21. What is the estimated growth rate of India in 2020, as per the UN’s World Economic Situation and Prospects report?
[A] 3.2 %
[B] 2.2 %
[C] 1.2 %
[D] 0.2 %
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1.2 %]
Notes:
The United Nations recently released the World Economic Situation and Prospects report. As per the report, the global gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to shrink by 3.2 per cent in 2020.
The report also estimated that India would grow by 1.2 per cent by 2020 due to the effect of the national lock-down. UN had already projected a lower growth rate of 4.1 per cent for the year 2019. The organisation also projected that India would slowly regain its growth rate and reach 5.5 per cent in the year 2021.
22. Which state is set to implement sensor-based service delivery monitoring system for rural drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)?
[A] Punjab
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Gujarat
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gujarat]
Notes:
The state of Gujarat is set to implement sensor-based service delivery monitoring system for rural drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
It has already implemented a pilot project in two districts of the state to monitor whether potable water in prescribed quantity and quality is provided to every rural household regularly. The state has planned to provide 11.15 lakh household tap connections in the rural areas during 2020-21.
23. Gharials, that were recently released in the Ghaghara river in Uttar Pradesh, belong to which species family?
[A] Crocodile
[B] Fish
[C] Turtle
[D] Dolphin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Crocodile]
Notes:
The Bahraich forest division of Uttar Pradesh released about forty gharials in the Ghaghara river, a major left bank tributary of the Ganges.
The scientific name of Gharials is Gavialis gangeticus and are commonly called as fish-eating crocodiles. The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) India supports the exercise of collecting the eggs, hatching at the Kukrail centre and releasing them in the river. Gharials are critically endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Species.
24. Debesh Roy, who passed away recently, was associated with which field?
[A] Literature
[B] Politics
[C] Sports
[D] Business
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Literature]
Notes:
Veteran Bengali author Debesh Roy passed away recently at the age of 84, after he suffered from a massive cardiac arrest.
The author was actively writing articles in several Bengali dailies and had participated in protests against the attack on liberals. He had won several awards during his five-decade long writing career. He was conferred the Sahitya Akademi award for his novel ‘Teesta Parer Brittanto’. His other famous works are ‘Borisaler Jogen Mondal’, ‘Manush Khun Kore Keno’ and ‘Samay Asamayer Brittanto’.
25. What is the name of the scheme proposed for the development of marine and inland fisheries, in the stimulus package?
[A] Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
[B] Pradhan Mantri Samudra Sampada Yojana
[C] Pradhan Mantri Machli Sampada Yojana
[D] Pradhan Mantri Samudra Samridhi Yojana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana]
Notes:
In the economic stimulus package announced, the Finance Minister said that the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana will be launched for development of marine and inland fisheries.
The scheme was originally proposed during the Union Budget 2020. But the guidelines were announced during the stimulus package. The total outlay of the PMMSY will be Rs. 20000 Crore, out of which Rs 11,000 Cr will be earmarked for activities in Marine, Inland fisheries and Aquaculture and Rs. 9000 Cr for Infrastructure of Fishing Harbours, Cold chain, Markets etc.
26. ‘Families in Development: Copenhagen & Beijing + 25’ is the theme of which special day, celebrated by United Nations?
[A] International Day of Families
[B] International Day of Growth and Development
[C] International Migrants Day
[D] International Day of Migrant Families
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [International Day of Families]
Notes:
International Day of Families celebrated by the United Nations on May 15, every year across the world. This year, it is celebrated with a theme of ‘Families in Development: Copenhagen & Beijing + 25’.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Copenhagen Declaration and Beijing Platform for Action. The day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in the year 1993, to highlight the importance attached with families by the international community.
27. When is the International Day of Living Together in Peace celebrated by the United Nations?
[A] May 12
[B] May 14
[C] May 16
[D] May 18
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [May 16]
Notes:
The UN General Assembly declared 16 May the International Day of Living Together in Peace, with an objective of sensitising the international community to promote peace, tolerance and solidarity.
Every year, May 16 has been celebrated as the International Day of Living Together in Peace. The year 2000 was declared as the “International Year for a Culture of Peace” and the decade 2001-2010 as the “International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for Children of the World”.
28. Which country’s cabinet has approved their new political map that included Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura?
[A] China
[B] Nepal
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Thailand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nepal]
Notes:
The Cabinet of Nepal has recently approved their new political map including Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura under its territory.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali announced that the official map of Nepal will be released by the Ministry of Land Management soon. The announcement has been made amid a border dispute between India and Nepal. Both the countries claim Kalapani as an integral part of their territory.
29. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania which were recently making news, are the countries of which continent?
[A] Africa
[B] South America
[C] Europe
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Europe]
Notes:
Three Baltic countries in the northern Europe: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania initiated the re-connection measure named as ‘travel bubble’.
The European Union countries started this to make their economies back to form, after the post-Covid lock downs. They are also less- populated and comparatively less affected by Covid-19. The travel bubble would allow members of the group to renew trade ties with each other and restart travel and tourism sector.
30. ‘Smiling Buddha’ was the codename of which first-of-its kind operation of India?
[A] First space mission
[B] First nuclear test
[C] Elimination of Polio
[D] Elimination of small-pox
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [First nuclear test]
Notes:
India recently observed the 46th anniversary of its first nuclear test in Rajasthan’s Pokhran, conducted on May 18.
The peaceful first nuclear was codenamed the ‘Smiling Buddha’, which proclaimed India as a nuclear power. As the test was conducted on the Buddha Poornima of that year, the event was codenamed after Buddha. Indira Gandhi was the Prime of Minister of India during the tests and it was the first confirmed nuclear test by a country that was not a permanent member of the UNSC.