11. On February 8, 2020, Thaipoosam festival was celebrated by the Tamil community around the world. This festival marks birth day of which deity?
[A] Thirumal
[B] Murugan
[C] Nataraja
[D] Pavadairayan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Murugan]
Notes:
Thaipoosam is a festival celebrated by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai, usually coinciding with Pushya star, known as Poosam in Tamil. It is believed to be Murugan’s birthday by many.
12. Which state recently launched “Mukhyamantri Parivar Samridhi Yojana”, which provides an annual assistance of Rs 6000 to the needy families?
[A] Odisha
[B] Haryana
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Haryana]
Notes:
The Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal has recently launched Mukhyamantri Parivar Samridhi Yojana. Under this scheme, an annual financial assistance of Rs 6000 is to be provided to the families in the State, whose annual income is up to Rs 1.80 lakh and who own land below 5 acres.
This ensures that the premiums for various welfare schemes of the Central Government, pension scheme and crop insurance are paid automatically from the bank accounts of the needy families.
13. ‘Ajeya Warrior‘ is the joint military exercise conducted between India and which country?
[A] Japan
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Israel
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Kingdom]
Notes:
The fifth edition of joint military exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior’ between India and the United Kingdom will be conducted at Salisbury Plains, United Kingdom. The exercise is scheduled from February 13 to 26, 2020.
120 soldiers each from Indian and United Kingdom Army would participate in the exercise. The joint military exercise has been conducted alternatively in United Kingdom and India. The training will be held with emphasis on counter-terror operations in urban and semi-urban areas.
14. The national online platform for public procurement, Government e-Marketplace (GeM), was launched in which year?
[A] 2015
[B] 2016
[C] 2017
[D] 2018
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2016]
Notes:
The national online platform for public procurement, Government e-Marketplace (GeM) was launched by the Union Commerce Ministry in 2016. It is an open and transparent procurement platform for government departments.
GeM was recently in news as public procurement worth Rs.40,000 crore has taken place through the online portal. In the recent Union budget, it was announced that government is looking to increase the turnover of the GeM portal to Rs.3 lakh crore.
15. When is the ‘International Day of Women and Girls in Science’ celebrated across the world?
[A] 10 February
[B] 11 February
[C] 12 February
[D] 13 February
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [11 February]
Notes:
The ‘International Day of Women and Girls in Science’ is celebrated across the world on 11 February. The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution in 2015 and declared 11 February as the day of Women and Girls in Science. Since then, the day is celebrated annually.
The day is aimed to achieve complete gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls and to encourage more women to take up their career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field.
16. As per the notification of the Ministry of health and family welfare, which component will be treated as ‘drugs’ from April 1, 2020?
[A] Medical devices
[B] AYUSH drugs
[C] Alcohol
[D] Raw materials for drugs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Medical devices]
Notes:
The Ministry of health and family welfare recently said in a notification that all medical devices sold in the country would be treated as drugs and would be regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, from April 1, 2020.
As of now, only 23 medical devices are being categorised as drugs. Only a few of these including cardiac stents and intrauterine devices have been brought under price control. The decision was taken after discussing with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB).
17. The Cauvery delta region, which is set to be declared a Protected Special Agriculture Zone, is located in which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Kerala
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K. Palaniswami recently announced that the Cauvery delta region would be declared as a ‘Protected Special Agriculture Zone’.
This declaration would ensure the food security of the State. The Cauvery delta region in the central districts of Tamil Nadu would be converted into Protected Special Agriculture Zone. Special legislations are to be enacted in this regard.
18. The National Productivity Council functions under the aegis of which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Human Resource Development
[B] Ministry of Commerce and Industry
[C] Ministry of Science and Technology
[D] Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Commerce and Industry]
Notes:
National Productivity Council (NPC) is an institution for propagating productivity movement in India, which functions under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The formation of National Productivity Council is being celebrated annually as Productivity Day (12th February) and following seven days as Productivity Week (12th – 18th February). The organisation conducts various events throughout the week for promoting productivity.
19. Which state government recently approved Ground water Act, 2020, to improve groundwater level?
[A] Bihar
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The state cabinet of Uttar Pradesh chaired by its Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently approved the Ground water Act, 2020. The act aims at improving the falling groundwater level of the state.
Under the new act, one has to register with the state records before installing submersible pumps either off-line or on-line. It has also ensured provisions for rain water harvesting in all buildings. People who contaminate ground water would be granted penalty and punishment.
20. INS Jamuna of Indian Navy is set to conduct hydrographic surveys in which neighbouring country of India?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Myanmar
[D] Nepal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sri Lanka]
Notes:
Hydrographic Survey Ship, INS Jamuna of Indian Navy is set to conduct detailed hydrographic surveys in Sri Lanka for next two months. The ship has arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka in this regard.
Several shore-based survey activities are also set to be carried out over the deployment period of 2 months. The personnel of Sri Lanka Navy personnel will be provided training during the hydrographic survey. Harbour training programme for the Sri Lankan sailors is also to be organised.