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CA October 2020 Note Book

The document outlines key current affairs from October 2020, including India's agreements with Bangladesh and Denmark, state initiatives in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, and notable awards given to Usha Mangeshkar and Sonu Sood. It also highlights various government programs and initiatives across different states, such as the Paryatan Sanjeevani Yojana in Assam and Operation Meri Saheli by South Eastern Railway. Additionally, it mentions international relations, including India's acquisition of assault rifles from the USA and the establishment of air bubble arrangements with Kenya and Bhutan.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
55 views126 pages

CA October 2020 Note Book

The document outlines key current affairs from October 2020, including India's agreements with Bangladesh and Denmark, state initiatives in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, and notable awards given to Usha Mangeshkar and Sonu Sood. It also highlights various government programs and initiatives across different states, such as the Paryatan Sanjeevani Yojana in Assam and Operation Meri Saheli by South Eastern Railway. Additionally, it mentions international relations, including India's acquisition of assault rifles from the USA and the establishment of air bubble arrangements with Kenya and Bhutan.

Uploaded by

abhidola
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Current Affairs: October 2020

Note Book
Current Affairs
October 2020

‘Note Book’ You Tube channel


https://www.youtube.com/c/NoteBookwbcs

Telegram channel link: https://t.me/notebookwbcs

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 1


Current Affairs: October 2020

1. Recently with which country India has agreed to set up a High-level Monitoring
Committee?
 Bangladesh
 The committee is for regularly review the progress of implementation of
defence projects which are being run with LOC provided by India.
 The committee would be headed by the Secretary, Economic Relations
Division of Bangladesh and High Commissioner of India in Bangladesh.
 India emphasized the importance of Bangladesh in India’s ‘Neighbourhood
First Policy’.
 They also discussed the Rohingya issue.
 Bangladesh
o South Asian country.
o Formation- 16 Dec, 1971.
o Capital- Dhaka
o President- Abdul Hamid
o PM- Sheikh Hasina
o Legislature- Jatiya Sangsad
o Currency- Bangladeshi Taka

2. Which state government has made it mandatory to display the rates of corona treatment
in all hospitals?
 Madhya Pradesh
 Madhya Pradesh:
o Formation- 1956
o Capital- Bhopal
o Largest city- Indore
o Governor- Anandiben Patel
o CM- Shivraj Singh Chouhan
o Area rank- 2nd

3. Recently who will be honoured with the Gansamragni Lata Mangeshkar Award for 2020-
21?
 Usha Mangeshkar
 Maharashtra govt presented this award from 1992 to facilitate senior vocal
artistes and their contribution.
 Maharashtra:
o Capital-Mumbai, Nagpur(winter)

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 2


Current Affairs: October 2020

o Formed in 1960. The state of Bombay split in Maharashtra and


Gujarat in 1960.
o Governor – Bhagat Singh Koshyari
o CM- Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena)
o Areawise rank= 3rd
o Population wise rank- 2nd

4. Recently in which state NABARD has started Sanitation Literacy Campaign?


 Karnataka
 It is to promote literacy on ‘WASH’ (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) in 2000
villages covering 1 lakh rural people.
 It will start form 2nd October and continue till January 26, 2021.
 National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD):
o Apex development finance institution fully owned by GOI.
o It is entrusted with policy, planning and operation in the field of
credit for agriculture and other economic activities in rural areas in
India.
o Formation- 12th July, 1982
o HQ-Mumbai
o Chairman- Govinda Rajulu Chintala

5. Recently who has been awarded the Special Humanitarian Action Award by the UNDP?
 Sonu Sood
 He got the award for selflessly extending a helping hand and sending lakhs
of migrants, stranded students across geographies aboroad, back to their
homes.
 Besides that, he has also been providing free education and medical
facilities to young children and has been creating free employment
opportunities to the needy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 United Nation Development Programme (UNDP):
o UN global development network.
o It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations
and advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge,
experience and resources to help people build a better life for
themselves.
o Formation- 1965
o HQ- New York City.
o Administrator- Achim Steiner.
o Parent organisation- ECOSOC (UN Economic and Social Council)

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 3


Current Affairs: October 2020

6. Recently who has been appointed as the President and chairman of FTII Governing
counselling?
 Shekhar Kapoor
 It is an autonomous institute under Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting of GOI.
 Formation- 1960
 Ministry of Information and Broadcasting:
o Minister- Prakash Javadekar
o Information and Broadcasting secretary- Amit Khare, IAS

7. Who has launched Defence India Start-up Challenge-4?


 Rajnath Singh
 Under this eleven challenges from Armed forces were made open to start-
ups, innovators, MSMEs in order to provide their innovative ideas on
technologies. This technologies could have their application in the defence
sector.
o Under defence ministry
 Cabinet minister- Rajnath Singh
 Minister of state- Shripad Yesso Naik
 Secretary- Ajay Kumar

8. Which state govt has signed an agreement with Denmark in the water sector?
 Gujarat
 Gujarat govt has signed a 5-year MoU with Denmark.
 The MoU will help in technology exchange, training, capacity building,
knowledge exchange, cooperation in water supply, waste-water treatment-
reuse and water management between the two.
 Denmark:
o Northern European country.
o Capital- Copenhagen
o PM- Mette Frederiksen
o Currency- Danish krone
 Gujarat:
o Formation- 1960 (the state of Bombay was divided into two states-
Maharashtra and Gujarat by Bombay reorganisation act 1960)
o Capital- Gandhinagar
o Capital- Gandhinagar
o Governor- Acharya Dev Vrat
o CM- Vijay Rupani (BJP)

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 4


Current Affairs: October 2020

9. Which state govt has won 8 awards in the implementation of Garib Kalyan Rozgar
Abhiyan?
 Uttar Pradesh
 Garib Kalyan Rozgar Abhiyan
o a 50,000 crore package has been launched under this.
o An initiative to tackle the impact fo COVID-19 on migrant workers in
India.
o It will create livelihood opportunities for the returned migrants and
while doing so it is expected to create durable infrastructure in rural
areas.
o Nature of work offered under this scheme includes building gram
panchayat bhawans, anganwadi centres, national highway works,
railway works and water conservation projects.
 Uttar Pradesh:
o Capital- Lucknow
o Governor- Anandiben Patel
o CM- Yogi Adityanath
o Most populous state in India
o Old name- United province of Agra and Awadh
o 2000- Uttarakhand was formed from UP

10. Which state govt has launched the Paryatan Sanjeevani Yojana?
 Assam
 Under this loan between Rs 1 lakh and 20 lakh with interest subsidy would
be provided to entrepreneurs to revive the tourism industry amid corona
virus crisis.
 Assam:
o Statehood- 26 january, 1950
o Capital- Dispur
o Largest city- Guwahati
o Governor- Jagdish Mukhi
o High court- Guwaharti HC
o CM- Sarbanand Sonowal (BJP)

11. Who has launched its new brand campaign titled ‘Contactless Connections’?
 SBI
 It spreads the message that love and care can be shared even during this
difficult period where social distancing is the norm.
 State Bank of India:
o Formerly known as Imperial Bank of India

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 5


Current Affairs: October 2020

o Formation – 1st July, 1955 as SBI.


o HQ- State Bank Bhawan, Mumbai
o Chairman- Dinesh Kumar Khara

12. ‘Cat Que’, that was seen in news recently, is a virus said to have emerged in which
country?
 China
 It is a mysterious type of virus which is known to infect both animals as well
as humans.
 It could lead to scary symptoms like high fever, meningitis, paediatric
encephalitis and is routinely seen in districts of China and Vietnam.
 China:
o People’s Republic of China
o Capital- Beijing
o Largest city- Shanghai
o President- Xi Jinping
o Currency- Renminbi

13. Human Rights group Amnesty International has announced to quit from which country?
 India
 The group said, it is being targeted over its adverse reports on alleged rights
violations during the February Delhi riots and in J & K after abrogation of
370.
 The group also had to cut off its staff since its accounts were frozen as per
the direction of govt.
 While the govt said that the global rights watchdog was receiving foreign
funds illegally and it was never registered under the Foreign Contribution
(Regulation) Act.
 Amnesty International:
o Non-governmental organisation for protection of human rights.
o Formation- 1961
o HQ- London
o Secretary gen- Kumi Naidoo
o Fields- legal advocacy, media attention, direct-appeal, campaign,
research and lobbying.

14. Flipkart and which General Insurance company has launched insurance cover for online
financial frauds?
 Bajaj Allianz

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 6


Current Affairs: October 2020

15. India is set to acquire 72000 assault rifles from which country?
 USA
 It will be used by the troops guarding the borders with China and Pakistan.
 USA
o North American country
o Capital- Wasington DC
o Largest city- New York
o President- Donald Trump (Republican party)
o Upper house- Senate
o Lower house- House of Representative
o Currency- US Dollar

16. When is International Day of Older Persons is celebrated?


 1st October
 The day is observed by UN and several other organisation 1st time in 1990.
 2020 theme: ‘Decade of Healthy Ageing’ (2020-2030)
 The day highlights the role of health care professionals with respect to
health of older persons.

17. What is ISRO’s Venus Mission for 2025?


 ISRO is going to send a orbiter mission to Venus in order to study the atmosphere
of Venus.
 The French Space Agency CNES is going to participate this mission named
‘SHUKRAYAN’.
 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
o National space agency of India.
o Formation- 15th August, 1969
o HQ- Bangalore
o Secretary and chairman- K Sivan
o Jurisdiction is under Department of Space.
 Minister- PM Narendra Modi
 Minister of State- Dr. Jitendra Singh

18. Indian Coast Guard Vessel ICGS ‘Karnaklata Barua’ commissioned in Kolkata.
 It has been built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers.

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 7


Current Affairs: October 2020

19. World’s first ‘Asteroid Mining Robot’ will be Launched by which country?
 China
o It will not do any mining work but will be testing the technologies.
o Primary objective of the mission is to assess the capabilities of asteroid
mining.

20. National Institute of Nutrition increases ideal weight for Men and Women.
 Due to intake of increased amount of nutritional food.
 Average body of for Indian men: 60 kg  65 kg.
 Average body of for Indian women: 50 kg  55 kg.
 Average height of Indian men: 5.6ft 5.8 ft
 Average height of Indian women: 5 ft  5.3 ft

21. Harijan Sevak Sangh: Celebrating its foundation Day on which day?
 30th September
 It was founded by Gandhiji on September 30 in 1932, when he was on fast
in the Yervada Jail, Pune.
 On 30th September, 1932 he founded All India Anti-Untouchability League,
which was later renamed as Harijan Sevak Sangh.

22. Where has the ‘Brahmos missile’ been successfully tested recently?
 Odisha- Balasore
 Brahmos is a surface-to-surface supersonic cruise missile.
 It has been named after river Brahmaputra and Moskva (western Russia).
 It has a flight range of 300 km.
 It was jointly developed by DRDO and the Federal State Unitary Enterprise
NPO Mashinostroyenia of Russia.
 DRDO- Defence Research and Development Organisation
o Formation-1958
o HQ- DRDO Bhavan, New Delhi
o Motto- Strength’s Origin is in Knowledge
o Under defence ministry
 Cabinet minister- Rajnath Singh
 Minister of state- Shripad Yesso Naik
 Secretary- Ajay Kumar
o Charged with military’s research and development.

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 8


Current Affairs: October 2020

23. Which state govt has recently announced a 25% reduction in school fees?
 Gujarat
 25% fees has been slashed in all private schools of the state.
 Gujarat became the first state in India to take such impactful decision.

24. Who has recently been appointed by the real estate developer Bengal Peerless as its
brand ambassador?
 Sourav Ganguly.

25. Who has recently launched the new logo of Sports Authority of India?
 Kiren Rijiju
 Minister of state (Independent charge).
 Sports Authority of India (SAI):
o Apex national sport body of India.
o Formation- 1982

26. Recently in which state has the facility of providing fertilizer at home to farmers been
started?
 Andhra Pradesh
 Capital- Amaravati
 On 2nd June (Telangana Day), 2014, Telangana state formed from the
northwestern part of Andhra Pradesh.
 Largest city- Visakhapatnam
 Governor- BiswabhusanHarichandan
 CM – Y S Jagmohan Reddy (YSRCP-Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party)
 Bicameral Assembly- Currently 6 states has it.

27. Which country’s female player Alyssa Healy broke MS Dhoni’s wicket keeping record in
T20 International?
 Australia
 The record of most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in T20s.
 She has 92 dismissals from 114 T20s against Dhoni’s 91 dismissals.
 Australia:
o Australian continent
o Capital – Canberra
o PM- Scott Morrison
o Currency -Australian dollar

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 9


Current Affairs: October 2020

28. Who has started ‘Operation Meri Saheli’?


 South Eastern Railway
 It is to increase the safety of woman passengers from the train going to its
destination during the entire journey.
 A team of women sub-inspectors briefed the women passengers about the
safely precautions and gave emergency contact numbers to them. The team
will collect the seat no of the passengers and circulate them among all
destination stations.
 The pilot version of the project has already started in 3 trains under the
framework of ‘Nirbhaya Fund’.
 HQ of South Eastern Railway zone- Kolkata

29. Which state govt has recently announced a housing program for tea workers?
 West Bengal
 The scheme named ‘Chai Sundari’.
 Govt will build brick houses for the tea garden workers who have no homes
in 7 sick tea gardens.
 In the phase I, the state govt. will build at least 3694 houses in Jalpaiguri
(1053) and Alipurduar (2641) districts.
 She also assured that rest of the tea gardens will be covered in the next 3
years.

30. With which country, India has established an Air Bubble arrangement?
 Kenya and Bhutan
 Under this arrangement separate special international passenger flights can
be operated by their airlines into each other’s territories under restrictive
conditions.
 Before this India has formed bilateral air bubble arrangements with 13
countries – Afghanistan, Bahrain, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Maldives,
Nigeria, Qatar, UAE, UK and USA.
 Ministry of Civil Aviation:
Minister of State (independent charge)- Hardeep Singh Puri

31. Which day is observed as International Day of Non-Violence?


 2nd October.
 Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi is celebrated.
 2020 marks the 151st anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
 On June 15, 2007 the UNGA adopted a resolution to designate October 2 as
International Day of Non-Violence.

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 10


Current Affairs: October 2020

 The day is observed to spread message of non-violence, including through


education and public awareness.
 In 2014 on the same day Swachh Bharat Mission was launched by PM
Narendra Modi, which was aimed to achieve the vision of a ‘Clean India’ by
2nd October, 2019.
 2020 theme- ‘Shaping Peace Together’

32. Who launched India’s largest market of Tribal Products ‘Tribes India e-Marketplace’?
 Shri Arjun Munda
 Union Minister for Tribal Affairs will virtually launch India’s largest
handicraft and organic products marketplace, Tribes India e-Marketplace
on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.
o Minister of State- Renuka Singh Saruta
 It will showcase the produce and handicrafts of tribal enterprises from
across the country.
 It will also help them market their produce or products directly on the
website.

33. AYUSH Grid to be integrated with which Mission?


 National Digital Health Mission
 AYUSH grid project was initiated by the Ministry of AYUSH in 2018 to create
a comprehensive IT backbone for this sector.
 The initiative will cover all Ayush sectors including health services,
education, schemes, central sector and centrally sponsored schemes, Ayush
research, drug licencing portal, training programmes, citizen centric services
and media outreach.

34. PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate which Global Summit on Artificial Intelligence?


 RAISE 2020
 RAISE 2020- ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020’
 The summit is scheduled to be held form 5-9 October.
 It is being organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology and NITI Aayog.
o Cabinet Minister- Ravi Shankar Prasad
o Minister of state- Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre
 NITI Aayog:
o National Institute for Transforming India
o Policy think tank of the GOI.
o Formation- 1st January, 2015
o Chairperson- Narendra Modi
o Vice Chariperson- Rajiv Kumar

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 11


Current Affairs: October 2020

o CEO- Amitabh Kant

35. Which day is celebrated as International Coffee Day?


 1st October
 It is to celebrate coffee and recognize the efforts of people who are
associated with the coffee industry.
 International Coffee Organisation (HQ- London) launched its first official
Coffee day I Milan, Italy in 2015.
 This year’s focus is to help the next generation to realise their future in the
coffee sector.

36. Which Day is celebrated as World Vegetarian Day?


 1st October
 It is to promote joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of
vegetarianism.
 It was founded in 1977 by North American Vegetarian Society.
 It is also the 1st day of Vegetarian Awareness Month (October).
 Following the request of Food & Agriculture Organisation, the UN
designated 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, to
acknowledge the nutritional and health benefits of consuming fruits and
vegetables.

37. WB Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee lauched which scheme for Road Repair?
 Pathshree Abhiyan
 It was launched in 1st October.
 The scheme has been launched to repair 7000 stretches of road which
includes 12000 km of road in a timebound manner.
 An amount of 500 crore has been allocated for the scheme, and the works
will be finished by Dec-Jan, 2021.
 The list of roads to be repaired has been collected through ‘Didi ke Bolo’
initiative of the Bengal govt.

38. Which state govt has recently announced a self-reliant India self-proclaimed program?
 Goa
 It is ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Swayampoorna Goa’ initiative.
 It is to increase economic activities and make every village in the state self-
reliant by ‘harnessing resources available within the area’.
 It will brought the benefits of all central and state schemes to the doorsteps
of people.

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 12


Current Affairs: October 2020

 Goa:
o Formation-
1961- India acquired Goa, Daman and Diu from Portuguese
1962- became UT by 12th amendment, 1962
1987 as state
o Capital- Panaji
o Largest city- Vasco da Gama
o Governor – Bhagat Singh Koshyari (Gov of Maharashtra)
o CM – Pramod Sawant (BJP)
o High Court- Bombay HC
o Official language- Konkani
o Area wise smallest state of India.

39. Which two-wheeler company has appointed B S Dhanoa as independent director?


 Hero
 Hero MotoCorp is country’s largest two-wheeler maker.
 It appointed Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) as its independent director.
 He served as the Chief of the Indian Air Force from January a, 2017 to
September 30, 2019.

40. Surinder Singh Attra has been appointed CFO of which bank?
 SBI
 CFO- Chief Financial Officer

41. Who has announced to help small business group to go digital?


 Google.
 Name of the campaign is ‘Make Small Strong’.
 Google:
o American company
o Founder- Larry Page, Sergey Brin
o HQ- California, USA
o Formation- 1998
o CEO- Sundar Pichai

42. Who has inaugurated VAIBHAV Summit?


 Narendra Modi
 VAIBHAV- Vaishwik Bharatiya Vaigyanik summit
 Inaugrated on 2nd October.
 It is a global summit of overseas and Resident Indian Scientists and
academicians.

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 13


Current Affairs: October 2020

 It will be followed by online month-long deliberation sessions among


researchers.

43. Which state in India becomes first to conduct 1 crore covid-19 test?
 Uttar Pradesh

44. Which city has topped the list of crimes against women as per the latest report released
by NCRB?
 New Delhi
 CM- Arvind Kejriwal
 Lt. Governor- Anil Baijal
 Formation as capital- 1911
 Formation as National capital territory-The 69th (1991) constitutional
amendment designate Delhi as National Capital Territory of Delhi and
provided Legislature.
 Article 239 AA and 239 AB declares the powers and limitations to legislature
of the NCT by keeping Public order, Police and Land out of its purview.

45. Where has the recently renovated Bapu Museum inaugurated?


 Andhra Pradesh
 CM Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated the museum at Vijaywada.

46. Tamil Nadu and Arunachal Pradesh have been integrated with the national portability
cluster of States and UT under One Nation One Ration Card. As of now how many states
and UTs are integrated with this scheme?
 28
 States not included- WB, Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh and Assam
 UTs not included- Andaman and Nicobar island, Chandigarh, Delhi and
Puducherry.

47. In which country, India will build a 100-bedded cancer hospital and a 22000-seater cricket
stadium under the USD 800 million Line of Credit (LoC)?
 Maldives
 Small island nation in South Asia
 Capital- Male
 President- Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
 Currency- Maldivian rufiyaa
 8 degree channel separated Lakshadweep and Maldives.
 Line of Credit is a preset borrowing limit that can be used at any time.

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 14


Current Affairs: October 2020

48. Which bank has approved USD 241 million loan for Mumbai Metro and USD 500 million
for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Project?
 New Development Bank (NDB)
 Formerly known as the BRICS Development Bank
 It was formed in July, 2015
 HQ-Shanghai, China
 Members- BRICS
 President – Marcos Prado Troyjo

49. With which country NITI Aayog signed a statement of Intent (SoI) to support the
decarbonization and energy transition agenda for accommodating cleaner and more
energy?
 Netherland
 Statement of Intent- A formal statement that the author has a serious
intention of doing something under specified conditions, and at a specified
time.
 Netherland:
o Western European country
o Capital- Amsterdam
o PM- Mark Rutte
o Currency- Euro

50. Which country announced to impose a gradual ban on using wild animals in circuses?
 France
 Western European country.
 Capital- Paris
 President- Emanuel Macron
 PM- Jean Castex
 Currency - Euro

51. Sheikh Nawaf has been sworn in as the Emir (Ruler) of which Gulf country?
 Kuwait
 Western Asian country
 Capital- Kuwait city
 PM- Sabah Khalid al-Sabah
 Currency- Kuwaiti dinar

52. The Aspirational District Programme was launched by which organisation?


 NITI Aayog

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 15


Current Affairs: October 2020

 Aspirational districts are those districts in India, that are affected by poor
socio economic indicators.
 These are aspirational in the context, that improvement in these districts
can lead to the overall improvement in human development index.
 Total 115 districts were identified from 28 states, at least 1 from one states.
 It was anchored by NITI Aayog, and other ministries are also involved.
 ADP is based on 49 indicators from 5 identified thematic areas- health and
nutrition, Agriculture & Water resources, Financial inclusion, Skill
development and Basic Infrastructure.

