1. As per the recent Economic Outlook Survey released by FICCI, what is the estimated median GDP growth forecast for 2019-20?
[A] 5.0%
[B] 5.1%
[C] 5.2%
[D] 5.3%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [5.0%]
Notes:
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) recently released its latest round of Economic Outlook Survey. As per the survey, the annual median GDP growth forecast for 2019-20 is estimated at 5.0%.
The survey also revealed that the GDP growth is likely to improve to 5.5% in 2020-21. The median growth forecast for Agriculture and allied activities and the industry are predicted at 2.6% and 3.5% respectively for 2019-20. The services sector is expected to grow at 7.2% during the current year. A median forecast of 4.7% for GDP growth has been estimated for the third quarter of 2019-20.
2. Which Indian think tank has been ranked among the top 30 think tanks globally, as per a recent report?
[A] Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
[B] NITI Aayog
[C]
Centre for Civil Society (CCS)
[D] The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Observer Research Foundation (ORF)]
Notes:
As per the 2019 ‘Global Go To Think Tank Index Report’, Indian think tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF) has been placed among the top 30 think tanks globally, at rank 27.
The report is released by the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. The list was topped by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace of the United States. Last year, ORF was placed at 118th position, more than 90 ranks below the current rank. The Raisina Dialogue, jointly organised by ORF is also ranked 7th best conference globally.
3. Christine Sinclair, who recently became the world’s all-time leading goal scorer in football, belongs to which country?
[A] Brazil
[B] Italy
[C] Canada
[D] Argentina
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Canada]
Notes:
Christine Sinclair is a famous footballer of Canada and the captain of Canada National Team. She recently created a record of becoming the world’s all-time international leading goal scorer.
She achieved this feat after her 185th career goal during the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament. She has broken the world record of American Footballer Abby Wambach who had scored 184 goals. This record includes both male and female category. Ali Daei of Iran tops the men’s international scoring list with 109 goals.
4. Which global tech firm has launched a short-video making application called ‘Tangi’, which focusses on creativity?
[A] Microsoft
[B] Facebook
[C] Google
[D] Adobe
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Google]
Notes:
Technological major Google has recently launched a short-video making application called ‘Tangi’, which is similar to the popular application TikTok.
The application has been launched initially on the web and iOS platforms. Users have to post a short-video on a ‘Do-it-yourself’ (DIY) and creativity content using the application. The application for 60-second-videos has been designed by the incubator of Google called ‘Area 120’. The name of the application is inspired by ‘Teach and Give’ and ‘Tangible’ things. Communities centered around similar hobbies can also be formed.
5. Which Indian Public sector bank recently signed an MoU with Care Ratings to assess credit quality of its small and medium enterprises (SME) customers?
[A] State Bank of India
[B] Bank of Baroda
[C] Union Bank of India
[D] Bank of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bank of Baroda]
Notes:
Indian Public sector bank, Bank of Baroda recently signed an MoU with Indian credit rating agency, Care Ratings. The pact aims to assess credit quality of the small and medium enterprises (SME) customers of the bank.
The rating agency is expected to evaluate the credit quality of the existing and potential SME customers of the bank. The creditworthiness of enterprises is provided on an eight-point scale by the ratings agency. This agreement will strengthen the process of loan-evaluation and help the SMEs in obtaining finance faster.
6. Dalip Kaur Tiwana, who passed away recently, was a famous writer in which language?
[A] Hindi
[B] Urdu
[C] Punjabi
[D] Gujarati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Punjabi]
Notes:
Renowned Punjabi writer and novelist Dalip Kaur Tiwana passed away recently, at a hospital in Mohali. The 84-year-old writer had been the recipient of various prestigious awards including the Padma Shri and Sahitya Akademi.
She had the Padma Shri award in 2015, in solidarity with writers protesting against suppression of freedom of expression. The Punjabi University had awarded life fellowship to the writer and provided her a residence in the campus, though she retired.
7. As per the recent Union budget, what is the estimated fiscal deficit target for 2020-21, expressed in per cent of GDP?
[A] 3.3%
[B] 3.4%
[C] 3.5%
[D] 3.6%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [3.5%]
Notes:
In the recent Union Budget 2020-21, the government has estimated the fiscal deficit target for 2020-21 at 3.5 per cent of GDP (Budget Estimate).
The fiscal deficit target for 2019-20 was estimated at 3.3% earlier, which has also been revised to 3.8% of GDP, citing revenue shortage as the reason. Under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, the Section 4 (2) permits the government to relax its fiscal deficit target during time of unanticipated stress. This section has been used to increase the previous target to 3.8% in the revised estimates.
8. The famous arts festival called ‘Kala Ghoda Arts Festival’ is celebrated annually in which Indian city?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Mumbai
[C] Kolkata
[D] Bengaluru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Mumbai]
Notes:
The famous arts festival called ‘Kala Ghoda Arts Festival’ is celebrated annually in the city of Mumbai. The 21st edition of the street festival has recently commenced. This year, the nine-day-long festival has a variety of events in 12 sections, related to arts, music, cinema, literature, theatre and heritage walks.
This year’s edition of KGAF has been organised entirely through crowd-funding using the platform named ‘Ketto’, without the conventional sponsorship. The annual festival has been organised by the Kala Ghoda Association since 1999.
9. The third Defence Attaches conference, 2020 was recently held in which city?
[A] Ahmedabad
[B] New Delhi
[C] Kanpur
[D] Lucknow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the third Defence Attaches conference at New Delhi. He also announced that India is set to have 10 more Defence Attaches in 10 different countries.
This creation of additional 10 defence wings will strengthen the defence diplomacy of the country and help in increasing exports in defence sector. Under the central government scheme of promoting defence exports, funds are allocated for export through Defence attaches to 34 countries.
10. The Scientists at Indian Veterinary Research Institute have recently developed a low-cost vaccine for which disease?
[A] Bird Flu
[B] Swine Fever
[C] Foot and Mouth Disease
[D] Monkey pox
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Swine Fever]
Notes:
The Scientists at Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR-IVRI), an institute of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, have recently developed a low-cost vaccine for the classical swine fever. Swine fever is a disease associated with high mortality and illness in pigs.
Until now, the swine fever vaccines have been imported for domestic usage and moreover the imported vaccines are to be administered once in every six months. But a single shot of the new indigenous vaccine would be sufficient for the animal’s life time. This would be an affordable option for the farmers and also assist in pork production and export.
