Best PSC / PCS / STATE PCS online Current Affairs

Current Affairs Dec-2020

Showing 21 - 40 of 233 entries

21. Sea Guardian drones, which were seen in the news recently, were obtained from which country?

A
Israel

B
United States

C
United Kingdom

D
France

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [United States]

Explaination : [The Indian Navy has taken two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones from an American defence company, on lease for 1 year. The unmanned aerial vehicles, manufactured by US firm General Atomics, have been obtained on lease, to enhance surveillance over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The vehicles arrived at the naval air station INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu.]

22. On November 29 every year, the UN observes ‘International Day of Solidarity’ related to which country?

A
Israel

B
Palestine

C
Turkey

D
Syria

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Palestine]

Explaination : [International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People’ is observed every year on November 29, across the world. The day was established in the year 1977 and it marks the day in 1947 when the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution partitioning Palestine into an Arab State and a Jewish State. The UN Chief called on Israel and Palestine to achieve a two-State solution.]

23. ‘Hualong One’, which was seen in news recently, was the first domestically made nuclear reactor of which country?

A
Russia

B
China

C
Israel

D
Germany

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [China]

Explaination : [China’s first domestically made nuclear reactor ‘Hualong One’, has started its operations, as per the China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC). The third-generation pressurised water nuclear reactor has been connected to the national grid. The reactor can generate 10 billion kw-hours of electricity each year and cut carbon emissions by 8.16 million tons. This is expected to reduce China’s dependency in nuclear power from its western allies.]

24. Which country hosted the 4th India – Sri Lanka – Maldives Trilateral Meeting on Maritime Security Cooperation?

A
India

B
Sri Lanka

C
Maldives

D
Japan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Sri Lanka]

Explaination : [China’s first domestically made nuclear reactor ‘Hualong One’, has started its operations, as per the China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC). The third-generation pressurised water nuclear reactor has been connected to the national grid. The reactor can generate 10 billion kw-hours of electricity each year and cut carbon emissions by 8.16 million tons. This is expected to reduce China’s dependency in nuclear power from its western allies.]

25. ‘Technical Recession’, which was making news recently refers to the contraction of GDP for how many consecutive quarters?

B
Three

C
Four

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Two]

Explaination : [The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India has contracted by 7.5 % in the second quarter of the financial year 2020-21. The contraction in GDP is registered for the second consecutive quarter and hence India is said to have entered ‘Technical Recession’. The real GDP in the first quarter of 2020-21 (April – June) registered a record low of 23.9% contraction.]

26. World Investor Week (WIW) is a global campaign observed in which month?

A
October

B
November

C
December

D
January

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [November]

Explaination : [World Investor Week (WIW) is a week-long global campaign observed to raise awareness about the importance of investor education. The campaign is promoted by the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). In India, the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chose November 23 – 29, 2020 to celebrate this week. Various bodies including AMFI, NSDL and stock exchanges conduct awareness campaigns.]

27. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to finance a USD 132.8 million loan to improve the power distribution in which state?

A
West Bengal

B
Assam

C
Meghalaya

D
Odisha

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Meghalaya]

Explaination : [The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India has recently signed a USD132.8 million loan to modernize the distribution network and improve the quality of power supplied in Meghalaya. This project supports the state government’s initiative “24×7 Power for All” initiative. This will also help the state reduce its high technical and commercial losses. Meghalaya has achieved 100 per cent electrification while there were incidents of frequent power interruptions.]

28. As per the recent statement of the WHO, which country recorded the highest reduction in Malaria cases, in South-East Asia?

A
China

B
India

C
Sri Lanka

D
Bangladesh

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [India]

Explaination : [As per the recent statement, India recorded the highest reduction in Malaria cases, in the South-East Asian region. As per the ‘World Malaria Report 2020’, India reduced the number of cases from 20 million in 2000 to about 5.6 million in 2019. India also recorded a reduction in the number of deaths from malaria. Globally there were 229 malaria cases in 2019.]

29. Which is the headquarters of the ‘Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW)?

A
Switzerland

B
Netherlands

C
Italy

D
Japan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Switzerland]

Explaination : [Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare’ is observed on November 30 every year, across the world. United Nations observes the day to pay tribute to millions of lives lost round the globe in the wake of chemical warfare. ‘Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW) is the implementing body for Chemical Weapons Convention. It is headquartered at the Hague, Netherlands.]

30. When is the ‘International day for the abolition of slavery’ observed every year?

A
December 1

B
December 2

C
December3

D
December 4

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [December 2]

Explaination : [The ‘International day for the abolition of slavery’ is observed every year on December 2, since 1986. It aims to raise awareness about slavery and put an end to all kinds of slavery including trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, child labour among others. It marks the date of the adoption of the UN Convention related to trafficking and exploitation.]