53. What is the name of the initiative by Defence Ministry to identify innovations created by
Indian Armed Forces personnel?
 iDEX4Fauji
 defence personnel can provide valuable feedbacks for improving existing
equipment, also for futuristic innovations in defence.
o Under defence ministry
 Cabinet minister- Rajnath Singh
 Minister of state- Shripad Yesso Naik
 Secretary- Ajay Kumar

54. who recently developed R-Green Kit, which can give COVID results in 2 hours?
 Reliance life Sciences
 It developed an reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
kit. It claims to diagnose COVID-19 infection in about 2 hours.
 Presently, covid-19 RT-PCR test takes up to 24 hours to give a diagnosis.

55. Swachh Bharat Awards-2020:


 The Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presented the awards on
2nd October, 2020
 The awards are given under the cleanliness and drinking water categories.
 Swachh Sundar Samudayik Shouchalaya Category- Gujarat
 Samudayik Shouchalya category- Gujarat and UP
 Gandagi Mukt Bharat Mission- Telangana and Haryana
 Swachh Bharat Abhiyan started in 2nd October, 2014.

56. 100 Day Campaign Launched to provide piped water in schools under which Ministry?
 Union Jal Shakti Ministry.
 the campaign seeks to provide piped water supply to schools and
Anganwadi centres.

Prepared by Gargi Das, WBCS (Exe) 2018 16


Current Affairs: October 2020

 This was launched on 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.


 It will be operated by Gram Panchayats.

57. 2nd edition of bilateral Naval Exercise ‘Bongosagar’ will commence between which
countries?
 India-Bangladesh

58. World Day for Farmed Animals celebrated on which day?


 2nd October.
 Celebrated by International animal welfare organisation, World Animal
Protection along with Asia for animal coalition.
 Celebrated to raise awareness among people that intensive animal farming
and poor treatment of farm animals can lead to a pandemic-level threat to
humans.
 The day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi who was
a animal lover. The day is being organised by the Farm Animal Rights
Movement since 1983.

59. A bill has been introduced to promote energy and environmental co-operation between
India and which country?
 USA
 ‘Clean Energy and Climate Cooperation Priority with India’ bill.
 The bill was introduced in the US Senate.
 It will promote clean energy technology and energy transmission between
two countries.
 The bill also encourages cooperation between the US and India on ‘Climate
resilience’ and risk mitigation.

60. Where has ‘Radio Prison’ been launched?


 Ahmedabad
 Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad launched the ‘Radio Prison’ on 151 st
birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
 It will offer educational, legal and health related details to prisoners withing
the jail premises.

61. Who has been appointed as the new ‘Labor Secretary’?


 Apurva Chandra
 Ministry of Labour & Employment:
o Minister of state(independent charge)- Santosh Gangwar

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62. Who inaugurated the Divyang Warrior Cycle Rally?


 Kiren Rijiju
 Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports flagged off CRPF Divyang
Warrior Cycle Rally.
 It was started from Sabarmati ashram on 2nd October and will cover about
1000 km to reach Delhi.
 Central Reserve Police Force:
o India’s largest Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)
 Defend the national interest mainly against the internal
threats -BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, NSG and SSB
o Functions under Ministry of Home affairs
 Cabinet minister- Amit Shah
 Minister of State- G. Kishan Reddy, Nityanand Rai
 CAPF, DP, IB, NDRF and NIA come under its purview
o Formation – 1939
o Motto- Service and Loyalty
o HQ- New Delhi
o Director General- A P Maheshwari, IPS
o Primary role is to assist states/UTs in police operations to maintain
law and order and counter insurgency.

63. In which state of India Aarti Raghunath has set a world record by doing 350 online courses
in 90 days?
 Kerala
 She is a MSc Biochemistry scholar at MES college, and did the courses with
the help of her college.
 Kerala:
o Statehood- 1956
o Capital- Thiruvananthapuram
o Governor- Arif Mohammad Khan
o CM- Pinarayi Vijayan (CPIM)
o High court- Kerala HC (Kerala and Lakshadweep)
o Highest literacy rate. (96.2 %)
o Highest gender ration (1084/1000)
o 1st in HDI rank (0.779) in India.

64. Where has ‘Toilets on Wheels’ has been launched?


 Hyderabad
 Three mobile toilets are launched.

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 Each with three toilets for men and women, also has a commercial stall that
is rented out to generate revenue.

65. Which state won the India Today Healthgiri Awards 2020?
 Kerala
 This year the annual award will honour and felicitate the pioneering efforts
of corona warriors.

66. India has gifted 41 ambulances and 6 school buses to various governmental and NGOs
working in the field of health and education in which country?
 Nepal
o Capital and largest city - Kathmandu
o President – Bidhya Devi Bhandari
o PM- K P Sharma Oli
o Currency- Nepalese rupee

67. Integrated defence staff celebrated its 20 th Raising Day on which day?
 1st October
 It is an organisation responsible for fostering coordination and enabling
prioritisation across the different branches of the Indian Armed Forces.
 It is composed of representatives of Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air
Force, Ministry of External Affairs, DRDO, Ministry of Defence and Ministry
of Finance.
 The body advises and assist Chief of Defence Staff.
o Highest Ranking officer of Indian Armed Forces.
o Formation-24 December, 2019
o CDS- General Bipin Rawat
 Formation- 2001
 Motto- Victory through Jointness
 Under Defence Ministry

68. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘CSIR-Technologies for rural development’?
 Ministry of Science and Technology
 Launched by Dr. Harsh Vardhan.
 It will work on a framework for Scientific intervention to create sustainable
livelihood opportunities in the rural clusters.

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69. The ‘Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission (ASIIM)’ has been launched by
which ministry?
 Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
 Objective
o To promote entrepreneurship among SC youth with special
preference to Dibyangs.
o To support 1000 innovative ideas till 2024 through a synergetic
work.
 Features:
o 1000 SC youth would be selected in the next 4 years with start-up
ideas through the Technology Business incubators in various higher
educational institutes.
o They will be funded @30 lakhs in 3 years as investment funding so
that they can translate their start-ups in commercial ventures.
o Successful ventures would further qualify for another funding for
upto 5 crore.
 Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
o Cabinet minister- Thaawar Chand Gehlot
o Minister of state- Krishan Pal Gurjar, Ramdas Athawale, Rattan Lal
Kataria.

70. Which state has decided to give 30% of the new Public Distribution System shops to
women?
 Rajasthan
o Capital- Jaipur
o Governor – Kalraj Mishra
o CM- Ashok Gehlot (INC)
o Areawise rank- 1

71. Who has assumed the charge of Additional Director General of Military Nursing Service
on 1st October?
 Major General Sonali Ghosal

72. VVIP aircraft Boeing 777-300 ER arrived at Delhi. It will be used by whom?
 President, Vice-president and PM
 It is India first ever VVIP plane

73. Who has recently inaugurated the world’s longest highway tunnel “Atal Tunnel’?
 PM Narendra Modi
 It is build in the Pir Panjal range.

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 The tunnel is 9.02 km long and connect Manali and Lahaul-Spiti Valley.
 It was constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at a cost of 3000
crores.

74. Which country has topped the recently released women’s ICC T20 rankings?
 Australia
 2nd- England
 3rd -India
 International Cricket Council (ICC):
o World governing body of cricket.
o Motto- Cricket for Good.
o Formation- 1909
o HQ- Dubai, UAE (before 2005 UK)
o Member – 104
o Chaiman- Imran Khwaja, Singapore (Interim chairman)
o CEO – Manu Sawhney, India

75. Recently with which country has India organized a webinar on using natural gas as motor
fuel?
 Russia
o Asian country
o Capital- Moscow
o President- Vladimir Putin
o Currency- Rubble
o Upper house- Federal Council
o Lower house – Duma

76. Where has the ‘Shaurya Missile’ been successfully tested?


 Odisha.
 It is a surface to surface nuclear capable ballistic missile.
 It has a range of 800 km
 It has been developed by DRDO.

77. Recently the first vulture conservation and breeding center of India has been established
in which district of UP?
 Gorakhpur
 It will be established in the Farenda range of the Gorakhpur forest division.
 It will be dedicated to King vulture and also the 1 st in UP.

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78. Which bank has recently launched special Kisan Credit Card loan scheme for fisherman?
 HDFC Bank

79. Who has become the most played player of IPL matches?
 M S Dhoni
 He played 194 matches, surpassing Suresh Raina.
 He is also the second most successful skipper in IPL history after Rohit
Sharma.
 IPL 2020:
o 13th season of IPL.
o Host – UAE
o Participants- 8
o IPL was established by BCCI in 2007.

80. Who has launched the FBD portal recently?


 Indian Railway
 Freight Business Development portal.
 It has been specially designed and developed with a ‘Customer First’
philosophy.
 The portal helps in familiarising new freight customers with the Freight
Business of the national transporter also.
 Indian Railway:
o Formation- 8th May, 1845
o HQ-New Delhi
o Parent- Ministry of Railways
o Cabinet minister- Pijush Goyal
o Minister of state- Suresh Angadi (died on 23 sept, 2020)
o Chairman of Railway Board- Vinod Kumar Yadav
o Railway zones- 18

81. Recently Ministry of Defence has signed a contract of 400 crore with which company to
supply 10 lakh hand grenades?
 EEL
 Economic Explosive Limited.
 This will replace the world war II vintage design Grenade No 36, which are
still in usage with armed forces.
 Previously grenades used to be either imported or made by the Ordinance
Factory Board.

82. Which state launched the scheme ‘YSR Jala Kala’?

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 Andhra Pradesh
 It is to dig borewells free of cost for farmers, and bring an additional 5 lakh
acres under cultivation through ground water irrigation.
 In the next 4 years, the govt plans to spend Rs. 2340 crore on drilling 2 lakh
borewells to benefit upland farmers, who are predominantly dependent on
rains.

83. Recently which state launch ‘Kritagyata’ portal?


 Assam
 It is an online pension submission and tracking system.
 It is launched to lend convenience to the pensioners to dispose off their
pension related claims.
 Assam:
o Statehood- 26 january, 1950
o Capital- Dispur
o Largest city- Guwahati
o Governor- Jagdish Mukhi
o High court- Guwaharti HC
o CM- Sarbanand Sonowal (BJP)

84. Which day is celebrated as World Habitat Day?


 5th October
 It is observed on the 1st Monday of October month every year.
 It was first declared by UN in 1985.
 First celebrated in 1986 at Nairobi, Kenya.
 The day is celebrated to recognise the basic right of all humanity to have a
adequate shelter and to encourage grassroots action in order to end
poverty housing.
 2020 theme: ‘Housing for All- A better Urban Future’.

85. Recently India discussed bilateral cooperation with which country in Financial Sector?
 Bahrain
 Both the countries reviewed the economic partnership and ways of
Strengthen it in order to provide more promising investment opportunities.
 They also had a discussion on issues of common interest and the latest
global economic developments.
 Bahrain:
o Asian country.
o Capital- Manama
o Crown prince- Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa
o PM- Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa
o Currency- Bharaini dinar

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86. Recently Election Commission extended the provision for Postal Ballot for whom?
 Person with disability and people above 80 years of age.
 The decision has been taken in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
 It will start operation from the upcoming Bihar Assembly election.
 The BLO will collect the filled in form 12-D from the house of the elector.

87. Which day is celebrated as World Teacher Day?


 5th October
 The day is celebrated to focus on the works of the educators.
 The day is held by UNESCO in partnership with UNICEF, international Labour
Organisation and Education Organistion.
 2020 theme: ‘Teachers: Leading in Crisis, Reimagining the Future’.

88. Recently Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravne has gone on a two-day visit to which
country?
 Myanmar.
 He is accompanied by Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla.
 The two sides discussed maintenance of security and stability in their
border areas and reiterated their mutual commitment not to allow their
respective territories to be used for activities inimical to each other.
 Myanmar:
o Capital- Naypyidaw
o Largest city- Yangon
o President- Win Myint
o State councilor- Aung San Suu Kyi
o Currency- Kyat
o Previously known as Burma, renamed as Myanmar in 1989.
o It is the largest mainland southeast Asian country.

89. Who has recently been awarded the lifetime achievement award under the IACC Global
Leadership Award?
 Ratan Tata.
 On 2nd October, 2020 The Indo-American chamber of commerce (IACC)
conferred this award to Ratan Tata.
 This is the 1st time that IACC conferred the Lifetime Achievement award to
any individual.
 Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC):
o Formation- 1968
o Apex bi-lateral chamber synergizing India-US Economic Engagement.
o National president- Purnachandra Rao Surapaneni
o HQ- Mumbai

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90. Recently a commercial spacecraft has been launched in the name of which late astronaut
of Indian Origin?
 Kalpana Chawla.
 A commercial cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station
(ISS) launched carrying the name of Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born
woman to enter space, for her key contribution to human spaceflight.
 SS Kalpana Chawla launched from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spacecraft.
 Kalpana Chawla:
o Born in Haryana, she did her masters and doctorate from US.
o After becoming a naturalized US citizen, she applied for and became
NASA astronaut.
o Chawla’s 2nd spaceflight, STS-107 came to a tragic end on 1st
February, 2003. Upon Columbia’s return the vehicle disintegrated
and this causes the death of the crew including her.

91. Who has recently released the book ‘Discovering the Heritage of Assam’?
 Jitendra Singh.
 It was authored by Kumar Padmapani Bora (2009 batch IRS officer) with
foreword by Amitabh Bachchan.
 The book is a collection of heritage, faith, beliefs and traditions of various
ethnic tribes and subtribes living in the largest state- Assam of the North
Eastern region.
 Jitendra Singh:
o Minister of state (Independent charge) for development of North
Eastern Region.
o Minister of State for PMO
o Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
o Minister of State in the Department of Space and Department of
Atomic Energy

92. Which IIT has recently launched telemedicine software?


 IIT Kharagpore.
 The software provides patients with critical health care support at their
doorsteps through remote consultation by a physician.
 IITs
o Indian Institutes of Technology.
o Formation- 1956
o Currently 23 IITs are there in country.
o Oldest IIT- IIT Roorkee (Uttarakhand)
 1847-1854: College of Civil Engineering at Roorkee
 1854-1947: Thomason College of civil Engineering
 1947-2001: University of Roorkee
 2001: IIT Roorkee (7th IIT of India)

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o IIT Kharagpur: 1st IIT as IIT


o Newest IIT(2016)-IIT Bhilai, IIT Goa, IIT Jammu, IIT Dharwad

93. Recently who became the 3rd player to complete 5000 runs in IPL?
 Rohit Sharma.
 The other two players who have scored over 5000 runs in IPL are Virat Kohli
and Suresh Raina.

94. India announced a Debt service relief under the G-20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative, to
which country?
 Myanmar
 It is to assist Myanmar in mitigating the impact of COVID-19.
 Debt Service Suspension Initiative was announced by the G-20 on 15th April,
2020 was intended to help developing countries with the overwhelming
debt they owed to bilateral lenders as they struggle to finance their
responses to the covid-19 pandemic.

95. Which organisation has developed highly purified ‘Antisera’ for covid-19 treatment?
 ICMR
 ICMR developed it with Biological E. Limited.
 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
o The apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and
promotion of biomedical research.
o Comes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
o Formation -1911
o One of the oldest and largest medical research bodies in the world.
o HQ- New Delhi
o Secretary – Balram Bhargava

96. Which Institute has released the ‘Time Use Survey in India’ report?
 NSO (National Statistical Office)
 NSO has conducted the 1st time use survey in India during January to
December 2019.
 The survey measures participation rate and time spent on paid activities.
 The study said 57.3% males were engaged in employment and related
activities while 18.4% for females.
 In rural area the proportion of women engaged in employment was higher
at 19.2 % compared to 16.2% in cities.
 38.2% persons were engaged in employment above the age of 6 years.

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97. PM Narendra Modi addresses International Webinar on what?


 Textile Traditions
 It was organised on 3rd October,2020 by Indian council for Cultural Relations
(ICCR) and UP Institute of Design.
 Theme- ‘Weaving Relations: Textile Traditions’.
 The webinar was held to commemorate the 151st Birth anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi.
 It was held for exchange of ideas and sharing of best practices among
weaves from different countries and also to enable creating of new avenues
for collaboration.
 Indian Council for cultural Relations (ICCR):
o It is an autonomous organisation under GOI, involved in India’s
external cultural relations, through cultural exchange with other
countries and their people.
o Formation- 1950
o President- Vinay Sahasrabuddhe
o HQ- New Delhi

98. Recently famous Chilli ‘Dalle Khursani’ earns GI tag. It is from which state?
 Sikkim
 It is considered as one of the hottest chilli in the world with medicinal
values.
 Grown in Sikkim and regions of Darjeeling, Dalle Khursani belongs to the
Capsicum family.
 GI Tag:
o GI Tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical
origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that
origin. It is a part of intellectual property rights that come under the
Paris Convention for the protection of Industrial Property.
 Sikkim:
o Capital and largest city- Gangtok
o Governor- Ganga Prasad
o CM- Prem Singh Tamang (SKM-Sikkim Krantikari Morcha)
o High Court- Sikkim High Court
o Least populous state in India.
o Areawise 2nd smallest state in India.
o Kanchenjunga- highest peak in India and 3rd highest peak in World.
o 35% of the state is covered by Kanchenjunga National park.

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99. Which airport recently becomes AAI’s first 100% Solar-Powered Airport at a cost of Rs. 2.8
crore?
 Puducherry Airport.
 It is India’s first ‘absolutely power-neutral’ airport with the commissioning
of 500 KWp ground-mounted solar power plant at a cost of Rs 2.8 crore.
 Airport Authority of India (AAI):
o It is a Miniratna category-1 public sector enterprise (PSE).
o Chairman- Arvind Singh
o HQ- New Delhi
 Puducherry:
o It was formed out of 4 French territory of India, name Pondicherry,
Mahe and Yanam excluding Chandernagore.
o Formation- 1962 as UT.
o Capital and largest city- Pondicherry
o Lt Governor- Kiran Bedi
o CM- V. Narayanasamy.

100. Who has become the 1st Indian Bureaucrat to be honoured with IACC ‘Covid
Crusader Award-2020’?
 Iqbal Singh Chahal
 Municipal Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai,
Maharashtra.
 He is a 1989 batch IAS officer from Maharashtra cadre.
 The award was instituted by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC).

101. Nobel Prize 2020 in Physiology or Medicine for discovering the Hepatitis C Virus:
 On 5th October, 2020 the award was announced.
1. Harvey J Alter (American)
2. Charles M Rice (American)
3. Michael Houghton (British)
 it comes with a gold medal and prize money of 10 million Swedish knonor (over
USD 1118000)
 Hepatitis C virus causes major global health problems that causes cirrhosis and
liver cancer.
 Their discovery has revealed the cause of the remaining cases of chronic hepatitis
and has also paved the way for rapid development of antiviral drugs directed at
hepatitis C.
 This award is the 1st of 6 prizes being announced. Other prizes include in the fields
of physics, chemistry, literature, peace and economics.

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102. When is the World Animal Day celebrated?


 4th October.
 The day is celebrated to enhance the status of animals to improve the
welfare standards of animals around the world and celebrate the
relationship of animals and human beings.

103. World Space Week celebrated from which date to which date?
 4-10th October.
 It is celebrated by UN to celebrate the contributions of space science and
technology to the betterment of the human conditions.
 2020 theme- ‘Satelites Improve Life’.
 2021 theme- ‘Women in Space’.

104. When in India Wildlife Week 2020 celebrated?


 2nd-8th October.
 It is annually celebrated in India to protect and preserve the flora and fauna
of India by Indian Board of Wildlife.
 The 1st wild life week is celebrated in 1957.
 2020 theme- ‘RoaR (Roar and Revive)- Exploring Human- Animal
Relationships’.

105. Recently the CM of which state has launched the ‘War Against Pollution’
campaign?
 Delhi
 It includes a 7-point action plan ranging from measures to control dust and
mitigate hot spots, to a mobile application for complaints to a ‘War room’
for monitoring.

106. Recently with which country India has agreed to operate Sitwe port?
 Myanmar
 Both the countries agreed to work towards the operationalisation of the
port in the Rakhine state in the first quarter of 2021.

107. Where has India successfully tested the SMART system recently?
 Odisha
 Smart grid is a self-sufficient electricity network system. It can help utilities
balance demand, reduce expensive peak power use and provide a better
deal for consumers.

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 It will also can help tackle power blackouts during disasters and crisis while
providing reliable and quality electricity to consumers.
 Odisha:
o Capital and largest city- Bhubaneshwar
o Governor- Ganeshi Lal
o CM- Naveen Patnaik (BJD)

108. Who has recently released a book called BAPU-The Unforgettable?


 Manish Sisodia- deputy CM of Delhi
 It was launched on the occasion of 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma
Gandhi.

109. Recently the CM of which state has launched Gram Darshan?


 Haryana.
 It is a platform aimed to enable the digital accessibility of data of 6197 gram
panchayats of Haryana and to ensure that every village has their own
website.
 It will ensure that villagers should have digital access to the details of
various development schemes and projects of their village so that they can
put forth their demands to the govt of Haryana.
 It is a step towards complete digitisation of villages of the state.
 Haryana:
o Statehood – 1966
o Capital – Chandigarh (common with Punjab)
o Governor – Satyadev Narayan Arya
o CM- Manohar Lal Khattar (BJP)
o High court- Punjab and Haryana HC (also for UT Chandigarh)

110. Recently Dinesh Kumar Khara has been appointed as the new chairman of which
bank?
 SBI

111. Indian Navy undertook the process of ‘Aerial Seeding’ to increase green cover in
which city?
 Vishakhapatnam.
 Indian Navy to use helicopters to drop around 50000 seed balls in five
locations, which are inaccessible through road. It covers approx. 200 acres.
 Indian Navy:
o Supreme commander- President
o Formation- 5th September, 1912

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o HQ- Integrated Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, New


Delhi
o Motto- ‘Sham No Varunah’ (Sanskrit)
May the lord of water be auspicious
o Navy day- 4th December
o Chief of Naval Staff- Admiral Karambir Singh

112. Which famous building was illuminated with Mahatma Gandhi’s image along with
his message?
 The Burj Khalifa (UAE)

113. Which expressway to have India’s first 5 ‘Animal Bridges’?


 Delhi-Mumbai expressway.
 It will have India’s 1st 5 animal overpass or ‘animal bridge’ with a combined
length of over 2.5 km for safe passage of wildlife.
 It is inspired from the wildlife crossings in the Netherlands.
 The expressway pass through the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, MP, Gujrata
and Maharashtra.
 This will ensure no disturbance and no chance of any conflict to
Ranthambore Wildlife Corridor connecting Ranthambore and Mukundra
wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan.

