1. National Technology Day is celebrated on which date?
[A] May 1
[B] May 11
[C] May 21
[D] May 31
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [May 11]
Notes:
The National Technology Day (NTD) is celebrated every year on May 11 by the Union Ministry of Science & Technology to mark the historic feat of test-firing its very first nuclear-capable missile back in 1998 and to commemorate achievements of Innovation and Technology in India.
2. Which among the following is not an international agreement centered around Finance and Economic Cooperation?
[A] Abuja Treaty
[B] Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
[C] Kyoto protocol
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kyoto protocol]
Notes:
The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty related to Climate Change. It was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 and came into force in 2005. It extends the 1992 UNFCCC to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Territorial claims and disputes over navigation rights of which of the following territories between Iran and Iraq was the main factor for the Iraq-Iran War?
[A] Abu Musa
[B] Zubarah
[C] Murair
[D] Shatt al-Arab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Shatt al-Arab]
Notes:
The Shatt al-Arab waterway was the main factor in the Iran-Iraq War. The Shatt al-Arab is formed by the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The southern end of the river forms the border between Iran and Iraq. The Shatt al-Arab was an important channel for oil exports for both countries. The dispute over the Shatt al-Arab lasted from 1936 until 1975. Iran rejected the demarcation line established in the Anglo-Ottoman Convention of Constantinople of November 1913. Iran wanted the border to run along the thalweg, the deepest point of the navigable channel. The Iran-Iraq War lasted from September 1980 until August 1988. The war was also called the First Persian Gulf War or the Imposed War in Iran.
4. The International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed on:
[A] 20th February
[B] 21st February
[C] 20th March
[D] 21st March
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ 21st March]
Notes:
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21st. The United Nations declared this day in 1966. The day is commemorated as Human Rights Day in South Africa, where the Sharpeville Massacre occurred. This event led to the creation of the day.
5. Which among the following body gives “Avicenna Prize” for ethics in science?
[A] NASA
[B] UNICEF
[C] UNESCO
[D] World Science Forum
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [UNESCO]
6. Regional Office for South East Asia (SEARO) of the World Health Organization is located at?
[A] Singapore
[B] Bangkok
[C] New Delhi
[D] Manila
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [New Delhi]
Notes:
The WHO South-East Asia Region has 11 Member States. Its regional office is in New Delhi. The member states are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste.
7. In which among the following states, Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was imposed for the first time?
[A] Manipur
[B] Punjab
[C] Jammu & Kashmir
[D] 7 North East States
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [7 North East States]
Notes:
AFSPA became a law on September 11, 1958. Initially, it was applicable to the seven Northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. This was so because in all these states there were movements of ethnic groups demanding separation from India. The government felt that such insurgencies could be checked through deployment of the armed forces, and they would need special powers to carry out their responsibilities. AFSPA was extended to J&K in 1990, on similar considerations.
8. Who among the following was the author of Ashiqa?
[A] Amir Khusrau
[B] Abul Fazal
[C] Inayat Khan
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Inayat Khan]
Notes:
The famous Sufi poet, Amir Khusrau was the author of the poem “Ashiqa”, a tragic love story of Khizr Khan (son of Alauddin Khilji) and Deval Rani (Princess of Gujarat). Excerpts of the works done by him are Tughluq Nama, Wast-ul-Hayat, Nuh Sipihr, Laila Majnun, etc. He was the court poet of Alauddin Khilji and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya, Delhi.
9. The book “Jnaneswari” was written by whom?
[A] Tukaram
[B] Ramdasa
[C] Namadeva
[D] Jnandeva
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Jnandeva]
Notes:
Saint Jnandeva of Maharashtra wrote the Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita known as Jnaneswari. He belonged to the Bhakti kal of 13th century .
10. Which of the following was established through the Maastricht Treaty?
[A] European Union
[B] Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)
[C] International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
[D] Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ European Union ]
Notes:
The Maastricht Treaty is responsible for the establishment of the European Union in 1993, and it introduced the concept of European citizenship.
