1. The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed on which date?
[A] February 5
[B] February 6
[C] February 7
[D] February 8
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [February 6]
Notes:
The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is observed every year across the world on February 6 to promote the UN’s campaign to raise awareness and educate people about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and to stop genital mutilation to girls and women. Basically, this day is an awareness campaign to end a harmful practice that violates girls’ and women’s rights. The 2017 theme is “Building a solid and interactive bridge between Africa and the world to accelerate ending FGM by 2030”.
2. Who has been elected the new President of Germany?
[A] Christian Wulff
[B] Joachim Gauck
[C] Frank-Walter Steinmeier
[D] Olivia Jones
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Frank-Walter Steinmeier]
Notes:
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a member of the Social Democratic party (SPD), has been elected the new President of Germany by the Federal Assembly meeting in Parliament in Berlin. He won 931 out of 1,260 votes. Steinmeier will succeed Joachim Gauck on March 18, 2017.
3. Who has been appointed the new President of Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (ASSOCHAM)?
[A] Sandeep Jajodia
[B] Kiran Kumar Gandhi
[C] Sunil Kanoria
[D] Navneet Gupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sandeep Jajodia]
Notes:
Sandeep Jajodia, the CMD of Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd., has been appointed the new President of industry chamber Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (ASSOCHAM). He succeeded Sunil Kanoria. The ASSOCHAM is one of the apex trade associations of India. The organisation represents the interests of trade and commerce in India, and acts as an interface between industry, government and other relevant stakeholders on policy issues and initiatives.
4. What is the theme of 2017 BRICS Summit?
[A] BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future
[B] Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions
[C] BRICS Partnership – A Powerful Factor of Global Development
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future]
Notes:
The 9th edition of BRICS summit-2017 will be held at Xiamen in the Fujian Province of east China on September 2017 with the theme “BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future”.
5. In which state India’s first-ever floating elementary school has started?
[A] Manipur
[B] Mizoram
[C] West Bengal
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Manipur]
Notes:
India’s first-ever floating elementary school “Loktak Elementary Floating School” has started at Langolsabi Leikai of Champu Khangpok floating village on Loktak Lake in Manipur. The school has been opened under the initiative undertaken by All Loktak Lake Fisherman’s Union with the support of an NGO – People Resources Development Association (PRDA). The school will not only cater to the need of the children but for the illiterate adults as well. The Loktak Lake is referred as the “lifeline of Manipur” as it is highly productive and many lives depend on the lake for endurance. The lake is also an Important Bird Area as it’s a potential breeding site for waterfowl and is a staging site for migratory birds.
6. Who has become the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu?
[A] KA Sengottaiyan
[B] O Panneerselvam
[C] Edappadi K Palaniswamy
[D] E Madhusudanan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Edappadi K Palaniswamy]
Notes:
Edappadi K Palaniswamy has become the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on February 16, 2017. He is a senior leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). He has to seek the vote confidence of the Tamil Nadu assembly within 15 days. Palaniswamy belong to Gounder community, which is one of the main communities along with the Thevars (or Mukkulathors) that have influenced the AIADMK.
7. The India Vetiver Network (INVN) has been launched in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The India Vetiver Network (INVN) has been launched at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. The INVN is a not-for-profit scientific network to promote vetiver in India. Vetiver (Indian grass with fragrant root ) has worldwide application to tackle many environmental issues like soil erosion, mitigation of soil and water pollution. The mission of INVN is environmental protection using vetiver.
8. “Let’s read together” programme was held in which state’s government-run schools?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Manipur
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh ]
Notes:
The ‘Mile Banche Madhya Pradesh (or Let us read together) programme has been held in all government schools of Madhya Pradesh. As part of the programme, over 1.26 lakh volunteers including MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan besides pensioners, mediapersons, homemakers and other professionals played the role of a ‘teacher’ for a day in government-run schools on February 18, 2017. They read out a portion of any Hindi book. Along with this, they motivate children to read out any portion of their interest from any other book.
9. 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.
10. The Central Excise Day (CED) is celebrated on which date in India?
[A] February 23
[B] February 24
[C] February 22
[D] February 21
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [February 23]
Notes:
The Central Excise Day (CED) is celebrated every year on February 23 in India to commemorate the enactment of the Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944. The Central Excise officers all over the country celebrate this day by organizing seminars, workshops, trade interactions and cultural events etc. In the “Annual Central Excise Day 2017”, Santosh Kumar Gangwar (the Minister of State for Finance) will be the Chief Guest in the “Auditorium, National Museum , Janpath, New Delhi”. The 32 Officers of Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) and its formations from all over India to receive “Commendation Certificate” on the occasion.