Best PSC / PCS / STATE PCS online Current Affairs

Current Affairs Apr-2020

Showing 41 - 60 of 400 entries

41. Who has been appointed as the Central Vigilance Commissioner of India?

A
Nripendra Mishra

B
Sanjay Kothari

C
P K Mishra

D
Y V Reddy

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Sanjay Kothari]

Explaination : [Retired IAS officer and the secretary to the President since 2017 has been appointed as the Central Vigilance Commissioner of India. The post of the chief of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has remained vacant since June 2019 after the tenure of K V Chowdary was over. The name of Kothari was recommended by a high-level selection panel headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The process was claimed as unconstitutional by opposition parties as Sanjay Kothari was not an applicant not been shortlisted.]

42. Which country abolished the prevalent corporal punishment of flogging (beating with whips)?

A
Oman

B
Saudi Arabia

C
Iran

D
Kuwait

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Saudi Arabia]

Explaination : [Saudi Arabia has abolished flogging, which means beating with whips, as a punishment, as per the order of the Supreme Court. Hereafter, the judges will pronounce fines, jail sentences or community services as punishments. Several Human rights activists have been condemning the Court-ordered floggings in Saudi Arabia, which sometimes extend to hundreds of lashes. Recently, a blogger named Raif Badawi was sentenced to 7 years in prison and 600 lashes and then resentenced to 10 years and 1,000 lashes. He later won the European Parliament’s Sakharov human rights prize.]

43. What is the theme of the World Intellectual Property Day 2020, celebrated on April 26?

A
Innovate for SDGs

B
Innovate for a Green Future

C
IP is the new right

D
Support Intellectual Property

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Innovate for a Green Future]

Explaination : [The World Intellectual Property Day 2020 is celebrated every year on April 26, across the world. The Geneva-based UN specialised agency, World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) leads the celebration. This year, the theme of the World Intellectual Property Day 2020 is ‘Innovate for a Green Future’. While the WIPO could not organise any physical event amidst the Covid Pandemic, it highlights innovation and the IP rights as the main tools to create a green future. It encouraged its offices to celebrate the day through virtual channels.]

44. International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day is observed on April 26. In which country is the Chernobyl power plant located?

A
Japan

B
Ukraine

C
Philippines

D
Brazil

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Ukraine]

Explaination : [On April 26, 1986, the nuclear accident took place in the Chernobyl power plant in the Pripyat city of Ukraine. It is one of the worst nuclear disasters that has ever taken place in the world. In the year 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 26 April as International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day. In the year 2009, UN launched the International Chernobyl Research and Information Network (ICRIN), to support the programmes in developing the affected places. ]

45. As per the annual report of SIPRI, which country is the highest military spender in the world?

A
China

B
India

C
United States

D
Russia

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [United States]

Explaination : [According to the recent annual report of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the United States continue to be the highest military spender in the world in 2019 with $732 bn. This is the first time two Asian countries China and India occupied the top-three positions. The military expenditure of China reached $261 billion in 2019, which is a 5.1% increase from the previous year. India’s expenditure rose by 6.8% to reach 71.1 billion.]

46. Pitch Black is a multilateral air combat training exercise is hosted by the Air Force of which country?

A
Japan

B
Australia

C
United States

D
France

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Australia]

Explaination : [Pitch Black is a biennial multilateral air combat training exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The exercise was recently in news as Australia has informed India recently that the training exercise Pitch Black 2020, which was scheduled from July 27 to August 14 has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The next edition of the exercise is scheduled in the year 2022. ]

47. Which institution announced a ₹50,000-crore special liquidity facility for mutual funds?

A
Securities Exchange Board of India

B
Reserve Bank of India

C
Association of Mutual Funds in India

D
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Reserve Bank of India]

Explaination : [India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a ₹50,000-crore special liquidity facility for mutual funds. The package has been released at the backdrop of the shutting down of six debt funds by the Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund. Banks can borrow the 90-day funds from RBI at the current repo rate of 4.4% and use it to exclusively on-lend to mutual funds. The banks can also purchase investment grade corporate papers held by Mutual Funds. ]

48. Which industry has recorded the highest exports during the period April 2020 -January 2021, in India?

A
Chemical industry

B
Pharmaceutical industry

C
Automobile industry

D
Textile industry

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [ Chemical industry]

Explaination : [The chemical exports of India increased by 7.43 per cent to 2.68 lakh crore rupees during April-January period of the last fiscal. The chemical industry became the top exporting sector of the country for the first time. The export of chemicals in the said period constitutes 14.35 per cent of the total exports. This was announced by the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers. ]

49. Where is the headquarters of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) located?

A
United Kingdom

B
United States

C
France

D
Germany

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [France]

Explaination : [Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental economic organisation which aims to stimulate economic progress and world trade. It is headquartered at Paris, France and has 36 member countries. Recently, the President of the United States has nominated veteran Indian-American diplomat Manisha Singh as America’s next envoy to OECD. The diplomat had previously served in several significant positions which includes her present role as the Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs.]

50. Which country is the Chair of the 5 membered BRICS bloc, for the year 2020?

A
India

B
Russia

C
Brazil

D
China

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Russia]

Explaination : [For the year 2020, Russia is the Chair of the BRICS bloc, which has 5 members namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Recently, Russia chaired the BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting on coronavirus, conducted through video conferencing. Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also participated in the virtual meeting. The representatives discussed on the significance of joint vaccine production and strategic partnerships within the BRICS.]

51. Which global financial institution is to invest $100 million equivalent in the Fund of Funds of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)?

