Current Affairs Quiz - April, 2019
This page presents 50 random questions from Current Affairs April, 2019 category for April, 2019 month in GKToday. These questions are suitable for SSC, Banking / IBPS, UPSC, IAS, NTSE, CLAT, Railways, NDA, CDS, Judiciary, UPPSC, RPSC, GPSC, MPSC, MPPSC and other states civil services / government job recruitment examinations of India. GKToday publishes 15-20 questions every day in its Yearly Current Affairs Series in GKToday Android App. Download Now.
1. Which IIT has successfully converted petroleum waste toluene into useful product?
[A] IIT Indore
[B] IIT Kanpur
[C] IIT Madras
[D] IIT Bombay
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [IIT Madras]
Notes:
Using platinum nanocatalyst, a two-member team at the IIT Madras has successfully converted petroleum waste-product toluene into benzoic acid. Benzoic acid is used as a food preservative (E210) and medicine for fungal/bacterial infection. Toluene is converted into benzoic acid through selective and controlled oxidation in the presence of a catalyst — binaphthyl-stabilised platinum nanoparticles (Pt-BNP). Generally, organic reactions are carried out using organic solvents, which makes it expensive and also generates toxic waste. So, the team led by G. Sekar used water as solvent to make it environment-friendly. Also, a green oxidant (70% aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide or TBHP) is used for converting toluene into benzoic acid. When toluene is oxidised, it gives four products. But, the team used catalyst that they developed and then only benzoic acid is produced. No alcohol, aldehyde or ester is produced. The yield of benzoic acid varied from 68-96% depending on whether the toluene used is electron-deficient or electron-rich.
2. Which fictional superhero will be the first entrant into Comic-Con Museum’s Character Hall of Fame?
[A] Superman
[B] Spider-man
[C] Batman
[D] Iron Man
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Batman ]
Notes:
Batman will be first inductee into the Comic-Con Museum’s Character Hall of Fame. The honor was announced during the “Happy Birthday Batman!” panel at WonderCon on March 30, when Batman turned 80. The ceremony will take place at the Federal Building in San Diego’s Balboa Park — which is the future site of the Comic-Con Museum, on 17th July 2019. The ceremony will be accompanied by an exhibit of Batman-themed memorabilia and related props and will feature appearances by celebrities and creators whose careers have interacted with the Dark Knight across the years. Batman first appeared in the ‘Detective Comics No. 27’ published on March 30, 1939, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger.
3. Who has won the 2019 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix tournament?
[A] Valtteri Bottas
[B] Sebastian Vettel
[C] Charles Leclerc
[D] Lewis Hamilton
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Lewis Hamilton]
Notes:
Lewis Hamilton, a British racing driver, has won the 2019 Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix tournament after an engine problem hit runaway leader Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari late in the race.
4. Café Scientifique, sometimes seen in news, is a public science initiative of which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kerala]
Notes:
In Kerala, the group of science experts of the Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology has decided to launch ‘Café Scientifique’ to promote science among public in an interesting way. It is the first such initiative in the state to popularise the subject. It envisages to bring science back into popular culture by demystifying scientific research for the public and empowering non-scientists to comfortably assess science and technology issues, particularly those that impact social policy making. The project is also aimed at making science relevant, powerful and important to the public, especially the younger generations. Here, various topics such as universe, climate change, evolution, genetics and human-animal relations will be discussed in every monthly gathering. It is a grassroots public science initiative based on the French Café Philosophique model.
5. Which state has been ranked first in e-learning training programme of Department of Personal and Training (DoPT) of the Government India?
[A] Assam
[B] Telangana
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Telangana ]
Notes:
For the second successive year, Telangana has been ranked first in e-learning training programme of Department of Personal and Training (DoPT) of the Government India. In FY 2018-19, Dr. MCR HRD Institute had enrolled over 20,000 field staff in different districts of the State to impart training on 12 soft skill modules and three domain-specific modules on the RTI, office procedures, and finance and accounts, apart from Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The institute is also mentoring Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, J&K, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat to guide trainers for e-learning training programme and develop modules in regional languages to spread the Comprehensive Online Modified Modules on Induction Training (COMMIT) programme as a national mission.
