Answer – 3) Maharashtra
Explanation:
Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of Communications, Electronics and informational technology (MEITY) 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.

Answer – 4) 45.8 million
Explanation:
According to the report, “State of World Population 2020: Against my will – Defying the practices that harm women and girls and undermine equality”, which focuses on gender biased sex selection (GBSS) and female genital mutilation (FGM), released by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), India accounts for 45.8 million of the world’s 142.6 million “missing females” over the past 50 years & it has the highest number of missing women after China (72.3 million).

Answer – 3) United States
Explanation:
United States of America (USA), as a depositary of the 1946 Constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO), has formally notified the United Nations (UN) of its decision of withdrawal from the global health body, WHO. The US, which has been a party to the WHO Constitution since June 21, 1948 is the largest funder to the WHO, contributing more than USD 450 million per annum. Notably, the US has to follow the withdrawal conditions including one-year notice period and paying outstanding financial obligations, which were agreed at the time of joining the WHO. In this regard, the US has to serve a 12-month notice period i.e. till July 6, 2021 and also needs to clear the current and past dues which currently owe the WHO around $200 million.

Answer – 2) Tamil Nadu
Explanation:
The World Bank and the government of India signed an agreement along with the Government of Tamil Nadu to help the low-income groups in the state of Tamil Nadu to get access to affordable housing. Agreements signed: – Legal agreements of two projects were signed to strengthen the state’s housing sector policies, institutions, and regulations. First Tamil Nadu Housing Sector Strengthening Programme worth $200 million (Rs 1,510 crore), Tamil Nadu Housing and Habitat Development Project worth $50 million (Rs 377 crore).

Answer – 1) Microsoft India
Explanation:
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), a not-for-profit public limited company has joined hands with tech giant company Microsoft India Private Limited, a subsidiary of American software company Microsoft Corporation, to enhance the digital skills of the country’s youth. Under this, more than 1 lakh youth will be digitally enabled in the country in the next one year.

Answer – 5) K.K. Venugopal
Explanation:
The Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet has approved the re-appointment of senior advocate K.K. Venugopal as Attorney General of India for a year, whose 3 year tenure ends on June 30, 2020 and senior advocate Tushar Mehta as Solicitor General for a period of three years. K.K. Venugopal succeeded Mukul Rohatgi on June 30, 2017. He is the 15th Attorney General of India.

Answer – 4) 4th
Explanation:
The 4th edition of international meeting named “Ministerial on Climate Action (MoCA)” was held on July 7, 2020, which was co-chaired by European Union (EU), China and Canada. From India, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar participated in meet. MoCA, which is held annually since 2017, was held virtually for the first time in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Answer – 4) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Explanation:
Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary of Housing & Urban Affairs has rolled out the Beta version webportal for street vendors loan scheme Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors’ AtmaNirbhar Nidhi –PMSVANidhi (http://pmsvanidhi.mohua.gov.in/) developed by SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) to provide end-to-end solutions for scheme management.

Answer – 3) National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog
Explanation:
The new report on clean energy transition in India titled “Towards a Clean Energy Economy: Post-Covid-19 Opportunities for India’s Energy and Mobility Sectors” brought out jointly by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) to support India’s clean energy future.

Answer – 1) USD 750 million
Explanation:
The World Bank approved a USD 750 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Emergency Response Program to support severely impacted MSMEs in India due to COVID-19 crisis. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) will provide the loan.

Answer – 1) Mylab
Explanation:
Mylab Discovery Solutions, Pune based molecular diagnostics company has launched ‘Compact XL’- India’s first machine to automate the manual processes of molecular diagnostic tests like RT-PCR test for COVID-19 on 7th July 2020. The machine was unveiled by Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India (SII).

