FROM THE EDITOR 

This is the 4​th ​Ebook on Current Affairs brought to you by NFA.
The team is getting better and this is reflecting in the quality of
content being brought to you!
I would also like to share that since the primary objective of the
Current Affairs compilation is to help you, we have decided to
keep the cost low and make it more accessible to the student
community.

This work would not have been possible without the collective
efforts of:

Ms. Mansi Kumar, Ms. Diksha Rana, Mr. Soham Singh, (No Frills
Academy’s students) and Ms. Bhamini Sehgal.

My humble request to aspirants who tend to mindlessly circulate

e-books, there is a lot of sweat and blood that goes into making a
book. Next time before pressing that forward button, think.

Thank you!

Shikhar Nehru

 
 

2
NO FRILLS ACADEMY 
Copyright by © No Frills Academy

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Un-authorised circulation via online channels is a punishable offence.

Disclaimer:

The content of this book has been collated after due consideration and
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The blogs are for academic reference purposes only and are views of the
respective authors. No Frills Academy does not specifically endorse any
views or credibility of source of information.

Reader discretion advised.

 
3
INDEX 
TOPICS PAGE NO.

Current Affairs
National 5
International 12
Defence 17
Awards 20
Books 20
Technology 21
Sports 21

Blogs 22

Multiple Choice Questions 49

About NFA 95

 
4
 
CURRENT 
AFFAIRS 
 
NATIONAL

5
● Uttarakhand forest department has developed India's first "LICHEN PARK" in
Kumaon Munsiyari, Pithoragarh district.

● The President of India has re-appointed senior advocate "K.K Venugopal" as

Attorney General of India.

● India has become a founding member of the Alliance for Poverty Eradication at
the UN, launched by the President of the General Assembly. It's aim is to focus
to improve global economy in the aftermath of Covid -19 pandemic

● Nagaland on June 30th declared as a "disturbed area" for 6 months and might
have armed forces act to aid civil power. Nagaland governor R. N Ravi has
written to the Chief Minister, N Rio citing collapse of law and order in the state.

● Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa launched 'Skill Connect Forum', a

portal that connects job seekers with employers on a common platform.

● ‘Hamara Ghar-Hamara Vidyalaya’ scheme launched by Madhya Pradesh over a

virtual platform to take care of academic regularity of the students during the
Lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme will start on 6th July 2020.

● The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Housing &
Urban Affairs (MoHUA) Shri Hardeep Singh Puri launched the sixth edition of the
annual cleanliness survey of urban India.

● President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate the Dharma Chakra Day
from the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to address the
celebration of Dharma Chakra Day, also known as Asaadh Poornima, on 4 July
2020.

● Union Minister of Human Resource Development Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal

'Nishank' and Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju launched the
"Fit Hai To Hit Hai India" program under the Fit India campaign. Central Board of
Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced that it would launch a new series
of fitness sessions for school going children in the Fit India Active Day program
under this campaign.

● President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated Dhamma Chakra Day 2020 celebrations
on 4th July 2020. The day is celebrated to mark Buddha's First Sermon to his
first 5 ascetic disciples at the Deer Park, Isipatana in the present-day Sarnath
near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It is celebrated by the International Buddhist
Confederation (IBC), under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture.

6
● Smt. Parminder Chopra assumed charge as the Director of Finance in the
Government-owned Power Finance Corporation (PFC), India's leading NBFC, on
1 July 2020. She will replace Shri N.B. Gupta.

● The Mangalyaan Mission (also known as Mars Orbiter Mission) of the Indian
Space Research Organization (ISRO) has captured the image of Phobos (the
largest Moon or Natural Satellite of Mars).

● All India Radio (AIR) FM news channel will be broadcasting its first-ever news
programme in Sanskrit language for 20 minutes duration. All India Radio has
named the news programme ‘Sanskrit Saptahiki’.

● Quidich Innovation Labs Private Limited has announced that it has successfully
completed the first No-Permission No-Takeoff (NPNT) compliant drone flight of
India.

● "Podhe lagao, paryavaran bachao" campaign launched in New Delhi. The

campaign is launched with an aim to reduce air pollution by increasing green
cover in the national capital.

● Odisha launched "Balram" scheme to provide credit to landless farmers.

● Retired 1983 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Odisha
Cadre- Injeti Srinivas has been appointed as the 1st Chairman of the
International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA).

● Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary to be upgraded into a National Park. After

months of Controversy, the Assam State Government has decided for the
up-gradation of the status of the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary to National
Park.

● Himachal Pradesh becomes the First State in India to have LPG Gas Connection
in every household.

● Himachal Pradesh becomes the first Indian state with 100% LPG
connections.(Repeating)

● India's first COVID-19 vaccine COVAXIN developed by Bharat Biotech in

collaboration with ICMR-NIV.

● The UP government inaugurated "Mission Vriksharopan-2020" to plant 25 crore

saplings.

● The Chief Minister of Maharashtra has launched four 'Jumbo COVID Care
Centers'.

7
● Asia's largest solar plant will be inaugurated in Madhya Pradesh.

● Odisha CM, Naveen Patnaik launches BLUIS, in India to Use Space Technology
& Artificial Intelligence to Monitor Government Lands.

● Union Bank of India's Managing Director and CEO Rajkiran Rai has an extension
of 2 years due to the merger process with Andhra bank and Corporation Bank.

● Raghu Sharma, Health Minister of Rajasthan launched the week-long campaign

"Pure for Sure" from 8 July to 14 July 2020

● Artificial Intelligence(A.I) based Atmanirbhar Skilled Employee Employer

Mapping (ASEEM) digital platform has been launched by the Ministry of skill
development and entrepreneurship.

● Manipur's Gyanendro Ningombam named as the new officiating president of

Hockey India he will replace Mohammed Mushtaq Ahmed. [HOCKEY INDIA
founded:- 20th May 2009 ', HQ:- New Delhi]

● Chhattisgarh becomes first state to start e- Lok Adalat.

● The All India Tiger estimation 2018 which was released in 2019 has set a new
record by entering the Guinness World Record for being the world's largest
camera trap wildlife survey. The results which were released last year show that
India had an estimated 2967 tigers out of which 2461 individuals were photo
captured.

● Madhya Pradesh Tops in Implementation of PM Svanidhi: Shivraj Singh

Chouhan.

● United States public multinational corporation Qualcomm has invested Rs 730

crore in Jio Platforms, Reliance Industries Limited said in a stock exchange filing
on Sunday. This buys Qualcomm a 0.15% stake in the Mukesh Ambani-headed
company, for which this is the 13th consecutive deal since March.

● Amit Shah launches CAPF’s nationwide tree plantation drive. Union Home
Minister, Amit Shah has rolled out the Central Armed Police Force’s (CAPFs)
nationwide tree plantation drive by planting a sapling of the peepal tree at the
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) campus in Gurugram.

● Indian Railways targets to become ‘Green Railway’ by 2030. The Ministry of

Railways is on a mission mode with the goal of transforming Indian Railways into
Green Railways by 2030.

8
● The former IAS officer and the first woman election commissioner of Maharashtra
Smt Neela Satyanarayan passed away.

● The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development launched projects
worth of Rs 44 lakhs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in order to strengthen the
concept of Atmanirbhar Bharat through rural entrepreneurship. Women attached
to SHGs in Little Andaman will be trained for Mushroom Cultivation and Bamboo
Handicrafts making.

● HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has launched the first on-line NISHTHA
programme for 1200 Key Resources Persons of Andhra Pradesh. NISHTHA is a
national initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement at the
elementary stage under Samagra Shiksha -a flagship programme of the Ministry
to improve learning outcomes.

● Telangana DGP along with the women safety wing of Telangana police has
launched the CybHer campaign. The month-long campaign will focus on cases of
paedophile activity, sexual harassment of minors and young adults under the
guise of education activity online, malware and data theft of personal information.

● The board of directors has appointed Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Non-Executive

Director as Chairperson of the board and company with effect from 17 July 2020
in place of Shiv Nadar. Roshni Nadar, the only child of HCL founder, was ranked
54th in the 2019 Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list.

● Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya virtually flagged off the 1st container ship
from Kolkata Port to Agartala via Chattogram port (Bangladesh).

● NTPC signs MoU with NIIF to Explore Business Opportunities in Renewable

Energy in India.

● India Ranked 3rd in 2020 Global Manufacturing Risk Index; China Tops:
Cushman & Wakefield.

● On July 19, 2020, CSIR-CMERI unveiled COVID-19 protection System (COPS)

for workplaces. The COPS include contactless solar based intelligent mask
automated dispensing unit cum thermal scanner (IntelliCAST), 360-degree car
flusher and touch.

● The Jammu and Kashmir administration announced life insurance cover of Rs 25

lakhs to all elected members of urban local bodies and panchayati raj institutions.

● Union Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches ‘Plasma
Donation Campaign’ in association with Delhi Police at AIIMS.

9
● Private trains to begin playing by March 2023: Railways Ministry.

● Amarnath Yatra cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. The Shri Amarnathji

Shrine Board (SASB) announced on July 21, 2020 that this year's Amarnath
Yatra has been cancelled due to conditions created by coronavirus. The decision
was taken during a meeting of the shrine board to discuss the conduct of the
Yatra 2020.

● The United States has listed Reliance Jio among the companies that are
becoming "Clean Telcos", saying they are rejecting doing business with
companies like Huawei that are tools of the Chinese Communist Party's
surveillance state.

● Maharashtra becomes the 1st State to use drones to inspect power lines and
transmission towers.

● India began its trial trans-shipment of goods from India to the North East through
the Chittagong port of Bangladesh.

● India and Maldives signed an agreement to establish “Emergency Medical

Services” in Male.

● Union Minister of Information Technology Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad is to attend

G20 Digital Ministers’ Meet.

● Madhya Pradesh Governor Lalji Tandon passed away at the age of 85.

● A Space startup called the Dirgantara has developed India’s first in-orbit space
debris monitoring and tracking system. The system works on LIDAR (Light
Detection and Ranging) technology.

● India successfully conducted the flight trial of Dhruvastra anti-guided missile at

the Interim Test Range of Odisha.

● Jitendra Singh launched a restructured scheme for PM’s Awards for Excellence
in Public Administration 2020 and Web Portal Virtually.

● ISL becomes 1st league in South Asia and 7th in Asia to join the World Leagues
Forum.

● First-ever container ship “MV Shejyoti” from Kolkata to Chattogram port reaches
Agartala.

● Mukesh Ambani, fifth-richest Man in the World with Net Worth $75 billion: Forbes
Real-Time Billionaires List.

10
● National Broadcasting Day observed on July 23.

● NITs, all other centrally-funded technical institutes to drop Class 12 marks

criteria: HRD Minister.

● Union Health Minister of India Dr Harsh Vardhan attended Shanghai Cooperation

Organization (SCO) Health Ministers’ meeting.

● The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, or IIT Delhi, has signed an agreement
with TRIFED for Unnat Bharat Abhiyan. The agreement seeks to introduce tribal
forest dwellers engaged in minor forest produces to newer processing
technologies, product innovation, mentorship and transformational digital
systems.

● Rajasthan Government is to set up the first plasma bank of the state in Jaipur.
The first ever plasma bank of India was established in Delhi.

● Delhi government has launched the portal named as “Rozgar Bazar”, a sort of
marketplace for job seekers and the people recruiters.

● Union Minister of Earth Sciences Dr Harsh Vardhan launched a mobile

application that will provide city-wise weather forecasts and warnings. The
application has been named “Mausam”.

● IRDA Constitutes 9-member Working Group headed by Suresh Mathur to look

into the possibility of forming ‘Pandemic Risk Pool.

● Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal participates in the 10th BRICS
Trade Ministers virtual meeting.

 
 
11
  
 
CURRENT 
AFFAIRS 
 
INTERNATIONAL
 

 
 
 
 
 

12
● International day for Parliamentarism is observed on 30th June.

● Iran [Capital- Tehran, Currency- Rial] issued an arrest warrant for Donald Trump
for killing Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.

● Gudni Th. Johannesson has been re-elected as President of Iceland[Capital-

Reykjavík, Currency- Icelandic króna].

● A new free trade agreement between the US, Mexico and Canada comes into
effect from July 2020 onwards replacing the 26 years old FTA between three
countries- NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement].

● International Day of Cooperatives is observed on 4 July. The day is observed on

the first Saturday of July every year.

● As per the 2020-21 World Bank’s Country Classification based on Income level,
Nepal’s economy has moved to a higher category to become a Lower-middle
Income economy

● On 6​th​ July 2020, from Central Israel's Palmachim Airbase Israel successfully
launched its intelligence satellite 'Ofek-16' into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This is
the 12​th​ Satellite launched by Israel under its Ofek family of satellites. The
Ofek-16 Satellite was launched as a payload of the rocket- Shavit 2.

● India has entered into five agreements with the development of educational
infrastructure with Afghanistan.

● PM Modi addresses the inaugural session of 3-day virtual India Global week
2020 organized in the UK.

● New Admin and Academic block of Shree Mahadev Masta Chaturdev Campus
Funded by India inaugurated virtually in Nepal.

● UAE to become first Arab nation to send probes to Mars.

● The 15th meeting of the India- European Union Summit will be held virtually. The
Summit will deliberate on India European Union cooperation by covering various
aspects such as political, security relations, trade and investment.

● Lee Hsien loong continued as the prime minister of Singapore. Singapore

became the second country after South Korea in Asia to conduct the National
pole in times of covid-19 pandemic.

● The Iran Government has decided to drop India from the construction of the
Chabahar Port-Zahedan Railway Line Project and now will be proceeding with
the construction project of its own.

13
● The Incumbent President of Poland- Andrzej Duda has secured a victory in the
2020 Presidential Election of Poland on 12th July 2020.

● Vidhu P Nair, Foreign Service Officer of batch 2002, has been appointed as the
next ambassador of India to Turkmenistan, as per the Ministry of External Affairs.
Nair is presently serving as the Director in the ministry, the MEA said in a
statement.

● The APSTAR-6D telecommunication satellite was launched via a Long March 3B

carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center. APSTAR-6D is designed
and manufactured by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), a
subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

● The United Nations celebrates World Youth Skills Day globally on 15 July every
year.

● India and Israel signed agreements to expand their collaboration in dealing with
cyber threats.

● The Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that India is to
resume operation of international commercial flights with France and USA .

● World Day For International Justice, also known as Day of International Criminal
Justice or International Justice Day is observed on 17 July every year.

● The United Nations has designated Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror

group’s leader Noor Wali Mehsud, as a global terrorist. The Pakistani national
was added to the ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List by the UN Security
Council’s Sanctions Committee, subjecting him to an assets freeze, travel ban
and arms embargo.

● Kate Winslet will be honoured by this year's Toronto International Film Festival.
Organizers say the Oscar-winning actress will receive a TIFF Tribute Award - an
honour launched last year for “outstanding contributors to the film industry.

● Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda (born 1964) is a Gabonese politician who is

currently serving as Prime Minister of Gabon since 16 July 2020, making her the
first female prime minister of the country.

● Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman participated in the third G20 Finance

Ministers and Central Bank Governors meet. The meet was presided over by
Saudi Arabia.

● The United Nations recently released the Multidimensional Poverty Index, 2020.
According to the index, India recorded the largest reduction in number.

14
● PM Modi’s followers on Twitter rose to six crore; Donald Trump ahead at 8.3
crore followers.

● Nelson Mandela International Day observed on July 18; marks birth anniversary
of South Africa’s first non-white President.

● Hope Mission: UAE became 1st West Asian & Arab Nation to Launch Space
Mission to Mars; Took off from Japan.

● The Climate Activist Greta Thunberg was awarded the Gulbenkian Prize for
Humanity. She was awarded with prize money of 1 million Euros.

● South Korea recently launched its first ever military satellite to defend itself
against nuclear armed North Korea. The satellite has been named “ANALYSIS
II”.

● China launched its first successful Mars probe from the Wenchang spacecraft
launch site. The Mars probe has been named Tianwen 1.

● The US House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation to de-escalate

the situation along the Line of Actual Control.

● India, Maldives signed a contract for development of Geydoshu Mas Plant in

Maldives’ Maradhoo and Hulhudhoo.

● Turkmenistan became the 25th country with Observer Status in the World Trade
Organization.

● Trump launches ‘Operation Legend’ to send federal agents to more U.S. cities to
fight violent crime.

● NASA is to launch the ASTROS Mission from Antarctica in December 2023.

ASTHROS is Astrophysics Stratospheric Telescope for High Spectral Resolution
Observation as Sub millimetre wavelengths. The mission is operated by Jet
Propulsion Laboratory of NASA. The ASTROS Mission of NASA aims to create a
3D map of density, motion, and speed of gas.

● The Government of India has extended medical assistance worth about USD 1
million in the form of anti-tuberculosis medicines to North Korea.

● The United Nations report recently warned that there is a significant increase in
ISIS terrorists in Kerala and Karnataka. The report was titled “Report of the
Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team concerning ISIS”.

● China announced the suspension of extradition treaties of Hong Kong with

Canada, Britain and Australia. 

15
 

 
 
CURRENT 
AFFAIRS 
 
DEFENCE 

16
● The Ministry of Defence (MoD) cleared the purchase of 21 MiG-29 and 12
Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft along with 248 indigenous long-range air to air
missile, Astra, among others on 2 July 2020.