31. In which state, the first ever virtual edition of Aadi Mahotsav is celebrated?

A
Uttar Pradesh

B
Madhya Pradesh

C
Maharashtra

D
Assam

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Madhya Pradesh]

Explaination : [The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda has launched a virtual edition of the first ever Aadi Mahotsav celebrated in the state of Madhya Pradesh. This is a festive being celebrated for 10 days. It would be hosted by Tribes India. The key focus on this year’s Aadi Mahotsav is “tribal craft and culture of Madhya Pradesh”.]

32. India’s Apex Committee for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (AIPA), formed recently has how many members?

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [17]

Explaination : [The Indian Government has constituted a Apex Committee for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (AIPA). It was formed through a gazette notification. The committee comprises of 17 members. It is entrusted with the responsibility of formulating policies and programmes for implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), under Paris Agreement 2015. The Secretary of Union Environment Minister would be the Chairperson.]

33. Which country has given the name “Burevi” formed in South-western Bay of Bengal?

A
India

B
Sri Lanka

C
Bangladesh

D
Maldives

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Maldives]

Explaination : [The cyclone name “Burevi” was suggested by Maldives. The second cyclone approaching India from Bay of Bengal has been named as “Burevi” as per the guidelines of World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). The storm commenced its course from South West Bay of Bengal and it is the fifth tropical cyclone system that has developed in the Norther Indian Ocean, this year.]

34. ‘737 MAX’, which was making news recently, is the airliner of which famous company?

A
Air Bus

B
Boeing

C
Qantas

D
Emirates

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Boeing]

Explaination : [737 MAX’ is the best-selling airliner of US-based leading multi-national aerospace company Boeing. It was grounded in March 2019 after two crashes in five months killing a total of 346 people. The redesigned version of the ‘737 MAX’ airliner has recently staged its first post-grounding flight with media on board. It made a 45-minute flight from Texas to Oklahoma in the US. The flight’s first commercial passenger flight is scheduled in the month-end of December.]

35. ‘The 18th-century idol of Goddess Annapurna’, which was stolen from Varanasi, is being returned by which country?

A
United Kingdom

B
Canada

C
Russia

D
Brazil

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Canada]

Explaination : [The 18th-century idol of Goddess Annapurna that was stolen from a temple in Varanasi, is being returned by Canada. As per a government statement, the ancient idol was stolen about 100 years ago. The idol is said to have housed in Canada’s MacKenzie Art Gallery. It was handed over to India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa.]

36. Which organization has released the provisional 2020 State of the Global Climate report?

A
UNFCC

D
UNESCO

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [WMO]

Explaination : [As per the provisional 2020 State of the Global Climate report released by U.N.’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the last 6 years from 2015 to 2020 are the hottest years on record. The report has stated that the average global temperature in 2020 would be 1.2 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level]

37. Which state has announced the construction of memorial for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims?

A
Maharashtra

B
Andhra Pradesh

C
Madhya Pradesh

D
Uttar Pradesh

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Madhya Pradesh]

Explaination : [The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan has made an announcement to construct a memorial for the Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims. Nearly 3700 people were killed due to the leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas from Union Carbide factory at Bhopal on December 3, 1984.]

38. Which is the knowledge partner of Microsoft for the India edition of the Imagine Cup 2021?

A
National Skill Development Corporation

B
NITI Aayog

C
myGov

D
Door Darshan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [National Skill Development Corporation]

Explaination : [Microsoft India and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) have partnered for the India edition of the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2021. Imagine Cup is an annual innovation challenge held by Microsoft for students and technology enthusiasts. It aims to empower students to apply artificial intelligence and other technologies to solve the sustainability issues of the world.]

39. What is the new limit of transaction made using contactless card, as per the recent statement of the RBI?

A
Rs 1000

B
Rs 2000

C
Rs 5000

D
Rs 10000

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Rs 5000]

Explaination : [The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to increase the limit for contactless card transactions to Rs 5,000 from Rs 2,000 per transaction from January 1, 2021. This announcement was part of the RBI’s Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies, announced during the RBI’s bi-monetary policy announcement. The limit for e-mandates for recurring transactions using cards and UPI is also raised to Rs 5000.]

40. As per a recent study by the IIT-Kharagpur, which region of India is named as the global hot-spot of atmospheric ammonia (NH3)?

A
Southern Coastal region

B
Indo-Gangetic Plain

C
Deccan Plateau

D
Western Ghats

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Indo-Gangetic Plain]

Explaination : [According to researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) is the global hot-spot of atmospheric ammonia (NH3). This is due to concentrated agricultural activities and fertilizer production in the region. The satellite data of agricultural emissions show that atmospheric ammonia is related with total fertilizer consumption and temperature.]