Answer – 1) MyGov Corona Helpdesk
Explanation:
India’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled “MyGov Corona Helpdesk” won two awards under the categories “Best Innovation for Covid-19 – Society” and “People Choice Covid-19 Overall Winner” in 4th CogX, the annual Global Leadership Summit and Festival of AI and Emerging Technology held in London from June 8th to 10th. The AI enabled Helpdesk was designed, developed and deployed by JioHaptik Technologies Limited in collaboration with the WhatsApp team in 5 days. The theme of CogX 2020 is “How do we get the next 10 years right?”.

Answer – 3) 1 Lakh Crore
Explanation:
As a part of the Rs 20 lakh crore “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan” announced in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Union Cabinet has given its approval to a 10 years long (FY2020 to FY2029) pan India Central Sector Scheme namely “Agriculture Infrastructure Fund” with an outlay of Rs. 1 Lakh Crore in order to support agri-entrepreneurs, start-ups, agri-tech players and farmer groups for infrastructure and logistics facilities. Under this, the total outflow as budgetary support from Government of India (GoI) will be Rs. 10,736 crores.

Answer – 2) Japan
Explanation:
In order to promote mutual understanding, Indian Navy and Japanese Navy (Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force) have conducted a day long Naval Exercise PASSEX (Passing Exercise) for tactical and communications training, towards the Malacca Strait in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This was the 15th exercise undertaken by the navies of these two nations in the last three years. The overall content of this PASSEX was goodwill training and to promote understanding.

Answer – 5) Securities and Exchange Board of India
Explanation:
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the data exchange between the two organizations via video conference.

Answer – 3) Suresh Mathur
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 IRDAI to look into the possibility of setting up ‘Pandemic Risk Pool’ to deal with the various risks arising out of a pandemic -like health emergencies & recommend the structure and operating model for the Pool within 8 weeks.

Answer – 1) Ivory Coast
Explanation:
Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly (61), the Presidential election candidate of Ivory Coast’s ruling party, died on 8 July 2020 at Abidjan, Ivory Coast within a few days after returning from two months of treatment in France.

Answer – 1) “Lessen the Mortality of COVID-19”
Explanation:
India Celebrates July 1st as the National Doctors Day to honour the doctors and physicians and to recognise their 24×7 service to the society and to express gratitude towards the professionals of the medical sector for their service. Indian Medical Association (IMA) observed the first National Doctors Day on 1st July 1991. The theme of 2020 Doctors Day is “Lessen the Mortality of COVID-19” which includes awareness about asymptomatic hypoxia and early aggressive therapy.

Answer – 4) Madhya Pradesh
Explanation:
Asia’s largest solar power project: Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Power Project in Madhya Pradesh is inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, through video conferencing. The 750 MW ultra-solar power plant spread over 1,590 acres. It was developed by Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL), a joint venture of Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVN) and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). The Rewa Solar Power project received the World Bank Group President’s Award.

Answer – 5) SBI Capital Markets Limited
Explanation:
Government of India (GoI) has approved a scheme for improving the short-term liquidity position of non-banking finance companies (NBFCs)/housing finance companies (HFCs) through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in the form of Special Liquidity Scheme (SLS) Trust set up by SBI Capital Markets Limited (SBICAP), a subsidiary of the State Bank of India (SBI). Means, SBICAP will manage this operation. In the Budget Speech of 2020-21, it was announced that a mechanism would be devised to provide additional liquidity facility to NBFCs/HFCs over that provided through the Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme (PCGS). It should be noted that the finances provided to the NFBCs/HFCs under this scheme should be used to repay existing liabilities and not to expand assets.

Answer – 2) 1.5° Celsius
Explanation:
The United Nations (UN) weather Agency, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in its “Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update for 2020-2024” has forecasted that the annual mean global temperature are already at least 1 C higher now than during the period from 1850-1900 because of man-made greenhouse emissions and there is a 20% chance that it will exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) in at least one year between 2020-2024. Overall, it is very likely to be within the range 0.91 – 1.59°C.

Answer – 5) Indian Overseas Bank
Explanation:
Karnam Sekar, The Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), retired on 30th June 2020.

