Best PSC / PCS / STATE PCS online Current Affairs

Current Affairs Mar-2020

Showing 21 - 40 of 331 entries

21. What is the Current Account Deficit (in terms of percentage of GDP) in the April to December of 2019-20, as per the recent notification of the RBI?

C
2.6%

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [1%]

Explaination : [As per the recent notification of the Reserve Bank of India, Current Account Deficit (CAD) was 0.2% of GDP in December quarter when compared to 0.9% of GDP in the September quarter. It also stated that the CAD narrowed to 1% of GDP in April to December of 2019-20 when compared to 2.6% in April-December of 2018-19. The main reason for the easing was the reduction in the trade deficit which decreased to $118.9 billion in April-December 2019-20. ]

22. ‘Uttran’ scheme, which was seen in news recently, is implemented by which state?

A
Uttar Pradesh

B
Uttarakhand

C
Assam

D
Meghalaya

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Assam]

Explaination : [The Assam government is set to construct as many as 33 stadiums in the state under ‘Uttaran’ scheme. Rs.300 Crore is to be spent for the project of building the stadiums across the state. Moreover, the state is to provide a financial assistance of 50 thousand rupees to one thousand players and a grant of Rs. 75000 to 2500 clubs. The state also announced that 500 playgrounds are being developed at the rural areas of the state to encourage talented youth to take part in sports. ]

23. As per the recent notification of the Reserve Bank of India, what is the limit for Urban cooperative banks (UCBs), to lend to a single borrower?

A
10% of tier-I capital

B
15% of tier-I capital

C
20% of tier-I capital

D
25% of tier-I capital

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [15% of tier-I capital]

Explaination : [The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) the single borrower and group exposure limit for Urban cooperative banks (UCBs) to 15% and 25% of tier I capital, respectively. This reduction in limit is to mitigate concentration risks arising out of large loans. Existing norms allowed 15% for single borrowers and 40% to group exposures of a bank’s total capital (tier I and tier II capital). The banks will have to bring their existing exposures to the new limits by 31 March 2023. ]

24. The Reserve Bank of India issued guidelines for implementation of Ind AS by Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and Asset reconstruction companies (ARCs). What does Ind AS stand for?

A
Indian Accounting Standards

B
International Accounting Standards

C
Indian Asset Standards

D
International Asset Standards

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Indian Accounting Standards]

Explaination : [The Reserve Bank on Friday issued regulatory guidelines for implementation of Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) by Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and Asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) when they prepare their financial results from FY20. Indian Accounting Standards is the Accounting standard adopted by companies in India and they are issued under the supervision of Accounting Standards Board (ASB). The Ind AS have been formulated to converge our standards with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) ]

25. Which debutant film-maker has been selected for the Gollapudi Srinivas National Award 2019, along with Aditya Dhar?

A
Prem Kumar

B
Madhu C. Narayanan

C
Konkona Sen Sharma

D
Prithviraj Sukumaran

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Madhu C. Narayanan]

Explaination : [The Gollapudi Srinivas National Award 2019 is to be presented jointly to two debutant film-makers for the first time since 23 years of its inception. Aditya Dhar for the Hindi film ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ and Madhu C. Narayanan for the Malayalam movie ‘Kumbalangi Nights’ are selected as the winners. Both the filmmakers will be awarded at a ceremony in Chennai. The award was established in 1998 after Gollapudi Srinivas, a young director, who passed away tragically. ]

26. Ravinder Singh Dhillon has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of which Public Sector Undertaking?

A
Power Finance Corporation

B
Coal India Limited

C
NLC Limited

D
NTPC Limited

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Power Finance Corporation]

Explaination : [The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Ravinder Singh Dhillon as Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Limited. It is a Navratna PSU which functions under the aegis of Ministry of Power. Ravinder Singh Dhillon is currently serving as Director (Projects) in the same PSU. He had also served as Director (Public Grievances) in PFC earlier. ]

27. In context with the Supreme Court judgement on granting permanent commission to female Navy officers, for how many years they can serve in permanent commission?

