1. In which state India’s first centre of excellence for differently-abled sportsmen will be set up?
[A] Telangana
[B] Gujarat
[C] Kerala
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gujarat]
Notes:
Recently, the Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel has laid the foundation stone of the India’s first centre of excellence for differently-abled sportsmen at Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The Center of Excellence is proposed with an estimate of over Rs 50 crore. It will have world class facilities where para athletes can train for various international competitions including Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. It will also act as a classification center for para athletes. The Center will also hold seminars, educational programmes and workshops throughout the year with the help of International Paralympic Committee. Approx 50 differently-abled sportspersons (boys & girls) between age group 8-12 will be imparted training in Athletics, Swimming and power lifting at the training centre. The entire project will be constructed by CPWD in coordination with various experts and consultants having full accessibility as per the norms of IPC.
2. Which Indian diplomat has been appointed as the member of the United Nations (UN)’ Joint Inspection Unit (JIU)?
[A] Gopalaswami Parthasarathy
[B] Ajai Malhotra
[C] Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
[D] Achamkulangare Gopinathan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Achamkulangare Gopinathan]
Notes:
Achamkulangare Gopinathan, a top Indian diplomat, has been re-appointed by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) for a 5-year term beginning from January 1, 2018. Beside him, Sukai Prom-Jackson of Gambia, Jean Wesley Cazeau of Haiti and Nikolay Lozinskiy of Russia are also appointed members of the JIU. The Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) is the only independent external oversight body of the United Nations (UN) system mandated to conduct evaluations, inspections and investigations system-wide. Gopinathan’s re-appointment follows his nomination by India and endorsement as the sole candidate of the Asia-Pacific Group.
3. Who of the following have been selected for 2017 All-Star Basketball without Borders (BWB) Global Camp?
[A] Aashay Verma and Priyanka Prabhakara
[B] Sakshi Pawar and Akshay Sharma
[C] Vivek Kumar and Mahima Rathore
[D] Nishant Patel and Varsha Sharma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Aashay Verma and Priyanka Prabhakara]
Notes:
For the first time, two Indian cagers – Aashay Verma and Priyanka Prabhakara – have been selected in a 67-strong international group of boys and girls for the NBA and FIBA’s third annual Basketball without Borders (BWB) Global Camp in New Orleans, USA. The camp will be held February 17 to 19 as part of NBA All-Star 2017. The BWB Global Camp is a great opportunity for the top male and female prospects from around the world to compete against one another, learn directly from NBA and FIBA players, legends and coaches, and experience the excitement of NBA All-Star. The Basketball without Borders program was founded on the belief that basketball brings young players from different backgrounds together and transcends cultural boundaries.
4. Which of the following is the official mascot for FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017?
[A] Kheleo
[B] Zabivaka
[C] Fuleco
[D] Pille
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kheleo]
Notes:
The Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel and All India Foot ball Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel has launched the official mascot “Kheleo” for FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on February 10, 2017. The clouded leopard “Kheleo” is a vulnerable wild cat whose habitat extends from the Himalayan foothills to mainland Southeast Asia. Kheleo will participate in numerous activities in the run-up to the first-ever FIFA tournament to be hosted by India, which will be played from 6 to 28 October 2017. In it, India will showcase its ability to organize and execute global sporting events.
5. Who has taken charge as the Whole Time Member (WTM) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)?
[A] Neha Sharma
[B] Suman Saxena
[C] Vasant Kumar
[D] Niranjan Tyagi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Suman Saxena]
Notes:
Suman Saxena, the former Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), has taken charge as the Whole Time Member (WTM) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). She would look after research and regulation wing apart from national insolvency programme, continuing professional programme as well as knowledge management and partnership. Currently, the board of IBBI — set up under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code — has five members including Chairman Dr. M S Sahoo. Others are Ajay Tyagi, Amardeep Singh Bhatia, G S Yadav and A Unnikrishnan.
6. Who is the author of the book “Numbers Do Lie: 61 Hidden Cricket Stories”?
[A] Greg Chappell
[B] Suresh Menon
[C] Pankaj Mishra
[D] Akash Chopra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Akash Chopra]
Notes:
The book “Numbers Do Lie: 61 Hidden Cricket Stories” has been authored by former Indian cricketer Akash Chopra along with Impact Index statistical system so that all the stories are fact based and backed by statistics. This new book has facts about cricket that even the biggest cricket fan might not know. It is an attempt to challenge and enrich conventional readings and redefine them by looking at the big picture. The Impact Index is a statistical system that examines every performance in a cricket match and series context. The book combines 7 years of Impact Index’s work resulting in a book backed by statistical facts.
7. What is the theme of 2017 International Women’s Day (IWD)?
[A] Women’s History Month
[B] Equality for Women is Progress for All
[C] Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality
[D] Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030]
Notes:
The International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed every year on March 8 to commemorate the struggle for women’s rights and to highlight the achievements of women while calling for greater equality. The 2017 theme of IWD is “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030” and its’ campaign theme is “#BeBoldForChange”.
8. Which bank has launched an instant digital Loan Against Securities (LAS) facility?
[A] Axis Bank
[B] Bank of India
[C] HDFC Bank
[D] ICICI Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [HDFC Bank]
Notes:
The HDFC bank has launched an instant digital Loan Against Securities (LAS) facility in collaboration with the National Securities Depository (NSDL), which allows customers to avail loans in less than 3 minutes. The service will also be available to customers with no credit history. The bank will offer 10.5% interest rate on the product and will soon expand the offering to other securities such as mutual funds, bonds and insurance policies. Under this facility, customers can avail a minimum loan of Rs 1 lakh and maximum loan up to Rs 20 lakh.
9. Chuck Berry, the rock and roll legend has passed away. He hailed from which country?
[A] United States
[B] Russia
[C] Nambia
[D] Portugal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [United States]
Notes:
Chuck Berry (90), the rock and roll legend, has recently passed away in Missouri, United States. He was the well-known guitarist and songwriter and recognized as one of the fathers of rock ‘n’ roll. He refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive. He received a lifetime achievement Grammy in 1984 and was among the first inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
10. Which Indian personality has been selected to newly formed United Nations (UN) group on antimicrobial resistance?
[A] Soumya Swaminathan
[B] Meghnad Saha
[C] KK Josh
[D] Abhish Shivam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Soumya Swaminathan]
Notes:
Soumya Swaminathan, the director of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has been named to United Nations’ ad hoc Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance to provide expertise on and coordinate the global fight against antimicrobial resistance. Swaminathan is also Secretary, Department of Health Research in India’s Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. She is a multi award-winning paediatrician, clinical scientist and is known for her research on tuberculosis. The purpose of the newly formed UN group will be to provide practical guidance for approaches needed to ensure sustained effective global action to address antimicrobial resistance, including options to improve coordination, taking into account the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. The UN group will be co-chaired by Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan.