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. Where was the event held to commemorate the 76th Anniversary of the First Flag Hoisting by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose?
[A] Kashmir
[B] Jammu
[C] Ladakh
[D] Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Andaman and Nicobar Islands]
Notes:
A function was held to commemorate the 76th Anniversary of the First Flag Hoisting of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Port Blair. Subhash Mela Committee Swarajdweep has organised bike rally. The cultural programmes were also conducted.
3. The Prime Minister is going to release the fourth installment of the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. What is the purpose of this scheme?
[A] Farm Loan Waiver
[B] Agricultural loan
[C] Pension for Farmers
[D] Income Support for Farmers
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Income Support for Farmers]
Notes:
The Prime Minister is going to launch the fourth instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, centrally sponsored scheme that provides an income support of Rs. 6,000 annually to all the farmer families in three equal installments.
4. 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.
5. The term SPARMVs, sometimes seen in news, is most closely related to which organization?
[A] ISRO
[B] DRDO
[C] Indian Railways
[D] Indian Army
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Indian Railways ]
Notes:
SPARMVs refer to Self Propelled Accident Relief Medical Vans which are vehicles to provide relief during Railway accidents and disasters. Indian Railways is gradually replacing locomotive hauled Accident Relief Medical Vans (ARMVs) with Self Propelled Accident Relief Medical Vans (SPARMVs) to improve response during disaster. Another kind of vehicles, which Railways proposes to include are high speed Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains (HS-SPARTs) with speed of 160 kmph. Railways will soon procure them.
6. Which state has recently declared 2020 as the year of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and has signed MoUs with tech firms for AI research?
[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Telengana
[C] Odisha
[D] Assam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Telengana]
Notes:
Recently, Telengana Government organised an event to declare the year 2020 as the year of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In the event, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with several technological firms and institutions for development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) research in the state. As per the partnerships, a Centre for Research in Applied Artificial Intelligence (CRiAA) and a Research & Development (R&D) park will be soon set up in Telengana.
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 Indian city hosts the All India Police Judo Cluster Championship 2019?
[A] Guwahati
[B] Cuttack
[C] New Delhi
[D] Goa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [New Delhi]
Notes:
The Central Reserve Police Force organised the 4th edition of the All India Police Judo Cluster Championship in New Delhi. The event will be held from January 4 to January 7, 2020. More than thousand sportspersons across the country are participating in the tournament. The event was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai. The previous edition of the championship was organized by the Odisha Police.
9. 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.
10. The UJALA scheme of the Central Government recently completed five years since its launch. What is the scheme associated with?
[A] LPG cylinder
[B] LED bulbs
[C] Bio Gas
[D] Clean water
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [LED bulbs]
Notes:
The domestic lighting scheme of Central Government, Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) and LED Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) completed five years since they were launched. Energy Efficiency Services Limited, a joint venture of the Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs) companies under the Power Ministry is the implementing agency of the schemes. Under the UJALA scheme, more than 36 Crore LED bulbs have been distributed.