1. Which state government has launched a new initiative “Meal in exchange for plastic waste”?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Odisha
[C] Jharkhand
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Odisha ]
Notes:
In an effort to raise awareness about the perils of using plastic, the Kotpad Notified Area Council (NAC) in Koraput district of Odisha is providing free meals to the poor in exchange for a kilogram of plastic waste. The new initiative is being carried out under the State government’s ‘Aahar’ scheme. The programme entails a meal for anyone who brings a kilogram of used polythene bags, plastic bottles and cups. Under the Aahar scheme, poor people in urban areas of the state are provided a meal comprising rice and ‘dalma’ (lentils with vegetable) at a cost of Rs 5.
2. Girija Kir, who passed away recently, was the noted author of which language?
[A] Marathi
[B] Tamil
[C] Telugu
[D] Odia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Marathi ]
Notes:
Girija Kir (86), the noted Marathi author, has passed away in Bandra, Maharashtra on 31st October 2019. Kir has written dozens of novels, stories, travelogues and children’s books. She also worked as an assistant editor of ‘Anuradha’ magazine for 10 years from 1968 to 1978. Kir has won several awards for her writings, which largely originated from her on-field experiences in labour colonies, residences of patients suffering from leprosy and tribal areas. Her recent book ‘Janmathep’ was based on her study of inmates at Pune’s Yerawada jail.
3. Who is leading the Indian delegation at the 35th ASEAN Summit?
[A] Ram Nath Kovind
[B] Venkaiah Naidu
[C] Narendra Modi
[D] Rajnath Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Narendra Modi]
Notes:
The 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit 2019 has started in Bangkok, Thailand on 1st of November with theme ‘Advancing Partnership for sustainability’. During 5-days summit East Asia summit (EAS) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Summit (RCEP) will be also held. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend this summit on 3rd and 4th November. The ASEAN is a group of 10 member countries that encourages political,economic and social co-operation in the region. The summit would discuss comprehensive and sustainable ASEAN economic development and s on negotiations related to the RCEP including market opening. The RCEP is a proposed Free Trade Agreement ( FTA) between the 10 members state of ASEAN and its partner countries.
4. India’s first-ever Arts Exposition for talents with intellectual challenges “eCAPA 2019” has started in which city?
[A] Kanpur
[B] Kochi
[C] Dehradun
[D] New Delhi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [New Delhi]
Notes:
India’s first-ever Arts Exposition for Artists blessed with Down Syndrome, Autism, Mental Retardation, Seizure Disorder and Dyslexia has started in New Delhi on 3rd November 2019. The “eCAPA 2019 – Art from the Heart” is a unique nationwide platform-cum social venture for such artists to showcase their visual and performing arts. The aim of this exposition is to create an exclusive platform to showcase the visual and performing art talents of young adults with intellectual challenges. It will also provide Divyang artists with opportunities to find mentors in the visiting artists and eminent masters of different crafts. This exposition will continue till 14th November at STIR Gallery, Chattarpur Farms.
5. Who is leading Indian delegation at the 15th meeting of the Governing Council of SACEP?
[A] Narendra Modi
[B] Om Birla
[C] Prakash Javadekar
[D] Ram Nath Kovind
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Prakash Javadekar]
Notes:
The 15th meeting of the Governing Council of South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) is being held in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In it, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar is leading the Indian delegation. The SACEP is an inter-governmental organization established in 1982 by the South Asian governments to promote and support protection, management and enhancement of the environment in the region. Its member countries are – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
6. Which IIT has launched ‘Arise-A Standing Wheelchair’ for disabled?
[A] IIT Madras
[B] IIT Bombay
[C] IIT Indore
[D] IIT Kanpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [IIT Madras]
Notes:
The IIT Madras has launched the newly designed ‘Arise-A Standing Wheelchair’ standing wheelchair for disabled at IIT Madras Research Park. The standing wheelchair is designed by TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research & Device Development (R2D2). The purpose of this wheelchair is that it will help a person in a wheelchair to stand without any help.
7. Sara Damnjanovic, who won the Miss Asia Global Title 2019, is from which country?
[A] France
[B] Vietnam
[C] Serbia
[D] Spain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Serbia ]
Notes:
Sara Damnjanovic from Serbia has won the 5th edition of Miss Asia Global Title 2019’ at Gokulam Convention centre in Kochi, Kerala. The title is given to the winner from Asian region. Nguyen Thi Yen Trang from Vietnam was awarded Miss Asia title i.e. given to the winner from the rest of the world. Samiksha Singh from India won the sub-title of ‘Miss Beautiful Face’ Title. The Next ‘Miss Asia Global Title 2020’ will be held in Malaysia.
8. The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched the Skills Build platform in collaboration with which company?
[A] Microsoft
[B] Infosys
[C] Facebook
[D] IBM
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [IBM ]
Notes:
The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has recently launched the SkillsBuild platform in collaboration with IBM to offer digital learning content from IBM and partners such as CodeDoor, Coorpacademy and Skillsoft. This initiative is part of IBM’s global commitment to create a job-ready workforce and to build the next generation of skills needed for new collar careers. As part of the programme, a two-year advanced diploma in IT, networking and cloud computing, co-created and designed by IBM, will be offered at the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) & National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
9. Which country has recently approved the world’s first drug for Alzheimer’s Disease “GV-971”?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] United States
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [China ]
Notes:
The world’s first multi-targeting and carbohydrate-based drug “GV-971” for Alzheimer’s disease is extracted from brown algae. Recently, China has approved this home-grown seaweed-based drug to potentially cure disease. The drug is the only Alzheimer’s medicine out of more than 320 developed by pharmaceutical companies around the globe to survive clinical trials. The orally taken drug can treat mild to moderate forms of the disease and improve cognition. The Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible and progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking ability and the capability to carry out simple tasks.
10. Harmonized System (HS) code, which is in news recently, is associated to which field?
[A] Insurance
[B] Rural Banking
[C] Khadi
[D] Medical
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Khadi ]
Notes:
In order to exclusively categorize Khadi products in exports, the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued a Harmonized System (HS) code to separate Khadi from the general textile products in India. The HS code is a 6-digit identification code developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and is used by customs officers to allow products to cross international borders. It is an international nomenclature for the classification of products. It allows participating countries to classify traded goods on a common basis for customs purposes. The code follows from the Kyoto Convention of 1974 and is used by over 200 countries.