1. Which state government has recently implemented e-Cabinet solution for the state cabinet members?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Tripura
[C] Nagaland
[D] Manipur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Arunachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The Arunachal Pradesh government has recently implemented e-Cabinet solution to use as a powerful tool to streamline its decision-making process. With this, Arunachal Pradesh has become the first state in the northeast to implement e-Cabinet solution for the state cabinet members. The e-Cabinet solution will give remote access to the ministers to view Cabinet notes and the same will be circulated well in advance for proper analysis and feedback. The system is a multi-user secure solution that keeps relevant information organised and updated in real time, giving ministers a clear overview of each item under discussion.
2. 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.
3. Who has been chosen for the 2017 National Yash Chopra Memorial Award?
[A] Sanjay Dutt
[B] Nawazuddin Siddiqui
[C] Shah Rukh Khan
[D] Ranbir Kapoor
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Shah Rukh Khan]
Notes:
Shah Rukh Khan will be honoured with the 4th National Yash Chopra Memorial Award-2017 on February 24. The award commemorates the director-producer by honouring excellence in various spheres of cinema like acting, music etc.
4. Which country has become the world’s largest arms importer during 2012-16, according to the latest report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)?
[A] India
[B] Saudi Arabia
[C] Qatar
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
India has become the world’s largest arms importer during 2012-16, according to the latest report by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). As per the report, India accounted for 13% of the total global arms import between 2012–16 which is highest among all the countries. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), China
and Algeria are the next four biggest global importers. As per the SIPRI report, the five biggest exporters—the United States, Russia, China, France and Germany—together accounted for 74% of the total volume of arms exports.
5. How much loan amount has been sanctioned by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to develop 800-km Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor?
[A] 375 million
[B] 475 million
[C] 425 million
[D] 500 million
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [$375 million]
Notes:
India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed 375 million pact for loans and grants to develop 800—km Visakhapatnam—Chennai Industrial Corridor, which is the first phase of a planned 2,500-km East Coast Economic Corridor. Apart from this, The Asian Development Bank has approved loans comprising a 500 million multitranche facility to build key infrastructure in the four main centers along the corridor — Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Amaravati, and Yerpedu—Srikalahasti in Andhra Pradesh.
6. Which state government has made Sanskrit compulsory up to class VIII in all classes?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Assam
[C] Manipur
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Assam]
Notes:
The Assam government has made Sanskrit education compulsory in all state board schools till Class VIII. Apart from making Sanskrit mandatory, the cabinet also created a post to monitor cleanliness in government-run schools under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Assam government has also decided to appoint a computer teacher in all high schools to provide students access to computer education.
7. Which Indian personality has been selected to newly formed United Nations (UN) group on antimicrobial resistance?
[A] Soumya Swaminathan
[B] Meghnad Saha
[C] KK Josh
[D] Abhish Shivam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Soumya Swaminathan]
Notes:
Soumya Swaminathan, the director of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has been named to United Nations’ ad hoc Interagency Coordination Group on Antimicrobial Resistance to provide expertise on and coordinate the global fight against antimicrobial resistance. Swaminathan is also Secretary, Department of Health Research in India’s Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. She is a multi award-winning paediatrician, clinical scientist and is known for her research on tuberculosis. The purpose of the newly formed UN group will be to provide practical guidance for approaches needed to ensure sustained effective global action to address antimicrobial resistance, including options to improve coordination, taking into account the Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. The UN group will be co-chaired by Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan.
8. What is the theme of 2017 International Day of Forests?
[A] Forests and Energy
[B] Forests and Greenry
[C] Forests and Life
[D] Forests and Animals
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Forests and Energy]
Notes:
The International Day of Forests is observed every year on March 21 to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests and of trees outside forests for the benefit of current and future generations. The 2017 theme is ‘Forests and Energy’. The theme highlights the importance of wood energy in improving people’s lives, powering sustainable development and mitigating climate change.
9. The World Poetry Day (WPD) is held on which date?
[A] March 22
[B] March 21
[C] March 23
[D] March 20
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [March 21]
Notes:
The World Poetry Day (WPD) is observed every year on March 21 to recognize the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind. The purpose of the day is to promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world .
10. Who has been honoured with the first-ever Kuldip Nayar journalism award 2017?
[A] Rizvan Kausar
[B] Ravish Kumar
[C] Ikshula Arora
[D] Anupam Mishra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ravish Kumar]
Notes:
Ravish Kumar, the senior executive editor of NDTV India, has been honoured with the first-ever Kuldip Nayar journalism award at India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi on March 19, 2017 in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the world of Journalism. The award carries a plaque along with a cash amount of Rs 1 lakh. The Kuldip Nayar journalism award was set up to honour those working in vernacular media and will be awarded every year from now on.