1.Under what law, the Internal Ombudsman (IO) scheme 2018 gives statutory powers to Internal Ombudsman?
[A] RBI Act[B] Banking Regulatoin Act
[C] Lokpal and Lokayukta Act
[D] Companies Act
ANSWER: B [Banking Regulation Act]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently introduced Internal Ombudsman (IO) scheme 2018 to tighten internal grievance redressal system at Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs). In it, RBI has given statutory powers to Internal Ombudsman (IO) under section 35 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The central bank has tightened the selection and operating procedure for IO in banks and made it mandatory for lenders with more than 10 branches (excluding Regional Rural Banks) to have an independent authority to review complaints that were partially or wholly rejected by the respective banks. An ombudsman is a person officially charged with investigating and addressing public complaints or violation of rights. The tenure of the IO cannot be more than 5 years and it is not open to reappointment. An IO also cannot be removed without consent from the RBI. This new post will not report to the bank’s CEO but to the customer service committee of the bank.
2.Which country has recently announced to launch Mars Mission “HOPE” by 2020?
[A] Oman[B] UAE
[C] Iran
[D] Israel
ANSWER: B [UAE]
Notes:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently announced to launch Mars Mission “HOPE”, which is expected to be launched by 2020. Upon launch, it will become the first mission to Mars by any Arab or Muslim country. The aim of the mission is to enrich the capabilities of Emirati engineers and to increase human knowledge about the Martian atmosphere. The Hope probe will study the atmospheric layers of Mars in detail and will provide data to study the causes of the corrosion of its surface that has made it impossible for water to exist on the planet. The project will also provide insights about the weather on the Red Planet. It will observe weather phenomena such as dust storms and changes in temperature and how the atmosphere interacts with topography, from the highest volcano peaks to ice sheets to the vast deserts and the deepest canyons. It is expected to reach Mars in 2021, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the UAE’s formation.
3.Which of the following cities is the venue of the first round of the India-US ‘two-plus-two dialogue’?
[A] Washington DC[B] Mumbai
[C] New York
[D] New Delhi
ANSWER: D [New Delhi]
Notes:
The first round of the ‘two-plus-two dialogue’ between India and the US will be held in New Delhi on September 6. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will hold talks with their counterparts US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo and Defence Secretary James N Mattis. Issues like enhancing trade, ways to counter terrorism and India’s concerns over the Trump administration’s decision to make changes in the H1B visa programme are expected to figure during the event. On US sanctions on the import of Iranian oil, India will explain to the US its position on the issue, including how the import has been crucial for India’s energy security. Both sides will discuss the long-pending Communications, Compatibility, Security Agreement “COMCASA”. It will help India obtain critical and encrypted defence technologies for Indian defence platforms from the US.
4.The 2018 edition of Maralal International Camel Derby event was held in which African country?
[A] Ghana[B] Kenya
[C] Senegal
[D] Tanzania
ANSWER: B [Kenya]
Notes:
The 2018 edition of Maralal International Camel Derby event was held at Maralal town in Kenya. It is best Kenya’s best known and most prestigious camel race that attracts both local and international competitors. The event is a major draw for spectators as well as racers. It is an entertaining festival of fun and local competition that brings this small desert town to life.
5.Which state government has decided to provide free mobile phones to women of BPL families?
[A] Rajasthan[B] Gujarat
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Uttar Pradesh
ANSWER: A [Rajasthan]
Notes:
In a bid to boost Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship ‘Digital India’ campaign, the Rajasthan government has decided to provide free mobile phones to women of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families under the Bhamashah Yojana. The aim of the scheme is to transfer financial and non-financial benefits of government schemes in a transparent manner. The state government will also provide free Wifi facilities to as many as 5,000 gram panchayats to ensure that the state is well connected with the outside world. This programme commenced on September 1 and will end on September 30.
