1. The dornier aircraft, that was recently inducted into the Otters Squadron, belongs to which category?
[A] Reconnaissance aircraft
[B] Light Utility aircraft
[C] Surveillance aircraft
[D] Strategic Airlifter
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Light Utility aircraft]
Notes:
The light utility aircraft Dornier was recently inducted into the No.41 “Otters” Squadron during a ceremony at the Palam Air Force Station. the Dornier-228 aircraft is a multi-purpose, fuel efficient, rugged, lightweight twin turboprop aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear.
2. The recent #indiasupportscaa campaign was launched via which app?
[A] MyGov
[B] UMANG
[C] Twitter
[D] NaMo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [NaMo]
Notes:
To gain popular support for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, #IndiaSupportCAA campaign was launched on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official app, NaMo. It stated that Act is not taking away anybody’s citizenship but is only giving citizenship to the minorities.
3. The Molotov Ribbentrop Pact, which is currently being debated in news, was signed by Nazi Germany with which country?
[A] Soviet Union
[B] Italy
[C] Britain
[D] Poland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Soviet Union]
Notes:
Eighty years after the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany signed a non-aggression treaty dividing Europe into spheres of influence, Russia has put the original Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and its secret protocol into the public. Alongside the pact, 1938 Munich Agreement and other documents related to the occupation of Czechoslovakia until the outbreak of Second World War was also displayed to state that the west sought to redirect Nazi Germany’s aggression towards Moscow.
4. What is the outlay of the National Infrastructure Plan, recently announced the Union Finance Minister?
[A] Rs.72 lakh crore
[B] Rs.82 lakh crore
[C] Rs.92 lakh crore
[D] Rs. 102 lakh crore
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Rs. 102 lakh crore]
Notes:
The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a ₹102 lakh crore national infrastructure pipeline. The Ministry of Finance had set up a committee headed by Atanu Chakraborty to prepare a road map for the the ₹100 lakh crore ‘National Infrastructure Pipeline’ (NIP) from 2019-20 to 2024-25. In the plan which involves spending in various sectors, the central government and state governments would have an equal share of 39% each and the private sector would have 22% share.
5. The Swarna Jayanti Fellowships have been recently awarded to 14 personalities belonging to which profession?
[A] Writers
[B] Scientists
[C] Sportspersons
[D] Student
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Scientists]
Notes:
The Swarna Jayanti Fellowships have been recently awarded to 14 Scientists, who are associated with innovative research projects. The Swarna Jayanti Fellowships scheme was instituted by the Indian Government to commemorate our 50th year of independence. In this scheme, certain young scientists selected would be provided assistance by the Department of Science & Technology for pursuing their projects in Science and Technology.
6. Which state has recently announced a scheme to deliver sand to customer’s doorstep from January 2, 2020?
[A] Odisha
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Kerala
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
The State Government of Andhra Pradesh recently announced that it would deliver sand to the customer’s doorstep. The scheme was launched as a pilot project in the Krishna District and would be expanded to other districts as well. The Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) would be the implementing agency of the delivery scheme. The state recently launched the new sand policy in September 2019 and has been taking various steps to curb illegal sand trade.
7. What is the theme of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2020, to be held from January 4 to 12, 2020?
[A] Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer
[B] Gandhi: The Nation’s Honour
[C] Remembering Mahatma
[D] Celebrating Mahatma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer]
Notes:
The 28th edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2020 is to be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from January 4 to 12, 2020. To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the theme of the fair is chosen as, ‘Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer’. Union Human Resources Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal will inaugurate the annual fair, which is organised by the National Book Trust (NBT). The Chief Guest of the inaugural event is Gandhian scholar Girishwar Mishra.
8. The birth anniversary of which social reformer was celebrated on January 3?
[A] Narayana Guru
[B] Vinoba Bhave
[C] Pandita Ramabhai
[D] Savitribai Phule
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Savitribai Phule]
Notes:
The birth anniversary of the social reformer and the first female teacher of India, Savitribai Phule was observed across the country on January 3. The Prime Minister of India and various other leaders paid tributes to her on her birth anniversary. Savitribai Phule along with her husband Jyotirao Phule founded the country’s first girls’ school in Pune in 1848. Born in Maharashtra, Phule worked hard to abolish discrimination against women and suppressed classes of people.
9. Manav Thakkar, who is in news recently, is a famous personality of which sports?
[A] Badminton
[B] Tennis
[C] Table Tennis
[D] Squash
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Table Tennis]
Notes:
The 19-year-old Table Tennis player of India, Manav Thakkar is in news as he reached the top position in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings in Under-21 men’s single category. This coveted rank could be achieved after he won the Under-21 men’s singles title at the ITTF Challenge Plus North American Open last year. Manav is only the fourth Indian to become World No.1 in the ITTF rankings.
10. Which is the first country to ban sun screens, that are toxic to coral reefs and sea life?
[A] Palau
[B] Philippines
[C] Taiwan
[D] Papua New Guinea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Palau]
Notes:
Palau, a small island nation in the West Pacific Ocean imposed a ban on sun screens that contain chemicals affecting the coral reefs and other aquatic species. The step is also taken to conserve its Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The sun cream with the toxic chemicals including oxybenzone, will not be permitted to be used or sold in the country. Palau is a famous destination among international tourists and is mainly acclaimed for its coral reefs.