Best PSC / PCS / STATE PCS online Current Affairs

Current Affairs Dec-2020

Showing 141 - 160 of 233 entries

141. ‘TOPS’ scheme, which was making news, is being implemented by which Ministry?

A
Ministry of Education

B
Ministry of Home Affairs

C
Ministry of Women and Child Development

D
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports]

Explaination : [Four Indian Boxers who are bound to appear for the forth coming Olympics have been included in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). The TOPS scheme is launched by the Ministry of Sports and is implemented through the Sports Authority of India. Through the scheme, potential Medal winning athletes and sports personalities are identified for the forthcoming Olympic games.]

142. “Wolf Brigade 44”, which was seen in the news recently, is associated with which country?

A
United States

B
China

C
Germany

D
Pakistan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Germany]

Explaination : [The Interior Ministry of Germany has recently banned the far-right group named “Wolf Brigade 44”, which openly pledged loyalty to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. The Government also banned the symbols of the group including a skull with two grenades marked with the number 44. In Nazi code, the number 44 was an abbreviation for the so-called “Division Dirlewanger”.]

143. Which country has introduced a Veto Power on any agreements entered with foreign countries?

A
Pakistan

B
Afghanistan

C
Japan

D
Australia

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Australia]

Explaination : [The Parliament of Australia has recently passed a legislation that permits the country to block any agreement made between the country and a foreign government. The legislation empowers foreign minister to veto any international agreement that are inconsistent with the foreign policy of Australia or is seen to affect Australia’s interest.]

144. The Supreme court has upheld that GST shall be imposed on which type of goods, referring as ‘Actionable claims’?

A
Lottery

B
Medicine

C
Vaccine

D
Two-wheelers

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Lottery]

Explaination : [The Supreme court on Thursday upheld that the Goods and Service Tax (GST) shall be imposed on the sale of lotteries, betting and gambling. The Bench also highlighted that the GST Act, 2017 defines the goods to include ‘actionable claims’ and included only three categories of such claims namely lottery, betting and gambling, to levy GST. Actionable claim is the claim for a debt related to any benefit from unpossessed movable property and for which relief can be claimed in civil court.]

145. India has signed a MoU with which country in the field of intellectual property cooperation?

B
Switzerland

D
Canada

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [USA]

Explaination : [India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently with the United States of America (USA) to increase intellectual property cooperation between the two nations. The agreement has been signed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) – India and United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).]

146. Which technology major has been named to lead EU’s project Hexa-X?

A
Microsoft

B
Google

C
Facebook

D
Nokia

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Nokia]

Explaination : [The technology major Nokia is set to lead the project Hexa X which is the European Commission’s 6G initiative. The project aims to establish next generation wireless networks. It project would create a 6G network a unique capability to understand human intentions, anticipate needs, make interactions.]

147. What is the theme of the International Anti-Corruption Day 2020?

A
Recover with Integrity

B
Ethical World

C
Corruption and Covid-free World

D
Say No to Corruption

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Recover with Integrity]

Explaination : [The United Nations General Assembly designated 9 December as International Anti-Corruption Day, every year. This year, the theme is ‘Recover with Integrity’. The day aims to raise awareness of corruption and of the role of the UN Convention in fighting and preventing it. In the year 2003, the UNGA adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption.]

148. The ‘Department of integrated medicine’ is proposed to be setup by Ministry of Ayush and which institution?

A
NITI Aayog

B
AIIMS

C
IIT Bombay

D
National Siddha Institute

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [AIIMS]

Explaination : [The Department of Integrative Medicine has been proposed to be set up by the Union Ministry of AYUSH in association with AIIMS. The department is to be set up at AIIMS. Also, it has been decided to develop an protocol for “Study on Post COVID treatment” with Ayurveda and Yoga, by Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research – AIIMS.]

149. What is the name of the new scheme that is set to provide free internet access in public spaces?

A
PM WIFI

B
PM WANI

C
BHARAT NET

D
PM SWANI

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [PM WANI]

Explaination : [The Union Cabinet headed the Prime Minster Narendra Modi has approved a scheme named PM-WANI, which stands for PM – Wi-Fi Access Network Interface. The proposed scheme provides for free wireless internet in public spaces. It is expected to enhance the Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living in India.]

150. India has decided to explore connectivity routes via INST Corridor, along with which country, during its virtual bilateral summit?

A
Uzbekistan

B
Russia

C
Iran

D
Azerbaijan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Uzbekistan]

Explaination : [Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in a virtual bilateral summit. Both the countries signed 9 pacts and agreed to widen counter-terror partnership. They also decided to explore connectivity routes via International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).]