● Defence minister Rajnath Singh e-Inaugurated six strategic bridges in J&K; built
by Border Road Organisation.

● India plans to invite Australia to join the annual Malabar Naval exercise that has
so far included Japan and the USA.

● DAC on talks to acquire ‘Raven’ and ‘Spike Firefly’ for the Indian Army. Talks on
sharpening the infantry of the Indian Army continues as the Defence Acquisition
Council (DAC) is likely to acquire the remotely controlled UAVs

● Indian Army acquires 'Bharat' drones for accurate surveillance along the China
border. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has
provided its indigenously-developed drone named Bharat to the Indian Army. The
drones will help the army carry out accurate surveillance in high altitude areas
and mountainous terrain, especially along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern
Ladakh.

● Indian naval ships, USS Nimitz carrier strike group hold passage exercises.

● India to boost Rafale capabilities with HAMMER missiles from France via
emergency order.

● Govt. approves grant of permanent commission to Short Service Commission

(SSC) women officers in all streams of the Indian Army.

● The 82nd Raising Day of the Central Reserve Police Force was observed on 27
July 2020. The CRPF was raised on July 27, 1939 as the Crown representative
Police under the British. It was then changed as a Central Reserve Police force
in 1949 under Sardar Vallabhai Patel.

● Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on 26th July every year. On this day, the country
remembers the extreme valour, sacrifice and exemplary courage of Indian
soldiers during the 1999 Kargil war.

● Indian Army announced that the Siachen Valley is to be opened for the civilians.
The decision comes amidst Line of Actual Control stand off between India and
China.

17
 ● Lieutenant Colonel Bharat Pannu became the first Indian to secure the podium
position in an International Ultra Cycling race. He finished third in the first edition
"Vratham 2020". 

 
 
 
 
 
 
18
 
 
CURRENT 
AFFAIRS 
 
OTHERS 
 
 
 
 
 

19
AWARDS  

● Popstar Beyonce has been awarded with the “BET 2020 HUMANITARIAN
AWARD” for her philanthropic work with her BeyGood foundation.

● Former RBI [HQ - Mumbai] governor, Chakravarthi Rangarajan has been

conferred with ‘Prof P.C Mahalanobis Award’ in recognition of his contribution to
official statistics.

● Indian author Kritika Pandey won overall winner of commonwealth 2020 short
stories prize, for her story "The Great Indian Tee and Snake"

● The International Olympic Committee has announced that its new headquarters
in lausanne has been awarded the European 2020 US green building Council
leadership award

● Indian battalion wins the annual UNIFIL [United Nations interim force in Lebanon]
award for 2020.

● An independent filmmaker Kezang D Thongdok won the 2020 Dada Saheb

Phalke award for his documentary “Chi lupo”.

● Sachin Awasthi has been honoured with the “Top Publicist” award in the Global
Humanitarian Awards 2020. 

BOOKS 
● Future of higher education: Nine megatrends' book authored by V Pattabhi Ram,
virtually released by M. Venkaiah Naidu. It is based on a survey of around 5000
educators across India, who were part of ICT Academy “SkyCampus” Digital
Knowledge Series.

● Mahaveer : the soldiers who never died , the author of the books are Rupa
SriKumari and AK Srikumar.

● A book titled "His holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama : An illustrated biography"
authored by Tenzin Geyche Tethong to be released .

● The book titled “The Pandemic Century” is written by British Medical Historian
Mark Honigsbaum. 

 
20
TECHNOLOGY
● India recently launched "Elyments", India's first social media super app. Vice
President of India, Venkaiah Naidu on July 5 launched Elyments which is India’s
first social media super app. Through the app, the users can stay in touch
through free video/audio calls, vibrant feed, and private/group chats.

● Deutsche bank and Google cloud to enter into a strategic, multiyear partnership.

● The West Bengal government has launched the Self-Scan app to scan
documents.

● Dwayne Johnson became the highest-grossing celebrity on Instagram.

● Microsoft tied up with NSDC to provide digital skills to the youth.

● BlackRock Malware a new android malware has been discovered that steals data
such as credit card details, password from 337 applications. This included some
of the popular apps too.

● IIM-Kozhikode develops ‘Belly Band’ for ensuring social distancing. The band will
help in maintaining social distancing by sending out an alarm in case of proximity
with another person. 

SPORTS
● Two time badminton olympics champion, Lin Das has announced his retirement
in all forms.

● The Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry will launch TOPS for Junior Athletes. The
37-year-old, who won the Olympics singles titles in Beijing in 2008 and the 2012
London Games, has won all the sports major titles, including five world
championships' gold medals.

● Amit Panghal tops in AIBA World's Men's Ranking 2020 and Manju Rani
becomes world's second best boxer in Women's Ranking 2020.

● Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton wins Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at
Budapest.

● Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Kiren Rijiju announced that
Haryana is to host the fourth edition of Khelo India Youth Games.

21
  
 
BLOGS 
 
 

22
BLOGS’ INDEX
TOPICS PAGE NO.

Ram Rajya in UP 24
License to Kill 26
Indo-Pacific Region : A new International Battlefield 27
The Curious Case of Israel 30
Colour Consciousness: The “Unfair” Treatment 33
Shershah : Lion of J&K 35
Can India be an alternative manufacturing hub to 38
the world than China?

India, that is Bharat 42

Attitude difference In Dealing with Pakistani and 44
Chinese incursion

 
 
 
 
 
23
Ram Rajya in UP ? 
By Col M.M Nehru

UP has been a state known well for crime. As per popular perception Mulayam &
Akhilesh were well known for supporting criminals. I also subscribe to that perception
owing to some anecdotal evidence. People of my home state were very thrilled that a
tough religiously inclined Hindu has become the CM and now crime will be controlled. In
this blog I have narrated some major incidents related to law and order. Please analyze
the incidents and decide whether you are happy/unhappy with Yogi’s Ram Rajya?
Image versus Truth
CM Yogi created an image that he has eliminated ‘gunda raj’ in UP through fake
encounters of criminals. The truth is that the petty criminals killed have mostly been
Dalits or Muslims.
Truth about Crime in UP
As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, in 2018:
● UP ​topped​ the country in crimes against women (59,445 crimes) — a 7 per cent
increase from 2017.
● UP topped the nation in gang rapes and had the second highest number of rapes
(4,323 cases).
● Dowry deaths, crimes against children, crimes against senior citizens, all
recorded​ an increase from 2017. 131 elderly people were murdered in 2018,
compared to 129 killed in 2017.
● UP had the highest number of murders, 4,324 cases in 2017.
Encounter Raj
Yogi Raj is synonymous with encounter raj. In the two and half years of Yogi raj, a
government report till Sep 2019, listed 4,604 police encounters leading to the killing of
94 criminals and injuries to 1571 criminals as a success of the government in crime
control. A tweet of the UP Police is reproduced below:
“The figures speak for themselves. Jungle Raj is a thing of the past. No longer now. 103
criminals killed and 1859 injured in 5178 police engagements in the last more than 2
years. 17745 criminals surrendered or cancelled their own bails to go to jail. Hardly
state guests”.
In ​a notice sent to the State Government​ on February 5, 2018, NHRC had observed
that it seems that “the police personnel in the State of Uttar Pradesh are feeling free,
misusing their power in the light of an undeclared endorsement given by the higher ups.
They are using their privileges to settle scores with the people.”
As if in response, the chief minister had on February 15, 2018 stated on the floor of the
State Legislature that “​the police encounters will continue”​, adding that “sympathy for
criminals was dangerous for a democracy.”

24
In May 2018, ​NHRC ordered investigation into 17 cases of alleged extrajudicial killings
on complaints filed by civil society organisations and victim families stating that
“documents prima-facie show that there may be chances of failure on the part of the
state to adhere to the guidelines issued by this Hon’ble Court and NHRC and the police
authorities exceeding their jurisdiction at the time of the alleged encounter killings.”

Even though two years have passed since the order, the NHRC has not only failed to
conduct a proper investigation, but has also failed in providing protection to the family
members and human rights defenders supporting the families, against serious reprisals
by the police. Lack of robust witness protection mechanisms make the family extremely
vulnerable to police persecution, making access to justice a near impossibility in such
cases.

Crimes with Impunity

● BJP MLA, Kuldip Sengar raped and was responsible for the killings of family
members of a young girl in Unnao. It was the media glare which belatedly got
some justice to the aggrieved. Please think why was Kuldeep so confident of
escaping justice?
● Former BJP Union Minister, Chinmayanand, self-styled Godman, was involved in
the rape of a law student. The UP government did its best to save the criminal.
● Inspector Subodh Kumar was killed by BJP supporters in Bulandshahar,
apparently for fair investigation in Akhlaq’s killing by a Hindu radical mob. Shikhar
Agarwal, the main accused, not only got bail but was publicly facilitated and
rewarded by a powerful position by the BJP.
● Vikram Joshi was killed by molesters in Ghaziabad on 21 Jul in a brazen act of
total disregard for law in UP.
● A 17 year old gangrape victim and her mother were moved to death by the rapist
under a tractor in Kasganj in Jul 2020.
Please Answer Following Questions
● If you belonged to the family of Akhlaq will you expect justice in UP?
● If you belonged to the family of Inspector Subodh would you expect justice in
UP?
● If you belonged to the family of Vikram will you expect justice in UP?
● If you know that the government may not get you justice then what option do you
have to get justice?
● If your relative gets shot by UP Police for a petty offence or maybe even no
offence then how can you get justice?
● If your relative is wronged by or is killed by a criminal with good political
connections then how can you get justice?
● Is this Ram Rajya in UP?
● Can a common man do anything about this new Ram Rajya?

25
Licence to kill
MBC Screened-in entry

The Incident

Recently there was an incident in which 8 UP Police personnel were killed, in response
UP police along with Police of 10 other states launched a week long massive manhunt
which ultimately led to the killing of main accused Vikas Dubey in an encounter by UP
police. Police patted their back, citizens lauded the action, everyone was happy that
justice got served.Message was delivered to criminals that police have the license to
kill, better behave.

But more often than not truth is more dramatic than fiction. On the surface sure it looks
like justice was done, but did the cops who died got justice or their death was merely
avenged? Killing Vikas Dubey was an act of justice or vengeance.

You may wonder what difference it makes, how Dubey was killed. He was a criminal,
he got what he deserved. Well there's a subtle difference between justice and
vengeance.

Justice means people get what they deserve following a due process of law while
Vengeance means people get what you think they deserve without following the law.

THE PROBLEM

This is not the first time such incident had occurred, one Google search will show you
thee history of such “heroic encounters” the most recent one being the killing of 4
Hyderabad rape accused in December last year. The difference though is that in
recent times citizens have started to accept it as a new form of justice, they are
cheering along. What surprised me most about this recent incident is the sheer
banality of the story UP Police came up with, it was so predictable. The state was
confident that no matter what version we go with citizens will accept it and looking at
the response, you can’t blame them for their lack of creativity. Citizens knew all along
how this would end and they accepted it as a state response trying to maintain law and
order.

Citizens are not at fault here. The kind of broken judiciary system India has, where
people like Vikas Dubey can kill a politician in 2001 inside a police station and can live a
perfectly normal life up until 2020, one can’t blame citizens for their lack of trust in
judiciary. Nirbhaya's mom waited for 12 year to get justice.

For a long time we have seen it and cheered along with such actions in Hindi movies

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such as Gangajal or Singham. It was only a matter of time when we would have
accepted it as the only possible solution in real life also.

The Root cause of the problem

Sure Vikas Dubey was a criminal, but if we go in the past and map his rise to power, it
will show us the nexus between gangster, politician and police. This nexus is so strong
that it had made judiciary obsolete and this is just the tip of the problem, more than 30%
of our sitting MPs has criminal charges like rape, murder, dacoity against them. Vikas
Dubey was just a pawn, real Knight and King are still unknown and the idea behind his
encounter was to protect the King and Knight so the game could go on!

Another cause of the problem is no reforms in the working system of Indian police
since Independence. Britishers made law regarding Police so that state can punish
and act against its own citizen which is no longer needed.

Here is some fact about Indian police

In response to an RTI filed by First post, the National Human Rights Commission said
that it had recorded 1,782 cases of fake encounters in India during a period of 2000-
2017. UN human rights experts have expressed concern about allegations of at least
59 extra-judicial killings by police in Uttar Pradesh since March 2017. It’s time we
address the elephant in the room that Police in India are no longer functioning for the
citizens and major reforms are the need of an hour.

The Solution
We live in a vibrant democracy, where certain laws are made to ensure that the state
does not end up into anarchy. Article 21 of the constitution guarantees one the right to
life unless ordered otherwise by the judiciary under due process of law. The Kathua
rape case accused Vishal Jangotra was later on acquitted by the court, because he
not killed in an encounter by police, but in recent times the encounter policy has been
cheered and welcomed as some sort of answer to the state incapability of maintaining
law and order.

Think about it, where does this stop, tomorrow someone innocent like Vishal Jangotra
may be killed and we will not be able to do anything, like we were not able to do
anything to save Fenix and Jayraj. What’s stopping this nexus form coming for you, or
someone you know? India deserves much better, the citizens deserve much better than
this, but for that to happen citizens have to show courage and demand Justice from the
state because the game would continue until the King and Knight are not destroyed
under due process of law.

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INDO-PACIFIC REGION: A NEW 
INTERNATIONAL BATTLEFIELD  
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1) Which area are we talking about and why is this region Important?
A) The area in question is the Indo Pacific region.
B) Indo-Pacific region is a term which refers to the region which stretches from the
eastern shore of the African Continent with the Horn of Africa and Madagascar Islands
right up till Australia.
C) This region is handles most of the International trade
D) It contributes 62% in the Global GDP and Contributes to 46% of the world's
merchandise trade.
E) Major Sea Lines Of Communication pass through the region which are required to be
safeguarded.
F) Many nations have Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) in the Indo pacific which are
put into Threat by one nation aggressively expanding in the seas.
G) these waters have been in a zone of competition for a long time.

2) Why is this region so hot in recent months and what does it mean for India?
A) The growing advent of PLA Navy has risen a concern in the international community
B) They have been building artificial Islands along the South China Sea and building
Military bases on them which is a major concern for small nations like the Philippines,
Brunei and others.
C) The Senkaku Islands is an example of the dispute which has risen with China
claiming the islands which were No Man’s land according to Japan.
D) The Chinese String of Pearls Strategy is of major concern to us as Chinese ports in
countries like Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan with a view of surrounding India in Sea like
it hopes to achieve in the northern frontiers with its Belt and Road Initiative

3) What has been the International response to it?

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A) Indian Navy published “Indian Maritime Doctrine” in 2007 which stated that India will
Patrol all the Choke Points in Indo-Pacific Region like the Strait of Hormuz and The
Strait of Malacca.
B) India Signed the Military Pact with Australia which gained access to both parties to
each other’s military bases. It was signed to make sure that Indian navy has some place
to anchor which will significantly increase the reach of the Indian Navy in the region. It
has similar pacts with the US and Philippines.
C) US sent its two Aircraft carriers in the Area and exercised with Bomber planes to the
South China Sea.
D) Consistent land aggression which is done by China against Bhutan and Nepal and
the naval aggression of china in the Blue Waters has led to everyone setting their eyes
on India to come forth as a Significant Superpower in the region along with the quad
nations and ensure that the free navigation is ensured in the waters.

4)What are the international committees doing about it?

A) the most important role in the Indo-Pacific will be played by ASEAN nations and quad
of Nations.
B) ASEAN plays a big role in the region because any threat by PLAY directly affects the
ASEAN nations in all aspects militarily and Economic being one of them. Massive
responsibility will be placed upon these nations to come together and ensure the
freedom of trade and navigation on the high seas.
C) The Quad Nations unlike the ASEAN are the big players in the region. ASEAN will
require their assistance to ensure the safety of the international Trade Routes. The
recent Pact between India and Australia was signed keeping the Malacca strait into
consideration.

5)What can India as a nation do about the growing influence of PLA in the Indo-Pacific?

A) India is one of the Big Nations which can be directly affected by the Chinese
increasing its naval might in the region.
B) India fully supported ASEAN to build the Indo-Pacific as the region of dialogue
instead of rivalry
C) India knows the importance of maritime domain and has been increasing its Naval
presence in the region whether it be to prevent the Piracy which is prevalent near the
Horn of Africa or the protection of shipping lanes the Indian Ocean Region
D) Access to the naval facility in Duqm in Oman, Sabang in Indonesia, US Base in
Diego Garcia and French base at Reunion Island along with the building of Chabahar
Port will extend the Indian Presence and place India in a very strategic and Powerful
group of countries.

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E) India’s Position as a Prominent power in the region called for a special Tri services
Command which will look after the Indian Ocean Region which was done by the
creation of Andaman and Nicobar Command which was the first and only Tri services
Theatre command.
F) India also takes part in various Naval exercises like the RIMPAC and exercise
Malabar which gives the Indian sailors and Officers an exposure into the international
world.
G) Although India is working on creating a 200-ship navy by 2027 and the induction of
the Naval Variant of Tejas and INS arihant has boosted the process, we still spend a lot
less than the other countries on our Navy.
H)Although India must spend more on building its fleet, we are Definitely a force to be
reckoned with and are capable of containing the PLA in the Region .