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [14]

Explaination : [A bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud pronounced the landmark judgment, which ordered the government to grant permanent commission to female officers in Indian Navy. After Indian Army, the female officers of Indian Navy are also to be granted permanent commission, which will let them serve for 14 years against the Short Service Commission (SSC), in which they retire in 10 years. ]

28. Poshan Pakhwara or Nutritional Fortnight’ is a programme held in which Indian state/UT?DUPLICATE

A
Uttar Pradesh

C
Arunachal Pradesh

D
Sikkim

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Goa]

Explaination : [An awareness programme called ‘Poshan Pakhwara or Nutritional Fortnight’ is being held in the UT of Goa from March 8 to 22. The programme is aimed at creating awareness about nutrition among the general public. Several activities are being organised with special focus on the health of women, children and people who are suffering from malnutrition. Guidance by nutrition experts and Paediatricians is also provided to the people. ]

29. Which country is set to levy a 2% tax on digital services from April 1, 2020?

A
United States

B
France

C
United Kingdom

D
Italy

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [United Kingdom]

Explaination : [The United Kingdom recently announced that it will start charging a 2% tax on digital services from 1st April this year. The tax is to be imposed on revenue from digital services such as search and advertising. This tax will apply to firms with global sales of more than £500 million with at least £25 million from UK users. This decision of the government has been facing continuous opposition from the US government and top technological firms. ]

30. In context with the recently passed Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020, how many regulatory institutions are to be converted into statutory bodies?

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [3]

Explaination : [A bill that seeks to convert three existing regulatory bodies under the Civil Aviation Ministry into statutory bodies was passed by Lok Sabha. The Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was passed by a voice vote and the bill seeks to amend Aircraft Act, 1934. The regulatory institutions, which are mentioned in the bill are DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) and AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau). ]

31. What is the interest rate on deposits as announced by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for the current financial year (2019-20)?

A
8.9%

B
8.65%

C
8.5%

D
8.2%

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [8.5%]

Explaination : [Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on Thursday lowered the interest rate on deposits to 8.50 per cent for the current financial year 2019-20. The interest rate, which is the lowest rate fixed in seven years, was reduced from the previous rate of 8.65 per cent in 2018-19. The Central Board of Trustees, which is the apex decision-making body of the EPFO, fixes the interest rate. ]

32. Which is India’s fifth largest private sector bank, that is under crisis and for which the Reserve Bank of India is devising a revival plan?

A
IndusInd Bank

B
Yes Bank

C
IDFC First Bank

D
Bandhan Bank

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Yes Bank]

Explaination : [The Reserve Bank of India recently unveiled a draft scheme of revival Yes Bank, which has been put under the control of RBI. RBI also announced that State Bank of India is to make investment in Yes Bank and participate in the reconstruction scheme. The financial position of Yes Bank saw a gradual decline as it could not raise the required capital. RBI has imposed moratorium on the Bank and has capped withdrawals at Rs 50,000 per account. The existing Board was superseded and former SBI CFO Prashant Kumar was appointed as administrator for Yes Bank. ]

33. According to the recent estimates published by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which economy is most affected by the coronavirus outbreak?

A
United States

B
Taiwan Province of China

C
European Union

D
Japan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [European Union]

Explaination : [As per the recent estimates published by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the most affected economy due to the coronavirus outbreak is the European Union ($15.6 billion) followed by the United States ($5.8 billion) and Japan ($5.2 billion), The trade impact of the outbreak for India is estimated to be about USD 348 million and it is among the top 15 economies most affected. It also revealed that the manufacturing-slowdown in China due to the outbreak is disrupting world trade and could cause a 50 billion dollar decrease in global exports. ]

34. Daren Tang of Singapore has been nominated as the new Director General of which global organisation?

A
World Intellectual Property Organization

B
World Customs Organisation

C
International Labour Organisation

D
World Health Organisation

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [World Intellectual Property Organization]

Explaination : [The Coordination Committee of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has recently nominated Daren Tang from Singapore for the post of Director General. The WIPO General Assembly will confirm the Coordination Committee’s nomination. Tang is currently serving as the Chief Executive of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore. The current Director General Francis Gurry’s term ends this September. ]

35. Which Indian sportsperson has been named Sportsperson of the Year at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2019?

