1. Which state government has launched “Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY)” to develop villages of the state?
[A] Tripura
[B] Odisha
[C] Assam
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Assam]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal has recently launched the Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY) in Guwahati to develop villages of the state. It’s a mega mission with a financial outlay of Rs. 30,000 crore will be implemented in all the villages in Assam in the next five years culminating in 2021-22. The programme will be implemented through ‘saturation model’ by covering each revenue village through focused interventions in direct economic activities, logistic support including market linkages and community support. The purpose of the mission is to bring revolutionary changes by doubling the farm income in the State.
2. Who is the author of the book “Band, Bajaa, Boys!”?
[A] Brajesh Sahu
[B] Rachna Singh
[C] Vivek Gautam
[D] Sravasti Datta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rachna Singh]
Notes:
The book “Band, Bajaa, Boys!” has been authored by Rachna Singh, an HR and marketing consultant. This book explores the many hilarious shades of small town life, with an underlying theme of rejection.
3. 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.
4. Which of the following are advantages of sodium-ion batteries over lithium-ion batteries?
- These can store more energy per unit weight.
- These are less likely to experience thermal runaway.
- The element is abundant in nature.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Sodium-ion batteries offer higher energy density, lower risk of thermal runaway compared to lithium-ion batteries, and sodium is abundant in nature. The Earth’s crust contains 2.9% sodium versus 0.01% lithium. Cost of sodium extraction is lower, and sodium is found in seawater and soda ash. They are non-flammable and suitable for diverse applications.
5. Which international organisation has opened the South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) in India?
[A] International Monetary Fund (IMF)
[B] World Health Organization (WHO)
[C] World Bank (WB)
[D] Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [International Monetary Fund (IMF)]
Notes:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has opened South Asia Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC) in New Delhi for economic capacity building in South Asia. The center is a collaborative venture between the IMF, the member countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) and development partners. It was officially inaugurated by Shaktikanta Das, Secretary of Department of Economic Affairs, on February 13, 2017. The SARTTAC is IMF’s first fully-integrated capacity development center, which has strategic goal to help its member countries strengthen their institutional and human capacity to design and implement macroeconomic and financial policies that promote growth and reduce poverty.
6. Who has won the 2017 Laureus World Sports Awards for Sportswoman of the Year?
[A] Serena Williams
[B] Kelly Holmes
[C] Jessica Ennis
[D] Simone Biles
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Simone Biles]
Notes:
Simone Biles, an American artistic gymnast, has won the Laureus World Sports Awards for Sportswoman of the Year 2017 at a ceremony in Monaco. She is the first woman to win four gymnastics gold medals in a single Olympic Games, Beside this, the Sportsman of the Year 2017 goes to Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and Chicago Cubs (Basket Ball) won the 2017 Team of the Year award.
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. What is the theme of 2017 World Wildlife Day (WWD)?
[A] Stop wildlife crime
[B] Listen to the young voices
[C] The future of wildlife is in our hands
[D] It’s time to get serious about wildlife crime
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Listen to the young voices]
Notes:
The World Wildlife Day (WWD) is observed every year on March 3 to mark the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and to raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. The 2017 theme is “Listen to the young voices”. The World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people. At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts.
9. Which union ministry is hosting the 13th executive committee meeting of International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN)?
[A] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[B] Ministry of Power
[C] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[D] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Power]
Notes:
The Ministry of Power is hosting the 13th Executive Committee (ExCo) Meeting of the International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN) at powergrid corporate center in Gurugram, Haryana from March 6, 2017. This is the first-ever ISGAN ExCo Meeting in India. In the 3-day event, a total of 36 representatives from 18 countries viz. Germany, Korea, Norway, Russia, South Africa, US and UAE, etc., has participated. The purpose of the meeting is to improve the understanding of smart grid technologies, practices and promote adoption of related enabling government policies.
10. Which union ministry has launched “Mission Fingerling” to achieve Blue Revolution?
[A] Ministry of Food Processing Industries
[B] Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
[C] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
[D] Ministry of Shipping
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare has launched Mission Fingerling programme with a total expenditure of about Rs. 52000 lakh to achieve Blue Revolution. The focus of the programme is to create an enabling environment for an integrated and holistic development and management of fisheries for the socio-economic development of the fishers and fish farmers. The target of the mission is to increase the fisheries production from 10.79 mmt (2014-15) to 15 mmt by 2020-21.