Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 24th October 2020

Correct Answer: D. Singapore

Explanation: Singapore became the World’s First Country to attach Facial verification in the National Identification Database. The function is called “SingPass Face Verification”. This technology is being rolled out to the city-state’s SingPass digital identity scheme, offering access to no less than 400 online services, including tax declarations and public housing applications.

According to the Singapore authorities, the technology helps ensure that the right person is genuinely present in front of their screen, rather than a photograph, a video, a replayed recording or a deepfake.

Correct Answer – A. RPF

Explanation: Railway Protection Force (RPF), Visakhapatnam has started implementing ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative in AP Express (Visakhapatnam to New Delhi), in order to provide proactive security to women passengers. The main motto of ‘Meri Saheli’ is to provide safety and security to women passengers travelling in trains throughout their journey.

A team of women Sub Inspectors and women constables of RPF will enter all coaches including ladies coaches and identify women passengers, who are travelling alone before the departure of the train. These passengers will be briefed about all precautions to be taken during the journey and inform about help no. 182 apart from giving contact numbers of RPF to contact in case of any issue.

Correct Answer – B. Odisha

Explanation: Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik has launched the electricity consumer service portal ”Mo Bidyut” and a mobile app through video conference. The bilingual online electricity integrated consumer service portal www.mobidyut.com developed by the Energy Department and dedicated to the public under 5T (Teamwork, Transparency, Technology, Time leading to Transformation) initiative of the state government. Through this people will now be able to avail efficient, time-bound, and transparent online service delivery.

Correct Answer – C. $358.37 billion

Explanation:  The total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow grew by 55% from $231.37 billion in 2008 to 2014 to over $358 billion in 2014 to 2020. FDI equity inflow also increased by 57% from around 160 bn dollars during 2008-14 to over 252 billion dollars in 2014-2020. During April to August 2020, total FDI inflow of 35.73 billion is received. It is the highest ever for the first 5 months of a financial year.

Correct Answer – D. Madhya Pradesh

Explanation: An Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Training Center has been started in Madhya Pradesh. Training in handicrafts, arts and culture-based skills will be imparted through this centre to the women. The Atma-Nirbhar Bharat Training Center has been established in Indore, the financial capital of the state. The centre, operating through Lok Sanskriti Manch, was inaugurated on 20 October 2020.

Correct Answer – C. Tushar Mehta

Explanation: India on 20 October 2020, participated in 18th meeting of Prosecutors General of SCO via video conference. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented India. The meeting of Prosecutors agreed to strengthen cooperation in preventing and combating corruption, mutual legal assistance and exchange of regulatory legal acts. India will host the next meeting of Prosecutors General in 2021.

Correct Answer – B. BondEvalue

Explanation: Singapore-based bond exchange, BondEvalue, co-founded by India-origin entrepreneurs Rajaram Kannan and Rahul Banerjee, is all set to launch a blockchain-platform in 2021 to facilitate investment in bonds by individuals. Recently, BondEvalue got approval as a global Recognised Market Operator (RMO) from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

The RMO allows BondbloX Bond Exchange (BBX), the world’s first blockchain-based bond exchange, to trade globally a wide range of fixed-income securities. Resident Indians can buy US dollar bonds on the BondEvalue Exchange through the Liberalised Remittance Scheme which allows individual to remit up to USD 200,000 a year from India. Individuals will come via the Indian banks that become members on the exchange.

Correct Answer – C. 24th October

Explanation: 24th October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. The United Nations was founded in 1945 to support collective action to realize peace, development and human rights for all. With the ratification of the UN Charter by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. It was declared to be an international observance in 1971 by UNGA and that it should be observed as a public holiday by United Nations member states.

Correct Answer – B. Priyanka Chopra

Explanation:  Parle Agro has roped in Priyanka Chopra Jonas as the national brand ambassador to maximise reach and awareness of its fruits plus fizz portfolio ‘B-Fizz’. The campaign will be aggressively promoted across IPL on Hotstar and YouTube. B-Fizz is a unique and refreshing apple juice-based malt flavoured carbonated drink that is set to revolutionize the taste experience of consumers across age groups.

Correct Answer – C. Madhabi Puri Buch

Explanation: The term of Madhabi Puri Buch as a Whole Time Member (WTM) at the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has been extended by 6 months. Madhabi Puri Buch is the first woman Whole Time Member (WTM) of SEBI and also the first from the private sector to be appointed as a board member in SEBI. Madhabi Puri Buch was appointed as the Whole Time Member (WTM) at the Securities and Exchange Board of India in 2017 with a three-year tenure, while other WTMs of SEBI were appointed for the duration of five years.

Correct Answer – D. Uttar Pradesh

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the top destination for attracting the highest number of domestic tourists visiting the state in 2019 as per the Indian Tourism Statistics (ITS) 2020, released by the Ministry of Tourism. About 53.6 crore domestic tourists visited Uttar Pradesh in 2019, which is 23.1% of the total travellers. Tamil Nadu (21.3%) came second followed by Andhra Pradesh (10.2%).

Correct Answer – B. Uttarakhand

Explanation: Asan Conservation Reserve has become Uttarakhand’s first Ramsar site, making it a ‘Wetland of International Importance’, announced the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The Reserve is located on the banks of Yamuna river near Dehradun district in Garhwal region of the Himalayan state.

Correct Answer – A. 6.1%

Explanation:  The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has informed that the value of global trade is set to fall by 7-9% in 2020. In its quarterly Global Trade Update, it said that preliminary data for the third quarter suggest that global growth remained negative with a decline of about 4.5%. As per the report, India’s exports declined 6.1% on-year for the quarter ended 30 Sept 2020.

Correct Answer – C. Vijaylakshmi Ramanan

Explanation: Indian Air Force 1st woman officer, Wing Commander (retd) Dr Vijaylakshmi Ramanan passed away. She was born in February 1924, she did her MBBS and later was commissioned in the Army Medical Corps on August 22, 1955. Besides having served as a gynaecologist at various Air Force Hospitals, including here, she had also attended to the troops wounded during wars and performed administrative duties.

Ramanan was promoted to the rank of Wing Commander in August 1972 and honoured with the Vishist Seva Medal five years later. She had retired in February 1979. Ramanan was also trained in Carnatic music and had been an artist with the All India Radio at a very young age.