1. ESIC and EPFO schemes are implemented by which ministry?
[A] Finance Ministry
[B] Labour Ministry
[C] MSME Ministry
[D] Ministry of Social Justice
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Labour Ministry]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has announced additional benefits for workers enrolled under ESIC and EPFO schemes, to remove fear and anxiety about the well-being of their family.
As per the new benefit, in case of an employee’s death due to COVID, all dependent family members of the insured person would be entitled to receive the same benefits as in the case of death resulting from employment injury.
2. The OECD has changed its growth projection for India for FY22 to …… per cent from 12.6 per cent, estimated in March.
[A] 14.4
[B] 11.2
[C] 9.9
[D] 7.5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [9.9]
Notes:
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) cut its growth projection for India for FY22 to 9.9 per cent from 12.6 per cent estimated in March.
OECD also estimated the Global GDP growth at 5.8 per cent this year, compared with 4.2 per cent projected in December. It also changed its projections to 4.4 per cent in 2022, compared to 3.7 per cent, estimated in December.
3. As per the estimates released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), what is the GDP growth of India for 2020-21?
[A] -10.1%
[B] -8.2%
[C] -7.3%
[D] -6.5%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [-7.3%]
Notes:
The National Statistical Office (NSO) released the provisional estimates of annual national income and quarterly estimates.
As per the release, India’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 1.6 per cent in the fourth quarter (January-March) of 2020-21. Last quarter, there was 0.5 % growth. The GDP contracted to a record low 7.3 per cent, for the full financial year 2020-21. This was a marginal improvement from the earlier estimate of 8 per cent contraction.
4. Oleg Novitsky and Pyotr Dubrov, who performed a 7-hour spacewalk recently, are from which country?
[A] USA
[B] Russia
[C] Israel
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
Two Russian cosmonauts named Oleg Novitsky and Pyotr Dubrov ventured out of the International Space Station on a 7-hour spacewalk to prepare for the arrival of a new Russian module.
It’s the first spacewalk for both the cosmonauts, who arrived at the space station in April. They conducted technical works including replacing the old batteries outside the International Space Station, before the arrival of the new Nauka (Science) multipurpose laboratory module.
5. APEDA identified Mathura and Banaskantha as clusters for export development in which sector?
[A] Textile
[B] Dairy
[C] Cotton
[D] Fruits
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Dairy]
Notes:
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has set up an Export Promotion Forum (EPF) to promote exports of dairy products.
It also aims to address various issues in the sector. The authority has recognized two clusters: Mathura in Uttar Pradesh and Banaskantha in Gujarat, to develop dairy merchandise. Farmers and small dairy owners in these clusters shall be given coaching and aid in capability building in exports.
6. Leading rating agency Moody’s Investors Service, has pegged India’s GDP growth at which level, for FY22?
[A] 9.3%
[B] 11.3%
[C] 13.3%
[D] 14%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [9.3%]
Notes:
Leading rating agency Moody’s Investors Service has pegged India’s GDP growth at 9.3% for the financial year 2021-22. It has further estimated India’s GDP growth at 7.9% for FY23.
The agency has stated that India’s economic activity would be affected by reimposition of lockdown measures along with investment behavioural changes, but the same would not have deep impact on the economy as that during the first wave.
7. SATAT Scheme, which was making news recently, is associated with which sector?
[A] Rural Electrification
[B] Affordable Transportation
[C] LPG Subsidy
[D] Investment in MSME
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Affordable Transportation]
Notes:
Oil sector PSUs in India namely Indian Oil, HPCL, BPCL, GAIL and IGL have come together into a Cooperation Agreement for promotion and development of SATAT Scheme.
SATAT stands for Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation, which was launched on 01.10.2018 to set up Compressed Biogas production plants and make CBG available in the market.
8. Under which regulation, the Government of India proposed for a rent authority to regulate renting of premises?
[A] RERA
[B] Model Tenancy Act
[C] Rent Authority Regulation Act
[D] Housing Regulation Act
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Model Tenancy Act]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister has approved the Model Tenancy Act, whose draft was first released in the year 2019. The Union Government has requested all states to enact this law by fresh / amendment legislations.
The model act proposed for a rent authority to regulate renting of premises. This aims to protect the interest of landlords and the tenants.
9. Dr Patrick Amoth, who has been appointed as the Chair of WHO Executive Board, is from which country?
[A] USA
[B] Kenya
[C] New Zealand
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kenya]
Notes:
India’s Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan completed his tenure as Chairman of WHO Executive Board on June 02.
During the 149th session of the WHO Executive board, Harsh Vardhan announced that Dr Patrick Amoth, Acting Director-General for Health, Ministry of Health of Kenya has been appointed as the Chair of WHO Executive Board.
10. Which global institution launched the ‘Programmable Digital Fiber’?
[A] Oxford University
[B] MIT
[C] Yale University
[D] Harvard University
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [MIT]
Notes:
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a first-of-its kind ‘Programmable Digital Fiber’.
This digital fiber contains memory, temperature sensors, and a neural network program to infer physical activity. It was created by placing hundreds of square silicon microscale digital chips into a preform, which was then used to create a polymer fiber.