114. Recently 115-year old Naugarh Railway station of UP renamed to what?


 Siddharthnagar Railway Station.
 It is located in Siddharthnagar district of UP.
 Inaugurated by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry & Railways
Piyush Goyal.

115. Who recently launched the ‘My Ganga My Dolphin’ campaign?


 National Mission for clean Ganga (NMCG), Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and
Forest Department.
 it was launched on the occasion of Ganga River Dolphin Day on 5th October.
 This is the 1st of its kind initiative, dolphin safaris will begin in Kahalgaon
(Bihar), Bijnor, Brijghat, Prayagraj and Varanasi (UP) and Bandel (WB).

116. Who got the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics for their Discoveries about Black Holes?
 Roger Penrose (UK)
 Reinhard Genzel (Germany)
 Andrea Ghez (America).

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117. Recently who resigned from the PM of Jordan?


 Omar al-Razzaz
 Arab country in western Asia.
 Capital- Amman
 Monarch- Abdullah II
 Currency- Jordanian dinar

118. Recently sports tech start-up HUDLE appointed whom as its brand ambassador?
 Ajinkya Rahane

119. India to launch Constellation of Maritime Surveillance Satelite for Indian Ocean
region with which country?
 France
 National centre for Space Studies (CNES) of France and ISRO jointly lauched
it.
 the satellite will trace illegal spillage of oil by ships.
 It will be the first space-based system in the world capable of tracking ships
continuously.
 France:
o Western European country.
o Capital- Paris
o President- Emanuel Macron
o PM- Jean Castex
o Currency- Euro

120. Which car manufacturer has announced to withdraw from Formula One?
 Honda
 They have shown environmental initiatives for carbon neutrality as a
reason.

121. The European Union has recently imposed sanctions against which country?
 Belarus.
 The council imposed restrictive measures against 40 individuals identified
as responsible for repression and intimidation against peaceful
demonstrators, opposition members and journalists in the wake of the
2020 presidential election as well as for misconduct of the electoral
process.
 Belarus:
o Landlocked country in Eastern Europe.

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Current Affairs: October 2020

o Capital and largest city- Minsk


o President- disputed
o PM- Roman Golovchenko.
o Currency- Belarusian ruble.

122. Which country hosted the historic 4th world Conference on Women?
 China
 It first took place in Beijing, China in 1995.
 At this conference, government from around the world agreed on a
comprehensive plan to achieve global legal equality, known as Beijing
Platform for action.
 This year its 25th anniversary took place in 1st October.

123. When is World Cotton Day celebrated?


 7th October.
 It is annually celebrated to recognize the importance of cotton as a global
commodity.
 In 2019 the day first celebrated by WTO.
 Union minister of Textile Smriti Zubin Irani launched first ever brand and
logo for Indian cotton on this occasion.
 India’s premium cotton is set to be known as ‘Kasturi Cotton’ in world
cotton trade.
 India produces 51% of the total organic cotton production in the world.
 A mobile application ‘Cott-Ally’ has been developed by Cotton Corporation
of India.
 2020 theme: ‘Cotton- The Fibre that moves me’.
 Cotton Corporation of India:
o Agency of GOI engaged in diverse activities related to trade,
procurement, and export of cotton.
o Formation- 1970
o Chairman and MD- P Alli Rani
o HQ- Mumbai

124. Recently how many times SAI has asked all its sports coaches to conduct fitness
tests in a year?
 02
 Sports Authority of India (SAI):
o Apex national sport body of India.
o Formation- 1982

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125. Recently India has signed MoU with which country to acquire lightweight tanks?
 Russia.
 Recently India signs MoU to buy Strut DSM1 light tanks.
 It could be useful in high altitude areas like the LAC in eastern Ladakh.
 Russia
o Asian country
o Capital- Moscow
o President- Vladimir Putin
o Currency- Rubble
o Upper house- Federal Council
o Lower house – Duma

126. Recently who become the 1st Indian batsman to reach 9000 runs in T20 cricket?
 Virat Kohli.

127. Which state govt has recently announced the ‘Digital Service Bridge Program’?
 Gujarat.
 Gujarat govt announces Digital Seva Setu Programme for rural areas.
 The rural people do not have to go to govt offices frequently, 22 services
were made online.

128. Who has recently been appointed as the brand ambassador of Drools?
 Kareena Kapoor Khan
 Drools in India’s leading dog and cat’s nutrition brand.

129. Who has been appointed as the new Director General of BCAS recently?
 M A Ganapathy, IPS
 BCAS- Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
 It is a Regulatory authority for civil aviation security of India.

130. Where has the meeting of foreign ministers of the quad countries been held
recently?
 Tokyo.
 All the Quad countries the US, Japan, India and Australia to hold bilateral
discussions over ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ initiative amid corona virus
pandemic.

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Current Affairs: October 2020

 India was represented by External Affairs Minister J. Jaishankar.


 Ministry of External Affairs:
o Cabinet minister- Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
o Minister of State- VMuraleedharan
o Foreign Secretary- Harsh Vardhan Shringla, IFS
 Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad:
o It is an inter-governmental security forum between the four
countries.
o The ministers discussed regional issues and collectively affirmed the
importance of maintaining a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
o Formation- 2017.
 Japan:
o Island country of East Asia.
o Capital- Tokyo
o Emperor- Naruhito
o PM-Yoshihide Suga
o Currency- Japanese yen

131. Recently which state govt has announced to set up cyber police station?
 Chhattisgarh.
 Chhattisgarh:
o Formation= 1st November, 2000
Formed taken south eastern districts of MP.
o Capital and larget city - Raipur
o Governor – Anusuiya Uikey
o CM- Bhupesh Baghel (INC)
o High court- Chhattisgarh HC

132. Which state govt has announced the opening of Atal Adarsh Vidyalaya?
 Uttarakhand.
 As part of the Uttarakhand govt plan to compete with private schools, 190
state inter colleges are going to be turned into Atal Adarsh Schools.
 Some schools are selected in each blocks.
 The selected schools will be run as English medium center of excellence and
will be affiliated with the CBSE board.
 Uttarakhand:
o Formerly known as Uttaranchal
o Capital-Dehradun( winter), Gairsain (summer)
o Formed in 9th Nov, 2000 (Uttarakhand Day) from the northern region
of UP.
o Governor – Baby Rani Maurya

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Current Affairs: October 2020

o CM- Trivendra Singh Rawat (BJP)


o Highest elevation wise rank- 2nd (nanda Devi)

133. CORPAT is a military Exercise between India and which country?


 Bangladesh
 The exercise first started in 2019.

134. India along with which country has moved World Trade Organisation for waiver on
agreements related to prevent covid-19?
 South Africa.
 India and South Africa have asked the WTO to waive some provisions in the
international agreements that regulate intellectual property rights, to
speed up efforts to prevent, treat and contain the covid-19 pandemic and
make sure developing countries are not left behind.
 South Africa:
o Southern most country in Africa.
o Capital- Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative) and
Bloemfontein (judicial)
o Largest city- Johannesburg
o President- Cyril Ramaphosa
o Currency- South African rand
 World Trade Organisation (WTO):
o Intergovernmental organisation that is concerned with the
regulation of international trade between nations.
o Formation- 1995
o HQ- Geneva, Switzerland
o Director General- Roberto Azevedo

135. Who is the only Indian to feature in the Forbes list of ‘The World’s most Influential
CMOs?
 Ravi Santhanam
 Chief Marketing Officer, HDFC

136. India has provided around 3000 vials of Remdisvir to which country?
 Myanmar.
 Broad spectrum anti-viral medication.

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137. Which company becomes the 2nd Indian firm to attain a market capitalisation of Rs.
10 lakh crore?
 Tata Consultancy Services.
 1st company was Reliance Industries.
 Its market value become 10 lakh crore.

138. What is the name of Whole-Time Member of SEBI?


 Madhabi Puri Buch
 Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI):
o Regulator of the securities and commodity market in India owned by
GOI.
o Formation -12th April, 1988
o Given statutory power on 30th January, 1992 through SEBI Act, 1992.
o HQ- Mumbai
o Chairman- Ajay Tyagi, IAS

139. Under the chairmanship of Russia, 12th BRICS summit will be held via video
conference. What is the theme?
 BRICS Partnership for Global Stability, Shared Security and Innovative Growth.
 BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and south Africa)
o Group of world ‘s leading emerging economies.
o 2001- British economist Jim O’Neil coined the term to descry
o 2009-formation (1st summit-Russia)
o 2010- South Africa joined forming BRICS
o The chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the
members.
o During the 6th BRICS summit in Fortaleza (Brazil) in 2014, New
Development Bank(NDB) was formed headquartered in Sanghai,
China.
o Summits-
1st Summit (2009)- Russia
11th Summit (2019)- Brazil
12th Summit (2020)-Russia
13th Summit (-)- India

140. Which day is observed as Indian Air Force Day?


 8th October.
 On this day IAF was officially raised in 1932.
 The year 2020 marked the 88th anniversary.
 Indian Air Force

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Current Affairs: October 2020

o Estd- 8th October, 1932 (Air Force Day)


o HQ- Integrated Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, New
Delhi
o Motto- Glory that touches sky
o Commander-in-chief- President Ram Nath Kovind
o Chief of Air Staff – Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria

141. Which day is celebrated as World Sight Day?


 8th October.
 The day aims to create awareness globally about blindness and vision
impairment.
 2020 theme: ‘Hope in Sight’.
 It was launched in 1999 by WHO and the International Agency for the
Prevention of Blindness.

142. The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry given for Genome Editing method:
 Emmanuelle Charpentier (France)
 Jennifer Doudna (American)

143. Recently how many universities in the country have been declared fake by UGC?
 24
 8 of these are from UP, 7 from Delhi. Odisha and WB have two , while
Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh have one
each.
 These universities do not have any power to confer degrees to students.
 University Grants Commission (UGC):
o Statutory body set up by the GOI in accordance to the UGC Act 1956.
o Motto- Gyan Vigyan Vimuktaye (Knowledge and Science for
Liberation)
o Formation- 1953
o HQ- New Delhi
o Chairman- D P Singh

144. Which country has successfully test fired the Tsirkon hypersonic missile recently?
 Russia
 It was tested on the birthday of President Vladimir Putin.

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Current Affairs: October 2020

145. Which country has announced the opening of its Foreign Trade Service Office in
Dhaka recently to enhance relations with Bangladesh?
 USA

146. which bank has launched a new debit card for LAS customers?
 ICICI bank
 LAS- Loan against security

147. Who has been appointed as the MD & CEO of India Post Payment Bank recently?
 J Venkatramu
 India Post Payment Bank (IPPB):
o Government owned Public sector bank.
o Formation- 2018
o HQ- New Delhi
o Operating with the Department of Posts, under Ministry of
Communication
o Cabinet minister- Ravi Shankar Prasad
o Minister of state- Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre

148. Recently with which country India has tied up in the field of cyber security?
 Japan
 India recently approved a MoC in areas including the capacity building,
infrastructure, cooperation in emerging technologies and information
sharing in the field of cyber security.

149. Which is the first state to limit the price of masks?


 Maharashtra

150. Who recently announced the conversion of NCERT books to Indian Sign Language?
 Thawar Chand Gehlot
 The conversion of all education material in sign language will strengthen
the concept of equal opportunity for everyone irrespective of their physical
inability.
 For this a MoU has been signed between the Indian Sign Language Research
and Training Center and NCERT.
 Thawar Chand Gehlot
o Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment
o Leader of the Rajya Sabha

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Current Affairs: October 2020

151. Recently who has been appointed by the central govt as the new Deputy Governor
of RBI?
 M Rajeshwar Rao
 Currently RBI has four deputy governors-
1. B P Kanungo
2. Mahesh Kumar Jain
3. M Rajeshwar Rao
4. Michael Patra

152. With which country, India has finalised an ambitious agreement that provides for
cooperation in 5G technology, AI?
 Japan

153. Who has been re-elected as the chairman of Association of Mutual Funds in India
(AMFI)?
 Nilesh Khullar
 Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI):
o An industry standards organisation in mutual funds sector
o Formation- 1995

154. The centre has released Rs. 20000 crores as compensation to states, related to
which tax?
 GST
 GST (Goods and Services Tax)
o First implemented in France.
o India’s GST is based on the Canadian model.
o GST in India was made on the recommendation of Vijay Kelkar
Committee.
o GST in India was implemented on 1 st July, 2017.
o The 1st state which implemented GST was Assam.
o Amitabh Bachchan has been made the brand ambassador of GST.
o GST has been implemented by 101st amendment Act, 2016.
o GST was the 122nd constitutional amendment bill.
o Currently there are four rate slabs in GST- 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%

155. What is “PARAM Siddhi-AI’, that was seen in news recently?


 Super computer
 Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) will be
commissioning India’s largest HPC-AI supercomputer.

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Current Affairs: October 2020

 HPC-AI= high-performance comuting-AI


 This initiative was headed by Abhishek Das, Scientist and Program Director.
 Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
o Formation- 1988
o HQ- Pune
o Director General- Hemant Darbari.

156. Which forest is said to be at risk of changing from forest to savanna?


 Amazon Rainforest
 Savanna- is a mixed woodland-grassland ecosystem.
 Forest- a piece of land with many trees.
 According to a study around 40% of Amazon forest are at risk of changing
into Savana like environment. This is mainly because of increased
greenhouse gas emission and reduced rainfall.
The shrinking forest tend to lose their ability to absorb man-made
emissions and thereby adding up to global warming.

157. Which institution is to launch an e-learning hub for villagers under Unnat Bharat
Abhiyan (UBA)?
 IIT Kozhikode (Kerala)
 Unnat Bharat Abhiyan:
o It was a flagship program of then Ministry of Human Resource and
Development.
o It aims to link the higher education institutions with a set of atleast
5 villages, so that these institutions can contribute to the economic
and social betterment of these village communities using their
knowledge base.

158. The unit of which technology company has launched ‘National Qualifier test’ to IT
students and professionals?
 TCS
 India’s largest IT service firm has opened it for fresh university graduates.
The other companies will also be able to use this platform for their fresher
hiring program.

159. India to hold a Digital conference on innovation in the field of Solar energy, along
with which country?
 Israel.
 Western Asian country
 Capital- Jerusalem

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Current Affairs: October 2020

 Official language- Hebrew


 President – Reuven Rivlin
 PM- Benjamin Netanyahu
 Currency- New Shekel

160. PM Narendra Modi launched which campaign for COVID-19 Appropriate


Behaviour?
 Jan Andolan campaign
 The campaign has been launched with a key message for people to stay
united to fight corona on 8th October.
 The campaign reminds to follow social distancing and to practice ‘Do Gaz ki
Doori’ to fight the situation. The campaign has been launched in the wake
of upcoming festivals.

161. Who has been awarded with Nobel Peace Prize 2020?
 World Food Programme.
 It was awarded for its efforts to fight the hunger specially in the war zones
and conflict affected area.
 World Food Programme (WFP):
o Food assistance branch of the UN and World’s largest humanitarian
organisation focused on hunger and food security.
o Formation: 1961
o HQ- Rome, Italy
o Head- David Beasley

162. India successfully test fires which Anti-Radiation Missile?


 Rudram
 It has been developed by DRDO.
 It was test fired from its primary test platform Sukhoi-30 fighter off the
east coast.

163. As per World Bank forecast what will be India’s GDP in FY 2021?
 -9.6%
 World Bank:
o It is an international financial institution that provides loans and
grants to the governments of poorer countries for the purpose of
pursuing capital projects.
o Formation- 1944.
o Motto- working for a world free of poverty.

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Current Affairs: October 2020

o HQ- Washington DC
o President- David Malpass
o Parent org- world bank group.

164. Who is appointed as new PM of Jordan, after resignation of Omar al Razzaz?


 Bishr al- Khasawneh
 Jordan:
o Arab country in western Asia.
o Capital- Amman
o Monarch- Abdullah II
o Currency- Jordanian dinar

165. Nobel Prize 2020 was awarded to whom for her poetry?
 Louise Gluck (American)

166. When is World Post Day celebrated?


 9th October
 It is celebrated in remembrance of the establishment of Universal Postal
Union in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland.
 It was declared by UPU congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969.
 India Post celebrated National Postal Week from 9th October to 15th
October to create awareness about the role of the postal sector in day to
day lives of people and businesses and its contribution in the socio-
economic development of the countries.
 2020 theme: ‘We have always Delivered’.
 Universal Postal Union:
o Specialized agency of the UN that co-ordinates postal policies among
member nations.
o Formation- 9th October, 1874.
o HQ- Bern, Switzerland.

167. Which state govt has recently launched youtube channel DISHTAVO for e-learning
in higher education?
 Goa

168. Who has recently partnered with IRCTC to start online train ticket booking?
 Amazon India
 Amazon:

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Current Affairs: October 2020

o American multinational technology company


o Formation- 1994
o Founder- Jeff Bezos
o HQ- Seattle, USA

169. Recently which state govt has partnered with Hindustan times to train 12000
students in coding?
 Delhi

170. Which country has recently declared Phoenix Settlement as a national heritage
site?
 South Africa (Durban)
 It was declared on 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
 It is that place where Gandhi established a commune, started his
experiments with Satyagraha and printed his newspaper Indian Opinion.
 South Africa:
o Southern most country in Africa.
o Capital- Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative) and
Bloemfontein (judicial)
o Largest city- Johannesburg
o President- Cyril Ramaphosa
o Currency- South African rand

171. Who has recently launched the online business mentoring program ‘MSME
Prerna’?
 Nirmala Sitharaman
 It is an online business mentoring programme for MSMEs by state-run
Indian Bank.
 The programme to be made available in local languages, is aimed at
empowering entrepreneurs through skill development and capacity
building workshops.

172. Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has partnered with which
organisation to promote new agricultural technology?
 Prasar Bharati
 Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)
o It is a multi-state cooperative society engaged in the business of
manufacturing and marketing of fertilizers.
o It is India’s largest fertiliser manufacturer.

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Current Affairs: October 2020

173. Which state govt launched the Kisan Rath mobile app to promote buyer-seller
network?
 Assam
 It will facilitate timely sale of agricultural products by promoting a buyer-
seller network.
 The app will be a new vehicle for boosting agri-business by opening markets
across the country for Assam to get maximum benefit for their produce.

174. The Election Commission of which country has declared its parliamentary elections
invalid?
 Kyrgyzstan
 It was declared invalid after mass protests erupted throughout the country.
 Kyrgyzstan:
o Central Asian country.
o Capital- Bishkek
o President- Sooronbay Jeenbekov
o PM- Sadyr Japarov
o Currency- Som

175. Which institution has estimated that over 150 million people are likely to be in
extreme poverty by 2021?
 World bank
 The convergence of the covid-19 pandemic with the pressures conflict and
climatic change will cause these.
 The global poverty rate could be about 7%.

176. Who got the additional charge of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution?
 Piyush Goyal
 He got the charge following the death of Ram Vilas Paswan on 8th October.
 Other charges:
o Cabinet minister of Railways and Commerce and Industry
o Deputy leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha.
 Minister of state- Raosaheb Patil Danve

177. Who has been appointed as Brand Ambassador of India’s fist Badminton brand
‘Transform’?
 Chetan Anand
 He is a Badminton player and Commonwealth Games medalist.

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Current Affairs: October 2020

 Transform is India’s first homegrown badminton brand.


 The racquets of transform are made out of military grade graphite.

178. Which day is celebrated as World Egg Day?


 9th October.
 It is observed annually on the 2nd Friday of October.
 The day aims to raise awareness of the benefits of eggs and their
importance in human nutrition.
 The day was established by the International Egg Commission in 1996 in a
conference held at Vienna.

179. The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai has collaborated with whom to
mark the containment zones in Mumbai on google maps?
 Google
 Google:
o American company
o Founder- Larry Page, Sergey Brin
o HQ- California, USA
o Formation- 1998
o CEO- Sundar Pichai

180. Who is named as Myntra’s first Digital Brand Ambassador?


 Bhuvan Bam.
 He is an youtuber.
 He is appointed to strengthen Myntra’s digital presence ahead of the
festive season.

181. When is World Migratory Bird Day celebrated?


 10th October
 It is celebrated bi-annually on the 2nd Saturday in May and in October.
 2020 theme: ‘Birds Connect Our World’
 This UN led campaign highlights the need to conserve the migratory birds
and their habitats, as they face threats.

182. Which state’s CM has launched the Jagananna Vidya Kanuka Scheme?
 Andhra Pradesh
 It is to distribute school kits among the poor children of the state.
 The state shall spend around Rs 650 crore towards the scheme.

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Current Affairs: October 2020

 Under this scheme, the govt school students from class 1-10 will get three
pairs of uniform, one pair of shoes, two pairs of socks, a belt, one set of
textbooks and one school bag.

183. Where has the two-day coastal security exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ concluded?
 Kochi
 It was conducted by the Indian Navy along with Indian Coast Guard and all
stakeholders involved in coastal security from the coast of Kerala.
 The exercise was conducted along the coastal areas of Kerala, Karnataka
and Lakshadweep.

184. Which state’s first women Chief Justice KK Usha has died recently?
 Kerala

185. Which is the first state in the country to provide drinking water connection to
every household?
 Goa
 Goa become the first ‘Har Ghar Jal’ state in the country under Central
government’s Jal Jeevan Mission by providing 100% tap water in connection
covering 2.30 lakh household.
 The state has achieved the target before time i.e. by 2021.

186. Which state govt has recently set up a welfare board for farmers?
 Kerala
 It is first of its kind of initiative in the country for the upliftment of farmers.
 It will be known as ‘Kerala Karshaka Kshemanidhi Board’.
 For the farmers to become a member of the board, they need to pay rs 100
as registration fee and a monthly fee of 100 Rs. The govt will provide an
equivalent share of upto Rs 250 to the members of the welfare fund.
 The board members are entitled to personal pension, family pension,
sickness benefit, disability benefit, medical assistance, marriage and
maternity allowances, education assistance and posthumous benefits.

