1. Bano Qudsia, the renowned Urdu author has passed away. She hailed from which of the following countries?
[A] India
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Afghanistan
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pakistan]
Notes:
Bano Qudsia (88), the renowned Pakistani Urdu novelist and playwright, has recently passed away in Lahore, Pakistan. She was born in November 1928 in Ferozepur, India and migrated to Pakistan after partition. Among her prominent writings include Aadhi Baat, Aatish-i-zer-i-paa, Aik Din, Amer Bail, Asay Pasay, Chahar Chaman, Chhotaa Sheher Baray Log, Footpath ki Ghaas, Hasil Ghaat and Hawa Kay Naam.
2. Which country has won 18th Asian Junior Team Squash Championship-2017?
[A] India
[B] Jordon
[C] Pakistan
[D] Malaysia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
Top seeded Indian team has won gold medal in the boys’ team event at the 18th Asian Junior Team Squash Championship-2017 by defeating Malaysia by 2-0 in the final in Hong Kong. It’s 2nd time that Indian boys team has won the championship. Earlier in 2011, they defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in Colombo.
3. The National Deworming Day (NDD) is celebrated on which date in India?
[A] February 13
[B] February 10
[C] February 12
[D] February 11
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [February 10]
Notes:
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has observed its 3rd National Deworming Day (NDD) on February 10 to tackle worm infections among pre-school (anganwadi) and school-age children across India. The aim of the NDD is to reach every child, regardless of their socio-economic circumstance. It is the world’s largest deworming programme that covers 340 million children under-19 years of age across 36 states/ UTs. The deworming programme is India’s commitment to a comprehensive national response to the public health threat posed by worms.
4. Which Indian institute has won the International Mercury Awards for the year 2016-17?
[A] Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services(INCOIS)
[B] All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
[C] Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI)
[D] Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII)]
Notes:
The Ahmedabad-based Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) has won the prestigious International Mercury Awards for the year 2016-17 for the best overall presentation of its 2015-2016 annual report. The EDII is an autonomous and not-for-profit national resource institute for entrepreneurship education, research, training and institution-building. The Mercury Awards, founded in 1987, promote excellence, quality and performance in the various fields of public relations. The award entertains participation from agencies, associations, corporations, government agencies, nonprofit groups, and organizations from around 80 countries worldwide every year.
5. Who is the author of the book “Kohinoor: The Story of the World’s Most Infamous Diamond”?
[A] Ashish Chatterjee
[B] Shashi Tharoor
[C] Anita Anand
[D] William Dalrymple
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [William Dalrymple]
Notes:
The book “Kohinoor: The Story of the World’s Most Infamous Diamond” has been authored by William Dalrymple, an acclaimed historian and a bestselling and award-winning author. This riveting story of the Kohinoor unearths fascinating new information as it moves from the Mughal court to Persia to Afghanistan, from Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s durbar in Punjab to the Crown of the Queen of England.
6. Where are the headquarters of International Air Transport Association (IATA)?
[A] Germany
[B] Switzerland
[C] Canada
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Canada]
Notes:
The IATA is a trade association of the world’s airlines. It is headquartered at Montreal, Canada with Executive Offices in Geneva, Switzerland.
7. Which state government has launched “RAHAT” project for treatment of heart disease in remote and rural areas?
[A] Rajasthan
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Chattisgarh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rajasthan ]
Notes:
The Rajasthan government has launched the Rajasthan Heart Attack Treatment programme (RAHAT) medical project at the Eternal Hospital in Jaipur to provide people timely treatment during heart attacks in remote and rural areas. Under the programme, the patients facing heart attack would be provided with emergency ambulance service and telemedicine service through Eternal Heart Care Centre Hospital. The programme is a ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), a very serious type of heart attack, management telemedicines platform that captures and transmits patient’s EKG along with clinical history from remote geographical locations to heart command center hub.
8. Which bank has become the India’s first bank to launch Aadhaar Pay service for merchants?
[A] ICICI Bank
[B] HDFC Bank
[C] Axis Bank
[D] IDFC Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [IDFC Bank]
Notes:
IDFC Bank has become the India’s first bank to launch the biometric-based digital payment system ‘Aadhaar Pay’ through its network that will allow even those without mobile phones to do cashless transactions. The Aadhar Pay service is for merchants which will enable them to receive Aadhaar-enabled payments by passing credit and debit cards, pin and password.
9. Which state government has launched a 24X7 toll free helpline number “181” for distressed women?
[A] Assam
[B] Odisha
[C] West Bengal
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Odisha]
Notes:
The Chief minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik has recently launched a 24X7 toll free helpline number 181 for distressed women in all the 30 districts of the state on the occasion on International Women’s Day. The helpline will facilitate quick response of various services including lodging police complaint to provide medical, legal and counselling to women victims.
10. Who has become the new brand ambassador for 2018 ODI Blind Cricket World Cup?
[A] Rahul Dravid
[B] Shahid Afridi
[C] Saurav Ganguly
[D] Sachin Tendulkar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shahid Afridi]
Notes:
Shahid Afridi, the former Pakistan captain, has become the new brand ambassador for the 5th edition of the ODI Blind Cricket World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in January 2018. The World Cup will be played in One Day International (ODI) format and will be hosted by Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Pakistan.