1. What was the growth in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India in the year 2019-20?
[A] 5.0%
[B] 4.7%
[C] 4.5%
[D] 4.2%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [4.2%]
Notes:
The National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, has released the Provisional Estimates of National Income for the financial year 2019-20.
As per the data, the Indian economy grew by 4.2 percent in the year 2019-20, as compared to the 6.1 percent growth in 2018-19. This GDP growth rate is said to be the lowest in past 11 years. Also, during the January-March (final) quarter of the year 2019-20, the growth rate of GDP fell to 3.1%. The Per Capita Income (real) had a growth of 3.1 percent during 2019-20, as against 4.8 per cent in the previous year.
2. Which global organisation has adopted a new voting procedure involving secret ballots for its elections, amidst Covid-19 pandemic?
[A] European Union
[B] United Nations
[C] World Health Organisation
[D] North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Nations]
Notes:
The United Nations General Assembly has recently adopted a new voting procedure for the upcoming election of new members of the Security Council.
This change is due to the restrictions for large gathering and to ensure social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Usually, the assembly meet in a horseshoe-shaped assembly chamber at UN headquarters. But now, the ambassadors from 193 UN member nations will cast secret ballots at predetermined places and time slots.
3. When is ‘World No Tobacco Day 2020’ celebrated every year?
[A] May 30
[B] May 31
[C] June 1
[D] June 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [May 31]
Notes:
World No Tobacco Day 2020 is celebrated on May 31 every year, across the world. The main objective of celebrating the day is to protect youth from industry manipulation and to prevent them from tobacco and nicotine use.
This year, the World No Tobacco Day 2020 global campaign will expose the manipulation tactics of tobacco and related industries, educate young people about the intentions of the industries and empower the general public in social platforms to protect youth.
4. Which country has terminated its relationship with World Health Organization over its handling of the Corona virus pandemic?
[A] China
[B] United States
[C] Brazil
[D] United Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
The President of the United States Donald Trump has recently announced that US is terminating its relationship with World Health Organization over its handling of the Corona virus.
The President has been blaming WHO and China for the deaths and damages caused by the pandemic across the world. The President also said that the funds provided by the US to WHO will be redirected to other global public health needs. He also issued directions to deny entry to certain Chinese nationals and tightened regulations against Chinese investments in America.
5. Who has been nominated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award?
[A] Shikhar Dhawan
[B] Rohit Sharma
[C] Jasprit Bumrah
[D] Ravindra Jadeja
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rohit Sharma]
Notes:
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has nominated Indian cricket star Rohit Sharma for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
Other stars including Ishant Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Deepti Yadav have been shortlisted by the BCCI for the Arjuna Award. The period of consideration for the awards is between January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019. Rohit Sharma has been named the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2019.
6. Which state-owned organisation has developed a multi-purpose disinfection unit named Ultra Swachh?
[A] DRDO
[B] CSIR
[C] HAL
[D] BARC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [DRDO]
Notes:
Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), the Delhi based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a disinfection unit named Ultra Swachh.
It is a multi-purpose unit, which can be used to disinfect a wide range of objects and materials including Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), fabrics among others. The system is compliant with international standards of personal and environmental safety. The system will be available in two variants namely Ozonated Space and Trinetra Technology
7. Which state has launched a month-long drive to spread awareness about COVID-19 pandemic under Mission Fateh?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Punjab
[C] Odisha
[D] Jharkhand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Punjab]
Notes:
During April, the state of Punjab launched an operation to contain the outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19) named ‘Mission Fateh’.
Recently, the Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh has launched a month-long drive to spread awareness about COVID-19 pandemic under Mission Fateh. This campaign will expand the coverage of the original mission beyond the frontline workers to include all general public of the state in fighting the crisis. Various awareness programmes are to be held across the state.
8. Who was the Chairman of the Expert Committees on Rationalisation/Closure/Merger of Film Media Units?
[A] Bimal Julka
[B] Rahul Rawail
[C] Shyama Prasad
[D] Nagabharana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bimal Julka]
Notes:
The Expert Committees on Rationalisation/Closure/Merger of Film Media Units and the committee on Review of Autonomous Bodies under the aegis of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting submitted their report to the Union I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar.
The committees were headed by Bimal Julka with an objective of rationalisation and professionalisation of institutes related to film activities. The committee recommended specific roadmaps for the development of institutes including National Film Development Corporation, Films division, Children’s Film Society of India among others.
9. Where are Pharmacopoeia Laboratory for Indian Medicine (PLIM) and Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory (HPL) located?
[A] Mumbai
[B] New Delhi
[C] Ghaziabad
[D] Chandigarh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ghaziabad]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet has recently given its approval to re-establish Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) as Subordinate Office under Ministry of AYUSH.
PCIM&H is to be merged with the two central laboratories: Pharmacopoeia Laboratory for Indian Medicine (PLIM) and Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory (HPL). The two laboratories were established in Ghaziabad in 1975. At present, PCIM&H is an autonomous body under AYUSH ministry.
10. What is the name of the tropical storm that has formed in the southern Gulf of Mexico?
[A] Amphan
[B] Amanda
[C] Cristobal
[D] Harold
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Cristobal]
Notes:
A tropical storm named Cristobal has been formed in the southern Gulf of Mexico. A heavy flood threat has been announced for Mexico.
Earlier in the year 2016, a tropical storm named Colin formed in the Gulf. As per the warning from the U.S. National Hurricane Center, the storm is expected to dip near the flood-prone city of Ciudad del Carmen and then make a northward turn and head towards the U.S. Gulf coast. It was formed from the miscellanies of the recent Tropical Storm Amanda.