11. India’s 13th major port is set to be established in which state, as per the recent Cabinet approval?
[A] Gujarat
[B] Kerala
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet of India recently approved to set up 13th major port of India, at Vadhavan in Maharashtra. The project is to entail a total cost of Rs 65,544 crore.
The government is expected to hold 51 per cent stake in the project of the new port. All related business activities would be done under private-public partnership (PPP) mode. A special purpose vehicle is proposed to be formed, which would develop the infrastructure of the new port. This port would promote cargo movement from Gujarat, Maharashtra and other land-locked states.
12. Which state is set to host the Hornbill Festival this month, which was originally celebrated in Nagaland?
[A] Assam
[B] Tripura
[C] Mizoram
[D] Meghalaya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tripura]
Notes:
Tripura government is to hold the two-day Hornbill Festival for the first time from February 8, 2020. The festival has been an important state festival of Nagaland, which is usually held in the month of December in the Naga heritage village of Nagaland.
Tripura hosts the festival with an aim to conserve the Hornbill bird and to boost the livelihood of the state’s people through tourism. Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur also had started organising the Hornbill festival in their states, following Nagaland.
13. Which famous writer was recently selected for the Mystic Kalinga Literary Award (Indian and Global Languages)?
[A] Manoj Das
[B] Pratibha Ray
[C] Surendra Mohanty
[D] Ramakanta Rath
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Manoj Das]
Notes:
The prestigious Mystic Kalinga Literary Award (Indian and Global Languages) is to be presented to the noted Odia and English writer Manoj Das. The award would be presented during the Mystic Kalinga Festival (MKF) which commences in Bhubaneswar on February 8.
The Mystic Kalinga Literary Award is conferred to a person who has made significant contribution to the literature and culture of Odia. The bilingual writer recently received the country’s third-highest civilian award- Padma Bhushan, for his contribution in the field of literature and education. He had also been conferred with the Saraswati Samman award.
14. Which organisation is set to release Digital Payments Index (DPI), which will assess the digitalisation of payments in the country?
[A] NITI Aayog
[B] National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
[C] Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
[D] National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently released its statement on developmental and regulatory policies, along with the February 2020 Monetary policy statement.
In the statement, the central bank announced about the launch of Digital Payments Index (DPI), which will assess the digitalisation of payments in the country. The DPI will accurately measure the penetration of digital payment modes among the general public of the country. The index is proposed to be launched from July 2020.
15. ‘Sharang’, which is to be inducted into the Indian Army, is an upgraded version of which weapon?
[A] Artillery gun
[B] Assault rifle
[C] Combat Shotgun
[D] Sniper rifle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Artillery gun]
Notes:
The Sharang Artillery gun would be inducted into the Indian Army on February 7, 2020, as per the recent announcement of the Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane. The 155 mm-Sharang is an upgraded version of the existing 130 mm M-46 field guns.
He also announced that Sig Sauer assault rifles and Spike anti-tank missiles are being issued to the army troops, who are deployed in the forward areas. The Gun Carriage Factory (GCF) in Jabalpur upgraded the Sharang artillery gun along with the ordnance factories and technical teams of Army and DRDO.
16. The Department of telecommunications (DoT) recently approved the merger of consumer mobile operations of the Tata group with which telecom provider?
[A] Jio
[B] Bharti Airtel
[C] Vodafone Idea
[D] BSNL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bharti Airtel]
Notes:
The Department of telecommunications (DoT) recently approved the merger of consumer mobile operations of the Tata group with Bharti Airtel.
During the month of October 2017, the Tata group announced that the company would sell its consumer mobile business to Bharti Airtel. After nearly two years of their plan, the final approval has been granted by DoT. Airtel has acquired Tata’s mobile phone operations across the country in 19 circles across the country. This merger would expand the spectrum availability and 4G coverage of Bharti Airtel.
17. How many major ports of India are named after individuals?
[A] Two
[B] Three
[C] Four
[D] Five
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Four]
Notes:
India has 12 major ports viz. Deendayal Port Trust, Paradip Port Trust, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Mumbai Port Trust, Visakhapatnam Port Trust, Chennai Port Trust, Kolkata Port Trust, New Mangaluru Port Trust, V. O. Chidambaranar Port Trust, Kamarajar Port Limited, Kochi Port Trust, Mormugao Port Trust. Of these, Deendayal (earlier Kandla), JNPT (earlier Nava Sheva), V. O. Chidambaranar (earlier Tuticorin) and Kamarajar (earlier Ennore Port) are named after individuals.
18. Which Hollywood actor is playing Dr. Kalam in his upcoming biopic?
[A] Nuveen Andrews
[B] Michael C. Hall
[C] Muhammad Ali
[D] Terry O’Quinn
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Muhammad Ali]
Notes:
Hollywood actor Muhammad Ali is playing Dr. Kalama’s role in the movie. The movie is a co-production of Suvarna Pappu, Managing Director of a Hollywood Production House, Hollywood Director, Jagadeesh Daneti and Hollywood Producer & Director Johnny Martin.
19. The Belum Caves festival was recently organized in which state?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
Belum cave system is the largest cave system open to the public on Indian subcontinent extending about 3,229 meters. It is located in Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. The recently concluded Belum Caves festival promoted the caves system.
20. The Pollution Control Board of which state recently received the national award for e-Governance 2019-20?
[A] Odisha
[B] Kerala
[C] Telangana
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) bagged the national award for e-Governance 2019-20 for its Real-Time Pollution-Monitoring System (RTPMS) project, during the 23rd National Conference on e-Governance held in Mumbai.
Under the RPTMS project, an alert is sent to the concerned officials if an industrial unit exceeds the desired pollution levels.