Answer – 4) Usha Thorat
Explanation:
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the regulator of the securities and commodity market in India, has reconstituted the committee advising it on matters related to regulation and development of the mutual fund industry by including five new members. The new 20-member committee, will be chaired by Usha Thorat, former deputy governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Answer – 1) G. Srinivasan
Explanation:
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), an autonomous, statutory body tasked with regulating and promoting the insurance in India, has set up a nine member working Group (WG) under G. Srinivasan, director, National Insurance Academy, to look at the possibility of the Indian insurance industry or any other sector to offer Surety Bonds in India.

Answer – 1) Gyanendro Ningombam
Explanation:
The Hockey India (HI) in its Executive Board meeting named Manipur’s Gyanendro Ningombam, who was senior vice-president in the federation, as officiating president till the end of September 2022 after Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad resigned on July 07, 2020 due to personal and family commitments.

Answer – 5) Jharkhand
Explanation:
Jharkhand government signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HDFC Bank to provide digital payment solutions to the state’s transport department.

Answer – 4) 2036
Explanation:
The 77.9% Russian electorate have voted in favour of constitutional amendments that will allow 67 years old President Vladimir Putin to stay in power until 2036 i.e. until the age of 83. His current term of 6 years will end in 2024. Means now, he will be re-elected twice under the constitutional amendments. He is already the longest-serving leader in modern Russian history.

Answer – 1) India
Explanation:
4th edition of India’s 2018 Tiger census sets new Guinness World Record for being largest camera trap wildlife survey because the census had installed more cameras to monitor the tigers as compared to other countries. 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 per cent of the global tiger population are in India.

Answer – 3) 2.8%
Explanation:
In accordance with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, India’s external debt stood at $558.5 billion in March 2020, an increase of $15.4 billion or 2.8% as compared to the March 2019. The largest component of the external debt is Commercial borrowings with a share of 39.4%, followed by non-resident deposits at 23.4% and short-term trade credit at 18.2%. In terms of currency, United States (US) dollar-denominated debt continued to be the largest component of India’s external debt, with a share of 53.7% at end-March 2020, followed by the Indian rupee (31.9%), yen (5.6%), SDR (4.5%) and the euro (3.5%).

Answer – 2) Institute for Human Development
Explanation:
Institute for Human Development (IHD), an Indian non-profit institution conferred with ‘Development Marketplace Award 2020: Innovations to Address Gender-Based Violence’ from World Bank Group and Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) for the project alcohol, intimate partner violence and household economy: an assessment of liquor ban in Bihar. Apart from India, other 8 non-profit organizations from various countries have received this award.

Answer – 3) Freya Thakral
Explanation:
Freya Thakral, a 13 year old student of the British School New Delhi received the 2020 Diana Award for her Recycler App, which she developed to connect users with waste-handlers as a measure to help the ragpickers of Delhi. The award is presented annually on the birth anniversary of Princess Diana.

Answer – 2) China
Explanation:
China launched a new commercial telecommunication satellite “APSTAR-6D” by a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the southwestern Xichang Satellite Launch Center. Also, 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. Kuaizhou-11(KZ-11) means ‘Fast Ship’ in China’s Mandarin language.

Answer – 2) Choreographer
Explanation:
Veteran Bollywood Choreographer, Saroj Khan (71) died of Cardiac arrest at Gurunanak Hospital, Bandra where she was admitted before one week with complaint of breathing issues. She was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Answer – 2) July 11
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– The theme of 2020 is to safeguard the sexual and reproductive health care, protect the health and rights of women and girls, and end gender-based violence. “Putting the brakes on COVID-19: how to Safeguard the health and rights of women and girls’’.

Answer – 1) China
Explanation:
In accordance with the 3^rd edition of “The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 report-Quantities, flows, and the circular economy potential” report, the world dumped a record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste in 2019, an increase of 21% in 5 years. With this e-waste becomes the world’s fastest-growing domestic waste stream. Notably, this waste is enough to form a line 125 kilometres long. 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. Together these three countries accounted for nearly 38% of the world’s e-waste last year.

