1. The Indian Railways has launched which virtual server to optimise server usage and faster connectivity?
[A] RailSagar
[B] RailCloud
[C] RailSilver
[D] RailBharat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [RailCloud]
Notes:
The Indian Railways has recently launched a virtual server “RailCloud” with an inbuilt security system to optimise server usage and faster connectivity. The technology is developed by rail PSU RailTel at an estimated cost of approx Rs 53 crore. The RailCloud technology enables maximising the usage of available server and storage resulting in accommodation of bigger data and more applications within same server space. It will cover all management related to various services like human resources, health and hospital, signal assets, freight and logistics and energy among others. Beside this, the first IT application on RailCloud “Nivaran-Grievance Portal” was also launched. Nivaran is a platform for resolution of service-related grievances of serving and former railway employees.
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. Recently, Stock market regulator SEBI has imposed trade restrictions on 331 firms which are suspected of being “shell companies”. Which of the following is NOT an activity generally carried out using shell companies?
[A] Trade and normal business
[B] Financial manoevour for some unstated objectives
[C] Illegal financial activities
[D] Violation of intellectual rights and properties
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Trade and normal business ]
Notes:
Shell companies are created for unstated / hidden objectives of financial manoeuvres and not for normal trade.
4. What is India’s rank in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2010 released by Transparency International?
[A] 79
[B] 89
[C] 99
[D] 100
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [79]
Notes:
India has been ranked 79th out of 176 countries in the recently released Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for the year 2016 by the Berlin-based corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI)
New Zealand and Denmark stands in joint first place
Somalia was ranked the most corrupt country
5. Which Indian state has emerged as the first “organic state” and the cleanest state in the country?
[A] Tripura
[B] Sikkim
[C] Goa
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sikkim]
Notes:
In 2015, Sikkim fully implemented organic farming statewide, becoming India's first "organic state", while in 2016, it restricted the usage of plastic water bottles (in government functions and meetings) and Styrofoam products, becoming India's “cleanest state”. No one here uses plastics, no one smokes in public places, no one urinates in the open, and no one litters. There is a penalty for every violation in Sikkim.
6. Which of the following statements is correct about the term “Data Exclusivity”, sometimes seen in news?
[A] It is a new telecommunication policy which promotes free data within the norms of the Discriminatory Tariff Regulations
[B] It is a pharmaceutical policy which protects the patented products of pharmaceutical companies
[C] It is a new security measure to protect citizens biometric data linked to Aadhaar
[D] It is a new open policy by WIPO for protecting digital assets & sensitive data leakage
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ It is a pharmaceutical policy which protects the patented products of pharmaceutical companies]
Notes:
Data exclusivity prevents drug regulators from referring the data submitted by the drug originator company to be used for manufacturing Biosimilars of the same.
7. The Katoch Committee Report, sometimes seen in news, suggested reforms to improve which of the following in the country?
[A] Education Sector
[B] Pharmaceutical Sector
[C] Power Sector
[D] Telecom Sector
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Pharmaceutical Sector]
Notes:The Katoch Committee gave its recommendation for reforms in pharmaceutical Sector. The committee submitted its report in February 2015. Here are the recommendations of the committee:
- The committee suggested setting up of mega parks for API or Bulk drugs manufacturing. Since setting up API or Bulk Industry requires large tracts of land, water and electricity facility, effluent treatment plants, testing facilities, etc; therefore, government should ensure availability of all these facilities at reasonable cost.
- The bulk drug industry is known as one of the major polluting industries. Currently, the cost of the pollution control is very high in the country due to lack of capital intensive technology. Therefore, it is necessary to have proper rules and regulations to have check on the pollution level and the quality of the output.
- Innovative ideas and products should be promoted and awards to the scientists/industry should be given for contribution to the industry. Further, protecting innovation through patents will also help to prompt further innovation in the sector.
- There should be provisions for easy soft loans to the Industry through interest subvention upto 7.5%, and Capex loan to the manufacturers of APls.
- Income Tax rebates on up gradation of the existing R&D facilities should be doubled to 400% from existing 200% and Income tax benefits for manufacturing companies for an initial period of 10 years.
- Creation of advance testing lab infrastructure at all Indian ports/air ports for easy import and export.
- Tax free status to cluster developers and cluster participants for 15 Years
- Measures should be adopted to encourage foreign direct investment in green field as well as brown field projects
- Incentives should be provided to the manufacturers for setting up large plants and for importing of technology so that they can reduce the cost of production.
- Financial investment from the Government in the form of dedicated equity funds for the development of clusters.
- In order to ensure single window clearance to manufacturers and to provide common facilities and other support, units of various departments of government should be located at the manufacturing cluster or site.
- Revival of public sector units for starting the manufacture of selected and very essential critical drugs and vaccines
- Committee expects six large API intermediate clusters in five to six states would be able to transform the industry. As of now, it proposes to start with two fully financed clusters (one focused on fermentation and other on APls), while other clusters would be set up in future as per requirements.
- The committee suggested that states like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha which are most suited to manufacturing sector should come forward to participate in this sector. The States may also establish their own manufacturing zones for this purpose.
8. 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).
9. 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.
10. The term “South Asia Economic Union”, sometimes seen in news, is related to:
[A] ASEAN
[B] APEC
[C] SAARC
[D] SCO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [SAARC]
Notes:
In 2014, SAARC countries had agreed to set up a South Asia Economic Union (SAEU) on the lines of European Union by facilitating a common market and removing trade barriers.