Current Affairs Questions and Answers 20th March 2024

20th March Current Affairs 2024 Quiz

Q1. Which project is among those supported by Axis Bank’s contribution to the National Cancer Grid?

(a) National Diabetes Clinic

(b) National Tumour Biobank

(d) National Orthopedic Research Center

(e) National Dermatology Symposium

Q2. Who has been appointed as the new Managing Director & CEO of Poonawalla Fincorp?

(a) Abhay Bhutada

(b) Arvind Kapil

(d) Rakesh Jhunjhunwala

(e) Nirmal Jain

Q3. What is the approximate height of Noctis Volcano on Mars?

(a) 20,000 feet

(b) 25,000 feet

(d) 35,000 feet

(e) 40,000 feet

Q4. Where is Noctis Volcano located in relation to Mars’ equator?

(a) North of the equator

(b) South of the equator

(d) East of the equator

(e) West of the equator

Q5. How many polling stations are targeted under the “Mission 414” campaign in Himachal Pradesh?

(a) 364

(b) 392

(d) 436

(e) 458

Q6. Where is the World Gold Council (WGC) headquartered?

(a) New York

(b) Beijing

(d) Mumbai

(e) Singapore

Q7. How much did the RBI’s gold holdings increase by from December 2023 to January 2024?

(a) 6.72 tonnes

(b) 8.7 tonnes

(d) 10.72 tonnes

(e) 12.72 tonnes

Q8. With which Sri Lankan conglomerate is Elephant House affiliated?

(a) John Keells Holdings PLC

(b) Hayleys PLC

(d) Aitken Spence PLC

(e) Sri Lanka Telecom PLC

Q9. Which constitutional amendments would be required to implement the One Nation One Election policy in India?

(a) Articles 20, 21, and 22

(b) Articles 48A, 51A, and 54

(d) Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356

(e) Articles 39A, 43, and 44

Q10. Statement I: The credit assistance program initiated through an MoU between SIDBI and PMBI aims to provide project loans for Jan Aushadhi Kendra operators up to Rs 2 lakhs.

Statement II: Minister Mandaviya praised the Union Government’s efforts in providing financial assistance to individual operators, particularly in remote areas, to promote entrepreneurship and enhance access to affordable healthcare.

(a) Statement I is true, and Statement II is false.

(b) Statement I is false, and Statement II is true.

(d) Both Statement I and Statement II are true, but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I.

(e) Both Statement I and Statement II are false.

Solutions

S1. Ans.(b)

Sol. Axis Bank’s contribution to the National Cancer Grid includes support for establishing a National Tumour Biobank. This initiative aims to collect and store tumor samples, facilitating cancer research and personalized treatment development, thus significantly advancing oncology care in India.

S2. Ans.(b)

Sol. Arvind Kapil, a seasoned retail banking expert from HDFC Bank, has been appointed as the new Managing Director & CEO of Poonawalla Fincorp. Kapil’s extensive experience and leadership in managing HDFC Bank’s mortgage banking business make him a suitable candidate to lead Poonawalla Fincorp. His appointment aims to drive growth and capitalize on his expertise in the financial sector.

S3. Ans.(c)

Sol. Noctis Volcano stands approximately 29,600 feet tall, as revealed by researchers studying Martian geological features. This significant height underscores the monumental scale of the volcano and its importance in understanding Mars’ geological history.

S4. Ans.(b)

Sol. Noctis Volcano is situated just south of Mars’ equator, specifically within the Eastern Noctis Labyrinthus region. This location provides valuable insights into the distribution of volcanic activity on the Martian surface.

S5. Ans.(c)

Sol. The “Mission 414” campaign in Himachal Pradesh aims to boost voter turnout in 414 polling stations that recorded less than 60% voting during the last Lok Sabha elections. This targeted approach addresses specific areas with historically low participation rates.

S6. Ans.(c)

Sol. WGC is headquartered in London.

S7. Ans.(c)

Sol. The RBI’s gold holdings rose from 803.58 tonnes in December 2023 to 812.3 tonnes in January 2024,

S8. Ans.(a)

Sol. Elephant House is owned by Ceylon Cold Stores PLC, a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC, Sri Lanka’s largest listed conglomerate.

S9. Ans.(d)

Sol. Implementing the One Nation One Election policy would require amending Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356 of the Indian Constitution, as these articles govern the terms and dissolution of Parliament and state legislatures.

S10. Ans.(a)

Sol. Statement I accurately describes the objective of the credit assistance program, aiming to provide project loans for Jan Aushadhi Kendra operators up to Rs 2 lakhs. Statement II, however, focuses on Minister Mandaviya praising the government’s efforts in providing financial assistance, which is not directly related to the details provided in Statement I.