1. When is “International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members” observed every year?
[A] March 1
[B] March 10
[C] March 15
[D] March 25
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [March 25]
Notes:
Every year on the March 25th, “International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members” is observed by the United Nations.
It is marked every year on the anniversary of abduction of a former journalist – Alec Collett. He was working for the UN – Relief and Works Agency in Palestine when he was abducted by armed gunman in 1985.
2. Who has been selected as the EY Entrepreneur for 2020?
[A] Harsh Mariwala
[B] Prathap Chandra Reddy
[C] Byju Raveendran
[D] Peyush Bansal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Harsh Mariwala]
Notes:
Chairman of the fast moving consumer goods firm Marico, Mr Harsh Mariwala has been selected as the EY Entrepreneur for 2020.
Prathap Chandra Reddy, founder and executive chairman of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. was given the lifetime achievement award. Byju Raveendran was awarded for business transformation, while Peyush Bansal of Lenskart was awarded in the start-up category.
3. “Anandam: The Center for Happiness” has been inaugurated at which institution?
[A] IIT Bombay
[B] IIT Madras
[C] IIM Jammu
[D] IIT Guwahati
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IIM Jammu]
Notes:
Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal recently inaugurated “Anandam: The Center for Happiness” at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Jammu virtually.
The Center aims to help people overcome mental stress and help spread positivity. The prime objectives will be divided into five broad categories: Counselling, Holistic wellness, Elective courses on Happiness Development, Research and Leadership & Faculty Development.
4. As per the ECLGS 3.0 recently announced, what is the new tenure of loans and the per centage of out-standing loans considered?
[A] 5 years; 20 per cent
[B] 4 years; 40 per cent
[C] 6 years; 40 per cent
[D] 4 years; 20 per cent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [6 years; 40 per cent]
Notes:
The Government has extended the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) till June 30, 2020.
The institutions are permitted to issue additional funding up to 40 per cent of outstanding loans as on Feb 29, 2020 as against 20 per cent earlier. ECLGS 3.0 also will be 6 years including moratorium period of 2 years. This is one year up from the previous tenure.
5. In which year was the system of E Way Bills was introduced in India?
[A] 2000
[B] 2010
[C] 2015
[D] 2018
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [2018]
Notes:
The system of E Way Bill was introduced in India under the GST regime on 01.04.2018. It was launched by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).
Recently, the E Way Bill has system has reached a new milestone of generating 7.12 crore bills, in the month of March 2021. This number is the highest since the last 3 years.
6. Where is the 3rd Joint Logistics Node (JLN) of Indian Armed Forces, operationalised recently?
[A] Hyderabad
[B] Chennai
[C] New Delhi
[D] Mumbai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mumbai]
Notes:
The 3rd Joint Logistics Node (JLN) of Indian Armed Forces has been made operationalised in Mumbai by the Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat.
This JLN will provide integrated logistics support to the Armed Forces for their small arms ammunition, rations, fuel, general stores, civil hired transport etc.
7. “Shantir Ogroshena -2021” is a joint Military exercise between India and which country?
[A] China
[B] Turkey
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Afghanistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bangladesh]
Notes:
India is set to participate in a joint Military Exercise with Bangladesh. The exercise is named “Shantir Ogroshena -2021” and would commence in Bangladesh from 4th April 2021.
This is a nine-day exercise between the two armies, and the start date of the exercise marks to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangladesh Father of the Nation – Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
8. The ‘Muktijoddha Scholarship scheme’ is provided to the students of which country, by the Government of India?
[A] Nepal
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Sri Lanka
[D] Myanmar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bangladesh]
Notes:
The Government of India has announced scholarships to 2000 descendants of the Liberation War fighters of Bangladesh under its new Muktijoddha Scholarship scheme, which was announced it 2017.
The scheme aims to benefit 10,000 students from Bangladesh over a period of five years. This year, 1000 students each from the Higher Secondary and Undergraduate categories have been given as scholarship directly in their account.
9. Which body decides the interest cut on small saving schemes such as the PPF and NSC?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] Finance Commission
[C] Department of Economic Affairs
[D] Department of Financial Services
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Department of Economic Affairs]
Notes:
The Department of Economic Affairs, Union Finance Ministry decides the small saving schemes such as the PPF, NSC and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana.
The Government announces interest rates for small saving schemes at the end of every quarter. Recently after announcing steep cuts in the rates, the Finance Minister rolled back the changes to previous rates for the next quarter.
10. Which Ministry has amended the rules pertaining to location of thermal power plants near cities and national capital region?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Power
[C] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[D] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has amended the rules pertaining to location of thermal power plants within 10 km of major cities with more than 10 lakh population and the National Capital Region.
As per the amended rules, certain emission norms have been mandated to be adhered by the thermal power plants latest by the end of 2022.