A
World Bank

B
International Monetary Fund

C
Asian Development Bank

D
European Central Bank

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Asian Development Bank]

Explaination : [Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to invest $100 million equivalent in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund-NIIF’s Fund of Funds. ADB joins the Government of India (GOI) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as an investor in one of the instruments of NIIF of India. NIIF is an investment platform for Indian and international investors where they are mandated to invest equity capital in domestic infrastructure.]

52. What is the limit of the short-term crop loan, for which a subvention of two per cent per annum is provided under the Interest Subvention scheme?

A
Rs 1 lakh

B
Rs 2 lakh

C
Rs 3 lakh

D
Rs 5 lakh

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Rs 3 lakh]

Explaination : [Under the Interest Subvention Scheme, a subvention of two per cent per annum is provided for short-term crop loan of up to Rs 3 lakh per farmer. As per the recent notification from the Ministry of Agriculture, as the government has extended the subsidy to banks till May 31, the farmers will be given a subvention of 2 % for short term crop loans up to Rs. 3 lakhs. The farmers who repay the loans promptly will continue to get the loans at 4 per cent.]

53. Ken Shimura, a Japanese personality who recently passed away, was associated with which field?

A
Entertainment

B
Business

C
Politics

D
Research

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [ Entertainment]

Explaination : [Veteran comic actor of Japan, Ken Shimura who tested positive for COVID-19 has recently passed away at the age of 70. He has been in the entertainment media field since 1970. He joined the Japanese rock band and comedy group called ‘The Drifters’. He became very popular in the country, when he appeared in the group’s comedy show “Hachijidayo Zeninshugo!” (It’s 8 o’clock, assemble everyone!) ]

54. The term of which Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India was extended for a period of one year, recently?

A
N S Vishwanathan

B
M K Jain

C
B P Kanungo

D
Michael Debabrata Patra

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [B P Kanungo]

Explaination : [As per the recent notification of the Reserve Bank of India, the Centre has extended the tenure of Reserve Bank Deputy Governor B P Kanungo by a year with effect from April 3, 2020.Kanungo assumed charge as a Deputy Governor in 2017 and his term was to end at April 2. Now he has been re-appointed as the Deputy Governor for a period of 1 year. Other three Deputy Governors are N S Vishwanathan, M K Jain and Michael Debabrata Patra.]

55. The statehood day of which Indian state is celebrated as ‘Utkal Divas’ on April 1?

A
Rajasthan

B
Odisha

C
Gujarat

D
Karnataka

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Odisha]

Explaination : [The Indian state of Odisha was formed on 1st April 1936. Its statehood day is called as ‘Utkal Divas’, which is celebrated in the state and across the country. On the memory of the formation of Odisha as a separate state from the earlier Bihar and Orissa province, the day has been celebrated. Due to the nation-wide lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic, there were no prominent celebrations in the state.]

56. As per a recent survey, about one-fourth of Indians currently pay for news. Which international organisation conducted the survey?

A
World Economic Forum (WEF)

B
World Bank

C
International Monetary Fund

D
UNCTAD

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [World Economic Forum (WEF)]

Explaination : [As per a recent survey conducted by the World Economic Forum (WEF), about one-fourth of the consumers in India pay for news at present but nearly two-third of the population are willing to pay. Amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the role of media has become vital in the society. The World Economic Forum (WEF) conducted a survey of news and entertainment consumers in six markets including China, Germany, India, South Korea, the UK and the US. It also revealed that 60% of consumers registered for a media service.]

57. Which international financial institution has granted $1 billion fund to India to strengthen its response in containing Covid-19?

A
International Monetary Fund

B
World Bank

C
International Monetary Fund

D
Asian Development Bank

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [World Bank]

Explaination : [The World Bank has granted $1 billion fund to India to strengthen its response in containing Covid-19. This is also the largest ever grant provided for India till date, from the World Bank.The fund will cover all states and UTs and will be managed by the National Health Mission (NHM), National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The fund will be used for procurement of testing kits, setting up of new isolation wards and purchase of personal protective equipment.]

58. Under Operation Sanjeevani, India has supplied essential medicines and food-grains to which country?

A
Myanmar

B
Maldives

C
Sri Lanka

D
Bangladesh

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Maldives]

Explaination : [The Hercules aircraft of Indian Air Force recently delivered about 6.2 tonnes of essential medicines to Maldives as assistance to tackle the consequences of COVID 19.The medicines were procured from various cities to be delivered to the neighbouring country. India has earlier sent a medical team along with essential medicines to Maldives. As the island country is mostly dependent on imports from India, essential food grains and consumables were also supplied.]

59. Which day, that is celebrated on April 6, focusses on health benefits of participating in sporting and physical activity amid social-distancing, this year?

A
International Day of Sport and Physical Exercise

B
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

C
International Day of Healthy Habits

D
International Day of Sports and Games

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [International Day of Sport for Development and Peace]

Explaination : [The United Nation has been observing April 6 as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. This year, the international day focusses on health benefits of participating in sporting and physical activity, during this time of pandemic and social distancing. The UN also announced a tagline for this day as “For the International Day of Sport this year, let’s Be Active and healthy to beat COVID19”. ]

60. What is the tagline for World Health Day 2020?

A
Support Doctors and Health professionals

B
Support nurses and midwives

C
Support Health Care

D
Contribute to Health Care

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Support nurses and midwives]

Explaination : [The World Health Organisation (WHO) has been celebrating the World Health Day on 7th April every year. This year, the tagline for World Health Day 2020 is ‘Support nurses and midwives’. This year had also been designated as the ‘International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife’. WHO highlighted the crucial role of Nurses and other health workers, who are working in the COVID-19 response activities of the world]