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 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.
3. 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.
4. The 27th edition of National Children’s Science Congress was recently organised in which Indian city?
[A] New Delhi
[B] Bengaluru
[C] Bhopal
[D] Thiruvananthapuram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Thiruvananthapuram]
Notes:
The 27th edition of National Children’s Science Congress was recently organised in the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. The Congress was inaugurated by the Vice President of India, Venkiah Naidu. More than 650 young student scientists from many states and union territories across the country and some students from the Middle East countries participated in the event and exhibited their projects and inventions.
5. 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.
6. The ancient festival of ‘Lai Haraoba’ is recently celebrated in which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Tripura
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tripura]
Notes:
The ancient ritualistic festival observed by the people of ‘Meiti’ community of Manipur is recently celebrated in the capital city of Tripura, Agartala. Department of Information and Cultural Affairs of the Tripura state Government jointly organised this festival along with the cultural committees of the state. The festival is celebrated for five days, hosting many cultural events that include folk dance, oral literature and music.
7. ArogyaSri Scheme, which is an initiative to provide free medical treatment to the poor, is the flagship scheme of which state?
[A] Telengana
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Kerala
[D] Tamil Nadu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Andhra Pradesh]
Notes:
ArogyaSri Scheme is the flagship scheme of Andhra Pradesh Government is an initiative to provide free medical treatment to the poor. Named as Dr. YSR ArogyaSri scheme, the scheme is available to people with annual income up to Rs. 5 Lakhs. The people will be given cards with QR codes and they can use it for availing treatment above Rs.1000. Under the scheme, several super-speciality hospitals are to be included in the network and various medicines are to be made available in the state government run hospitals.
8. In which city, the Human Space Flight Centre is proposed to be set up by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)?
[A] Bengaluru
[B] Vishakhapatnam
[C] Sriharikota
[D] Challakere
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Challakere]
Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has proposed to set up its Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in the Challakere town of Karnataka. It is located on the National Highway connecting Bengaluru and Pune. The 400-acre Training centre will entail a project cost of nearly 2700 Crores. Recently, four Indian astronauts selected for the Gaganyaan mission are sent to an Russian agency for space related training. This indigenous HSFC of ISRO will be have world class infrastructure and training facilities.
9. What is the name of the learning platform launched by NSE Academy of National Stock Exchange?
[A] NSE Learning Centre
[B] NSE Knowledge Hub
[C] NSE Learning Academy
[D] NSE Learning Portal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [NSE Knowledge Hub]
Notes:
The subsidiary of National Stock Exchange, NSE Academy recently launched a learning platform named ‘NSE Learning Hub’. This platform is powered by Artificial Intelligence and it is designed to help the Banking and Finance sector in improving the skills of the employees. Union Minister Piyush Goyal launched the platform along with the MD and CEO of National Stock Exchange, Vikram Limaye. The technical experts will use this platform to transfer their financial knowledge to others in the field.
10. Which Indian Grandmaster won the title in the Hastings International Chess Congress?
[A] Pendyala Harikrishna
[B] Sasikiran Krishnan
[C] P Magesh Chandran
[D] Abhijeet Gupta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [P Magesh Chandran]
Notes:
Indian Grandmaster, P Magesh Chandran who presently lives in the USA, won the prestigious title of the Hastings International Chess Congress. The tournament was held in Hastings, England.
He completed the game with 7.5 points and remained unbeaten in all rounds. The 36-year-old chess player became the Grand master in 2006. With 6 points each, other Indian players Deep Sengupta and Swayam Mishra were placed in the 13th and 14th ranks respectively.
