July Current Affairs 2020 Weekly Test -3

Answer – 1) Human Resource Development Ministry
Explanation:
Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Union Minister of Human Resource Development (MoHRD) released the PRAGYATA Guidelines on Digital Education, over a virtual platform from Delhi in the presence of Sanjay Dhotre, Minister of State HRD. The guidelines were prepared by the Department of School Education & Literacy of the Ministry of HRD.

Answer – 4) Jammu & Kashmir
Explanation:
The Minister of Railways, Piyush Vedprakash Goyal, has announced that the India’s first cable-stayed Indian Railways bridge namely “Anji Khad Bridge” being developed by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), a Government of India undertaking, is all set to connect Katra and Reasi in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The Bridge crosses the Chenab River. The cable-stayed railway bridge is a part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, which passes through the Young Himalayas. Notably, the USBRL project also involves the Chenab river bridge. The Chenab Bridge once completed, will become the world’s highest rail bridge.

Answer – 2) Assam
Explanation:
The Chief Minister (CM) of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal has announced the upgradation of Poba Reserve Forest, a vital biodiversity hotspot in Dhemaji district of Assam, as a wildlife sanctuary. The announcement was made during a meeting with senior officials of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Majuli districts at Jonai.

Answer – 1) Ashok Lavasa
Explanation:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Ashok Lavasa as its Vice-President for Private Sector Operations and Public–Private Partnerships, who is currently serving as one of the Election Commissioners of India (since January 2018). He will succeed Diwakar Gupta, whose term will end on 31 August, 2020.

Answer – 4) Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
Explanation:
The GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL), introduced India’s first ever fully contactless airport car parking with contact less toll transaction for their passengers and visitors in Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) to provide a safe airport amid COVID-19. The NETC FASTag Car Park is a part of the “One Nation One Tag” – NETC FASTag programme of Indian Government.

Answer – 4) 15th July
Explanation:
Every year the United Nations(UN) World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) is globally celebrated on 15th July to highlight the importance of equipping young people with skills to provide opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. The first WYSD was celebrated on 15th July 2015. The theme of 2020 WYSD virtual event – “Skills for a Resilient Youth”.

Answer – 3) Cochin Port
Explanation:
Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya, Minister of State (I/C) for the Ministry of Shipping reviewed the development activities of the Vallarpadam Terminal (Kochi International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT)) of Cochin Port which is proposed to develop as India’s first and Asia’s leading trans-shipment port to ensure that Indian cargoes are trans-shipped through Indian Port.

Answer – 1) 2.5
Explanation:
In a meeting with the 15th Finance Commission the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan highlighted that the government aims to gradually increase the public health expenditure to 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product(GDP) by 2025. The government under the Ayushman Bharat programme proposes to establish 1.5 lakh health and wellness centers by 2022.

Answer – 5) All the above
Explanation:
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has announced that 4 Journalists, Shahidul Alam from Bangladesh, Mohammad Mosaed from Iran, Dapo Olorunyomi from Nigeria and Svetlana Prokopyeva from Russia will be honoured with the 2020 International Press Freedom Awards for their courageous act. In addition to them lawyer Amal Clooney will be honored with the Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award 2020.

Answer – 1) Pneumonia
Explanation:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) informed that, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has given approval to India’s first fully indigenously developed vaccine against pneumonia, Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine. The vaccine has been developed by M/s. Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd, Pune. DCGI has also granted permission to manufacture the vaccine domestically.

Answer – 2) Bangladesh
Explanation:
Union Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) Mansukh Mandaviya flagged off the first trial container ship from Kolkata (West Bengal) to Agartala (Tripura) through Chattogram Port of Bangladesh in a virtual ceremony. This will not only provide an alternative and shorter route for India to connect its North East Region (NER) through Bangladesh but will also further boost India-Bangladesh maritime relations.

Answer – 1) Uttarakhand
Explanation:
Uttarakhand Chief Minister (CM) Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated ‘Smriti Van’ at Asthal village of Dehradun district in memory of late Jeet Singh Negi, famous folk singer of the state on the occasion of Harela festival.

Answer – 3) Kate Winslet
Explanation:
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), announced that Kate Winslet will be receiving the 2020 TIFF Tribute Actor Award at the virtual event of the 45th edition of TIFF. Kate will receive the honor in the virtual gala on 15th September 2020, following her film, Francis Lee’s Ammonite in which she played a fossil hunter Mary Anning.

