1. Which state government has launched “Kakatiya Hub for Social Innovation” India’s first social innovation centre?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Telangana
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Telangana ]
Notes:
The Telangana government has recently launched India’s first social innovation centre “Kakatiya Hub for Social Innovation” in Nizamabad on Februray 5, 2017, which is expected to be run by September 2017. The hub is funded by the Telangana government and will function like a rural incubator to encourage entrepreneurship at grassroots level. The purpose of the hub is to create a model for promoting entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban areas in the country. The incubator will be run through Kakatiya Sandbox, a centre that fosters entrepreneurship and innovation modelled after Deshpande Foundation’s Hubli Sandbox.
2. Racharla Samrajyam, who passed away recently, was the freedom fighter from which state?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Karnataka
[C] Kerala
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Racharla Samrajyam (98), the veteran freedom fighter, has recently passed away at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Samrajyam was inspired by the Quit India Movement, when she was undergoing Hindi Pracharak training at Anantapur in 1942. She quit the training programme and joined the Quit India Movement.She was arrested at Bezawada (Vijayawada) and was sent to the Raya Vellore Jail for 6 months in 1944. She received the ‘Tarmra Patra’ from the Government of India (GoI) in 1972.
3. Which sub-committee of Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) has been constituted to boost girls’ education?
[A] Kadiyam Srihari committee
[B] Ashok Das committee
[C] Suraj Patra committee
[D] Neel Mukherjee committee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Kadiyam Srihari committee ]
Notes:
The Union HRD Ministry has recently constituted a sub-committee of Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) under Chairmanship of Kadiyam Srihari to look into issues of girl’s education. Srihari is the Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister of Telangana. The terms of reference of the sub-committee would be to examine the reasons for low participation of girls in education, including the socio-economic factors with resultant gender bias and suggest ways to reduce gender disparity so as to achieve better gender parity index. It will analyse girls’ participation at all levels of school education across socio-economic groups of SC/ST, minorities and in rural-urban areas and reduce existing educational disparities among them. It will also examine the existing schemes, measures and incentives aimed at enhancing girls’ participation and ensuring their retention in education and suggest improvements and modifications in the existing schemes.
4. Which warship has become the India’s first warship to install solar panels on board?
[A] INS Vindhyagiri
[B] INS Godavari
[C] INS Sarvekshak
[D] INS Sindhudurg
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [INS Sarvekshak]
Notes:
Indian Navy’s survey vessel INS Sarvekshak has become the India’s first warship to install solar power system on board. The solar power system works on sunlight and hence is 100% per cent reliable for power source that can be used for communication equipment, battery charging and general lightings onboard round the clock with battery outputs during night. The system is maintenance free.
5. Which country to host conference on counter radicalisation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)?
[A] Malaysia
[B] Iran
[C] Pakistan
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [India]
Notes:
India will host a conference on counter radicalisation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to share experiences and ideas on prevention of radicalization in October 2017. The conference will provide common platform to countries for sharing experiences and ideas on prevention of radicalisation.
6. Jambuvantrao Dhote, who passed away recently, was the former Member of Parliament (MP) from which Lok Sabha constituency?
[A] Nagpur
[B] Pune
[C] Bhopal
[D] Shillong
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Nagpur]
Notes:
Bhau Jambhuwantrao Dhote (83), the former Member of Parliament (MP) from Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency, has recently passed away in Yavatmal, Maharashtra. He was known for his demands of a separate state for Vidarbha. Dhote won his first election to Lok Sabha in 1971 from Nagpur as a Forward Bloc nominee. Later in 1980, he joined Congress and won the Nagpur seat on the Congress ticket. After leaving Congress he founded Vidarbha Janta Congress party in 2002. He was elected to Maharashtra Assembly five times. Due to his active participation in various movements for separate Vidarbha and farmers and his aggressive speeches, he was also known as the Lion of Vidarbha.
7. Barren Island is located in which state / union territory?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Andaman and Nicobar Islands
[C] Lakshadweep
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Andaman and Nicobar Islands ]
Notes:
The Barren Island is located in the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia. It is in news because the Barren Island volcano has erupted once again after lying dormant for over 150 years. According to the researchers at Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), the volcano is active and spewing smoke and lava once again. They have sampled the sediments and water in the vicinity of the volcano and recovered coal-like black pyroclastic material representing proximal volcanic eject. These samples will help in deciphering the nature of the present and past volcanic activity in the region.
8. The Government of India (GoI) has recently approved investment proposal for generation component of Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project in which country?
[A] Myanmar
[B] Nepal
[C] Bhutan
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nepal]
Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has recently approved investment proposal for generation component of Arun-3 Hydro Electric Project in Nepal by SJVN Limited to promote clean and green energy in India and the sub continent. This project will generate 900 Megawatt of hydro power at an estimated cost of Rs. 5723.72 crore. The project is expected to achieve financial closure by September 2017 and be implemented in five years thereafter.
9. Who has been appointed as India’s permanent representative to World Trade Organization (WTO)?
[A] J S Deepak
[B] G Latha Krishna Rao
[C] N K Sinha
[D] Pramila Lalan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [J S Deepak]
Notes:
Telecom Secretary J S Deepak, a 1982 batch IAS officer from Uttar Pradesh, has been appointed as India’s permanent representative to World Trade Organization (WTO) from June 1, 2017. According to the official order, he has been shifted from the telecom ministry and has made Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Department of Commerce in the Ministry of Commerce and Industries with immediate effect till May 31, 2017. The WTO is a global international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between nations.
10. Who is the newly elected President of the European Council (EC)?
[A] Andrej Plenkovic
[B] Christian Kern
[C] Donald Tusk
[D] Charles Michel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Donald Tusk]
Notes:
Donald Tusk from Poland has been re-elected for a second term as the President of the European Council. His reappointment will be until November 30, 2019. The European Council is the institution of the European Union (EU) that charged with defining the EU’s overall political direction and priorities.