1. Which of the following countries have ended free entry for Indian tourists?
a. Bhutan
b. China
c. Sri Lanka
d. Nepal
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• Bhutan will levy a daily fee of Rs 1,200 per person from July 2020. Other countries included in the scheme are Maldives and Bangladesh.
• The fee, called a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), is a provision recently introduced by the Bhutanese government to help regulate the heavy tourist traffic in the country.
• The SDF for Indian passport holders is quite less compared to citizens of other countries, who have to pay USD 65 (Rs 4,631) along with a compulsory flat cover charge of USD 250 (Rs 17,811) per day.
• The decision to introduce the fee was passed by the country's National Assembly as the Tourism Levy and Exemption Bill of Bhutan, 2020.
• Earlier, Indian nationals visiting Bhutan were only required to carry any of the two valid travel documents necessary, and did not have to pay an entry fee.
• The travel documents were an Indian passport with minimum 6 months validity and/or a voter ID card issued by the Election Commission of India. Indian citizens did not require a visa to visit Bhutan.
2. What was India’s rank on the 8th International Intellectual Property (IP) Index 2020?
a. 40
b. 24
c. 32
d. 29
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• The US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Innovation Policy Center has released the 8th edition of International Intellectual Property (IP) Index for 2020.
• The report was authored by Meir Pugatch and David Torstensson.The index has been topped by the United States (US) followed by UK (United Kingdom), Sweden, France and Germany.
• In the 8th International Intellectual Property (IP) Index for 2020 India slips to 40th rank.
3. What was the rank of India in Worldwide Education for the Future Index 2019?
a. 35
b. 37
c. 40
d. 50
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• India jumped five ranks in the Worldwide Educating for the Future Index (WEFFI) 2019, as per a report published by The Economist Intelligence Unit.
• India ranked 35th on the overall index in 2019 with a total score of 53, based on three categories – policy environment, teaching environment and overall socio-economic environment. The country ranked 40th with an overall score of 41.2 across categories in 2018.
• The index ranks countries based on their abilities to equip students with skill-based education. The report analyses education system from the perspective of skill-based education “in areas such as critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, collaboration, creativity and entrepreneurship, as well as digital and technical skills.”
• India ranked 35th on the overall index in 2019 with a total score of 53, based on three categories – policy environment, teaching environment and overall socio-economic environment. The country ranked 40th with an overall score of 41.2 across categories in 2018.
4. Which country has launched Air-launched cruise missile Ra’ad-II ?
a. Pakistan
b. Afghanistan
c. Iran
d. Iraq
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• Air-launched cruise missile Ra’ad-II has been launched by Pakistan.
• The Ra’ad-II weapon system is equipped with stateof-the-art guidance & navigation systems ensuring of engagement targets with high precision.
• The missile is planned to be attached to Mirage aircraft or F-16 fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force.
• The cruise missile with a range of 600 km significantly enhances air delivered strategic standoff capability on land and at sea.
5. Which of the following is the mascot of Goa 2020 National Games?
a. Rubigula
b. Sheru
c. Moksha
d. Jumbo
S-a
EXPLANATION-
• ‘Rubigula', Flame-Throated Bulbul, has been unveiled as the official mascot for the Goa 2020 National Games.
• The Flame-Throated Bulbul is the state bird of Goa.
• The mascot 'Rubigula' will generate the interest of people towards the National Games.
• The mascot incorporates the best elements and characteristics of Goa and the Goan people.
• It is another step forward for the preparations of the National Game and Rubigula will generate even more interest for these Games, especially among young people.
• Goa will be hosting the 36th edition of the National Games from 20th October to 4th November 2020.
• The event will see participation by 36 states and union territories, 12,000 + athletes, officials and will host 37 sports disciplines across 24 venues in Goa.
• 36th National Games will begin in Goa from October 20 to November 4. More than 12,000 athletes, as well as officials, will participate in the tournaments.
