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 Turkey government had recently signed military and maritime agreement with GNA. GNA is _________.
[A] Libya’s interim government
[B] Guinea’s interim government
[C] Nigeria’s interim government
[D] Liberia’s interim government
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Libya’s interim government]
Notes:
Government of National Accord and Turkey had recently inked military and maritime agreement. It is feared by many that it may escalate the war in Libya. The conflict was initiated in 2011 when the NATO-backed uprising had toppled and killed the Libyan dictator.
3. Which nation has recently banned the ‘reef toxic’ sunscreen?
[A] Australia
[B] New Zealand
[C] Palau
[D] Nauru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Palau]
Notes:
Palau has banned “reef-toxic” sunscreens. The scientific evidence showed that chemicals found in most sunscreens were toxic to corals. Therefore, from New Year’s Day, any reef-toxic sunscreens that are imported or sold in Palau will be confiscated and the owner will be fined.
4. Which organization has launched the MANI app, seen in news recently?
[A] RBI
[B] SEBI
[C] SBI
[D] PNB
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [RBI]
Notes:
The MANI app, which stands for Mobile Aided Note Identifier Application, was launched by the Reserve Bank of India. It helps the visually challenged people to identify the denomination of the currency. The mobile’s camera scans the currency note and identifies the denomination through audio output.
5. On January 2, 2020, Prakash Parv was celebrated as birth anniversary of which Sikh Guru?
[A] Guru Harkrishan Sahib
[B] Guru Har Rai
[C] Guru Gobind Singh
[D] Guru Teg Bahadur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Guru Gobind Singh]
Notes:
The birth anniversary of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh was celebrated across the country and many parts of the world on January 2, 2020. The birth anniversary of a Sikh Guru is also called as “Prakash Parv”. As per the traditional Sikh calendar (Nanakshahi) , birthday of Guru Gobind Singh falls on January 2, this year (Though he was born on 5 January 1666 by Gregorian Calendar). Guru Gobind Singh was named as the tenth Sikh guru, at the age of 9, after the ninth Guru and his father Guru Teg Bahadur was killed.
6. What is the name of the award to be given to the states for good agricultural production, by the Prime Minister?
[A] Krishi Samman
[B] Krishi Samridhi
[C] Krishi Karman
[D] Krishi Keerthi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Krishi Karman]
Notes:
The Prime Minister is expected to present the Krishi Karman awards during a function in Karnataka, to 21 states, for their excellent performance in agriculture production. The Krishi Karman award was instituted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare in the year 2010-2011 to recognise the efforts of states in food grain production. Awards are given on the basis of highest total food grain production and highest individual food grain crop production.
7. Senior Politician and former Member of Parliament, D P Tripathi who passed away recently belonged to which political party?
[A] Bharathiya Janata Party
[B] Indian National Congress
[C] Nationalist Congress Party
[D] Communist Party of India
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nationalist Congress Party]
Notes:
D P Tripathi (Devisree Prasad Tripathi) was a senior political leader of Nationalist Congress Party and a former Rajya Sabha MP from Maharashtra. He also served as the General Secretary and chief spokesman of the Nationalist Congress Party. Though he was initially associated with the Congress (INC) party during his early life, he later moved to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He was also an academic and the author of the journal titled “Think India”.
8. Which company has recently partnered with the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for the implementation of DAY-NULM scheme?
[A] Amazon
[B] Google
[C] Flipkart
[D] Microsoft
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Flipkart]
Notes:
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed between Flipkart and the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for the implementation of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana — National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM). Under the partnership, Flipkart will join hands with the state missions of DAY-NULM to implement its flagship ‘Samarth’ programme and provide market access to the local weavers, craftsmen and small businessmen.
9. Which Indian city is to play host to the ‘Khelo India Youth games 2020’?
[A] Guwahati
[B] Bhubaneswar
[C] New Delhi
[D] Cuttack
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Guwahati]
Notes:
The third edition of the ‘Khelo India Youth games’ will be held at Guwahati, Assam from January 10 to 23, 2020. The ceremony to launch the games was held at Guwahati and was attended by the Union Sports Minister and Chief Minister of Assam. The logo, mascot, theme song and the jersey of players were also launched. More than 10000 participants from all over the country are expected to take part in this national event in 20 different sports which includes cycling and lawn bowls for the first time.
10. 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.