February Current Affairs 2020 Weekly Test -4

Answer – 3) Goa
Explanation:
Union Minister of State for shipping Mansukh Mandaviya, inaugurated the India’s first floating jetty on the banks of Mandovi river, Goa and also an immigration facility office at a cruise terminal in Vasco, Goa.

Answer – 5) Unleashing India’s Organic Market Potential
Explanation:
Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Union Minister of Women and Child Development inaugurated National Organic Food Festival for women entrepreneurs at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. The theme of the festival is ‘Unleashing India’s Organic Market Potential’.

Answer – 4) 4.9%
Explanation:
National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), a New Delhi based non-profit think tank of economics, has estimated India’s economic growth rate to be 4.9 % for the current Financial year-FY 2019-20, which is lower than the 5 % estimation by the National Statistical Office (NSO). NCAER has expressed the hope that in the year 2020-21, the country’s growth rate can be up to 5.6%.

Answer – 4) e-Krona
Explanation:
Sveriges Riksbank (or simply the Riksbank), the central bank of Sweden, had begun testing its digital version of currency, e-krona. If this year-long pilot project successful, this would lead to the creation of world’s 1st central bank digital currency(CBDC).

Answer – 3) Dharampal Satyapal Group
Explanation:
BRICS Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCI) organised the 2nd edition of Annual Direct Tax Summit & Awards 2020 in union with Achromic Point an international consulting firm. The Award aimed to resolve the issues related to direct tax and its implications. Dharampal Satyapal Limited won the award for Best In-house Direct Tax Team of the year.

Answer – 1) Russia
Explanation:
Russia will be the 1st country to host the new format of AIBA (International Boxing Association) Team World Cup 2020 which was approved by AIBA Executive committee members, at the meeting held at Budapest, Hungary, Europe. The Boxing tournament will be coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II under the motto “Boxing for Peace”.

Answer – 2) Hrithik Roshan
Explanation:
The Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2020 was held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Hrithik Roshan bagged the Best Actor award for film “Super 30”.
List of Awards at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival 2020:

Answer – 5) Dr Niti Kumar
Explanation:
Dr Niti Kumar, a Senior Scientist from Division of Molecular Parasitology and Immunology, CSIR-CDRI (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Drug Research Institute), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) to be honoured with SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board) Women Excellence Award-2020 by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind during National Science Day Celebrations on February 28, 2020, in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Answer – 1) New Delhi
Explanation:
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the International Judicial Conference in New Delhi. The theme of the conference was “Gender Just World” while its topic was “Judiciary and The Changing World”. The Conference introduced the “Just World” concept in the Judicial System of India which aims to take the judicial system of the country to every citizen irrespective of their gender.

Answer – 3) Chess
Explanation:
The 13-year old Young Indian Grandmaster (GM) Dommaraju Gukesh (Youngest GM of India) emerged as champion in the 34th Cannes Open 2020 chess tournament held at Cannes, France by beating Harutyun Bargeshyan (France) in the Final round. Gukesh also won the title in the Hillerod 110th Anniversary Open event 2020 in Denmark and it was his 1st Open Tournament title.

Answer – 4) Cuttak, Odisha
Explanation:
Prime Minister (PM) Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever Khelo India University Games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha through video conferencing. Nearly 3,400 athletes from 159 universities across the country will participate in 17 disciplines including rugby which is among the 6 team events.

Answer – 5) Himachal Pradesh
Explanation:
Himachal Pradesh became the 1st state in the country to have 100% LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) coverage due to the implementation of PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana) scheme. In addition to PMUY scheme, the state government aslo launched ‘Himachal Grihini Suvidha Yojana’ in May 2018 to cover the scheme to remaining households.

Answer – 1) Jammu & Kashmir
Explanation:
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), an Apex Development Financial Institution in India, has granted a sum of Rs 400.64 crore to the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir(J&K). The amount has been sanctioned under its ‘Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) – Trench XXV’for boosting rural infrastructure during the current financial year-FY (2019-20).

