1. Puerto Williams, which has become the world’s southernmost city, is located in which of the following countries?
[A] Ecuador
[B] Peru
[C] Argentina
[D] Chile
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Chile]
Notes:
Puerto Williams is the main settlement, port and naval base on Navarino Island in Chile. It faces the Beagle Channel. Recently, Puerto Williams has become the world’s southernmost city after the Chilean authorities upgraded its status from hamlet to city. It took over the title from Ushuaia, the capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego. Puerto Williams is the port of entry and major hub for scientific activity linked to Antarctica and the islands south of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego.
2. Which city to host 10th National Science Film Festival of India (NSFFl) in 2020?
[A] Agartala
[B] Bhubaneshwar
[C] Mohali
[D] Lucknow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Agartala]
Notes:
The 10th edition of National Science Film Festival of India (NSFFl) is scheduled to be held in Agartala, Tripura on January and February 2020. The aim of the fest is to raise awareness about science and environment through films. This the second time the show will be held in a North Eastern city. The film festival is being held with the objective of highlighting science, technology, innovation, energy, environment, agriculture and traditional knowledge in a simple way that would bring science closer to common people through simple ways of explanation. The film festival would include films produced by UNICEF, UNESCO and filmmakers from different countries. It will also include entries from Tripura and other states.
3. Which President of India has been bestowed with Mexico’s highest civilian award?
[A] Pranab Mukherjee
[B] A P J Abdul Kalam
[C] Pratibha Patil
[D] Ram Nath Kovind
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Pratibha Patil]
Notes:
On 1st June 2019, Ex-President Pratibha Patil has been conferred the “Orden Mexicana del Aguila Azteca” (Order of the Aztec Eagle) in the MCCIA Bhavan, Pune. It is the highest civilian award of Mexico given to foreigners in recognition of their outstanding services to strengthening the bilateral ties between Mexico and other countries and outstanding services to the Mexican nation or humanity. Patil, India’s first woman President (2007-2012), became only the 2nd Indian head of state to get the award. Earlier, the late President S Radhakrishna had been conferred this honour.
4. On which date, the 2019 edition of International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed?
[A] June 2
[B] June 5
[C] June 4
[D] June 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [June 4]
Notes:
The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed every year on June 4 to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. This day affirms the UN’s commitment to protect the rights of children.
5. The Aapki Beti scheme is associated to which of the following state governments?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Chhattisgarh
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rajasthan]
Notes:
The Rajasthan government has recently increased the financial assistance given to school girls under the ‘Aapki Beti’ scheme and ex-gratia payment to the families of polling personnel who die during election duty. Under the Aapki Beti scheme, girls living under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) and whose mother or father or both have died get annual financial assistance in the state. The amount has been increased to 2,100 from Rs 1,100 for the girls studying in class 1 to 8 and for the girls in class 9 to 12, the financial aid has been increased to Rs 2,500 from Rs 1,500. Similarly, the government has also increased ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of an official killed on election duty to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 15 lakh.
6. Jaspal Inder Singh Kalra, who passed away recently, was associated to which field?
[A] Science
[B] Chef
[C] Journalism
[D] Sports
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chef]
Notes:
Jaspal Inder Singh Kalra (71), the celebrated chef and culinary revivalist , has passed away on June 4 in New Delhi. He earned epithets like ‘Czar of Indian Cuisine’ and ‘Taste Maker to the Nation’, and was popularly known as Jiggs Kalra. Kalra was the first Asian to be inducted in the International Food and Beverage Gourmet Hall of Fame. Born on May 21, 1948, Kalra was a pioneering food columnist, author and food consultant. In a career spanning close to five decades, he was instrumental in introducing Indian cuisine to the international audience as well as setting standards of the same. He is also credited with establishing some of the most critically acclaimed and best performing restaurants in the country. He represented India at various international food festivals and summits, apart from having served the likes of British royals Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, apart from former US President Bill Clinton. He was behind the launch of restaurants like Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, Made in Punjab, Farzi Café and Pa Pa Ya.
7. Which Indian personality has been elected external auditor of WHO?
[A] Pramod Kumar Misra
[B] Pradeep Kumar Sinha
[C] Rajiv Mehrishi
[D] Aruna Sundararajan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rajiv Mehrishi]
Notes:
Rajiv Mehrishi, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of Indiam has been elected as external auditor of the World Health Organization (WHO) for four years from 2020 to 2023. He was elected at the 72nd World Health Assembly in Geneva in May 2019. This is the second major international audit assignment for the CAG this year following his selection for the post of External Auditor of Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome earlier this year in March 2019. Currently, Mehrishi is also on the Board of Auditors of the United Nations and Vice-Chair of the UN Panel of External Auditors.
8. Exercise ‘Kharga Prahar-2019’ has recently carried out by the Indian Army in which of the following states?
[A] Haryana
[B] Uttarkhand
[C] Punjab
[D] Jammu & Kashmir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Punjab]
Notes:
The Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) has jointly carried out a week-long special training exercise “Kharga Prahar-2019” in the plains of Punjab. The exercise, which began on May 27, was undertaken by various units and formations of Army’s Kharga Corps. The exercise setting also incorporated aspects of joint training wherein para drops from Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft were carried out and simulated battlefield air strikes were conducted in support of ground forces. Ambala-based 2-Corpa, popularly called as Kharga Corps, possesses 50% of the Indian Army’s offensive capabilities and has the mandate to launch offensive attack, in case any conflict or war breaks out with neighbouring Pak. Integrated with multiple military formations, Kharga has proved an effective weapon in various wars. In 1971, while positioned in West, it helped in division of Pakistan. The elite force was deployed somewhere in the desert sector during the Kargil conflict. The Kharga Corps has been stationed at Ambala since 1985.
9. Which country’s women hockey team has clinched the Cantor Fitzgerald U21 International title?
[A] India
[B] China
[C] Bhutan
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
The Indian junior women’s hockey team clinched the 2019 Cantor Fitzgerald U21 International 4-Nations title after beating Ireland 1-0 in the final at Dublin, Ireland on June 4. The win meant India ended the tournament with an unblemished record. With three goals in four games, Mumtaz Khan finished as the highest goal scorer of the tournament.
10. What is the current repo rate in the second bi-monthly monetary policy review of RBI for FY20?
[A] 5.25%
[B] 5.50%
[C] 5.75%
[D] 5.0%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [5.75%]
Notes:
On June 6, the 6-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.75% from 6.0% with immediate effect in its 2nd bi-monthly monetary policy statement for 2019-20. Repo rate is the interest rate at which the central bank provides liquidity to banks to overcome short-term liquidity mismatches. A repo rate cut allows banks to reduce interest rates for consumers on loans, and lowers equal monthly installments on home loans, car loans and personal loans. Consequently, the reverse repo rate stands adjusted to 5.50%, and the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate to 6.0%. Beside this, RBI has also unanimously decided to change the stance of monetary policy from neutral to accommodative. The next meeting of the MPC is scheduled during August 5 to 7.