1. Which state government has launched “Kakatiya Hub for Social Innovation” India’s first social innovation centre?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Telangana
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Telangana ]
Notes:
The Telangana government has recently launched India’s first social innovation centre “Kakatiya Hub for Social Innovation” in Nizamabad on Februray 5, 2017, which is expected to be run by September 2017. The hub is funded by the Telangana government and will function like a rural incubator to encourage entrepreneurship at grassroots level. The purpose of the hub is to create a model for promoting entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban areas in the country. The incubator will be run through Kakatiya Sandbox, a centre that fosters entrepreneurship and innovation modelled after Deshpande Foundation’s Hubli Sandbox.
2. Which Indian diplomat has been appointed as the member of the United Nations (UN)’ Joint Inspection Unit (JIU)?
[A] Gopalaswami Parthasarathy
[B] Ajai Malhotra
[C] Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
[D] Achamkulangare Gopinathan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Achamkulangare Gopinathan]
Notes:
Achamkulangare Gopinathan, a top Indian diplomat, has been re-appointed by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) for a 5-year term beginning from January 1, 2018. Beside him, Sukai Prom-Jackson of Gambia, Jean Wesley Cazeau of Haiti and Nikolay Lozinskiy of Russia are also appointed members of the JIU. The Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) is the only independent external oversight body of the United Nations (UN) system mandated to conduct evaluations, inspections and investigations system-wide. Gopinathan’s re-appointment follows his nomination by India and endorsement as the sole candidate of the Asia-Pacific Group.
3. Which state has hosted the 17th International Seminar on Counter Terrorism-2017?
[A] Punjab
[B] Bihar
[C] Haryana
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Haryana ]
Notes:
The 17th International Seminar on Counter Terrorism has been held at Manesar in Haryana on February 8, 2017. The seminar is organised by National Security Guard (NSA) and inaugurated by the Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting. Apart from this, the Minister also unveiled the NSG annual magazine ‘The Bombshell’, which contains details of various IED explosions that occurred in various parts of the world in 2016.
4. Which state is hosting the first-ever National Women’s Parliament (NWP)?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Odisha
[C] Kerala
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The National Women’s Parliament (NWP), a first-of-its-kind conclave has started in Amaravati, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh. The 3-day conference has been organised by the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly with the theme of “Empowering Women-Strengthening Democracy”. The well-known women personalities from diverse walk of life including social and corporate women leaders of India and overseas will share their experiences with the young girls. Dalai Lama has attended the inaugural session along with a host of leaders from India and abroad.
5. Who is the newly elected President of Institute of Chartered Accountant of India (ICAI)?
[A] V Sagar
[B] Nilesh Vikamsey
[C] G P Kapadia
[D] Ritesh Sharma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nilesh Vikamsey]
Notes:
Nilesh Shivji Vikamsey, who has been a member of the ICAI since 1985, has become the new President of Institute of Chartered Accountant of India (ICAI). Prior to this appointment, Vikamsey was the Vice President of the CA institute in 2016-17. ICAI is the national professional accounting body of India. The affairs of ICAI are managed by a council in accordance with the provisions of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 and the Chartered Accountants Regulations, 1988. The council has 32 elected members and eight are nominated by the central government.
6. 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.
7. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched a record 104 satellites from which rocket vehicle?
[A] PSLV-C38
[B] PSLV-C37
[C] PSLV-C36
[D] PSLV-C35
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [PSLV-C37]
Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched a record 104 satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh through PSLV C-37 launch vehicle. The PSLV-C37 first launched the 714 kg Cartosat-2 Series satellite for earth observation and then inject 103 co-passenger satellites, together weighing about 664 kg at lift-off into polar Sun Synchronous Orbit, about 520 km from Earth. With the successful launch, India scripted history by becoming the first country in the world to launch 104 satellites in a single rocket.
8. Which public sector bank has launched mobile wallet “Bataua” for digital payments?
[A] Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC)
[B] Punjab National Bank (PNB)
[C] Canara Bank
[D] Central Bank of India (CBI)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC)]
Notes:
The Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) has launched mobile wallet ‘Oriental Batuaa’ for digital payments for its’ bank customers on its 75th Foundation Day. Besides this, OBC has also launched two new cards – ‘Oriental Premium card’ is a RuPay based Platinum international debit card with airport lounge access and the other card- ‘Oriental Prepaid Card’ is a RuPay card for individuals and corporates. Apart from this, it has also launched two MSME schemes – ‘Oriental Sanjeevani’ and ‘Oriental Budget Hotels and Restaurants’. Oriental Sanjeevani is a specialised scheme for doctors for setting up new hospitals and clinics. The other scheme is for individuals, proprietors, companies etc for setting up new hotels, restaurants, lodges, motels etc.
9. 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.
10. Which union ministry to host Cultural Harmony Conclave under “Hamari Dharohar” Scheme in New Delhi?
[A] Ministry of Home Affairs
[B] Ministry of Minority Affairs
[C] Ministry of Human Resource Development
[D] Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Minority Affairs]
Notes:
The Ministry of Minority Affairs will host Cultural Harmony Conclave under Hamari Dharohar Scheme in New Delhi on April-May 2017. It has been decided recently in the first meeting of high-level committee on Cultural Harmony Conclave under “Hamari Dharohar (Our Heritage)” scheme of Minority Affairs Ministry. The meeting was chaired by Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in New Delhi. It was attended by several renowned artists, musicians, writers.