Best PSC / PCS / STATE PCS online Current Affairs

Current Affairs MAR-2021

Showing 1 - 20 of 121 entries

1. Which institution is to provide USD 304 million loan to Assam to enhance Inter-state Power Transmission Project?

B
World Bank

C
AIIB

D
New Development Bank

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [AIIB]

Explaination : [India and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) signed a USD 304 million loan agreement for the Assam Intra-State Transmission System Enhancement Project. The project aims to construct transmission substations and lay required transmission lines. It will also upgrade 15 substations, transmission lines and ground wire to optical power ground wire. The remaining project cost USD 61 million would be financed by the state. ]

2. Which country was the top trade partner of India in 2020?

A
United States

B
China

D
Singapore

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [China]

Explaination : [According to the provisional data from the Union Commerce Ministry of India, the two-way trade stood at USD 77.7 billion last year. With this, China regained its position as India’s top trade partner in 2020, with the higher reliance of India on imported machines. The bilateral trade with the United States stood at USD 75.9 billion. The UAE remains the third trade partner. ]

3. Which organisation publishes the “State of School Feeding Worldwide” Report?

B
UNICEF

D
UN – WFP

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [UN – WFP]

Explaination : [The “State of School Feeding Worldwide” is published by the United Nations – World Food Programme (WFP). It was first published in the year 2013 and the most report has been published for the year 2020. This report provides a detailed analysis on the implementation and coverage of school based nutritional programmes. ]

4. As per the new Information Technology Rules, digital platforms will have to provide required information within how many hours?

A
12 hours

B
24 hours

C
48 hours

D
72 hours

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [72 hours]

Explaination : [The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 has been framed recently, which was released by the Electronics and IT Ministry. Under the rules, platforms such as WhatsApp will have to provide information on identity verification to the authorised agencies within 72 hours. The originator of unlawful messages would be zeroed on and the platforms will have to set up grievance redressal mechanism. ]

5. Which state/UT announced that all departments of the government will use only electric vehicles?

A
Odisha

B
Delhi

C
West Bengal

D
Telangana

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Delhi]

Explaination : [The Delhi Government announced all its departments would use only electric vehicles, transitioning over 2000 cars to EVs. The announcement was made a day after the government launched a campaign, ‘Switch Delhi’, to motivate private vehicle owners to shift to electric vehicles. The campaign also urges them to install a charging point within their premises in the next three years. ]

6. India held bilateral consultations with which country on the issues of UN Security Council?

B
Ireland

C
France

D
Poland

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Ireland]

Explaination : [India and Ireland recently held bilateral consultations on the UN Security Council issues via video conference. During the session, both the countries congratulated each other on their election to the UNSC and agreed to work closely together during their stint at the UNSC in 2021-2022. Joint Secretary (UNP and Summits) Prakash Gupta led the Indian delegation. ]

7. As per the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), which country is the world’s largest defence spender in 2020?

A
China

C
Russia

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [USA]

Explaination : [British think-tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said military spending touched USD 1.8 trillion in the year 2020. Global military spending rose 3.9% compared to the last year. The U.S. remained the world’s largest defence spender in 2020, followed by China. The rapid military expansion of China is the reason for the rise in Asian spending. ]

8. National Bamboo Mission is implemented by which Union Ministry?

A
Ministry of Tribal Affairs

B
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

C
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

D
Ministry of Development of North Eastern region

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare]

Explaination : [The National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was originally launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 2006-07, under the Agriculture Ministry. It was then restructured with the Cabinet approval in 2018. Recently, the National Bamboo Mission along with the NITI Aayog and Invest India to organise a conference, National Consultation on Opportunities and Challenges for Bamboo in India’. Union Minster Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the conference, along with various Ministers and officials. ]

9. Which leader is set to receive CERAWeek global energy and environment leadership award?

A
Ratan Tata

B
Narendra Modi

C
Malala Yousufzai

D
Prakash Javadekar

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Narendra Modi]

Explaination : [The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has been conferred with the CERAWeek global energy and environment leadership award. He is set to be presented the award at the CERAWeek international energy conference, which is an annual conference organized by the information and insights company IHS Markit in Houston, Texas. ]

10. Which country has approved military strike against Syria?

A
China

B
Russia

C
Japan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [USA]