Answer – 2) 2023
Explanation:
Railway Board Chairman Vinod Kumar Yadav has announced the connectivity of all capitals of North-Eastern states through rail network by 2023. Railways is already implementing a project in this regard. As of today, the capitals of Assam, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh are already connected. The work to connect capitals of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya is in progress.

Answer – 3) Lower-Middle-Income
Explanation:
According to the New World Bank country classifications by income level 2020-2021, India remains in the classification, Lower-Middle-Income Economy. In total 218 countries have been included in this classification. The World Bank classifies countries into four income groups namely: low income, lower-middle income, upper-middle income, and high-income economies. The classifications are updated each year on July 1 and are based on Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in current USD (using the Atlas method exchange rates) of the previous year.

Answer – 4) Both 1) and 2)
Explanation:
Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, The President of United Nations General Assembly announced that Marianna Vardinoyannis, of Greece, and Doctor Morissana Kouyaté, of Guinea will receive the 2020 Nelson Mandela Prize. They will be recognized in the virtual ceremony on 20th July 2020.

Answer – 1) United States
Explanation:
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Indian Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas signed MOU to begin cooperation on Strategic Petroleum Reserves operation and maintenance, including exchange of information and best practices. This MoU was based on a proposal from the US after the recent historic drop in oil prices during the coronavirus pandemic. It is to be noted that for the first time, India, the world’s third-largest oil guzzler, is planning to create an emergency reserve of oil in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to take advantage of low prices and to increase its strategic oil stockpile.

Answer – 1) Qatar
Explanation:
Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) informed that the 2022 World cup tournament is to be inaugurate at Qatar’s Al Bayt Stadium (or) Al Khor Stadium (November 21 – December 18). Men’s 2022 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup. Final match will be held at Lusail Stadium. Host country will be Qatar.

Answer – 4) 2023
Explanation:
In accordance with the initial timeline drawn by the railways, it has planned to roll out 151 private train services by 2027 on 109 pairs of routes across the country. In this regard, Indian Railways is ready to introduce 12 trains in 2022-23, 45 in 2023-2024, 50 in 2025-26 and 44 more in the 2026-27, taking the total number of trains to 151 by the end of FY 2026-2027. There would be Rs 30,000 crore private sector investment in this project.

Answer – 5) Odisha
Explanation:
The official notification of the Department of Social security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) informed that, Odisha Government has included the transgender community under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY), a social security scheme by amending to Rule 6 of the Madhu Babu Pension Rules 2008.

Answer – 1) UAE
Explanation:
United Arab Emirates (UAE) became the first West Asian and Arab nation to embark on a first-ever interplanetary space mission to Mars (Red Planet) namely “Hope Probe mission” from Tanegashima Space Centre, off the coast of Kyushu, Japan atop a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries H-IIA rocket. Also known as Al-Amal or Emirates Mars Mission, this $200 million mission will be the first to study both Martian climate viz. diurnal (daily) and seasonal cycles.

Answer – 2) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation:
The book titled The Tangams: An Ethnolinguistic Study of the Critically Endangered Group of Arunachal Pradesh was released by Prema Khandu, the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. The book is published by Centre for Endangered Languages (CFEL), Rajiv Gandhi University and Himalayan Publishers, New Delhi.

Answer – 2) Mathematician
Explanation:
Padma Bhushan Awardee & Renowned Mathematician, Conjeevaram Srirangachari (C.S.) Seshadri passed away at 88 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He was the founder of the Chennai Mathematical Institute(CMI). He is known for his work in algebraic geometry.  He was born on February 29th, 1932, in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.

Answer – 2) Ministry of Human Resource Development
Explanation:
The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched MANODARPAN initiative of HRD Ministry virtually in New Delhi. The initiative provides psycho-social support to students, teachers and parents and addresses their issues related to mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Answer – 4) Amber Dubey
Explanation:
The Ministry of Civil Aviation(MoCA) has set up the Investment Clearance Cell (ICC) under the chairmanship of Amber Dubey, joint secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation.ICC is a single window clearance mechanism for assistance and clearance of investment proposals in the domestic aviation industry.

