Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 20th October 2020

Correct Answer: C. $ 25 billion

Explanation: World Bank has called for emergency financing of 25 billion dollars to help the world’s poorest countries grapple with the massive challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic. The package would be proposed later in October 2020 to deputies of the International Development Association (IDA). The World Bank and International Monetary Fund have proposed a joint action plan to help these countries.

Correct Answer – B. INS Sindhuvir

Explanation: India will be delivering a Kilo Class submarine INS Sindhuvir to Myanmar Navy as part of defence cooperation. This will be the first submarine of the Myanmar Navy. The step is in accordance with India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and also in line with India’s commitment to building capacities and self-reliance in the neighboring countries.

Correct Answer – C. Rs 1.10 lakh crore 

Explanation: The Centre will borrow up to 1.10 lakh crore rupees on behalf of the states to bridge the shortfall in GST collections. The amount so borrowed will be passed on to the states as a back-to-back loan in lieu of GST compensation cess releases. The borrowing will not have any impact on the fiscal deficit of the Government of India.

Correct Answer – D. Jammu and Kashmir

Explanation:  The J&K Govt has signed an MoU with Flipkart to provide a platform for local artisans, craftsmen, weavers to reach customers across the globe. This is a significant step to promote the rural economy and to boost the sale of genuine products of J&K. This e-marketing channel shall involve and benefit artisans and weavers both in organized and unorganized sector and for the first six months.

Correct Answer – C. Vishal V Sharma

Explanation: Vishal V Sharma has been appointed as the next permanent representative of India to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Sharma has succeeded Jawed Ashraf. Sharma is expected to take up the assignment shortly. His appointment was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Correct Answer – A. MS Ananth

Explanation: All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has constituted a Committee to Prepare the Professional Engineers Bill. The committee is chaired by M.S. Ananth, Former Director of Indian Institute of Technology Madras(IIT-M). K. Somaprasad, MP demanded a professional regulatory mechanism in the field of Engineering to monitor and measure the professional ethics of engineers. He mentioned that currently there are around 10396 engineering institutes that were approved by the AICTE where only few of these institutes were providing quality education. The issue on the lack of regulatory mechanics in the field of engineering was raised following the consultation with experts like E. Sreedharan, Principal Advisor of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

Correct Answer – C. Rajasthan

Explanation: A toll-free government helpline for mental health ”Mann Samvad” was launched by Health Minister Raghu Sharma in Rajasthan. The helpline 1800-180-0018 launched by the state government to continuously strengthening mental health services during the coronavirus period. The facility of free tele-counselling is being provided to patients with mental health issues that through the helpline.

Correct Answer – C. Karnataka Bank

Explanation: Private Sector lender Karnataka Bank Limited has appointed Uma Shankar as Additional Director (Non-Executive, Independent) and the appointment will be effective from November 1, 2020. She is a former Executive Director of Reserve Bank of India. She was with RBI for over 37 years in different capacities. Her core competence is in the financial sector supervision but she has also been responsible for currency management, foreign exchange and the internal accounting and administration.

Correct Answer – A. Ministry of Education

Explanation:  Union Education Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has virtually launched the campaign ‘KAPILA’, which stands for Kalam Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness campaign on 15th October 2020. The day was launched in honour of 89th birth anniversary celebration of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Through the campaign, the government will spread awareness through educational programs about the importance of patenting an invention, to lead India towards self-reliance. In order to promote awareness in the field, the Ministry has decided to celebrate the week from 15 to 23 October as ‘Intellectual Property Literacy Week’. Various awareness programs will be organised to create awareness about the system and the importance of the process of applying for a patent.

Correct Answer – B. Michael Irani

Explanation: Dr Michael Irani of Great Britain (GBR) has been appointed as the Interim President of the International Weightlifting Federation(IWF), at the meeting of the IWF Executive Board, in accordance with the constitution of IWF. Michael Irani was appointed following the resignation of IWF President Tamás Aján. Prior to this, Michael Irani was serving as the chairman of the IWF Medical Committee.

Correct Answer – C. 20th October

Explanation: The third World Statistics Day is observed globally on 20 October 2020. The celebration of World Statistics Day 2020 is a global collaborative endeavour, organized under the guidance of the United Nations Statistical Commission. The World Statistics Day 2020 theme “Connecting the world with data we can trust.” This theme reflects the importance of trust, authoritative data, innovation and the public good in national statistical systems.

Correct Answer – C. HDFC Bank

Explanation: Tata Motors has collaborated with HDFC Bank for financing its passenger vehicles. Through the partnership, the company has introduced two new schemes — ‘Gradual Step Up Scheme’ and ‘TML Flexi Drive Scheme’ with an eye on making its products more accessible and driving up sales in the festive season. The schemes will be available till the end of November 2020.

Correct Answer – A. 40%

Explanation:  Government has extended the current concessional rate of 40% discount on cargo movement between India and Chabahar Port in Iran for a period of one year. The discount will apply for the coastal movement of cargo and vessel-related charges, being handled at Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Deendayal Port to Shahid Beheshti Port, Chabahar.

Correct Answer: C. Politics

Explanation: Bihar’s Panchayati Raj Minister Kapil Deo Kamat succumbed to COVID-19 in October 2020. Kamat is the second minister in Nitish Kumar”s cabinet to succumb to the infection this week. Minister of backward classes and extremely backward class welfare Vinod Singh died in Delhi on October 12 due to post-COVID complications.