1. Consider the following statements:
- Radon is the heaviest gas.
- Astatine is the rarest element on the earth.
- Graphite, which is a non-metal, is also an electrical conductor.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
[A] Only 2
[B] 1 and 2
[C] 2 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
Radon is the heaviest known noble gas and is radioactive. Astatine, with the atomic number 85, is the rarest naturally occurring element in the Earth's crust. Graphite, a form of carbon, is the only non-metal that conducts electricity due to its delocalised electrons. Thus, all the statements are correct.
2. What is the theme of 2017 International Condom Day (ICD)?
[A] Getting to Zero
[B] On the fast track to end AIDS
[C] Always in fashion
[D] Stigma and Discrimination
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Always in fashion]
Notes:
The International Condom Day (ICD) is observed every year on February 13 to promote the use of condoms as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The 2017 theme is ‘Always in Fashion’.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. What is the theme of United Nations’ (UN) World Day of Social Justice-2017?
[A] Promote global justice & poverty eradication
[B] Promote global justice & poverty eradication
[C] A Just Transition – environmentally sustainable economies and societies
[D] Preventing conflict and sustaining peace through decent work
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Preventing conflict and sustaining peace through decent work]
Notes:
The World Day of Social Justice is observed every year on February 20 to recognize the need to promote efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion and unemployment. The 2017 theme is “Preventing conflict and sustaining peace through decent work”.
6. Which film has won the Golden Bear Award at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival-2017?
[A] Bright Nights
[B] The Other Side of Hope
[C] On Body and Soul
[D] Close Knit
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [On Body and Soul]
Notes:
The Hungarian drama film “On Body and Soul” has won the Golden Bear Award at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival. At Berlin it also won the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESC) Prize and the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. The film is directed by Hungarian writer-director Ildiko Enyedi.
7. What is the theme of 2017 International Mother Language Day (IMLD)?
[A] Languages and cyberspace
[B] Mother tongue instruction and inclusive education
[C] Towards Sustainable Futures through Multilingual Education
[D] Books for mother tongue education
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Towards Sustainable Futures through Multilingual Education]
Notes:
The International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is observed every year on February 21 to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The 2017 theme is “Towards Sustainable Futures through Multilingual Education”.
8. Which country has launched nationwide military operation ‘Radd-ul-Fasaad’ to eliminate terrorists?
[A] Afghanistan
[B] India
[C] Bangladesh
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Pakistan]
Notes:
Pakistan army has recently launched nationwide military operation ‘Radd-ul-Fasaad’ to eliminate terrorists and consolidate gains of its counter-terrorism operations. The purpose of the operation is to eliminate residual and latent threat of terrorism and to ensure the security of Pakistan’s borders. The Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Civil Armed Forces as well as other security and law enforcement agencies will continue to actively participate and support the efforts of the Pakistan Army to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country.
9. Which committee has submitted its’ report to the Union Government to protect the interests of the migrants?
[A] Partha Mukhopadhay committee
[B] N K Singh committee
[C] R.V. Easwar committee
[D] Madhukar Gupta committee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Partha Mukhopadhay committee]
Notes:
The ‘Working Group on Migration’ headed by Partha Mukhopadhay has recently submitted its report to the Union Government, which was constituted by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation in 2015. The Working Group has recommended that the Protocols of the Registrar General of India (RGI) needs to be amended to enable caste based enumeration of migrants so that they can avail the attendant benefits in the States to which migration takes place. It also recommended that migrants should be enabled to avail benefits of Public Distribution System (PDS) in the destination State by providing for inter-State operability of PDS. The Group suggested that the hugely underutilized Construction Workers Welfare Cess Fund (CWWCF) should be used to promote rental housing, working Women Hostels etc., for the benefit of migrants.
10. The nationwide “Swachh Shakti Saptah” has been launched from which city?
[A] Gandhinagar
[B] Gurugram
[C] Ahmedabad
[D] Noida
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Gurugram]
Notes:
Narendra Singh Tomar, the Union Ministry of Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water and Sanitation, has recently launched nationwide ‘Swachh Shakti Saptah’ from Gurugram, Haryana on March 1, 2017 to raise awareness on sanitation and cleanliness. Over 1,500 women sarpanches of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and all women sarpanches of Gurugram division are participating in this event. The ‘Swachh Shakti Saptah’ will observe across the country from March 1 to 8, 2017. PM Narendra Modi will take part in closing ceremony of the week long programme on 8th of March at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.