Answer – 1) July 20, 2020
Explanation:
The Consumer Protection Act (CPA), 2019, which has replaced old Consumer Protection Act 1986 has come into force w.e.f. July 20, 2020 aiming to enforce and protect the rights of consumers, and provide an effective mechanism to address consumer grievances. The act was briefed by Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan through video conference with media. The Act proposes the establishment of a Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers, and make interventions in situations of unfair trade practices.

Answer – 5) Ramesh Babu Boddu
Explanation:
Karur Vysya Bank (KVB)’s Board of Directors has co-opted Ramesh Babu Boddu as an Additional Director and appointed him as the Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for three years’ tenure. He replaces P R Seshadri, who resigned in January 2020 citing personal reasons.

Answer – 2) South Korea
Explanation:
South Korea launched its first military communications satellite, Army/Navy/Air Force Satellite Information System 2 (ANASIS-II). The satellite was deployed into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) by a Falcon 9 rocket developed by US space firm SpaceX. It was lifted off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the US state of Florida. ANASIS-II is SpaceX’s 1st geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) mission of 2020. As part of a package for Lockheed Martin’s F-35A combat aircraft, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration(DAPA) contracted with Lockheed Martin for the satellite. Lockheed Martin then subcontracted the construction of the satellite to Airbus Defence and Space.

Answer – 4) India
Explanation:
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed that the Men’s T20 World cup, 2020 scheduled to be played in Australia in October – November, has been postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ICC T20 World Cup 2021 is rescheduled on October – November 2021 with final on 14 November 2021. The ICC World cup (50 over) is 2023 rescheduled in October – November 2023 with the final on 26 November 2023 in India.

Answer – 4) New Delhi
Explanation:
India’s first public EV (Electric Vehicle) charging plaza inaugurated by Minister of State (MoS) for Power, and New & Renewable Energy, Raj Kumar (RK) Singh at Chelmsford Club in New Delhi in order to make e-mobility hassle free and convenient for the consumers. This plaza has been established by EESL, a joint venture of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under Ministry of Power, in collaboration with New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), which will host 5 Electric Vehicle Chargers of different specifications.

Answer – 3) Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL)
Explanation:
The Minister of State (MoS) for Power, and New & Renewable Energy, Raj Kumar (RK) Singh launched a national programme namely “Retrofit of Air-conditioning to improve Indoor Air Quality for Safety and Efficiency (RAISE)” in order to alleviate the issue of bad air quality in workspaces and to develop healthy and energy efficient buildings. This programme is a part of “Healthy and Energy Efficient Buildings”, a joint initiative of EESL and United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) MAITREE (Market Integration and Transformation Program for Energy Efficiency) programme, launched on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Answer – 3) Punjab National Bank
Explanation:
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Vardhan launched Punjab National Bank (PNB)’s nationwide Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) campaign to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by distributing face masks and sanitizers.

Answer – 2) United States
Explanation:
Indian Navy undertook a short joint naval Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the United States (US) Navy near the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) islands in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to conduct maritime drills, against the backdrop of the India-China border standoff in Ladakh. Both naval forces conducted high-end exercises designed to maximize training and interoperability, including air defense. US was represented by US Navy carrier strike group which was led by USS (United States Ship) Nimitz (CVN 68), a nuclear-powered World’s largest aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and consisted of Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114).

Answer – 3) Bharat Earth Movers Limited
Explanation:
To boost Make in India Initiative of the Indian government, the Defence Acquisition Council(DAC) chaired by Rajnath Singh, Union Minister of Defence signed the contract worth Rs.557 crores (approx) with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) for the procurement of 1,512 mine plough(MP) for the battle tank T-90 S/SK of Indian Army.

Answer – 4) Both 1) and 2)
Explanation:
Madhya Pradesh (MP) Governor Shri Lalji Tandon, who was admitted in Medanta hospital, in Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, had passed away at the age of 85. He was diagnosed to have chronic liver disease and breathing problems and put on severe medical ailment. He was born on 12, April 1935, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He served as the 28th Governor of Bihar between 23rd August 2018 to 28th July 2019.

Answer – 1) 273 million
Explanation:
The United Nations’ “Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (GMPI) 2020: Charting pathways out of multidimensional poverty: Achieving the SDGs” states that India records the largest reduction in the number of People living in poverty as around 273 million people moved out of the multidimensional poverty over 10 years (2005/2006 – 2015/2016). The report released by the Human Development Report Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) focuses on how multidimensional poverty has declined.

