1. In which state the International Conference on India Pharma & India Medical Device-2017 has started?
[A] West Bengal
[B] Karnataka
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka ]
Notes:
The 2nd edition of International Conference on India Pharma & India Medical Device-2017 has been inaugurated by Ananth kumar, the Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs, in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 11, 2017. The three day event, with the Vision – ‘For Responsible Healthcare’, is based on themes: Medical Devices- ‘Shaping the Future-Making the Right Choices’ and Pharma -‘Shaping the future of India Pharma’. This initiative will be a platform to give a push to the Indian Pharma & Medical Devices sector in becoming globally competitive.
2. The National Deworming Day (NDD) is celebrated on which date in India?
[A] February 13
[B] February 10
[C] February 12
[D] February 11
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [February 10]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has observed its 3rd National Deworming Day (NDD) on February 10 to tackle worm infections among pre-school (anganwadi) and school-age children across India. The aim of the NDD is to reach every child, regardless of their socio-economic circumstance. It is the world’s largest deworming programme that covers 340 million children under-19 years of age across 36 states/ UTs. The deworming programme is India’s commitment to a comprehensive national response to the public health threat posed by worms.
3. Consider the following statements:
- Radon is the heaviest gas.
- Astatine is the rarest element on the earth.
- Graphite, which is a non-metal, is also an electrical conductor.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
[A] Only 2
[B] 1 and 2
[C] 2 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
Radon is the heaviest known noble gas and is radioactive. Astatine, with the atomic number 85, is the rarest naturally occurring element in the Earth's crust. Graphite, a form of carbon, is the only non-metal that conducts electricity due to its delocalised electrons. Thus, all the statements are correct.
4. Which of the following states is hosting the 2017 International Coin Fair?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Chhattisgarh
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kerala ]
Notes:
The 3-day International Coin Fair has started at Kanakakunnu Palace in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala from February 13, 2017 and is hosted by District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC). More than 2,500 coins from around 500 regions, including those from the times of empires and princely states will be displayed in this fair. The coins on display will include those from the time of Alexander the Great, to various Mughal, Chera, Chola emperors and Kanishka, besides Persian, Roman and Islamic coins. Additionaly, the coin released by Subhash Chandra Bose during British rule and Somalian guitar-shaped coins, Princess Diana tribute coins, flower-inscribed coins, among other rare pieces, will be the major attractions.
5. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched a record 104 satellites from which rocket vehicle?
[A] PSLV-C38
[B] PSLV-C37
[C] PSLV-C36
[D] PSLV-C35
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [PSLV-C37]
Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched a record 104 satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh through PSLV C-37 launch vehicle. The PSLV-C37 first launched the 714 kg Cartosat-2 Series satellite for earth observation and then inject 103 co-passenger satellites, together weighing about 664 kg at lift-off into polar Sun Synchronous Orbit, about 520 km from Earth. With the successful launch, India scripted history by becoming the first country in the world to launch 104 satellites in a single rocket.
6. Who has been appointed the new Prime Minister of Federal Republic of Somalia?
[A] Hassan Abshir Farah
[B] Ali Mohammed Ghedi
[C] Hassan Ali Khayre
[D] Omar Abdirashid Ali
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hassan Ali Khayre]
Notes:
Hassan Ali Khayre, a former aid worker and oil executive, has been appointed the new Prime Minister of Federal Republic of Somalia. He succeeded Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke. Prior to this appointment, Khayre had never held public office, although over the course of his career he has worked with a range of high-level executives and government officials in various capacities.
7. Who has been appointed as new Chief Secretary of Maharashtra?
[A] Sumit Mullick
[B] Kashish Nandan
[C] Nirmal Gupta
[D] Swadheen Kshatriya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sumit Mullick]
Notes:
Sumit Mullick, the 1982 batch IAS officer, has been appointed as new Chief Secretary of Maharashtra. He succeeded Swadheen Kshatriya, who was due for retirement on 31st of January, but was given a month’s extension. Prior to this appointment, he was serving as the Chief Protocol Officer in the General Administration department. He had earlier served as the Divisional Commissioner of Amravati and worked as Secretary of School Education. He was also Secretary to the Governor.
8. Which state government has launched “Tirtha Darshan” scheme for senior citizens?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Haryana
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Haryana ]
Notes:
The Haryana government has recently launched “Tirtha Darshan” scheme for senior citizens. As per the scheme, senior citizens above 60 years of age and of Haryana domicile would be able to go on a pilgrimage within the country at government expense. Under the scheme, the government would bear the entire cost of the tour of senior citizens belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. The senior citizens would be selected for the pilgrimage on the basis of draw of lots. Over 400 destinations can be visited under the scheme.
9. Which bank has launched India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based banking chatbot “Electronic Virtual Assistant (EVA) for customer service?
[A] ICICI Bank
[B] HDFC Bank
[C] Axis Bank
[D] SBI
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [HDFC Bank]
Notes:
HDFC Bank has recently launched India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based banking chatbot “Electronic Virtual Assistant (EVA)” for customer service. EVA can answer millions of customer queries across multiple channels instantly. Eva can assimilate knowledge from thousands of sources and provide answers in simple language in less than 0.4 seconds.
10. Who is the leading the Indian delegation in the 2017 Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) meeting?
[A] Rajnath Singh
[B] Hamid Ansari
[C] Shaktikanta Das
[D] P K Saxena
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [P K Saxena]
Notes:
The 2-day meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) has started in Islamabad, Pakistan on March 20, 2017. The 10-member Indian delegation led by Indus Water Commissioner P K Saxena is attending the meeting. The delegation comprises of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officials and technical experts. The Pakistan side will be headed by Indus Water Commissioner Mirza Asif Saeed. The meeting is taking place nearly 6 months after India decided to suspend talks on the pact in the wake of the Uri terror attack by Pakistan based outfits. The PIC is a bilateral commission of officials from India-Pakistan, created to implement and manage goals of Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Under the IWT treaty, it is required that India and Pakistan meet every financial year. As per the provisions in the treaty, India can use only 20% of the total water carried by the Indus River.