CLICK ON -PLUTUS IAS ​ 1. extends Line of Credit worth 18 million US dollars to Maldives.

● India has extended Line of Credit worth 18 million US dollars to the Government of Maldives for the expansion of fishing facilities at Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO). ● The project envisages investment in fish collection and storage facilities and the setting up of a tuna cooked plant and fishmeal plant. ● It is part of the 800 million US dollars line of credit offered by India with repayment tenor of 20 yearsPLUTUS and a 5-year moratorium. IAS ● The loans will be issued through EXIM bank when the government of Maldives will present India with the proposals for future projects.

2.RBI to set up 'Innovation Hub'.

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IAS

● The Reserve Bank will set up an 'Innovation Hub' in the country for ideation and incubation of new capabilities which can be leveraged to deepen financial inclusion and promote efficient banking services. ● The Hub will act as a centre for ideation and incubation of new capabilities that can create innovative and viable financial products to help achieve the wider objectives of deepening financial inclusion, efficient banking services, business continuity in times of emergency, and strengthening consumer protection, among others. ● It is said that the central bank earlier took various initiatives for setting up a Regulatory Sandbox. ● Regulatory sandboxPLUTUS (RS) usually refers to live testing of new products or services in a controlled/test regulatory environment for which regulators may (or may not) permit certain relaxations for the limited purpose of testing.

3.Andhra Pradesh Govt. to launch YSR Cheyutha to benefit rural economy.

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● The Andhra Pradesh government is all set to launch ‘YSR Cheyutha’ on August 12, 2020, to benefit the rural economy of the state. ● The initiative is intended to guide the state in an era of self-reliance by promoting the idea of entrepreneurship among women. ● Andhra Pradesh state government has already allocated Rs. 4,500 crore for the scheme, in addition, the state government also plans on launching YSR Asara Scheme. ● YSR Cheyutha Scheme will directly benefit around 25IAS lakh women who belong to SC, ST, BC, and minority communities and are in the age group of 45-60 years. ● Each of the eligible beneficiaries of the YSR Cheyutha Scheme will be paid Rs. 75,000 by the government in four years at the rate of Rs. 18,750 per annum. ● The state government has also entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with Amul, Proctor, and Gamble, ITC and HUL in order to strengthen rural economy armed with YSR Asara and YSR Cheyutha.

4.RBI keeps Interest rates unchanged.

PLUTUS

● Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Shaktikanta Das announced key policy decisions during the bi-monthly monetary policy address. The central bank decided to leave the repo and reverse repo rates unchanged.

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● The repo rate continues to be at four per cent while the reverse repo rate remains unchanged at 3.3 per cent. ● Loans against gold enhanced to 90% of the value from current 75% to mitigate Covid-19 impact on households. ● With Covid-19 continuing to affect the economy, stressed MSME borrowers to be eligible for restructuring of debt if their accounts were classified standard. ● Priority sector lending status extended to start-ups. ● Real GDP growth to remain in the negative zone in the 1st half and in full fiscal. ● Rs 10,000 cr additional liquidity facility to be provided by NHB, NABARD.

5.Reliance ranked No 2 brand globally after Apple.

IAS

● Billionaire Mukesh Ambani's oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries has been ranked second biggest brand after Apple on the FutureBrand Index 2020. ● Future Brand Index examines the leading firms all over the world and evaluates their growth over the years. ● In the Future Brand Index 2020 Samsung is ranked 3rd followed by Nvidia, Moutai, Nike, Microsoft, ASML, PayPal and Netflix in the top 10.Tata is ranked 65 for its technology business.PLUTUS

QUESTIONS

What is the amount that was granted by India as Line of Credit to Maldives for expansion of fishing facilities at Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO)? 1) USD 20 million 2) USD 7 million 3) USD 14 million 4) USD 18 million 5) USD 10 million Answer & Explanation

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Answer-4) USD 18 million Explanation: India has extended the Line of Credit (LoC) worth USD18 million to the Government of Maldives for the expansion of fishing facilities at Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) based in Felivaru, Lhaviyani Atoll, through the development of fish collection and storage facilities, and the setting up of a tuna cooked plant and fishmeal plant. The credit line agreement was signed by India’s Export-Import Bank (EXIM)’s Chief General Manager Sudhattaa Mandal and Maldivian Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer. This extension is a part of US$800 million LoC offered by India through Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) carrying an interest rate of 1.75% with repayment tenor of 20 years and a 5-year moratorium.