187. Which state’s Chief Minister has launched the forest and wildlife helpline no 1926?
 Uttarakhand
 It will enable swift solutions to incidents occurring in forests, smuggling,
poaching and other forest related crimes and issues.

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188. Who has topped the Forbes India Rich List 2020 recently?
 Mukesh Ambani
 2nd -Gautam Adani- founder and chairman of Adani group
 3rd -Shiv Nadar- founder and chairman of HCL technology

189. In which state Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated Bawa Jitto Kisan Kendra and
Agricultural Mall at Talab Tillo?
 Jammu and Kashmir
 Jammu and Kashmir
o J&K is a Union territory of India.
o Capital- Srinagar (may- oct), Jammu (nov-apr)
o J & K state bifurcated on 5th August, 2019 with Ladakh becoming a
separate UT.
o Formation as UT=31st oct,2019
o Lt. Governor= Manoj Sinha
o CM=vacant
o Legislature=unicameral (previously bicameral)
o High court- J & K and Ladakh high court

190. Which day is celebrated as World Mental Health Day?


 10th October
 It is celebrated to raise awareness of mental health issues around the
world.
 2020 theme: ‘Mental Health for All: Greater Investment- Greater Access’.
 It is celebrated by World Federation for Mental Health.
o Formation- 1948 under UN and WHO
o Works in prevention of mental and emotional disorders and its
proper treatment.

191. Who launched Mukhya Mantri Saur Swarojgar Yojana under which 10,000 youth
and migrants of the states will get self-employment in the green energy sector?
 Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat.
 It aimed at promoting self-employment of the youth and promoting the
production of green energy.
 The targeted beneficiaries include youths and migrant workers, who
returned home after leaving jobs in various parts of the country due to
pandemic.

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Current Affairs: October 2020

192. Which day is celebrated as International Day of the Girl Child?


 11th October
 The day celebrated with an objective to empower women.
 The day seeks to help women to get their rights in order to make them
strong for the challenges they face in the world. The day is observed in
order to curb the challenges that girl child face.
 The Beijing conference of World Conference on women in 1995 first call out
for girls right.
 Later this day was declared by UNGA in 2011.
 First day was celebrated in 2012 with theme ‘Ending Child Marriage’.
 2020 theme: ‘My voice, our equal future’.

193. Which state govt approved First of its kind ‘Tree Transplantation Policy’ & World’s
nd
2 Smog Tower?
 Delhi
 Delhi has become the first state to have ‘Tree Transplantation Policy’ for
the preservation of trees.
 Under this, a minimum of 80% of trees affected by a development or
construction project will be transplanted.
 The state cabinet also gave nod for the installation of the 2nd smog tower in
the world after china.
 Each approval comes as part of ‘War against Pollution’ initiative.

194. Which day is celebrated as World Day against the Death Penalty?
 10th October.
 It is dedicated to the individuals facing dealth penalty.
 1st day was celebrated in 2003.

195. For the 1st time in India, Goa govt ties up with whom to enrol 11000 Farmers in
‘PM Kisan Samman Nidhi’ scheme?
 India Post
 Through this tie up the postman will be utilized to benefit farmers.
 This is India’s first such initiative.
 India Post:
o Govt operated postal system under Ministry of communication.
o Formation- 1854 by Lord Dalhousie.
o Cabinet minister- Ravi Shankar Prasad

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196. 16-year old Aava Murto becomes Finland’s PM for 1 day:


 As part of the UN International Day of Girl Child, 16 year old Aava Murto assumed
the post of Finland’s PM for one day on 7th October to raise awareness about
gender equality.
 It was done as part of the ‘Girls takeover’ program.
 Finland :
 Northern European country.
 Capital- Helsinki
 President- Sauli Niinisto
 PM- Sanna Marin
 Currency- Euro

197. Which country has recently announced to join the COVAX initiative?
 China
 It is a WHO backed effort to distribute vaccines for the novel coronavirus,
boosting a major public health initiative.
 More than 150 countries have agreed to participate in the covid-19 vaccines
Global Access Facility (COVAX).

198. Recently in which country’s capital has the night curfew been imposed due to
corona virus?
 Germany
 Germany:
o European country
o Capital and largest city- Berlin
o Chancellor- Angela Merkel
o President- Frank- Walter Steinmeier
o Legislature- Bundesrat
o Currency- Euro
o Reunification of west and east Germany- 1990

199. Who has become the first women to receive a Yudh Seva Medal?
 Minty Agarwal
 She was awarded to provide air support during 27 February dogfight .
 She was the one who was providing Abhinandan with the air situation
picture.
 She became the 1st defence officer to get Yudh Seva Medal, which is
awarded to recognise distinguished service of a high order during war,
conflict or hostilities.

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200. Recently Swa-nirbhar Naari: Atmanirbhar scheme has been launched by the CM of
which state?
 Assam
 It is to empower economically disadvantaged women in the state.
 It will give employment to the women in Agriculture, Horticulture, fishery,
environment & forest, handloom & textiles, sericulture, veterinary and
animal husbandary sectors.

201. Which Indian educationist has recently been appointed as the dean of Harvard
Business school?
 Srikant M Datar

202. Who has addressed the invest India Conference in Canada from the recent video
conference?
 PM Narendra Modi
 The forum aims to give Canadian business community a first-hand
perspective of the opportunities to invest in India and showcase India as an
investment destination.
 Canada:
o North American country.
o Capital- Ottawa
o Largest city- Toronto
o Monarch- Elizabeth II
o PM- Justin Trudeau
o Currency- Canadian dolla
o It is the 2nd largest country by total area.

203. Recently which company has given its employees the option of permanently
working from home?
 Microsoft
 Microsoft:
o American Multination technology company.
o HQ- Washington DC
o Formation- 1975
o Founder- Bill Gates, Paul Allen
o CEO- Satya Nadella (Born in Hyderabad, he is an Indian-American,
currently have US citizenship)

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204. As per the latest report from FIS, which country has recorded the real-time
financial transaction of 41 million per day?
 India
 FIS is a leading provider of technology solutions for merchants, banks and
capital markets firms globally.
 Due to covid situation India doubled in its every day real time transactions.
 India’s growth was 213% which make India the global leader.

205. In which state, India’s first advanced manufacturing hub (AMHUB) is to be


established?
 Tamil Nadu
 It is one among the 19 platforms that has been designed by the World
Economic Forum (WEF).
 It will be jointly set up by WEF and in guidance of TN govt.
 It would help the state in sectors of solar energy, electronics, electric
mobility and textiles.
 It will also boost up the production sector.
 Tamil Nadu:
o Formation: 26 Jan, 1950
o Capital and largest city- Chennai
o Governor- Banwarilal Purohit
o CM- E K Palaniswami (AIADMK)

206. As per the recent statement from the RBI, Finance companies cannot be set up
with FDI from which country?
 Mauritius
 Because Mauritius do not meet the benchmarks laid down by the Financial
Action Task Force (FATF).
 FATF is an intergovernmental organisation founded in 1989 on the initiative
of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering.
 Its objectives is to set standards and promote effective implementation of
legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money
laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats.
 Mauritius:
o It is an island nation in the Indian Ocean at the south-east coast of
African continent.
o Capital- Port Louis
o President- Prithvirajsing Roopan
o PM- Pravind Jugnauth.
o Currency- Muritian rupee.
o 2nd most speaking language is Bhojpuri (5.3%).

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207. Which Indian state has inaugurated it largest greenfield oxygen plant
commissioned by INOX Air Products?
 Uttar Pradesh
 UP’s largest oxygen production plant is inaugurated in Modinagar,
Ghaziabad, UP.
 The new facility will bridge the gap between demand and supply specially in
this covid situation.

208. Which day is celebrated as the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Day?
 9th October
 It is celebrated every year since 2011.
 Indian Foreign Service was formed in 9th October, 1946.

209. The Government has set up a panel to evaluate and approve Chinese foreign
investment proposals. Who will head this panel?
 Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Home secretary

210. On which river Border Roads Organisation (BRO) built India’s longest( 360 meter)
steel bridge ‘Barsi Bridge’ on Manali-leh highway?
 Bhaga River
 It is situated in Himachal Pradesh.
 This is India’s first such initiative.
 Border Roads Organisation (BRO):
o It develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and
friendly neighboring countries.
o It maintain operations in 21 states, one UT (Andaman and Nicobar)
and neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar,
and Sri Lanka.
o Motto- Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam (everything is achievable
through hardwork).
o Formation- 1960
o Purpose- providing infrastructure to armed forces.
o HQ- New Delhi
o Director General- Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh.

211. PM Modi Launches Physical Distribution of Property Cards under which scheme?
 SVAMITVA scheme
 On 11th October, PM launched a physical distribution of property cards, a
legal document of owning their houses under the Survey of Villages and

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Mapping with improvise Technology in Village Areas (SVANITVA) scheme


over virtual platform.
 It will support to make rural India self-sufficient.
 The scheme aims to help the villagers to utilize the properties as a financial
asset to get loans and other financial benefits.

212. Which state becomes first state in India to go Digital in Public Education?
 Kerala
 It is the first state in India to make the public education sector completely
digital.
 It has been implemented at a cost of INR 42.36 crores.
 Its all public schools have high-tech classrooms.

213. Which day is celebrated as World Arthritis Day 2020?


 12th October.
 It is celebrated to create awareness about rheumatic and musculoskeletal
diseases and to share information and support its patients.
 First day was celebrated on 12th October, 1996.
 2020 theme: ‘Its in your hand, Take Action’.

214. Which Indian woman has been appointed as the high commissioner of Britain for a
day under the recently organised competition organised by the UK mission?
 Chaitanya Venkateshwaran (18-year-old).
 She had the unique opportunity to spend last Wednesday as the UK’s
senior-most diplomat in India under the mission’s initiative aimed at
empowering and highlighting the challenges faced by women across the
world.
 The British High Commission has been organising the ‘High Commissioner
for a day’ competition annually since 2017, inviting young Indian women
aged 18-23 years to take over as their most senior diplomat.

215. Recently how many bridges built by BRO have been inaugurated by Defence
Minister Rajnath Singh?
 44
 44 bridges are launched across 7 states/UTs in border areas.
 Most of these bridges are in strategically important areas and will help
armed forces to ensure quick movement of troops and weapons.
o Under Defence ministry
 Cabinet minister- Rajnath Singh

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 Minister of state- Shripad Yesso Naik


 Secretary- Ajay Kumar

216. Who has been the winner of the Chess.com 2020 Championship?
 Nihal Sarin
 Young Indian Chess player Nihal Sarin has been declared as winner in the
2020 Junior Speed Online Chess Championship of Chess.com.

217. Recently how many rupees commemorative coin has been released by PM
Narendra Modi in honour of Vijaya Raje Scindia?
 100
 The coin is being released on the occasion of birth centenary of her.
 She was one among the founding members of the BJP.
 The special commemorated coin was minted by the Finance Ministry.

218. Who has won the 2020 French Open title?


 Rafael Nadal.
 This is his 13th French Open title and his 20th Grand Slam trophy.
 Now he equalled with Roger Federer’s record for most major titles.

Grand Slam Court Event Winner Runners up


Australian Open Hard Court Men’s Single Novak Djokovic Dominic Thiem
(Serbia) (Austria)
Women’s Single Sofia Kenin Garbine
(America) Muguruza
(Spain)
French Open Clay Court Men’s Single Rafael Nadal Novak Djokovic
(Spain) (Serbia)
Women’s Single Iga Swiatek Sofia Kenin
(Poland) (America)
US Open Grass Court Men’s Single Dominic Thiem Alexander
(Austria) Zverev
(Germany)
Women’s Single Naomi Osaka Victoria
(Japan) Azarenka
(Belarus)
Wimbledon Grass Court Cancelled

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219. Recently which is the first university to start the complete online admission
process?
 Delhi University

220. Iga Swiatek has won Women Singles title of 2020 French Open by defeating
American Sofia Kenin. She is from which country?
 Poland
 Central European country.
 Capital- Warsaw
 President- Andrzej duda
 PM- Mateusz Morawiecki
 Currency- Polish zloty

221. In which country, Women’s T20 Challenge will be held?


 UAE
 The tournament was originally scheduled to commence on May 2020 in
Jaipur, but postponed due to pandemic.
 Now it is scheduled to be held from 1-10 November, 2020 in UAE.
 UAE- United Arab Emirates:
o Western Asian country.
o Capital – Abu Dhabi
o President-Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
o PM- Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
o Legislature- Federal National Council
o Currency – UAE Dirham

222. What is India’s rank in OXFAN & DFI’s Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI)
Index 2020?
 129
 India ranked 129 out of 158 countries.
 It was released by Oxfan and Development Finance International (DFI).
 According to the report, India has spent only 4% of its budget on health
during the pandemic, which is 4th lowest in the world. India ranked 155 th on
the health spending index.
 Nigeria, Bahrain and India are among the World’s worst performing
countries in tackling inequality during the pandemic.
 Only 26 out of 158 countries spent the recommended 15% of their budgets
on health to fight covid-19.
 Top ranked country is Norway.

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223. School closures due to covid-19 may cost USD 400 billion loss to India as per which
organisation?
 World Bank

224. Britain’s Prince William & Sir David Attenborough Launched which prize as an
environmental award to support climate change?
 The Earthshot Prize
 The prize aims to encourage change and support to repair the planet in the
next 10 years (2030).
 It is described as the most prestigious global environment prize in history.
 The prize was inspired by former US President John F Kennedy in 1961.
 The prize will comprises of 5 prizes of 1 million pounds awarded each year
for the next 10 years- Protect and restore nature, Clean the Air, Revive the
Ocean, Reduce waste, fixing the climate.

225. Who got the 2020 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for their work on Auction
Theory?
 Paul R. Milgrom (American)
 Robert B Wilson (American)

226. World Obesity Day 2020 moved from 11th October to which date of the year?
 4th March
 Till 2019 the day was annually celebrated on 11 th October.
 The day aims to create and raise awareness, encourage advocacy and
improve policies on obesity.
 The first day was celebrated on 11 th October, 2015.
 2020 theme: ‘The roots of obesity run deep’.

227. What is the new motto of All India Football Federation (AIFF)?
 Indian Football Forward Together
 The new motto is based on the core belief of the Federation to promote,
grow and develop the game of football throughout India with the support
of the football community.
 AIFF: All India Football Federation
o Governing body of association of football in India
o Formation- 1937
o HQ-Dwarka, Delhi
o President- Praful Patel

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228. Rashtriya Kamadhenu Aayog started “Kamadhenu Deepavali Abhiyan’. It is being


implemented by which ministry?
 Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
 The primary aim of the campaign is to promote extensive use of cow dung
during the Diwali season.
 The campaign have targeted to reach to the 11 crore families and ignite 33
crore diyas made of cow dung.
 Under the scheme, RKA would be promoting the cow dung based diyas,
dhoop, agarbatti, swastika, wall-piece as well as idols of goddess Lakshmi
and Lord Ganesha.
 The initiative would generate business opportunities for the cow based
entrepreneurs and farmers by promoting use of cow-dung.

229. Which day is celebrated as International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction?
 13th October
 Observed by UN from 1989.
 Also known as the World Calamity Control Day.
 The day is observed to spread awareness about how people and
communities across the world are reducing their exposure to disasters.
 2020 theme: ‘Disaster Risk Governance’.

230. Which country approves capital punishment for rape?


 Bangladesh.
 Currently, the highest punishment for rape in Bangladesh is life
imprisonment, however capital punishment is allowed if the rape victim
dies.
 The decision to amend the punishment was taken after a series triggered in
the aftermath of sexual assaults.

231. Which state has decided to set up 6000 paddy purchasing centers?
 Telangana
 The state govt urged the farmers to sell their paddy at the village centres in
the view of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.
 Telangana:
o Formation- 2nd June, 2014
o Governor- Tamilisai Soundararajan
o CM- K Chandrashekar Rao
o Legislature- Bicameral
o High Court- Telangana HC

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232. According to the recent lancet report, which country will overtake Japan to
become the world’s 3rd largest economy by 2050?
 India
 India will become the 3rd largest economy behind USA and China.
 The study, which took 2017 as the base year when India was the 7th largest
global economy, said the country will become the 4th largest by 2030,
overtaking Germany. Currently, India’s GDP is the 5th biggest ahead of the
UK and France.

233. Who has become the 1st batsman in Asia to score 10 thousand runs in T20?
 Shoaib Malik
 Young Indian Chess player Nihal Sarin has been declared as winner in the
2020 Junior Speed Online Chess Championship of Chess.com.

234. Who will be honoured with the SASTRA Ramnujan Award 2020?
 Shai Evra
 The award was founded by Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology &
Research Academy (SASTRA) located near Srinivasa Ramanujan hometown.
 It was awarded every year to a young mathematician judged to have done
outstanding work in Ramanujan’s field of interest.
 The age limit for the prize has been set at 32 (the age at which Ramanujan
died), and the current award is $10,000.

235. Which state government has given exemption in road tax to battery operated
vehicles?
 Delhi
 It was done under new Electric Vehicle Policy.
 It is an another step of Delhi govt towards ensuring pollution free Delhi.

236. Which state govt has launched the mobile water testing laboratory van?
 Haryana
 The van is fully equipped with a multi-parameter system containing
analysers, sensor, probes and instruments meant for assessing water
quality.
 This initiative works under Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide tap
water to rural households by 2024.
 The lab is capable of measuring different water quality parameters like pH,
TDS, hardness, residual chlorine, zinc, nitrate, fluoride, turbidity and micro-
biological test of water samples.

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 It will help in quickly identifying the wate quality problem on the spot at a
site.
 Haryana:
o Statehood – 1966
o Capital – Chandigarh (common with Punjab)
o Governor – Satyadev Narayan Arya
o CM- Manohar Lal Khattar (BJP)
o High court- Punjab and Haryana HC (also for UT Chandigarh)

237. Who has released the autobiography of Dr. Balasaheb Vikhre Patil?
 PM Narendra Modi
 The book was named ‘Deh Vechwa Karani’ (dedicating one’s life for a noble
cause).
 He was a senior member of INC from Maharashtra and served as a union
minister from 1999 to 2002 in the cabinet of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
 He worked towards the development of society, including the SC, ST and
landless labourers. Also worked towards empowering the youths of rural
India through the Pravara rural Education society.

238. For which country, Government of India has provided Line of Credit (LoC) of USD
310 million for the purpose of financing repowering of Hwang Thermal Power Station?
 Zimbabwe.
 It is done by EXIM bank on behalf of the GOI.
 Zimbabwe:
o Landlocked country located in southern Africa.
o Capital- Harare.
o President- Emmerson Mnangagwa
o Currency-Zimbabwe dollar.

239. Which bank has approved 300 million US dollar loan to finance water supply,
sanitation infrastructure in Rajasthan?
 ADB
 Asian Development Bank (ADB):
o Formation- 1966
o HQ- Manila, Philippines
o Present president- Masatsugu Asakawa
o The function of ADB is to provide assistance to its developing
member countries, the private sector, and public-private partnership

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through grants, loans, technical assistance, and equity investments


to promote development.

240. The 7th meeting of Ministers of Justice of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
(SCO) member states will be hosted by whom?
 Ravi Shankar Prasad.
 The Union law ministers virtually host the meeting.
 It will be hosted on 16th October, 2020.
 Other participants will be law and justice ministers of Pakistan, China,
Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyz republic.
 SCO- Sanghai Cooperation Organisation:
o Formation-2001
o Eurasian political, economic and security alliance.
o HQ-Beijing
o Members- 8-China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Pakistan, Russia,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
o Official language- Chinese and Russian
o Secretary General- Vladimir Norov

241. What is the name of former Indian football captain who passed away recently?
 Carlton Chapman
 He was an Indian professional footballer.
 He played in Indian National team between 1995 and 2001.

242. As per the recent announcement of the RBI, which service is to be made available
round the clock from December 2020?
 RTGS
 Real time gross settlement.
 Currently RTGS service is available from 7am to 6 pm only, and that is too in
working days.
 The lower limit of RTGS is 2 lakh rupees, but there is no upper limit.
 This system is mainly for large amount of money.

243. Which country has released a new version of its passport to differentiate from
China?
 Taiwan
 The official name of Taiwan is ‘Republic of China’. While official name of
mainland china is ‘People Republic of China’.
 This often create confusion in foreign countries.

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 Taiwan:
o Country in East Asia.
o Capital- Taipei
o President- Tsai Ing-wen
o Currency- New Taiwan dollar.

244. India, Mexico hold 5th India-Mexico Bilateral High-level Group on Trade Investment
and cooperation.
 The two sides reviewed and appreciated the progress made bilateral trade and
commercial relations between the two countries.
 The two sides also discussed cooperation in intellectual property rights.
 Mexico:
 North American country.
 Capital- Mexico City.
 President- Andres Manuel Lopez
 Currency- Peso

245. When is world standard day celebrated?


 14th October
 It is celebrated to pay tribute to the collaborative efforts of the thousands
of experts across the world who develop the voluntary technical
agreements that are published as international standards.
 The day raises awareness about the importance of standardization to the
global economy among the consumers, regulators and industry.
 It was first observed in 1970.
 2020 theme: ‘Protecting the planet with standards’.

246. When is International E-Waste Day observed?


 14th October.
 The day is observed to raise awareness about e-waste recycling and
encourage consumers to recycle e-waste.
 It was observed since 2018 by WEEE ( Waste Electrical & Electronic
Equipment) forum.
 2020 theme: ‘Theme of Education’.

247. Recently PEPSICO has announced to set up a unit in which state at a cost of 814
crores?
 Uttar Pradesh
 PepsiCo is setting up potato chips production unit in UP.

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 Pepsico is an American Multinational food, snack and beverage


corporation.
 HQ- New York.

248. Recently FATF has placed which country in its Enhanced follow up list?
 Pakistan
 The follow up report on mutual evaluation of Pakistan released by the Asia-
pacific group underlined that the country’s progress on the 40 FATF
recommendations on the effectiveness of anti-money laundering and
combating financing terror system largely remained unchanged.
 Financial Action Task Force (FATF):
o An intergovernmental organisation founded in 1989 on the initiative
of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering.
o In 2001, its mandate was expanded to include terrorism financing.
o Formation- 1989
o HQ- Paris, France.

