41. Which IIT has tied up with Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) to address public health issues?
[A] IIT-Bombay
[B] IIT-Indore
[C] IIT-Kanpur
[D] IIT-Madras
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [IIT-Madras]
Notes:
IIT-Madras has entered into an agreement with Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) to address public health issues and predict adverse pregnancy outcomes using technology. The aim of the pact is to bring physician-scientists, biologists, engineers and data scientists together to solve public health problems related to maternal and child health. The objective is to apply advanced analytical approach for prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes, evaluate maternal and childhood consequences of exposure to environmental pollutants, among others. The THSTI is an autonomous institute of Department of Biotechnology (DBT). DBT is a department under Ministry of Science and Technnology.
42. Which news agency has launched the world’s first female AI news anchor ‘Xin Xiaomeng’?
[A] Central News Agency
[B] Kyodo
[C] Xinhua
[D] Yonhap
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Xinhua ]
Notes:
China’s state-run news agency, Xinhua has launched the world’s first female AI news anchor ‘Xin Xiaomeng’ to read alongside its male AI news presenters. She was developed jointly by Xinhua and search engine company Sogou Inc. Xiaomeng is expected to make a debut in March during the upcoming meetings of the country’s national legislature and top political advisory body. Earlier, in 2018, China became the first country in the world to develop the first of its kind AI ‘journalist’, a male news presenter by the name of Qui Hao.
43. Who is the head of the CBDT panel to help bring down tax litigation?
[A] Sanjeev Sharma
[B] Mohit Kumar
[C] Varun Jain
[D] K S Das
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sanjeev Sharma]
Notes:
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has formed a four-member committee to look into the matter of taxation related pain points and submit its final report and recommendations by mid-March 2019. Its recommendations could include applying a filter for tax officer before a notice is issued and setting a time limit for concluding an investigation. The committee is head by income tax commissioner Sanjeev Sharma.
44. Who has been elected new president of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI)?
[A] I D Nanavati
[B] Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh
[C] Satyapal Singh Deshwal
[D] Birendra Lakra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh]
Notes:
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been elected third time unopposed as the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). The elections of the office bearers and executive committee members of WFI for the next four-year term (2019-2023) were held at the Constitution Club of India (CCI). Along with Brij Bhushan, I.D. Nanavati has been elected as the Senior Vice President, V.N. Prasood as the Secretary General and Satyapal Singh Deshwal as the Treasurer. Singh, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Kaiserganj constituency of Uttar Pradesh, was the chef-de-mission of the Indian contingent for the Asian Games 2018 held in Jakarta and Palembang.
45. Which international organisation is organising the 4th Global Digital Health Partnership Summit 2019?
[A] WHO
[B] FAO
[C] UNESCO
[D] UNICEF
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [WHO]
Notes:
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), J P Nadda has inaugurated the 4th edition of Global Digital Health Partnership Summit in New Delhi on 25th February 2019. The global intergovernmental meeting on digital health is hosted by the MoHFW in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP). The GDHP is an international collaboration of governments, government agencies and multinational organisations dedicated to improving the health and well-being of their citizens through the best use of evidence-based digital technologies. The vision of the GDHP is to support governments and health system reformers to improve the health and well-being of their citizens through the best use of evidence-based digital technologies.
46. National War Memorial, sometimes seen in news, is located in which of the following cities?
[A] Ahmedabad
[B] New Delhi
[C] Mumbai
[D] Lucknow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
On 25th February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the National War Memorial to the nation in the vicinity of the India Gate in New Delhi to honour Indian Armed Forces. The Memorial is a fitting tribute to our soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation, post-independence. It also commemorates the soldiers who participated and made the supreme sacrifice in Peace Keeping Missions, and Counter Insurgency Operations. The layout of the National War Memorial comprises four concentric circles, namely, the ‘Amar Chakra’( or Circle of Immortality), the ‘Veerta Chakra’ (or Circle of Bravery), the ‘Tyag Chakra’ (or Circle of Sacrifice), and the ‘Rakshak Chakra’ (or Circle of Protection). The National War Memorial complex includes a central obelisk, an eternal flame, and six bronze murals depicting famous battles fought by Indian Army, Air Force and Navy. The Memorial represents the culmination of the collective aspiration of a grateful nation to pay a fitting tribute to the martyrs. The Chief Architect of the National War Memorial is Ar. Yogesh Chandrahasan of Chennai-based WeBe Design Lab.
47. Which movie has been crowned Best Picture at the 91st Academy Awards?
[A] Bohemian Rhapsody
[B] The Favourite
[C] Green Book
[D] Roma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Green Book]
Notes:
An American biographical comedy-drama film “Green Book” has won the Best Picture at 91st Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on 25th February 2019. Green Book also won best supporting actor for Mahershala Ali and best original screenplay. In it, British actress Olivia Colman won the best actress award for “The Favourite” for her performance as Queen Anne in the period comedy-drama. Rami Malek won the best actor for a biographical film “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron won Best Director Oscar for ‘Roma’, which is an American and Mexican drama. ‘Roma’ also won Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography category. Pop diva Lady Gaga got the Best Original Song Academy Award for “Shallow” from her feature debut “A Star is Born”. Marvel’s Black Panther too won 3 Oscars – Best Original Music, Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
48. Afghanistan has launched new export route to India through which of the following ports?
[A] Abadan
[B] Chabahar
[C] Bandar
[D] Khorramshahr
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chabahar ]
Notes:
The landlocked & war-torn nation, Afghanistan has recently launched new export route to India through the strategic Chabahar Port of Iran to boost regional connectivity. According to officials, the first shipment of 57 tonnes consists of dried fruits, textiles, carpets and mineral products in 23 trucks products were dispatched from western Afghan city of Zaranj to Chabahar port. The consignment will be shipped to the Indian city of Mumbai. The Iranian port provides easy access to the sea to Afghanistan and India has helped developed this route to allow both countries to engage in trade bypassing Pakistan.
49. Which of the following states has become the India’s first state to have raised a special dog squad to detect liquor consignment?
[A] Assam
[B] Jharkhand
[C] Punjab
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bihar ]
Notes:
Bihar has become the first state in India which has raised its own dog squad to detect liquor consignment. All these dogs were imparted nine-month training at Hyderabad-based Integrated Intelligence Training Academy before being inducted in the Bihar Police. The total strength of the Bihar Police’s dog squad stands at 68. On each dog, the state police spent around Rs 1.71 lakh and two handlers have been deputed. Notably, Bihar had banned liquor in the state in 2016.
50. Which state government has launched the PRANAM Commission to protect parents of government employees?
[A] Odisha
[B] Assam
[C] Nagaland
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Assam ]
Notes:
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has recently launched the PRANAM Commission for protection of parents of state government employees. The Commission will look after the issues concerning a PRANAM (Parents Responsibility and Norms for Accountability and Monitoring) Bill to protect elderly parents of government employees in their times of need. PRANAM Bill, which was approved by the state cabinet in 2018, makes it mandatory for state government employees to look after their parents and unmarried Divyang siblings who do not have their own sources of income. As per the Bill, if the PRANAM Commission gets a complaint that parents of a state government employee is being ignored, and then 10 or 15% of the employee’s salary will be deducted by the government and paid to the parents or differently-abled siblings.