The Punjab state government has launched ‘Pride of Punjab’ programme as a partnership between the Department of Sports & Youth Services & YuWaah. The YuWaah is the initiative of which world organization? 1) International Monetary Fund (IMF) 2) United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) 3) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) 4) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) IAS 5) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Answer & Explanation Answer- 3) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Explanation: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh launched the ‘Pride of Punjab’ programme through video conferencing. The programme is a partnership programme between the Department of Youth Services and Sports and YuWaah – a joint initiative of UNICEF, other UN agencies, civil society organizations and the private sector.

India’s first mobile RT-PCR COVID lab named ‘Mobile Infection Testing and Reporting lab (MITR)’ was developed by which institute? 1) Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) 2) Council of Scientific PLUTUSand Industrial Research (CSIR) 3) Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru 4) Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) 5) Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) Answer & Explanation Answer-3) Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru Explanation: Karnataka’s Medical Education Minister Dr. K Sudhakar inaugurated India’s first Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT- PCR) COVID-19 mobile Lab approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The mobile lab is called the Mobile Infection Testing and Reporting lab (MITR) which was developed by the Indian Institute of Science (IISC) in Bengaluru and handed over to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health

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Sciences (RGUHS) in Bengaluru. The lab is capable of producing 100% results within 4 hours and it can conduct 9000 RT-PCR tests per month.

Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar has launched “Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel”, a new initiative by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). The NCDC functions under which ministry? 1) Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers 2) Ministry of Rural Development 3) Ministry of Road Transport and Highways 4) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare 5) Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Answer & Explanation Answer-4) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Explanation: Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar has launched “Sahakar Cooptube NCDC Channel”, a new initiative by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and the guidance videos produced by NCDC on ‘Formation and Registration of A Cooperative’ also launched in Hindi and regional language of eighteen different states. The headquarters of IASNCDC is New Delhi. NCDC functions under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

The foundation stone of Indian Institute of Management Sirmaur was laid at which state? 1) Uttar Pradesh 2) Andhra Pradesh 3) 4) Arunachal Pradesh 5) Himachal Pradesh Answer & Explanation Answer-5) Himachal Pradesh Explanation: Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has laid the foundation stone of Indian Institute of ManagementPLUTUS (IIM) Sirmaur at Dhaula kuan in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh through Video conference, along with Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Jai Ram Thakur; Minister of State for Finance Shri Anurag Singh Thakur and Minister of State for Education Shri Sanjay Dhotre.

The doubling of Lachyan-Hotgi section was completed by South Western Railway recently. The bridge was built over which river? 1) Krishna 2) Bhima 3) Kaveri 4) Kabini 5) Tunga

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Answer & Explanation Answer- 2) Bhima Explanation: The South Western Railway commissioned the development of Lachyan-Hotgi section, which is 33 km long, as part of the doubling project from Hotgi-Kudgi-Gadag (284 km) which had been sanctioned by the Railway Board in 2014-15. The route connects Karnataka with Maharashtra through Bijapur and Sholapur districts. The track passes through the 670 m long important bridge over River Bhima, the longest bridge in the zone comprising 14 spans of 45.7 m each which is now being seen as one of the most important developments of the route.