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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National Security is irreversibly linked to 
good economic growth; the curious case 
of Israel 
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A nation’s security being up to the mark means the citizens getting a good night’s sleep
and being free to carry out their daily activities. Only a secure area, with no threat of war
or conflict, can prosper economically.
World’s largest economy, the USA has the tightest national security. Its defence budget
is more than the combined budget of the top ten spenders on defence, a whooping
$598Bn.
It maintains 800 military stations in over 70 stations to support and protect its economic
and political interests. It is also seen that a good economy ensures procuring state of
the art defence equipment, training facilities and manpower management which ensures
businesses to flourish and the economy booms up.

Whereas in war-torn countries like Afghanistan and Syria, businesses don’t flourish, the
economy is in rags, FDI is almost nil, human growth takes a toll and there is a high level
of uncertainty.

A good example of a country whose sole existence is a threat is surrounded by enemies

on all sides and still, today is among one of the most advanced countries is Israel. It has
utilized the limited resources of the nation to the fullest.
Israel has the second-largest number of startup companies after the USA. It is the
second-largest spender on R&D, companies like Intel and Microsoft have their R&D
centers in Israel. It comes second in the number of listed companies in NASDAQ.
Science and Technology have been a forte for Israel, with having world-class
technicians and scientists, out of every 10000 people 120 are scientists. It is called
Silicon Valley of the east. It is an export-driven economy, goods flowing in all across the
globe.

How does Israel allow all this prosperity to take place?

Because of its strong national security. Having a meagre population Military training is
compulsory for all citizens which provides manpower for defence and trains civilians to
safeguard themselves if any adversity arises. The buildings are made bombproof and
bunkers are present everywhere: homes, offices, schools and in places of interest for
safety.

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Being surrounded by adversaries on all sides Israel is prone to airstrikes, which is taken
care of by the “Iron dome” air defence system which destroys rockets in the air itself. To
combat suicide bombings and terror attacks Israel built the west bank barrier, a huge
wall spanning 500 km.

Israel is the best example of a country that has prospered facing all odds with its tight
security measures, management, optimum utilization, and determination. Its strong
security ensures a healthy economy and vice versa. Hence it can be said economy and
national security is directly proportional to each other.

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Colour Consciousness: The “Unfair” 
Treatment 
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“Beautiful, fair-skinned girl needed for a handsome tall fair guy,”​ finding such a
statement in the matrimonial section is a very common sight. Matrimonial ads for
women almost always have “fair” as a prerequisite. In recent years, even men have
been tapped by the fairness industry, they are being sold a false narrative that can be
decoded from the advertisements claiming “fairness will make you desirable to women.
“Fair makes you handsome”.

From TV commercials, newspaper ads to hoardings, it is a common sight of comparing

before and after photos of people turning from ‘dark chocolate’ to ‘white chocolate’. I
wish there was such a lotion available for the soul also! The advent of racism and the
viewpoint that white colour is superior started with the birth of Imperialism in Africa,
South America, and the Asia Pacific region.

The European masters or the British to be specific for India treated the people of the
native land very badly. Only a few Indians would be offered top jobs, while most of them
would be stuck doing menial jobs, Indians were denied access to British clubs and
parties. In the theatres, the topmost rows used to be reserved for the British. One of the
most famous examples of racism we remember is Mahatma Gandhi being thrown out of
first-class in a train in South Africa, despite having a ticket.

Even today after 70 years of independence, we sort of have the same attitude. We
watch advertisements which tell us that ​“You need to be fair to get a better job!”, “Oh,
you’re dark? You’ll never find love!”, “Fairness can change your fate!”

India is a land of diversity, well diversity exists in colour too! From Kashmir to
Kanyakumari and Kutch to Kibithu. Some are dark chocolate, some are white chocolate
and many are milk chocolate. Many who are dark feel that they should do their best to
become lighter, they may suffer from an inferiority complex, are often ashamed of
themselves due to the skin colour and often face discrimination by the society.

They try almost everything available in the market from creams, powders, scrubs,
facewash, and god knows what else! The market for fairness creams, bleaches and
washes grow tremendously every year. It is approximated that the fairness industry in
India pulls in approximately ​$450 million​ annually. One cannot change the skin
colour/tone you are born with. Melanin, the polymer responsible for determining skin
and hair colour does not change, even if it does, it’ll be temporary. On the contrary, they
can harm your face causing allergies, dry skin, pimples, and even skin cancer since
many contain hydroquinone, mercury, steroids, and countless other detrimental
substances.

I am not against the usage of cosmetics and products that make your skin better,
protect from harmful rays of the sun, cure acne, suntan, etc but why wear a mask on

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your face that’ll harm you in the long run? As far as tanning is concerned I feel that it’s a
sign of hard work, it shows that you went out in the sun, toughened up, fought all odds
and achieved your goals.

Indians discriminate against Indians only. Don’t believe me? Go check out any
e-commerce sites and 99% of the time you will find white foreign models endorsing
brands. Yes, even the sites that sell Indian traditional wear. White models are preferred
over Indians and are even paid more and the Indians selected or make it big are fair of
course. This is the demand of the market, these white models don’t land in India
seeking jobs, they are specially called from East European countries like Ukraine.

I once volunteered for a photoshoot for a website, a gargantuan flashlight was set up to
throw light on my face. When asked for the reason the photographer said fair skin will
be more attractive on the website. Even when an Indian sees a foreigner passing by on
the street with a comparatively fairer tone, they put the person on a pedestal,
thinking ​“Wow, they’re so fair.”​ Since when and how did being fair become a means to
evaluate one’s knowledge, success, charm, and beauty? We need to think about it.
Deeply.

Social media applications used to communicate with friends usually have features of
editing your photo in which you can instantly whiten your face! Editing applications are
available which, apart from making you fair, can even give you a chiselled jawline and
studded abs! Mobile phones have a camera as a prerequisite and nowadays with a front
flashlight to make you look fair. Who are people fooling by faking themselves and not
being true to themselves at times?

One of my friends, a patriot by heart who is fair-skinned often complains about getting
remarks such as,​ “You don’t look like an Indian.”​ Being deeply hurt, she fails to
understand what exactly is meant by “looking like an Indian” for there is no one way to
look like an Indian, we are a nation of diversity.

Somewhere we have messed up with the concept of beauty. We have made fairness a
synonym for beauty. I believe this is imbibed in the minds of Indians since childhood
where books would portray ugly as a dark-skinned woman and beautiful as an
immensely fair woman. A lot of campaigns such as “Dark is Beautiful”, “Unfair And
Lovely”, “Brown n proud”, “Already Lovely” and others have stood up against this
deep-rooted bias to make people more comfortable in their skin and to realize that
there’s more to life than skin colour. Embrace your melanin and respect other’s melanin
too. Your nature, profound knowledge about one’s subjects, professional competence,
self-esteem, thoughts, accolades speak volumes about you, your skin colour doesn’t.

True beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.

“Beauty is as relative as light and dark”​ – Paul Klee

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SHERSHAH 
MBC Screened-in entry

From shouting and running in the corridors of Central School to the Point 5140 and
Point 4875 , the legend from the soil of Himachal was identified. Yes, from Palampur
also known for Captain Saurabh Kalia. In his childhood he and his twin brother , Vishal
Batra were an epitome of mischieves. And Vishal says that he didn't know when
mischieves were turned into fascination towards Indian Army. They both used to go to
their neighbours to watch a TV programme ' ​Param Vir Chakra '.​ And Vikram got
motivated from the movie ​Prahaar o​ f Nana Patekar. Later, he knew that the boy who
​ ould be a Param Vir one day.
watches '​Param Vir Chakra ' w
Early Life

Born in the family of Mr. Girdhari Lal Batra and Mrs. Kamala Kanta Batra on Sept 9,
1974 . Mr. and Mrs. Batra were blessed with a twin birth and they were named as Luv
and Kush. He was an average student in studies but extremely well in sports. He
completed his 10+2 from Central School in 1992 and went to D.A.V. College for B.Sc. (
Medical Sciences). During his college , he joined the Air Force wing of NCC while he
was in first year. During the Inter State NCC camp, he proved himself to be the best Air
Wing Cadet of Punjab Directorate in North Zone. In 1995, while still in college, he was
selected for the merchant navy at a shipping company headquartered in Hong Kong,
but ultimately changed his mind. After completing his Bachelor's degree in 1995, he got
admission at Punjab University in Chandigarh. Where he took in M.A. English Course,
so that he could prepare for the Combined Defence Services Exam. His father showed
him a letter in which he had written ' ​Papa main aap par kabhi bhi bojh nahi banna
chahta ' (​Father, I never want to be a burden on you) and worked as a part time branch
manager in a travel agency.
During his college he got attracted towards a simple and shy
lady, Miss Dimple Cheema, whom he selected as his better
half. But destiny had to play it's part and after getting
selected in CDS exam. He dropped out of his college and
everything happened so fast that even Miss Dimple had
dropped out from college. Miss Dimple Cheema says in an
interview that Vikram was so filmy that during the family visit
to ​manasa devi​ while doing ​parikrama​ Vikram held her
dupatta and completed ​parikrama​ and said 'Congratulations
Mrs. Batra'. This was the level of dedication he had towards
their relationship. She shares one more moment with him,
when he was about to leave for Regimental training in
Jabalpur. She asked her about the future of their
relationship and Vikram acted filmy, picked out a blade from
his wallet, pierced his thumb and filled her ​maang​ with his
blood. She says it still feels as if you are somewhere on
posting and by cherishing the memories she is living her life
with the name of Captain Vikram Batra.

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Life at IMA
In 1996, he passed the CDS exam and went to Allahabad for an SSB interview. And
finally he joined IMA in June 1996 in Manekshaw Battalion . He was extremely well in
drill as well as in other activities too. After completing a 19 months training course, he
passed out from IMA on 6 Dec 1997 and got commissioned. Vikram Batra's batchmate,
Sankalp's sister, noticed that Vishal Batra is standing in a civil dress which he is not
supposed to be as she was considering him Vikram Batra. And when she saw Vikram
Batra in military uniform just after a few seconds, it confused and left her insane. Every
time when he came home to Palampur on leave , he would visit the Neugal Cafe. Batra
last came back home from the Army in 1999 during the Holi festival for a few days.
During that time, when he went to the cafe for a coffee, he met an acquaintance who
told him to be careful in the war to which Batra replied:
“Either I will come back after hoisting the tricolor, or I will come back wrapped in it, but I
will be back for sure.”

Life in Battlefield
He got commissioned in 13 JAK RIF. After getting commissioned he was sent to
Jabalpur for Regimental training. On completion of training after one month he got his
first posting at Sopore in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. He was trained so
well that in the valley he used to drive Gypsy with one hand and hold an AK-47 in the
other hand. Once he eliminated a militant from a group of civilians while driving. Later
on, the troops were deployed and the action was countered. The 13 JAK RIF division
received orders to proceed to Sahajahanpur, UP. The battalion's advance party reached
its destination and on 5 June because of outbreak of war, they were ordered to deploy
themselves in Dras. Batra's Battalion reached Dras on 6 June and was placed under the
command of 56 Mountain Brigade and had to act as reserves to the 2nd Battalion of
RAJ RIF during the Battle of Tololing.

The task of capturing Point 5140 , a strategically

important mountain peak in Dras Sector, was
assigned to 13 JAK RIF under the command of
Lieutenant Colonel Y K Joshi on 17 June 1999.
This capture of Point 5140 was the turning point in
the Kargil Attack. On June 18 , the Battalion was
briefed and Lt.Col. Joshi decided to attack with the
Delta Company under the leadership of Lieutenant
Vikram Batra and Bravo Company under the
leadership of Lieutenant Sanjeev Singh Jamwal,
from two sides South and East respectively.
Sanjeev Jamwal choses ' OH YEAH YEAH YEAH
' as the codeword for victory and Batra chose ' YE
DIL MANGE MORE' . Yes, the tagline of Pepsi at
that time. The plan to be executed on 19 June at
20:30 hours. and Batra suggested to start shelling
to distract the enemy sitting on the top and to stop
when they come in close range of 200 metres. But, the enemy analysed the strategy
and started shelling along with India. It was too tough for Batra and Jamwal to even

36
save their lives. But, as soon as they reached point 5140 Batra engaged in
hand-to-hand combat and destroyed every single bunker and roared 'YE DIL MANGE
MORE' at 04:35 hours and Jamwal shouted 'OH YEAH YEAH YEAH' . Rifleman X said
that he had never seen courage like it before. Batra was attacking like a lion and
destroying every single enemy which came in contact with him. Enemy got so afraid
from the attack of Batra and his troops that some of them jumped from the point 5140.
From then only he came to be known as SHERSHAH. And he was promoted to the rank
of Captain.

Next task assigned to them was to capture Point 4875 which was so important that the
enemy had blocked the NH1 from Dras to Matayan and it couldn't be captured. India
would lose Kargil. On reaching the Mushkoh Valley , the 13 JAK RIF was placed under
the command of 79 Mountain Brigade. On July 4 , Artillery started shelling on the enemy
positions on Point 4875 and continued non-stop , throughout the whole night. But, this
time Captain Batra was unwell and he was lying in the sleeping bag as he was down
with fever and fatigue. When Captain Batra found that it was getting difficult for 13 JAK
RIF to capture Point 4875 then he insisted his CO allow him to indulge in the combat.
But the CO wasn't allowing him , somehow he convinced him and held his AK-47 with a
backpack and a balaclava on his head. When soldiers who were fighting on the top got
to know that Captain Batra was coming to lead them. Their Josh and motivation got
boosted up. It was pitch black night when they began to climb the 80° sloped peak.
Batra along with his 25 men climbed to the top and, taken by surprise by the ferocious
attack , Pakistanis started retreating. And Captain Batra and his men had gained
advantage over them. The wireless message for Captain Batra is quite famous in India
as he was a big fan of Madhuri Dixit and in that wireless message Pakistani soldier had
said ' ​GOLI KYU BARBAAD KAR RAHA HAI SHERSHAH, HUME MADHURI DIXIT DE
DE'​ . And while fighting for Point 4875 he found that Pakistani soldier in a bunker who
had said so . He pulled the pin of a grenade and said ' ​MADHURI DIXIT KI TARAF SE
PYAR '. ​However, there were bullets coming from a Pakistani machine gun. Four
Pakistani soldiers were firing on the Indian soldiers. Enraged Batra quickly charged
forward alone , killing all of them in hand-to-hand combat.

Suddenly, Batra realised that Lieutenant Naveen had been shot. Batra courageously
was about to expose himself to fire but suddenly he was stopped by Subedar
Raghunath , he said ' ​SAAB AAP REHNE DIJIYE AAPKI DESH KO ABHI AUR
JARURAT PADEGI​' . Captain Batra said ' ​TU BAAL BACHHON WALA HAI TU
REHNE DE MAIN JAATA HUN​'. And he exposed himself to the fire and unfortunately
he was shot in the chest by an enemy from a very close range. Captain Batra collapsed
next to Lieutenant Naveen, succumbing to the fatal wounds and rested forever in the lap
of Maa Bharti. He was posthumously awarded with the highest gallantry award of India
PARAM VIR CHAKRA​ and became an epitome of courage, bravery and sacrifice.

