11. According to the recent survey conducted by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), which state recorded the highest unemployment rate in April 2020?
[A] Telangana
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Bihar
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
As per the recent survey conducted by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the unemployment rate of India increased 14.8 percentage points, to 23.5% in Apr 2020.
Tamil Nadu recorded the highest unemployment rate in April 2020, among large states at 49.8%, up from 6.3% in March 2020. Jharkhand and Bihar follow Tamil Nadu in higher unemployment rate while the lowest rate was found in Punjab, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana.
12. As on May 2020, how many states have been integrated with the ‘One nation, One ration card’ scheme?
[A] 5
[B] 8
[C] 10
[D] 17
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [17]
Notes:
The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan recently announced that five more states viz. Bihar, UP, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Daman and Diu have been integrated with the ‘One nation, One ration card’ scheme. Under the scheme, eligible cardholders can avail food grains from any fair-price shop under NFSA.
On January 1, 2020, there were 12 states on the integrated Public Distribution system. With the addition of 5 new states, the total count of states integrated in the scheme becomes 17, as of May 2020.
13. As per the recent survey on Research and Development Statistics and Indicators 2019-20 by NSTIMS, what is the rank of India in number of scientific publications?
[A] Three
[B] Four
[C] Six
[D] Ten
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Three]
Notes:
National Science and Technology Management Information (NSTMIS), Department of Science and Technology (DST) has conducted a survey on Research and Development Statistics and Indicators 2019-20.
As per the survey, India is placed at the third position in terms of number of scientific publications. The number of researchers per million population has doubled since 2000 and India’s gross expenditure in R&D has tripled between 2008 and 2018, during the year the expenditure stood at Rs 1,13,825 crores.
14. Rebate of State Levies (ROSL) Scheme, which was seen in news recently, was launched to support which sector?
[A] Food Processing
[B] Textile
[C] Chemical and Fertiliser
[D] Automobile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Textile]
Notes:
Under the Rebate of State Levies (ROSL) Scheme, exporters can claim refunds from the Centre for all the levies and duties they pay at the State level. It was extended only to exporters of apparel and made-ups.
It was discontinued last year and replaced with the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies scheme (RoSCTL). Recently, ₹464.13 crore has been allocated for issue of duty credit scrips (certificates) by the DGFT to exporters who have pending claims under the ROSL scheme.
15. What is the name of the campaign launched by NITI Aayog to ensure well-being of senior citizens during COVID-19 pandemic?
[A] Surakshit Dada-Dadi & Nana-Nani Abhiyan
[B] Take care of Elders
[C] Dada and Dadi Bachao Abhiyan
[D] Suraksha Samriddhi Abhiyan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Surakshit Dada-Dadi & Nana-Nani Abhiyan]
Notes:
The Think tank of the country NITI Aayog in coloration with Mumbai-based Piramal Foundation has launched a campaign ‘Surakshit Dada-Dadi & Nana-Nani Abhiyan’.
The campaign focusses on ensuring well-being of senior citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is expected to cover as many as 29 lakh senior citizens in 25 aspirational districts named by NITI Aayog. This project is currently piloted in seven states and will create awareness about the health and lifestyle of elder people.
16. As per the recent report of the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), which area of the country recorded maximum unemployment rate after Covid-19?
[A] Rural areas
[B] Urban areas
[C] Semi-urban areas
[D] Hilly areas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Urban areas]
Notes:
Mumbai based think tank, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) has recently released its report on unemployment rates of the country in various parts.
As per the report, unemployment rate of India has risen to 27.11% for the week ended May 3, against 7% in the month of March. The monthly unemployment rate is 23.52% in April. It also highlighted that the unemployment rate was the highest in urban areas and the lowest in hilly areas.
17. Who are the beneficiaries of YSR Matsyakara Bharosa scheme of Andhra Pradesh government?
[A] Fishermen Families
[B] School-going children of fishermen
[C] Women in Fishermen families
[D] Individual Fishermen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Fishermen Families]
Notes:
The State government of Andhra Pradesh has launched a scheme called YSR Matsyakara Bharosa amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the scheme, the government will provide a financial assistance of ₹10,000 to each fisherman family. This would help the fishermen community during the lock-down period and during the marine ban period. The monetary relief of fishermen venturing into the sea has also been raised from ₹4,000 to ₹10,000 per head.
18. Mustafa al-Kadhimi, who was seen in news recently, is the new Prime Minister of which country?
[A] Iraq
[B] Iran
[C] Israel
[D] Oman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Iraq]
Notes:
The new Prime Minister of Iraq, Mustafa al-Kadhimi assumed office after the country’s parliament approved a new government. The parliament also approved 15 ministers in a vote of confidence and seven ministries including Foreign affairs and Oil were left empty.
There has been political crisis for more than six months in the country. The two previous nominees for the role of prime minister, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi and Adnan al-Zurfi failed to secure the required support from cabinet ministers.
19. Which state government has raised the retirement age of government employees to 59 from 58?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Odisha
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The state government of Tamil Nadu has recently raised the retirement age of State Government employees to 59 from 58.
The Government order comes to force with immediate effect, as per the notification released. This order will also apply to all teachers in government and government-aided schools and colleges, and employees working in State public sector undertakings.
20. Jharkhand banned the manufacture, sale and storage of 11 brands of pan masala for a year, to curb which harmful chemical present in them?
[A] Magnesium carbonate
[B] Magnesium chloride
[C] Magnesium oxide
[D] Sodium carbonate
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Magnesium carbonate]
Notes:
The state government of Jharkhand has recently banned manufacture, sale and storage of 11 brands of pan masala for a year.
This step has been taken to curb the harmful chemical Magnesium carbonate, present in pan masala. The chemical is carcinogenic and harmful to the heart and banned for usage, as per the Food Safety Act, 2006 regulations. Earlier, Maharashtra and Bihar also had imposed a ban on pan masala.