Best PSC / PCS / STATE PCS online Current Affairs

Current Affairs Dec-2020

Showing 1 - 20 of 233 entries

1. The World’s loneliest elephant from Pakistan, ‘Kaavan’ has been shifted to which country?

A
Cambodia

B
Thailand

C
India

D
China

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Cambodia]

Explaination : [Dubbed as the “world’s loneliest elephant”, the 36-year-old bull elephant at Islamabad zoo has been shifted to a Cambodian sanctuary. This step is taken after years of outcry of public and activists and recent campaigning by American pop star Cher. Kaavan is the only Asian elephant in Pakistan, where the elephants at other zoos are African. Kaavan’s mate Saheli, who arrived from Sri Lanka, died in the year 2012.]

2. Giant Metre-wave Radio Telescope, which was making news recently, is located in which Indian state?

A
Madhya Pradesh

B
Gujarat

C
Maharashtra

D
Karnataka

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Maharashtra]

Explaination : [GMRT (Giant Metre-wave Radio Telescope) is an observatory located in Pune, Maharashtra. It is operated by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research- National Centre for Radio Astrophysics. U.S.-based technical organisation, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has granted the status of ‘Milestone’ to the observatory. This is the third facility to receive the milestone status in India after the works of Sir C V Raman and Sir J C Bose.]

3. ‘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.]

4. Which type of eclipse is also known as the ‘Beaver moon’?

A
Full Lunar Eclipse

B
Partial Lunar Eclipse

C
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

D
Solar Eclipse

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Penumbral Lunar Eclipse]

Explaination : [Based on the shadow of the earth falling on the moon, the lunar eclipse is classified into three categories. Full, Partial or Penumbral Lunar Eclipse. The Penumbral Lunar Eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the outer shadow of the earth. The last full moon occurring in November, before the winter solstice, is also called as the ‘Beaver moon’, named after Beavers, the rodents found in temperate regions.]

5. Which insurance company is set to be merged with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company?

A
Max Life Insurance

B
Bharti AXA General Insurance

C
IFFCO Tokyo Insurance

D
Sundaram Insurance

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Bharti AXA General Insurance]

Explaination : [The insurance sector regulator – Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has accorded “in principle” approval for merger of Bharti AXA General Insurance with ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company. On successful merger, the consolidated entity would have a market share of 8.7% in non-life business. Bharti Enterprises own 51% share in Bharti AXA General Insurance and the remaining 49% is owned by French insurer AXA.]

6. Which state received the best State award for Organ donation by the Health Ministry, for the sixth consecutive year?

A
Tamil Nadu

B
Kerala

C
Karnataka

D
Punjab

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Tamil Nadu]

Explaination : [Every year, November 27th is observed as Indian organ donation day by the Government of India. This year marks the 11th Organ Donation Day event. Tamil Nadu received the ‘Best State award’ for organ donation, by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This is the sixth consecutive year of the state receiving the award.]

7. 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 : B [Netherlands]

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.]

8. Mount Semeru, which was making news recently, is an active volcano in which country?

A
Philippines

B
Indonesia

C
Russia

D
Turkey

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Indonesia]

Explaination : [Mount Semeru is an active volcano located in East Java, Indonesia. It is the highest mountain on the island of Java. This is also known as Mahameru, meaning ‘The Great Mountain’. Recently, hot ash fell as far as 3,000 metres down the slopes of Mount Semeru. Earlier, Mount Ili Lewotolok of the country spew out hot clouds for 4,000 metres into the sky. The country’s disaster management team evacuated thousands of people.]

9. The first ever SCO Online Exhibition that has commenced recently is centered on which theme?

A
COVID Pandemic

B
Maritime Security

C
Shared Buddhist Heritage

D
International Security

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Shared Buddhist Heritage]

Explaination : [The first ever SCO Online Exhibition on “Shared Buddhist Heritage” has been launched recently at the 19th Meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government. The meeting was held in New Delhi in a virtual mode. This online exhibition has been developed by National Museum, New Delhi in association with the museums and cultural institutions of SCO member countries.]

10. Which Indian bank co-launched a Contactless debit card along with Japan’s JCB International?

A
Punjab National Bank

B
State Bank of India

C
HDFC Bank

D
Axis Bank

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [State Bank of India]

Explaination : [State Bank of India has partnered with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Japan’s JCB International Co to launch new ‘SBI RuPay JCB Platinum Contactless Debit Card’. This card has a dual interface feature, under which customers can use it for both contact and contactless transactions, both in the domestic market as well as overseas. The card has been launched on the RuPay network.]