As per UN’s report titled “Policy Brief: Education during COVID-19 and beyond”, How many additional children and youths may drop out or not have access to school in 2021? 1) 26.3 million 2) 23.8 million 3) 17.1 million 4) 12.5 million 5) 15.7 million Answer & Explanation IAS Answer-2) 23.8 million Explanation: António Guterres Secretary-General of United Nations(UN) launched the report titled “Policy Brief: Education during COVID-19 and beyond” states that around 23.8 million additional children and youths may drop out or not have access to school in 2021 due to the economic impacts of COVID-19. The Policy brief was built on United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation(UNESCO)’s data and features recommendations on ways to avoid the emerging disaster.

Which state government launched “Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana” & “Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana” for girls and women? 1) 2) Punjab PLUTUS 3) Haryana 4) Goa 5) Maharashtra Answer & Explanation Answer-3) Haryana Explanation: In order to give a major boost to the” Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign, on August 5, 2020, the state government of Haryana has launched two schemes, with a total outlay of Rs 256 crore, viz. launched “Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana” to provide free sanitary napkins to girls and women of below poverty line (BPL) families, and initiated “Mukhya Mantri Doodh Uphar Yojana” to provide fortified flavoured skimmed milk

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powder to women and children. These schemes were launched by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar through video conferencing.

Name the state which launched Shaheed Mahendra Karma Tendupatta Sangrahak Samajik Suraksha Yojana for tendu leaves collectors? 1) Maharashtra 2) Haryana 3) Punjab 4) Goa 5) Chhattisgarh Answer & Explanation Answer- 5) Chhattisgarh Explanation: On the occasion of birth anniversary of slain Congress leader Mahendra Karma, i.e. on August 5, 2020, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister (CM) launched a social security scheme namely “Shaheed Mahendra Karma Tendupatta Sangrahak Samajik Suraksha Yojana” for tendu leaves collectors in the state covering over 12 lakh families, mostly tribals and forest dwellers. IAS Name the payments bank which partnered with Bharti AXA General Insurance to offer “smart plan shop package policy”. 1) Airtel Payments Bank 2) India Post Payments Bank 3) Paytm Payments Bank 4) Fino Payments Bank 5) Jio Payments Bank Answer & Explanation Answer-1) Airtel Payments Bank Explanation: Airtel Payments Bank has entered into a partnership with Bharti AXA General Insurance to offer the latter’s affordable and newly launched shop insurance product namely “Smart Plan Shop PackagePLUTUS Policy” for financial protection of the bank’s retailers and merchants. The policy will provide financial protection in case of damage to assets inside the shop due to fire and allied perils and burglary, among others, as covered in the product.

What will be the fall in global remittance in 2020 as per Asian Development Bank (ADB) report? 1) $108.6 billion 2) $214.7 billion 3) $98.3 billion 4) $74.1 billion 5) $172.5 billion

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Answer & Explanation Answer-1) $108.6 billion Explanation: In accordance with the report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) published on August 3, 2020, if the economic impact of COVID-19 persists throughout the year then global remittances may fall by $108.6 billion in 2020. As per the report, there is severe continuous impact of pandemic on the global economic systems and employment.

Which is the most valuable brand in the world as per FutureBrand Index 2020? 1) Microsoft 2) Google 3) Apple 4) Tencent 5) Reliance Industries Answer & Explanation Answer-3) Apple Explanation: FutureBrand Index 2020 was released, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Oil and Gas Company ranked as the Second Biggest Brand for its recognitionIAS associated with its growth, innovative products and customer service after Apple which topped the index. RIL ranked 91st in the PricewaterhouseCoopers(PwC) Global Top 100 companies 2020.

Who has been appointed as the new Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)? 1) 2) Anusuiya Uikey 3) B. D. Mishra 4) Manoj Sinha 5) R. N. Ravi Answer & Explanation Answer-4) Manoj Sinha Explanation: President of India, RamPLUTUS Nath Kovind appointed Manoj Sinha (61), former union minister and senior (BJP) leader from Uttar Pradesh(UP) as Lieutenant(Lt) Governor of Jammu and Kashmir(J&K), effective from the date he assumes charge. He succeeds Girish Chandra Murmu, the 1st Lt governor of the Union Territory(UT) of J&K who resigned on August 5, 20020.