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CAN INDIA BE AN ALTERNATIVE 
MANUFACTURING HUB TO THE WORLD 
THEN CHINA? 
MBC Screened-in entry

On 20​th​June, 2020 PM Modi had a 165 minutes virtual meeting to seek realistic ideas
from his council of ministers to transform the country into a global manufacturing hub.
Demonetization and now COVID-19 pandemic have hit the economic growth of the
country. Trade deficit with various countries is an alarming signal to India to take
measures on the economic reforms and boosting its MSME sector. On 15​th May, 2020
PM Modi announced ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ to make India self-reliant. However, is it
possible today in this era of Globalization? There is growing nationalist sentiment of
Boycotting Chinese goods due to clashes between Indian Army and Chinese Army at
Ladakh. But, is it really possible to boycott Chinese goods which accounts for almost
28% of Global manufacturing and which has surpassed the USA in every sector from
electronics, textiles and pharmaceutical API etc. Presently, India can use this
opportunity of COVID-19 and sentiments of people for reviving the MSME sector and
providing alternatives to the consumer. If we fail to provide an alternative choice to the
consumer all this announcement of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ will go in vain and talks like
boycotting Chinese goods will have a reverse effect on us because we are more
dependent on China rather than dependent on us. It is the hard truth.
PRESENT STATE OF MANUFACTURER AS IT STANDS TODAY?
Manufacturing value adds 14.82% according to World Bank data. In 1991 at the time of
PM P V Narasimha Rao's Government India became an open economy, which was a
bold step at that time. The share of manufacturing to the GDP is 16% now, which was
also 16% in 1991. Therefore, in the last 30 years significant growth is lagging in this
sector. In the last couple of years, our small manufacturers have transformed into
traders because of tough labor laws, expensive credit line, expensive power and cost of
land. They find it much cheaper to import good quality material from China, Vietnam and
Taiwan, as they cannot match the quality standard of these products. Indian
manufacturers lost its space to Chinese and Vietnamese in products, which are
cheaper, good looking, fast rolling and good quality. This happened because we lacked
market feedback, modification, using better technology and our mindset of breakdown
maintenance.
Looking on to the brighter side in Assembling in the mobile sector, India has had a big
jump in the last couple of years. Large Chinese mobile companies, which have a market
share of more than 37%, have their assembling units in India. Samsung, a South
Korean Giant has a market share of 28% in India and has its largest factory in World in

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Noida, UP. India has become the second largest manufacturer of mobile phones
recently.
The Deming Prize ​is the longest running and one of the highest awards on TQM (Total
Quality Management) given by Japan. ​Indian ​organizations have received the
maximum Deming Award in the World. Which shows India can do better in Quality and
can compete globally. We have done well in Steel, Aluminum, Cement and Space.
However, we lack in the MSME sector. India has large deposits of Coal but then also we
are 2​nd largest importer of Coal in the world. If this is the situation how can we become
“Atmanirbhar Bharat?”
STEPS INDIAN NEED TO TAKE TO BECOME MANUFACTURING HUB?
Mega Cluster Formation near the ports​, Industrial cluster consisting of small and
medium enterprises where enterprises can easily purchase material from and sell
products to local traders plays a critical role in stimulating the entry of new enterprises in
the early stage of cluster development. The cluster develops entrepreneurial ability in
producing high quality products and marketing them to urban traders.
Logistics and Trade facility, aggressively work on the policy matter related to the
supply chain management. Manufacturing is closely related to the exports to become
successful in manufacturing hence a check on exchange rate policy is necessary which
is overvalued right now.
Market access and FTA, ​European markets will provide us a huge opportunity of luring
their companies due to this covid situation so signing a free trade agreement will get
India market access. Already, Vietnam has signed a free trade agreement with the EU.
We have a free trade agreement with ASEAN. Looking for the markets in the African
regions.
Labor laws, ​one of the reasons for companies not preferring India or else going to
China or Vietnam is because of Labor Laws. India has about 200 labor laws, 52 of
which are central acts. Of which Industrial Disputes Act (IDA) requires firms with 100 or
more workers to seek government permission to lay off any worker. This permission is
rarely granted. Thus, firms hesitate to hire too many workers. Sometimes, firms are
victims of blackmailing from the union leaders. Government needs to ease certain
restrictions for these laws.
Compliances, ​an average Indian company has to comply with almost 2000 to 3000
instances of compliances. Here we need to look at Vietnam and Thailand where it is
about 500. We have jumped in ​Ease of doing Business to 63​rd position according to
the 2020 report but we need to follow the principle of trust but verify with companies.
Investment in R&D, ​in order to ensure our products are competitive in the global
markets we need to invest in R&D. ​The customer wants cheaper goods with best quality
and this will come from research and innovation which is possible with R&D support.
Vocal for local is a nice slogan but at the end, it’s all come down to Business and

39
Economics. Presently, our investment in the R&D is just 0.7% of our GDP while
countries like Vietnam and Israel are investing almost 2% of their economy. We need to
double or triple this investment to 6 lakh crore, because quality can only be achieved by
R&D.
Partnership with Industries and Academics, ​presently the education system in India
is flawed because of more theoretical based studies than practical oriented or
vocational training. That is the reason why we do not have any R&D departments here.
In China, vocational training is given from the school level and on sight, which helps
them to learn with better understanding. Collaboration with industries for more
project-oriented studies will help industries to gain ideas and students for their
employment.
Migration control and the HUKOU system, ​most people from the rural background
come to the cities for lifestyle and in search of jobs, which makes cities overpopulated
and there is a concentration of labor in the single region. During this pandemic, we have
come across large displacement of the people, which led to humanitarian crisis. In order
to avoid this we can implement the ‘​HUKOU​’ system of China in which local people are
given free incentives to start their own business locally, which will lead to generation of
small industry in that region and will reduce displacement.
3 Way Partnership abroad, ​for any diplomatic missions abroad our industry must
include our industry and commerce minister taking the lead and other members in the
group like FICCI and industry chambers for reaching out to the investors in reaching out
to those countries which will put R&D centers in India. Listening to the suggestions of
Economists on reforms in MSME.
Formation of the Ecosystem, in which it includes from the raw material, supplies,
Design, R&D department, Logistics etc. One example, which we can take from the
Two-wheeler Industry in partnership with Japanese Technology. Indian companies have
achieved significant growth in the manufacturing of the affordable Two- wheeler for the
large-scale population. Hero Motor Cop, Bajaj, TVS have dominated Indian Market.
Success Story of Bajaj
Bajaj Auto ​concentrated on the formation of an ecosystem by forming small-scale
industry chains locally, by giving them loans and helping them start their own industries
and become one of suppliers for Bajaj. Now, Bajaj is the 3rd largest manufacturer in the
world. It has its own R&D center in Pune which helps them do modification and survive
Governments unorganized policy regarding BS4 and BS6 engine related.

Success Story of ADANI Green Energy

Adani Green Energy ​has won the world’s largest solar order to build 8GW photovoltaic
power plant along with domestic solar panel manufacturing unit at an investment of Rs
45,000 Crore. This will help Adani Green closer to its target of becoming the World’s

40
largest renewable power company. India solar companies are highly dependent on
China in terms of importing components as over 80% of solar cells and Modules are
imported from the country because of its competitive pricing compared to domestic
manufacturers. This project will decrease the dependence of China and a one-step
ahead for self-reliant India. This is the real essence of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’.
Conclusion:-
Yes, India can become a manufacturing hub provided, its implementation is proper
rather than just announcing. Boycotting Chinese goods when this border tension is
going on will provide fuel to fire, rather than the government must think of providing
alternatives to the people. Import of the Chinese goods must slowly and gradually
decrease. If there is deficiency in the market then some or the other will fulfill it just like
Tiktok was replaced with Reels in Instagram and Zoom by the Jio meet app. Now,
conflict with China is not limited to the borders. We need to be economically strong and
soon we have to double digit growth. For this we need more reforms in the MSME and
providing a fertile atmosphere to achieve foreign investment. Government needs to take
the advice of the economist for this purpose. We need to be on mission mode but need
to take into consideration the advice of the state government to ensure proper
functioning. Our government needs to be proactive because Vietnam and Taiwan are
already approaching the companies living in China. Our produce in agriculture, textile,
leather, footwear, garments needs a boost.
Presently as most of the European countries, USA, Australia and Japan against China,
India should avail this opportunity to attract business from this. Lastly, as Tim Cook had
said that Apple is in China not for low cost but for quality and talent, so we need to gain
that confidence for India by implementing the following as mentioned above.

 
 
 
 
 
 

41
INDIA, THAT IS BHARAT 
MBC Screened-in entry

"What is in a name"
-William Shakespeare

INTRODUCTION:
On 2nd June 2020, a resident of Delhi named ​Namah ​filed a petition in the Supreme
Court in order to get an amendment in the name ​India​ and to change it to ​Bharat​.

REASON:
The petitioner, told the reason that the name India looks like a symbol of slavery. The
name India was given by the British government and they ruled on Indians for 150
years. Due to this , the name suggests sound off slavery.

CONTEXT:
We Indians, believe in the power of name. There are many names that our country has.
Aryavart,Bharatvarsh,Bharatbhoomi, India, Hindustan ​many names are there. The
name of our country lies in the Article 1 of Indian Constitution.

WHAT ARTICLE 1 SAYS :

The Article 1 of Indian constitution says:
1. Name and territory of the union,
● India, that is Bharat, Shall be a Union of States.
● The states and the territories the roof shall be as specified in the first
schedule
● The territory of India shall comprise

THE HISTORY OF NAME:

The name of the nation was a topic of debate in the drafting committee chaired by B.R.
Ambedkar of constituent assembly. There were many arguments and opinions
regarding the name of the nation. Few Important opinions were…

HV KAMATH​ : ​He gave the opinion to use ​Bharat ​name as primary name and ​Hind​ as
an alternative.

SETH GOVIND DAS: ​He gave the opinion that "India , that is Bharat" are not beautiful
words. These words should be replaced by "Bharat, known as India also in foreign
countries". He gave some logical arguments in order to use these words. Like the
Vedas, the Mahabharata and writing of Chinese traveller Hiuen-Tsang used Bharat as a

42
writing name. The slogans of Mahatma Gandhi "​Bharat Mata Ki Jai​" and "​Angrezo
Bharat Chhodo" ​also contain the word Bharat.

In 2014, Yogi adityanath, the former member of Loksabha also brought up a private bill
in order to replace "​India,that is​ ​Bharat"​ by ​"Bharat, that is Hindustan".

After completing the period of slavery, many countries have changed their names..
Srilanka​ that was Ceylon
Myanmar​ that was Burma
Mali​ that was French Sudan
Mexico​ that was New Spain

India has also changed many names of famous cities that were named under the
colonialism of British government..
Kolkata​ that was Calcutta
Mumbai​ that was Bombay
Prayagraj​ that was Allahabad
Kanpur​ that was Cawnpore

THE ARGUMENTS BY THE PETITIONER:

The petitioner gave many arguments..

•It was said that the word India shows the sign of slavery.
•India's national anthem contains words ​Bharat​ ​Bhagya​ ​Vidhata
•We show patriotism by saying ​Bharat Mata ki Jai
•The IPC is ​Bhartiya Dand Samvidhan
•The greatest civilian honour is ​Bharatratna.

THE DECISION OF SUPREME COURT:

The Honorable supreme Court gave its verdict and said that both the words India and
Bharat are included in the constitution. There is no need for amendment. Along with
that, the Supreme Court has given the power to amend the name of the nation to the
respective ministry of the Government.

Talking about the drawbacks, the India word is included in all the documents of the
United Nations and other organisations. Being irrespective of the name the Indians
should focus on the development of India, that is Bharat.

43
Attitude difference in Dealing with 
Pakistani and Chinese incursion 
MBC Screened-in entry

The Recent Physical clash, Brawl, and Fisty Cuff between the Indian Army and People's
Liberation Army(PLA) at the icy heights of more than 13000 FTs from mean sea levels
at the Eastern Ladakh of Galway valley caught the attention of not only Indians or
Chinese but the entire world. As it is indeed a cause of concern for the whole world as 2
Giants are not only the most populous country of the world but both have significant
numbers of Nuclear arsenals, hence any escalations from now could lead to serious
devastation.

Why Does India not respond against the PLA as it used to do with Pakistan?

The Debate has erupted within as to why does Indian Armed Forces or security forces
are not treating Chinese PLA as the same as the Pakistani Army?

As because of the frequency of our encounters with the Pakistani Infiltrators or the
Unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistani Forces at the Indo Pak borders, all Indians
are pretty accustomed to such news as always India does give befitting replies to all the
unproved actions by Pakistani Forces. But why does our heart melt for Chinese soldiers
as we allow them to cross the border and would only have hand to hand combats and
push them with only our physical powers and not using any weapons as we do against
our western neighbor?

Western vs Eastern Border

India shares its western land border with one of the beloved neighbors "Pakistan" while
India Shares eastern Borders with China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar.

Let's compare the difference in our attitude towards dealing with China and Pakistan.

Please understand, the western border which India shares with Pakistan comprises
3323 Kms of the land border starting from Rann of Kutch in Gujarat till erstwhile J&k.
The Line of separation was demarcated on the map and on the ground very clearly by
the British Lawyer called Sir Redcliff between India, Pakistan and now Bangladesh. As
per the demarcation by Britishers, the two countries got bifurcated till Punjab and the
erstwhile j&K decided to be an Independent. But when the Pakistani Tribal raider
mingled with Pakistani soldiers starts annexing J&K from Kashmir valley and Jammu
Region, the state force of J&K could not hold for long the barbarism of Pakistanis to the
local civilians and Maharaja approached India and on Oct 1947 signed the Instrument of
accession which made J&K a legal state of India.

44
Hence Indian Army with IAF starts pushing all Paki Raiders back from Srinagar,
Akhnoor, Uri,Badgam, Baramulla, Rajouri, Punch, etc place recovered almost 2/3rd of
J&K , the UN intervened and announced to have ceasefire between India and Pakistan
and grant each force to sit till the places they acquired and draw the separation line in
erstwhile J&K which would be acting as de facto borders between India and Pakistan,
this line is known to be as "Ceasefire Line". India had taken the Territory of the J&K east
of the Ceasefire line while the west territory became the de facto territory of Pakistan
known as POJK(Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir).

In 1971 when India gave the bloody nose to Pakistani aggression and Indian Armed
Forces changed the map of South Asia along with 93000 prisoners of war, India, and
Pakistan to improve relationships in 1972 had done Simla Accord between the supreme
leaders of both where India returned 93k POWs of Pakistani and made Pakistan
officials agree for Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent nation and here the
erstwhile "Ceasefire Line" had been changed into the " Line Of Control (LOC)". Hence
India now shares the International border and LOC with Pakistan. The International
border is the demarcated and well-delineated border between India and Pakistan
passes from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and J&K but since Pakistan had illegally
occupied territory of J&K known as POJK or POK the line which separated Indian de
facto with Pakistani de facto J&K is LOC.

Hence both the International Border(IB) and the LOC which India shares with Pakistan
is well defined, mutually accepted, and internationally accredited and well-demarcated
on maps and on grounds, and almost 70% of the International border and LOC are
fenced. Even the local populations are living in the area in the bank of IB and LOC as
most of the part till Jammu and Kashmir Valley are hospitable for Humans.

Since the separation between both is well demarcated in form of either IN or LOC hence
any incursion or intrusion or Infiltration by soldiers, civilians, Terrorists with or without
any weapons is considered to be an act of war and the respective Security personnel
(Indian Army or BSF) are well within their jurisdiction to shoot the infiltrators without
thinking for a second.

Hence, The security personnel has been dealing with an incursion from Pakistani sides
with the sharpest attitude. Now additionally when in 1972 after Shimla agreement, LOC
was mutually accepted as the de facto demarcated line between India and Pakistan in
J&K, the line starts from the valley of the Chenab river in Jammu region goes till the
northernmost part at the base of Siachen Glaciers called as "point NJ9842". In a
Nutshell, the LOC was demarcated from Jammu till NJ9842 which describes the de
facto region between both countries. The region north of point NJ9842 that is the
starting point of Siachen was undecided, un demarcated, and the mutual agreements
had not been done whether the part north of NJ9842 belongs to India or Pakistan and
the basic reason was the glacier was highly inhospitable and not in the wildest dream at

45
that point in time anyone could have imagined deciding the fate of Glacier where the
average temp. remains -30 to -40 deg centigrade, extreme lack of O2, Hypothermia, ice
burn, loss of memory, etc is very very common with the altitude of 20000 ft.

But seeing the strategic importance of Siachen Glaciers and alteration in the map of
European mountaineers which were showing undecided glaciers as Pakistani territory,
Indian Army launched operation Meghdoot in 1984 and Operation Rajiv in 1987 and
captured the maximum territory of Siachen and made the triangular strategically
important glacier from Indira Col till the Karakoram pass the sovereign part of India. The
Siachen has been so important for India because it is the part which acts as a buffer
between India's adversaries viz . China and Pakistan. Had India not been Captured
Siachen Glaciers, the collusion of Chinese and Pakis soldiers would have happened till
now and it would be the worst day for us as far as India's security is concerned.

Now, the LOC ends till NJ9842 and the de facto line which separates maximum part of
Siachen under Indian administration and glaciers under Pakistan is known as "Active
ground position line" or "AGPL". The AGPL is the line that is almost 45degree
Northwest from point NJ9842 and comprises 110kms. Hence the length of International
border+LOC+AGPL=3323 km which is the de facto length of the border between two
well demarcated.

Chinese Border

India Shares its eastern, northeastern, and Northern border with China ranging from
Eastern Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. The Border which India shares with China is
known as the "Line of Actual Control" or "LAC". The perception of LAC for India and
China is different because the LAC is not the line that has been mutually accepted by
both countries and hence the demarcation and delineation of LAC have not been done
neither on Map nor on Ground. As far as Indian perception is concerned, the LAC is
having a length of 3488 km while the Chinese perception of LAC is mere 2000 Kms.

Hence, in a nutshell we can say that LAC is nothing but an imaginary line which both
countries see as a boundary between both but with a huge difference in perception. Pre
1962 war, India has control over the easternmost of Ladakh now called Aksai Chin
which after the victory of China, illegally occupied by Chinese, and hence just like Pok
the line has been assumed to separate their de facto region of Ladakh(Aksai Chin) and
ours is known as LAC. Since Ladakh is one of the world's highest mountainous Desert,
the average altitude is more than 13000 ft, hence it is inhospitable and rarely villages
exist.

Hence, as per the perception of India, Indian troops (Indian Army and ITBP) use to
patrol till the point they think LAC exists while the Chinese Army patrol the area till the
point they think LAC exists. Now, in both of their perceptions, there is some mutual

46
region that comes under both of their perceived LAC and this is the root of the point of
contention between both armies. The only reasons for regular Fisty Cuff between both
parties of soldiers is only because the LAC has not been demarcated clearly neither on
Ground nor in Maps and each one has their versions of the line of separation.

For example, in the Pangong Tso area, the mountain spurs at the northern bank of the
lake marked from finger point 1 to finger point 8 starting from west to east. Now Indian
claim is that LAC passes from finger 8 but contrary to India, Chinese claims between
Finger 4 and 3 the LAC passes. Hence the area between finger 3 to finger 8 must be
the point of contention between both and both must have had physical clashes in
mutual regions. More than 25 Hot points are active between Indian And Chinese
perceptions where in every couple of days, Brawls are very common. Now here I have
given the basic answer, why the Indian Army is having not so strict actions against the
chinese Army as they used to have with Pakistani counterparts.