11. In which year, did China launch its ambitious ‘One Belt and One Road’ initiative?

A
2000

B
2005

C
2013

D
2017

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [2013]

Explaination : [China launched the ambitious ‘One Belt and One Road’ (OBOR) initiative in 2013, to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes. During the 19th meeting of the Council of Heads of Governments of the SCO, all other member nations of SCO, except India reaffirmed their support to the OBOR project of China. India is critical of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of OBOR.]

12. When is the World Aids Day observed every year?

A
December 1

B
December 5

C
December 10

D
December 15

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [December 1]

Explaination : [The World AIDS Day is observed every year on the 1st of December, since 1988. It is an international day dedicated to raise awareness about AIDS and to mourn for those who have lost life due to this pandemic. The theme for this year’s AIDS Day is “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact”. There were 38 million people living with HIV infection, in the year 2019.]

13. Which state has implemented a PPP model for rescue and rehabilitation of leopards?

A
Himachal Pradesh

B
Haryana

C
Jammu and Kashmir

D
Gujarat

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Gujarat]

Explaination : [As many as 12 leopards from Sakkar Baug Zoological Park, which came in conflict with the humans, have been transferred to a private rehabilitation centre by Gujarat Forest Department. The leopard’s maintenance would be done in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode by the Government of Gujarat and Reliance Industries Ltd- RIL’s Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Kingdom. This is the first of its kind PPP model for protection of wild animals in India.]

14. Which country has proposed a new security bill that intends to protect Police officers from online violence?

A
China

B
Japan

D
France

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [France]

Explaination : [The France’s new security bill makes it an offence to show the face or identity of any Police Officer on duty with the aim of damaging the officer’s integrity. The offence would make the convict liable of one-year imprisonment. This proposed amendment is protested by many people in France and is seen a curtail of press freedom. It is feared by many that this law would increase police brutality on civilians.]

15. Which PSU has delivered a cryogenic propellant tank to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)?

A
BHEL

B
NTPC

C
ONGC

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [HAL]

Explaination : [The state-owned PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered a cryogenic propellant tank (C32 LH2) to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The component has been delivered by HAL much ahead of its scheduled delivery time. This is supposed to be the biggest ever component fabricated by HAL and is to be used in GSLV Mk 3 launch vehicle.]

16. Which Indian PSU has launched the country’s first 100 Octane petrol?

A
HPCL

C
ONGC

D
GAIL

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [IOC]

Explaination : [Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has recently launched the nation’s first 100 Octane petrol. Union Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the petrol. The 100-octane petrol also called as XP100 premium petrol will be initially available at select outlet of IOC in 10 cities. The fuel is manufactured at IOC’s Mathura refinery in Uttar Pradesh. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) had earlier launched Octane 99. Higher the octane number of a fuel, higher will be its compression and performance.]

17. Which county’s rubber plantations have been recently affected by Leaf Fall Disease?

A
Indonesia

B
Malaysia

C
Bhutan

D
Thailand

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Thailand]

Explaination : [The recent spread of Leaf Fall Disease in rubber plantations of Thailand has been a cause of worry to Indian Plantations. In November, the total affected area of rubber plantation of Thailand was 90,000 ha and there is a potential production loss of 1.30 lakh tons of rubber. It has been cited by Rubber Board officials that the disease has the potential to spread to India.]

18. Which country has become the first in the West, to approve corona virus vaccine for mass production?

C
France

D
Germany

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [UK]

Explaination : [The United Kingdom has become the first nation in the world to approve coronavirus vaccine made by Pfizer – BioNTech. The country’s medical regulator has given a nod for commercial production and mass vaccination. The vaccine is said to offer 95% protection against Covid disease. The country aims to produce 8 lakh doses in the next few days.]

19. The strategic Chardham highway project is being constructed in which Indian state?

A
Uttar Pradesh

B
Uttarakhand

C
Bihar

D
West Bengal

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Uttarakhand]

Explaination : [The Chardham highway project is a 900-km strategic projects, which aims to provide all-weather connectivity to four holy towns in the state of Uttarakhand- Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Recently, the Supreme Court has asked the committee monitoring the Chardham highway project, to consider the Defence Ministry’s application to widen three highways in the Indo-China Border up to 7 metres.]

20. CBIC has mandated HSN Code while issuing GST invoice. What does HSN stand for?

A
Harmonised System of Notification

B
Harmonised System of Nomenclature

C
Horizontal System of Notification

D
Horizontal System of Nomenclature

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Horizontal System of Nomenclature]

Explaination : [The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has mandated to mention the 8- digit HSN code or tariff code for 49 chemical-based products. The HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) code should be mentioned while issuing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) invoice. At present, businesses mention up to 4-digit tariff code, while issuing invoice. This new direction is expected to curb tax evasion.]