1. Fausta, a female black rhino, believed to be the world’s oldest rhino, had recently died in Tanzanian conservation area. What is the IUCN status of the black rhinos?
[A] Least concern
[B] Endangered
[C] Critically Endangered
[D] Near threatened
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Critically Endangered]
Notes:
Also known as “hook-lipped rhinoceros”, these species, though called “black” are in varying colours of brown and grey. They are found in South and East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Its IUCN status is critically endangered, though the South-Western status of the black rhinoceros is classified under vulnerable.
2. The Union Home Minister had recently reviewed the functioning of the Sashastra Seema Bal. SSB was previously known as _______.
[A] Special Service Bureau
[B] Secret Service Bureau
[C] Strategic Support Branch
[D] Sashastra Seema Ayog
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Special Service Bureau]
Notes:
The Union Minister for Home Affairs had recently visited Sashastra Seem Bal Headquarters in New Delhi. He reviewed the functioning of the SSB during this visit. The deployment, operational achievements and concerns were reviewed. SSB, one of the Central Armed Police Forces, was known as Special Service Bureau prior to 2001.
3. The recent Taiwanese anti-infiltration law is seen as a move against which country?
[A] Japan
[B] North Korea
[C] Russia
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [China]
Notes:
Taiwan parliament had recently passed an anti-infiltration law to counter the perceived threats from China as the nation prepares itself for a presidential vote. This legislation is part of the Taiwanese government’s efforts to curb China’s influence in the politics and democratic process through illegal funding, media etc.
4. The Justice Hema Commission, which recently highlighted issues faced by women in film industry, was commissioned by which state government?
[A] Telangana
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Karnataka
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Kerala]
Notes:
The Kerala government tasked the three-member commission headed by Justice Hema to investigate the problems faced by the women in the Malayalam film industry. This commission pointed out the glaring testimonies of sexual abuse faced by potential candidates and the presence of a casting couch.
5. Who will launch the “Earthshot Prize” to motivate new solution to tackle climate crisis?
[A] Duke of Cambridge
[B] Queen Elizabeth II
[C] Duke of Sussex
[D] Prince of Wales
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Duke of Cambridge]
Notes:
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge will launch the environmental prize called the Earthshot. The multi-million pound award will be given to five winners each year for the next 10 years, starting from 2021. Its aim is to provide at least 50 solutions to the world’s greatest problems by 2030.
6. Which is the world’s first major city to celebrate the start of the 2020 New Year and new decade?
[A] Sydney
[B] Auckland
[C] Christchurch
[D] Welllington
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Auckland]
Notes:
Auckland in New Zealand has become the world’s first major city to celebrate the start of the 2020. Australia and New Zealand were followed by Europe, the Middle East and Asia to welcome the year 2020. The firework display in Sydney, Australia was put up despite the ongoing bushfire crisis.
7. What aspect of agriculture is focused upon by Krishi Karman Award?
[A] Supply
[B] Sales
[C] Production
[D] Water Management
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Production]
Notes:
The Prime Minister is to visit Karnataka on January 2nd and 3rd. He will confer Krishi Karman Award to 21 states that have recorded good agriculture production in various categories during the previous crop seasons.
8. What is the aim of the recently formed Akhil Bharatiya Gujarati Samaj Sankalan Samiti?
[A] Include NRIs in the State’s development process
[B] Include non-resident Gujaratis in the state’s development process
[C] Include persons of Indian origin in state’s development process
[D] Include Indians outside Gujarat in the development process
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Include non-resident Gujaratis in the state’s development process]
Notes:
The Akhil Bharatiya Gujarati Samaj Sankalan Samiti, with the state’s chief minister as chief patron and the Minister of Non-resident Gujaratis (NRGs) as the president, aims to include Gujaratis living outside the state in the state’s developmental process. The Samiti will meet twice a year – once in Gujarat and next in another state.
9. Miss Teen International 2019 was conferred to an individual from which of the following countries?
[A] South Africa
[B] Zimbabwe
[C] India
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [India]
Notes:
Miss Teen International is the oldest running teen pageant in the world. Aayushi Dholakia from India had bagged the title of Miss Teen International 2019, becoming the first Asian to do so in the last 27 years. She also won Best in National Costume Award and Best in Speech award.
10. What is the estimated cost of the new Chandrayaan -3 project, as per the announcement of ISRO?
[A] Rs. 600 Crore
[B] Rs. 500 Crore
[C] Rs. 400 Crore
[D] Rs. 300 Crore.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Rs. 600 Crore]
Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation has recently confirmed the country’s third mission to the moon, named Chandrayaan-3. The Government has approved the project of Chandrayaan-3 and the estimated cost of the project would be more than Rs.600 Crores as announced by the Chairman of ISRO, K Sivan. As per his statement, the new soft-landing mission project is expected to be launched at the end of this year or during early 2021.