Answer – 3) State Bank of India
Explanation:
Global tech giant Microsoft has collaborated with the State Bank of India (SBI) to train differently-abled people to find jobs in the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector. As a part of this partnership, 500 differently-abled youths will be trained in 1^st year and SBI Foundation & Microsoft will develop an artificial intelligence powered market so that BFSI industry can connect more easily with differently-abled people for employment opportunities.

Answer – 4) Haryana
Explanation:
According to the recent ratings regarding Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payouts, prepared for the 1st time by the Central Government, Small state Haryana has emerged as the best state in DBT payouts (Rs.4782 crores in over 4 crore transactions) in 2019-20. Whereas, West Bengal has emerged as the worst performer in DBT payouts ranked 36th position.
DBT performance ranking 2019-20:

Answer – 5) National Institute of Technology, Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu
Explanation:
An e-commerce mobile application called “Thirumathi Kart” developed by National Institute of Technology, Tiruchi (NIT-T) for promoting products developed by self-help groups (SHG), was launched in Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu (TN) at the inauguration ceremony of ‘Marketing strategies in the digital era: self-promotion of SHG products through Thirumathi Kart’ Programme.

Answer – 2) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation:
Madhya Pradesh(MP) has become 1st state in the country to introduce unified vehicle registration & 2nd state to launch the unified driving license after Uttar Pradesh. The objective of the card is to provide unified smart cards for driving license & vehicle registration with QR code. MP is the first state to issue both smart cards together.

Answer – 4) New Delhi
Explanation:
The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) organised 1st ‘National conference on Coastal Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience (CDRR&R) in Delhi.It is a one-day conference. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai presided over the valedictory session.

Answer – 4) $ 3 Billion
Explanation:
During the US president Donald Trump’s visit to India (Feb 24-25, 2020), India – US closed defence deals worth $3 billion which includes the sale of state-of-the-choppers, six AH-64E Apache Helicopters, and 24 MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters to India under the Foreign Military Sales program of the US government.

Answer – 3) 862%
Explanation:
As per the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) report titled “Assessment of the progress of digitisation from cash to electronic”, The value of digital payments to GDP increased from 660% in 2014-15 to 862% in 2018-19. The notes in circulation (NIC) [Currency in Circulation (CIC) – coins in circulation] increased at average rate of 14% between October 2014 and October 2016. The CIC (Currency in Circulation) across the country increased at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.2% over the past 5 years (2014-15 to 2018-19).

Answer – 1) G. Srinivasan
Explanation:
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), an autonomous body tasked with regulating and promoting the insurance, has formed a 9-member committee led by Mr. G. Srinivasan, Director of National Insurance Academy to examine the possibility of allowing life insurers offer indemnity based health policies.

Answer – 4) 5
Explanation:
In accordance with the “2019 World Air Quality Report-Region & City PM2.5 Ranking” compiled by IQAir AirVisual, India ranked 5th as the most polluted country in the world. Cleanest country – Bahamas & Most polluted country – Bangladesh.
World most Polluted Countries 2019 (PM2.5)

Answer – 3) Jeff Bezos
Explanation:
The Hurun Global Rich List 2020 was jointly released by Shanghai-based Hurun Research Institute and Shenzhen-based Shimao Shenkong International Center. Jeff Bezos retains 1st rank (with $140 Billion wealth) for the third running year and Mukesh Ambani is positioned at 9^th with $67 billion wealth.  Also Uday Kotak is listed as The World’s Richest self-made banker.

Answer – 4) United Kingdom
Explanation:
A 5-day (February 24-29,2020) long 5th edition of Indo-UK (United Kingdom) bilateral air exercise “Indradhanush-V” 2020 between Indian Air Force (IAF) and British Royal Air Forces (RAF) has commenced at Air Force Station Hindan in Uttar Pradesh (UP). ‘Base Defence and Force Protection’ was the focus of this year exercise.

