1. The share of direct taxes in India’s tax kitty peaked in 2009-10 at 60% and thereafter, it has consistently fallen. Which of the following is the most appropriate reason for the same?
[A] There was a substantial reduction in direct tax rates in the country
[B] The consumption pattern and economic growth were affected by economic recession
[C] The share of indirect taxes increased substantially
[D] None of the above is an appropriate reason
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [The share of indirect taxes increased substantially ]
Notes:
In October 2018, a Time series data released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) showed that the share of direct taxes in total taxes rose every year through the first decade of this century — going from 36.31% in 2000-01 to 60.78% in 2009-10. Thereafter it has fallen mainly because of rise of “service tax” collections in the country. Service Tax is now subsumed in GST.
Indirect taxes are said to be regressive in nature as they do not distinguish between poor and rich, and therefore, higher proportion of indirect taxes in total tax collection is not considered ideal.
2. The 2017 Global Tiger Day (GTD) is observed on which date?
[A] July 28
[B] July 29
[C] July 27
[D] July 30
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [July 29]
Notes:
The International Tiger Day (ITD) is observed every year on July 29 to raise awareness for tiger conservation. The day is also known as Global Tiger Day (GTD). The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has stated that only 3,890 tigers are left in the world. Of them, India has the highest number. Till July 2016, there were 2,500 tigers in the country.
3. Which of the following is not among the African countries in which Indian government has recently decided to open 18 new missions?
[A] Burkina Faso
[B] Cape Verde
[C] Chad
[D] South Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ South Africa ]
Notes:
The new missions will be opened in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Swaziland and Togo. Currently, India has 29 resident missions in Africa.
4. Identify the Indian architecture with the help of given information:
- The temple was commissioned by king Vishnuvardhana of Hoysala dynasty and is a monument recognised by the ASI
- The temple is an excellent example of Vesara style of Indian architecture
- In April 2017, the 900th anniversary of the temple was celebrated
Select the correct option from codes given below:
[A] Chennakeshava Temple
[B] Virupaksha Temple
[C] Brihadisvara Temple
[D] Lingaraja Temple
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Chennakeshava Temple]
Notes:
All above given features are of Chennakeshava Temple, located at Belur in Karnataka. Chennakeshava is a form of the Hindu god Vishnu.
5. Which of the following is the correct definition of the term “Hope Spot”, sometimes seen in news?
[A] It is unoccupied or is under dispute territory between parties who leave it unoccupied due to fear or uncertainty
[B] It is a water disputed region between two countries
[C] It is an area of ocean that merits special protection because of its wildlife and significant under water habitats
[D] It is a terrestrial region with significant levels of biodiversity, which is under threat with destruction
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ It is an area of ocean that merits special protection because of its wildlife and significant under water habitats]
Notes:
Third option is the correct answer
6. Recently, Indian Scientists have identified a high-yielding variety of white rice with low Glycemic Index (GI) that is even useful for the diabetic patients. In which state of India is this rice, called Chapati Gurmatiya , is traditionally cultivated?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Assam
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chhattisgarh]
Notes:
Generally, diabetes patients are advised to avoid eating rice. But recently, researchers in India have identified a high-yielding variety of white rice with low Glycemic Index (GI) that is not harmful for diabetic patients and hence can be consumed by them. The newly identified variety of white rice has low Glycemic Index (GI), a measurement that indicates a particular type of carbohydrate-containing food’s impact on a person’s blood glucose (also called blood sugar) level. This white rice variety was found on the “Chapati Gurmatiya” race of rice, which is a traditional cultivated variety of paddy in Chhattisgarh.
7. Which of the following observatories has recently accomplished the extremely strenuous job of X-ray polarisation thereby challenging the prevailing theories of high energy radiation from pulsars?
[A] Hubble Space Telescope
[B] Astrosat
[C] Chandra X-ray Observatory
[D] Kodaikanal Solar Observatory
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Astrosat]
Notes:
Astrosat is India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory. It has recently accomplished the extremely strenuous job of X-ray polarisation, putting up a strong challenge to prevailing theories of high energy radiation from pulsars. The 18-month old study of the Crab Pulsar in the Taurus constellation and measurement of the variations of polarisation as this highly-magnetised neutron star spins around 30 times every second is a commendable task. A pulsar is a celestial body, believed to be made up on neutrons, and rotates 30 times per second. Even though they are comparatively tiny in size, they have mass more than that of the entire Sun, and hence are known as compact objects. Scientists and astronomers, who participated in the project hail from the country’s top scientific institutes — the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai; the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram; ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bengaluru; The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune; and Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.
8. Mannavaram power project, which was recently in news, is located in which state?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Mannavaram power project is a proposed power project in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
9. 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.
10. Which country had won the 2018 UCI Asia Tour circuit?
[A] Kazakhstan
[B] Spain
[C] Iran
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kazakhstan ]
Notes:
Kazakhstan had won the 2018 UCI Asia Tour circuit. It was its second consecutive win.