Answer – 2) Bhutan
Explanation:
India and Bhutan opened a new trade route between Jaigaon in West Bengal and Ahlay, Pasakha in Bhutan to establish easy connectivity and to increase trade between India and Bhutan amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer – 4) Tunisia
Explanation:
Tunisian Prime Minister (PM) Elyes Fakhfakh resigned, who was appointed in January, 2020. He presented his resignation letter to President Kais Saied. He also served as a Minister of Tourism and as the Minister of Finance. He is a member of Democratic Forum for Labour and Liberties (referred to as Ettakatol).

Answer – 4) Gabon
Explanation:
Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon appointed Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda (56), as the First Women Prime Minister of Gabon succeeding Julien Nkoghe Bekale, On 16 July 2020. She is the sixth Prime Minister under Bongo’s Presidency since 2009.

Answer – 2) Federal bank
Explanation:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the reappointment of Shyam Srinivasan as the managing Director and Chief Executive officer of Federal bank Limited with effect from September 23, 2020. He will be working for 1 year till Sep 22, 2021.

Answer – 5) Japan
Explanation:
Malabar is the naval exercise between India-Japan-Australia. In 2020, India plans to invite Australia to join the annual Malabar naval exercise that has so far included just Japan and the U.S., in a move that could risk China’s ire.

Answer – 3) Yamuna river
Explanation:
According to the latest census report prepared by the Madhya Pradesh forest department, the number of dolphins in Chambal river has been reduced by 13% in 4 years. There are just 68 dolphins left in the 435-kilometre-long Chambal river sanctuary which passes through three states i.e. Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Gangetic Dolphins are the sanctuary’s main attraction. The decreasing trend is continuing from 2016 when there were 78 dolphins. The dolphins were spotted for the first time in 1985 in Chambal river (a tributary of Yamuna) near Etawah, Uttar Pradesh. That time, the number was more than 110.

Answer – 5) Bihar
Explanation:
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district is India’s only sanctuary for dolphins.

Answer – 4) Jhelum river
Explanation:
Recently, Pakistan and China have signed an agreement for the 700 MW Azad Pattan hydel power project on the Jhelum river in Sudhnoti district of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). The 1.5-billion USD project is under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC – part of the One Belt One Road (OBOR)). The Azad Pattan project is one of five hydropower schemes on the Jhelum, the other four are Mahl, Kohala, Chakothi Hattian and Karot projects. It will be developed on the ‘Build, Own, Operate, Transfer (BOOT)’ model. Earlier India had objected to the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha dam (on Indus river) in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of the PoK.

Answer – 5) Maharashtra
Explanation:
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray has requested the Union government for considering an alternative alignment for the Akola-Khandwa rail line that passes through the Melghat Tiger Reserve. The Protected Areas within the Reserve consists of Gugamal National Park, Wan, Ambawarba and Narnala sanctuaries.

Answer – 4) Kerala
Explanation:
Recently, the Supreme Court of India upheld the right of the Travancore royal family to manage the property of deity at Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala). The Temple has been in the news since 2011 after the discovery of treasure worth over Rs. 1 lakh crore in its underground vaults.

Answer – 4) Iran
Explanation:
Recently, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that India is no longer involved in the Farzad-B gas field project of Iran. Further, it said that India has not received any response from Iran since December 2019 on the future of the Chabahar-Zahedan railway project as well. It cited policy changes by the Iranian government, Iran’s uncertain finances, and the USA sanctions situation as the reasons behind the decisions on Indian infrastructure projects in Iran. Farzad-B gas field is located in Persian Gulf (Iran).

Answer – 5) Assam
Explanation:
India’s only Golden Tiger, Kazi 106F was recently in Kaziranga National park, Assam.

Answer – 4) Karnataka
Explanation:
A black panther was spotted in Karnataka’s Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve recently in July 2020.

Answer – 2) Tripura
Explanation:
The centuries old Ker puja began in Tripura capital Agartala from 14 July, 2020. Ker puja is the most peculiar festival of Tripura. The traditional Ker Puja is being held at the premises of Ujjayanta Palace. A structure constructed with green bamboo poles serves as the deity for the Ker Puja. The royal dynasty performs Ker Puja for the welfare of the people, praying against calamities and external aggression.