Explaination : [The United States of America (USA) headed by Joe Biden has recently approved a military strike against Syria. This was followed by retaliatory air strikes on Syria by the US forces. Earlier, it is said that “Iran-backed militia” in Syria had launched rocket attacks against the US force in Iraq. ]

11. Which state/UT announced that all departments of the government will use only electric vehicles?

A
Odisha

B
Delhi

C
West Bengal

D
Telangana

Show Answer

12. Which regulator has proposed to introduce a concept called ‘accredited investors’?

B
NABARD

C
IRDAI

D
SEBI

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [SEBI]

Explaination : [The market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed to introduce a concept called ‘accredited investors’. SEBI has noted that accredited investors, (also known as qualified investors or professional investors) are those who have an understanding of various financial products, the risks and returns associated with them. They can take informed decisions regarding investments and are recognised by many securities and financial market regulators globally. ]

13. ‘B.1.526’ is a new highly contagious Covid-19 mutant variant first recorded in which country?

A
China

C
South Africa

D
India

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [USA]

Explaination : [B.1.526 – a new highly contagious Covid-19 mutant is fast spreading in New York of the United States of America. As per a study by researchers of Columbia University, this new variant carries a highly dangerous mutation that can weaken vaccine efficacy. ]

14. Amazonia 1 satellite, which was making news recently, belongs to which country?

A
Brazil

B
Sri Lanka

C
China

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Brazil]

Explaination : [The ISRO’s 53rd space mission using the PSLV C51 rocket will launch Amazonia-1 as the primary satellite. This satellite belongs to Brazil. In addition, the launch vehicle will also carry 18 co-passenger payloads. The rocket would be launched from Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh. ]

15. The Indian Air Force (IAF) aerobatic display teams are to participate in which country’s commemorative Air show?

A
Japan

B
Sri Lanka

C
Bangladesh

D
France

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Sri Lanka]

Explaination : [The Indian Air Force (IAF) aerobatic display teams, Suryakiran and Sarang, along with Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, are set to participate in the three-day Air Show. The Air Show is a part of the 70th-anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). Earlier, the SKAT- Suryakiran Aerobatic team participated in the 50th anniversary of SLAF in 2001, in Sri Lanka. ]

16. Which movie won the best picture (Drama) award in the 78th Golden Globes award?

A
Yentl

B
Nomadland

C
The Crown

D
Soul

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Nomadland]

Explaination : [The winners of the 78th Golden Globes were recently announced with the “Nomadland” and “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” bagging many awards. While “Nomadland” won the award for the drama category, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” won for the comedy or musical division. Chloe Zhao, the director of “Nomadland,” became the first woman to win the best director award since 1984. ]

17. Which company has made first ever PC using plastic waste in ocean?

B
Dell

C
Intel

D
Sony

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [HP]

Explaination : [The leading computer manufacturer HP, has made its first ever personal computer using plastic found in oceans. The company’s Pavilion 13, Pavilion 14, and Pavilion 15 series of laptops have been manufactured using ocean plastic wastes materials. The company estimates that nearly 92,000 plastic bottles are pulled out of the oceans to manufacture these computers ]

18. Which country is the host of the multinational Exercise Desert Flag?

D
France

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [UAE]

Explaination : [Exercise Desert Flag is a multinational exercise, which is to be held in the United Arab Emirates. Ten countries are to take part in this exercise including India, France and the U.S. This exercise will be held for three weeks this month. This semi-annual exercise will involve multiple, intensive air combat sorties. IAF’s Su-30-MKI and C-17s fighter jets took off recently to participate in this exercise. ]

19. The National Origin-Based Anti-discrimination for Non-immigrants (NO BAN) Act has recently been reintroduced in which country?

D
Saudi Arabia

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [US]

Explaination : [The National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Non-immigrants (NO BAN) Act was reintroduced at the US House of Representatives by the Democratic lawmakers. The aim of this proposed legislation is to prevent future Muslim ban and prohibit religion-based discrimination. This law is a counter to the Muslim travel ban introduced by the former US President Donald Trump. ]

20. NASSCOM has partnered with which technology company to launch ‘AI Gamechangers’ programme?

A
Google

B
Microsoft

C
Apple

D
Amazon

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Microsoft]

Explaination : [The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has partnered with Microsoft India to launch an ‘AI Gamechangers’ programme. Under the programme, NASSCOM will identify feasible and impactful AI-driven innovations that are taking place in India. Microsoft has been designated as the ‘Innovation Partner’ for the programme. ]