1. Dhanu Jatra is currently celebrated in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Telangana
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Madhya Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Odisha]
Notes:
The famous 11-day Dhanu Jatra, the annual drama-based open-air theatrical performance is conducted in and around the city of Bargarh in Western Odisha. It is based on mythological story of Lord Krishna and his Uncle, King Kansa. In November 2014, it was conferred with the National Festival Status.
2. Which ministry issues the certification for the Pariksha Pe Charcha program that was recently rescheduled?
[A] Ministry of Human Resource and Development
[B] Ministry of Corporate Affairs
[C] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
[D] Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Ministry of Human Resource and Development]
Notes:
Pariksha Pe Charcha was introduced in 2018. The 2020 contest is going to be the 3rd edition of this program. The certificates of participation are issued by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development. The student winners get the chance to interact with the Prime Minister and ask questions related to exams.
3. What is the theme of 107th Indian Science Congress?
[A] Science for One India, Great India
[B] Science and Technology for Children
[C] Science & Technology: Rural Development
[D] Science and Heritage: Hand in Hand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Science & Technology: Rural Development]
Notes:
University of Agricultural Sciences (UASB), GKVK Campus, Bangalore, Karnataka is hosting 107th Indian Science Congress from January 3 to 7, 2020 with the theme Science & Technology: Rural Development.
4. The Prime Minister of India recently inaugurated five Young Scientists Labs of which organisation?
[A] Indian Space Research Organisation, ISRO
[B] Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO
[C] Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, BARC
[D] Department of Atomic Energy, DAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Defence Research and Development Organisation, DRDO]
Notes:
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi recently launched five new defence laboratories called DRDO Young Scientists Laboratories (DYSL) for the Defence Research and Development Organisation from Bengaluru, Karnataka. The labs will operate from five Indian cities, namely Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkatta. They will focus on developing new and innovative defence technologies for our country and thus enhance our self reliance in the field.
5. What is the new integrated helpline number of the Indian Railways, launched recently?
[A] 138
[B] 139
[C] 1071
[D] 1072
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [139]
Notes:
The Indian Railways has recently launched an integrated helpline number ‘139’ for its passengers by merging several other existing helpline numbers. The only other number which can still be used is ‘182’, which is the helpline number for assistance related to theft and criminal issues. This new helpline 139 is based on Interactive Voice Response system (IVRS) and is made available in 12 languages. The number can be even dialled from basic phones.
6. What is the annual financial assistance given to eligible farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme?
[A] Rs. 10000
[B] Rs. 8000
[C] Rs. 6000
[D] Rs. 5000
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Rs. 6000]
Notes:
The 3rd installment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM- KISAN) scheme was released by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in Tumakuru, Karnataka. This latest installment is expected to benefit nearly six crore beneficiaries. The PM- KISAN scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on February 2019 to provide financial assistance of Rs.6000 per year to eligible farmers in three installments of Rs.2000 each. The payment of second installment began from April 2019.
7. Which country recorded the highest number of child births on the New Year’s Day?
[A] China
[B] India
[C] Pakistan
[D] Nigeria
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [India]
Notes:
As per the recent data of UNICEF, India recorded the highest number of child births on the New Year’s Day. Out of the 3, 92,078 babies born around the world on the day of New Year, 67,385 babies were born in India, which is the highest in the world. With 46,299 births, China is in the second place. UNICEF runs ‘ Every child alive’ campaign to ensure safe birth and pregnancy to every child and mother across the world.
8. Which Indian city is selected to host the Global Healthcare summit, 2021?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Hyderabad
[C] Vishakhapatnam
[D] Cochin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Vishakhapatnam]
Notes:
The 14th edition of the famous Global Healthcare summit is proposed to be held in Vishakhapatnam in January 2021. An association called the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin organises this three-day-event. The 13th summit was conducted in Hyderabad, in the month of July, 2019. The event is proposed to be jointly organised by the Andhra Pradesh state Government. More than 500 doctors and health care professionals are expected to participate in the summit.
9. Which Union Ministry recently set up a new division called the ‘New, emerging and strategic technologies (NEST) division’?
[A] Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
[B] Ministry of Communication
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Defence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ministry of External Affairs]
Notes:
The Ministry of External Affairs recently announced that it would set up a new division under its aegis called the New, emerging and strategic technologies (NEST) division’. The proposed NEST would act as the nodal division under the ministry for addressing the issues related to emerging technologies. It will help our country to closely work with foreign partners in the field of 5G and artificial intelligence. Recently all companies including the Chinese major Huawei were allowed to participate in 5G trials.
10. Daniele De Rossi, who announced his retirement recently, is a world-cup winning footballer of which country?
[A] Brazil
[B] Italy
[C] Germany
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Italy]
Notes:
The ace footballer of the Italy team, Daniele De Rossi recently announced his retirement from professional football. He was associated with the Roma football club and played Serie A league matches for nearly 18 years.
Daniele represented Italy in the 2004 Olympics and he was also a part of the FIFA world cup winning Italy team in 2006. The fourth highest capped player of Italy, retired from the national team in 2017. Recently, he was playing for Argentina’s Boca Juniors club.