1. The Government of India has decided to allow commercial mining by private companies recently. In which year, coal mining was nationalized in India for the first time?
[A] 1971
[B] 1968
[C] 1952
[D] 1965
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1971]
Notes:
Coking coal mines was first nationalized in 1971. In 1973, all non-coking coal mines were nationalized and thus coal India got monopoly over coal mining in the country.
2. Which Indian sportsperson has clinched bronze in the women’s 10m Air Pistol event at the 10th Asian Championship 10m Rifle/Pistol in Japan?
[A] Heena Sidhu
[B] Shri Nivetha Paramantham
[C] Harveen Srao
[D] Manu Bhaker
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Heena Sidhu]
Notes:
Pistol aces Jitu Rai and Heena Sidhu bagged a bronze each to continue India’s medal charge at the 10th Asian Championship 10m Rifle/Pistol in Wako City, Japan on December 10, 2017. Jitu won an individual bronze in the men’s 10m Air Pistol, which also helped the Indian team comprising Shahzar Rizvi and Omkar Singh besides Jitu, to bag the Team gold in the event.Heena claimed an individual bronze in the women’s 10m Air Pistol. Her effort, along with teammates Shri Nivetha Paramantham and Harveen Srao, helped the Team clinch a silver. India added another individual bronze through Anmol Jain in the junior men’s 10m Air Pistol as well as the Team silver in the event, with combined efforts of Anmol, Gaurav Rana and Abhishek Arya.
3. 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.
4. Government of India has declared year 2016 as__:
[A] Year of LPG Consumers
[B] Year of Financial Inclusion
[C] Year of Pulses
[D] Year of Soils
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Year of LPG Consumers ]
Notes:
The government of India aims to provide clean cooking fuel available to all household in the country by year 2018. The Government of India declared year 2016 as ‘Year of LPG Consumers’.
5. Which of the following is the key objective of the “Setu Bharatam” Programme?
[A] To build bridges for safe and seamless travel on National Highways
[B] To build bridges on National waterways
[C] To reconstruct the Ramsetu from the Gulf of Mannar to the Palk Strait
[D] To construct bridges on Brahmaputra to increase connectivity to the northeastern states.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [To build bridges for safe and seamless travel on National Highways]
Notes:
Setu Bharatam is an ambitious programme with an investment of Rs. 50,000 crore to build bridges for safe and seamless travel on National Highways. The programme aims at making all national highways Railway Level Crossing free by 2019. This is being done in order to prevent the frequent accidents and loss of lives at level crossings. A 208 new “Road Over Bridges (ROB) / Road Under Bridges (RUB)” are envisaged for construction, while 1500 bridges will be widened, rehabilitated or replaced.
6. Recently, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has introduced a new star rating methodology called Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER) for _?
[A] Refrigerators
[B] Air conditioners
[C] Televisions
[D] Solar Rooftops
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Air conditioners]
Notes:
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has introduced a new star rating methodology called Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER) for air conditioners. Keeping the performance of air conditioners during higher temperature in mind, ISEER will address the different climatic zones in India and higher temperature. ISEER measures energy efficiency of air conditioners based on a weighted average of the performance at outside temperatures between 24 and 43 degree C based on Indian weather data.
7. The newly formed committee named “Disha” is associated with:
[A] effective implementation of Central government schemes at local Panchayat level
[B] use of Direct Benefit Transfer Mechanism for all kinds of subsidies transfer through Aadhaar-linked bank accounts
[C] financial restructuring of central public sector enterprises and for attracting investment through capital markets
[D] enhancing research, education, innovation and employment in the country
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [effective implementation of Central government schemes at local Panchayat level]
Notes:
Recently, the Central Government formed a new committee named District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DDCMC) in place of the original District Vigilance and Monitoring Committee (DVMC). The newly formed committee has been named as “Disha” in short, and it aims for the effective implementation of Central government schemes.
8. Which of the following statements is correct about the term “Gyan Sangam”, sometimes seen in the news?
[A] It is an initiative by the senior officers of CBDT and CBEC with an aim to discuss ways of increasing revenue collection
[B] It is an initiative by the officials of PSBs and Financial Institutions (FIs) to discuss strategy for increasing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analytics in the banking & financial systems.
[C] It is collaboration between Indian Higher Educational Institutions and Foreign Higher Educational Institutions to award a degree.
[D] It is an inter-state meeting organised by the finance ministry to generate awareness about the GST and to discuss operational issues pertaining to same.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [It is an initiative by the officials of PSBs and Financial Institutions (FIs) to discuss strategy for increasing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data analytics in the banking & financial systems.]
Notes:
Gyan Sangam is an initiative by the officials of PSBs and Financial Institutions (FIs) of the country to discuss the strategy for increasing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data Analytics in the banking & financial systems. First “Gyan Sangam” was organized at National Institute of Banking Management (NIBM), Pune. The main purpose of organizing this event was to give an opportunity to Chairman & Managing Directors (CMDs) and Executive Directors (EDs) of all the banks to express their opinion on important issues in the banking sector which called for immediate resolution. The second “Gyan Sangam 2.0” was organized at State Bank Academy, Gurgaon on 4-5 March, 2016.
9. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched the programme NIDHI that aims at:
[A] helping start-ups across the country
[B] segregation of the solid waste at source
[C] providing free of cost primary education to the children from weaker section of the society
[D] increasing the participation of women in the education sector
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [helping start-ups across the country]
Notes:
Recently, the Department of Science and Technology has launched Rs 100-crore programme called National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI) to support start-ups in India. The programme aims to facilitate in terms of both funding and incubation support across the country. A number of schemes will be taken up under NIDHI, such as NIDHI Prayas, NIDHI Seed Support System and NIDHI Centres of Excellence. The silent features of the scheme are: NIDHI Prayas is focused on addressing the gap between idea and prototype funding; NIDHI Seed Support System for funding early-stage start-ups & NIDHI Centres of Excellence, which will help start-ups, go global.
10. What is the theme of the 2019 World Wetlands Day (WWD)?
[A] Forests and Wetlands
[B] Wetlands and Climate Change
[C] Wetlands for our Future
[D] Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Wetlands and Climate Change]
Notes:
The World Wetland Day (WWD) is observed every year on 2nd of to raise awareness about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet. The day marks adoption of the Convention on Wetlands (also called as Ramsar Convention) on 2nd February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on shores of the Caspian Sea. The 2019 theme “Wetlands and Climate Change” highlights the importance of healthy and intact wetlands to one of the most pressing challenges of climate change.