The reason is clear because the borders are not demarcated, both countries have their
own perceived LAC and hence physical clash is almost everyday affairs between the
patrolling parties. The second reason is the Area is so inhospitable that no one can stay
there for long but to prove their territory according to one's version of LAC , patrol
parties from each side come and go. Hence being these brawls and physical clashes so
common, (sometimes even more than once in a day), if both parties start using Rifles,
Arty, etc then we would have been witnessing the War between both countries since
1948.

Hence, Understanding the practicality of the ground both have made

confidence-building measures (CBM) by the Diplomatic and Military talks and " Peace
and Tranquility" agreement had signed between both in 1993, 1996, 2003, 2005, 2012,
2013 to de-escalate the day to day face-offs between both Armies and standard
operating procedures(SOP) have been set. To explain a few, in a situation when both
parties meet and face-offs happen, banner drills happen whereby showing banners
situations use to be eased by pulling both sides back. When Faceoffs happen, the
soldiers are instructed to carry their rifles slung on their shoulders pointing the barrels of
gun downwards toward the ground and both Parties use to follow it strictly.

Recent Violent Clash

The recent Clash between both the Army had caught the attention of Indians because it
was bloody violent clash resulted in the unprecedented martyrdom of our bravest of the
brave 20 soldiers of the 16TH BIHAR REGIMENT in the first time after 1975 violent
clash in NEFA(now Arunachal). The Fisty Cuff is not new, it is almost every time affairs
that most Indians are unaware of but this was Unprecedented backstabbing by Chinese
which Breached all Peace and Tranquility agreements set between both. Now, this

47
incident has the potential to change the Military relation with China, and India in the
coming days could change the SOPs along LAC, Much stricter than previous.

Conclusion

Now my above descriptions are enough to get understand why Indian Forces never
bear any incursion from LOC and see it as an straight act of war while lenient towards
the incursion from LAC. The sole reason is mutually accepted Demarcation !!!

 
 
 
 
 
 
48
  
 
MULTIPLE 
CHOICE 
QUESTIONS 
 

WITH EXPLANATIONS 

 
 
 

49
Q1 Which state has come up with the country’s first Lichen Park?

A) Himachal Pradesh B) Sikkim

C) Uttrakhand D)Assam

Answer- (C)
Explanation- ​Uttarakhand​ forest department has claimed to have developed the
country's first lichen park in Kumaon’s Munsiyari area, spread over 1.5 acres with over
80 species of lichens collected from across the Himalayan state.
Lichens need pure air to grow. If pollution levels increase in a certain area, the lichen
species decline there. So it serves as a natural indicator of pollution levels in an area.

Q2 Who has been appointed as India’s Attorney General?

A) K.K. Venugopal B) Tushar Mehta

C) R.K. Subramanian D) Mukul Rohatgi

Answer- (A)
Explanation- Recently, the union government has extended​ K.K. Venugopal’s​ term as
the Attorney General of India for 1 year . Tushar Mehta is the Solicitor General whose
term has also been extended by three years.

Q3 As per MSME ministry, what will be the new term which denotes “MSME” with effect
from July 1, 2020?

A) Chakra B) Megha
C) Udyam D) Vyapaar

Answer- (C)
Explanation- Recently the MSME ministry has announced that according to the Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006, hereafter, MSME will be known
as ​Udyam​, and accordingly, the registration process will be known as Udyam
Registration w.e.f July 1, 2020.

Q4 Which ministry has launched a centrally sponsored PM FME scheme named “Sapno
ki Udaan” recently?

A) Ministry of Food Processing Industries

B) Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
C) Ministry of Rural Development
D) Ministry of Civil Aviation

50
Answer- (A)
Explanation- ​Minister for Food Processing Industries (FPI) ​Harsimrat Kaur Badal
launched Centrally Sponsored Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro food processing
Enterprises (PM FME) scheme named “Sapno ki Udaan” to be implemented over a
period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

Q5 Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs organized an online event to mark the 5th
Anniversary of which scheme recently?

A) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban)

B) Smart Cities Mission
C) Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
D) All of these

Answer- (D)
Explanation- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) organized an online event
to mark the 5th Anniversary of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana(Urban) (PMAY-U), Smart
Cities Mission (SCM) and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
(AMRUT).

Q6 The “Continuous Galvanized Rebar” has been inaugurated in which state recently?

A) West Bengal B) Telangana

C) Maharashtra D) Punjab

Answer- (D)
Explanation-.Asia first ever “Continuous Galvanized Rebar” manufacturing facility has
been inaugurated near Gobindgarh in ​Punjab​ by Union Minister of Steel, Petroleum
and Natural Gas - Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.

Q7 Which state’s government has launched the “Skill Connect Forum” portal?

A) Karnataka B) Tamil Nadu

C)Madhya Pradesh D)Tripura

Answer- (A)
Explanation- The ​Karnataka​ government has recently launched the “Skill Connect
Forum” portal which seeks to connect job seekers with employers on a common
platform. It also provides job seekers information on available jobs. Hence, the portal
will bridge the gap between job seekers and the employers.

51
Q8 Who has been conferred the P.C. Mahalanobis Lifetime Achievement award?

A) C Rangarajan B) Urjit Patel

C) Raghuram Rajan D) Shaktikanta Das

Answer- (A)
Explanation- Former Reserve Bank of India Governor ​C Rangarajan​ has been
conferred the PC mahalanobis lifetime achievement award In recognition of his
contribution to statistics

Q9 India is planning to procure 21 MiG-29 fighter jets from which nation under its latest
defence deal?

A) France B) Germany
C) USA D) Russia

Answer- (D)
Explanation- Under the new defence deal, 21 MiG-29 fighter jets will be procured from
Russia​, while 12 Su-30 MKI aircraft will be bought from State-run HAL.

Q10 Which state has launched the ‘Balram’ scheme to provide credit to 7 lakh landless
farmers?

A) Odisha B) Jharkhand
C) Bihar D) Madhya Pradesh

Answer- (A)
Explanation- The ​Odisha​ state government has launched ‘Balram’ scheme to provide
agricultural credit worth Rs 1,040 crore to landless farmers who are facing hardships
due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Q11 Which state topped in fish production based on volume, as per “Annual Marine
Fish Landings in India for 2019” report of CMFRI?

A) Kerala B) Tamil Nadu

C) Gujarat D) Maharashtra

Answer- (B)

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Explanation-​ Tamil Nadu​ grabbed the top position in annual fish production with 7.75
lakh tonnes followed by Gujarat (7.49 lakh tonnes), which had been holding the first
position earlier, and Kerala (5.44 lakh tonnes) which retained the third position.

Q12 What is the name of India’s Venus mission which is scheduled to be launched at
the end of 2023?

A) Gaganyaan B) Aditya L1
C) Shukrayaan 1 D)Gaganyaan 2

Answer- (C)
Explanation- The Swedish Institute of Space Physics (IRF) will explore Venus for the
second time through India's​ 1st Venus Mission Shukrayaan-1​. The Shukrayaan-1 is
scheduled for launch at the end of 2023 from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

Q13 Everton Weekes, who passed away recently is associated with which sport?

A) Cricket B) Tennis
C) Basketball D) Football

Answer- (A)
Explanation- West Indies' ​cricketer​ Everton de Courcy Weekes passed away at 95. He
was the last member of the legendary Three Ws, the legendary trio of cricketing knights.
He was the 3rd oldest surviving men’s Test cricketer, after South African John Watkins
and England’s Don Smith.

Q14 Rajaji tiger reserve which is in news recently belongs to which state?

A) Uttrakhand B) Uttar Pradesh

C) Rajasthan D) Haryana

Answer- (A)
Explanation- Rajaji National Park and tiger reserve which has been named after C.
Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), a prominent leader of the Freedom Struggle, the second and
last Governor-General of independent India , is located in ​Uttrakhand​.

Q14 Who has authored the book titled “Future of Higher Education – Nine Mega
Trends”, which was released by Vice president of India M Venkaiah Naidu?

A) T N Manoharan B) V Pattabhi Ram

C) B Anbuthambi D) M Sivakumar

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Answer- (B)
Explanation- Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu virtually released a book,
“Future of Higher Education – Nine Mega Trends.“ The book is authored by CA ​V
Pattabhi Ram​, a Public Speaker, author and Teacher.

Q15 Namdapha National Park is located in which state?

A) Arunachal Pradesh B) Assam

C) Sikkim D)Nagaland

Answer- (A)
Explanation- Recently, the lepidopterists have discovered two new species of butterfly
i.e. Striped Hairstreak and Elusive Prince in Changlang district of ​Arunachal Pradesh​.
Of these two, the Elusive Prince is discovered at Namdapha National Park.

Q16 Name the person who has received the 2020 Diana Award for humanitarian work.

A) Licypriya Kangujam B) Sunita Narain

C) Freya Thakral D) Ridhima Pandey

Answer- (C)
Explanation- ​Freya Thakral​, a 13-year-old student of the British School New Delhi
received the 2020 Diana Award for her humanitarian work towards the ragpickers of
Delhi. The award is presented annually on the birth anniversary of Princess Diana.

Q17 What is the name of Jupiter-like planet which was found by researchers recently
(39 times bigger than earth)?

A) TOI 849b B) TOI 846b

C) TOI 847b D)TOI 894b

Answer- (A)
Explanation- The researchers spotted a Jupiter-like planet, 39 times more massive than
the Earth, orbiting a distant star with temperature lower than the Sun, around 730 light
years away from Earth. The planet has been named ​TOI-849b​. This is the first ever
planetary core to be found by the astronomers.

Q18 Which ministry launched the ‘SBM-Urban MIS’ portal recently?

A) Ministry of Home Affairs

54
B) Ministry of Housing And Urban Affairs
C) Ministry of Finance
D) Ministry of Rural Development

Answer- (B)
Explanation- ​Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs​ launched the integrated
SBM-Urban MIS [Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban Management Information System]
portal.

Q19 Who is the present chairman of Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)?

A) Rajnath Singh B) Amit Shah

C) Nirmala Sitharaman D)Nitin Gadkari

Answer- (A)
Explanation-Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is chaired by Defence Minister
(Currently- ​Rajnath Singh​) which provides approvals to Capital acquisitions in the Long
Term Perspective Plan (LTPP).

Q20 When was the Dharma Chakra Day celebrated ?

A) 1st July B)2nd July

C) 3rd July D)4th July

Answer- (D)
Explanation - Dharma Chakra Day is celebrated on ​4th of July​ by the Buddhist
community to commemorate Lord Buddha’s first sermon to his first five ascetic disciples
at Deer Park, Rispatana , in the present day Sarnath , near Varanasi , Uttar Pradesh.

Q21 Who has become the first Indian to secure a podium position in the International
cycling event “Race Across America” ?

A) Maj. Suman Gawani B) Lt. Colonel Bharat Pannu

C) Rajyavardhan Rathore D) None of these

Answer- (B)
Explanation - ​Lt. Colonel Bharat Pannu​ has become the first Indian to secure a
podium position in the ultra cycling event which is considered to be one of the toughest
cycle races.

Q22 Which of these is the largest satellite of Mars?

55
A) Titan B)Phobos
C) Deimos D)Callisto

Answer- (B)
Explanation - Recently, India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) has captured the images of
Mars’ largest natural satellite ​Phobos​.

Q23 Which country is the largest contributor of e-waste in 2019, as per UN’s “The
Global E-waste Monitor 2020 report”?

A) China B)India
C) USA D)Russia

Answer- (A)
Explanation - In accordance with the 3rd edition of “The Global E-waste Monitor 2020
report-Quantities, flows, and the circular economy potential” report , ​China​ is the
biggest contributor to e-waste with 10.1 million tonnes (mt) followed by the United
States (US) with 6.9 mt and India with 3.2 mt at 2nd and 3rd rank respectively.

Q24 “NAFTA 2.0” is the trade deal between the USA and which two countries?

A)Mexico & Canada B)Russia & China

C)France & U.K. D) Germany & Japan

Answer- (A)
Explanation - The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA 2.0) or ​United
States , Mexico , Canada​ Agreement is an upgradation of the North American Free
Trade Agreement of 1994, a pact that governs more than $1.2 trillion worth of trade
among the three nations, for the 21st century.

Q25 Which PSU signed a pact with Coal India to form 50:50 Joint Venture to develop
5000MW solar and thermal power assets?

A) GAIL B)NLC India Limited

C) SAIL D) PGCIL

Answer- (B)
Explanation - ​NLC India Limited​ signed a pact with Coal India Ltd (CIL) to form a joint
venture (JV) to develop 5,000 megawatts (MW) of solar and thermal power assets

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across the country. There will be equal equity participation of both companies in the
proposed JV i.e. in the ratio of 50:50.

Q26 Name the person who has been appointed as the new prime minister of France.

A)Maurice Gourdault-Montagne B)Edouard Philippe

C)Jean Castex D) Emmanuel Macron

Answer- (C)
Explanation - French President Emmanuel Macron appointed a public Servant, ​Jean
Castex ​(55) as the new Prime Minister of government reshuffle, replacing Edouard
Philippe.

Q27 Sumit Nagal who is in news recently is associated with which sport?

A)Cricket B) Tennis
C) Hockey D) Badminton

Answer- (B)
Explanation - Rising ​Tennis​ star Sumit Nagal has become the first Indian to win an
international tournament in the COVID-19 era after he lifted the PSD Bank Nord Open
trophy, a locally organised clay court tournament in Germany.

Q28 Kaziranga national park is located in which state?

A) Assam B) Arunachal Pradesh

C) Sikkim D) Nagaland

Answer- (A)
Explanation - According to Kaziranga National Park authorities around 80% of its area
has been inundated due to floods due to recent rain. It is located in the State of ​Assam
and covers 42,996 Hectare (ha). It is the single largest undisturbed and representative
area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.

Q29 Which country has signed 5 MoUs with India for development of educational
infrastructure (July 2020)?

A) Afghanistan B) Bangladesh
C) Sri Lanka D) Bhutan

Answer- (A)

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Explanation - In order to strengthen the bilateral development partnership, the
Government of India has inked 5 Memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with
Afghanistan​ under the former’s High Impact Community Development Projects
(HICDP) programme. The objective behind these MoUs is the development of
educational infrastructure in four Afghan provinces namely Nooristan, Farah,
Badakhshan and Kapisa.

Q30 ‘Ofek 16’ is the new spy satellite of which country?

A) Iraq B) Israel
C) Qatar D)Iran

Answer- (B)
Explanation - The ​Israel​ Ministry of Defense (IMoD), and Israel Aerospace Industries
(IAI), have successfully launched a new spy satellite “Ofek 16” into the orbit by using a
locally-developed Shavit rocket from a launchpad at Palmachim airbase in central
Israel.

Q31 Who has authored the book titled ‘Overdraft: Saving the Indian Saver’ ?

A) P. Chidambaram B)Urjit Patel

C)Raghuram Rajan D)Shaktikanta Das

Answer- (B)
Explanation - Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor ​Urjit Patel​ has authored a
book titled ‘Overdraft: Saving the Indian Saver’, which focuses on the issue of
Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) that has affected Indian banking in recent years and
also its causes.

Q32 What is the name of India’s 1st social media super app which was launched by
Vice president of India Venkaiah Naidu?

A)Mitron B) Aatma Nir

C)Elyments D) BharatMitra

Answer- (C)
Explanation - Vice President of India Shri Venkaiah Naidu launched India’s first social
media super application ​‘Elyments’​ virtually on 5th July 2020. The app has been
developed by Sumeru Software Solutions.

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Q33 Indian railways set the target to become ‘Net Zero’ Carbon Emission Mass
Transportation Network by

A)2021 B)2022
C) 2030 D)2025

Answer- (C)
Explanation - Indian Railways has set a target to transform itself as ‘Net Zero’ Carbon
Emission Mass Transportation Network by 2030.

Q34 Who heads the 11-member committee constituted by the National Human Rights
Commission to assess COVID-19 impact on human rights?

A)Nimesh G Desai B)K.S. Reddy

C) Dipa Sinha D)Rajiv Raturi

Answer- (B)
Explanation - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has set up an
11-member expert committee headed by ​Dr K S Reddy,​ president of Public Health
Foundation of India to study impact of COVID-19 on human rights of individuals,
particularly marginalized and vulnerable sections of the society.

Q35 Which state has become the first in India to achieve 100% LPG connections?

A) Himachal Pradesh B) Uttrakhand

C) Madhya Pradesh D)Bihar

Answer- (A)
Explanation - ​Himachal Pradesh​ has become the first state in the country where 100%
households have liquefied petroleum gas(LPG) connections.

Q36 Amit Panghal , who has been in the news recently is associated with which sport?

A) Boxing B) Wrestling
C) Weight Lifting D)Kabaddi

Answer- (A)
Explanation - The International ​Boxing​ Association (AIBA) has released the world
rankings 2020 for women’s and men’s boxing, as per which Indian amateur boxer &
World championships silver medallist Amit Panghal (24) has been ranked first in the

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world ranking of men elites of 52 kg weight and Manju Rani has got the second place in
women’s rankings in 48 kg.

Q37 Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary is situated in which of these states?

A) Arunachal Pradesh B) Assam

C) Meghalaya D) Nagaland

Answer- (B)
Explanation - The Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, located within the larger Dehing
Patkai Elephant Reserve, which spreads across the coal- and oil-rich districts of Upper
Assam​ (​Dibrugarh​, Tinsukia and Sibsagar) will be upgraded to a national park by the
state government.

