1. Which state government has recently signed MoU with Indian Railways to expand green cover?
[A] Kerala
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maharashtra ]
Notes:
In a bid to expand the green cover, the Maharashtra government recently signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Railways, under which trees will be planted on the land adjacent to the railway tracks in the state.
2. If ABC is an equilateral triangle and D is a point on BC such that AD ⊥ BC, then :
[A] AB : BD = 2 : 1
[B] AB : BD = 1 : 2
[C] AB : BD = 1 : 1
[D] AB : BD = 3 : 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [AB : BD = 2 : 1]
Notes:
Let AB = 2x units
=> BD=DC = x units
∴ AB : BD = 2 : 1
Hence option [A] is the right answer.
3. The Raneh waterfall is located on which river in Madhya Pradesh?
[A] Kali Sindh
[B] Narmada
[C] Ken
[D] Tapti
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ken]
Notes:
The Raneh Falls is a natural water fall located in Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh on Ken River. It is situated about 20 km away from world famous heritage site Khajuraho. The waterfall is also close to Panna Tiger Reserve and Ken crocodile sanctuary. It was awarded the Best Holiday Award for 2017.Tourists from all over the country and abroad come here every year to enjoy the natural beauty. The Ken River here runs through a narrow gorge of igneous rocks rich in Granite and Dolomite. The Pandav Falls in Panna National Park is also located nearby.
4. Which of the following has been included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016?
[A] Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
[B] Nokrek Biosphere Reserve
[C] Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
[D] Simlipal Biosphere Reserve
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve ]
Notes:
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve became part of World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016. ABR includes the Indian Ecoregions of South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests, South Western Ghats montane rain forests and Shola. It is the habitat for 2,000 varieties of medicinal plants, of which at least 50 are rare and endangered species. Rare animals include the tiger, Asian Elephant, and Nilgiri tahr.
5. The newly proposed 0/10 and 0/20 rules are associated to which ministry?
[A] Ministry of Civil Aviation
[B] Ministry of Railways
[C] Ministry of Shipping
[D] Ministry of Steel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Ministry of Civil Aviation ]
Notes:
The 5/20 rule is a norm of the Indian Aviation Ministry according to which under which national carriers are required to have five years of operational experience and a fleet of minimum 20 aircraft to fly overseas. Recently, the Cabinet gave its approval for partial abolition of the 5/20 rule, which will enable new carriers like Vistara and Air Asia to start international operations sooner. The government has decided to scrap a requirement that mandated airlines to have five years of domestic operations to be eligible to fly overseas. However, an airline will have to allocate 20 aircraft or 20% of their total fleet of aircraft, whichever is higher, to the domestic sector if they wish to fly overseas. So in place of 5/20 rule, the new proposed options are like 0/10 and 0/20.
6. Identify the dance form with the help of given information:
- It is an ancient traditional dance form which originated as a temple dance and dates back to the Buddhist era
- This style of dance is mainly performed by women
- It is a centuries old heritage and is well known for its grace (lasya) and intense expression of navarasas
- The culture ministry recently gave principle approval for the dance to be granted as classical dance status
Select the correct answer from options given below:
[A] Chhau
[B] Bhagvata Mela
[C] Yakshagana
[D] Andhra Natyam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andhra Natyam]
Notes:
All given features are of Andhra Natyam. The dance form was recently in news when several artists and political leaders from Andhra Pradesh, including Union minister Venkaiah Naidu, approached the Centre to add Andhra Natyam to the list of major classical dance forms of the country. While the culture ministry has already granted in-principle approval for the same, Sangeet Natak Akademi is not convinced with the same.
7. The recently inaugurated “Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra” aim to?
[A] empower the rural women through community participation
[B] generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services meant for girls
[C] enable groups of women to take up employment-cum-income generation programs
[D] provide legal aid and guidance to women in need to enable readjustment in family or society
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [empower the rural women through community participation]
Notes:
PMMSK scheme is envisioned as one-stop convergence support service for empowering rural women with opportunities for skill development, digital literacy, health and nutrition and employment. It aims to improve declining child sex ratio (CSR), ensure survival and protection of the girl child, ensuring the education and empowering her to fulfil her potential. It will provide an interface for rural women to approach government for getting their entitlement and for empowering them through training and capacity building.
8. The term “MPOWER package”, sometimes seen in news, is associated with which of the following?
[A] To boost world’s commitment towards sustainable development
[B] To monitor tobacco use and fight against the tobacco epidemic
[C] To enhance transparency in regional and multilateral trade agreements
[D] To eliminate the fossil fuel subsidies and decrease global carbon emissions
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [To monitor tobacco use and fight against the tobacco epidemic]
Notes:In an effort to expand the fight against the tobacco epidemic, the WHO has introduced the MPOWER package of six proven policies. These are:
- Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies;
- Protect people from tobacco smoke;
- Offer help to quit tobacco use
- Warn about the dangers of tobacco
- Enforce bans on tobacco advertising
- Promotion and sponsorship
- Raise taxes on tobacco
9. As per India State of Forest Report 2017, which of the following is the correct order of states for their carbon stock?
[A] Madhya Pradesh> Arunachal Pradesh> Maharashtra> Kerala
[B] Arunachal Pradesh> Madhya Pradesh> Chhattisgarh> Maharashtra
[C] Maharashtra> Madhya Pradesh> Arunachal Pradesh> Tamil Nadu
[D] Mizoram> Chhattisgarh> Madhya Pradesh> Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Arunachal Pradesh> Madhya Pradesh> Chhattisgarh> Maharashtra]
Notes:
As per the India State of Forest Report 2017, Arunachal Pradesh has the maximum carbon stock of 994.5 million tonnes followed by Madhya Pradesh (695.5 million tonnes), Chhattisgarh (560.9 million tonnes) and Maharashtra (493 million tonnes).
10. As per India State of Forest Report 2017, which of the following is the correct order of forest types in India in terms of their area?
[A] Tropical Dry Deciduous> Subtropical Dry Evergreen> Tropical Moist Deciduous> Tropical Semi-Evergreen
[B] Tropical Moist Deciduous> Tropical Dry Deciduous> Subtropical Dry Evergreen> Subtropical Pine
[C] Tropical Dry Deciduous> Tropical Moist Deciduous> Tropical Semi-Evergreen> Himalayan Moist Temperate
[D] Tropical Moist Deciduous> Tropical Dry-Evergreen> Tropical Dry Deciduous> Tropical Wet-Evergreen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Tropical Dry Deciduous> Tropical Moist Deciduous> Tropical Semi-Evergreen> Himalayan Moist Temperate]
Notes:
As per the Indian State Forest Report 2017, the correct order is Tropical Dry Deciduous (279506 sq km), Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest (144747 sq km), Tropical Semi Evergreen (98039 sq km), Himalayan Moist Temperate (29216 sq km) and Tropical Wet–Evergreen (20872 sq km).