249. Recently IMF has estimated what % of India’s GDP in the current financial year i.e.
FY 2021?
 -10.3%
 International Monetary Fund (IMF):
o It is working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial
stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment
and sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty around the
world while periodically depending on the World Bank for its
resources.
o Formation- formed in 1944 in Bretton Woods Conference.
Formally formed in 1945.
o HQ- Washington DC
o Membership- 190 countries
o MD- Kristina Georgieva
o Chief Economist- Gita Gopinath
o Parent org- UN

250. Recently Indian Army has organized anti-terrorist exercise ‘Suraksha Kavach’ in
collaboration with which state police?
 Maharashtra

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251. Recently how many cricket stars has BharatPe made its brand ambassador?
 11
 Recently BharatPe has announced the launch of its high impact TV
campaign starring ‘Team BharatPe’.
 It will communicate the message ‘Hum Hai Team BharatPe-Jo Desh ke Har
Dukandaar ke Saath Hai Khade’.
 Team includes- Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, Md Shami,
Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina, Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw, Sanju Samson,
Yuzuvendra Chahal and Shubhman Gill.

252. Who has laid the foundation stone of Nechiphu tunnel in Siang district of
Arunachal Pradesh?
 Rajnath Singh
 The tunnel will reduce distance to the area bordering China by 10 KM.
 Singh also inaugurated 8 other bridges built by BRO in Arunachal Pradesh
and 36 other bridges in HP, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Sikkim and Jammu and
Kashmir.
 Arunachal Pradesh:
o UT-1972
o State- 1987
o Capital- Itanagar
o Governor- B D Mishra
o CM- Pema Khandu (BJP)
o Largest state among seven sisters of Northeast India.
o Shares border with Bhutan, Myanmar and a disputed border with
china at the McMohan Line.

253. National Philately Day was celebrated on which day?


 13th October
 The day also marks the collection, appreciation and research activities on
stamps and other philatelic products.
 Philately- the collection and study of postage stamps.

254. Which technology company has partnered with AICTE to train students in new-age
technology?
 Microsoft
 The technology includes Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Data
science and cloud computing.

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 Over 1500 course modules from Microsoft will be made available to


students and educators free of cost through AICTE’s e- learning portal
‘Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS)’.
 All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE):
o Statutory body and a nation-level council for technical education,
under department of higher education, Ministry of Education.
o Formation – 1945
o Chairman- Anil Sahasrabudhe.

255. What is India’s position in the list of Arton Capital’s Passport Index 2020?
 58th
 It is a list of world’s most powerful passports.
 New Zealand topped the list.

256. When is International day of Rural women is celebrated?


 15th October
 It is celebrated to recognise the role and contribution of rural women in
agriculture and rural development.
 The day also promotes gender equality and elimination of gender
discrimination.
 The 1st day was observed on 2008.
 2020 theme: ‘Building rural women’s resilience in the wake of Covid-19’.

257. Which country has prepared the 2nd covid-19 vaccine ‘EpiVacCorona’?
 Russia
 The new vaccine will be approved two months after the Russia’s 1 st vaccine
Sputnik V, which was launched in August, 2020.
 The 2nd vaccine has been developed by the Vector State Research Centre of
Virology and Biotechnology.

258. Which country has been re-elected as the President of ISA for the next 2 years?
 India
 France has also been re-elected as the co-president of the alliance in the
ISA’s Third Assembly.
 The tenure for both the countries would be 2 years.
 From India’s side R K Singh will represent the ISA.
 International Solar Alliance
o The initiative was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at
the India Africa Summit, and a meeting of member countries ahead

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of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in


November 2015.
o an alliance of 121 countries initiated by India, most of them
being sunshine countries, which lie either completely or partly
between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
o objective of the alliance is to work for efficient exploitation of solar
energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
o HQ- Gwal Pahari, Gurugram, Haryana, India
o Director General- Upendra Tripathy

259. Which ministry has launched a Jan Andolan Campaign on Covid-19?


 Ministry of AYUSH
 The Andolan is regarding ‘Public Health Response to covid-19: Campaign for
covid-appropriate behaviour’ which has been launched by PM Narendra
Modi.
 In the AYUSH sector, the practitioners and other Ayush Professionals will
act as catalysts for dissemination of relevant information throughout the
country.
 Minister- Shripad Naik.

260. Which state govt has inaugurated the ‘Sujal-Drink from tap mission’ scheme?
 Odisha
 it was launched in 13th October.
 Odisha is set to become the first state to provide 24 hours piped water
connection to all urban areas of the state by March 2022.

261. Recently which state govt has given 6 months exemption in the licence fee of
multiplex?
 Uttar Pradesh

262. Recently how many rupees commemorative coin has been released by PM on 75th
anniversary of FAO?
 75
 It was released to mark the long-standing relation of India with FAO on the
occasion of its 75th Anniversary on 16th October, 2020.
 The event will mark the highest priority given by the govt to agriculture and
nutrition.
 Food and Agriculture Organization

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o specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international


efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.
o HQ- Rome, Italy
o Founded: 16 October 1945
o Director General- Qu Dongyu

263. Where will the world’s biggest greenfield Zinc smelter be built recently?
 Gujarat
 On 14th October Hindustan Zinc limited signed MoU with the govt of Gujarat
to set up World’s Biggest Zinc Smelter complex in Doswara, Tapi, Gujarat.

264. Who has inaugurated the 2nd phase of ‘Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana’ recently?
 Dr. Harsh Vardhan
 It was launched in 14th October.
 The program is funded by coal India’s corporate Social Responsibility.
 The beneficiaries are underprivileged Thalassemia patients who are eligible
for Bone Marrow Transplantation but lack financial support.
 Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:
o Cabinet Minister- Dr. Harsh Vardhan
o Minister of State- Aswini Kumar Choubey

265. Which state govt has announced full scholarship for UPSC candidates recently?
 Mizoram
 A full scholarship will be provided to the promising students, who aspire to
become civil servants, to meet their expenses incurred while attending
coaching classes in Delhi apart from providing cash incentives for clearing
prelims and mains exams.
 The state will conduct an entrance exam to select the candidates.
 Mizoram:
o Formation- 1972 as UT (was a part of Assam till 1972)
1987 as 23rd state (53rd amendment, 1986)
o Capital and largest city – Aizawl
o Governor – P. S. Sreedharan Pillai
o CM – Zoramthanga (MNF- Mizo National Front)

266. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari flagged off a 4th Kisan Rail from which
station?
 Nagpur
 1st- Devlalli, Maharashtra to Danapur, Bihar

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 2nd – Anantpur, Andhra Pradesh to Adarsh Nagar, Delhi


 3rd – Bengaluru to Hazrat Nizamuddin, Delhi
 4th- Nagpur to Adarsh Nagar, Delhi.
 The announcement for the launch of Kisan Rail Train was first presented by
the Union Budget of 2020.
 Recently the Ministry of Food Processing Industries have decided to extend
the subsidy by 50% on the transportation of fruits and vegetables by the
Kisan Rail Trains.

267. ‘Jalyukt Shivar water conservation scheme’ is a scheme of which state?


 Maharashtra
 It was a projects in the regime of Devendra Fadnavis and was launched in
2014 with the objective of making Maharashtra drought-free by 2019.
 Current govt ordered a probe on it.

268. As per the recent report titled ‘Animal Discoveries 2019 and Plant Discoveries
2019’, how many new species were discovered in 2019?
 544
 It is released by the combined effort of Zoological Survey of India and
Botanical Survey of India.
 Both have their HQ in Kolkata and comes under the Ministry of
Environment, Forest & Climate Change
 364- animal 180-plant

269. India’s first Dragonfly fossil was found in which state?


 Jharkhand
 A group of researchers of WB have discovered it from Latehar district of
Jharkhand.
 The team state the fossil would be at least 2.5 million years old.
 Jharkhand:
o Formation- 15th November, 2000
o Capital- Ranchi
o Largest city- Jamshedpur
o Governor- Draupadi Murmu
o CM- Hemant Soren
o High court- Jharkhand HC

270. ‘Protect a Generation’ report has been released by PwC India and which agency?
 Save the Children India

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 ‘Protect a Generation: Climate security for India’s Children’ report.


 The study aims to understand the impact of climate change on children,
identify risk and mitigation strategies and develop a roadmap for a climate-
resilient future.

271. When is Global Handwashing Day 2020 is celebrated?


 15th October.
 The day aims to raise awareness and understanding about the importance
of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent
diseases and save lives.
 2020 theme: ‘Hand Hygiene for All’.

272. When is World Student’s Day observed?


 15th October.
 It is observed to celebrate the Birth Anniversary of India’s 11th President Dr.
A P J Abdul Kalam.
 This is his 89th Birth Anniversary.
 2020 theme: ‘Learning for People, Planet, Prosperity and Peace’.

273. Who launched ‘Red light On Gaadi Off’ Campaign to Reduce air pollution?
 Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
 Under this antipollution campaign, people will be encouraged to turn off
the engines of their vehicles while waiting at traffic signals.

274. When is world Food day celebrated?


 16th October
 It commemorates the founding date of the Food and Agriculture
organisation of the UN in 1945.
 This year marks the 75th anniversary of FAO.
 Theme 2020: ‘Grow, Nourish, Sustain, together’.
 Food and Agriculture Organization
o specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international
efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.
o HQ- Rome, Italy
o Founded: 16 October 1945
o Director General- Qu Dongyu

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275. Which state govt has signed an agreement with Flipkart to boost the rural
economy?
 Jammu and Kashmir
 The partnership will promote the versatile handicrafts and handlooms of J
& K to a pan-India market through flipkart platform.
 Flipkart:
o It is a Singaporean e-commerce company.
o HQ- Singapore
o HQ (India)-Bangalore, Karnataka
o Founder- Sachin Bansal, Binny Bansal
o CEO- Kalyan Krishnamurthy

276. Recently in which state AAI build a greenfield airport?


 Arunachal Pradesh
 It will be constructed at Holongi in Arunachal Pradesh.
 The building design has been inspired by the surrounding environment. It
will feature an organic roof form to establish instant connections with the
viewer.
 Airport Authority of India:
o Statutory body working under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is
responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing civil
aviation infrastructure in India.
o Formation- 1995
o Chairman- Arvind Singh
o State Minster of Civil Aviation(independent charge)- Hardeep Singh
Puri.

277. Recently famous doll company Barbie has launched a Barbie doll dedicated to
which para badminton player?
 Manasi Joshi

278. Which state govt has announced the establishment of a women’s help desk in each
police station?
 Uttar Pradesh

279. Who has been appointed as the permanent representative of India at UNESCO
recently?
 Vishal V Sharma
 He succeeds Jawed Ashraf, a 1991 batch IFS officer.

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280. Recently the 1st Indian woman to win an Oscar passed away, what is her name?
 Bhanu Athaiya
 Bhanu Athaiya debuted as a contume designer for the film Shahenshan in
1953.
 She won the Oscar award for best costume design in 1983 for the film
Gandhi directed by Richard Attenborough.

281. Which state govt has approved 33% women reservation in government jobs?
 Punjab
 The provision will also allow recruitment to boards and corporations in
Group A,B,C and D posts.
 Thus, Punjab become the 2nd state after Bihar to give reservation to
women.
 In 2016 Bihar had formally given 35% reservation to women in all govt jobs
of state.

282. Which bank has been designated by the Union Government for opening all FRCA
account?
 State Bank of India
 The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all NGOs seeking foreign
donations to open a designated FRCA accounts in SBI, New Delhi Branch by
31st March, 2021.
 The NGOs registered under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2020 shall
not receive any foreign donations in any other bank account from April
1,2021.
 State Bank of India:
o Formerly known as Imperial Bank of India
o Formation – 1st July, 1955 as SBI.
o HQ- State Bank Bhawan, Mumbai
o Chairman- Dinesh Kumar Khara

283. The govt has selected which company to connect 5000 village Panchayats with
satellite broadband under BharatNet project?
 Hughes communications India
 It will connect 5000 village panchayats in the border and Naxal-affected
states as well as in island territories with satellite broadband by March
2021.
 BharatNet Project:

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o Earlier known as Optical Fiber Communication Network (OFC)


project.
o It aims to connect more than 2.5 lakh gram panchayats with high
speed broadband through the optical fiber at affordable prices.
o It will provide broadband speed from 2-20 Mbps.
o It will be provided internet connection to all institutions at district
level and also provide free of cost in schools, health care centres and
skill development centers.

284. Which organisation has released the ‘2020 State of Climate Services’ report?
 World Meteorological Organisation.
 On the occasion of the international day for disaster risk reduction i.e. on
13th October the ‘State of Climate Services 2020 report: Move from Early
Warnings to Early Action’ released.
 As per the report over the past 50 years, more than 11000 disasters caused
by weather, climate and water-related hazards which caused 2 million
deaths and USD 3.6 trillion economic losses.
 Notably, the September month was the warmest of 2020 and the period
between 2016-2020 had been the warmest or record.
 World Meteorological Organisation:
o Specialized agency of the UN responsible for promoting
international cooperation on atmospheric science, climatology,
hydrology and gepphysics.
o Formation- 1950
o HQ- Geneva, Switzerland
o President- Gerhard Adrian (Germany)
o Parent org- United Nations Economic and Social Council

285. ‘Exporting corruption 2020’ is a report released by which organisation?


 Transparency International
 It said that 4 out of 47 countries actively enforced legislation against foreign
bribery.
 There has been a significant drop in the investigation into bribery, money
laundering scandals across the world since 2018.
 India did not launch a single investigation between 2016 and 2019.
 The US, UK, Switzerland and Israel are the only 4 countries.
 Transparency International:
o German non-governmental organisation.
o It take action to combat global corruption with civil societal anti-
corruption measures and to prevent criminal activities arising from
corruption.

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o Formation- 1993
o HQ- Berlin, Germany

286. Which type of Identity card issued by the government is set to be printed in PVC
cards?
 Aadhaar Card

287. What is the title of the ‘World Economic Outlook 2020’ report released by IMF?
 A long and Difficult Ascent
 2020 projection for India is a downgrade of -5.8% points from the IMF’s
June projection.
 India is expected to rebound in 2021 with 8.8 % growth.
 India’s growth projection is -10.3%.
 Global growth is projected to be -4.4%.

288. The central govt has allowed how many states to borrow Rs. 68825 crores from the
market?
 20
 Centre allows 20 states to raise additional 68825 rupees through open
market borrowings to bridge the revenue shortfall caused by the pandemic.

289. Atal Innovation Mission has partnered with which IT consulting firm to promote
innovation in the ATL schools?
 CGI India
 CGI India is one of the largest IT and business consulting services firms.
 Under this partnership CGI has agreed to adopt 100 schools with ATLs
across Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai to promote and train
students.
 Atal Innovation Mission (AIM):
o It is a flagship initiative set up by the NITI Aayog to promote a
culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.
o Its aim is to develop new programmes and policies for fostering
innovation in different sectors of the economy, provide platform
and collaboration opportunities for different stakeholders, create
awareness and create and umbrella structure to oversee the
innovation ecosystem of the country.

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290. Who virtually launched ‘KAPILA’ Kalam program for IP literacy?


 Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank
 On the occasion of 89th birth anniversary of former president Dr. APJ Abdul
Kalam i.e. 15th October Ministry of Education launched it.
 It is Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness campaign.
 It was also decided to celebrate October 15 th to 23rd, 2020 as ‘Intellectual
Property Literacy Week’.

291. Myanmar to get its first submarine to be handed over by India under SAGAR. What
is the name of the submarine?
 INS Sindhuvir
 It will be handed over by India under its vision of SAGAR ( Security and
Growth for All in the Region) to provide guaranteed security for all
maritime partners.
 Myanmar navy will initially use INS Sindhuvir for training and orientation
purpose for its navy personnel as it has a capacity of staying underwater for
almost 45 days.

292. Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas observed on which date?


 15th October.
 It is celebrated to recognise the contribution of women farmers in various
aspects of agriculture.
 It was decided in 2016 that every year this day will be celebrated by the
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

293. Who launched ‘My Town My Pride’ Programme in Jammu and Kashmir?
 J & K LG Manoj Sinha
 It is launched to deliver services governance at doorsteps to the people in
urban areas.

294. When is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty celebrated?


 17th October
 It is annually observed across the world to create awareness on the needs
to eradicate poverty and about the life conditions of the people living in
poverty.
 The first day was celebrated in 1993.
 2020 theme: ‘Acting together to achieve social and environmental justice
for all’.

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295. Who has represented India in the 102nd meeting of World Bank?
 Nirmala Sitharaman
 The agenda of the meeting were:
o Learning back on track
o Scale up impact and back on track
 The Indian side emphasized on collective actions for the effective response
to the covid-19 pandemic.

296. When was the 36th Foundation Day of National Security Guard celebrated?
 16th October
 It will be constructed at Holongi in Arunachal Pradesh.
 The building design has been inspired by the surrounding environment. It
will feature an organic roof form to establish instant connections with the
viewer.
 National Security Guard (NSG):
o Under Ministry of Home Affairs
o Formed for combating the terrorist activities, hijacking, hostage
captivity and protect states against internal disturbances.
o Motto- Sarvatra Sarvottam Suraksha (Omnipresent Omnipotent
security)
o Formation- 1986
o HQ- New Delhi
o Director General- Surjeet Singh Deswal
o The National security guard personnel are sometime referred to as
The Black Cats.
o It comes under CAPF.
(Assam Rifles, NSG, SSB, BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP)
 Ministry of Home affairs
 Cabinet minister- Amit Shah
 Minister of State- G. Kishan Reddy, Nityanand Rai
 Home Secretary- Ajay Kumar Bhalla
 CAPF, DP, IB, NDRF and NIA come under its purview

297. Which state govt has announced the launch of ‘Mission Shakti’ Program?
 Uttar Pradesh
 It was launched in 17th October to ensure safety of women in the state.
 From now onwards there will be separate room for women complainants in
all police stations of UP. The women complainants will be attended by a
female police constable.
 The police officials will undertake urgent action on the complaints.

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298. Who has been appointed by the IWF as its interim president?
 Michael Irani
 IWF- international weightlifting federation.

299. Which state govt has announced sponsoring the Indian rugby team for the next 3
years?
 Odisha

300. Recently the book ‘The Battle Belonging’ written by whom has been released?
 Shashi Tharoor.
 He is an Indian politician, writer and former international diplomat and also
served as MP of Lok Sabha from Thiruvananthpuram, Kerala.

301. Who collaborates with IIT Delhi, DRDO and JATC to Augment R & D capabilities?
 CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force)
 It is done to augment its Research and Development capabalities.

302. Where in India the largest Airport with six runways is going to be made?
 Jewar, Gautam Budh Nagar, UP
 The Jewar airport is going to be managed by Flughafen Zurich AG based in
Kloten, Switzerland.
 The construction will start in the year 2021 and the operation are likely to
begin in 2024.

303. What is India’s rank in Global Hunger Index 2020?


 94 with 27.2 score.
 On 16th October, 2020 Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe released
the global Hunger Index report.
 In 2019, India was ranked 102 out of 117 countries and in 2018 it was
ranked 103 among 119 countries.
 As per the report the worldwide hunger is at ‘Moderate’ level but there are
nearly 690 million people across the world who are undernourished.
 Africa south of the Sahara and south Asia have the highest hunger and
undernutrition levels among world regions.
 India ranked low than Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, srilanka and Myanmar.

304. India and Netherlands collaborated in E-Health initiatives:


 They discussed a joint thrust in the e-health sector to provide digital health
facilities and security to Indians and help Netherlands to accelerate the digital
transformation of health.

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 The collaboration is part of the National Digital Health Mission of India.

305. India recently hold first Joint commission meeting with which country?
 Chile
 This is the first institutionalized dialogue between two countries.
 The meeting was co-chaired by S. Jaishankar from India.
 Chile:
o South African country.
o Capital- Santiago
o President – Sebastian Pinera
o Currency- Peso

306. Where is the recent music festival ‘Jashn-e-Harud’ inaugurated?


 Jammu and Kashmir
 It is a two-day folk and light music concert.

307. Who topped the recently released Global Hunger Index 2020?
 Belarus
 It has been jointly prepared by Welhunger life and Concern Worldwide.
 The report ranked the countries on the basis of four indicators-
Undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting and child mortality.
 India ranked at 94 out of 107 countries, which put India in ‘serious category’
and given a score of 27.2
 Nepal-73rd , Bangladesh- 75th , Pakistan- 88th.
 Belarus:
o Landlocked country in Eastern Europe.
o Capital and largest city- Minsk
o President- disputed
o PM- Roman Golovchenko.
o Currency- Belarusian ruble.

308. Recently in which country’s General Election, PM Jacinda Ardern’s Labor Party has
won?
 New Zealand
 This is her 2nd term, and her party won 49% of vote, meaning her party
looks likely to score the highest result that any party has achieved since the
current political system was introduced in 1996.
 New Zealand:
o Island country in the south western pacific ocean.

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o Capital- Wellington
o Largest city – Auckland
o PM – Jacinda Arden
o Currency- New Zealand Dollar.

309. Recently which state govt has reserved 20% recruitment for women in police
recruitment?
 Uttar Pradesh

310. Where has the Prithvi-2 missile been tested recently?


 Odisha
 The night trial of nuclear capable Prithvi-2 was a part of a user trial for the
armed forces.
 Prithvi is a tactical surface to surface short-range ballistic missile developed
by DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.
 Integrated Guided Missile Development Program was launched by GOI in
1983 to achieve self-sufficiency in the development and production of wide
range of ballistic missiles, surface to air missiles etc.
 Prithvi was the first missile to be developed under the program.
 DRDO attempted to build a surface to air missile under project Devil.
 The Prithvi missile project developed three variants for use by three
defence forces.