151. In which year the Paris climate Agreement of UNFCCC was signed?

A
2000

B
2010

C
2016

D
2019

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [2016]

Explaination : [The Paris Climate Agreement is an agreement of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that was signed in the year 2016. This year marks the 5th year anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement. The Paris Agreement has set a goal to keep global average temperature well below 2 °C (3.6 °F) above pre-industrial levels. UK is hosting a global summit to mark the day.]

152. Which southern state of India has recently passed Anti-Cow Slaughter Bill?

A
Andhra Pradesh

B
Tamil Nadu

C
Karnataka

D
Telangana

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Karnataka]

Explaination : [The state Government of Karnataka has recently passed “Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill, 2020”. This bill bans cow slaughter and proposes stringent punishment for violation of the law. This is a revised form of a bill that has been already passed in the state in 2010.]

153. As per the recent study of CEEW, what is the per centage of Indian districts that are hotspots of extreme climate events?

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [75]

Explaination : [According to a study released by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), over 75 per cent districts in India are hotspots of extreme climate events. The districts, which are home to more than 63.8 crore people, are hotspots of extreme climate events such as cyclones, floods, droughts, heat and cold waves. This is the first time the extreme weather event hotspots in the country are being mapped.]

154. Which country has launched two satellites for detecting gravitational waves?

A
India

B
Japan

D
China

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [China]

Explaination : [The Chinese Space Agency has launched two satellites for detecting gravitational waves. The two satellites form a part of Gravitational Wave High-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor (GECAM) mission. These two satellites were launched using Long March-11 carrier rocket. These satellites would be used for monitoring and studying high-energy radiation, gamma-rays and gravitational waves.]

155. What is the theme of the ‘International Mountain Day 2020’?

A
Mountain Diversity

B
Mountains and SDG

C
Mountains are Treasures

D
Mountains and Climate Change

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Mountain Diversity]

Explaination : [The International Mountain Day is celebrated across the world on December 11 every year. The day aims to encourage sustainable development in mountains. The theme of this year’s International Mountain Day is ‘Mountain biodiversity’. United Nations General Assembly designated the Mountain Day in the year 2003. The UN also declared 2002 as the UN International Year of Mountains.]

156. What is the name of the alliance formed by Google, Intel, Dell and Citrix along with other technology majors?

A
Modern Computing Alliance

B
Information Alliance

C
AI Alliance

D
Cloud Computing Alliance

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Modern Computing Alliance]

Explaination : [Google, Intel, Dell and Citrix along with other technology major in the industry have partnered to form Modern Computing Alliance. The alliance aims to address some of the greatest IT challenges faced by the players in the industry and would provide “cloud first” computing solutions. The alliance would be creating a seamless, user-friendly experience across the web and devices.]

157. When is the International Day of Neutrality observed every year?

A
December 10

B
December 11

C
December 12

D
December 13

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [December 12]

Explaination : [Every year December 12th is observed as the International Day of Neutrality by the United Nations. Neutrality is defined as abstention of a state from all participation in a war and maintaining impartiality. A resolution in this regard was adopted by the United Nations in the year 2017, which was introduced by Turkmenistan.]

158. Which is the first Indian state is to roll out an online mechanism for Fire safety approval, named ‘Fire Safety COP’?

A
Tamil Nadu

B
Kerala

C
Gujarat

D
Odisha

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Gujarat]

Explaination : [Gujarat is set to launch the country’s first online mechanism for approval and renewal of fire safety certifications for buildings. A portal named ‘Fire Safety COP’ will be launched for implementing the process. Under the system, the state will train and empanel private ‘Fire safety officers (FSOs)’ to carry out periodic inspection and maintenance of fire safety systems.]

159. Which organisation has launched the “Operation Oliva”?

A
Indian Air Force

B
Indian Coast Guard

C
WWF India

D
National Biodiversity Authority

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Indian Coast Guard]

Explaination : [The Indian Coast Guard has recently launched an operation named “Operation Oliva”. This operation aims to protect the Olive Ridley turtles of the Odisha coast, which are endangered. The Coast Guard has launched two ships near the major nesting sites, to prevent entry of fishing vessels. Aircrafts of the coast guard have also been deployed as a part of this operation.]

160. San Isidro Movement, which was seen in the news, is associated with which country?

A
Italy

B
Germany

C
Cuba

D
France

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Cuba]

Explaination : [In the year 2018, artists, journalists and activists gathered in the San Isidro region of Cuba, to protest against the country’s rules on censorship of cultural activities. Hence, it came to be known as the Movimiento San Isidro, or the San Isidro Movement (MSI). After a member of MSI was arrested in November this year, its members began a hunger and then were arrested. The Government name the protestors as agents of Imperialism.]