Best PSC / PCS / STATE PCS online Current Affairs

Current Affairs JULY-2020

Showing 21 - 40 of 236 entries

21. Which Indian state has topped market borrowings among states in the country, during 2020-21?

A
Maharashtra

B
Tamil Nadu

C
Gujarat

D
Telangana

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Tamil Nadu]

Explaination : [As per the recent data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Tamil Nadu has topped market borrowings among states in the country during 2020-21. Tamil Nadu has raised Rs 30500 crores so far, which is approximately 17% of the borrowings made through issuing bonds. Maharashtra has raised Rs 25000 crores, which is 14% of the borrowings. The state of Tamil Nadu is expected to sustain a revenue shortfall of Rs 12,000- Rs 13,000 crore in a month, due to the effect of lock-down. ]

22. Which Indian organisation has constituted a working group to study feasibility of forming a ‘pandemic risk pool’?

A
Reserve Bank of India

B
Securities Exchange Board of India

C
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority

D
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority]

Explaination : [The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) has constituted a working group to study feasibility of forming a ‘pandemic risk pool’. A pool is proposed to be formed, which addresses the risks that are arising out of the pandemic. The existing insurance laws do not cover business interruption losses and this pool is aimed to address this issue. The panel is expected to submit its report in eight weeks. ]

23. Which country’s Tiger Census has set a Guinness Record, for being the world’s largest camera trap wildlife survey?

A
Indonesia

B
India

C
Russia

D
Malaysia

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [India]

Explaination : [The Tiger Census of India has set a new Guinness Record for being the world’s largest camera trap wildlife survey. The fourth edition of the census, which was carried out between 2018-19, has entered the Guinness Book, for being the most comprehensive in resources and data taken. India conducts Tiger Census once in every four years. ]

24. India became the second largest source of Foreign Direct Investment of which country in 2019?

A
United Arab Emirates

B
Australia

C
United Kingdom

D
Singapore

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [United Kingdom]

Explaination : [India has become the second largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) for the United Kingdom in 2019. As per the UK government figures recently released, India is up from its third position in 2018 and it is second only to the United States. India has invested in 120 projects and created above 5000 new jobs in the UK. India is followed by Germany, France and China. ]

25. Lee Hsien Loong, who was seen in news recently, is the Prime Minister of which country?

A
Singapore

B
Malaysia

C
South Korea

D
Taiwan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Singapore]

Explaination : [The incumbent Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong’s People’s Action Party has retained its power in the recently held general elections. The ruling party has been in power in Singapore since 1965. This time it has won 83 of 93 parliamentary seats, which implies 61.2 per cent of the vote. In a surprise move, the opposition Workers’ Party made their best performance by securing a record 10 seats, for the first time. ]

26. Padma Shri awardee Nagindas Sanghvi, who recently passed away, was associated with which profession?

A
Journalist

B
Politician

C
Sportsperson

D
Businessman

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Journalist]

Explaination : [Veteran journalist cum political commentator Nagindas Sanghvi has recently passed away, at the age of 100. He was a popular personality in Gujarati literature as a critic and political commentator. Nagindas Sanghvi was conferred with Padma Shri by the Indian government in the year 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minster Vijay Rupani condoled the demise of the journalist. ]

27. Which country has dropped India from the Chabahar Project due to delay in funding?

A
Afghanistan

B
Iran

C
Myanmar

D
Nepal

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Iran]

Explaination : [India and Iran partnered to construct a rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the border with Afghanistan, four years ago. Recently, Iran decided to proceed without India’s assistance and its Transport Minister has inaugurated the track-laying process for the Chabahar-Zahedan line. Recently, China finalised a 25 year-USD 400 billion strategic deal with Iran. ]

28. Which Union Ministry has released a set of guidelines named ‘PRAGYATA’?

A
Ministry of MSME

B
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare

C
Ministry of Human Resource Development

D
Ministry of Health and Family welfare

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Ministry of Human Resource Development]

Explaination : [Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has recently released a set of guidelines on Digital Education through online medium. It is named ‘PRAGYATA’, which includes eight steps of digital learning namely Plan- Review- Arrange- Guide- Yak(talk)- Assign- Track- Appreciate. It aimed at addressing teachers, parents, and students on coping with stress during digital learning and recommended screen time for children. ]

29. Which is the Headquarters of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)?

A
Geneva

B
New York

C
Washington

D
Paris

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [New York]

Explaination : [The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, headquartered at New York. The High-Level Segment of UN ECOSOC (United Nations Economic and Social Council) is to be held on July 17 in New York in the theme of “Multilateralism after COVID19: What kind of UN do we need at the 75th anniversary”. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to address the valedictory session. ]

30. India posted a trade surplus of USD 790 million in which month of 2020, after over 18 years?

A
March

B
April

D
June

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [June]

Explaination : [As per the recent data by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India posted a trade surplus of USD 790 million in June 2020. This surplus has been recorded for the first time after over 18 years. Due to the Covid-19 induced decrease in domestic demand for crude oil, gold and other industrial products, the country’s import was deeply reduced. This led to a trade surplus with imports of USD 21.11 billion and exports of USD 21.91 billion. ]

31. Ossouka Raponda is appointed as the first woman Prime Minister of which African country?

A
Gabon

B
Zimbabwe

C
Nigeria

D
Kenya

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Gabon]