Variants Used by Range Payload


Prithvi I Army 150 km 1000 kg
Prithvi II Air Force 350 km 500 kg
Prithvi III Navy 350 km 1000 kg

311. Who has recently inaugurated the International Food and Agricultural week?
 Narendra Singh Tomar
 14th Session of Food and Agri week was inaugurated on 16 th October and
being organised from 16-22 October.
 India’s food processing sector is 32% of India’s food market. So, the focus
this agro and food tech is to make use of technology in the field of food and
agricultural sector. This would also help in increasing the income of farmers
by 2022.
 Currently Narendra Singh Tomar is looking after two ministries.
1. Ministry of Agriculture
2. Ministry of Food Processing Industries

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312. Which state govt has announced a saree for 10 rupees to all families living below
the poverty line?
 Jharkhand
 The Jharkhand govt announced that it will give dhotis or lungis, and sarees
to all families in the state living below the poverty line twice a year at a
subsidised rate of Rs 10.
 All eligible householders of the state covered by the National Food Security
Act and those families eligible under the Antodaya Anna Yojana will be
given the clothes.
 In the current financial year the clothes will be distributed once.

313. Who has recently become the first Indian Woman to win the Wildlife Photographer
of the Year award?
 Aishwarya Sridhar
 Her photo won among 50000 entries from over 80 countries across the
world. Only 100 images were shortlisted and she won the award for her
photograph in the Behaviour invertebrates category.
 The image is named ‘Lights of Passion’.
 She is a 23 year old Mumbai based wildlife photographer.

314. Which ministry has recently organised a webinar called Vihara?


 Ministry of AYUSH
 VIHARA webinar on Yoga and Immunity was organised by Central Council
for Research in Yoga and Naturapathy, an autonomous body under Ministry
of AYUSH.
 Ministry of AYUSH: Minister- Shripad Naik

315. A National report on ‘ANGIKAR’ campaign was released recently. The campaign is
associated with which ministry?
 Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
 ANGIKAR campaign was launched in 2019, under which the beneficiaries of
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) are trained and given access to other
welfare schemes.
 It has been launched for social behaviour change, focusing on issues such as
water & energy conservation, waste management, health, tree plantation,
sanitation and hygiene for beneficiaries of completed houses under PMAY.
 Recently Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep
Singh Puri participated in a webinar to launch a portal for affordable Rental
Housing Complexes. During that he also launched a national report on
ANGIKAR campaign.

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 PMAY is an initiative by GOI in which affordable housing will be provided to


the urban poor with a target of building 20 million affordable houses by 31
March, 2022.

316. Who has chaired the inter-ministerial meeting with FSSAI to achieve ‘Vision 2050’
of the Eat Right India Movement?
 Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan
 The meet was held in order to build a ‘Whole of Government’ approach to
achieve the ‘Vision 2050’ of the Eat Right India movement.
 Eat Right India Movement:
o The movement was launched by FSSAI to improve public health and
combat the negative nutritional trends to fight lifestyle diseases on
10th July, 2018.
o It aimed at cutting down the salt, sugar and oil consumption by 30%
in three years.
o It further aims to engage and enable citizens to improve their health
and well-being by right food.
o Vision 2050 is about creating a culture of safe, healthy and
sustainable food for all by 2050.

317. Which Indian state/UT has launched ‘Hath dhona-Roke Corona’ campaign?
 Uttar Pradesh
 It was launched on Global Handwashing Day by UP govt.
 It stressed that common habits of personal hygiene like washing hands can
keep coronavirus infection at bay and help people lead a healthy and
disease-free life.

318. What is India’s contribution to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for
Palestine Refugees?
 USD 1 million
o This help is even more significant as it comes at a critical time when
Palestinian refugees are facing extreme challenges due to covid-19
pandemic.

319. As per the World Economic Outlook 2020 released by IMF, what would be the Per
Capita GDP of India in 2020?
 UDS 1877 (USD 1876.33)

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320. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning has been introduced recently in which
portal of MSME Ministry?
 CHAMPIONS
 CHAMPIONS stands for Creation and Harmonious Application of Modern
Processes for Increasing the Output and National Strength.
 It has three basic objectives:
1. Support- to help the MSMEs in this difficult situation in terms of
finance, raw materials, labour, permission etc.
2. Explore- to help them capture new opportunities like manufacturing of
medical accessories and products like PPEs, masks etc.
3. Promote- to identify the sparks i.e. bright MSMEs who can not only
withstand but can also become national and international champions.
 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises:
 Cabinet minister- Nitin Gadkari
 Minister of State- Pratap Chandra Sarangi

321. Recently in which state of India the first phase of International Institute of
Advanced Virology has been started?
 Kerala

322. According to the recent report released by the UN, which country is the most
affected by climate disasters?
 China

323. Recently India has banned the import of refrigerants and air conditioners from
which country?
 China
 This has been done to reduce imports from China and tighten local
manufacturing.
 India had already imposed import ban on TV sets, tyres and Agarbattis to
boost their domestic production.
 This ban will induce assembly of air-conditioner within India in phase 1. In
Phase 2, their manufacturing will happen within the country. Thus,
employment in the country will increase and will boost the economic
growth.

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324. Recently 8th edition of maritime exercise SLINEX has started between India and
which country?
 Sri Lanka
 It is a part of India’s policy of ‘neighbourhood First’ and vision of ‘Security
and Growth for all in Region (SAGAR)’.
 It will be held from 19-20 October, 2020 at Trinchomalee in Sri Lanka.
 Sri Lanka:
o South Asian country
o Capital- Sri Jayawardenepurakotte (Legislative)
Colombo (Executive and Judicial)
o Largest city- colombo
o Official Language- Tamil and Sinhala
o President – Gotabaya Rajapaksa
o PM- Mahinda Rajapaksa
o Currency- Sri Lankan rupee
o Separated from India through Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait.

325. Recently who has been elected as the new president of ‘Indian Banks Association’
for 2020-21 ?
 Rajkiran Rai
 Indian Banks Association is a representative body of management of
banking in India.
 It was formed in 1946 for development, coordination and strengthening of
Indian banking and assist the member banks.

326. Which state’s famous vocal artist Pradip Ghosh has passed away recently?
 West Bengal
 Veteran vocal artist Pradip Ghosh died of Covid in his house.

327. Who has recently announced that by 2022 India will become trans-fat free?
 Dr. Harsh Vardhan
 He said this over an event organised by the Food Safety and Standards
Authority of India (FSSAI) to celebrate Word Food Day on 16th October.
 A key focus of the govt in 2020 is the elimination of trans fats from the food
supply chain.
 Trans fat is a food toxic present in particularly hydrogenated vegetable oils,
baked and fried foods. It is also a major contributor to the rise in non-
communicable diseases in the country. It is also a major risk factor for
cardiovascular diseases.

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328. Recently who has been elected as the new chairman of DDCA?
 Rohan Jaitley
 Delhi & District Cricket Association- DDCA

329. Recently Mother Teresa Day has been celebrated on 19 th October in which
country?
 Albania
 Mother Terasa was born to Albanian parents.
 On this day i.e. 19th October, 2003, Pope John Paul II beatified Mother
Teresa, giving her name Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. This beatification is one
of the many steps towards being named a saint in the Roman Catholic
Church.
 This day is a public holiday in Albania.
 Albania:
o South eastern European country.
o Capital- Tirana
o President- Ilir Meta
o PM- Edi Rama
o Currency- Lek

330. Which state govt has launched ‘Hans Dhara Yojana’ under which pure drinking
water will be supplied to 200 villages?
 Uttarakhand
 Project cost is Rs. 50 crore.
 The project will be completed in next three years.

331. Which supersonic cruise missile was successfully test fired from Indian Navy’s
indigenously built stealth destroyer INS Chennai?
 BrahMos
 BrahMos is a prime strike weapon has been jointly designed, developed and
produced by BrahMos Aerospace pvt Ltd that can be launched from
submarine, ships, aircraft or from land platforms.
 BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture between India’s DRDO and NPO
Mashinostroyeniya.
 The name is formed from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India
and the Moskva of Russia.

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332. The central govt is to borrow Rs. 1.10 lakh crore on behalf of the states, to meet
which shortfall?
 GST compensation

333. Which institution has called for emergency financing of USD 25 billion to help the
poorest countries to tackle covid-19?
 World bank

334. The ‘Sushma Swaraj Lectures’ which is introduced by the External Affairs Ministry
is designed for which target section?
 Foreign diplomats posted in India
 It was designed to ‘Introduce India’ to foreign diplomats posted in India.

335. Who launched Rs. 10000 crore ‘Ayushman Sahakar’ for creation of healthcare by
cooperatives?
 Shri Parshottam Rupala (Union Minister of State for Agriculture)
 The new scheme of National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)
namely ‘Aysushman Sahakar’ to involve co-operatives in creating
healthcare infrastructure.
 As part of the scheme, a loan worth Rs 10,000 crore will be provided by
NCDC to prospective cooperatives to set up healthcare facilities.
 Loan period will be for 8 years, including 1-2 years moratorium on
repayment of principal, depending on the type of project.
 National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC):
o It is a statutory corporation set up under an act of parliament.
o The objectives of NCDC are planning and promoting programmes for
production, processing, marketing, storage, export and import of
agricultural produce, foodstuffs, industrial goods, livestock and certain
other notified commodities and services on co-operative principles and for
matters concerned therewith.
o Formation-1963
o Minister responsible- Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Agriculture.
o MD- Sundeep Kumar Nayak

336. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju attended the first ever virtual summit of G20 on 15-17
October. What was its name?
 Youth 20 (Y20)
 It was hosted from Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

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 It was hosted for exchanging ideas and dialogues for the empowerment of
youth post covid-19.
 The theme of the summit was ‘Government- Youth dialogue on post-COVID-
19 opportunities.
 G-20:
o International forum of 19 countries and EU.
o Formation – 1999
o Purpose- Bring together systemically important industrialized and
developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy.
o India is a member.
o 2020 presidency- Saudi Arabia
o 2020 theme-Realizing Opportunities of the 21 st century for all.

337. What is India’s daily spending from its Daily Income for a plate of food as per UN’s
WFP report?
 3.5%
 In accordance with the ‘The Cost of a plate of Food-2020’ released by UN’s
World Food Programme (UN-WFP), on an average India spends 3.5% of
his/her daily income for a plate of food as compared to 0.6% by an
individual from New York, US.
 The report ranked 36 countries where India stood at 28 th position.
 The most expensive plate of food is of South Sudan, where people on
average would have to spend 186% of their daily salary on basic
ingredients.

338. Which day is celebrated as World Trauma Day 2020?


 17th October.
 It is celebrated to create awareness about the increasing rate of accidents
and injuries that cause death and disability globally. The day also highlights
the need to prevent trauma.
 First day was observed in 2011 in New Delhi, with The Trauma Society of
South Africa.

339. Who launches ‘Safe City Project’ -women’s safety campaign in Lucknow?
 UP Governor Anandiben Patel.
 It is a 180 day long campaign under which UP police and other departments
will world towards strengthening the security of woman in public places.

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340. When is World Osteoporosis Day celebrated?


 20th October
 It is celebrated to raise awareness on the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of Osteoporosis.
 The first day was celebrated on 20 th October, 1996.
 It is celebrated by International Osteoporosis Foundation.
 2020 theme: ‘That’s Osteoporosis’.

341. Which country has recently announced the resumption of oil and gas exploration in
the South China sea after 06 years?
 Philippines
 Six years ago ban was imposed because of escalating territorial tensions
with china.
 Philippines:
o Southeast Asian country.
o Capital- Manila
o President- Rodrigo Duterte
o Currency- Philippine peso

342. Which state has announced the commencement of 22 tourism projects?


 Kerala

343. Who has the free digital online mobile education library been launched recently?
 Mumbai
 It is launched for students of class 1-10.
 Financially weak students who could not buy mobile phones, are now
attending online classes here through the ‘Free Digital Online Mobile
Education Library’
 The centre is currently providing 10 smartphones and free wi-fi facility to
the students.

344. Recently the Ministry of Defence has announced the inclusion of which country in
the Malabar naval exercise?
 Australia
 This year it is going to be quadrilateral naval exercise involving US, Japan,
Australia and India.
 Originally begun in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and US.
 Then Japan joined in 2015.
 This year 24th edition of the exercise is happening.

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345. Recently Kati Bihu Festival has been celebrated in Which state?
 Assam
 Kati Bihu festival (agricultural festival) also known as Kangali bihu, the
festival of the poor is celebrated in mid-October when the crops are at
growing stage and the granaries of the farmers are depleting.
 Bohag or Rongali Bihu is celebrated during the mid-April as the Assamese
new year, during it the fields are prepared for the paddy cultivation.
 Magh or Bhogali Bihu is celebrated during the mid-January as a spring
festival to mark a successful harvest and full granaries.

346. When is World Statistics Day is celebrated?


 20th October
 The day is observed to emphasise the importance of data authenticity and
credibility.
 It is observed in every 5 years by UN under United Nations Statistics
Commission.
 2020 theme: ‘Connecting the World with Data we can trust’.

347. Recently in which state of India, Heeng/Asafoetida cultivation has started for the
first time?
 Himachal Pradesh
 It is the first time that India is going to start Heeng cultivation.
 It will be cultivated in Lahaul and Spiti district of HP.
 Himachal Pradesh:
o Formation – 1956 as UT
1971 statehood
o Capital – Shimla
o Governor- Bandaru Dattatreya
o CM – Jai Ram Thakur (BJP)

348. What is the percentage increase in India’s agricultural exports?


 14.8%
 India’s agricultural exports have recovered from a pandemic-induced
decline.
 Exports of major farm products stood at 53000 crore rupees in the five
months period between April and August 2020-21, a rise of 14.8%
compared to the corresponding period last year.
 Farmers gained from higher exports of basmati rice, wheat and sugar.

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349. As per the recent publication in Lancet journal, what is the life expectancy of India
in 2019?
 70.8
 It was increased from 59.6 years in 1990 to 70.8 years in 2019.
 Highest life expectancy is of Kerala (77.3%) and lowest is of UP (66.9 %).
 The main improvement for almost all countries, including India is a decline
in infectious diseases and more rise in chronic diseases.

350. Which bank has been authorised to issue Electoral Bonds in India?
 State Bank of India
 Ahead of Bihar election, the GOI approved the 14 th electoral bonds, which
will be open for sale between 19-28 October.
 Electoral bonds have been pitched as an alternative to cash donations made
to political parties as part of their efforts to bring transparency in political
funding.
 Only 29 branches of the SBI are authorised to sale the bonds.
 It can be purchased by a person who is citizen of India or entities
incorporated of established in India.
 Registered political parties who have secured not less that 1% of the votes
polled in the last election of the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha are eligible to
receive electoral bonds.
 It will be valid for 15 days from the date of Issue. No payment would be
made to any payee political party if the bond is deposited after expiry of
the validity period.
 The bond deposited by any eligible political party into its account would be
credited on the same day.

351. When is International Chefs Day is celebrated?


 20th October
 It is to celebrated the profession of Chefs and educate people about healthy
food globally.
 2020 theme: ‘Healthy Food for the Future’.

352. When is the Police Commemoration Day celebrated?


 21st October
 The day is observed to honour the martyr who sacrifice their lives in this
service to the nation.
 This year, the day was observed to honour the police officers from across
the country who have been working day and night to ensure covid-19
norms are followed properly.

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 The history of this day dates back to October 21, 1959. In that year Chinese
forces attacked and trap a patrol party of the CRPF. In the battle, 10 jawans
lost their lives while fighting for the country at the Indo-Tibetan border. The
Day is celebrated every year to pay homage to those 10 police officials.

353. Which country has topped the recent OECD International Migration Outlook
report?
 China
 This is the 44th edition of the annual report.
 It analyses the recent developments in migration movements and policies
in its countries.
 India has acquired the 2nd rank in terms of the migrants going to the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
countries and acquiring the citizenship of those countries.
 From India, 3.3 lakh migrants moved, and this is 10% more than the last
edition.
 Paris based OECD is an association of 37 developed countries which often
attract immigrants for work opportunities, education and asylum.
 OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development):
o Formation- 1948
o Intergovernmental economic organisation with 37 member
countries.
o HQ- Paris, France
o Secretary General – Jose Angel Gurria

354. Which is the first state in the country to reject the agricultural law of the centre?
 Punjab

355. Recently Reliance Jio has successfully tested 5G technology with Qualcomm
company of which country?
 USA

356. Recently in which state an Atma-Nirbhar Bharat training center has been started?
 Madhya Pradesh
 Training in handicrafts, arts and culture based skills will be imparted
through this center to women.
 The main aspect of this centre is that training will be given here to make
products from the elements related to daily life like soil, cow dung and
other natural materials.

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357. Recently with which country India has organised a virtual business forum?
 Vietnam
 The India Vietnam Business Forum was held via video conference on 20
October, 2020.
 During the meet, both sides reaffirmed the growing bilateral trade and
investment ties between both nations.
 Vietnam:
o Southeast Asian country:
o Capital- Hanoi
o PM- Nguyen Xuan Phuc
o Currency- Dong

358. Recently in which state has the ‘Mo Bidyut Portal’ been launched?
 Odisha
 Launched by Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik virtually.
 It is a bilingual online electricity integrated consumer service portal
www.mobidyut.com.
 It is dedicated to the public under 5T (teamwork, transparency, technology,
time leading to transformation) initiative of the state govt.
 Through this people will now be able to avail efficient, time-bound and
transparent online service delivery.
 It will supports the people to obtain new electricity connections, enables
online bill payment and grievances related to electricity services.
 This portal will be governed and monitored under the ‘Mo Sarkar’ (My
Government).

359. Who has recently released his autobiography ‘Portraits of Power: Half a Century of
Being at Ringside’?
 N K Singh
 Veteran Economist and bureaucrat Nand Kishore Singh has released his
autobiography.
 The book portrays the life of NK Singh who played an active role in the
development of the Indian economy.
 He is currently serving as the chairman of 15th Finance Commission.

360. Where has India successfully tested the SANT missile recently?
 Odisha
 It is a stand-off anti-tank missile developed by DRDO and will be inducted in
the Indian Air Force.
 it was test fired from the Chandipur test range of Odisha.

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 India has been frequently test firing the missiles in the India Ocean Region.
India is doing so to counter Chinese plan of influencing and acquiring the
Indian the Indian Ocean Region. By this India is trying to send signals to
China that it is fully prepared and capable of securing its maritime and land
boundaries.

361. Where was the foundation stone of India’s first multi-modal logistics park laid?
 Assam
 Union Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone of this.
 This multi-modal logistic park have an estimated budget of 694 crore.
 This will be developed under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. The project would
provide direct connectivity through air, road, rail and waterways to the
people.
 Bharatmala Pariyojana:
o It was announced by the Union minister of Road Transport and
Highways of India in 2017.
o The project was launched in order to improve connectivity in the
country by 2022.
o It was for improvement of road traffic and trade through road
transportation.
o To improve the quality of roads in order to develop every corner of
the country.
o For construction of new roads.

362. Who has recently been selected by NASA to establish 4G LTE network on the
moon?
 Nokia
 NASA aims to return humans to the moon by 2024 and dig in for a long-
term presence there under its Artemis programme.
 The first wireless broadband communications system in space would be
built on the lunar surface in the late 2022.
 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):
o American space agency.
o Formation- 29th July, 1958
o HQ- Washington DC
o Motto- for the benefit of all.
o Administrator- Jim Bridenstine
 Artemis programme:
With the Artemis programme NASA will land the first woman and
next man on the moon by 2024, using innovative technologies to
explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.

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363. Kalrock Capital and Murari Lal Jalan are set to acquire which Indian company?
 Jet Airways
 Karlock is a London-based global firm and Jalan is a UAE-based
entrepreneurs.
 The airline was grounded in 2019 due to financial crisis under the
ownership of founder Naresh Goyal.

364. What is the rank of India in the Lowy Institute’s Asia Power Index for 2020?
 4th
 India scored 39.7 out of 100 and is the 4 th most powerful country in Asia.
 US topped the index followed by China, Japan.
 The index measures power using 128 indicators including economic
relations, defence spending, internal stability, information flows and
projected future resources.

365. Russia has signed a pact with which Indian Pharma company, for marketing
Sputnik V vaccine?
 Mankind Pharma
 Russian Direct Investment Fund has inked a pact with Delhi based
pharmaceutical company Mankind Pharma for marketing and distribution
of its Sputnik V vaccine.
 As part of the partnership, RDIF shall supply 100 million doses of the
vaccine to Dr Reddy’s upon regulatory approval in the country.
 Last month, Dr Reddy’s and RDIF had entered into a partnership to conduct
clinical trials of Sputnik V vaccine.
 On August, the Sputnik V vaccine developed by the Gamaleya National
Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology and became the
world’s first registered vaccine against covid-19.
 Sputnik V is currently undergoing phase 3 clinical trials in Russia.

366. What is the name of the website launched by Union health Minister Harsh Vardhan
for information on CSIR partnered clinical trials for covid-19?
 ‘CuRED’ or ‘CSIR Ushered Repurposed Drugs’
 The website provides information regarding clinical trials of diagnostics and
devices in which CSIR is involved.

367. India recorded highest Air pollution exposure globally in 2019:


 As per the 3rd State of Global Air 2020 report India recorded the highest annual
average PM 2.5 concentration exposure in the world in 2019.

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 India is also among the top 10 countries with highest ozone exposure in 2019.
 India had the highest burden of infant deaths due to air pollution.

368. Which state govt has announced the implementation of the Smart Blackboard
Scheme?
 Tamil Nadu
 The scheme is aimed at using the audio-visual teaching material in the
schools.
 It can also be integrated with digital classrooms and smart classroom
schemes. The smart boards will create materials that can be fed into
computer screens using pen drives.

369. Which telecom company has announced the launch of ‘My Amber Mobile’
application with the aim of protecting women from domestic violence and giving
information?
 Vi

370. Who is the brand ambassador of Parle Agro?


 Priyanka Chopra
 It is an Indian company that owns Frooti, Appy etc consumer products.

371. Who has recently formed Task Force to reduce human animal conflict?
 Odisha
 In view of the growing incidents of man-animal conflict in Odisha the govt
formed this task force.
 The announcement came as rampaging elephants from neighbouring
Jharkhand killed four persons in three districts taking the human casualty in
man-elephant conflicts to 52 since April this year.

