11. As per a recent report on medical data leaks, which state is at the top of Indian states that are affected by leaks in medical details?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Mizoram
[C] Maharashtra
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Maharashtra]
Notes:
A German cybersecurity firm called Greenbone Sustainable Resilience recently published a report on medical data leaks. It revealed that the medical details of more than 120 million Indian patients have been leaked and made available on the Internet.
The state of Maharashtra is placed at the top of the list of states that are affected by the data leak, followed by Karnataka and West Bengal. It also classifies countries in three categories of good, bad and ugly, based on the action taken by the governments after its first report was released. India is placed second in the ugly category.
12. What is the profession of Christina Koch, who recently created a world record?
[A] Sportsperson
[B] Astronaut
[C] Writer
[D] Musician
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Astronaut]
Notes:
The noted astronaut of the US- based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Christina Koch recently completed the longest-ever single spaceflight by a woman.
Christina Koch landed through a parachute at Kazakhstan, from the Russian Soyuz spacecraft she was onboard. She had created a record by spending 328 days on the International Space Station (ISS) and surpassed the previous record held by the American astronaut Peggy Whitson. In October last year, she performed the first all-female spacewalk along with her fellow astronaut Jessica Meir.
13. As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), what was the Unemployment rate in the country in 2017-18?
[A] 4.8%
[B] 5.8%
[C] 6.1%
[D] 6.8%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [6.1%]
Notes:
Minister of State for Labour Santosh Gangwar recently announced that the government is conducting a new Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). The survey conducted this year comprises of new parameters and bigger sample size.
As per the results of the PLFS survey being conducted by the government, the Unemployment rate in the country in 2017-18 was 6.1 per cent. The labour force participation in the country in the same time period was found to be 36.9 per cent. The Minister also announced that the new survey conducted through the Ministry of Statistics provides more authentic data.
14. Pardeep Singh, who was seen in news recently, is associated with which sports?
[A] Boxing
[B] Archery
[C] Weight-lifting
[D] Tennis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Weight-lifting]
Notes:
Indian weight-lifter Pardeep Singh was seen in news recently, as he won the men’s 102kg gold medal in the National weightlifting championships, recently held in Kolkata.
He improved his performance than what he did in the Asian championships in China, last year. Another leading lifter Vikas Thakur won gold medal in the men’s 96kg category. Both the lifters are in the promising list for the upcoming Asian championships in Kazakhstan. Mirabai Chanu and Jeremy Lalrinnunga were named as ‘Best Lifters’ of the championships.
15. 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.
16. Which Indian crop faces danger due to a fungus called Alternaria brassicae as per recent news?
[A] Rice
[B] Wheat
[C] Mustard
[D] Sugarcane
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mustard]
Notes:
Alternaria brassicae is a fungus that causes blight in the Mustard and Rapeseed crops. Yield in a field infected by fungus Alternaria brassicae can come down by as much as by 47 per cent, if remedial measures are not taken.
17. 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.
18. Which state has recently launched an initiative to establish hotels to provide meals at subsidised price called ‘Kudumbashree’ hotels?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Telangana
[C] Kerala
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kerala]
Notes:
The state government of Kerala has recently unveiled a scheme to establish hotels to provide meals at subsidised rates called ‘Kudumbashree’ hotels. The announcement was made during the presentation of state’s budget.
The hotels are to be set up in in each of the 1034 local bodies and Kerala meals is to be available at a subsidised price of Rs 25. Kudumbashree is an initiative of the state government for poverty eradication and women empowerment.
19. Arun-III, is the hydropower project of which country, to be built with assistance from India?
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Bangladesh
[C] Nepal
[D] Bhutan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nepal]
Notes:
India and Nepal recently signed the financial closure of Arun-III, which is the largest hydropower project of Nepal. The 900 MW hydropower project is under construction in Nepal, with an estimated cost of $1.04 million.
The project, which is to be built with the financial assistance from India, is to be completed in 5 years. It is being built by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Arun-III Power Development Company (SAPDC), a joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh.
20. Which Union Ministry has recently launched the web portal for ‘Star rating of Coal mines’?
[A] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
[B] Ministry of Coal
[C] Ministry of Mines
[D] Ministry of Earth Sciences
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Coal]
Notes:
Ministry of Coal (MoC) has recently launched a web portal for star rating of coal mines. Under the portal, all operational coal mines across the country will be enabled for self-rating. The mines will be subsequently validated by Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO), the subordinate office of Ministry of Coal.
The mechanism on the portal would award star rating to the mines with certain evaluation parameters under 7 modules.