Current Affairs Quiz: 20 July 2024

Current Affairs Quiz

1. Davis Strait, which has been in the news lately, lies between which two regions?

[A] Alaska and Russia

[B] Greenland and Canada

[C] Iceland and Norway

[D] Siberia and Canada

Correct Answer: B [Greenland and Canada].

A microcontinent has been discovered in Davis Strait between Canada and Greenland. Formed by tectonic plate shifts millions of years ago, the microcontinent consists of 19–24 km thick continental crust, now named the Davis Strait proto-microcontinent. The strait is 650 kilometers north to south and 200-400 miles wide, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Northwest Passage, but is impossible to cross in winter due to ice.

2. What is the ‘MV Sea Change’ that has been in the news lately?

[A] The world’s first electric ferry

[B] The world’s first commercial passenger ferry to run on 100% hydrogen fuel

[C] Largest cargo ship in the world

[D] None of these

Correct Answer: B [World’s first commercial passenger ferry powered by 100% hydrogen fuel]

MV Sea Change, the world’s first commercial passenger ferry powered by 100% hydrogen fuel, has opened at the San Francisco Ferry Building. Built by All American Marine Shipyard for Switch Maritime and designed by Incat Crothers, she carries 75 passengers and operates for 16 hours, with a range of 300 nautical miles per refueling. Emitting only heat and water vapour, it reaches speeds of up to 20 knots and produces potable water.

3. The Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS), which has been in the news recently, comes under the functional domain of which ministry?

[A] Ministry of Urban Development

[B] Ministry of Defence

[C] Ministry of Finance

[D] Ministry of Rural Development

Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Finance]

Officials recently announced a 6% non-performing assets (NPA) rate under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme launched by India in 2020 to assist businessmen affected by COVID-1 Administered by the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance and National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC), the scheme provides 100% guaranteed coverage to lenders. Phases ECLGS 1.0 to 4.0 expanded its scope in a variety of areas. Restrictions are based on the borrower’s appraisal, with no collateral or fees.

4) Which two Indian astronauts received honors from the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), an established body called the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) at the World Space Conference?

[A] Prahlad Chandra Agarwal and Anil Bhardwaj

[B] Ajay Kumar Sood and Pawan Kumar

[C] Lalita Abraham and Rajiv Gauba

[D] Ashwin Basavada and Sharmila Bhattacharya

Correct Answer: A [Prahlad Chandra Agarwal and Anil Bhardwaj]

Indian astronauts Prahlad Chandra Agarwal and Anil Bhardwaj received prestigious awards from COSPAR during the 45th Scientific Meeting in Busan, South Korea. Agarwal, a retired TIFR professor, received the Harry Massey Award for his contributions to X-ray astronomy and leading astrosats. Bhardwaj, who has been director of PRL since 2017, received the Vikram Sarabhai Medal for his work in planetary space science and his key role in ISRO missions.

5) Which state government has recently organized a special camp to grant Indian citizenship to minority refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh?

[A] Gujarat

[B] Rajasthan

[C] Maharashtra

[D] Karnataka

Correct Answer: B [Rajasthan]

The Rajasthan government has organized special camps to grant Indian citizenship to minority refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh. District Commissioners have been empowered to issue citizenship certificates through simplified rules. From 2016 to 2024, 2,329 refugees received citizenship while 1,566 applications are pending. The Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 grants citizenship to non-Muslim communities from these countries who entered India till December 31, 2014 and exempts them from punishment under the Immigration Act.

Source

Current Affairs Quiz: 19 July 2024