1. Which state has hosted the 17th International Seminar on Counter Terrorism-2017?
[A] Punjab
[B] Bihar
[C] Haryana
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Haryana ]
Notes:
The 17th International Seminar on Counter Terrorism has been held at Manesar in Haryana on February 8, 2017. The seminar is organised by National Security Guard (NSA) and inaugurated by the Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting. Apart from this, the Minister also unveiled the NSG annual magazine ‘The Bombshell’, which contains details of various IED explosions that occurred in various parts of the world in 2016.
2. Which country has launched the world’s first Braille Atlas for visually impaired persons?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Japan
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
The world’s first Braille Atlas for visually impaired persons has been launched by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, the Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences. The special edition of the “Atlas for Visually Impaired (India)” in English Braille has been prepared by National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO) under the Department of S&T. The Atlas priced at Rs.600 and has 20 maps that cover themes such as physical, socio-economic and cultural aspects such as river system, natural vegetation, Metropolitan cities, roads, food and cash crops. The Atlas will be distributed free of cost to various schools across India for educating the students with visual challenges.
3. What is the India’s rank in the 2017 Economic Freedom Index (EFI)?
[A] 143rd
[B] 117th
[C] 92nd
[D] 88th
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [143rd]
Notes:
India has been ranked 143rd in the 2017 Economic Freedom Index (EFI). The annual index was released by a conservative US political think tank “the Heritage Foundation”. It measures the degree of economic freedom in the countries of the world. The 2017 index is topped by Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand, respectively. Among South Asian countries, only Afghanistan (163) and Maldives (157) were ranked below India. Nepal (125), Sri Lanka (112), Pakistan (141), Bhutan (107), and Bangladesh (128) surpassed India in economic freedom.
4. Benasree Sengupta, who passed away recently, was the noted singer from which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Assam
[C] West Bengal
[D] Manipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [West Bengal]
Notes:
Banasree Sengupta (71), the renowned Bengali singer, has recently passed away in Kolkata, West Bengal. She was known for her mellifluous voice. Some of her hit songs are Aaj Bikeler Dake Tomar Chhithi Pelam, Amar Angey Jaley Rangmoshal, Chhi chhi Eki Kando Korechi, Dur Akashay Tomar Sur, etc. She also lent her voice to Bengali, Hindi, Assamese and Odia films.
5. Which union ministery has launched the Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre (BCMAC) for analysis of malware and botnets that affect networks and systems?
[A] Ministry of Science and Technology
[B] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[C] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[D] Ministry of Earth Sciences
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology]
Notes:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched Cyber Swachhta Kendra – Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre (BCMAC) to provide free anti-virus to computers and mobile phones for removing malicious softwares. This is a part of Digital India initiative and is operated by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under provisions of Section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The Centre aims to enhance coordination between the Government and industry in order to encourage cyber hygiene among all end-users and to create a secure and safe internet ecosystem in India.
6. Pooja Ghatkar is associated with which sports?
[A] Cricket
[B] Chess
[C] Boxing
[D] Shooting
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Shooting]
Notes:
Pooja Ghatkar from India, the former Asian champion, has won the bronze in the women’s 10 metre air rifle event in the 2017 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup at the Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi. Ghatkar shot 228.8 score in the final to finish third.
7. Which Indian sportsperson will represent IOC’s Athletes’ Commission (AC) in the Badminton World Federation (BWF)
[A] Saina Nehwal
[B] P V Sindhu
[C] Pullela Gopichand
[D] Prakash Padukone
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Saina Nehwal]
Notes:
Ace Indian badminton player, Saina Nehwal will represent International Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission (IOC AC) in the Badminton World Federation (BWF). She will join the BWF Athletes’ Commission as a representative of the IOC AC. It’s a rare honour for an Indian sportsperson. Before this, she was appointed a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission (AC) in 2016.
8. Which state government has launched “RAHAT” project for treatment of heart disease in remote and rural areas?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Chattisgarh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajasthan ]
Notes:
The Rajasthan government has launched the Rajasthan Heart Attack Treatment programme (RAHAT) medical project at the Eternal Hospital in Jaipur to provide people timely treatment during heart attacks in remote and rural areas. Under the programme, the patients facing heart attack would be provided with emergency ambulance service and telemedicine service through Eternal Heart Care Centre Hospital. The programme is a ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), a very serious type of heart attack, management telemedicines platform that captures and transmits patient’s EKG along with clinical history from remote geographical locations to heart command center hub.
9. Who has been appointed as the new spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)?
[A] Gopal Baglay
[B] Sudhir Kumar
[C] Vikas Swarup
[D] P Bashiah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gopal Baglay]
Notes:
Gopal Baglay, the 1992-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), has been appointed as the new spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Earlier, he headed the division of the MEA dealing with Pakistan. He has also served as the Deputy High Commissioner to Islamabad. Baglay replaced Vikas Swarup, who is headed to Canada as envoy.
10. Which city hosted the 4th India-CLMV Business Conclave-2017?
[A] Pune
[B] Chennai
[C] Jaipur
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jaipur]
Notes:
The 4th edition of India-CLMV (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam) Business Conclave was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman, which was organised by the Department of Commerce and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The purpose of the conference was to identify specific project opportunities and seeks business partnerships in the region. The conclave focused on sectors such as Pharma, Healthcare, manufacturing, Agri Business, Food processing, Gems and Jewellery, Textiles, Leather, Renewable Energy and education.