1. From which state / Union territory, the “Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign” has been launched?
[A] Puducherry
[B] Goa
[C] Karnataka
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Karnataka]
Notes:
The Union Health Ministry has recently launched Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign at a function in Bengaluru, Karnataka that targets around 41 crore children across India. The campaign against these two diseases will start from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Goa and Lakshadweep and will cover nearly 3.6 crore children. All children aged between 9 months and less than 15 years will be given a single shot of MR- vaccination. The MR vaccine will be provided free- of- cost across the states. Currently, Measles vaccine is provided under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). Though, rubella vaccine will be a new addition. Measles is a deadly disease and one of the important causes of death in children. Rubella is generally a mild infection, but has serious consequences if infection occurs in pregnant women, causing congenital rubella syndrome.
2. In which state the 2017 UNESCO Natural Heritage festival was held?
[A] Sikkim
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Punjab
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Himachal Pradesh]
Notes:
The 2017 UNESCO Natural Heritage Festival was held at Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in Sairopa, Himachal Pradesh from February 11th to 12th. The fest was held in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and would be attended by prominent conservationists, including Dr George Schaller and Dr A J T Johnsingh, The festival feature a media workshop on environmental journalism, discussions on natural and cultural heritage of the Himalayan region and a heritage walk. Notably, GHNP was given UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2014 in recognition of its outstanding significance for bio-diversity conservation.
3. 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.
4. Who has been appointed the new chairman of Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal (CWDT)?
[A] N P Singh
[B] B S Chauhan
[C] J S Khehar
[D] Abhay Manohar Sapre
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Abhay Manohar Sapre]
Notes:
Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre has been appointed the new chairman of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT). The post fell vacant following the resignation of Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan, who is currently the chairman of Law Commission. The CWDT was constituted by the Government of India (GoI) in 1990 to adjudicate the water dispute regarding the inter-state Cauvery river which has Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry as basin states.
5. Which country to host the 9th edition of BRICS Summit-2017?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Russia
[D] South Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [China]
Notes:
The 9th edition of BRICS Summit will be held in Xiamen city, China from September 3 to 5, 2017. The theme of this year’s event is ‘BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future’.
6. Kenneth J. Arrow, the well-known Nobel-winning economist and mathematician has passed away. He hailed from which of the following countries?
[A] United Kingdom
[B] United States
[C] France
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States]
Notes:
Kenneth J. Arrow (95), the Nobel-winning economist and mathematician, has recently passed away at Palo Alto in California, United States. To date, he is the youngest person ever to have received Nobel Prize for Economics, at the age of 51. His theories on risk, innovation and the basic mathematics of markets have influenced thinking on everything from voting to health insurance to high finance. His most significant works are his contributions to social choice theory, Arrow’s impossibility theorem and general equilibrium analysis. He has also provided foundational work in many other areas of economics, including endogenous growth theory and the economics of information.
7. 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.
8. The dance festival “Brahan Natyanjali” has started in which state?
[A] Kerala
[B] Karnataka
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The dance festival ‘Brahan Natyanjali 2017’ has started at ancient Big temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu from February 24, which will continue till March 2. More than 600 artistes from all different parts of the world will take part in the festival, being organised by the Brahan Natyanjali Foundation. Besides Bharatanatiyam, ‘Kathak’, ‘Odissi’, ‘Mohiniyattam,’ and Kuchipudi would also be performed. Classical dancers from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Manipal, Guruvayur and countries like Dubai, Australia, England and Malaysia would be among those taking part in the fest.
9. Which movie has won the Best Picture award at 89th Oscar Academy Awards?
[A] Story of Your Life
[B] Moonlight
[C] Hidden Figures
[D] La La Land
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Moonlight]
Notes:
Moonlight, an American drama film directed by Barry Jenkins, has won the Best Picture award at the 89th edition of Oscar Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California. Apart from this, the movie has also won the Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay awards. Through this movie, Mahershala Ali has created history by becoming the first Muslim to win an acting Oscar as he was honoured with the best supporting actor trophy for his riveting turn as an empathetic drug dealer, who takes a fatherless young boy under his wing in “Moonlight.
10. Which inter-disciplinary standing committee has been constituted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to review cyber threats?
[A] Krishna Pendalaya committee
[B] Nandkumar Sarvade committee
[C] Meena Hemchandra committee
[D] A S Ramasastri committee
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Meena Hemchandra committee ]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recently constituted an inter-disciplinary standing committee on cyber security to review the threats inherent in the existing and emerging technology. The 11—member committee headed by Meena Hemchandra, Executive Director of RBI, will study adoption of various security standards and protocols, interface with stakeholders and suggest appropriate policy interventions to strengthen cyber security and resilience. The committee has been formed on the recommendations of the expert panel on Cyber Security and Information Technology Examination.