Answer – 4) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Explanation:
The Smart City Mission of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs opened the registration for India Cycles4Change Challenge launched by Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State Housing and Urban Affairs on 25th June 2020. During the event a brief description of the challenge was given and the online portal for application submission of the participating cities was launched.

Answer – 2) Edelweiss Asset Management Company
Explanation:
Edelweiss Asset Management Company (AMC), a subsidiary of Edelweiss Capital Limited (ECL) has decided to bring the second instalment of the Bharat Bond ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) with two new series to raise Rs 14,000 crore in July 2020. Through the launch of these two new ETF series, which have maturities of 5 years and 11 years, Edelweiss aims to raise an initial amount of Rs. 2,000 crores from institutional players with a green shoe option of Rs. 6,000 crores 5-year maturity period (April 2025) and initial amount of Rs. 1,000 crores with a green shoe option of Rs. 5,000 crores in 11 years (April 2031).

Answer – 3) Kailasavadivoo Sivan
Explanation:
The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) has announced Dr. Kailasavadivoo Sivan, Chief of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) as the recipient of the 2020 Von Karman Award, the highest distinction of the IAA. The award will be presented to Dr. K. Sivan in March 2021 at Paris. He is the 3^rd Indian to receive the award.

Answer – 4) India
Explanation:
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released the picture of the closest and biggest moon of Mars named “Phobos” which was captured by Mars Colour Camera (MCC) onboard India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). The image was taken on July 1, 2020 when MOM was about 7200 km from Mars and at 4200 km from Phobos.

Answer – 1) Chhattisgarh
Explanation:
The Chief Minister (Mukhyamantri) Darpan Portal and Mobile app, which contains the details of the schemes of the Government of Chhattisgarh like Suraji Gaon Yojana received the Elites Excellence Awards 2020 under the government category for the innovation for monitoring important schemes of the government by the IT institution Elites Technomedia under the Digital India Initiative. The portal and the mobile application for the Chief Minister (Mukhyamantri) Darpan was developed by the Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society (CHiPS).

Answer – 3) Ram Nath Kovind
Explanation:
On July 4, 2020 President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind has virtually inaugurated the celebrations for the Dharma Chakra Day 2020 Organized by International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), in partnership with Union Ministry of Culture, from the Rashtrapati Bhawan at New Delhi on the occasion of Asadha Poornima (also known as Guru Purnima) , a Full Moon day or Purnima that occurs in the Hindu month of Ashadha (July) as per Indian sun calendar.

Answer – 3) United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Explanation:
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) India joined hands with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s (FICCI) Socio-Economic Development Foundation (SEDF) to initiate UNICEF’s “#Reimagine Campaign” for the support of most vulnerable populations and children during the ongoing COVID-19 response and its aftermath in India.

Answer – 2) Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
Explanation:
For the 1st time in the world, Indian Railways will directly supply power to Overhead Traction System of train. To achieve this feat, Indian Railways has recently set up 1.7 MWp (megawatt power) at Bina (Madhya Pradesh) which shall be connected directly to Overhead Traction System. This has already been installed and is presently under extensive testing & will become operation in 15 days. Indian Railways has partnered with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme for this first of its kind project in the world.

Answer – 2) 8.9%
Explanation:
In accordance with the United Nations'(UN) annual report “The state of food security and nutrition in the world- Transforming food systems for affordable healthy diets”, nearly 690 million people, or 8.9% of the world’s population, went hungry in 2019, an increase of 10 million since 2018 and of nearly 60 million since 2014. The report has been prepared by 5 UN agencies, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP) and World Health Organization (WHO).

Answer – 4) K S Reddy
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, together with migrant laborer’s & will also study the future response of the government.

Answer – 2) Stephen King
Explanation:
A new book titled “If It Bleeds”, a collection of four stories, authored by Stephen King has been released in India on July 10, 2020. The book published by Hachette India has centered on a bomb at Albert Macready Middle School. It is a sequel to his bestselling work, The Outsider.

