Daily GK and Current Affairs Quiz – 8th December 2020

Correct Answer: C. Dr Vivek Murthy

Explanation: US President-elect Joe Biden has selected his key Covid-19 advisor, Dr Vivek Murthy, as the next Surgeon General. The Indian-American doctor is one of the three co-chairs of the Biden’s coronavirus Advisory Board. The Surgeon General serves a four-year term and is the top government official on public health issues. Jerome Adams is the incumbent Surgeon General.

Correct Answer – D. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Explanation: Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued an advisory on advertisements on online gaming, fantasy sports and others. It has issued guidelines which will be effective from 15 December 2020. As per the guidelines, no gaming advertisement may depict any person under the age of 18 years doing online gaming for real money winnings, or suggest that such a person can play these games.

Correct Answer – B. Russia

Explanation: The Indian Navy (IN) is undertaking a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Russian Federation Navy (RuFN) in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region (IOR) on 4-5 Dec 2020. IN is being represented by indigenously constructed guided-missile frigate Shivalik and anti-submarine corvette Kadmatt along with integral helicopters. The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability.

Correct Answer – B. Ajit Kumar

Explanation:  Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of the Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar dedicated the ‘Gaurav Stambh’ to the nation on 4 December 2020. Set against the ramparts of Bombay Castle in the Naval Dockyard, the monument depicts a submariner, a surface warrior and a naval aviator to represent all three dimensions of the Indian Navy and is inscribed with a Sanskrit shloka.

Correct Answer – C. Ayan Banerjee

Explanation: The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has named O P Jindal Global University’s student Ayan Banerjee as its 2020 ‘volunteer of the year’. Ayan, an 18-year-old student from Prayagraj, is a vegan and he joined PETA India’s volunteer ranks two years ago. During the pandemic, he encouraged students to join PETA Youth’s online webinar on vegan eating.

Correct Answer – C. Manipur

Explanation: The Nongpok Sekmai Police Station in Manipur topped the list of best police stations in India, while Sooramangalam All Women Police Station at Salem, Tamil Nadu was adjudged the second best police station in the country. The Kharsang PS, Arunachal Pradesh‘s Changlang district was adjudged the country’s third-best police station. Here is the list of Top 5 Police Stations for 2020:

Correct Answer – C. Ranjitsingh Disale

Explanation: Ranjitsinh Disale won the Global teacher prize, 2020. He is a primary school teacher from Solapur of Maharashtra. The Global teacher prize is awarded by the Varkey Foundation. The 31-year-old Ranjitsingh Disale generously declared that he will split half of the prize money of USD 1 million with his top ten fellow finalists.

Correct Answer – C. Uttar Pradesh

Explanation: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 430 million multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) to improve the quality and reliability of electricity supply in Uttar Pradesh in India. The Uttar Pradesh Power Distribution Network Rehabilitation Project will improve efficiency and sustainability of power supply in the state. The project will finance the conversion of 65,000 km rural low-voltage distribution lines from bare conductors to aerial bundle conductors to benefit an estimated 70 million people in 46,000 rural villages. It will also finance construction of a parallel network of 11 kV feeders with a total length of 17,000 km to separate distribution of electricity between residential consumers and agriculture consumers.

Correct Answer – B. Indian bank

Explanation:  Indian Bank has entered into an agreement with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to use the latter’s asset restructuring module for MSME borrowers. MSMEs have been finding it difficult to maintain books of accounts, preparation of financial statements and submission of financial projections for producing the same to banks / FIs for availing credit finance / restructuring their loans based on their estimates and revision in working capital cycle. MSMEs have to approach third parties for this purpose which involves time and cost. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has come out with Asset Restructuring Module for MSMEs – Do it Yourself (ARM-MSME DIY) – for supporting these MSMEs.

Correct Answer – C. Axis Bank

Explanation: Axis Bank Ltd in partnership with Rupifi and Visa launched ‘Axis Bank Rupifi Business Credit Card’ for MSMEs(Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises). This Contactless Co-Branded credit card, powered by Visa is applicable only to the MSMEs businesses that transact on the aggregator platforms partnered with Rupifi PAN (Permanent Account Number) India for their business purchases. The card offers credit solutions to such MSMEs. It is only for domestic transactions.

Correct Answer – B. A.Sivathanu Pillai

Explanation: The Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu has released the book titled “40 Years with Abdul Kalam- Untold Stories”, a book on the life of the former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The book was authored by Dr A.Sivathanu Pillai. The book is published by Pentagon Press LLP and the foreword was written by Pranab Mukherjee, former president of India.

Dr A. Sivathanu Pillai has assisted Dr Vikram Sarabhai during the evolution of the ten-year space profiles and worked with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (SLV3) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) configuration design and with Prof. Satish Dhawan in the study of future ISRO launch vehicles and missions.

Correct Answer – E. Both B & C

Explanation: Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen and Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga have been named by Fortune among the Businessperson of the Year 2020. The list has been topped by Tesla CEO Elon Musk for the second time. Narayen was ranked 8th in the list, while Banga was ranked 9th. Banga, who had been Mastercard’s CEO for 10 years, will step down from his role and Michael Miebach will be the new CEO.

Correct Answer – B. Lakshadweep

Explanation:  Lakshadweep Administrator, Dineshwar Sharma passed away. He was earlier headed the Intelligence Bureau and was also the Interlocutor for Jammu and Kashmir. The 66-year-old retired IPS officer of the Kerala cadre had been appointed administrator of the Lakshadweep Union Territory in October 2019. He was assistant director in the IB in Kashmir between 1994 and 1996 and then went on to serve on the Kashmir desk of the bureau in the national capital.

Correct Answer: D. Social Activism

Explanation: Dr Rashid Ahmed Mahmood, a prominent Indian-origin South African activist who participated in the anti-apartheid movement, has died. Mahmood was fondly called Rashid ‘Ram’ Salojee. He lived and worked as a surgeon in Lenasia, a township that was created to resettle migrants from India.