1. As a Covid distress mitigating measure, PSBs in India announced to provide unsecured loans to individuals up to which amount?
[A] Rs 1 lakh
[B] Rs 2 lakh
[C] Rs 5 lakh
[D] Rs 25 lakh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs 5 lakh]
Notes:
As a measure to mitigate the distress caused due to COVID 19 pandemic, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in India have announced to provide financial assistance to individuals in the form of unsecured loans up to a limit of Rs 5 lakh.
This is a part of the three new loan products introduced by the PSBs to provide financial support to vaccine manufacturers, hospitals/dispensaries, pathology labs etc.
2. Offshore patrol vessel “Sajag” has been commissioned to which armed force?
[A] Indian Coast Guard
[B] Indian Navy
[C] Indian Army
[D] CRPF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian Coast Guard]
Notes:
Offshore patrol vessel ICG Sajag has been commissioned into the Indian Coast Guard, by the National Security Advisor to India (NSA) Ajit Doval. The ship was commissioned by NSA virtually.
This vessel is constructed by the Goa Shipyard Limited exclusively for the Coast Guard. At present, the Indian Coast Guard has 160 ships and 62 aircraft in its fleet.
3. Which bank has recently published the economic research report “Ecowrap”?
[A] State Bank of India
[B] Punjab National Bank
[C] Axis Bank
[D] HDFC Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [State Bank of India]
Notes:
The State Bank of India, in its economic research report “Ecowrap” has predicted India’s GDP to grow at 7.9% for the FY 2021-22.
Earlier the report had predicted a growth of 10.4%, and it has now been downgraded due to the large impact of the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
4. In context with recent news of Goa, what does the abbreviation GIFT stand for?
[A] Goa Institution For Future Transformation
[B] Goa Institution For Financial Transformation
[C] Goa Institution For Fin Tech
[D] Goa Institute of Foreign Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Goa Institution For Future Transformation]
Notes:
The State Government of Goa has constituted a Think Tank named Goa Institution For Future Transformation (GIFT).
This institution would assist, advise and guide the state government on various policy matters and welfare decisions. The functions of GIFT would be very similar to that of NITI Aayog.
5. What was India’s fiscal deficit for 2020-21 as per the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) data?
[A] 10%
[B] 9.3%
[C] 8%
[D] 3.5%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [9.3%]
Notes:
As per the data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), India’s fiscal deficit for 2020-21 stood at 9.3% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for the financial year 2020-21. This is lower than the Finance Ministry’s Budget estimates of 9.5%.
As per the CGA data, the revenue deficit stood at 7.42% during 2020-21.
6. As per the Revenue-expenditure data for 2020-21, the Net tax receipts were ………, while total expenditure was ………
[A] ₹4.24 lakh crore; ₹5.11 lakh crore
[B] ₹14.24 lakh crore; ₹15.11 lakh crore
[C] ₹14.24 lakh crore; ₹35.11 lakh crore
[D] ₹34.24 lakh crore; ₹35.11 lakh crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [₹14.24 lakh crore; ₹35.11 lakh crore]
Notes:
The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) released the revenue-expenditure data of the Union government for 2020-21.
As per the data, the Net tax receipts were ₹14.24 lakh crore, while total expenditure was ₹35.11 lakh crore during the financial year 2020-21.
7. What is Canadarm2, which was making news recently?
[A] Covid Vaccine Initiative
[B] Robotic Arm of International Space Station
[C] Super Computer
[D] New Microprocessor
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Robotic Arm of International Space Station]
Notes:
Recently, a piece of space debris hit and damaged a part of the ISS’s robotic arm, called as Canadarm2.
The astronomers confirmed that the arm’s functions will not be impacted by the damage. Canadarm2, the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), is used to move objects outside the station and to help in repairing works in the station.
8. The Union Cabinet has approved an MoU between India and Maldives as well as Japan, in which sector?
[A] Civil Aviation
[B] Shipping
[C] Sustainable Urban Development
[D] Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sustainable Urban Development]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet of the Government of India has approved and ratified a MoU between India and Maldives on cooperation in sustainable urban development.
The MoU would strengthen the bilateral ties and generate employment in urban planning, waste management, housing, green mobility, efficient power systems etc. The MoU was signed in the month of Feb 2021, and would be in force for an infinite time period. The Cabinet also approved an MoU with Japan in the same field.
9. Isaac Herzog, has been elected as the 11th president of which country?
[A] Iran
[B] Saudi Arabia
[C] Austria
[D] Israel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Israel]
Notes:
Isaac Herzog has been elected as the 11th president of Israel, by way of a secret ballot. He is a labour leader and son of a former President.
Isaac Herzog won a majority vote of 87 out of the 120-member house there by defeating his opponent Miriam Peretz by a large margin.
10. MV X-Press Pearl, which sank off the Sri Lankan Coast, belonged to which country?
[A] India
[B] Singapore
[C] USA
[D] Thailand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Singapore]
Notes:
The Singapore based vessel MV X-Press Pearl carrying chemicals sank off the coast of Sri Lanka recently. The 12-day long efforts to put of the ship’s fire and tow it into deep waters went vain after the ship’s stern became submerged and rested on the seabed.
This has posed a great environmental threat to the coast of Sri Lanka.