Answer – 3) 117
Explanation:
In accordance with the “Sustainable Development Report 2020- The Sustainable Development Goals and Covid-19”, comprising of SDG index 2020, there will be severe negative impacts on most of the United Nations (UN)-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to COVID-19 pandemic. India, which has ranked at 117th position with a score of 61.92 is also facing major challenges in 10 of the 17 SDGs including zero hunger, good health, gender inequality among others. The index has been topped by Sweden.

Answer – 2) Maldives & Sri Lanka
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 and rubella, making them the first two countries in the WHO South-East Asia region to achieve beyond their 2023 target.

Answer – 3) Elyments
Explanation:
Vice President of India Shri Venkaiah Naidu launched India’s first social media super application ‘Elyments’ virtually on 5th July 2020. The app was developed by Sumeru Software Solutions & provides free audio/video calls, and private/ group chats through vibrant feed.

Answer – 2) Odisha
Explanation:
The Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, launched the Bhubaneswar Land Use Intelligence System (BLUIS), a flagship development of the General Administration and Public grievances departments. Odisha becomes the first state in India to use high resolution satellite imagery utilizing space technology and artificial intelligence to monitor government lands.

Answer – 5) United Kingdom
Explanation:
Prime Minister (PM) Shri Narendra Modi has addressed the inaugural session of 3-day (July 9 – July 11) virtual India Global week 2020 based on the theme ‘Be The Revival: India and a Better New World’ organized in UK (United Kingdom) by India Inc. Group, the UK-headquartered media house with the aim to connect global leaders and captains of industry to discuss aspects relating to opportunities in India as well as the global economic revival post-coronavirus (COVID-19).

Answer – 3) Harkesh Mittal
Explanation:
Sijo Kuruvilla George, the CEO of startup village and founder of Re-think Foundation has been selected as a member of Central Government’s Expert Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2020 (STIP 2020), India’s 5th science and technology policy led by Harkesh Mittal, head of the department of Science and Technology.

Answer – 1) (-) 4.5%
Explanation:
In accordance with the latest round of Economic Outlook Survey of FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry), India’s annual median Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for FY2020-21 has been declined to (-) 4.5% with a minimum and maximum growth estimate of (-) 6.4% and 1.5% respectively. As per the survey, there is a possibility of V-shaped recovery with government expenditure as in the current situation.

Answer – 1) Injeti Srinivas
Explanation:
Government appointed former corporate affairs secretary and IAS officer, Injeti Srinivas as the 1st chairman of the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA) for a 3 years term. IFSCA regulates all financial services in international financial services centres (IFSCs) in Gandhinagar.

Answer – 3) Bharat Biotech
Explanation:
Bharat Biotech India Ltd (BBIL) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – National Institute of Virology (NIV) developed India’s first COVID-19 vaccine – COVAXIN (BBV152 COVID vaccine). The vaccine is developed and manufactured by the BSL-3 (Bio Safety Level- 3) high containment facility of BBIL.

Answer – 5) Jin Liqun
Explanation:
Jin Liqun is the present president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The HQ of AIIB located at Beijing, China.

Answer – 1) Boxing
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 has been ranked first in the world ranking of main elites of 52 kg weight category with a total of 1300 points. At the same time, Manju Rani has got the second place in women’s rankings in 48 kg with 1175 points.

Answer – 1) Ulaanbaatar
Explanation:
The capital and currency of Mongolia are Ulaanbaatar & Mongolian Togrog / Tugrik respectively.

Answer – 4) West Bengal
Explanation:
Mamta Banergee, The Chief Minister of West Bengal launches “SelfScan” app developed by the state’s Information Technology department as an alternative to Camscanner.

Answer – 2) Sonipat, Haryana
Explanation:
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) in Sonipat, Haryana and Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT) in Tamil Nadu, two academic and research institutions under Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) along with State Level Technical Institutions would be supported by ministry for training of units, product development, appropriate packaging and machinery for micro units.