Q38 Which company , in collaboration with ICMR and NIV has developed India’s first
COVID-19 vaccine named “COVAXIN” ?

A) Cipla B) Bharat BioTech

C) GSK D) Patanjali

Answer- (B)
Explanation - The country’s ‘first’ indigenous COVID-19 vaccine COVEXIN has been
developed by Hyderabad - based ​Bharat Biotech​ in collaboration with ICMR and NIV.

Q39 Which Indian state has recently got Asia’s largest solar plant ?

A) Rajasthan B) Gujarat
C) Madhya Pradesh D) New Delhi

Answer- (C)
Explanation - Asia’s largest Ultra Mega Solar Plant with the capacity of generating 750
MW of power has been inaugurated in ​Rewa , Madhya Pradesh​ by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on 10h of July 2020.

Q40 “Mission Vriksharopan” has been inaugurated by which of the Chief Ministers of
which of these states ?

A)Uttar Pradesh B) Madhya Pradesh

C)Bihar D)Maharashtra

Answer- (A)

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Explanation - Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of ​Uttar Pradesh​ inaugurated “Mission
Vriksharopan-2020” in Kukarel Forest, Lucknow, on account of Guru Purnima, under
which around 25 crore saplings of medicinal, herbal, environmental, fruit producing,
shady, fodder plants of around 201 species will be planted across the state.

Q41 The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has partnered with which of
these tech companies to provide digital skills to the youth of India ?

A) Google B) Microsoft
C) Reliance Digital D) Apple

Answer- (B)
Explanation - With a vision to transform India into a skilled nation, the National Skill
Development Corporation (NSDC) and ​Microsoft ​announced a strategic partnership
aimed at providing digital skills to over 1 lakh youth in the country over the next 12
months. Microsoft will collaborate with NSDC’s ​eSkill India​ portal to provide free access
to learning resources and conduct digital skilling awareness drives, equipping the next
generation of learners with the skills they need to thrive in a digital economy.

Q41 Asia’s largest & world’s 2nd largest data centre “Yotta NM1 data centre” was
inaugurated in which state?

A) Karnataka B) Tamil Nadu

C) Maharashtra D) New Delhi

Answer- (C)
Explanation - Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Minister of ​Maharashtra​ and Ravi Shankar
Prasad, Minister of Communications, Electronics and Informational technology
inaugurated the World’s 2nd Largest & Asia’s Largest Data Center, ‘Yotta NM1 Data
Center’ of Yotta Infrastructure of Hiranandani Group at Panvel data centre park,
Mumbai over a virtual platform.

Q42 Which are the first 2 countries in the South East Asian region that eliminated
Rubella and measles ahead of the 2023 target, as per WHO?

A)India & Sri Lanka B)Sri Lanka & Myanmar

C) Singapore & Myanmar D)Sri Lanka & Maldives

Answer- (D)
Explanation - According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) South East Asian
Region (SEAR) office, ​Maldives and Sri Lanka ​were verified to eliminate both measles

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and rubella, making them the first two countries in the WHO South-East Asia region to
achieve beyond their 2023 target.

Q43 Which is the 1st major industrialized country that has announced to phase out coal
and nuclear energy?

A) USA B) France
C) Germany D)Italy

Answer- (C)
Explanation - ​Germany​ became the first industrialized country to phase out of both coal
and nuclear energy. Both the houses of the German parliament approved the bill for
shutting down the coal fired power plant by 2038 and to provide around 45 billion USD
(40 billion Euro) for the affected regions. It has also planned to shut nuclear power
plants by 2022.

Q44 Bharat Dynamic limited has signed Licence Agreement and Transfer of Technology
of which missile system with DRDO-DRDL.

A)Prithvi B)Nirbhay
C)Pinaka D) Akash

Answer- (D)
Explanation - Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) signed Licence Agreement and Transfer
of Technology (LAToT) for ​Akash Missile Weapon System of Indian Army​ Variant
with Defence Research and Development Organisation – Defence Research and
Development Laboratory (DRDO – DRDL).

Q45 Who has won the Formula One (F1) season opening Austrian grand prix?

A) Valtteri Bottas B) Max Verstappen

C) Lewis Hamilton D)Alexander Albon

Answer- (A)
Explanation - Finland driver ​Valtteri Bottas​ with Mercedes won the Formula One (F1)
season-opening Austrian Grand Prix (GP), surpassing his Mercedes team mate and
Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton.

Q46 Who has authored the book titled “Mahaveer: The Soldier who never died”?

A)A.K. Shrikumar B) Rupa Shrikumar

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C) Krithikha Shrikumar D)Both A and B

Answer- (D)
Explanation - The book, titled ‘Mahaveer: The Soldier who never died’ is authored by
award winning author ​A.K. Srikumar​ and his wife, ​Rupa Srikumar​. The book is a
patriotic story about the courage and selfless love of Jaswant Singh Rawat who is one
of the legendary Garhwali soldiers who fought in Indo-Chinese battle of Nuranang in
1962.

Q47 Which among the following has become India’s largest butterfly recently?

A) Southern Birdwing B)Eastern Birdwing

C)Golden Birdwing D)Rajah Brooke's Birdwing

Answer- (C)
Explanation - The Himalayan butterfly named “​Golden Birdwing (Troidesaeacus​)” has
surpassed the “Southern Birdwing (Troidesminos)” after 88 years to become the largest
butterfly in India. The female species of the Golden Birdwing has a wingspan of 194 mm
that is 4 mm larger than that of the Southern Birdwing with 190 mm wingspan.

Q48 Which state has launched the “Pure for Sure” campaign to ensure the purity of the
milk and dairy products?

A) Rajasthan B) Gujarat
C) Chattisgarh D) Madhya Pradesh

Answer- (A)
Explanation - Raghu Sharma, Health minister of ​Rajasthan​ launched the week long
campaign “Pure for Sure” from 8th July 2020 to 14th July 2020 – to ensure the purity of
the milk and dairy products.

Q49 How many bridges were inaugurated by Defence minister Rajnath Singhin the
border areas close toLine of Control (LoC) in J&K (July 2020)?

A)3 B)6
C) 2 D)4

Answer- (B)
Explanation - Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated ​six​ strategic bridges in the
border areas close to the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu
and Kashmir (J&K) through video conferencing, from New Delhi. These were built in a

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record time by the Project Sampark of Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The bridges
are : Tarnah-I Bridge (160m)
Tarnah-II Bridge (300m)
Palawan Bridge (91m)
Ghodawala Bridge (151m)
Pahariwala Bridge (61m)
Panyali Bridge (31m).

Q50 Name the state which has launched ‘BLUIS’ to use space technology & AI to
monitor government lands.

A)Odisha B)Telangana
C) Andhra Pradesh D)New Delhi

Answer- (A)
Explanation - The Chief Minister of ​Odisha​, Naveen Patnaik, launched the
Bhubaneswar Land Use Intelligence System (BLUIS), with which it has become the first
state in India to use high resolution satellite imagery utilizing space technology and
artificial intelligence to monitor government lands.

Q51 Who is the chairman of the 9-member working group constituted by the IRDA to
look into the possibility of setting up ‘Pandemic Risk Pool’?

A) Ajay Kumar B) Suresh Mathur

C) Saba Talukdar D) Ankur Nijhawan

Answer- (B)
Explanation - Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has
formed a 9-member working group under the chairmanship of ​Suresh Mathur​,
Executive Director of the IRDA to look into the possibility of setting up ‘Pandemic Risk
Pool’ to deal with the various risks arising out of a pandemic.

Q52 Who is the chairperson of Competition Commission of India (CCI)?

A)Ashok Kumar Gupta B) H.L. Dattu

C) Dr. K.S. Reddy D) Ajith Kumar

Answer- (A)
Explanation - Ashok Kumar Gupta is the chairperson of Competition Commission of
India (CCI). The headquarters of the CCI is located in New Delhi.

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Q53 The battalion unit of which country has won annual United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon (UNIFIL) environment awards?

A) India B) China
C) Pakistan D) Nepal

Answer- (A)
Explanation - The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Head of Mission
and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col awarded the annual
environment awards of UNIFIL to 7 mission entities. An ​Indian​ Battalion (INDBATT)
stationed with UNIFIL is declared first for environmental contributions.

Q54 The Nadaun Police Station of which state is ranked one of the best in India?

A) Uttrakhand B)Uttar Pradesh

C) Himachal Pradesh D)Bihar

Answer- (C)
Explanation - Nadaun Police Station of Hamirpur District in ​Himachal Pradesh​ is
ranked as one of the best Police Stations of India.

Q55 ISRO is set to launch Amazonia – 1 Earth observatory satellite on PSLV. The
Amazonia – 1 belongs to which country?

A) France B) Peru
C) USA D)Brazil

Answer- (D)
Explanation - Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the
Amazonia – 1 onboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) as a primary payload
by August 2020. Amazonia -1 is ​Brazil’s​ first satellite for Earth observation – designed,
assembled and tested in Brazil.

Q56 Who authored the book titled ‘His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama: An
Illustrated Biography’?

A)Pema Chödrön B)Tenzin GeycheTethong

C)ThinleyNorbu D)Kelsang Gyatso

Answer-

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Explanation - A book titled ‘His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama: An Illustrated
Biography’ is authored by one of the Dalai Lama’s closest aides and advisor of over 40
years, ​Tenzin GeycheTethong​. The biography is a memorable portrait of the 14th
Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso.

Q57 Where is the HQ of the World Meteorological Organization located?

A) Paris B)Geneva
C) Washington DC D) London

Answer- (B)
Explanation - The HQ of the World Meteorological Organization is located at ​Geneva​,
Switzerland.

Q58 Which state’s Legal Service Authority and the high Court organized India’s 1st
e-Lok Adalat?

A) Tamil Nadu B) Chattisgarh

C) Maharashtra D)New Delhi

Answer- (B)
Explanation - ​Chhattisgarh​ State Legal Service Authority and the high Court organized
India’s first e-LokAdalat to ensure the administration of justice and to solve the financial
crisis of the parties and lawyers amid COVID-19 pandemic.

Q59 Which country was the largest Foreign Direct Investor in the United Kingdom in
2019 where India was ranked No.2 ?

A) India B)USA
C) Germany D) France

Answer- (B)
Explanation - The ​ ​ remains as the top source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of the
UK, delivering 462 projects and 20,131 jobs. The List is followed by India, Germany,
France, China and Hong Kong.

Q60 Lee Hsien Loong has become the Prime Minister of which country (July 2020)?

A) Thailand B) Singapore
C) Malaysia D) South Korea

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Answer- (B)
Explanation - The Results of ​Singapore’s​ General Election 2020 were announced and
the ruling Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s People’s Action Party(PAP) won the
election winning 83 seats out of 93 contested.

Q61 The 2018 tiger census of which country entered the Guinness Record book as the
largest camera trap wildlife survey in the world?

A) India B)Sri Lanka

C) South Africa D) Botswana

Answer- (A)
Explanation - 4th edition of ​India’s​ 2018 Tiger census sets new Guinness World Record
for being largest camera trap wildlife survey. As per the census, in 2018, India had
doubled the tiger population before 4 years of the target year, 2022 through the Sankalp
Se Siddhi programme. As of now 75 percent of the global tiger population are in India.

Q62 Kuaizhou-11 (KZ-11) is the solid-fueled carrier rocket of which country?

A) Japan B)China
C) Singapore D) Russia

Answer- (B)
Explanation - ​China’s​ 1st Kuaizhou-11(KZ-11), solid-fueled carrier rocket launch was
failed.The rocket was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest
China.

Q63 Which country has successfully launched a telecommunication satellite named

“APSTAR-6D” recently?

A)India B) Russia
C)France D) China

Answer- (D)
Explanation - ​China​ launched a new commercial telecommunication satellite
“APSTAR-6D” by a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the southwestern Xichang
Satellite Launch Center.

Q64 Who authored the book titled ‘A Song of India’?

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A)Salman Rushdie B) Ruskin Bond
C) Chetan Bhagat D) Vikram Seth

Answer- (B)
Explanation - The book titled ‘A Song of India’ authored by ​Ruskin Bond​ to be released
on July 20, 2020, will mark the 70th year of the author’s literary career.

Q65 The UN’s World Population Day is observed annually on:

A) 11th July B)12th July

C) 13th July D)15th July

Answer- (A)
Explanation - United Nations(UN) World Population Day is observed annually on ​July
11​ to raise awareness about population issues like family planning, gender equality,
poverty, maternal health and human rights. The day also highlights the issues and
aftermath of overpopulation on the environment and development. Theme of 2020–
“Putting the brakes on COVID-19: how to Safeguard the health and rights of women and
girls’’.

Q66 Name the Aerospace company which has delivered the last five AH-64E Apache
attack helicopters to Indian Air Force recently.

A) Boeing B) Lockheed Martin

C) Airbus D) Safran

Answer- (A)
Explanation - United States (US) based Aerospace Company ​Boeing​, has delivered the
last 5 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Air Force
Station, Hindan, Uttar Pradesh.

Q67 Who is the union minister for the ministry of skill development and
entrepreneurship?

A) Rajnath Singh B) Mahendra Nath Pandey

C) Harsh Vardhan D) Harsimrat Kaur Badal

Answer- (B)
Explanation - ​Mahendra Nath Pandey​ is the present union minister for ministry of skill
development and entrepreneurship.

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Q68 Name the company which announced a $10 Billion digitalization fund in India.

A) Google B) Microsoft
C)Apple D)Samsung

Answer- (A)
Explanation - Alphabet Inc. Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai announced an
investment of $10 billion (Rs 75,000 crore) in India through the “​Google​ for India
Digitisation Fund” which will be utilized in another five to seven years to digitize the
Indian Economy.

Q69 Andrzej Sebastin Duda has won the presidential election of which country?

A)Greece B)Italy
C) France D)Poland

Answer- (D)
Explanation - Andrzej Sebastin Duda of the Law and Justice (PiS) party won the
Presidential Election of ​Poland​ with 51.2% of votes leaving behind Warsaw Mayor
Rafał Trzaskowski (Almost 49%).

Q70 Who has won Styrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, Austria (July 2020)?

A) Lewis Hamilton B)Valtteri Bottas

C) Charles Lecrec D) Sebastian Vettel

Answer- (A)
Explanation - ​Lewis Hamilton​, Mercedes Driver won the Styrian Grand Prix(GP) in
Spielberg, Austria.

Q71 When was world Malala day celebrated annually?

A)11th July B)12th July

C)14th July D)16th July

Answer- (B)
Explanation - The United Nations (UN) designated ​12th July​ of every year as Malala
Day, to commemorate the birthday of Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani activist and the
youngest recipient of the Nobel prize for peace.

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Q72 What is the capital and currency of Poland?

A) Berlin & Euro

B) Warsaw & Zloty
C) Bratislava & Euro
D) Kyiv & Hryvnia

Answer- (B)
Explanation - The capital and currency of Poland are ​Warsaw and Polish Zloty
respectively.

Q73 Which IIT has developed Ultraviolet sanitizing product named ‘SHUDH’ to make
the surroundings COVID free?

A)IIT Bombay B)IIT Kanpur

C)IIT Madras D) IIT Calcutta

Answer- (B)
Explanation - The Imagineering Laboratory department of ​IIT Kanpur​ has developed an
Ultraviolet (UV) sanitizing product, ’SHUDH’. SHUDH stands for Smartphone operated
Handy UV Disinfection Helper.

Q74 The assault rifles ARAD & CARMEL are set to be manufactured in India under
make in India initiative in PLR Systems Private Limited. The ARAD & CARMEL are
assault rifles of which country?

A)Russia B) Germany
C)South Korea D) Israel

Answer- (D)
Explanation - The latest ​Israeli​ Assault Rifles, Arad and Carmel, will be manufactured
under the Make in India initiative in the PLR Systems Private Limited, established by
Israel Weapons Industries (IWI) in 2017 as a joint venture with Punj Lloyd in Madhya
Pradesh, India.

Q75 Which country has the world's highest population of elephants ?

A)South Africa B)Namibia

C) Ethiopia D) Botswana

Answer- (D)

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Explanation - ​Botswana​ has the world's highest elephant population. It was in the news
recently because of the mysterious death of more than 300 elephants in the Okavango
Delta.

Q76 Which ministry released the ‘PRAGYATA’ Guidelines on Digital Education (July
2020)?

A) Ministry of Human Resource Development

B) Ministry of Women and Child Development
C) Ministry of Urban Development
D) Ministry of Education

Answer- (A)
Explanation - Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Union ​Minister of Human Resource
Development (MoHRD) ​released the PRAGYATA Guidelines on Digital Education.

Q77 Indian railways’ 1st cable-stayed rail bridge ‘Anji Khad bridge’ is located in which
state/UT?

A) Jammu and Kashmir B) Ladakh

C) Sikkim D) Manipur

Answer- (A)
Explanation - India’s first cable-stayed Indian Railways bridge namely “AnjiKhad 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).

Q78 What is the rank of Mukesh Ambani in the world's richest person list, as per
Hurun’s research ?

A) 1st B) 2nd
C) 4th D) 5th

Answer- (B)
Explanation - According to the Hurun’s Research’s World Richest Man List, Reliance
Industries Limited (RIL) chairman & CEO Mukesh Ambani (63) with worth 78 billion
USD ranked ​5th richest man​ in the world.He sustains as the wealthiest Indian and he
is the only Asian Tycoon in the world’s top 10 richest people as on July 2020.

