Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 16th December 2020

Correct Answer: A. Myanmar

Explanation: The 5th India-Myanmar Bilateral Meeting on Drug Control Cooperation between the Narcotics Control Bureau, India and the Central Committee on Drug Abuse Control, Myanmar was held virtually . Both countries agreed on the exchange of intelligence information in a timely manner to conduct follow-up investigations in drug seizure cases. The 6th meeting will be held in India in 2021.

Correct Answer – B. Ola

Explanation: Ola has appointed Julien Geffard to lead Ola’s electric vehicle (EV) business in Europe. Geffard has been appointed as the Director of the go-to-market strategy for its electric business in Europe to leverage the company’s plans to enter new markets with its soon-to-be-launched two-wheeler EVs. The company plans to roll out its EV scooters in the first quarter of 2021.

Correct Answer – A. Amish Tripathi

Explanation: Amish Tripathi authored his 2nd nonfiction book titled “Dharma: Decoding the Epics for a Meaningful Life”, co-authored by his sister Bhavna Roy . The book provides philosophical lessons extracted from the ancient Hindu Epics. The book is published by Westland Publications Pvt Ltd and set to release in December 2020. The book is presented in a form of conversation between the characters in modern day India, which offers various practical philosophical lessons from epics like “Maharabarat” and Amis’s books “the Shiva Trilogy” and “Ram Chandra Series”. The book is targeted to reach the intelligent minds who are looking for in-depth philosophies in a reader friendly manner.

Correct Answer – B. Mizoram

Explanation:  The Chief Minister Mizoram Zoramathnga launched an employment generation project, “Livelihood Generation for Returned Migrant Workers project”, in the state to assist migrant workers who lost their job in the pandemic. The project will be funded by North East Council. Provide skill based training and entrepreneurship to over 2,600 workers through 7 components. Implemented in all the 11 districts of Mizoram targeting 550 candidates under this component.

Correct Answer – D. Justice Rajesh Bindal

Explanation: President of India, Ram Nath Kovind appointed Justice Rajesh Bindal as the Chief Justice of the Common High Court(HC) for the Union Territory(UT) of Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) and Union Territory of Ladakh. He will take charge on December 9, 2020. He succeeds Justice Gita Mittal, the 1st female Chief Justice of this court. President of India appointed him, in exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India.

Prior to his appointment as chief justice of the common HC for the UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh, he served as the senior-most Judge of this court. He was appointed as Permanent Judge of the HC of Punjab and Haryana on March 22, 2006.

Correct Answer – C. SBI General Insurance Company Limited

Explanation: SBI General Insurance Company Limited entered into a strategic partnership with Mahindra Insurance Brokers Ltd. (MIBL) to increase the insurance penetration in tier 2 & 3 cities(Rural Indian Cities ). MIBL has collaborated with SBI General Insurance under its ‘Sajhedaari program’. This association enables the company to offer health insurance cover to people in tier-II and III cities and also generate employment.

Through this association SBI General Insurance and MIBL will empower people with knowledge about health insurance policies and its access. This association marks a notable milestone for SBI General in realizing its vision to become the most trusted general insurer for a transforming India.

Correct Answer – B. Blackstone

Explanation: Blackstone has agreed to acquire Piramal Glass, the glass packaging business of the diversified Piramal Group, at an enterprise value of $1 billion. Blackstone will execute the deal in two tranches, as part of the agreement signed between the two parties. It will first pay $850 million and assume ownership and management control of Piramal Glass.

Correct Answer – A. CMS-01

Explanation: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch a communication satellite CMS-01, formerly named GSAT-12R, on December 17, using its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket’s XL variant numbered as PSLV-C50. The CMS-01 will be a replacement for GSAT-12 that weighed 1,410 kg and was launched on July 11, 2011, with a mission life of eight years.

CMS-01 is a communication satellite envisaged for providing services in Extended-C Band of the frequency spectrum, which will include the Indian mainland, Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. The 42nd communication satellite of India, it will have a mission life of seven years.

Correct Answer – D. ICICI Prudential Life Insurance

Explanation:  ICICI Prudential Life Insurance company’s Assets under Management (AUM) have crossed ₹2 lakh crore in its 20th year. The company started operations 20 years ago with the issuance of policies to seven underprivileged children. It had an AUM of approximately ₹100 crore in FY 2001, which grew to about ₹50,000 crore in FY2010.

Correct Answer – C. Austria

Explanation: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Austria on Technology Cooperation in the Road Infrastructure Sector. The MoU will further strengthen ties, promote long-standing bilateral relations and enhance trade and regional integration between the two countries.

The MoU aims to create an effective framework for bilateral cooperation in the field of road transportation, road/highway infrastructure development, management and administration, road safety, and intelligent transport systems between both countries. The Indo-Austria bilateral cooperation in the road transport sector would be beneficial both from the perspective of enhanced road safety as well as attractive financing possibilities for the sector, thus fostering and intensifying the already good relations between the two countries, through this MoU in the transport sector.

Correct Answer – C. BEAM

Explanation: Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) Ltd. has launched an electronic spot platform, “BSE E-Agricultural Markets Ltd (BEAM)”, for agricultural commodities through its subsidiary BSE Investments Ltd. The platform aims to boost the competitiveness of the Indian agricultural market by enhancing the strength of the BSE in financial markets, market technology and its vibrant ecosystem.

Correct Answer – A. Ashraf Patel

Explanation: Ashraf Patel, the founder member and Board member of Pravah and ComMutiny – The Youth Collective (CYC) has been declared as the winner of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year (SEOY) Award – India 2020. The award was presented by the Union Minister of Women & Child Development & Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani.

The SEOY award “recognizes entrepreneurs who implement innovative, sustainable and scalable solutions to solve India’s social problems. It is the 11th edition of the annual award, instituted by the Schwab Foundation and Jubilant Bhartia Foundation in 2010.

Correct Answer – C. US $448 million

Explanation:  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev co-chaired the virtual Summit held between the two countries, to strengthen strategic partnership among them. The Government of India also approved a US $448 million Line of Credit for four developmental projects in Uzbekistan in the fields of road construction, sewerage treatment and information technology. India and Uzbekistan signed nine Agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) in various areas including in the field of:

1. Solar Energy
2. Digital Technologies
3. High Impact Community Development Projects
4. Trade, Economic and Investment Cooperation
5. Defence and Security
6. Civil Nuclear Energy
7. Connectivity
8. Culture, Education and People-to-People Contacts
9. Terrorism

Correct Answer: C. Max Verstappen

Explanation: Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands) won the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2020, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This was his second victory of the season and 10th victory of his career. The race was the 17th and final round of the 2020 Formula One World Championship. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-Finland) stood second, followed by world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-Great Britain) at third place.