1. What is the India’s rank in the 2017 Global Peace Index, as per global think tank Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)?
[A] 141st
[B] 133rd
[C] 155th
[D] 137th
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [137th]
Notes:
India has ranked 137th out of 163 countries on the 2017 Global Peace Index (GPI), published by The Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP). The 2017 GPI provides a comprehensive analysis on the state of peace. It shows that amidst continuing social and political turmoil, the world continues to spend enormous resources on creating and containing violence but very little on peace. The index is topped by Iceland, followed by New Zealand, Portugal, Austria and Denmark, whereas Syria remains the least peaceful country in the world, followed by Afghanistan, Iraq, South Sudan, and Yemen.
2. The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav for the year 2018 was held at which of the following places?
[A] Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
[B] Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
[D] Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
A week long diversified cultural carnival ‘Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav’ was held in February, 2018 in Madhya Pradesh beginning at Maan Mandir Fort, Gwalior.
3. Beed’s custard apples, which were recently issued GI certificate, are native to which state?
[A] Jammu & Kashmir
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maharashtra]
Notes:
Custard apples are also known as sitaphal. Beed district of Maharashtra is famous for its organically grown custard apples. Beed’s custard apples were recently issued GI certificates.
4. Recently, the government launched the National Water Quality Sub-Mission (NWQSM) to deal with which two pollutants present in water?
[A] DDT and Chlorine
[B] Arsenic and Fluoride
[C] Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and Detergents
[D] Insecticides and herbicides
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Arsenic and Fluoride]
Notes:
Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation launched the National Water Quality Sub Mission on Arsenic and Fluoride to provide safe drinking water to about 28,000 affected habitations in the country by March 2021. With this, Government will also fulfil its goal to provide tap water on a sustained basis in every household by 2030 as per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal.
5. Recently Kandhamal Haladi, a golden yellow spice known for its medicinal value and is being cultivated in India since time immemorial, was given GI protection. In which state, it is grown?
[A] Kerala
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Odisha
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Odisha]
Notes:
Kandhamal Haladi is a golden yellow spice, named after the Kandhamal district in Odisha where it is produced. It is being cultivated there from time immemorial and is known for its medicinal value.
6. Recently, the first virology laboratory for conducting basic and fundamental research in homeopathy for viral diseases such as influenza, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya and swine flu has been established in India. It has been established in which of the following cities?
[A] Kolkata
[B] Pune
[C] Chennai
[D] Hyderabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kolkata]
Notes:
Recently, the AYUSH Ministry has inaugurated India’s first advanced Homoeopathy Virology lab in Kolkata. The cost of laboratory is Rs. 8 crore. Currently, it is the only one in India for conducting basic and fundamental research in homeopathy for viral diseases such as influenza, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya and swine flu.
7. The recently held Ganga Sanskriti Yatra was organised by:
[A] Ministry of Water Resources
[B] Ministry of Culture
[C] Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation
[D] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Culture]
Notes:
The Ganga Sanskriti Yatra was held in Feb, 2016. It started from Gangotri and ended at Kapilmuni Ashram, Gangasagar, which is the summit of Ganga.
8. Recently, our scientists discovered that mucus secreted by the frog species Hydrophylax bahuvistara could be used as an anti-microbial drug to destroy bacteria and viruses responsible for the flu. The frog species “Hydrophylax bahuvistara” is found in which part of India?
[A] Eastern Himalayas
[B] Western Ghats
[C] Western Himalayas
[D] Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Western Ghats]
Notes:
Recently, the scientists discovered that the skin mucus secreted by a colourful frog species Hydrophylax bahuvistara could be used as an anti-microbial drug to destroy kill bacteria and viruses responsible for the flu. The peptide or chain of amino acids, found in a frog species (Hydrophylax bahuvistara) can destroy many strains of human flu and protect mice against flu infection. The researchers named the newly identified peptide “urumin” after the urumi, a sword with a flexible blade that snaps and bends like a whip.
9. The terms Abhay, HUMSA-UG, NACS and AIDSS, which were recently in news, are:
[A] Anti Torpedo Decoy Systems
[B] Sonar Systems
[C] Seaplanes
[D] Micro-small satellites
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sonar Systems]
Notes:
AIDSS stands for Advanced Indigenous Distress Sonar System (AIDSS). HUMSA-UG stands for Upgrade for the Hull-Mounted Sonar Array. NACS stands for Near-field Acoustic Characterization System. Abhay is a Compact Hull-Mounted Sonar for Small Ships & Shallow Water Crafts system.
10. The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2017 (WESP) has been published by the:
[A] World Bank
[B] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
[C] International Monetary Fund (IMF)
[D] World Economic Forum
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs]
Notes:
The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2017 (WESP) has been published by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
