1. Asim Basu, who passed away recently, was the renowned theatre actor from which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Assam
[C] West Bengal
[D] Manipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
Asim Basu (81), the renowned theatre artiste and director, art director, painter and playwright, has recently passed away in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. He was known for his set design work in Ollywood movies and designing Oriya book covers and movie posters. He directed around 200 plays and did stage designing for over 500 plays and was the art director for several Odia films. Some of his major works are Indradhanura Chhai, Dadagiri and apana Banika.
2. Which start up has won the ‘Best IT Startup of India’ award at the 2016 National Entrepreneurship Awards (NEA)?
[A] Mitra Biotech
[B] JeevAnksh
[C] Lucideus
[D] Swadha Energies
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Lucideus]
Notes:
Lucideus, an IT risk assessment and digital security services provider, has won the ‘Best IT Startup of India’ award under the IT (Information Technology) and ITES (Information Technology Enabled Services) category at the National Entrepreneurship Award 2016 at the DRDO auditorium in New Delhi. Lucideus is behind the security for BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) app — an Aadhaar-based mobile payment platform. The annual awards were organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship.
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 has been selected for the prestigious 2016 Dr B C Roy National Award?
[A] Jayshree Mehta
[B] K Usha Lakshmi
[C] P Raghu Ram
[D] N Sai Kumar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [P Raghu Ram]
Notes:
Dr P Raghu Ram, President of Association of Breast Surgeons of India (ABSI), has been selected for the prestigious 2016 Dr B C Roy National award for outstanding service in the field of socio-medical relief. This is the highest award that is bestowed upon a Medical person practicing in India & would be conferred by Hon’ble President of India on July 1, 2017 on Doctors’ Day. It is claimed that he is the youngest surgeon ever from the Telugu states (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) to have been selected for this award. The award recognises Dr Ram’s significant contribution towards improving the delivery of breast health care in India and equally creating the much needed awareness about importance of early detection of breast cancer in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh through a number of initiatives.
5. 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.
6. Who is the author of the book “Welcome to Nowhere”?
[A] David Olusoga
[B] Malorie Blackman
[C] Revathi Suresh
[D] Elizabeth Laird
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Elizabeth Laird]
Notes:
The book “Welcome to Nowhere” has been authored by acclaimed children’s writer Elizabeth Laird. This is a book about war and its consequences. Through book, author tells the story of 12-year-old Omar, his parents and four siblings, all of who are caught in the crossfire as civil war rages over Syria. Laird references real-life events and gives you great characters, heartwarming moments and even occasional humour.
7. Who is the author of the book “Army and Nation : The Military and Indian Democracy since Independence”?
[A] Shiv Kunal Verma
[B] Christophe Jaffrelot
[C] Bruce Riedel
[D] Steven Wilkinson
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Steven Wilkinson]
Notes:
The book “Army and Nation : The Military and Indian Democracy since Independence” has been authored by Steven Wilkinson, a professor of political science and International relations at Yale University. It is about Indian Army’s relationship with the civilian government after Independence. It is in news because Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has advised his officers to read the book “Army and Nation” to understand how India succeeded in keeping the military out of politics.
8. Which portal has been launched by the union government to ensure transparency in mining operations?
[A] Taboo
[B] Tamra
[C] Tanra
[D] Tacma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamra]
Notes:
The Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Piyush Goyal has recently launched TAMRA mobile application and portal to ensure transparent award of statutory clearances for mining operations. TAMRA stands for “Transparency, Auction Monitoring and Resource Augmentation”. The portal covers block-wise, state-wise and mineral-wise information of the blocks to be auctioned, monitors various statutory clearances, and also highlights the additional resources generated through e-Auction. In case of delay in obtaining any clearances, TAMRA will send triggers to the concerned authority so that the remedial steps can be taken immediately by those responsible.
9. Which Indian chess master has been honored with the title of Candidate Master (CM) by World Chess Federation (WCF)?
[A] Saptarshi Roy
[B] Kush Bhagat
[C] Sundar M Shyam
[D] Akshayraj Kore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kush Bhagat]
Notes:
Kush Bhagat, a second grade student from Hill Spring International School, has been awarded the title of Candidate Master (CM) by World Chess Federation body. The title comes after a range of admirable performances by him, over the span of last 6 months, beginning with his conquest of U-7 Maharashtra State Championship 2016 title to becoming the World Schools Under 7 Blitz champion in Sochi (Russia) and finally his performance, with three gold medals at the first-ever Western Youth Chess Championship 2016 at UAE.
10. Which country to host 10th International conference on theory and practice of electronic governance?
[A] Colombia
[B] Estonia
[C] Uruguay
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [India]
Notes:
The 10th edition of International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV-2017) will take place in New Delhi, India from 7th to 9th March 2017. The ICEGOV series brings together academia, governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector to share the insights and experiences in theory and practice of Digital Government. The 2017 theme is “Building Knowledge Societies – From Digital Government to Digital Empowerment”.