1. Which state has become the India’s first state to endorse Centre’s triple talaq draft bill?
[A] Punjab
[B] Kerala
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
Uttar Pradesh has become the first State to endorse the Central government’s draft bill that makes instant triple talaq a cognisable and non-bailable offence. The draft law, which provides for three-year imprisonment and a fine to a man trying to divorce his wife by uttering “talaq” three times, got the State government’s approval at a Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on December 5, 2017.
2. 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.
3. As per the recent report by the first ever sub-national logistics performance index called LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States), which of the following states ranked first in the Index?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gujarat]
Notes:
As per the recently Index by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Gujarat topped the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) index, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh took the second and third positions, respectively. LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States) is a first-ever sub-national logistics performance index. The LEADS index is based on various parameters such as rail and roads network, warehouses, efficiency of regulatory processes, logistics services, unscheduled stoppages etc. The recent report on LEADS has been prepared by consultancy firm Deloitte.
4. 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.
5. SwachhSwasthSarvatra is a joint initiative of the:
[A] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation
[B] Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change and Ministry of Urban Development
[C] Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Rural Development
[D] Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation]
Notes:SwachhSwasthSarvatra is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. The scheme aims to achieve open defecation free India by 2019, and create a deep impact on the health outcome of the country. The three key components of SwachhSwasthSarvatra are:
- Community Health Centers (CHCs) in ODF blocks supported to achieve Kayakalp certification
- Gram Panchayat of Kayakalp Primary Health Centers prioritized to become ODF
- Training in WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) of CHC/PHC nominees
6. The recently launched “SWIFT” initiative of the government aims to:
[A] motivate people to use digitally enabled cashless economic systems for transfer of fund
[B] speed up customs clearances for consignments
[C] promote direct research in the premier institutions into areas of social relevance
[D] provide logistic and transport solutions to companies across multiple industries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [speed up customs clearances for consignments]
Notes:
SWIFT stands for Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade (SWIFT). It has been launched by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) as an initiative to speed up customs clearances for consignments and improve ‘ease of doing business. It provides a single-point interface for clearance and is expected to reduce documentation and costs. It is expected to cover and benefit over 97 per cent of India’s imports. The single window connects over 50 offices of six government agencies with the Indian customs department. These are the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI); Department of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage; Drug Controller; Animal Quarantine; Wild Life Crime Control Bureau and Textile Committee
7. 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.
8. Recently, our scientists have discovered a new species of Pika, a mammal belonging to the rabbit and hare family. In which part of India has it been discovered?
[A] Tropical rainforest of Western Ghats
[B] Eastern Ghats
[C] Eastern Himalayas
[D] Western Himalayas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Eastern Himalayas]
Notes:
Eastern Himalaya has been declared a biodiversity hotspot by Conservation International. Our Scientists have recently claimed to have discovered a new species of Pika, a mammal belonging to the rabbit and hare family in the Eastern Himalayas in Sikkim. Pikas are members of the rabbit family and live in the mountains or in temperate regions. The common name "pika" is used for any member of the Ochotonidae family. Pikas do not hibernate unlike other mammalian species inhabiting such cold climates.
9. What is the theme of 2018 World Rabies Day (WRD)?
[A] Rabies: 100% Vaccine preventable
[B] Rabies: Educate, Vaccinate, Eliminate
[C] Rabies: Share the message. Save a life!
[D] Rabies: Zero by 30
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rabies: Share the message. Save a life!]
Notes:
The World Rabies Day (WRD) is observed every year on September 28 to raise awareness about rabies prevention and to highlight progress in defeating this horrifying disease. The day also marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death, the French chemist and microbiologist, who developed the first rabies vaccine. The 2018 theme is ” Rabies: Share the message. Save a life! “. Today, safe and efficacious animal and human vaccines are among the important tools that exist to eliminate human deaths from rabies while awareness is the key driver for success of communities to engage in effective rabies prevention.
10. Who won the World Championships in Athletics held at London 2017 in Men’s Discus Throw?
[A] Andrius Gudzius
[B] Daniel Stahl
[C] Mason Finley
[D] Philip Milanov
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Andrius Gudzius ]
Notes:
Andrius Gudzius is a Lithuanian discus thrower who won the Gold Medal at 2017 World Championships and is also the current reigning champion. He has a potential best of 69.59m