372. Which state has topped in attracting domestic tourists in 2019?


 Uttar Pradesh
 According to the Indian Tourists Statistics 2020, approx. 53 crore domestic
tourists visited the state in 2019, which accounts for 23.1%.
 The state bagged the 3rd spot in terms of the arrival of foreign tourists.

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373. Recently the first woman officer of the Indian Air Force has passed away. What is
her name?
 Dr Vijaylakshmi Ramanan
 Wing Commander (retd) Vijaylakshmi Ramanan, the first woman officer of
the IAF recently passed away at the age of 96.
 She was not only the first woman to wear saree as uniform, she also
designed the uniform.

374. Who has topped the Anaemia Free India Index recently?
 Haryana
 It topped the index among the 29 states in India.
 In April, 2018, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar had announced the ATAL-
Assuring Total Anaemia Limit- Abhiyan in order to reduce anaemia.
 The scheme aims at providing bi-weekly iron Folic acid supplementation to
the children under age 5 through Asha workers.
 Anaemia mukt Bharat is an initiative of UNICEF and the Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare which has been launched to reduce the prevalence of
over the country.

375. Who has launched the ‘e-Dharti Geo Portal’ recently?


 Hardeep Singh Puri, MoS( independent charge), Ministry of Housing and Urban
Affairs
 It will integrate the legacy drawings like maps and lease plans in
Management Information System (MIS) named as e-Dharti and enable it
with Geographic Information System (GIS). The Land and Development
Office (L & DO) of MoHUA deals with around 60000 properties which
includes commercial, residential, Industrial and institutional properties.
 The L & DO has come up with a property certificate which contains the
details and outline map of the property which will be made available on the
portal.
 The certificate will include details such as land type, property type, date of
allotment, property status, sub-type, plot, area, details about present lease
deed, date of execution of lease, property address etc.
 The certificate with all data can be available by paying Rs 1000.

376. Recently the CM of which state has launched ‘Micro ATM’ service in rural areas?
 Meghalaya
 Micro ATM is a hand-held device, which will be operated by the Business
correspondents Agents in rural areas to enable access to banking services,
particularly withdrawals.

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 Meghalaya:
o Formation- 1972 (received the status of full-fledged state in 1971 by
North-Eastern Area (reorganisation) Act 1971)
o Capital- Shilong
o Governor – Satya Pal Malik
o CM- Conrad Sangma (National People’s Party)

377. Recently ‘Asan Conservation Reserve’ became the first Ramsar site of which state?
 Uttarakhand
 The reserve is located on the banks of Yamuna river near Dehradun district
in Garhwal region of the Himalayan state.
 With this the number of Ramsar sites in India goes up to 38, the highest in
South Asia.
 Ramsar Convention on Wetlands:
o It is an international treaty adopted on February 2, 1971.
o Ramsar is an Iranian city on the southern shore of the Caspian sea.
o The convention came into force for India on February 1, 1982.
o Those wetlands which are of international importance are declared
as Ramsar sites.

378. Which IIT has recently developed the COVIRAP test kit?
 IIT Kharagpur
 The ICMR approved the low cost portable covid-19 test kit developed by IIT-
Kharagpur researchers.
 The device delivers high quality and accurate results within an hour.
 The device reduced the testing cost to around Rs 500 which can be further
reduced by the government’s intervention.

379. The last of four indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare ‘INS Kavaratti’
commissioned at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. It is built by which company?
 GRSE
 It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata
 It has been designed by Directorate of Naval Design, Indian Navy’s Design
wing.
 The airline was grounded in 2019 due to financial crisis under the
ownership of founder Naresh Goyal.

380. After Singapore’s Changi Airport, which airport has bagged the second position in
the Safe Travel Barometer’s list globally on covid-19 related safety protocols?
 Indira Gandhi Airport.

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 IGT scored 4.6 out of 5.


 The Safe Travel score is an initiative by Safe Travel Barometer, it has
assessed more than 200 airports.
 Singapore’s Changi Airport tops the list with a score of 4.7

381. Who has launched India’s first ever high-quality Khadi fabric footwear, designed by
Khadi and Village Industries Commission?
 Nitin Gadkari
 These footwears are made of Khadi fabric like silk, cotton and wool.
 KVIC has to develop alternatives to leather accessories like ladies’
handbags, purses, wallet in handicrafted khadi fabric that has a huge
potential in foreign markets.
 The khadi footwear price ranges from Rs 1100 to Rs 3300 per pair.
 The idea behind launching khadi fabric Footwear was to tap the
international market.
 The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC):
o It is a statutory and apex body under the MSME Ministry with regard
to khadi and village industries within India.
o Formation- 1957
o Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises:
 Cabinet minister- Nitin Gadkari
 Minister of State- Pratap Chandra Sarangi

382. The embassy of which country in India will have a separate ‘Water Attache’?
 Israel
 Israel will have it from January 2021.
 It will help to share their country’s best practices and technologies for
advancements in India’s water management and agriculture sectors.

383. What is the name of the forum that would be launched ahead of the SCO trade
ministers meeting?
 SCO Start-up forum
 It will be launched on 27th October 2020
 The forum will lay the foundation for multilateral cooperation and
engagement among SCO member states to develop start up ecosystem
collectively.
 SCO- Sanghai Cooperation Organisation
o Formation-2001

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o Eurasian political, economic and security alliance.


o HQ-Beijing
o Members- 8-China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Pakistan, Russia,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan
o Official language- Chinese and Russian
o Secretary General- Vladimir Norov

384. Who recently joined the IMF formally as its 190th member?
 Andorra
 The membership will allow Andorra to benefit from IMF policy advice, get
Annual Review or ‘health check’ of its economy by IMF and access to IMF
lending if needed.
 Andorra is the 6th smallest nation in Europe, and the largest Micro state in
Europe.
 Andorra:
o Capital- Andorra la Vella
o PM- Xavier Espot Zamora
o Currency- Euro
o A microstate/ministate is a sovereign state having a very small
population or very small land area or usually both.
o E.g-Monaco, San Marino etc
o Vatican city is the smallest political unit recognized as a sovereign
state.

385. Who has recently approved the implementation of the Jammu and Kashmir
Panchayati Raj Act 1989?
 Central Government.
 On 17th October, 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs has amended the
Jammu and Kashmir panchayati Raj Act, 1989 under J & K Reorganisation
Act.
 It provides for the creation of district development councils in each
districts.
 The accounts of the Halqa panchayats will be audited annually by a
chartered accountant.

386. Which state govt has lauched ‘YSR Bima Scheme’?


 Andhra Pradesh
 It is to provide financial assistance through insurance cover to the
beneficiaries in case of death or accident of their family members.
 Accidental death and total permanent disability (18-50 years)-5 lakh

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 Accidental death and total permanent disability (51-70 years)-3 lakh


 Natural death cases (18-50 years)- 2 lakh
 Partial permanent disability in an accident case (18-70 years)-1.5 lakh
 The claim amount will be directly credited into the beneficiary bank
account within 15 days of the claim.

387. Where has DRDO successfully tested the anti-tank guided missile ‘Nag’ recently?
 Rajasthan

388. Who has been awarded the outstanding young person 2020?
 Dr Jajini Varghese
 UK-based Indian origin plastic surgeon, has been named an ‘Outstanding
Young Person of the World 2020’ by a non-profit NGO for her incredible
scientific contributions to diagnosing and treating breast cancer.

389. Recently who has been elected as the new president of ‘Editors Guild of India’?
 Seema Mustafa
 According to the Indian Tourists Statistics 2020, approx. 53 crore domestic
tourists visited the state in 2019, which accounts for 23.1%.
 Editors Guild of India:
It is an organisation which was established in the year 1978. The
organisation was created with the aim of protecting freedom of the press
and raising the standards of editorial leadership of newspapers and
magazines.

390. Saad Hariri has recently become the PM of which country?


 Lebanon
 He succeeds Mustapha Adib.
 It is to noted that Lebanon had experienced a huge explosion in August at
Beirut port that killed about 200 people and caused billions of dollars of
damage
 Lebanon:
o Western Asian country.
o Capital- Beirut
o President- Michel Aoun
o Currency- Lebanese pound

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391. Recently the CM of which state has inaugurated the integrated Model Agriculture
Village Scheme?
 Uttarakhand
 It will be implemented in partnership with NABARD.
 It will prove to be a milestone in strengthening the economy of farmers and
doubling their income.
 The limit for the interest free loan given to farmers in being hiked to 3 lakh
from 2 lakh.
 Farmers to focus on it with emphasis on mechanised and scientific farming
to boost productivity.

392. Recently, who has been appointed as the brand ambassador of LG Electronics by its
home solution brand ‘LG Signature’?
 Lewis Hamilton
 He is a British racing driver currently competing in Formula One for the
Mercedes-AMG Petronas formula one team.

393. Which day is observed as international Snow Leopard Day?


 23 October
 It is celebrated to create awareness about the conservation and
preservation of snow leopards which are listed among the most threatened
animals.
 First day was observed in 2014.

394. Which bank has sanctioned Rs 3 crore to Goa to develop India’s first sand dune
parks?
 World bank
 The idea of the park is to preserve sand dunes.
 The park will create awareness among locals and tourists on the importance
of preserving the sand dune through thematic and interpretation centres.

395. Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar released the new series of Consumer Price Index
for Industrial workers (CPI-IW) with 2016 base year. Earlier the base year was?
 2001

396. PM has launched the ‘Kisan Suryodaya Yojana’ for the farmers of which state?
 Gujarat
 The primary aim of the scheme is to provide day time power supply for
irrigation in the region.

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 The farmers will be provided with power supply between 5 am to 9 pm,


under the scheme.
 State govt has allocated Rs 3500 crores for implementing the scheme.

397. ‘PM 2020’ that was seen in news recently, is associated with which organisation?
 DRDO
 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released a new version of the DRDO
Procurement manual 2020.
 It aims to encourage more participation of start-ups and micro, small &
medium enterprises in defence research and developments.

398. The evidence of a 172-thousand-year-old river has been found at which state/UT?
 Rajasthan
 The river ran through the central Thar Desert near Bikaner.

399. When is World Polio Day celebrated?


 24 October
 Observed to create awareness about the polio infection and the vaccines
that prevent the polio infection and highlight the global efforts to eradicate
polio.
 2020 theme: ‘A win against polio is a win for global health’.

400. Who has recently formed a panel to improve urban education policy?
 NITI Aayog

401. Which railway zone of India has recently launched bags on Wheels service?
 Northern Railway
 The app-based Bags on Wheels’ service is for passengers for luggage
deliveries.
 It can be used by passengers to carry their luggage from home to train
coach and vice-versa upon their arrival in trains.
 The HQ of Northern Railway zone= New Delhi

402. Recently at which country NATO has agreed to set up space center?
 Germany
 NATO member states are set to announce the creation of a space center in
the air force high command in Ramstein, Germany.

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 It would monitor and also protect friendly satelites.


 North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO):
o Intergovernmental military alliance between 30 north American and
European countries..
o Formation- 4th April, 1949
o HQ- Brussels, Belgium
o Secretary General- Jens Stoltenberg
o Official language- English, French
 Germany:
o European country
o Capital and largest city- Berlin
o Chancellor- Angela Merkel
o President- Frank- Walter Steinmeier
o Legislature- Bundesrat
o Currency- Euro
o Reunification of west and east Germany- 1990

403. Recently India got the chair of ILO governing body after how many years?
 35
 The governing body of ILO is responsible to decide agenda, programmes,
policies, and budget, it also elects the Director General of the organisation.
 October 2020 to June 2021 will be its term.
 Labour Secretary Apurva Chandra will preside over its meeting of governing
body in November.
 International Labour Organisation:
o A UN agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic
justice through setting international labour standards.
o Formation- 11 April, 1919.
o HQ- Geneva, Switzerland
o Parent org- UNGA

404. Which state police has recently announced to speak in regional dialects?
 Uttar Pradesh
 UP police personnel will now communicate in regional dialects on 112
helpline number for the convenience of the rural population.

405. Which country has recently rejected the purchase of covid-19 vaccine from China?
 Brazil
 Largest country in both South America and Latin America.

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 5th largest area-wise and 6th most populous country.


 Capital- Brasilia
 President- Jair Bolsonaro
 Legislature- National Congress
 Currency- Real

406. Which state govt has instituted the Sunanda Samman?


 Odisha
 Odisha govt renamed the award conferred by the Odisha sangeet natak on
eminent personalities of classical music every year as Sunanda Samman.

407. Who has topped the list of PSUs under ‘World Best Employer 2020’ recently
published by Forbes?
 NTPC
 National Thermal Power Corporation ltd. Is an PSU engaged in the business
of generation of electricity and allied activities.
 Formation- 1975
 Chairman and MD- Gurdeep Singh

408. Recently which district has been at the top in successful implementation of
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana?
 Mandi
 Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh has bagged the top position among 30
district in the country.
 HP also secured 2nd position at the national level for construction of roads
under PMGSY.
 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY):
o it was launched by Atal Bihari Vajpayee govt in 2000 as a massive
programme to provide all weather rural road connectivity to every
rural habitation.

409. Which state/UT is the first in the country to operationalize public financial
management system (PFMS) at the district level?
 Jammu and Kashmir
 It is the first UT is the country to implement this.
 Public Financial Management System is inaugurated at 8 district offices by
Additional Controller General of Accounts.

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 The offices will result in improved programme administration and


management.
 It will help in direct payment to beneficiaries and greater transparency and
accountability in use of public funds.

410. 75th United Nation’s day observed on which date?


 24th October.
 It is annually celebrated on 24th October since 1948 which marks the entry
into force of the UN Charter in 1945.
 2020 theme: ‘The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming
our collective commitment to multilateralism’.
 The name ‘United Nations’ was coined by US President franklin Delano
Roosevelt’.

411. When is the 59th Raising Day of ITBP celebrated?


 24th October.
 ITBP was raised on 24th October, 1962 under the CRPF Act, 1949.
 Currently ITBP is deployed on border guarding duties from Karakoram pass
in Ladakh to Jalep la in Arunachal Pradesh covering 3488 km of Indo-china
border.

412. When is International Day of Diplomats observed?


 24th October.
 It is observed to highlight contributions made by diplomats in shaping the
world and in making the planet a better place.
 The day was first proposed by Indian Poet-Diplomat Abhay K.
 It was first observed in Brasilia in 2017.

413. World Development Information Day is observed in which day?


 24th October
 The day draws the attention of the world to development problems and the
need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them.
 The date marks the adoption of the International Development Strategy for
the 2nd UN development decade in 1970.

414. Recently the UP govt is constructing the Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Prani Udyan in
which district?
 Gorakhpur
 Also known as Gorakhpur Zoological Garden.

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 It will be named after famous Indian freedom fighter, Shaheed Ashfaqulla


Khan.

415. Dharmachakra Pravartan Divas is celebrated every year to commemorate the


adoption of Buddhism by which leader?
 B R Ambedkar.
 It is marked every year on 14 October.
 This day is celebrated to mark the anniversary of mass conversion of over 6
lakh people into Buddhism along with Dr B R Ambedkar in 1956 at
Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur.

416. Which state govt has announced to set up a ‘Glass room’ for woman grievances?
 Uttar Pradesh.
 This is a part of the ‘Mission Shakti’ campaign that has been started in UP to
ensure women safety.
 All PS in UP would have to set up a glass room for woman complainants to
register their complaints before women police personnel.
 All help desk should be equipped with CCTV and a computer and there
should be seating arrangement for police personnel and the complainant.
The complainant should also be provided stationery to write her complaint.

417. Recently passed away ‘Lee Kun Hee’ was the chairman of which company?
 Samsung
 Samsung is the largest South Korean business conglomerate.
 Formation- 1938
 Founder-Lee Byung Chul
 HQ- Seoul, South Korea

418. Where has PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the world’s longest temple ropeway
recently?
 Gujarat
 It is inaugurated in Girnar, Junagarh, Gujarat.
 Girnar is mainly known for its Jain temples.
 Built at a cost of 130 crore, the 2.3 km long ropeway is believed to be
among the longest ropeways in the world to connect a temple.
 Earlier it used to take 5-7 hours to climb Girnar, but now it will take only 7-8
minutes.

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419. Who has topped the global mobile internet speed ranking recently?
 South Korea

420. Which company has launched the world’s first rollable TV?
 LG
 LG Signature OLED TV R
 It is launched on 20 October and priced at 100 million won/$ 87000/Rs 64
lakh.
 LG Electronics is a South Korean multinational electronics company
headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.

421. ‘The Future of Jobs Report 2020’ has been released by which organisation?
 World Economic Forum
 the report is based on the future of jobs.
 According to the report the COVID-19 and its impacts will disrupt more than
85 million jobs by 2025.
 The redundancy in workforce will decrease from 15.4% to 9%.
 Around 43% of business all over the world have reduced their work force
due to integration of technology.
 Around 41% of business in the world are using contractors for task
specialised work.
 50% of the workers in the world require reskilling in order to secure their
jobs in the next 5 years.
 World Economic Forum (WEF):
o It is an international committed to improving the state of the world
by engaging business, political, academic, and other leaders of
society to shape global, regional and industry agency.
o Motto- committed to improving the state of the world
o Formation- 1971
o Founder- Klaus Schwab
o HQ- Cologny, Switzerland
o Executive chairman- Klaus Schwab

422. ‘Life in Miniature’ project, that was seen in news recently, is a collaboration
between National Museum, Delhi and which company?
 Google
 It was launched by the Union Ministry of Culture in the late October.
 The project will allow online viewing of various hundred small-scale
paintings (like Royal Saga, the Ramayana, Pahari style paintings) from the
National Museum, New Delhi on Google Arts & Culture by people all over
the world.

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 The project highlights upon the importance of the Digital India Mission.
 It also spotlights the role of technology in the conservation of India’s
heritage.
 The miniature paintings are colourful handmade paintings and they are
very small in size. They derived in India around 750 AD when the Palas ruled
over the eastern part of India.

423. ‘Right of first Refusal (RoFR)’, that was seen in news recently, is associated with
which field?
 Shipping
 Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari has launched the revised guidelines
for chartering of ships in India by providing Right of First Refusal to ships
built in India.
 This has been done to incentivize ship building activity in the country and
give a boost to the Make in India campaign.
 As per this amendment, whenever a tendering process will be undertaken
to charter a vessel, a bidder offering a ship that is built in India will be given
the first priority to match the lowest bidder price.
 According to previous rules, it was only available to Indian Flag vessels.

424. Researchers have discovered ‘tubarial glands’, in which part of the human body?
 Throat
 On 22 October, 2020 researchers from the Netherlands Cancer Institute
have discovered a new pair of salivary glands that is hidden between nasal
cavity and throat.

425. Which country recently launched ‘No Mask No Service’ policy?


 Bangladesh.
 Govt has decided that no service will be provided to people who don’t wear
masks.
 No one will be allowed to enter offices without the mask.

426. Which state govt ranked 1st in disbursing loans under PM SVANidhi Scheme?
 Uttar Pradesh.
 Central govt launched the scheme on 1 st June, 2020.
 It was launched in order to help the street vendors to resume their
livelihood activities that were impacted by COVID-19 lockdown.

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 The scheme was aimed at providing working capital loan up to 10000 at a


subsidized rate of interest, and also providing benefits to street vendors or
hawkers in urban, pre-urban and rural areas.

427. The Joginder War Memorial has been inaugurated recently at Bum la in which
state?
 Arunachal Pradesh
 It was inaugurated on 23 October when the Battle of Tongpen La (Bum La)
took place in 1962.
 Joginder Singh of 1st ballalion of the sikh regiment received the highest
gallantry award, ‘Param Vir Chakra’ in the eastern theatre during the 1962
Sino-India war.

428. Which school board has recently introduced face recognition system for students
of 10 and 12th ?
th

 CBSE
 CBSE’s facial recognition system will allow the students to download their
10th and 12th marksheets and other certificates online.
 It will capture the live image of the student and will match with photograph
available on the student’s admit card, already stored in the database.
 Centra Board of Secondary Education (CBSE):
o CBSE is a national level board of education in India for Public and
private schools, controlled and managed by Union govt of India.
o Formation- 1962.
o HQ- New Delhi
o Chairperson- Manoj Ahuja, IAS

429. Recently Wavel Ramkalawan of Indian origin has been elected as the new
President of which country?
 Seychelles
 African country.
 Capital- Victoria
 Currency- Seychellois rupee

430. Recently which country has demanded $500 million in assistance from the World
Bank for the COVID-19 vaccine?
 Bangladesh

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431. Recently water supply schemes have been inaugurated on the border of India and
which country under Jal Jeevan Mission?
 Myanmar
 Inaugurated inManipur.
 CM N Biren Singh inaugurated two water supply projects for two villages.
 With an estimated cost of Rs 60 lakh, this gravity based water supply
system ensured tap water connection to all 82 households with present
population of about 450.
 Manipur:
o Formation- 1972 (before that it was a Union Territory)
o Capital – Imphal
o Governor- Najma Heptulla
o CM- N. Biren Singh (BJP)
o High court- Manipur HC
 Jal Jeevan Mission:
It is to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual
household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India.

432. Which country has been recently placed in the grey list of FATF till February 2021?
 Pakistan
 The global terror financing watchdog, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has
announced that Pakistan will continue to remain on its grey list till Feb,
2021.
 The decision has been taken since Pakistan has not been able to fulfil six
out of the 27 mandates to check terror funding. FATF has strongly urged
Pakistan to swiftly complete its full action plan by Feb, 2021.
 Financial Action Task Force (FATF):
o Objective is to combat money laundering, terror financing and other
threats to the international financial system.
o HQ- Paris, France
o Formation- 1989
 Pakistan:
o Capital- Islamabad
o Largest city- Karachi
o President – ArifAlvi
o PM- Imran Khan
o Dominion status- 14 August, 1947
o Currency – Pakistani Rupee

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433. Who has recently won the Wildlife Photographer of the year award from the
Museum of Natural History in London in the Bird Behaviour Category?
 Sambath Subbaiah

434. Recently ICICI Bank has closed its operations in which country?
 Sri Lanka

435. Who has been named as the first chairman of newly formed Bangladesh India
Mediators Forum (BIMF)?
 GYC Victor
 BIMF was set up on 22 October, 2020.
 BIMF seeks to promote bilateral working environment between the two
neighbouring countries with the aim to advance local and regional learning
of strategic conflict management and dispute resolution through mediation
process.