Q79 When was world youth skills day observed annually?

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A) 13th July B) 11th July
C) 15th july D) 16th July

Answer- (C)
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.

Q80 Hope’ is the Mars mission of which country?

A) UAE B) Japan
C) Russia D) India

Answer- (A)
Explanation - The ​United Arab Emirates (UAE)​ Mars Mission or ‘Hope’ was launched
in July, 2020. Hope is the first interplanetary mission for the Arab World.

Q81 Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) is located in which state?

A) Uttar Pradesh B) Bihar

C) West Bengal D) Himachal Pradesh

Answer- (B)
Explanation - Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) in ​Bihar’s​ Bhagalpur
district is India’s only sanctuary for dolphins.

Q82 India along with which organization adopted a joint declaration on resource
efficiency and circular economy (July 2020)?

A) G20 B) European Union

C) ASEAN D) BRICS

Answer- (B)
Explanation - India & ​European Union (EU)​ adopted a Joint Declaration on Resource
Efficiency and Circular Economy and welcomed the upcoming renewal of the EU-India
Science and Technology Agreement for another five years.

Q83 Name the country which opens a new trade route with India to improve trade and
connectivity (July 2020).

A) Bhutan B) Bangladesh

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C) Sri Lanka D) Myanmar

Answer- (A)
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.

Q84 Who has been appointed as the president of South American country ‘Suriname’
(July 2020)?

A)Chandrikapersad “Chan” Santokhi

B) Hardial Bains
C)Desi Bouterse
D) Sambhav Jain

Answer- (A)
Explanation - (61), an Indian-origin former police chief has been elected as the
president of Suriname.

Q85 Which organization developed P7 Heavy Drop System (HDS) for IL 76 aircraft?

A)Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC)

B) Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)
C) Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
D) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

Answer- (B)
Explanation - ​ DRDO​ has developed P7 Heavy Drop System (HDS) which is capable of
para dropping military stores (vehicle/ ammunition/ equipment) up to 7-ton from IL 76
aircraft (Ilyushin Il-76 or Gajraj (elephant king) under the "Make In India" program.

Q86 Padmanabhaswamy temple which was in news recently is located in which state?

A) Kerala B) Karnataka
C) Tamil Nadu D) Odisha

Answer- (A)
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​.

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Q87 Which company has collaborated with CBSE to integrate AI in high school
curriculum of 2020-2021

A) TCS B) Google
C) Microsoft D) IBM

Answer- (D)
Explanation - The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), announced
integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the high school (Class 11th &12th grade)
curriculum for the 2020-2021 academic year which was developed in collaboration with
IBM (International Business Machines Corporation).

Q88 Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda has become the 1st women prime minister of
which country?

A) Monaco B) Somalia
C) Nauru D) Gabon

Answer- (D)
Explanation - Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon appointed Rose Christiane
Ossouka Raponda(56), as the First Women Prime Minister of ​Gabon​.

Q89 Ramesh Tikaram who passed away in July 2020 is associated with which sport?

A) Cricket B) Para - Cycling

C) Para - Badminton D) Para - Hockey

Answer- (C)
Explanation - Arjuna awardee, para athlete and ​para-badminton​ player, Ramesh
Tikaram was India’s 1st Para Badminton Player to receive the Arjuna Award.

Q90 Who is the present chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education
(CBSE)?

A) Manoj Ahuja B) Arpit Saxena

C) Anurag Jain D) Amitabh Kang

Answer- (A)
Explanation - ​Manoj Ahuja​ is the present chairman of Central Board of Secondary
Education(CBSE).

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Q91 Which state government announced Renewable Energy Export Policy 2020
recently (July 2020)?

A) Kerala B) Andhra Pradesh

C) Karnataka D) Telangana

Answer- (B)
Explanation - The State Government of ​Andhra Pradesh(AP)​ announced the Andhra
Pradesh Renewable Energy Export Policy 2020, which permits the sale of power to the
other states of India. The policy will be in force for five years.

Q92 Election Commission of India recently announced postal ballot rules will be
applicable for voters over the age of :

A) 60 B) 65
C) 50 D) 80

Answer- (D)
Explanation - The Election Commission recently announced that it would not allow
postal ballot facilities for voters above 65 years of age. However, the postal ballot rules
will be applicable for voters over the age of ​80​, disabled or those suffering from novel
coronavirus (COVID-19) .

Q93 Professor C S Seshadri, who passed away recently, was one of India’s most
eminent leaders in which field?

A) Chemistry B) Physics
C) Mathematics D) Biology

Answer- (C)
Explanation - One of the eminent Indian ​mathematicians​ of the post-Independence
era, Professor C S Seshadri was known for his work in algebraic geometry. The
Seshadri constant (in algebraic geometry) is named after him.

Q94 Pakistan has signed an agreement with which country for the construction of 700
MW Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project?

A) China B) Afghanistan
C) Iran D) Kyrgyzstan

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Answer- (A)
Explanation - Pakistan and ​China​ have signed an agreement under CPEC for
construction of Azad Pattan Hydel Power Project in Sudhnoti district of Pakistan
Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Jhelum river.

Q95 Which is the only state in North Eastern India which has no rail connectivity?

A) Sikkim B) Nagaland
C) Tripura D) Mizoram

Answer- (A)
Explanation - In the present time, except ​Sikkim​, all North-Eastern states have
connectivity to the rail network.

Q96 Who has won the 2020 Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix?

A) Sebastian Vettel B) Max Verstappen

C) Lewis Hamilton D) Valterri Bottas

Answer- (D)
Explanation - ​Lewis Hamilton​ (Mercedes’ – Great Britain) won the 2020 Formula 1
Hungarian Grand Prix. This is his straight second win of the season.

Q97 Who among these are the winners of the 2020 Nelson Mandela Prize?

A)Katalin Bogyay and Albert Shingiro

B) Jerry Matthews Matjila and Maria Theofili
C) Marianna Vardinoyannis and Morissana Kouyate
D) Jorge Fernando Branco Sampaio and Eduard Kukan

Answer- (C)
Explanation - ​Marianna Vardinoyannis​ of Greece, and ​Doctor Morissana Kouyaté​ of
Guinea has been recognised by the United Nations for the 2020 Nelson Mandela Prize
presented after every 5 years by the United Nations.

Q98 Which state government has included transgender under Madhu Babu Pension
Yojana (July 2020)?

A) Odisha B) Maharashtra
C) West Bengal D) Telangana

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Answer- (A)
Explanation - ​Odisha​ Government has included the transgender community under
Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY), a social security scheme.

Q99 Who authored the book titled ‘Suraj Kade Marda Nahi’ (sun never dies)?

A)Kumar Manish Arvind B)Niba A Khandekar

C)Nand Kishore Acharya D)Baldev Singh Sadaknama

Answer- (D)
Explanation - Sahitya Akademi Awardee ​Baldev Singh Sadaknama​ has authored a
book ‘Suraj Kade Marda Nahi’ (sun never dies). The book portrays many aspects of
freedom fighter Udham Singh.

Q100 "Tangrams" are the critically endangered group belonging to which state?

A) Arunachal Pradesh B) Meghalaya

C) Nagaland D)Mizoram

Answer- (A)
Explanation - The book titled The Tangrams: An Ethnolinguistic Study of the Critically
Endangered Group of Arunachal Pradesh was released by Pema Khandu, the Chief
Minister of ​Arunachal Pradesh​.

Q101 PM Narendra Modi and Mauritian PM Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated which
building of Mauritius?

A) The Parliament B) The Supreme Court

C) Ministry of Defense D) All of these.

Answer : (B)
Explanation :PM Narendra Modi and Mauritian PM Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated
the new Supreme Court Building of Mauritius.

Q102 ​Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (AHRCs) are to be developed for migrants 
and poor, under which scheme?

A) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban 

B) Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojana 
C) National Rural Livelihoods Mission 

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D) Swachh Bharat Mission

Answer : (A)
Explanation : ​The Union Cabinet has granted its approval for developing Affordable 
Rental Housing Complexes (AHRCs) for urban migrants and poor as a sub-scheme 
under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U). 
The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has initiated an Affordable Rental 
Housing Complexes (ARHCs) sub scheme in May 2020. Nearly three lakh beneficiaries 
will be covered initially under the ARHC scheme.

Q103 The US congressional committee has passed the Bill framed by Civil rights
activist John Lewis to promote the legacies of which two prominent personalities?The
Bill aims to establish an exchange pact between India and the US.

A)Modi & Trump

B) Malala Yusufzai & Hilary Clinton
C)Barack Obama & V. Putin
D)Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Answer :D
Explanation :The US congressional committee has passed the Bill framed by Civil rights
activist John Lewis to promote the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King
Jr. The Bill aims to establish an exchange pact between India and the US.

Q104 ​Who has been appointed as the first chairman of the International Financial 
Services Centre Authority (IFSCA)?

A) Narasimhan B) D Subba Rao 

C) Injeti Srinivas D) C Rangarajan 
 
Answer : (C)
Explanation : ​Veteran bureaucrat Injeti Srinivas has been appointed as the first 
chairman of the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA). 
The IFSCA was recently established by the Finance ministry to regulate all financial 
services in International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) in the country. It is 
headquartered at Gujarat International Finance Tech (GIFT) City, Ahmedabad. The 
former Corporate affairs Secretary will head the IFSCA for three years.

Q105 ​Which Indian state/UT has launched ‘Weavers Samman Yojana’?

A) ​Madhya Pradesh B) ​Karnataka

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C) ​Odisha D) ​Gujarat

Answer : (B)
Explanation : ​The Chief Minister of the state of Karnataka has launched ‘Weavers 
Samman Yojana’, to provide annual financial assistance of two thousand rupees to 
handloom weavers. Around 20000 weavers of the state are to be provided financial aid 
through Direct Benefit Transfer. For implementing the scheme, the state has allocated 
Rs 10.96 crore rupees. The state has also proposed to give one-time financial 
assistance to workers employed in power looms.

Q106 The Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) has been renamed
as ?

A) Ministry of Students Welfare

B) Central Board of education
C) Ministry of Education
D) Ministry of Skill and Education Development

Answer : (C)
Explanation : The Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD) has been
renamed as the Ministry of Education. The Union Cabinet has also approved a new
education policy- National Education Policy 2020.

Q107 ​What is the corpus of the new Special Liquidity Scheme launched to support 
Non-Banking Finance Companies and Housing Finance Companies? 
 
A) 10000 crore B) 20000 crore 
C) 30000 crore D) 50000 crore 

Answer : (C)
Explanation : ​The Union Government has recently launched the Special Liquidity 
Scheme to improve the liquidity of Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) and 
Housing Finance Companies (HFCs). The corpus of the scheme is Rs 30000 crore 
rupees and it was launched through a Special Purpose Vehicle in the form of a trust set 
up by SBI Capital Markets. The Union Government will provide unconditional and 
irrevocable guarantee to the special securities issued by the Trust.

Q108 World Hepatitis Day observed by WHO on which date and what was 2020's
theme?

A)July 28; theme: “Hepatitis-free future”

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B)July 27; theme: "Removing Hepatitis "
C)July 28; theme: "Removing Hepatitis"
D)July 27; theme: “Hepatitis-free future”

Answer : (A)
Explanation : World Hepatitis Day observed by WHO on July 28; theme: “Hepatitis-free
future”.

Q109 ​IRCTC partnered with which organisation to launch a new Co-branded 

Contactless RuPay Credit Card? 
 
A) SBI Card B) Citibank 
C) American Express D) IndusInd Bank 

Answer : (A)
Explanation : ​IRCTC and SBI Cards & Payment Services have jointly launched their 
Co-branded Contactless Credit Card on RuPay Platform. 
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal introduced this new card. The card has several advanced 
features like Near Field Communication and payback for AC tickets among others. The 
cards can also be used for retail, dining and entertainment payments.

Q110 World Nature Conservation Day celebrated on which date?

A)26th July B)28th july

C)27th July D)29th July

Answer :B
Explanation :World Nature Conservation Day celebrated on July 28.

Q111 ​An employee who earns a monthly salary of up to Rs 15,000 is mandatorily 

required to join which security scheme? 
 
A) ​Employee Provident Fund B)Atal Pension Yojana 
C) National Pension Scheme D) New Pension Scheme 
 
Answer : (A) 
Explanation : An employee who earns a monthly salary of up to Rs 15,000 is mandatorily 
required to join the Employee Provident Fund (EPF) scheme. 
Union Cabinet has approved extension of EPF contribution of 24% i.e., employees share 
of 12% and employers share of 12%, for another 3 months till August 2020. Under the 

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AtmaNirbhar Yojana, the Government had earlier proposed to make the 24% 
contribution. This will cost Rs 4680 crore to the Government. 

Q112 England’s Stuart Broad became the 7th bowler in the history of Test cricket to
scalp how many wickets in his which test.

A)500 wickets, 150th test match

B)400 wickets, 140th test match
C)500 wickets, 140th test match
D)400 wickets, 150th test match.

Answer : (C)
Explanation : England’s Stuart Broad becomes 7th bowler in the history of Test cricket
to scalp 500 wickets in his 140th test.

Q113 ​Which country’s 300-year-old historic temple has been reconstructed with the 
Indian assistance? 
 
A) Sri Lanka B) Bangladesh 
C) Myanmar D) Thailand 

Answer : (B)
Explanation : ​The Sri Sri JoyKali Matar temple, one of the oldest temples in Bangladesh, 
has been reconstructed with the Indian assistance of Taka 97 lakh. 
The High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das has inaugurated the 
reconstructed temple at Natore. The MoU for the process was signed in the year 2016. 
The Indian assistance was given under its High Impact Community Development 
Project (HICDP). Several other community projects are also being carried out under this 
fund.

Q114 Which space agency launched South Korea’s first military satellite named
‘ANASIS-II’ in July 2020?
 
A) NASA B)JAXA
C) SpaceX D)ISRO

Answer : (C)
Explanation : South Korea has become the 10th country in the world to own a
military-only communications satellite with the launch of ​ANASIS-II​.

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Q115 ​What is the name of the weather forecast application launched by the India 
Meteorological Department? 
 
A) Weather Check B) IMD Forecast 
C) Mausam D) IMD Check 

Answer : (C)
Explanation : ​India Meteorological Department, Union Ministry of Earth Sciences 
launched a weather forecast application for the general public. 
Named as Mausam, the application offers information on five details including current 
temperature, humidity, wind speed and wind direction for 200 cities. The information is 
updated eight times a day. While this app is meant for everyone, IMD already has 
another app meant only for farmers and agriculturists called Meghdoot. 
 
Q116 Which Indian wrestler has been appointed as a deputy director in the Sports and
Youth Affairs Department of Haryana?

A)Gita Phogat B)Babita Phogat

C)Vinesh Phogat D)Sakshi Mallik

Answer : (B)
Explanation : Babita Phogat
Commonwealth Games medalist Babita Phogat and Kabaddi player Kavita Devi have
been appointed as deputy directors in the Sports and Youth Affairs Department of
Haryana. The announcement was through two separate orders issued on July 29 by the
principal secretary of the Haryana Government's Sports and Youth Affairs Department.
 
Q117 ​Which is the world’s biggest energy firm, in terms of market capitalization, as of 
July 2020? 
 
A) Saudi Aramco B) Reliance Industries 
C) Exxon Mobil D) BP 

Answer : (A)
Explanation : ​The Saudi Arabian Oil Company otherwise called as Saudi Aramco is a 
multinational petroleum and natural gas company. It is the world’s biggest energy firm, 
with USD 1.75 trillion market capitalization. Recently, the Reliance Industries surpassed 
Exxon Mobil Corp. to become the world’s second largest energy company. Reliance has 
the world’s biggest oil refinery complex. Its market value is USD 189 billion, as on July 
27, 2020.
 

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Q118 ​India has extended medical assistance worth USD 1 million to which country? 
 
A) Maldives B) North Korea 
C) South Korea D) Taiwan  

Answer : (B)
Explanation : ​The Indian government has recently sent USD 1 million worth of 
anti-tuberculosis medicine to North Korea after being requested by the World Health 
Organization (WHO). As per the press release issued by the Ministry of External affairs, 
the medical assistance is under the ongoing WHO anti-tuberculosis programme in North 
Korea.
 
Q119 ​When was the Kargil war fought between the armies of India and Pakistan? 
 
A) 1961 B) 1975 
C) 1999 D) 2001 
 
Answer : (C)
Explanation : I​ndia and Pakistan fought the Kargil War between May and July in the year 
1999. India launched ‘Operation Vijay’ and cleared the posts in the Kargil sector that 
was occupied by the Pakistani soldiers on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC). 
To commemorate its victory over Pakistan, India has been observing ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ 
on July 26 every year, on the day the war ended. It resulted in 527 deaths on the Indian 
side. On the Vijay Diwas, India pays tributes to the soldiers who laid down their lives 
during the war.
 
Q120 ​Which renowned Indian writer’s 140th birth anniversary was observed on July 31, 
2020? 
 
A)Munshi Premchand B)Rabindranath Tagore 
C)Amrita Pritam D)Sri Aurobindo

Answer : (A)
Explanation :Munshi Premchand, The Films Division is planning to mark the 140th birth
anniversary of Munshi Premchand and the 40th death anniversary of Mohammed Rafi
with a documentary tribute. The documentaries, ‘Premchand’ and ‘Rafi - We Remember
You’ will be streamed on Films Division Website and YouTube channel for free.
 
