Imarat (RCI), has developed an automated sanitisation cabinet, called Defence Research Ultraviolet Sanitiser (DRUVS).
The sanitiser uses the UV-C type of light to sanitise currency notes, electronic gadgets and paper. The significant feature of the sanitiser is its contactless operation, which will help in containing the spread of infection.
16. Who is the first Indian to win the Fed Cup Heart Award for Asia/Oceania zone?
[A] Leander Paes
[B] Sania Mirza
[C] Rohan Bopanna
[D] Prajnesh Gunneswaran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sania Mirza]
Notes:
Tennis star Sania Mirza became the first Indian to win the Fed Cup Heart Award for Asia/Oceania zone. The Fed Cup Heart Award winners were determined through online voting by fans, starting from May 1.
She has been nominated for her successful return post motherhood. She secured more than 10,000 votes out of the total 16,985 cast for the nominees of this year. The Fed Cup Heart Award is an International Tennis Federation (ITF) initiative that was established in 2009 to recognise the Fed Cup players for their distinction, courage and commitment.
17. What is the quantum of the special economic package “Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” announced by the Government of India?
[A] Rs. 5 lakh crore
[B] Rs. 10 lakh crore
[C] Rs. 20 lakh crore
[D] Rs. 30 lakh crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs. 20 lakh crore]
Notes:
The Prime Minister of India recently unveiled a special economic package titled “Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” to the tune of Rs. 20 lakh crore. It aims to stimulate the economic activities of the country, ahead of the 4th phase of the lockdown.
The stimulus package also includes Rs 1.7 lakh crore package of free food grains to poor and cash to poor women and elderly, that was announced in the month of March in the name of PM Karib Kalyan Yojana. It also includes the liquidity measures and interest cuts announced by RBI. The Prime Minister said the package will focus on land, labour, liquidity and laws.
18. Telia Rumal handloom cloth, that recently received G.I tag, is associated with which state/UT?
[A] Jammu &Kashmir
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Telangana
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Telangana]
Notes:
Recently, the Geographical Indication (GI) tag has been provided to Jharkhand’s Sohrai Khovar painting and Telangana’s Telia Rumal handloom cloth.
The painting is a traditional art that is created by tribal women with locally available soils of different colours. It is predominantly done in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand. Telia Rumal cloth has intricate handmade work with cotton loom, with designs in red, black and white colours. Thanjavur Netti (pith) works that uses Aeschynomene aspera plant and Arumbavur Wood Carving also got G.I tag from Tamil Nadu.
19. What is the rank of India in the recently released global ‘Energy Transition Index’ (ETI) of the World Economic Forum?
[A] 52
[B] 68
[C] 74
[D] 82
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [74]
Notes:
The World Economic Forum has recently released the global ‘Energy Transition Index’. The index ranks 115 economies on the current performance of their energy systems and their readiness for transition to secure and sustainable energy systems.
India has moved up two positions to rank 74th from previous year, and has improved on all key parameters. Sweden has topped the Energy Transition Index (ETI) for the third consecutive year. Switzerland and Finland were ranked in the next two positions.
20. Which state has commenced training for primary schoolteachers via its KITE Victers channel?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Kerala
[C] Jammu &Kashmir
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
The state of Kerala has commenced training for primary schoolteachers via its KITE Victers channel. Minister of General Education and Chief of Disaster Risk Reduction of UN Environment Programme (UNEP) addressed the inaugural classes.
More than 81,000 primary and upper primary teachers are expected to participate in this training exercise. Prior to this, the teachers were given training to use online and virtual facilities. Under this program, classes on social consciousness and social science will be held. Besides the channel, the programmes will be available on their website and KITE VICTERS mobile app.