Answer – 2) Bharti AXA General Insurance
Explanation:
Bharti AXA General Insurance becomes the 1st non-life insurer in India to use Whatsapp chatbot for entire services such as policy documents delivery, renewal notices & claim intimation for its customers. It will soon start to sell private cars, 2 wheelers & Travel insurance through Whatsapp.

Answer – 1) State Bank of India
Explanation:
Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled EASE 3.0, the Public Sector Bank (PSB) Reforms Agenda 2020-21 for smart, tech-enabled banking, and the PSB EASE Reforms Annual Report 2019-20 in during an event in New Delhi. The State Bank of India has showcased Shishu e-Mudra app-based lending for instant sanction of working capital up to Rs. 50,000 to existing small business customers in the event.

Answer – 4) 7.17
Explanation:
As per PSB Ease reform report Annual Report 2019-20 the Gross Non-Performing Assets (G-NPA) reduced from Rs. 8.96 lakh crore (14.6%) in March 2018 to Rs. 7.17 lakh crore (11.3%) in December 2019.

Answer – 3) Capri Global Capital Limited
Explanation:
The Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) Capri Global Capital Limited (CGCL) has launched an SME (Small and medium-sized enterprises) lending product “UDAAN” for women entrepreneurs to provide secured loans upto Rs.40 lakhs only for Business purpose with the loan repayment period of 10years to 15 years at a competitive interest rate after conducting due diligence.

Answer – 3) Bhupender Yadav
Explanation:
The Union Cabinet has approved the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2020. According to the proposed bill, any woman can become a surrogate mother by her own will. Apart from childless Indian couples, widows and divorced women will also get the benefit. The draft of the new bill has included the recommendations of 23-member Committee of the Rajya Sabha headed by BJP MP Bhupender Yadav.

Answer – 1) Russia
Explanation:
Russian tennis star and 5-time Grand Slam winner Maria Yuryevna Sharapova, 32 years old, announced her retirement. She became the World No.1 in 2005 and as a Grand Slam winner with 2 titles in French Open (2012, 2014), an Australian Open (2008), a US [United States] Open (2006) and Wimbledon Open (2004). She won 36 singles titles and netted prize money of $ 38.8 million and the 3rd youngest player to conquer the All England Club’s hallowed grass courts.

Answer –2) February 27
Explanation:
Right to Protein, a national-level public health initiative, has launched India’s 1st Protein Day on February 27, 2020 to raise awareness about the health benefits of protein. Theme of the Protein Day 2020: ProteinMeinKyaHai. The theme aims to include proteins in our every meal.

Answer – 4) HDFC Bank
Explanation:
HDFC (Housing Development Finance Corporation) bank, an Indian banking and financial services company, has entered into a partnership with IndiGo airlines to launch its first travel credit card named ‘Ka-ching’- powered by Mastercard.

Answer – 4) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation:
According to the 1st edition of NCAER Land Records and Services Index (N-LRSI 2019-20) released by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), Madhya Pradesh (MP) emerged as the best performing state in terms of digitising land records with the score of 74.9. It was followed by Odisha (67.5points) and Maharashtra (65.3 points). While Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh ranked at bottom at 33rd position with a score of 2.0.
NCAER Land Record Services Index (N-LRSI) 2019-20 ranking:

Answer – 4) History
Explanation:
Shadakshari Settar (85), a famous Historian, Linguists, who conducted research in the field of epigraphy, anthropology has passed away at a private hospital in Karnataka, where he was undergoing treatment for respiratory problems.

Answer – 2) Theme: “Women in Science”
Explanation:
National Science Day (NSD) was observed all over India on Feb 28, 2020. This day marks the discovery of the Raman effect by Indian physicist Sir ChandraShekhara Venkata Raman (also called Sir C V Raman) on 28th February 1928 for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930. In 1986, the Government of India (GOI) declared Feb 28 as National Science Day. Theme of the NSD 2020: “Women in Science”.