Q121 An American citizen Tahir Naseem was shot dead inside which nation’s
courtroom?

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A)Afghanistan B)Pakistan
C)Bangladesh D)Iran

Answer : (B)
Explanation : A 57-year-old American citizen Tahir Naseem, accused of blasphemy,
was shot multiple times at close range inside Peshawar's Judicial Complex on July 29,
2020 as he waited to be shifted to the prison. He died on the spot. The attacker was
arrested then and there and the pistol used for firing was seized.
 
Q122 ​India is set to procure standoff missiles named ‘​HAMMER​’ from which country? 
 
A) United States B) France 
C) Russia D) Israel 

Answer : (B)
Explanation : ​India is set to procure HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended 
Range) standoff missiles from France. The Indian Air Force is expected to receive the 
first five Rafale combat aircrafts from France by July 29. HAMMER is a medium-range 
air-to-ground weapon. It was originally designed and manufactured for the French Air 
Force and Navy.
 
Q123 Former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s preventive detention has been
extended till how many months?

A)Three months B)Six months

C)Four months D)Five months

Answer : (A)
Explanation :Former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s preventive detention was
extended for another three months on July 31, 2020 under Public Safety Act. Her
detention order was scheduled to expire on August 5.
 
Q124 ​Which space technology start-up has developed India’s first in-orbit space debris 
monitoring and tracking system? 
 
A) Digiantra Research and Technology B) Pixxel 
C) GrowX D) Astrome 

Answer : (A)
Explanation : ​A space technology start-up named Digiantra Research and Technology 
(DRT) developed India’s first in-orbit space debris monitoring and tracking system. 

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The company has also been selected for the ‘Society for Innovation and Development’ 
incubation program at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore. The country’s 
first air and space surveillance company has received a grant of Rs 25 lakhs for 
developing space debris monitoring systems.
 
Q125 Who represented India at the 6th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting?

A)Piyush Goyal B)Prakash Javadekar

C)Rajnath Singh D)Harsh Vardhan

Answer : (B)
Explanation : The Environment Ministers of the five BRICS countries participated in the
6th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting on July 30, 2020. The video conference was
held under the Presidency of Russia.
 
Q126 ​‘Grand Renaissance Dam’ that was seen in news recently, is located in which 
country? 
 
A) Nigeria B) Sudan 
C) Egypt D) Ethiopia 

Answer : (D)
Explanation : ​Grand Renaissance Dam is a Hydroelectric power plant being constructed 
in Ethiopia since 2011. The dam formerly known as the Millennium Dam, is in the 
Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the Blue Nile river of Ethiopia. The construction has 
been in conflict as Sudan and Egypt fear that the hydroelectric dam could lead to water 
shortage in their countries. But Ethiopia insists that it needs the USD 4 billion dam to 
generate electricity for its people. Recently, the three countries have accepted to 
resume talks on the dam.
 
Q127 ​Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding 
for data sharing with which organisation? 
 
A) Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs 
B) Director General of Foreign Trade 
C) Employee Provident Fund Organisation 
D) Securities Exchange Board of India 

Answer : (A)
Explanation : ​A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed between the 
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and 

85
Customs (CBIC) for data exchange between the two organisations. This MoU succeeds 
the agreement signed between them in the year 2015. During the event, a Data 
Exchange Steering Group has also been constituted that will meet periodically to review 
the data exchange status.
 
Q128 Which nation has released its first list of verified news portals?

A)Nepal B)Bangladesh
C)Myanmar D)Pakistan

Answer : (B)
Explanation : The Bangladesh Government has released its first list of verified news
portals. The nation’s Information Minister said that the registration of online news portals
will be a continuous and ongoing process.
 
Q129 ​Who is the Chairperson of the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate 
Tribunal (TDSAT)? 
 
A) Shiva Kirti Singh B) Syed Rafat Alam 
C) Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud D) Shyamal Kumar Sen 

Answer : (A)
Explanation : ​The Supreme Court of India has extended the tenure of the chairperson 
and members of the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) by 
three months. The chairperson of TDSAT is former Supreme Court judge Justice Shiva 
Kirti Singh. His tenure was to end on July 20 this year and the tenure of other members 
of the tribunal has already ended. TDSAT has recently set aside TRAI’s order that 
blocked Vodafone-Idea’s premium tariff plan RedX.
 
Q130 Which state government has approved an ADB-funded Rs 1,000 crore project for
farmers?

A)Madhya Pradesh B)Maharashtra

C)Telangana D)Andhra Pradesh

Answer : (B)
Explanation : Maharashtra has approved an ADB-funded Rs 1,000 crore project for
boosting fruit and vegetable production in the state. The Maharashtra Agribusiness
Network (MagNet) project, which has been approved, aims to help farmers across all
districts in the state for the next six years.
 

86
Q131 ​Which country has banned free internet services for accessing social media? 
 
A) China B) Bangladesh 
C) Pakistan D) North Korea 

Answer : (B)
Explanation : ​The Regulatory body of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory 
Commission (BTRC) has directed telecom companies to stop free internet services to 
its subscribers for accessing social media. 
This decision has been made as this facility is being used by some people for indulging 
in criminal activities on social media. This ban is also expected to curb unhealthy 
competition between the companies.
 
Q132 The International commercial passenger flights have been suspended till when?

A)August 31st B)August 14th

C)August 20th D)August 5th

Answer : (A)
Explanation : The International commercial passenger flights will remain suspended till
August 31, 2020. This was announced by the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
on July 31, 2020.
 
Q133 ​Which day related to sports is celebrated for the first time on July 20, 2020? 
 
A) World Chess Day B) World Golf Day 
C) World Athletics Day D) World Polo Day 

Answer : (A)
Explanation : ​The International Chess Day is celebrated on July 20 every year as the 
founding day of the FIDE, the World Chess Federation. On the same day in the year 
1924, the FIDE federation was formed at the eighth summer Olympic games in Paris. It 
has been celebrated from 1966 as International Chess Day but the United Nations 
declared July 20 as World Chess Day in 2019. So, the day is celebrated for the first time 
this year.
 
Q134 When is International Tigers day observed?

A)July 29th B)July 28th

C)July 26th D)July 30th

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Answer : (A)
Explanation :The International Tiger Day was observed on July 29, 2002. The day is
celebrated every year across the globe to create awareness regarding tiger
conservation. The Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar released All India
Tiger Estimation Report-2018 on July 28, 2020.
 
Q135 ​Which Indian state/UT has launched ‘Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojna’? 
 
A) Andhra Pradesh B) New Delhi 
C) Telangana D) Odisha

Answer : (B)
Explanation : ​The Delhi Cabinet has approved the doorstep delivery of ration products to 
eligible beneficiaries across the Union Territory. As per the Chief Minister Arvind 
Kejriwal, the scheme will be called ‘Mukhya Mantri Ghar Ghar Ration Yojna’. The 
programme is expected to be functional in the next six to seven months, after 
completion of tenders and other requirements.
 
Q136 Which nation’s COVID-19 vaccine is expected to receive local regulatory approval
in the first half of August?

A)Germany B)Russia
C)UK D)Switzerland

Answer : (B)
Explanation :Russia’s first potential COVID-19 vaccine is likely to get local regulatory
approval in the first half of August. The vaccine is expected to be first administered to
frontline health workers.
 
Q137 ​Which country has unanimously amended its National Defense Authorization Act 
(NDAA), to condemn Chinese aggression? 
 
A) United Kingdom B) United States 
C) India D) Australia 

Answer : (B)
Explanation : ​The House of Representatives of the United States has unanimously 
passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), condemning 
China’s aggression. China’s military activities against India in the Galwan Valley, its 
growing territorial actions around disputed areas like the South China Sea are 

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condemned. The United States also added 11 Chinese companies to the economic 
blacklist over its treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang.
 
Q138 Which international organisation has approved a USD 3 million grant to India to
fight COVID-19 pandemic?

A)WB B)ADB
C)UNDP D)IMF

Answer : (B)
Explanation : The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on July 29 announced that it has
approved a USD 3 million grant to India from its Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund.
The bank has provided the grant to support India’s emergency response to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Q139 The Cabinet has approved the signing of MoU between and which nation on
Traditional Systems of Medicine?

A)Zimbabwe B)Zambia
C)South Africa D)Tanzania

Answer : (A)
Explanation : The Union Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
signed between India and Zimbabwe to expand cooperation in the field of Traditional
Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy. The agreement was signed on November 3,
2018.
 
Q140 ​Which Union Ministry is organising the ‘Vriksharopan Abhiyan’ programme? 
 
A) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 
B) Ministry of Coal 
C) Ministry of Power 
D) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy 

Answer : (B)
Explanation : ​The ‘Vriksharopan Abhiyan’ is being organised by the Ministry of Coal. The 
programme involves all coal and lignite PSUs of the country to promote large scale 
plantations near mines, offices and other suitable residential areas. 
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to launch the campaign along with Coal Minister 
Pralhad Joshi. The event will take place through a video conference to inaugurate 
planting in as many as 130 locations across 10 coal and lignite rich states.

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Q141 The first batch of Rafale Aircraft touched down at which Indian air base?

A)Ambala Air Force Station B)Awantipur Air Force Station

C)Pathankot Air Force Station D)Udhampur Air Force Station

Answer : (A)
Explanation :The first batch of five Rafale combat aircraft landed at the Ambala Air
Force Station in India on July 29, 2020. The jets were welcomed in India with a water
cannon salute. The pilots of the much-awaited first batch of Rafale aircraft from France
were received by Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria.
 
Q142 Which state government has sought permission from the Supreme Court to
appoint 10,000 terminated teachers as peons?

A)Jharkhand B)Odisha
C)Tripura D)Assam

Answer : (C)
Explanation :The Tripura government has sought permission from the Supreme Court to
appoint 10,000 terminated teachers as peons. The Tripura government, under the
Revised Employment Policy, 2003, had recruited 1,035 PGTs, 4,666 TGTs and 4,612
UGTs in 2010 and 2014 through the oral interview but their appointment was quashed
by the high court set on May 7, 2014.
 
Q143 Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal's ban has been reduced to 18 months. He was
banned from the sport earlier for how long?

A)2 years B)3 years

C)3.5 years D)5 years

Answer : (B)
Explanation :Pakistani cricketer, Umar Akmal's ban has been halved to 18 months and
will run from February 2020 to August 2021. The batsman was initially slapped with a
three-year ban for failing to report corrupt approaches.
 
Q144 As per a new study, 1 in 3 children worldwide are threatened by high levels of
which chemical element in their blood?

A)Iron B)Lead
C)Sulphur D)Chlorine

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Answer : (B)
Explanation :According to a new study, one in three children worldwide are threatened
by unacceptably high lead levels in the blood. The study notes that lead recycling is
often done haphazardly in poor and middle-income countries where industrial pollution
safeguards are poorly enforced or nonexistent.
 
Q145 ​Who has been appointed as the head to probe the encounter involving the 
Kanpur-based gangster? 
 
A) B S Chauhan B) A K Sikri 
C) Shashi Kant Aggarwal D) K L Gupta 
 
Answer : (A)
Explanation : ​The Supreme Court has endorsed the suggestion of the Uttar Pradesh 
government in the composition of the commission to probe the encounter involving 
gangster Vikas Dubey and other events leading to his death. Former judge of the 
Supreme Court of India, Justice B S Chauhan will head the Commission. Another High 
Court Judge Shashi Kant Aggarwal and former DGP K.L Gupta will be the members of 
the commission, which will submit its report in two months.The 2020 theme of the India 
Ideas Summit was ‘Building a Better Future’. The summit was hosted by the US-India 
Business Council. This year’s edition marks the 45th anniversary of the founding of the 
council.
 
Q​146 What was the theme of India Ideas Summit 2020? 
 
A)Building a Better Future B)Business and Environment 
C)Business in post-COVID world D)Sustainable Business

Answer :(A)
Explanation :The 2020 theme of the India Ideas Summit was ‘Building a Better Future’.
The summit was hosted by the US-India Business Council. This year’s edition marks the
45th anniversary of the founding of the council.
 
Q147 When will the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 be held now?

A)October-November 2021 B)February-March 2021

C)January-February 2022 D)December 2020

Answer : (A)

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Explanation :The International Cricket Council confirmed on July 20, 2020 that the ICC
Men’s T20 World Cup to be held in Australia 2020 has been postponed to
October-November 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Q148 ​Which state government has signed an MoU with ‘AMUL’, to boost self-help 
groups and milk cooperatives? 
 
A) Tamil Nadu  B) Haryana 
C) Andhra Pradesh D) Uttar Pradesh 

Answer : (C)
Explanation : ​The state government of Andhra Pradesh has signed an MoU with the milk 
cooperative major AMUL (Anand Milk Union Limited). The agreement aims to promote 
empowerment of women self-help groups and encourage milk cooperatives in the 
government sector. It also provides exposure to world class infrastructure, technology 
and market access to the local groups.
 
Q149 NASA has postponed the launch of James Webb Space Telescope till when?

A)December 2021 B)September 2021

C)October 2021 D)July 2022

Answer : (C)
Explanation : NASA has rescheduled the launch of James Webb Space Telescope to
October 31, 2021. The launch was earlier scheduled for March 2021. The space agency
had confirmed last month that the March 2021 launch target was not possible due to the
delays brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and other technical challenges.
 
Q150 Who has won the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity?

A)Severn Cullis B)Alexandria Villasenor

C)Kehkashan Basu D)Greta Thunberg

Answer : (D)
Explanation :Greta Thunberg, a 17-year-old environment activist from Sweden, was
named the winner of the first Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. She is a founder of a
school strike for climate and is known as one of the most influential environmental
activists.
 
Q151 ​What is the corpus of foreign investment attracted by India during Covid 
lockdown, as stated by the Prime Minister in India Ideas summit? 

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A) USD 5 billion B) USD 10 billion 
C) USD 20 billion D) USD 50 billion 

Answer : (C)
Explanation : ​India Ideas summit is a two-day virtual summit organised by the US-India 
Business Council. It aims to connect officials from the two nations, to discuss 
post-coronavirus recovery plans. In his keynote address, the Prime Minister of India 
welcomed the US investors to India and added that India has attracted over USD 20 
billion foreign investment even during the Covid-19 lockdown. He also highlighted the 
rise in India’s rank to 63 in Ease of Doing Business ranking of the World Bank.
 
Q152 Zoram Mega food park has been launched in which state?

A)Meghalaya B)Nagaland
C)Sikkim D)Mizoram

Answer : (D)
Explanation : The Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal inaugurated
Zoram mega food park in Mizoram on July 21, 2020 that will benefit around 25,000
farmers and generate around 5,000 job opportunities.
 
Q153 PM Modi recently praised nuclear scientists for achieving criticality at the
Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3. The power plant is located in which state?

A)Madhya Pradesh B)Odisha

C)Telangana D)Gujarat

Answer : (D)
Explanation :Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 22, 2020 congratulated the nuclear
scientists as Gujarat's Kakrapar atomic power plant-3 achieved criticality. The Prime
Minister highlighted that the indigenous 700 MWe KAPP-3 reactor will be a shining
example of the 'Make in India' campaign.
 
Q154 ​Which Indian tele-communication company features among the “Clean Telcos” 
list made by the United States? 
 
A) Airtel B) Vodafone 
C) Jio D) BSNL 

Answer : (C)

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Explanation : ​The United States has listed India’s leading tele-com company Reliance 
Jio among the companies that are becoming “Clean Telcos”. 
This is an initiative of a coalition of countries and companies to secure their critical 
telecommunication technologies by relying on trusted vendors. Orange in France, Jio in 
India, Telstra in Australia, SK and KT in South Korea, NTT in Japan, and O2 in the United 
Kingdom have been added to the list recently.
 
Q155 Who has authored the book ‘The Pandemic Century: One Hundred Years of
Panic, Hysteria and Hubris’?

A) Lee Child B) Philip Pullman

C) Mark Honigsbaum D) J. K. RowlIng
Answer :(C)
Explanation :Mark Honigsbaum is a medical historian, journalist, and author has
released his new book titled ”The Pandemic Century: One Hundred Years of Panic,
Hysteria and Hubris’.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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ABOUT NFA 
No Frills Academy is India’s first and finest Online SSB guidance academy
that provides uniquely customised, individual guidance programs to help
aspirants turn into competent and well-rounded candidates suitable for life
in general and the Armed Forces in particular.
 
 

E-BOOKS 
NFA has a series of e-books to its credit that have been written by Col. Nehru.

The Practical Guide to Become an Officer​ is a complete self-help book which has
helped hundreds of students get recommended. The ​Paperback edition​ is now
available for pre-book.

The Physical and Medical Guide​ is a combination of Guide to Fitness and a compilation
of Medical related guidelines that have been picked up from an Official Handbook of the
Armed Forces.

Economics Made Easy​ - A concise, relevant book to change you from a Layman to one
who understands Economics. Once basic knowledge is acquired and the general fear
from Economic terms is removed, one can build on it.

SSB related Current Affairs​ is the latest addition to the Guidance material published by
NFA.

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PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT 
 

 
 
 

For any queries related to enrolments, please write to ​us​.

 
 
 

CONTACT US 
 
If you would like to collaborate with NFA or wish to contact Col. Nehru for Corporate
Leadership/Motivational talks, please ​write to us here​!

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