Ajay Tyagi has got extension as chairman of which organization till February 28, 2020? 1) Forward Market Commission of India 2) Reserve Bank of India 3) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India 4) Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority 5) Securities and Exchange Board of India

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Answer & Explanation Answer-5) Securities and Exchange Board of India Explanation: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet(ACC), Government of India (GoI), has approved another extension of Ajay Tyagi’s term as Chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for 18 months, with effect from (w.e.f)01.09.2020 up to 28.02.2022 or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The government had granted a 6-month extension to him before the expiry of his three-year tenure on March 1, 2020. He took charge from his predecessor, U K Sinha, on March 1, 2017.

Who has been appointed as the ambassadors of Win Trade Fantasy (WTF) Sports recently? 1) Suresh Raina 2) Harmanpreet Kaur 3) Ravindra Jadeja 4) Both 1) and 2) 5) Both 1) and 3) Answer & Explanation Answer- 4) Both 1) and 2) IAS Explanation: Indian middle-order batsman Suresh Raina & Indian women’s team captain (T20I) Harmanpreet Kaur were appointed as Global brand ambassadors of Win Trade Fantasy Sports (WTF). In addition to this, Suresh Raina has also joined the brand as Strategic Partner. World Trade Fantasy Sports (WTF) is a fantasy sports gaming platform, which was formally launched in India and other parts of the world on 6th August, 2020.

People’s Archive of Rural India has won ‘Outstanding Environmental Reporting of the Year 2020’ at Prem Bhatia award 2020. Name the person who has been conferred with ‘Outstanding Political Reporting of the Year 2020’ award at Prem Bhatia award 2020? 1) Swapan Dasgupta 2) Balraj Puri 3) Dipankar Ghose PLUTUS 4) Girilal Jain 5) None of the Above Answer & Explanation Answer-3) Dipankar Ghose Explanation: Prem Bhatia award 2020 is conferred upon Indian Express reporter Dipankar Ghose– ‘Outstanding Political Reporting of the Year 2020’ and People’s Archive of Rural India(PARI), a non-profit journalism website – ‘Outstanding Environmental Reporting of the Year 2020’.

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Name the film which has won best film award at the 20th edition of New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF). 1) Forensic 2) Moothon 3) Shylock 4) Kappela 5) Anjaam Pathiraa Answer & Explanation Answer-2) Moothon Explanation: Malayalam film ‘Moothon’ and National Award winning documentary ‘Son Rise’ won awards at the 20th edition of New York Indian Film Festival(NYIFF) of Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC) which was conducted as a virtual event with the celebrities of the film industries and award winners participating from all across India and the United States. The Malayalam film “Moothon” directed by starring won the Best Film Award in the 20th NYIFF. For Moothon, Nivin Pauly won the Best Actor Award for his role as Akbar and Sanjana Dipu won the Best Child Actor Awards for her role as Mulla. Son Rise directed by Vibha Bakshi won the 20th NYIFF award under the Best Feature Documentary category. Garggi Ananthan won the BestIAS Actress Award at the 20th NYIFF for the film “Run Kalyani”.

Oman India Joint Investment Fund (OIJIF) II has acquired 1.63% stake in DCB Bank Limited. Where is the HQ of DCB bank located? 1) Noida 2) Pune 3) Kolkata 4) 5) New Delhi Answer & Explanation Answer-4) Mumbai Explanation: Oman India Joint InvestmentPLUTUS Fund(OIJIF) II acquired 5.07 million (50,69,903) shares or 1.63% stake in DCB Bank Limited (DCB Bank) through a block trade (bulk deal) on stock exchanges. The stake is valued at Rs 42 crore.

