1. Which country is host to the first-ever BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs (NSA) meet to discuss counter terror action plan?
[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] Bhutan
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
India will host the first-ever meeting of BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs (NSAs) to discuss action against the spread of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation. This was decided at the 17th BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) which recently concluded at Kathmandu, Nepal. This marked an important step forward to realize the action oriented agenda for BIMSTEC agreed by the leaders at their Retreat hosted by Prime Minister Modi in Goa in October 2016.
2. Which committee has been constituted by the Haryana Government to resolve the problem of those agitating for reservation and other issues of the state?
[A] D S Dhesi committee
[B] P K Lahoti committee
[C] H S Juneja committee
[D] M P Kaur committee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [D S Dhesi committee]
Notes:
The Haryana government has recently constituted a 5-member to resolve the problems of those agitating for reservation and other issues in the state. The committee will be headed by Chief Secretary D S Dhesi. As stated by the government, any organization, section of the society or an individual could submit their viewpoint and suggestions to the committee in writing or orally. The committee will try its best to resolve their issues under the ambit of the Constitution and different decisions and directions given by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this regard.
3. Which state has become the first Indian State to establish cashless system for distribution of food grains?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Kerala
[C] Punjab
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Gujarat]
Notes:
Gujarat has become the first Indian State to establish cashless system for distribution of food grains. The beneficiaries under National Food Security Act (NFSA) will need to carry only Aadhaar cards for getting their food grain in Gujarat. This will help in establishing the identity of beneficiaries, help in stopping the leakages of grain at shop level and above all eradicate corruption in the Public distribution System (PDS). Beside this, the Gujarat government completed the target of installing Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) in 17,250 Fair Price Shops (FPS) much before March 31. With this, a consumer will also be able to get his Rail, air and bus ticket reserved at the Fair Price Shops (FPS) itself. A beneficiary can pay his mobile bill, a farmer can deposit crop insurance premium, LIC premium etc. at these centres.
4. Who is the author of the book “Veerappan: Chasing the Brigand”?
[A] Kapish G. Mehra
[B] K. Vijay Kumar
[C] Shekhar Gupta
[D] D.R. Karthikeyan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [K. Vijay Kumar]
Notes:
The book “Veerappan: Chasing the Brigand” has been authored by K. Vijay Kumar, the Senior Security Adviser in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The book is a source of valuable inspiration offering insight into the tactics that went into the wiping out of the dreaded forest brigand on whom a prize money of Rs. 5 crores had been declared more than a decade back.
5. Consider the following statements regarding a solenoid:
- A solenoid is a coil comprising many circular turns of insulated copper wire wrapped tightly in the shape of a cylinder.
- The magnetic field lines inside a solenoid are parallel straight lines.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Both 1 and 2
[C] Only 2
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
A solenoid is defined as a cylinder-shaped coil consisting of many circular turns of insulated copper wire placed closely together. The magnetic field inside the solenoid is represented by parallel straight field lines, signifying a uniform magnetic field throughout its interior. Both statements correctly describe the structure and field properties of a solenoid.
6. Which Indian-American musician has won the best world Music Album awar for “Sing Me Home” at the 2017 Grammy Awards?
[A] Sabyasachi Mukherjee
[B] Sandeep Das
[C] Shubha Mudgal
[D] Anoushka Shankar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sandeep Das]
Notes:
Sandeep Das, an Indian-American tabla player, has won the Best World Music Album at the 59th edition of Grammy Awards-2017 in California, United States for his album “Sing Me Home”.
7. Which state to host National Biodiversity Congress (NBC) 2017?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
The National Biodiversity Congress (NBC) 2017 will be held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala from February 22. The event is hosted by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board from Feb 22nd to 26th and the focal theme is “Mainstreaming Biodiversity for Sustainable Development”. The present edition of the event comprises an array of programmes including conference, exhibition, capacity building workshops and Children’s Biodiversity Congress.
8. Which movie has won the Best Animation award at the 88th Academy Awards – 2017?
[A] Kubo and the Two Strings
[B] The Red Turtle
[C] Moana
[D] Zootopia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Zootopia]
Notes:
Zootopia, directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, has won the Best Animated Feature Film at the 89th Oscar Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. The film details the unlikely partnership between a rabbit police officer and a red fox con artist as they uncover a conspiracy which involves the disappearance of predator inhabitants of a mammalian metropolis.
9. Who has won silver in men’s double trap at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup 2017?
[A] Shapath Bharadwaj
[B] Ankur Mittal
[C] Sangram Dahiya
[D] Ankur Mittal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ankur Mittal]
Notes:
Ankur Mittal has won silver in men’s double trap at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup at the Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi. Beside this, in the mixed team 10m air pistol event, the Indian pair of Heena Sidhu and Jitu Rai won the ‘gold badge’. The ISSF is expected to scrap men’s 50m free pistol, 50m rifle prone and double trap events from the Olympic Games and will announce so shortly.
10. Who is the author of the book “The Secret Diary of Kasturba”?
[A] Neelima Dalmia Adhar
[B] Aruna Chakravarti
[C] Som Sharma
[D] Narendra Verma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Neelima Dalmia Adhar]
Notes:
The book “The Secret Diary of Kasturba” has been authored by Neelima Dalmia Adhar. It’s an imaginary chronicle of the life of Kasturba, the wife of Father of Nation “Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi”. The book is written in a diary form with Kastur penning her experiences in Porbandar where she was born on April 11, 1869- six months before the birth of Mohandas Gandhi who was born in neighbourhood on October 2, 1869 and, early life with young Mohandas, her days in Africa and Mohandas’s rise as a mass leader. The book tries to tell the world what it meant to Kasturba to be wife of Mahatma Gandhi.