Answer – 2) Asansol Station, West Bengal
Explanation:
Indian railways launched its First “Restaurant on Wheels” at Asansol Station (division of Eastern railway), West Bengal, for railway passengers and citizens of the city. Shri Babul Supriyo, Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoSEFCC) inaugurated the 1st “Restaurant on Wheels” at Asansol station.

Answer – 3) 29.14 crore
Explanation:
In accordance with the government data, by February 19, 2020, the issuance of RuPay debit cards under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) reached an all-time-high of 29.14 crore. The data states that three out of four Jan Dhan account holders (i.e 29.14 crore out of 38.13 crore – around 76%)have a RuPay debit card.

Answer – 4) 128.5%
Explanation:
According to the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, fiscal deficit of the country reached 128.5 % of the estimate for the whole year at the end of January 2020.The deficit stood at Rs 9,85,472 crore ($137.05 billion). The deficit was 121.5% of the revised budget estimate (RBE) for the same period of the previous financial year-FY 2018-19.

Answer – 2) IndusInd Bank
Explanation:
The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has approved the appointment of Sumant Kathpalia as Managing Director(MD) and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of private sector lender IndusInd Bank for three years, which is effective from March 24, 2020, He is the successor of Romesh Sobti. The headquarters of IndusInd bank is Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Answer – 3) Bengaluru
Explanation:
In accordance with the report by online payment processor Worldline India titled “Wordline India Digital Payments 2019”, Bengaluru (Karnataka) accounted for the highest number of digital transactions in India in 2019, followed by Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Mumbai and Pune in Maharashtra.

Answer – 2) Mumbai
Explanation:
Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), a joint venture (JV) of the GVK led consortium and Airports Authority of India (AAI), has unveiled Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport as the world’s largest airport-based temperature-controlled facility, the ‘Export Cold Zone’ for processing and storage of agro and pharma products.

Answer – 2) Iran
Explanation:
The Union Cabinet gave its nod for the exemption of the India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) from the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) guidelines. This will help in the smooth execution of the Chabahar project in Iran.

Answer – 1) Rajasthan
Explanation:
Recently in February 2020 the member of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Diya Kumari has written to Environment minister that 26 tigers are missing in the National park.

Answer – 4) Maharashtra
Explanation:
The Indian government proposed names of 10 more wetlands to be declared as sites of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The new wetlands being proposed for inclusion are – Lonar from Maharashtra which is a unique wetland and the only Crater Lake in the country, a site from Bihar-Kanwar lake, two sites from Haryana which doesn’t have a Ramsar site till now –Sultanpur and Bhindawas. Uttarakhand also has sent a proposal for its first Ramsar site-Asan and the rest are from Uttar Pradesh.

Answer – 2) Himachal Pradesh
Explanation:
Losar festival was celebrated at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. The festival is celebrated on the 1st day of the lunisolar Tibetan calendar also called Tibetan New Year. Losar is a festival in Tibetan Buddhism.

Answer – 3) Kolkata, West Bengal
Explanation:
On February 22, 2020 Geological Survey of India(GSI) has denied the discovery of gold deposits of over 3,000 tonnes and mentioned that the mineralised zone having an average grade of 3.03 grams per tonne of gold is tentative in nature and the total gold which can be extracted from the total resource of 52,806.25 tonnes of ore is approximately 160 kg and not 3,350 tonnes in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh.

Answer – 3) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation:
A 692-km Highway road through the Pakke Reserve has been cleared recently.

Answer – 5) Karnataka
Explanation:
The Malai Mahadeshwara sanctuary will be renamed as Malai Mahadeshwara Hill Tiger Reserve (MMH TR) as per the request of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NCTA).

Answer – 2) Odisha
Explanation:
The population of endangered dolphins has come down by half (from 126 to 62) in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park as per the Dolphin census report released on February 24, 2020.

Answer – 4) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation:
As per recent news, Bhopal’s Van Vihar National Park will get A tiger and a tigress (2 new tigers) from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Madhya Pradesh.