Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 27th & 28th February 2021

Correct Answer: C. France & Australia

Explanation: A trilateral dialogue was held among India, France, and Australia on February 24, 2021, at the senior officials’ level, with a focus on further enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The aim of this trilateral dialogue is to build strong bilateral relation among the three countries and synergies their respective strength to ensure a peaceful, secure, prosperous and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.It must be remembered that the first India-France-Australia Trilateral Dialogue was held virtually on September 9, 2020, at Foreign Secretary-level, for better coordination in the region.At the senior official level, the Indian side was led by Joint Secretary (Europe West) in MEA, Sandeep Chakravorty, while the French side was led by Bertrand Lortholary, Director (Asia and Oceania), and the Australian side was led by Mr Gary Cowan, First Assistant Secretary (North and South Asia Division) and Mr John Geering, First Assistant Secretary (Europe and Latin America Division).

Correct Answer – B. Georgia

Explanation: The Parliament of Georgia confirmed Irakli Garibashvili as Prime Minister along with a vote of confidence in the cabinet Garibashvili put forward. Garibashvili pledged to create a long-term development strategy for Georgia in his first one hundred days in office.First, on the agenda, Garibashvili will continue the essential work of the government to ably manage the pandemic and accelerate the focus on rebuilding the economy while continuing to strengthen Georgia’s security and democratic institutions.

Important Points:

Georgia Capital: Tbilisi; Currency: Georgian lari.

Correct Answer – D. -7.0%

Explanation: The US-based rating agency Moody’s has revised its growth projection for India, and now expects the economy to contract 7 per cent in fiscal 2020-21 (FY21). This is lower than its previous estimate of 10.6 per cent contraction. For the next financial year, FY22, beginning April 1, Moody’s has projected the economy to grow to 13.7 per cent, as compared to 10.8 per cent estimated earlier.

Correct Answer – B. Puducherry

Explanation: The Union Cabinet has approved to dissolve the Puducherry Assembly and impose President’s rule in the Union Territory, following the resignation of the Chief Minister, V Narayanasamy, whose government lost majority power in the assembly. The decision was taken as no party claimed to form a government, following which, Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan had recommended President’s Rule.The approval will now be sent to the President, Ramnath Kovind. The legislative assembly of the UT will be dissolved once the President accords his permission. Prior to this, the President’s rule was imposed in Puducherry between March and July in 1991 when the JD-DMK coalition government fell.

Correct Answer- A. 6th

Explanation: The 6th edition of the International Conference on Pharmaceutical & Medical Device sector was inaugurated by Union Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry, and Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution Piyush Goyal. The conference which includes INDIA PHARMA 2021 & INDIA MEDICAL DEVICE 2021 is scheduled to take place from February 25-26, 2021 & March 1-2, 2021.

Objectives of the Conference:

To encourage and bring forward the best technology solutions and manufacturing, for the overall growth of the Pharma & Medical Device sector.The theme of India Pharma 2021: ‘Indian Pharma Industry: “Future is Now”.The theme of India Medical Device 2021 is “India MedTech Future: Innovate & Make in India through Global Alliance”.

About the conference:

The conference is organised every year by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India, along with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI).

Correct Answer – D. Shantanu Mitra

Explanation: Fullerton India Credit Company has appointed Shantanu Mitra as the new CEO and Managing Director. He has over 40 years of experience in financial services, with over 20 years at Standard Chartered and Citibank, where he had stints in India, Singapore and Thailand. His last role in Standard Chartered was Senior Regional Risk Officer, India, Middle East and Africa. His previous experience with Fullerton included a stint from 2010 to 2017.

Important Points:

• Fullerton India Credit Company Founded: 1994.
• Fullerton India Credit Company Headquarters: Mumbai.

Correct Answer – D. -7%

Explanation: India’s rating agency, ICRA has projected the Indian economy to contract 7 percent in the current fiscal (FY21). For the next fiscal, i.e. FY22 (2021-22), ICRA expects a considerable rebound in India’s economic growth to 10.5 per cent due to higher central government spending, and a pick-up in consumption.

Important Points:

• ICRA Headquarters: Gurgaon, Haryana.
• ICRA Non-Executive Chairman and Director: Arun Duggal.

Correct Answer – A. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)

Explanation: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Power System Operation Corporation (POSOCO), New Delhi for promoting research in the domestic power sector.The entities will work towards addressing the challenges of the Power Sector.The aim of the MoU is to enhance the interaction between the industry-research bodies for knowledge sharing and capacity building through collaboration and to encourage research on issues related to the Indian power sector.

Correct Answer – E. Go Electric

Explanation:  ‘Go Electric’ logo was also unveiled on the occasion.Bureau of Energy Efciency is mandated to undertake an awareness drive for promoting public charging, e-mobility and its ecosystem. BEE will extend technical support to the SDAs and other partners to ensure uniformity of information to implement the campaign.

Correct Answer – B. Sikkim

Explanation: Sikkim Chief Minister P. S. Tamang launched the ‘Free Gift Milk to Girl Students of Sikkim’ initiative at Gangtok last week.The initiative will benet round 1,500 students who would be provided 200 mls of milk every day.

