Daily GK & Current Affairs Quiz – 12th June 2020

Correct Answer– A. -3.2%

Explanation– The Washington based multilateral lender, World Bank in its latest edition of the Global Economic Prospect (GEP) June 2020 analytical chapters reports states that India’s growth is contract by 3.2% (so growth is -3.2%) for FY20-21. It was lower from 4.2% which forecasted in FY2019-20 at the end of March 2020. According to the World Bank, the massive shock of the COVID-19 Pandemic and lockdown measures for its containment will lead to a contraction of the global economy by 5.2% in 2020.

Correct Answer– A. Recykal

Explanation– Recykal, a digital technology company in the waste management space collaborated with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd (HCCB) for Project Prithvi, a joint initiative for developing sustainable plastic waste management practices in the country. It should be noted that in 2019, IT giant Mindtree in partnership with HCCBPL and UNDP launched Project Prithvi which is operational in 28 cities across India and plans to roll out in 50+ cities across India by 2020. As part of this partnership, Recykal will leverage its cloud applications, mobile applications to raise consumer awareness on segregation and recycling.

Correct Answer– D. Denmark

Explanation– To develop strong cooperation and promote strategic intervention in the power sector, an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) on the Indo-Denmark Cooperation between the Ministry of Power, Government of the Republic of India and the Ministry for Energy, Utilities and Climate, Government of the Kingdom of Denmark was signed on 5th June 2020. The MOU was signed by the Secretary (Power), Sanjiv Nandan Sahai and Ambassador of Denmark to India, Freddy Svane.

Correct Answer– C. Harsh Vardhan

Explanation– RBI has proposed two draft documents titled “Draft Comprehensive Framework for Sale of Loan Exposures” and “Draft Framework for Securitisation of Standard Assets” consisting of guidelines applicable to all Scheduled Commercial Banks; All India Financial Institutions and, all Non-Banking Financial Companies. The revised guidelines include the recommendations of the Committee on Development of Housing Finance Securitisation Market in India chaire by Dr. Harsh Vardhan and the Task Force on the Development of Secondary Market for Corporate Loans chaired by Thothala Narayanaswamy Manoharan, which were set up by the Reserve Bank in May, 2019.

Correct Answer– C. Pune

Explanation– The Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Pune developed “ANANYA” water based disinfectant spray with nanotechnology assisted formulation. This can be used by the general public and healthcare workers and can be used for individual and large scale purposes.

Correct Answer– B. 172th

Explanation– The top five Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institute of Science have all dropped in this year’s QS World University rankings. Only the newer IITs in Guwahati and Hyderabad were able to show improvement. The total number of Indian institutions in the top 1,000 global list has also fallen from 24 to 21. IIT-Bombay still maintains its position as the top institution in India in the QS rankings, but has slipped 20 places from 152 to 172 in the global list. IISc overtook IIT Delhi to make it to the second place, but still dropped a rank to 185. IIT Delhi fell more than 10 places in the rankings to 193 rank, while IIT Madras is at 275. Both IIT Kharagpur and IIT Kanpur crashed out of the top 300.

Correct Answer– C. Weightlifting

Explanation– The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has dropped the doping charge against Indian weightlifter K Sanjita Chanu due to “non-conformities” in the handling of her sample. The Commonwealth Games gold medalist has also demanded an apology and compensation for the “trauma” she has endured. The IWF made the decision based on the recommendation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The 26-year-old, who claimed innocence since the beginning, was informed about the final verdict via an e-mail, signed by IWF’s legal counsel Lilla Sagi.

Correct Answer– B. Javed Akhtar

Explanation– Poet, lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar has honoured with the prestigious Richard Dawkins Award for 2020. He became the 1st Indian to be given the honour for critical thinking, holding religious dogma up to scrutiny, advancing human progress and humanist values. The award recognises a distinguished individual from the field of science, scholarship, education, or entertainment, who publicly proclaims the values of secularism and rationalism and upholding scientific truth.

Correct Answer– B. Andhra Pradesh

Explanation– Online waste exchange website of Andhra Pradesh Environment Management Corporation (APEMC) has been launched by the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. The website was launched on the occasion of World Environment Day. Andhra Pradesh has become India’s first state to launch waste exchange website. Through this platform, state government seeks to protect environment by covering 100% safe disposal of toxic waste, proper tracking, scrutiny as well as audit of waste. With this platform, Andhra Pradesh government will promote the six ‘R’s namely Reduce, Refurbish, Reuse, Recycle, Redesign and Remanufacture. The platform has been set up by the government as there was a need for an appropriate system for the scientific disposal of the waste generated by the various companies in the state. Hence, APEMC will monitor the generation of waste across the State and will also take effective measures for its scientific disposal.

• Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh: YS Jagan Mohan Reddy
• Governor: Biswa Bhusan Harichandan.

Correct Answer– D. Madhya Pradesh

Explanation– Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan has started Street Vendor Registration Portal http://www.mpurban.gov.in/ and “Mukhyamantri Shahri Path Vyavsayi Utthan Yojana” and transferred Rs 300 crore to urban local bodies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi for starting Pradhan Mantri Path Vikreta Aatmanirbhar Nidhi Karyakram along with this Shehri Path Vyavasayi Utthan Yojana will commence in order to benefit the state’s urban businessmen under which small businessmen or vendors will be given Rs 10,000 in the form of working capital. The current COVID-19 situation, for development purposes, the Government has provided Rs 1,555 crore to 22,800 Gram Panchayats.

Correct Answer– C. Turant Customs

Explanation– Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has launched its flagship programme “Turant Customs”. Turant Customs is a mega reform for the ease of doing business. The programme has been launched at Bengaluru and Chennai to take a leap forward to take advantage of the technology for faster Customs clearance of imported goods. With the initiation of programme at Bengaluru and Chennai, it marks the first phase of the All India roll out which would get completed by 31st December 2020.

• Chairman of Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs: Ajit Kumar

Correct Answer– B. Odisha

Explanation– The state cabinet of Odisha has adopted “Bande Utklala Janani” or Glory to mother Utkala as the anthem of Odisha through video-conferencing. The anthem has been written by Kantakabi Laxmikanta Mohapatra in 1912. In 1994 the Assembly of Odisha was set on to sing “Bande Utkala Janani” at the end of every session and considered to make it the anthem of the state. The song reflects the glory and natural beauty of Odisha.

• Chief Minister of Odisha: Naveen Patnaik;
• Governor: Ganeshi Lal.

Correct Answer– C. Rajasthan

Explanation– “Raj Kaushal Portal” and “Online Shramik Employment Exchange” has been launched by the Rajasthan Goverment. The portal has been developed by the department of Information and Technology (IT) and Rajasthan Skill & Livelihoods Development Corporation (RSLDC). The “Raj Kaushal Portal” aims to improve availability of opportunities for the migrated workers and hence acts as a bridge between industry and labourers.

Correct Answer – D. United States

Explanation:  American Sprinter, the San Benito Buller, Bobby Morrow, one of the four men (Jesse Owens(1936), Carl Lewis(1984), Usain Bolt(2012 & 2016)) to win three events at a single game (100m, 200m and 4x100m relay) died of natural causes at the age of 84 in his home in San Benito, Texas. He was born in October 1935, in Harlingen,Texas.

Correct Answer– A. Flyzy

Explanation– A team of students from IIT-Guwahati has developed a mobile application ‘Flyzy’ for seamless and contactless air travel, to help not only during the current pandemic but also during non-crisis situations. Flyzy has been developed as per International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines. It will enable safe and contactless boarding including easier baggage drop, manageable parking, better shopping experience and providing necessary updates during the whole journey.