6. The Nepal-India Franchise Investment Expo and Conclave will be held in which of the following cities?
[A] Hyderabad
[B] Kathmandu
[C] New Delhi
[D] Pune
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kathmandu]
Notes:
The Nepal-India Franchise Investment Expo and Conclave will be held in Kathmandu from 15th to 16th May, 2019. The event primarily focuses on building the relations between India and Nepal through entrepreneurship development. The conclave is organised by Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FNCCI) in association with Embassy of India and Franchise India. The event is expected to introduce new investment opportunities to Nepalese market. According to Indian Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri the summit will help in bringing the leading Indian iconic brands to Nepal. Their entry would not only bring investment into Nepal but also technology transfers and business know how. According to organizers 250 businesspersons and investors will attend the conclave and more than 1000 prospective franchisees and investors are expected to visit the expo.
7. The scientists of which country have discovered a possible “death switch” mechanism in plant’s immune system?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Japan
[D] South Korea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [China]
Notes:
Chinese scientists have discovered a possible “death switch” mechanism in plant’s immune system that triggers infected cells to self-destruct, thus limiting the spread of the disease and keeping other parts of the plant healthy. This is as per the findings published in the journal ‘Science’. The discovery provides clues to cell death control and immunity for plants. The researchers hope further research can lead to a new generation of disease-resistant crops that use significantly less pesticide and are more environmentally friendly. The research was done by scientists from Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Genetics and Development Biology. The ‘death switch’ is usually harmless to the plant because it only affects diseased cells, which are a tiny portion of the entire plant.
8. Project-75 India, sometimes seen in news, is associated with which Indian armed force?
[A] Indian Air Force
[B] Indian Army
[C] Indian Navy
[D] Indian Coast Guard
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Navy]
Notes:
To counter growing Chinese footprint in Indian ocean region, the Indian Navy has initiated the process to acquire six lethal submarines under the ambitious Project-75 India (I). The project would cost Rs 50,000 crore. Under Project 75-India, the Navy wants to build six conventional diesel-electric submarines which would be almost 50% bigger than the under-construction Scorpene class submarines being built at the Mazagon Dockyards Limited in Mumbai. As per the requirements stated by the maritime force, it wants the submarines to be equipped with heavy-duty firepower as it wants the boats to have at least 12 Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM) along with Anti-Ship cruise missiles (ASCM).
9. Which Indian personality has been conferred an honorary doctorate in Philanthropy by The University of Law, London?
[A] Shah Rukh Khan
[B] Narendra Modi
[C] Sushma Swaraj
[D] Ratan Tata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Shah Rukh Khan]
Notes:
The Badshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan has been conferred with Honorary Doctorate from University of Law, London. Earlier, he received two honorary doctorates from The University of Edinburgh and The University of Bedfordshire. Over the years, he has established himself as a successful actor, film producer, television host, philanthropist and an entrepreneur. He has lent support to the Indian government’s campaigns, including Pulse Polio and National Aids Control Organization. He has worked closely with several charitable foundations, including the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Besides being an entrepreneur, Shahrukh has forayed into the field of sports with his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders, aids acid attack survivors through his non-profit organisation Meer Foundation. At the World Economic Forum 2018 held in Davos, he was honoured with the Crystal Award.
10. Who clinched the 2019 men’s singles Malaysia Open badminton tournament?
[A] Srikanth Kidambi
[B] Lin Dan
[C] Chen Long
[D] Sinisuka Ginting
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lin Dan]
Notes:
Chinese badminton ace Lin Dan clinched the 2019 men’s singles Malaysia Open at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on April 7. After an electric performance , he beat countryman Chen Long 9-21, 21-7, 21-11. The title is Lin’s first win this year, and also his first major success since taking the Malaysia Open in 2017.