Correct Answer – C. Ministry of Minority Affairs

Explanation: Union Ministry of Minority Affairs organized “Mushaira” on the theme of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” in New Delhi on 20th February 2021 where renowned poets of the country presented their couplet.Renowned poets and poetess such as Shri Wasim Barelvi; Mrs Shabeena Adeeb; Shri Manzar Bhopali; Shri Popular Meeruthi; Mrs Saba Balrampuri; Ms Naseem Nikhat; Mrs Mumtaz Naseem; Col. V. P. Singh; Shri Alok Shrivastava; Sardar Surendra Singh Shajar; Shri Khursheed Haider; Shri Aqeel Nomani; Dr. Nayyar Jalalpuri; Shri Sikandar Hayat Gadbad will enthral the audience in “Mushaira” , to be organised at Dr.Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath in New Delhi.

Correct Answer – C. Brahmaputra

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi digitally laid the foundation stone of the fth bridge across the Brahmaputra that would be India’s longest.The 19.282 km four-lane bridge, expected to be completed by 2026-27, will connect Phulbari in Meghalaya and Dhubri in poll-bound Assam.The initiation of work on the bridge will be among a slew of projects that the BJP-led government in Assam has been pushing through ahead of elections to the 126-member Assembly.

Correct Answer – B. Nagaland

Explanation:  Almost 60 years after Nagaland attained statehood, the national anthem was played inside its assembly for the rst time in February 2021.The move is historic for a state that has been ravaged by decades of secessionist violence and protracted peace talks that still hang fire.Nagaland attained statehood on December 1, 1963, and was the 16th state of the Union.

Correct Answer – C. Karan Puri

Explanation: Karan Puri launched his second book titled, ‘#METOO’. The book is a collection of 6 short stories. It is published by Invincible publishers.Author’s 1st fiction novel is ‘Shit Happens – A desi boy in America’.This book was a best seller and also as mentioned in India Today Top 20 books in 2012.The book highlights the strength of human beings who have lived through the trauma of sexual violence.It also motivates all the people to become more evolved and compassionate in our intimate connections.

Correct Answer – C. Gulmarg

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered the inaugural address at the 2nd Khelo India National Winter Games through a video conference. The second edition of the Khelo India-Winter Games has been organised at the world-famous ski-resort Gulmarg in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. The event has been organised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council and the Winter Games Association of J&K. The sports activities at the games will include alpine skiing, nordic ski, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, ice hockey, ice skating, ice stock etc.

Correct Answer – D. Papua New Guinea

Explanation: The first prime minister of Papua New Guinea, Michael Somare has passed away. He was known as the “father of the nation” because he led the Pacific archipelago to independence from Australia in 1975. He had served as the prime minister of the country four times, between 1975 to 2011, and has been the longest-serving prime minister (17 years).

Correct Answer – C. Gaana

Explanation: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced that UPI AutoPay has now gone live on Gaana. Its integration with UPI AutoPay has made Gaana the 1st player in the Media & Entertainment industry to roll out the innovative e-mandate feature on UPI. The introduction of UPI AutoPay will empower Gaana’s users to experience a smooth and seamless mechanism of renewing their subscriptions. Customers can enjoy premium, uninterrupted streaming of their choicest music, podcasts and radio without having to remember about the subscription renewal date. The strategic role played by Paytm and Juspay as payment aggregators will create a superior transaction experience for the customers. Based on the mandate, the subscription amount will be deducted automatically on the authorized date without entering UPI PIN.

Correct Answer – B. State Bank of India

Explanation: State Bank of India has tied up with JPMorgan to use the US bank’s blockchain technology to speed up overseas transactions. The tie-up is expected to reduce SBI customers’ transaction costs and time taken for payments. SBI has joined Liink, a new blockchain-based interbank data network developed by JPMorgan. By integrating the technology, the bank expects to reduce transaction costs and improve cross-border payments for its customers.

About the Liink:

Liink is a peer-to-peer network and ecosystem operating under the umbrella of JPMorgan’s blockchain- and digital-currency-focused business, dubbed Onyx.Piloted in 2017, the product was originally referred to as Interbank Information Network and rebranded as Liink in October 2020.The Liink solution has enlisted more than 400 financial institutions and corporations in 78 countries, including 27 of the world’s top 50 banks. The network has around 100 live banks on the network, including both state-owned and private institutions.

Important Points:

• JPMorgan CEO: Jamie Dimon.
• JPMorgan Headquarters: New York, United States
• JPMorgan Founder: J. P. Morgan.
• SBI Chairperson: Dinesh Kumar Khara.
• SBI Headquarters: Mumbai.

Correct Answer – B. Harsh Vardhan

Explanation: Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan laid the foundation stone of Mon Medical College covering 30 acres of land at District Hospital Mon, Nagaland, on 26 February 2021.He also appealed the Nagaland government and the people to actively participate in an ambitious programme of the central government in eliminating Tuberculosis by 2025.

Nagaland: 

• Lok Sabha seats – 1.
• Rajya Sabha seats – 1.
• State Animal – Gayal.