A
Mary Kom

B
Sania Mirza

C
P V Sindhu

D
Harmanpreet Kaur

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [P V Sindhu]

Explaination : [Ace Indian shuttler and Olympic silver medallist P V Sindhu was named Sportsperson of the Year at the ‘Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2019’ in New Delhi. Sindhu who won the World Championship, also received the ‘Unbreakable Spirit of Sports award’ and ‘Badminton Player of the Year (female)’. Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia was presented the Lifetime Achievement award and Hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr was pesented the Icon of the Century award. Pulella Gopichand won the Mentor of the Year award. ]

36. ‘Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cells (PEMFC)’, which was making news recently, is to be deployed in which field?

A
Disaster Management

B
Fuel Conservation

C
Renewable Energy

D
Marine Technology

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Disaster Management]

Explaination : [An autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST) – International Advanced Research for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad has developed ‘Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), which are to be used in natural disaster management. ARCI is also planning to set up an in-house PEMFC system up to 10 kW at Tamil Nadu State Emergency Operation Centre to operate early warning systems. ]

37. In context of the recent Supreme Court ruling on the right of an organisation to receive foreign contributions, what does FCRA stand for?

A
Foreign Currency (Regulation) Act

B
Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act

C
Foreign Currency (Rights) Act

D
Foreign Contribution (Rights) Act

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act]

Explaination : [The Supreme Court recently ruled that an organisation supporting public causes by legitimate means of opposition like ‘bandh’ and ‘hartal’ cannot be deprived of its legitimate right of receiving foreign funds. But the organisations which are used for channelling the foreign funds by political parties shall come under the purview of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). The act was enacted in 2010 to regulate the acceptance and utilization of Foreign contribution. ]

38. Agartala and Ghojadanga were recently designated as the authorised land immigration check posts. In which state, Ghojadanga is located?

A
Nagaland

B
West Bengal

C
Assam

D
Meghalaya

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [West Bengal]

Explaination : [The capital of Tripura, Agartala and Ghojadanga of West Bengal, which are located along the Indo-Bangladesh border, have been recently designated by the government as authorised land immigration check posts to enter or exit India, with valid travel documents. As per the recent Home Ministry notification, Senior immigration officers have also been appointed for Agartala and Ghojadanga under the Bureau of Immigration. The designation is made under the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950. ]

39. Lt Gen KJS Dhillon has been recently appointed as the Director-General of which organisation?

A
Intelligence Bureau

B
Defence Intelligence Agency

C
Central Bureau of Investigation

D
Research and Analysis Wing

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Defence Intelligence Agency]

Explaination : [Lt Gen KJS Dhillon has been appointed as the Director-General of the tri-services organisation Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Intelligence) under the Chief of Defence Staff. He was a former 15 Corps Commander and with his recent appointment, he will replace Lt Gen AS Bedi. The new role as DG, DIA will require handling the intelligence inputs from all the three services along with various other agencies. ]

40. Which state is to set up an exclusive department for Self Help Group (SHGs) called “Mission Shakti”?

A
West Bengal

B
Kerala

C
Odisha

D
Andhra Pradesh

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Odisha]

Explaination : [The Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik recently announced that Odisha will be the first state to have an exclusive department for Self Help Group (SHGs) called “Mission Shakti”. In addition to this exclusive department, the state government has also introduced an independent Nutrition Budget focusing on the nutritional enhancement of all mothers and children of the state, recently. ]