Test : August 2019 Weekly Current Affair - 6" - Current Affairs MCQ

India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has permitted processing of e-mandate on credit and debit cards along with Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs), including wallets for recurring merchant payments with AFA (Additional Factor Authentication, a security measure put in place for card payments that requires OTP – one-time password verification) during registration and 1st transaction. It will come into effect from 1 September 2019. The maximum permissible limit under this payment system shall be Rs 2,000 per transaction.

On august 21,2019 the Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, was appointed as the new cabinet secretary (the most powerful position in the country’s civil service), replacing PK Sinha. He is appointed for a period of two years from august 30,2019, approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States (US) space agency, has confirmed the next phase of development of the Europa Clipper Mission, an interplanetary mission to Jupiter’s smallest moon Europa, with the target to launch by 2023. It will be conducting an in-depth exploration of Jupiter’s moon Europa and investigate whether the icy moon can have suitable conditions for sustaining life and increase our insights into astrobiology.

Indian Hockey teams (Men & Women) has won the Olympic test event for hockey held from 17-21 Aug 2019 held at Oi Hockey Stadium, Tokyo, Japan, during Tokyo 2020 Games test events. “READY STEADY TOKYO” is the official brand name and logo for the test events Tokyo 2020. The name of the hockey test event was “READY STEADY TOKYO – Hockey”. It was organized by the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic & Paralympic Games. A test event is a dress rehearsal to confirm and improve the competition and Games operation capabilities in order to ensure a successful operation during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia visited India on a State Visit at the invitation of Hon’ble President Shri Ram Nath Kovind from 20-22 August 2019. 6 MoUs were exchanged between India and Zambia.

On August 23, 2019, the President of India, Shri Ram NathKovind inaugurated the first World Youth conference on kindness at VigyanBhawan in New Delhi. The president addressed the event celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on the theme ‘VasudhaivaKutumbakam: Gandhi for the Contemporary World’.

The two-day National Conference on Varmam Science which is a part of the Siddha system of medicine was inaugurated by ShripadYessoNaik, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in Chennai,TamilNadu. The conference was organised by the National Institute of Siddha, Chennai. The conference was 22nd & 23rd of August 2019.

On August 21, 2019, The 5th India- Nepal Joint Commission meeting 2019 was held in Kathmandu, Nepal to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries. EAM Jaishankar and his Nepalese counterpart Pradeep Kumar Gyawali co-chaired the meeting along with their respective delegations.

On August 21, 2019, The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) relaxed the compliance requirements for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI). It modified the norms to boost startups and decided on Rs 1 crore reward for informants in insider trading cases.

On August 23, 2019, Moody’s Investors Service reduced India’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth forecast for 2019 calendar year to 6.2% from the previous estimation of 6.8% as the weaker global economy has stunted Asian exports and the uncertain operating environment has weighed on investment.

Forbes magazine’s Worlds Highest-Paid Actors Of 2019 list was released on August 23, 2019. The list was topped by American actor, producer and former wrestler Dwayne Johnson (also known as The Rock) with worth $89.4 million followed by Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr in the second and third spot respectively.

On August 20,2019 economist Abdalla Hamdok took charge as the new prime minister(15th) of Sudan embarking three year transition to civilian rule after military authoritarian Omar al-Bashir was forced to step down from president post by rage protests. The chief justice of Sudan Abbas Ali Babiker administered the swearing-in ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Khartoum. He succeeded Mohamed Tahir Ayala.

On August 22, 2019, proposal to declare ocean energy as renewable energy was approved by R K Singh,Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister.According to the proposal, all forms of ocean energy, such as tidal, wave, ocean thermal energy conversion, will now be considered as renewable energy and also be eligible for meeting non-solar renewable purchase obligations (RPO).

The 28-member Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of sports minister Kiren Rijiju was formed for Fit India Movement which aims to encourage people to inculcate physical activity and sports in their everyday lives. It will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 29, 2019.

Former opener Vikram Rathour, aged 50, was appointed as India’s new batting coach. He succeeds Sanjay Bangar. Bharath Arun and R Sridhar retained as bowling and fielding coaches respectively.The senior national selection committee headed by MSK Prasad recommended 3 names each for all the support staff positions and the top names in each category will be appointed after the formalities with regards to Conflict of Interest declaration is complete.

Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium is located in Delhi.This was in news recently because Virat Kohli will have a stand named after him at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, the Delhi cricket board announced. Kohli will be the youngest active cricketer to be bestowed with the honour of a stand being named after him.

The plan for Chilika, Ansupa will cost ₹180 cr. The Odisha Wetland Authority has approved implementation of an integrated management plan for Chilika, country’s largest brackish water lagoon, and Ansupa, State’s largest freshwater lake, at an estimated investment of Rs.180 crore. The five-year management of lakes is intended at strengthening livelihood of thousands of fishermen relying on the two water-bodies. Besides, tourism promotion and conservation of ecology will be taken up.
Answer – 2) Odisha
Explanation:
The plan for Chilika, Ansupa will cost ₹180 cr. The Odisha Wetland Authority has approved implementation of an integrated management plan for Chilika, country’s largest brackish water lagoon, and Ansupa, State’s largest freshwater lake, at an estimated investment of Rs.180 crore. The five-year management of lakes is intended at strengthening livelihood of thousands of fishermen relying on the two water-bodies. Besides, tourism promotion and conservation of ecology will be taken up.

In continuation of the Indian Navy’s overseas deployment to Africa, Europe and Russia, Indian Naval Ship Tarkash made a port call at Cadiz, Spain today, on 19 Aug 19 for a three days visit. The port call by INS Tarkash at Cadiz is a demonstration of India’s warm ties with Spain and its commitment to enhance operational reach, maritime security and its solidarity with friendly nations. INS Tarkash had participated in bilateral exercise KONKAN-19 with Royal Navy ship HMS Defender prior entering Cadiz harbour.