436. Who inaugurated the National Conference on Vigilance and Anti-Corruption?


 PM Narendra Modi
 During the Vigilance awareness week, PM virtually inaugurated the three-
day National Conference on Vigilance and Anti-Corruption organised by CBI.
 The aim of the conference is to raise awareness on vigilance issues.

437. Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed from 27th October to 2nd November,
2020. What is the theme?
 Vigilant India, Prosperous India (Satark Bharat, Samriddh Bharat)
 Observed by Central vigilance Commission (CVC).
 The Vigilance Awareness Week is observed during the week in which Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel’s birthday falls.
 Central vigilance commission:
o Central Vigilance Commissioner- Sanjay Kothari
o HQ-New Delhi

438. “Parinam Manjusha” is the digital academic repository of which institution?


 CBSE
 It will allow students to find their mark sheets and other certificates online.

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439. Where is the 2nd Regional Raw Drug Repository of National Medicinal Plant Board
inaugurated?
 New Delhi
 The Minister of state for Ayush Shri Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated this on
22nd October at All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi.
 1st RRDR was inaugurated in Tamil Nadu.

440. Who represented India addressed the first-ever Ministerial Meeting of G-20 Anti-
corruption working group?
 Jitendra Singh
 Saudi Arabia hosted the meeting.
 G-20 Anti- Corruption Working group was set up in June 2010 at the
Toronto summit of G-20.
 It prepares comprehensive recommendation for consideration by leaders
on how the G-20 could continue to make practical and valuable
contributions to interpretational efforts to combat corruption.
 G-20:
o International forum of 19 countries and EU.
o Formation – 1999
o Purpose- Bring together systemically important industrialized and
developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy.
o India is a member.

441. The European Union’s Sakharov Prize 2020 has been awarded to the opposition
movement of which country?
 Belarus
 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of thought given annually was set up in 1988 to
honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and
fundamental freedoms.
 Belarus has been in the midst of a political crisis since the disputed
presidential elections on 9 August, which led to an uprising against the
authoritarian president and brutal crackdown on demonstrators by the
regime.
 Belarus:
o Landlocked country in Eastern Europe.
o Capital and largest city- Minsk
o President- disputed
o PM- Roman Golovchenko.
o Currency- Belarusian ruble.

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442. Which city has broken the record for world’s largest fountain?
 Dubai.
 Nakheel Malls, recently broke the record for the world’s largest fountain,
measuring at a whopping 7327 sqm.
 It is named The Palm Fountain.

443. When is World Day for Audiovisual Heritage celebrated?


 27th October
 It is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of the recommendation for
the safeguarding and preservation of moving images in 1980 by the 21 st
general conference of UNESCO.
 The day aims to raise awareness of the need to take urgent measures and
to acknowledge the importance of audio-visual documents.
 2020 theme: ‘Your Window to the World’.

444. Recently Hero MotoCorp has partnered with which motorcycle company for the
Indian market?
 Harley Davidson
 It will sale and service Harley-Davidson motorcycles through a network fo
brand-exclusive Harley-davidson dealers and Hero’s existing dealership
network in India.

445. Recently which space agency’s Sofia aircraft has confirmed the water on sunlit
surface of the moon?
 NASA
 SOFIA- Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

446. Which state govt has decided to set up an anti-human trafficking police station in
each district?
 Uttar Pradesh
 This PS will be given enough powers to register the case and investigate the
matter independently.

447. Recently Alpha Conde has been elected as President of which country for the third
time?
 Guinea
 West African country
 Capital- Conakry

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 Currency- Guinean franc

448. Which country has recently set a target of zero carbon emission by 2050?
 Japan
 Japan is the world’s 5th biggest emitter of carbon dioxide which is already
causing major heatwaves, cyclone and drought.

449. According to the recent Vulture Conservation 2020-25 Action plan, in how many
states will vulture conservation and breeding centres be built?
 5
 The 5 states are- UP, Tripura, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil nadu.
 The focus of this plan is to prevent the declining vulture population.

450. Recently with which country India has signed the Basic Exchange and cooperation
Agreement (BECA)?
 USA
 This agreement is for Geo-spatial cooperation.
 BECA will allow India to use the geospatial maps of the USA to get pinpoint
military accuracy of automated hardware systems and weapons such as
cruise and ballistic missiles.

451. Which company has topped Forbes annual list of Best Employers 2020?
 Samsung
 Samsung is the largest South Korean business conglomerate.
 Formation- 1938
 Founder-Lee Byung Chul
 HQ- Seoul, South Korea

452. According to a recent report, who has emerged as the most trusted human brand
in the country?
 Amitabh Bachchan
 The TIARA (Trust, Identity, Attractive, Respect and Appeal) research report
on celebrities as human brands, released by the Indian Institute of Human
Brands surveyed this.

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453. Who has launched cloud communication platform recently?


 Airtel
 It is known as Airtel IQ.
 Airtel IQ enables brands to deepen engagement with customers through
secure communication.
 If a customer is ordering food through an online platform and calling the
delivery agent to find out the status of her order, the entire communication
is orchestrated seamlessly and securely over Airtel IQ.

454. In which country, India-assisted Mangdechhu Hydroelectric project which has been
awarded the Brunel Medal 2020, an award conferred by the UK’s top engineering body,
Institute of Civil Engineers?
 Bhutan
 The 720 MW run-of-river power project is built on the Mangdechhu river in
Bhutan at a cost of 4500 crore.
 The project was jointly inaugurated by PMs two country.
 Bhutan:
o Capital- Thimphu
o Monarch – Jigme KhesarNamgyelWangchuck
o PM- LotayTsering
o Currency- Ngultrum

455. The EU has fixed a target for net zero carbon emission by which year?
 2050
 In a meeting held by the EU environment ministers in Luxembourg, a law
was formulated.
 The deal makes it legally binding on all the EU members.
 European Union (EU):
o Political and economic union of 27 members of Europe.
o Capital – Brussels
o Currency- Euro
o President – Ursula von der Leyan

456. Which PSU has been granted permission to use drones for inspection activities?
 NTPC Ltd.
 The Civil Aviation Ministry has allowed NTPC to use drones to carry out
research and inspection activities at its 3 power plants in MP and
Chhattishgarh.

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457. The GOI has imposed stock holding limits on which agricultural commodity
recently?
 Onion
 To contain the onion prices, the centre imposed stock holding limit on
retain and wholesale traders till Dec 31 to improve the domestic availability
of the commodity and provide relief to consumers.
 Retailers can stock onion only up to 2 tonne, whereas wholesale traders are
allowed to keep up to 25 tonne.
 In this regard govt had to invoke the Essential commodities amendment
law.

458. A price Monitoring and Resource Unit has been recently set up in which Indian
state/UT?
 Goa
 In an effort to monitor prices of pharmaceutical drugs and to ensure
availability of crucial medicines, the centre has setup a Price monitoring and
resource unit in Goa under the National pharmaceutical pricing authority.
 It will function at the state level.

459. As per the recent study, the habitat of which species has been estimated to decline
by 2050, due to climate change?
 Himalayan brown bear.
 The study has urged scientists to suggest an adaptive planning of protected
area network in the western Himalayas, to conserve them.

460. The Govt has approved which armed force to set up 47 additional border outposts
along the border?
 Indo-Tibetan Border Police
 Also 12 additional stagging camps will be set up along the China border.
 This will acts as temporary border outposts for ITBP troops out on
operations or patrols and also provide them rations, logistics and a place to
stay.

461. When is International Animation Day celebrated?


 28th October
 This day is celebrated to recognize, honour and celebrate the artists, the
scientists and also the technicians behind the animated art including
animated movies.
 This year marks the 19th anniversary of IAD.

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 28th marks the creation of Association Internationale du film d’animation or


international Animated film Association (ASIFA) which was formed in 2002.

462. Where has the water quality assessment system been inaugurated recently?
 Uttarakhand
 Uttarakhand CM inaugurated the Naini Lake water quality assessment
system built at a cost of Rs 1 crore with UNDP assistance.
 It will help in water conservation and in keeping it clean.
 Under this the state also revive its rivers, lakes, ponds and water sources.

463. Where has the 2+2 talks between India and America been held recently?
 New Delhi
 It was held in 27th October.
 Indian side was represented by defence minister Rajnath Singh and External
Affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar.
 The agenda for this covered all bilateral, regional and global issues of
mutual interest.
 India-US sign five agreements including Basic Exchange and cooperation
agreement (BECA).

464. Recently how many Center of Excellence (CoE) have been started by Mr. Arjun
Munda in partnership with Art of living for the welfare of tribal community?
 02
 The 1st CoE has been launched in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra for
training of 10000 tribal farmers in the field of sustainable natural farming.
 The 2nd CoE has been launched in Jharkhand, which aims to create the
youth volunteers among tribal youths by giving them various training.

465. Which is the first state in the country to fix the floor price for vegetables?
 Kerala
 The floor price will be 20% above the production cost of the vegetables.
 Even if the market price goes below the floor price, the product will be
procured at the floor price from the farmers.

466. Recently Luis Arce has been elected as the President of which country?
 Bolivia
 Landlocked country in south America.
 Capital- Sucre

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 President- Jeanine Anez


 Currency- Boliviano

467. Who has recently represented India in the 6 th BRICS Parliamentary forum?
 Om Birla
 Theme of the meeting: ‘BRICS partnership in the interest of the global
stability, general safety and innovative growth, parliamentary dimension’.

468. Recently which state’s High Court has started live streaming of court proceedings?
 Gujarat

469. Where will a memorial of Rani Padmavati be built recently?


 Bhopal, MP

470. Recently in which port Mr Mansukh Mandaviya has inaugurated the Direct Port
Entry facility?
 Chidambaranar port
 Minister of State (independent charge) for Shipping, Mansukh Mandaviya
virtually inaugurated 24*7 Direct Port entry facility for containers at the V O
Chidambaranar Port Trust (formerly known Tuticorin Port Trust), Tamil
Nadu.
 It will bring efficiency and reduce dwell time, it will also lower tariff cost
and improve competitiveness of shippers in international trade.
 Earlier it was operated only on working days from 10 Am to 8 Pm.

471. Recently, in the city of Wroclaw, Poland, a square is named after which person
from India?
 Harivansh Rai Bachchan
 He was an Indian poet of te Nayi Kavita literary movement of early 20 th
century hindi literature.
 Best known for his early work Madhusala.
 He received Padma Bhusan in 1976.
 Poland:
o Central European country.
o Capital- Warshaw
o President- Andrzej Duda
o PM- Mateusz Morawiecki
o Currency- Polish Zloty

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472. Which is the first airport in India to enable e-boarding for international flights?
 Hyderabad airport
 It is also known as Rajiv Gandhi International airport.
 It has started offering e-boarding facility for domestic flights in 2015, now
commences the same for international flights.
 Passengers can choose between conventional paper boarding or e-boarding
passes on their mobiles to use the system.

473. When is the ‘UN treaty to ban nuclear weapons’ expected to come in force?
 January 2021
 The treaty on the prohibition of Nuclear weapons- which bans the use,
development, production, testing, stationing, stockpiling and threat of use
of such weapons- was adopted by the UN general assembly in July, 2017
with the approval of 122 countries.

474. Which organisation constructed the “Alternate Alignment Gangtok-Nathula Road’,


which was seen in news?
 Border Roads Organisation
 It was virtually inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
 The 19.35 km long alternate route of National Highway-310 connects
Gangtok to Nathu La.

475. The typhoon Molave has hit which coastal country recently?
 Philippines
 Southeast Asian country.
 Capital- Manila
 President- Rodrigo Duterte
 Currency- Philippines peso

476. The Indus Suture Zone (ISZ), which was seen in news recently, is found in which
state/UT?
 Ladakh
 A recently survey has found that a tectonic fault line that runs through
Ladakh, all along the Indus river, is not inactive as was previously thought
and is , in fact, moving northward.
 This fault lines weakens the rock formation in the region through which it
runs, making the area vulnerable to excessive erosion and landslides.

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 ISZ represents a belt of tectonic compression caused by the underthrusting


of the Indian plate against the Tibetan plate.
 Ladakh:
o Union Territory of India
o Formation- 31st October, 2019.
o Districts- Kargil and Leh
o Lt Governor- Radha Krishna Mathur
o Capital- Leh, Kargil
o High Court- Jammu and Kashmir HC
o Largest UT of India

477. Which country has issued warning to its citizens about a mysterious cloud of
‘Yellow Dust’?
 North Korea
 The state-controlled media warned that the cloud could bring covid-19 virus
with it, which is blowing from China.
 North Korea:
o East Asian country.
o Capital and largest city- Pyongyang
o Chairman of the party and chairman of the state affairs commission-
Kim Jong un.
o Currency- Korean People’s won

478. Department of Posts under Ministry of Communication released a commemorative


postage stamp on the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.

479. Recently India Post and US Postal Service inked a MoU for what?
 Electronic Exchange of Customs data related to postal shipments
 This MoU was signed on the lines of 3rd India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue.
 It enables transmitting and receiving of electronic data of international
portal items prior to their physical arrival at the destination resulting in
customs clearance of postal items in advance.

480. Which state becomes the first state in the country to fix MSP for vegetables?
 Kerala
 Kerala fix MSP/Base price for 16 agricultural items which includes
vegetables, fruits and tubers to support farmers and boost agricultural
sector.

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481. Who won the 2020 UN Global Climate Action Awards?


 Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE)
 For its financing for climate friendly investment for its efforts to combat
climate change amid covid-19 pandemic.
 GHE is the world’s first organisation to utilize the force of tourism
integrated with technology to enable solar energy to remote communities.
 This award showcases the most practical and replicable examples of climate
change solution across the globe given by the Momentum for Change
initiative of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCCC) .

482. Who became the Brand ambassador of Dr Trust (health care firm)?
 Rohit Sharma

483. Which country has been hit by the storm Zeta recently?
 USA

484. Which state govt has announced the conversion of 300 zila parishad schools into
model schools?
 Maharashtra.
 To attract more students to state schools this initiative is taken by the govt.
 In this schools the state plans to promote merit in education, achieve
academic standards and promote the overall development of children.
 The idea was to attract parents to such schools, and ensure that students
feel like coming to schools on Saturdays and Sundays and participate in
school activities.

485. Which IIT has tied up with Archaeological Survey of India recently?
 IIT Kanpur
 IIT-K, Archaeological survey of India and two Italian institutes sign a MoU
for restoration of historical monuments.
 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):
o It is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation
and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.
o Comes under Ministry of Culture.
o It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham.
o Motto- let us uncover the glory of the past.
o HQ- New Delhi
o Director General- V Vidyavathi, IAS

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Current Affairs: October 2020

486. Who has hosted the ‘19th SCO Ministers’ Meeting?


 India
 It is a meeting of Ministers of Foreign Economy and foreign Trade.
 Union Ministe of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal and Minister of
state for Commerce and Industry, Hardeep Singh Puri participated in the
meeting.
 Four documents were adopted in the meeting:
1. Statement on the response to covid-19.
2. Statement on Multilateral Trading system.
3. Statement on SCO cooperation on Intellectual property rights.
4. Action plan for implementation of MoU to increase cooperation withing
SCO in the field of MSME.

487. Who has inaugurated the 4th India Energy forum by CERAWeek?
 Narendra Modi
 Theme- India’s Energy Future in a World of Change.
 PM stressed on improving lives of Indians with a smaller carbon footprint.

488. Recently the CM of which state has launched ‘Sumangal’ web portal?
 Odisha
 It is to help people avail inter-caste marriage incentives.

489. Who has become the largest buyer of Indian steel in the recent years?
 China
 China accounts for about 48% of total steel exports of India during April and
May, 2020.

490. Which state govt has launched digital library?


 Uttar Pradesh
 UP govt has launched a higher education digital library that will enable
students to access audio and video lectures and some of the best study
material put together by experts in both Hindi and English.
 It will be completely free for the students.

491. Which state govt has provided 7.5% reservation to students of government schools
in undergraduate medical courses?
 Tamil Nadu
 TN Governor give his assent to the bill.

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 Now 7.5% seats of the UG medical courses will be set apart on preferential
basis to students who have studied from class 6-12 in state govt schools.

492. Which payment network has announced the launch of Digital Gold on its platform?
 BharatPe
 Through this, BharatPe merchants will be able to buy and sell 99.5% purity,
24-carat gold.
 The merchants can choose to buy in rupee or grams, at any time of the day
and from anywhere by using the app.

493. Which country has offered its F-18 naval fighter jet for the Indian Navy?
 USA
 USA govt has offered to provide their naval fighter aircraft F-18 for the
Indian Navy under a government proposal at the 2+2 meeting.

494. Recently Lt governor Manoj Sinha has launched a market intervention scheme-
2020 for farmers growing which product?
 Apple.
 It will facilitate the stakeholders by providing valuable marketing platform,
beside ensuring optimum prices to the apple growers avoiding any kind of
distress sale.

495. Who has recently announced the launch of Earth observation satellite EOS-01?
 ISRO
 EOS-01 is intended for application in agriculture, forestry and disaster
management support.
 Additionally ISRO will also launch nine international customer spacecraft in
PSLV-C49 from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on 7th November.
 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
o National space agency of India.
o Formation- 15th August, 1969
o HQ- Bangalore
o Secretary and chairman- K Sivan
o Jurisdiction is under Department of Space.
 Minister- PM Narendra Modi
 Minister of State- Dr. Jitendra Singh

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496. Recently National Skill Development Corporation together with which company
has announced to provide digital skills to more than 01 lakh women in the next 10
months?
 Microsoft
 The aim is to increase women’s workforce participation by providing
underserved young women from rural areas the skills to survive and grow
in a digital economy.
 National Skill development corporation (NSDC):
o Formation- 2008
o Chairman- A M Naik
 Microsoft:
o American Multination technology company.
o HQ- Washington DC
o Formation- 1975
o Founder- Bill Gates, Paul Allen
o CEO- Satya Nadella (Born in Hyderabad, he is an Indian-American,
currently have US citizenship)

497. Who has recently become the new Chief Information Commissioner of India?
 Yashvardhan K. Sinha
 He is the new head of the Central Information Commission.

498. Recently which state assembly deputy speaker Sukumar Hansda has passed away?
 West Bengal
 He died of cancer on 29th October at the age of 63.
 Leader of the house- CM Mamata Bannerjee
 Deputy leader- Partha Chatterjee
 Leader of the opposition- Abdul Mannan.

499. Which bank has been declared as the safest bank in Asia recently?
 DBS Bank
 Global Finance, New York based trade publication released the list of
World’s 50 Safest Banks 2020.
 DBS is the safest bank in Asia for the 12 th consecutive year.
 It is also secured 4th rank as the safest commercial bank in the world and
14th Safest Bank globally.
 KfW, Germany is the World’s safest bank.
 DBS Bank:
o Development bank of Singapore (old name)

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500. Recently the CM of which state has launched Dharani Portal for land and property
registration?
 Telangana
 The portal is a one-of-its-kind integrated Land Record Management System.
 Using the portal, one can register their property, succession and also
partition of agriculture lands.
 After the registration, the owner will be provided with an e-pattadar
passbook.

501. Who has recently represented India in the 8 th India-Mexico joint commissioner
meeting?
 S Jaishankar
 It held on 29th October.
 It reviewed the bilateral cooperation in several areas including agriculture,
trade, investment, education etc.
 Mexico:
o North American country.
o Capital- Mexico city.
o President- Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
o Currency - Peso

502. Which bank has announced that the bank signed a loan agreement of $1 billion
with Japan Bank for International co-operation?
 SBI

503. Who has been awarded ‘Dr Tulsi Das Chugh Award 2020’ given by National
Academy of Medical Sciences?
 Satish Mishra
 He is the Principal Scientist, Division of Molecular Parasitology and
Immunology, CSIR-CDRI, Lucknow.
 He is awarded for his research work on Malaria parasite’s life cycle which is
a complex process involving two hosts and three invasive stages.
 National Academy of Medical Sciences is a nodal agency under the govt of
India, which acts as an advisory body to the govt in matters related to
national health policy and planning and as a promoting agency for
continuing medical education for medical and health professionals.

504. Who has inaugurated ‘Nyay Kaushal’, an e-resource centre?


 S A Bobde.

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 It would be the first e-resource centre in India providing facility of e-filling


of cases in the courts across the country.
505. With which Metro Rail corporation, SBI Card launched a contactless multi-purpose
card that can function as a credit card and as a metro smart card?
 Delhi Metro

506. Which application has been launched by Delhi CM to increase citizen participation
in Delhi’s fight against pollution?
 Green Delhi
o The app can be used by citizens to bring pollution causing activities to the
govt notice.
o People will be able to use the Green Delhi app to inform the govt regarding
complaints related to burning waste, industrial pollution and dust.

507. India announced an additional what amount as Line of Credit for Central Asian
countries to widen connectivity and energy partnership?
 1 billion USD
 India has provided the LoC for priority Developmental Projects in fields such
as connectivity, education, IT, Healthcare, energy, agriculture etc.

508. A sea plane from which country has arrived in Ahmedabad recently, which would
operate by Spice jet?
 Maldives
 Small island nation in South Asia
 Capital- Male
 President- Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
 Currency- Maldivian rufiyaa
 8 degree channel separated Lakshadweep and Maldives.

509. Which Indian state has recently banned bringing alcohols from other states?
 Andhra Pradesh

510. When is International Internet Day 2020 celebrated?


 29th October.
 It is annually celebrated since 2005 to mark the anniversary of the first
internet transmission on 29th October 1969.

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511. When is World Stroke Day 2020 celebrated?


 29th October.
 Annually celebrated to raise awareness about stroke prevention, treatment
and recovery.
 2020 theme: ‘Get ready to join the Movement’.

512. Indian and Maldives get three new UNESCO Biosphere reserves. What is the entry
from India?
 Panna Biosphere Reserve, MP
 UNESCO allots Panna Tiger Reserve as ‘Biosphere Reserve’ status after it
brought its tiger population back from 0 to 54 in 10 years.

Thank you

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