Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 2nd February 2021

Correct Answer: D. Punjab National Bank

Explanation: Punjab National Bank (PNB) has decided to restrict its customers from withdrawing money from non-EMV automated teller machines (ATMs) with effect from 01 February 2021, in an attempt to check frauds, related to money transactions.This restriction will apply to both, financial and non-financial transactions. To overcome this, PNB will introduce OTP based systems for withdrawing cash.PNB has also decided to replace the old IFSC and MICR codes. This means that the old codes will not work after March 31, 2021.Customers will have to get a new code from the bank.This decision has been taken due to merger of Punjab National Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce and United Bank of India on 1st April 2020.

Correct Answer – C. HDFC Bank

Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India has appointed an external IT firm for carrying out a special audit of the IT infrastructure of HDFC Bank.RBI has appointed an external professional IT firm for carrying out a special audit of the entire IT infrastructure of the bank under Section 30 (1-B) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949…, at the cost of the Bank under Section 30 (1-C) of the Act.The bank shall accordingly extend its cooperation to the external professional IT firm so appointed by RBI for conducting the special IT audit as above.In December, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) temporarily barred HDFC Bank from launching new digital banking initiatives and issuing new credit cards after taking a serious view of service outages at the lender over the last two years.

Correct Answer – A. Henry Moniz

Explanation:Top compliance officer at ViacomCBS Inc., Henry Moniz has been appointed as the first chief compliance officer of social media platform Facebook Inc.He will join Facebook on February 8 to lead the company’s global compliance team, to enhance its global compliance and risk management and promote the highest standards of legal and ethical conduct at the company.

Correct Answer – B. Bhavya Lal

Explanation: Indian-American Bhavya Lal was appointed by NASA as the Acting Chief of Staff of the US space agency.Lal served as a member of the Biden Presidential Transition Agency Review Team for the agency and oversaw the agency’s transition under the administration of President Joe Biden.Lal is an active member of the space technology and policy community, having chaired, co-chaired, or served on five high-impact National Academy of Science committees.She served two consecutive terms on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing and was an External Council member of NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts Program and the Technology, Innovation and Engineering Advisory Committee of the NASA Advisory Council.

Correct Answer – B. Wetlands and Water

Explanation: World Wetlands Day is observed every year on 2 February.On 2 February 1971, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was signed at Ramsar in Iran.The day aims to raise awareness about the crucial role played by wetlands for people and our planet.The international theme for World Wetlands Day 2021 is ‘Wetlands and Water’.2021 marks 50 years of the Convention on Wetlands.

Correct Answer – D. Only A and B

Explanation: According to RBI, the licence of Maharashtra-based Shivam Sahakari Bank has been cancelled as it does not have adequate capital and earning prospects.The Commissioner for Cooperation and Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra has also been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and appoint a liquidator for the bank. With the cancellation of licence the process of paying the depositors as per the DICGC Act, 1961 will be set in motion. As per the data submitted by the Kolhapur-based bank, more than 99 per cent of the depositors are fully insured by Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). The bank with its present financial position would be unable to pay its present depositors in full.

Important Points

• DICGC Chairperson: Michael Patra.
• DICGC Founded: 1961.
• DICGC Headquarters: Mumbai.

Correct Answer – B. Rama Mohan Rao Amara

Explanation: SBI Cards and Payment Services Ltd (SBI Card) has appointed Rama Mohan Rao Amara as its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a period of two years. Rao is a veteran banker, with a successful career spanning over 29 years at SBI, the credit card company. Prior to taking charge at SBI Card, he was the Chief General Manager, SBI Bhopal Circle.

Earlier this week, Ashwini Kumar Tewari had resigned from the post of MD and CEO of SBI Card owing to his appointment as the Managing Director of State Bank of India (SBI). 

Important Points:

• SBI Card Founded: October 1998.
• SBI Card Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana.

Correct Answer – D. 1934-35

Explanation: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided not to conduct the Ranji Trophy in 2020-21. This will be the first time in 87 years since its inception in 1934-35, that India’s premier first-class cricket national championship will not be held in 2020-21 domestic season. Instead on Ranji Trophy, BCCI has decided to conduct the Vijay Hazare Trophy 50-over tournament and Senior Women’s One Day tournament after the completion of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament.

Correct Answer – C. 23

Explanation:   SEBI has slapped a total penalty of ₹2.38 crore on 23 entities for indulging in fraudulent trading activities in the shares of Steel Exchange India Ltd (SEIL).The fine has been levied in the range of ₹5 lakh to ₹8 lakh on 23 entities and individuals.An investigation was carried out by the regulator into the shares of SEIL during July to December 2017 period.

Correct Answer – D. 18.75

Explanation: Union Budget 2021-22 has increased defence capital outlay by 18.75 per cent.This is the highest ever increase in the capital outlay of Defence in the last 15 years.Defence allocation in the budget has been increased to over 4,78,195 crore rupees for the Financial Year 2021-22.Allocation under Non-Salary Revenue to meet operational requirement has been increased to over 54,624 crore rupees.

Correct Answer – C. 16.5 lakh

Explanation: To provide adequate credit to farmers, the government has enhanced the agricultural credit target to 16.5 lakh crore rupees in the next fiscal.Government has also enhanced the allocation to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund from 30,000 to 40,000 crore rupees.It has enlarged the scope of Operation Green Scheme to include 22 perishable products besides tomatoes, onions, and potatoes.

Correct Answer – C. Bengaluru

Explanation:Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 2nd production line of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited”s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft in Bengaluru on 2 February 2021.The delivery of the Tejas LCA to the Indian Air Force under a ₹ 48,000-cr deal will begin from March 2024.Annually around 16 aircraft will be rolled out till the completion of the total supply of 83 jets.

Correct Answer – A. Acting

Explanation: Actor, screenwriter, and director John Frey, widely known for the 2018 film ‘Cabaret Maxime’, passed away in January 2021.He won the Portuguese Society of Authors best screenplay award for Bruno de Almeida’s film ‘Cabaret Maxime’.Frey and de Almeida collaborated on several films including ‘On the Run’ (1999), ‘The Lovebirds’ (2009), ‘The Lecture’ (2012), and ‘Operation Autumn’ (2013).

Correct Answer: C. 5

Explanation: Finance Minister N Sitharaman has announced ₹1.41 lakh crore for the Urban Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, which will be completed over a span of 5 years from 2021-26.4,378 urban local bodies would be benefited, and liquid waste management would be carried out across 500 AMRUT cities.In 2020, ₹9,994 cr were allocated for Swachh Bharat Mission Rural and ₹2,300 cr for Swachh Bharat Mission Urban.