11. Which state government recently launched a scheme called ‘Janasevaka’ to home-deliver various government services to citizens?
[A] Telangana
[B] Karnataka
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka]
Notes:
The state government of Karnataka has recently launched a scheme called ‘Janasevaka’ to home-deliver various government services to citizens. The scheme ensures the delivery of ration cards, senior citizen identity and health cards at the door steps of citizens.
The newly launched scheme is a part of the ‘Sakala’ scheme of the state and will cover as many as 53 services of 11 state departments. The scheme was first implemented in Dasarahalli area on a pilot basis and will be extended to other regions. Subsequently, the scheme would be made operational in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru and Hubballi-Dharwad.
12. Pranab Kumar Gogoi, who recently passed away, was a famous personality in which field?
[A] Sports
[B] Literature
[C] Arts
[D] Politics
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Politics]
Notes:
The MLA of Sivasagar constituency in the state of Assam, Pranab Kumar Gogoi recently passed away. He had also served as the Speaker of the Assam state assembly.
The noted legislator was born in 1936 and was an advocate by profession. He was a veteran member of the Congress Party and was first elected to the state assembly in 2001. He was known for introducing the definition of the term “Assamese”, during the previous term of Congress government in the state.
13. Which country recently launched the ‘International Religious Freedom Alliance’ for protecting religious freedom across the world?
[A] Russia
[B] United States
[C] Japan
[D] India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States ]
Notes:
The United States recently launched the International Religious Freedom Alliance, which is aimed at protecting and preserving religious freedom across the world.
The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the formal launch of the alliance. As many as 27 countries have joined the alliance and the prominent countries among them are Australia, Brazil, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Greece. He also announced that the next ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom will be hosted by Poland in Warsaw, in July 2020.
14. The Union Cabinet recently approved to confer the status of Institution of National Importance (INI) to how many Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)?
[A] 2
[B] 3
[C] 4
[D] 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [5]
Notes:
The Union Cabinet recently approved the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020, to confer the status of Institution of National Importance (INI) to five Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs).
The Five IIITs in Public-Private-Partnership mode at Surat, Bhopal, Bhagalpur, Agartala and Raichur are to conferred with the INI status. After the status has been granted, the institutions would be able to award degrees and to use the nomenclature of Bachelor of Technology (BTech) or Master of Technology (MTech) or PhD degree. The existing 15 IIITs had already been provided with the INI status.
15. Sports Authority of India (SAI) and which sports federation recently announced to establish High Performance Centres in seven places across the country?
[A] Athletic Federation of India
[B] Hockey India
[C] Boxing Federation of India
[D] Swimming Federation of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Hockey India]
Notes:
Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Hockey India jointly announced that High Performance Centres would be established in seven places across the country. The Centres are expected to provide world-class facilities to Junior and Sub-Junior hockey players.
The Centres, which would provide international exposure to players, will be monitored by Hockey India. Four Centres including the National Hockey Academy at Dhyan Chand National Stadium will be functional within three months. This step is taken to promote the game and groom young players for the upcoming Olympic Games.
16. Which state recently signed agreement with the Survey of India, to use drones in land surveys for mapping the villages of the state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Telangana
[C] Madhya Pradesh
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
The state government of Madhya Pradesh recently announced that drones would be used in land surveys for mapping the villages. The Revenue department of Madhya Pradesh has signed agreement in this regard with the national mapping agency, Survey of India.
The land survey work is being done manually or with the assistance of satellite images, until now in the state. As many as 55 thousand villages of the state have been selected for mapping. Using the drone technology, the map of the area will be made on a scale of 1:500, for a better resolution. Last year in August, Maharashtra started using drones for mapping its villages.
17. The first glass-floor suspension bridge of India is to be built in which state?
[A] Uttarakhand
[B] Arunachal Pradesh
[C] Sikkim
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttarakhand]
Notes:
The country’s first glass floor suspension bridge is to be built across the river Ganga in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. The state government has recently approved the design of the glass-floor bridge.
This bridge is to be built as an alternative to the iconic Lakshman Jhula which was closed last year, citing safety reasons. The Public Works Department (PWD) is to construct the bridge, which would have a floor with toughened transparent glass, through which the pedestrians can see the surface of the river. The length of the proposed bridge will be 132.3 metres and it will have toughened glass railings on either side.
18. The cybersecurity project codenamed Dejfa, that was recently making news, belongs to which country?
[A] Pakistan
[B] Iran
[C] Malaysia
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Iran]
Notes:
Digital Fortress (Dejfa in Persian) is the name of a cybersecurity project of Iran. This has been frequently in news in recent times as Iran faces frequent DDoS attacks and cyber attacks. On 8th February also, the agency was able to avert a massive DDoS attack.
19. Seer Goverdhanpur in Uttar Pradesh is the birth place of which Bhakti saint?
[A] Kabir
[B] Dadu
[C] Ravidas
[D] Ramanand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ravidas]
Notes:
Sant Ravidas was a 14th-century saint and founder of the Bhakti movement in North India. He was born at Seer Goverdhanpur near Banaras.
20. The recently adopted Lucknow Declaration is related to which field?
[A] Environment Protection
[B] Defence Cooperation
[C] E-Governance
[D] Imports and Exports
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Defence Cooperation]
Notes:
Lucknow Declaration was adopted by the first ever India-Africa Defence Ministers conclave as a part of the 11TH DefExpo. In this Defexpo, 1024 exhibitors participated, 172 of them being foreign companies. 40 Defence Ministers were part of total 70 foreign delegations that visited Lucknow. The event was also called “Defence Kumbh” by UP’s Chief Minister.