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 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.
3. Who is the author of the book “Veerappan: Chasing the Brigand”?
[A] Kapish G. Mehra
[B] K. Vijay Kumar
[C] Shekhar Gupta
[D] D.R. Karthikeyan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [K. Vijay Kumar]
Notes:
The book “Veerappan: Chasing the Brigand” has been authored by K. Vijay Kumar, the Senior Security Adviser in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The book is a source of valuable inspiration offering insight into the tactics that went into the wiping out of the dreaded forest brigand on whom a prize money of Rs. 5 crores had been declared more than a decade back.
4. 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.
5. Which of the following are advantages of sodium-ion batteries over lithium-ion batteries?
- These can store more energy per unit weight.
- These are less likely to experience thermal runaway.
- The element is abundant in nature.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Sodium-ion batteries offer higher energy density, lower risk of thermal runaway compared to lithium-ion batteries, and sodium is abundant in nature. The Earth’s crust contains 2.9% sodium versus 0.01% lithium. Cost of sodium extraction is lower, and sodium is found in seawater and soda ash. They are non-flammable and suitable for diverse applications.
6. Which public sector bank has won the National MSME Excellence Award 2017?
[A] Punjab National Bank
[B] Corporation Bank
[C] ICICI Bank
[D] State Bank of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Corporation Bank]
Notes:
The Mangalore-based public sector lender, Corporation Bank has won the ‘National MSME Excellence Award 2017’ at a function in New Delhi for playing constructive role in the MSME sector viz. online loan facility for MSME borrowers, online facility for revival and rehabilitation of MSME, campaign for growth with various concessions and collateral
free loans up to Rs 2 crore under Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS), etc. The award is instituted by the Federation of Industry Trade and Services (FITS), which is a national industry body working in the form of a bridge between the industry and the state and central governments.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Who is the author of the book “Autoplay:Not-so Stories”?
[A] G Sampath
[B] Anita Desai
[C] Khushwant Singh
[D] Ruskin Bond
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [G Sampath]
Notes:
The book “Autoplay:Not-so Stories” has been authored by G Sampath. The book is an adventurous new fiction, exploring the themes of marriage, adolescence, love, terrorism, technology, consumerism and other familiars through feeling-eyes.
10. Who has become the new Brand Ambassador for “Swachh Bharat Mission”?
[A] Shilpa Shetty
[B] Priyanka Chopra
[C] Deepika Padukone
[D] Kangana Ranaut
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Shilpa Shetty]
Notes:
The Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has become the new Brand Ambassador for “Swachh Bharat Mission”. She will feature in TV and radio campaigns aimed at discouraging people from littering on roads. Shetty is the latest entrant in the list of the mission’s ambassadors like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Shankar Mahadevan and Sachin Tendulkar.