1. The government had recently launched central Equipment Identity Register portal. It operates under which department?
[A] Department of Science and Technology
[B] Department of Telecom
[C] Department of Biotechnology
[D] Department of Public Enterprise
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Department of Telecom]
Notes:
The Indian government, on December 2019, had launched the Central Equipment Identity Register Portal to block and trace mobile phones. It has the database of the International Mobile Equipment Identity number of the blacklisted mobile phones.
2. The Kataib Hezbollah militia, which was attacked by US recently, is based in which country?
[A] Syria
[B] Yemen
[C] Iraq
[D] Somalia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Iraq]
Notes:
US had recently launched air strikes on the bases of the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia, Kataib Hezbollah in retaliation to the killing of a US civilian contractor in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base. Many in Iraq had taken to the streets against the US in response to the air strikes.
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. Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is going to initiate the Asiatic Lion Census in May 2020. What is the IUCN status of the Asiatic Lions?
[A] Endangered
[B] Critically Endangered
[C] Vulnerable
[D] Near threatened
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Endangered]
Notes:
Asiatic Lions are listed as an endangered species by the IUCN. They are currently confined to the Gir National Park. These lions are one among the 5 Pantherine cats living in India. Other Pantherine cats include Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Indian Leopard and Clouded Leopard.
5. Which city is host to the 107th edition of the Indian Science Congress (ISC)?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Lucknow
[C] Kolkatta
[D] Bengaluru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bengaluru]
Notes:
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 107th edition of the Indian Science Congress (ISC) at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka from January 3 to 7, 2020.The theme of the five-day event will be ‘Science and technology: rural development’. The congress would also host various programmes like Women Science Congress, Children Science Congress, Science Communicators Meet and Farmer’s Science Congress.
6. After Indore at first rank, which cities ranked second and third (in first quarter) in Swachh Survekshan League, 2020, released recently?
[A] Ahmedabad and Jaipur
[B] Gurugram and Bengaluru
[C] Pune and Bhubaneswar
[D] Bhopal and Surat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bhopal and Surat]
Notes:
The result of Swachh Survekshan League 2020 was recently released by the Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri for the first and second Quarters of this year. Under the category of cities with 10 lakh plus population, Indore topped in both the first and second quarters. The famous city of Madhya Pradesh, Indore was also the topper of the league in the previous year. Bhopal and Surat were ranked second and third in the first quarter respectively and Rajkot and Navi Mumbai in the second quarter.
7. Sunita Lakra, who announced her retirement recently, is a famous Indian player of which Sports?
[A] Tennis
[B] Badminton
[C] Hockey
[D] Cricket
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hockey]
Notes:
Former Indian Hockey team captain and the team’s defender Sunita Lakra recently announced her retirement from International Hockey citing her knee injuries. In the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy, India bagged the second place under her captaincy. She was also a part of the Indian team that participated in the Rio Olympics, 2016. Though she could not participate in Tokyo Olympics, Sunita will hopefully return to play domestic Hockey after her knee surgery.
8. 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.
9. The Transport Department of which state recently launched a helpline for women called ‘Damini’?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Rajasthan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) launched a helpline for women called ‘Damini’, to improve the safety of women in public road transport. The helpline number subscribed for this scheme is ‘81142-77777’, which will have both calling and Whatsapp service. The helpline will be handled by women officers at the headquarters and zonal offices of UPSRTC, which will be operational from 9 am to 6 pm daily. This scheme is launched as a part of the Central Government initiative of ‘Nirbhaya Scheme’.
10. Australia recently witnessed which disaster that killed many lives and caused huge destruction?
[A] Flood
[B] Cyclone
[C] Wild fires
[D] Tsunami
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Wild fires]
Notes:
Australia recently witnessed severe wild fires that killed nearly 25 people and destroyed several homes across the country. More than hundred bush fires were burning in New South Wales and they could not be controlled. Several million animals are also reported to be killed by the severity of bush fires. Scientists have cited Global warming to be the reason of this early and devastating wild fires.
