1. What is the current (2020) salary of Chief Justice of India?
[A] Rs. 180,000
[B] Rs. 200,000
[C] Rs. 2,80,000
[D] Rs. 300,000
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs. 2,80,000]
Notes:After 2018 amendment, the salaries of judges of higher judiciary in India are:
|
Chief Justice of India
|
Rs. 2,80,000
|
|
Supreme Court Judge
|
Rs.2,50,000
|
|
Chief Justice of High Court
|
Rs. 2,50,000
|
|
Judge of High Court
|
Rs. 2,25,000
|
2. Which country has recently launched the world's longest quantum communication line?
[A] Canada
[B] Britain
[C] United States
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ China]
Notes:
Recently, China launched the world’s longest secure telecommunications network, a 712-km quantum communication line. It is part of a 2,000-km quantum communication line connecting Beijing and Shanghai. Quantum communication lines are highly secure and it is almost impossible to wiretap, intercept or crack the information transmitted through them.
3. Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has issued an order asking for removal of “Russian poplars” across the Kashmir valley. What is the reason behind removal of Russian poplars?
[A] The tree is mainly responsible for infernos and is not good for biodiversity
[B] The seeds of this tree cause respiratory problems
[C] The tree has long overhanging branches over highways & roads which causes danger to vehicles and pedestrians
[D] The tree produces cancer causing carcinogens
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [The seeds of this tree cause respiratory problems]
Notes:
Second option is the correct answer. The pollen seeds of this tree are said to cause respiratory problems.
4. 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.
5. Recently, NASA has selected two missions- Dragonfly and Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return (CAESAR) to study which of the following?
[A] Phobos and Deimos- moons of Mars
[B] Titan-the largest moon of Saturn and comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko
[C] Ganymede and Europa- moons of Jupiter
[D] Newly discovered exoplanets Trappist-1 and Ross 128 b
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Titan-the largest moon of Saturn and comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko]
Notes:
NASA has selected two missions to further explore past targets. First is the Mission “Dragonfly” to explore the Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. Second is the Mission Comet Astrobiology Exploration Sample Return (CAESAR) to explore the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
6. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recently launched the “Blue Flag” programme to:
[A] conduct tiger census in Tiger range countries (TRCs)
[B] certify clean beaches in India
[C] reduce the level of groundwater pollution in the country
[D] plant trees along national highways
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [certify clean beaches in India]
Notes:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched the Blue Flag programme to certify clean beaches in India. The blue flag criteria have been set by Foundation for Environmental Education. It requires the beach should not be affected by industrial, waste-water, or sewage discharge and water must be clean. It also specifies that algae vegetation or natural debris should not be left on the beach, waste disposal bins must be available along the beach in adequate numbers and toilets along the beach should have controlled sewage disposal for beaches to be granted Blue Flag certification.
7. The recently launched “Khelegi toh Khilegi” programme by the National Yuva Cooperative Society is associated to which sports?
[A] Cricket
[B] Football
[C] Hockey
[D] Kabaddi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Football]
Notes:
On occasion of the National Girl Child Day, Nurturing Excellence in Sports Trust (NEST) along with National Yuva Cooperative Society launched the pan India programme 'Khelegi toh Khilegi', which is a pan-India football based programme for girls between the age to 10-15 years.
8. Recently, the term "resource curse" was frequently making in news. What does the term "resource course" signify?
[A] It is a paradox that countries with large natural resources lack economic growth
[B] It is a situation when countries have large natural resource reserves, but very short term market
[C] It is a situation when a country has large natural resources, but lack in technologies to explore them
[D] It is a phenomenon due to which large export from resource rich country increases the value of its currency and hurt the market competition in non resource sector.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [It is a paradox that countries with large natural resources lack economic growth]
Notes:
As per natural phenomenon, a country that has abundant natural resources does not need to import as many raw materials, and has opportunity to increase its economic strength through income gained from resources export. But, the "resource curse" is a paradox according to which a country with higher natural resources has less economic growth. The reason lies in the fact that wealth generated from natural resources not distributed adequately to the local people, which in turns leads to social conflict. Such phenomenon is very much at work in countries such as Nigeria and other African and Middle East countries, where the wealth of natural resources has not empowered the local communities, but has fuelled social conflict instead. Conflict brews among agents of world powers that buy oil, the ruling elites who profit from selling it, and the local population that struggles to maintain control over these resources.
9. The recently launched SATYAM programme aims to strengthen research in the areas of which field?
[A] Arbitration and Conciliation
[B] Non communicable diseases
[C] Yoga and Meditation
[D] Research in Indology
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Yoga and Meditation]
Notes:
The ministry of science and technology has launched a new programme called SATYAM-Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation. The programme aims to strengthen research in the areas of Yoga and Meditation. An objective of SATYAM is to harness knowledge obtained in academic institutions and other related agencies for finding science and technology led solutions that would enable us to cope with stress and strain associated with fast changing social, economic, environmental and professional circumstances.
10. 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.