Name the person who authored the book titled ‘RAW: A History of India’s Covert Operations’. 1) Yatish Yadav 2) Maloy Krishna Dhar 3) Stephen King 4) Ruskin Bond 5) None of the Above Answer & Explanation

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Answer-1) Yatish Yadav Explanation: The famous Journalist and Author, Yatish Yadav wrote a new book titled, “RAW (Research and Analysis Wing): A History of India’s Covert Operations”, narrates the heroic operations carried out by the Indian external spy agency, RAW has been published by Westland Publications and is available in Amazon and other bookstores in India.

Shirley Ann Grau who passed away recently has won Pulitzer Prize for which book? 1) The black prince and other stories 2) The Keepers of the House 3) The hard blue sky 4) House on Coliseum Street 5) The condor passes Answer & Explanation Answer-2) The Keepers of the House Explanation: The famous fiction writer and Pulitzer Prize-winner, Shirley Ann Grau, died at the age of 91 due to stroke in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. IASShe was born on July 8, 1929 in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Shirley won the Pulitzer Prize for her fourth book, “The Keepers of the House” in 1965.

Hiroshima Day was observed annually on August 6. The year 2020 marks _____ anniversary of Hiroshima Day. 1) 60th 2) 45th 3) 90th 4) 50th 5) 75th Answer & Explanation Answer- 5) 75th Explanation: PLUTUS August 6th of every year is observed as Hiroshima Day to mark the world’s first atomic bombing on Hiroshima, Japan during World War II which instantly killed more than 70,000 people. The day is to remember the victims of the bombing and to promote world peace and create awareness about the hazards of Nuclear Power and nuclear weapons. 6th August 2020 marks the 75th Anniversary of Hiroshima Day. On 6th august 1945, The United States of America detonated the first nuclear bomb named “Little Boy”, a uranium gun-type bomb, from a modified B-29 bomber named Enola Gay at 1900 feet above the city of Hiroshima followed by “Fat Man”, plutonium implosion bomb over Nagasaki on 9th August 1945.

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Which country has launched Overhead Equipment (OHE) Inspection app for real-time monitoring? 1) United States 2) China 3) India 4) Russia 5) Japan Answer & Explanation Answer-3) India Explanation: Indian Railways has launched an Overhead Equipment (OHE) Inspection app which will help in minimizing the train delays and long waits due to technical snags. The app has been rolled out on a Pan India basis.

STATIC GK based on Current Affairs

Who is the union railway minister of India? 1) Harsh Vardhan 2) RS Prasad IAS 3) Nirmala Sitharaman 4) Piyush Goyal 5) RajNath Singh Answer & Explanation Answer-4) Piyush Goyal Explanation: Piyush Goyal is the present union minister of Railways in India.

Kushinagar International Airport is located in which state? 1) Gujarat 2) Karnataka 3) Himachal Pradesh 4) Punjab PLUTUS 5) Uttar pradesh Answer & Explanation Answer-5) Uttar pradesh Explanation: Union Cabinet on June 24 approved the declaration of the airport in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar as an international airport. India is establishing an International Airport in Kushinagar for Buddhist pilgrims including those from Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday informed his Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa about the establishment of an international airport in the Buddhist pilgrimage city of Kushinagar, and said that the city looked forward to welcoming visitors from Sri Lanka at an early date.

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Genbaku Dome, the UNESCO world heritage site is located in which country? 1) Japan 2) China 3) South Korea 4) North Korea 5) Thailand Answer & Explanation Answer-1) Japan Explanation: The Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome), Japan one of the few structures left standing in the city center after the bomb exploded on 6 August 1945.

Who is the present governor of Chhattisgarh? 1) Baby Rani Maurya 2) Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan 3) Anusuiya Uikey 4) Anandiben Patel 5) Manoj Sinha IAS Answer & Explanation Answer-3) Anusuiya Uikey Explanation: Anusuiya Uikey is the present governor of Chhattisgarh.

Where is the HQ of Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India located at? 1) Noida 2) Pune 3) Kolkata 4) Mumbai 5) New Delhi Answer & Explanation Answer-4) Mumbai PLUTUS Explanation: The HQ of Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of India located at Mumbai, Maharashtra.

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