Explaination : [Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda has been appointed as the first woman Prime Minister of the Central African country, Gabon. The President of Gabon Ali Bongo Ondimba has appointed the 56-year-old, who replaces Julien Nkoghe Bekale, who was appointed the Prime Minister in 2019. Prior to this appointment, she had served as the Budget Minister in 2012 and then in Defence Ministry. ]

32. Which Union Ministry implements PM SVANidhi (PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) scheme?

A
Ministry of Home Affairs

B
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs

C
Ministry of Rural Development

D
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs]

Explaination : [Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs is implementing the PM SVANidhi (PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) scheme. PM SVANidhi was launched by the government on June 1, 2020, to provide working capital loan to street vendors. Recently, the Ministry has launched a mobile application of PM SVANidhi scheme, in a virtual event from New Delhi. ]

33. What is the name of the veteran Indian mathematician, who recently passed away?

A
C.S. Seshadri

B
Vishnu Raj Atreya

C
Neela Satyanarayanan

D
Junaid Shah

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [C.S. Seshadri]

Explaination : [The 88-year-old veteran Indian Mathematician C.S. Seshadri has recently passed away. He was considered as a leader of Mathematics especially in the field of algebraic geometry. He started the School of Mathematics as part of the SPIC Science Foundation in 1989, which then transformed into the Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI). He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan award in 2009. ]

34. CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, which has developed COVID Protection System (COPS), is located in which state?

A
Tamil Nadu

B
West Bengal

C
Andhra Pradesh

D
Rajasthan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [West Bengal]

Explaination : [CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute has developed COVID Protection System (COPS) for Workplace. It is located in Durgapur, West Bengal. The system comprises of a contactless Solar Intelligent Mask Dispensing Unit and Thermal Scanner (IntelliMAST), Touchless Faucet (TouF) and a 360° Car Flusher. This would provide full protection to Healthcare Workers as well as the frontline Security Guards. ]

35. Global Selling Programme (GSP) is an initiative of which E-Commerce company?

A
Flipkart

B
Amazon

C
Snapdeal

D
Shopclues

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Amazon]

Explaination : [Global Selling Programme (GSP) is an initiative of E-commerce giant Amazon that was launched in 2015. Under the programme, Indian companies can export to other countries through Amazon websites. The company has recently announced that Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and brands that are part of its Global Selling Programme (GSP) have crossed USD 2 billion in cumulative exports. ]

36. Defence Ministry has signed a contract with which company for procurement of Mine ploughs for Indian Army?

A
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

B
Bharat Earth Movers Limited

C
Bharat Electronics Limited

D
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Bharat Earth Movers Limited]

Explaination : [Union Defence Ministry of India has signed a Rs 557-crore contract with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), for procurement of 1,512 mine ploughs for the Indian army’s main battle tank T-90. As per the contract, a minimum of 50 per cent indigenous content is mentioned in the contract. The army has recently deployed the Russian-made T-90 main battle tanks in the Galwan Valley sector of Ladakh. ]

37. Which Indian state/UT has launched ‘Navin Rojgar Chhatri Yojana’?

A
Madhya Pradesh

B
Uttar Pradesh

C
Uttarakhand

D
Punjab

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Uttar Pradesh]

Explaination : [The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath has recently launched ‘Navin Rojgar Chhatri Yojana’. The scheme aims to promote the overall development of the people belonging to scheduled castes in the state. The Chief Minister also provided an assistance of around Rs 17.42 crore to more than 3000 people under the ‘Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swarojgar Yojana’. ]

38. What is the maximum sum insured under the standard ‘Corona Kavach Policy’ insurance cover?

A
Rs 1 lakh

B
Rs 5 lakh

C
Rs 10 lakh

D
Rs 15 lakh

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Rs 5 lakh]

Explaination : [The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) had asked all insurance companies to launch a standardised insurance cover for COVID-19 disease. Under the Corona Kavach Policy, the minimum sum insured will be Rs 50000 and the maximum sum insured will be Rs 5 lakh. Recently, IRDAI has allowed the insurers to offer this policy as a group insurance product. A discount of 5% is provided to the group of doctors or healthcare workers. ]

39. What is ‘Bharat’, that was seen in news, related to the Indian Army?

A
Chopper

B
Drone

C
Missile carrier

D
Anti-tank missile

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Drone]

Explaination : [The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has handed over its indigenously-developed drone named Bharat to the Indian Army. The drones will be deployed for carrying out accurate surveillance in high altitude areas and mountainous terrain in Eastern Ladakh. The drone developed by a Chandigarh-based DRDO laboratory, is claimed to be the World’s most agile and lightest Surveillance drone. ]

40. Which Indian tele-communication company features among the “Clean Telcos” list made by the United States?

A
Airtel

B
Vodafone

D
BSNL

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Jio]

Explaination : [The United States has listed India’s leading tele-com company Reliance Jio among the companies that are becoming “Clean Telcos”. This is an initiative of a coalition of countries and companies to secure their critical telecommunication technologies by relying on trusted vendors. Orange in France, Jio in India, Telstra in Australia, SK and KT in South Korea, NTT in Japan, and O2 in the United Kingdom have been added in the list recently. ]