Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 1st May 2021

Correct Answer: D. ICICI Bank

Explanation: The ICICI Bank has announced the launch of a digital and contactless banking platform, especially for retail merchants. The service, called ‘Merchant Stack’, is targeted at the over 2 crore retail merchants in the country, covering grocers, supermarkets, large retail store chains, online businesses and large e-commerce firms.

About the ‘Merchant Stack’

Retail merchants can avail the ‘Merchant Stack’ services on InstaBIZ, the mobile banking application of ICICI Bank for businesses.The wide range of banking, as well as value-added services, will enable merchants to meet their banking requirements seamlessly so that they can continue to serve their customers in the challenging times during the pandemic.The banking services under Merchant Stack will include zero-balance current account, instant credit facilities, ‘digital store management’ facility, loyalty programme, and value-added services like alliances with e-commerce and digital marketing platforms.

Correct Answer – B. Albania

Explanation: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has launched joint military exercises “DEFENDER-Europe 21” in Albania with thousands of military forces from the United States and other countries in the first such large-scale drills since World War II in the Western Balkans. Albania is playing a critical part in the DEFENDER-Europe 21 exercise with Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore operations taking place.North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has launched joint military exercises “DEFENDER-Europe 21” in Albania with thousands of military forces from the United States and other countries in the first such large-scale drills since World War II in the Western Balkans. Albania is playing a critical part in the DEFENDER-Europe 21 exercise with Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore operations taking place.

Correct Answer – D. Neeraj Bajaj

Explanation: Bajaj Auto has announced the appointment of Neeraj Bajaj as its new Chairman of the Board with effect from May 1, 2021. The automaker has also announced Rahul Bajaj as its Chairman Emeritus. This will be taken up at the ensuing annual general meeting for the approval of the shareholders. Rahul Bajaj, Non-executive Chairman of the Company, having been at the helm of the Company since 1972 and the Group for five decades, considering his age, has tendered his resignation as a non-executive director and Chairman of the Company with effect from close of business hours on 30 April 2021.

Correct Answer – C. HDFC Bank

Explanation: HDFC Bank has emerged as the top arranger of corporate bond deals in 2020-21 (FY21). Axis Bank came in second, while ICICI Bank third. However, for the last quarter of FY21, i.e January- March 2021, Axis Bank was the top arranger of corporate bond deals while HDFC was second in the last quarter. Axis Bank managed 16 deals worth Rs. 106.6 billion while HDFC Bank had 19 deals worth around Rs 70.4 billion.

Important Points:

• Headquarters of HDFC Bank: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• MD and CEO of HDFC Bank: Sashidhar Jagdishan(Succeeds Aditya Puri).
• The tagline of HDFC Bank: We understand your world.

Correct Answer – C. 30 April

Explanation: The International Jazz Day is celebrated on 30 April every year to highlight the importance of jazz and its diplomatic role in uniting people in all corners of the globe. The 2021 celebration marks the 10th Anniversary of International Jazz Day. The day was created on the idea of jazz pianist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock.

What is Jazz?

The musical form of Jazz was developed by African Americans. It was influenced by both European harmonic structure and African rhythms. It originated in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

History of International Jazz DayThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed 30 April as International Jazz Day on November 2011. The day was designated to bring together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts from across the world to celebrate and learn about the art of jazz and its impact.

Important Points:

• Director-General of UNESCO: Audrey Azoulay.
• UNESCO formation: 4 November 1946.
• UNESCO Headquarters: Paris, France.

Correct Answer – D. Maharashtra

Explanation:  Maharashtra Health Minister Dr. Rajesh Tope has said that the state needs to appoint oxygen Nurses to curb wastage of oxygen and to maintain data of oxygen storage at hospitals.The primary job of an oxygen nurse is to monitor the requirement of oxygen every 2-4 hours round the clock, its use among patients and to ensure minimum wastage.Instruction has been issued to all government medical colleges and hospitals to set up a dedicated team of nurses.The agreement would provide a legal framework for sharing information and intelligence between the Customs authorities of the two countries.It would help in proper application of Customs laws, prevention and investigation of Customs offences and the facilitation of legitimate trade.

Correct Answer – E. Aditya L1
Explanation:  A community service centre has been set up to bring all data on board India’s first dedicated solar space mission to a single web-based interface. The service centre is called Aditya-L1 Support Cell.It is a joint effort of Indian Space Research Organisation and Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences. It will allow every interested individual to perform scientific analysis of the data.

It is slated to develop specific tools to assist guest observers and researchers to prepare observing proposals for Aditya-L1 observations.It will also assist ISRO with the design and development of analysis software for handling scientific data.The centre will also provide co-aligned data from other observatories around the world that can complement the data obtained from Aditya-L1.

Correct Answer – B. 1st May

Explanation: The ‘International Labour Day’ takes place every year on 1st May. It is a celebration of laborers and the working classes, promoted by the international labour movement, anarchists, socialists, and communists.

Note: The day marks the victory of workers’ movement for eight hours of work. It also aims to pay tribute to workers sacrifices in achieving economic and social rights all over the world.

Correct Answer – A. Arjun Kalyan

Explanation:   Arjun Kalyan, who recently became a Grandmaster, won the GM round robin Rujna Zora-3 2021 chess tournament which concluded in Serbia.The 18-year-old Kalyan is a B. Com. student at the SRM College (Vadapalani) in Chennai.He is coached by IM Saravanan and Ukrainian GM Aleksandr Goloshchapov.

Correct Answer – D. China

Explanation: A Chinese space mining start-up launched into low Earth orbit a robot prototype that can scoop up debris left behind by other spacecraft with a big net.The NEO-01, which will also peer into deep space to observe small celestial bodies, was launched on the government’s Long March 6 rocket along with a handful of satellites, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.The 30kg robot developed by Shenzhen-based Origin Space will pave the way for future technologies capable of mining on asteroids, according to the company.

Correct Answer – B. 140

Explanation: The sale of electric cars rose by 140% in the first quarter of 2021, breaking 2020’s record of 41 per cent surge on EV registrations despite pandemic hitting the economies badly.In 2020, consumer spending on EVs touched 120 billion dollars while car registrations rose by 41 percent.In 2020 the global average Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) price was around 40,000 dollars.

Correct Answer – B. Myanmar

Explanation: The political turmoil in Myanmar combined with the impact of the pandemic could result in almost half of the nearly 50 million population in the country living into poverty by early 2022.According to a report of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), close to 48.2 per cent of the population will live in poverty.The World Bank has projected a 10% contraction in the Myanmar economy in 2021.

Myanmar:

• Capital – Naypyitaw.
• Currency – Burmese Kyat.
• President – Win Myint.
• National Sport – Chinlone.

Correct Answer – C. 10

Explanation:  US aerospace major Boeing on 30 April 2021 announced a USD 10 million emergency assistance package for India to support the country’s response to the current surge in COVID-19 cases.This assistance will be directed to organisations providing relief, including medical supplies and emergency healthcare for communities and families battling the virus.

USA:

• Capital – Washington, D.C.
• Currency – US Dollar.
• President- Joe Biden.

Correct Answer: C. Pfizer

Explanation: Pfizer has now begun to export COVID-19 vaccine shots made in its US facilities.Earlier it was only exporting vaccine shots made in its Belgium production plant.The development comes after the restriction imposed by the former US President expired on 31 March 2021.Pfizer has become the largest supplier of the COVID-19 vaccine to Mexico after shipping over 10 million doses.