1. The term discovered small field (DSF), which was recently making news is related to which of the following ?
[A] Petroleum Sector
[B] Nuclear Minerals
[C] Quantum Science
[D] None of them
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Petroleum Sector ]
Notes:
Discovered small field (DSF) auction happened recently. The term is related to oil sector.
2. Which of the following recently launched Small Finance Bank in India has its tagline “A Bank of Smiles”?
[A] Ujjivan Small Finance Bank
[B] Suryoday Small Finance Bank
[C] Janalakshmi Small Finance Bank
[D] Utkarsh Small Finance Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Suryoday Small Finance Bank ]
Notes:
Suryoday Small Finance Bank with its tagline “A Bank of Smiles”, has recently launched its first branch in Belapur, Navi Mumbai.
3. From July 1, 2017, the nationwide GST (Goods & Services Tax) has been rolled out in India, making the country a single market. What is the current size of Indian economy?
[A] USD 1 Trillion
[B] USD 2 Trillion
[C] USD 3 Trillion
[D] USD 4 Trillion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ USD 2 Trillion ]
Notes:
India is a USD 2 trillion economy with around 1.3 billion people.
4. Which of the following places to host Asia’s largest startup ecosystem congregation “Huddle Kerala”?
[A] Kannur
[B] Kovalam
[C] Ernakulam
[D] Kozhikode
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kovalam ]
Notes:
Asia’ s largest startup ecosystem congregation “Huddle Kerala” will be held at Kovalam near the Kerala capital ‘Thiruvananthapuram’ from April 6 and 7, 2018 to provide a platform for start-ups to pitch their products and interact with a wide array of technology and industry leaders from around the world. The main focus of Huddle Kerala will be on the emerging sectors like blockchain, cryptocurrency, internet of things (IoT), gaming and e-sports, cyber security, digital entertainment, augmented reality, virtual reality, e-governance and mobile governance among other latest technologies. The initiative, organised by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) in association with the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IAMAI Startup Foundation, is to have participation from 2,000 delegates, including start-up entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders and academicians, with 40 speakers in 30 sessions.
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. 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.
7. Recently, scientists with the help of ESO’s unique planet-hunting HARPS instrument have discovered a planet that is just 11 light-years away from earth, and is a temperate planet that orbits a “quiet star”. The planet has been named as _?
[A] Ross 128b
[B] HD 131399Ab
[C] LHS 1140b
[D] NGTS-1b
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ross 128b]
Notes:
Recently, Scientists have discovered a new planet called Ross 128b that could possibly sustain life. This planet is located just 11 light-years away. It is a temperate planet that orbits a “quiet star”. It gets its name from the fact that it doesn’t spew out life-threatening bursts of radiation. The planet was discovered using ESO’s unique planet-hunting HARPS instrument.
8. India’s first Agri-commodity Options Contracts trading has been launched for which of the following products?
[A] Onions
[B] Pulses
[C] Guarseed
[D] Oil palm
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Guarseed]
Notes:
Recently, the government launched options trading in guarseed on the commodity bourse NCDEX. NCDEX is the second exchange after MCX to launch options trading in commodities. In October 2017, MCX had launched gold options. Guarseed is the first agri-commodity options.
9. The term “Monero”, which was recently in news, is:
[A] the world’s first emotionally intelligent? robot
[B] an alternative to Bitcoin
[C] India’s first quantum-enabled satellite
[D] the name of world’s oldest tigress
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [an alternative to Bitcoin]
Notes:
Monero (XMR) is an open-source cryptocurrency created in April 2014 that focuses on privacy, decentralisation and scalability.
10. The term “Triffin dilemma”, which was recently in news, is associated with:
[A] International Territorial Disputes
[B] International Currency System
[C] Trade Protectionism
[D] Global Food Security
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [International Currency System]
Notes:
The Triffin dilemma, or Triffin paradox, is the idea that a national currency can create conflicts between short-term domestic and long-term international economic goals. The dilemma arises when a national currency also serves as an international reserve currency.
The dilemma was discovered in the 1960s by Belgian economist Robert Triffin. He argued that domestic and international policy goals don’t usually match. For example, if the United States stopped running balance of payments deficits, the international community would lose its largest source of reserves. This could cause a shortage of liquidity, which could lead to instability.
The dilemma points to the conflicts that can arise when a national currency plays a role as an international public good. The global reserve currency issuer issues the safest and most widely used global currency. Domestic monetary policy can have unintended consequences for both the domestic and global economies.