1. Which state is going to conduct its maiden snow leopard survey?
[A] Uttrakhand
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Haryana
[D] Punjab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttrakhand]
Notes:
Uttarakhand is preparing for its maiden snow leopards survey after the winter is over. Experts estimate that there are over 80 snow leopards in Uttarakhand. However, a census of this cat has not yet been conducted.
2. What are ‘the camel’, ‘the mongoose’, ‘kaboom’ and ‘aluminum’ that have been in news recently?
[A] Cricket bats
[B] Military codes
[C] Squadrons
[D] Chess moves
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Cricket bats]
Notes:
These terms were mentioned in the news recently to indicate the different the cricket bats used. “The Camel” bat was recently used by Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan. Mangoose, Kaboom and Aluminium are some of the other names used to describe different cricket bats.
3. 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.
4. Who was recently re-appointed as the Deputy Election Commissioner of India for the term of one year?
[A] Umesh Sinha
[B] Navin Chawla
[C] Sunil Arora
[D] N.Gopalaswami
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Umesh Sinha]
Notes:
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet recently approved the re-appointment of Umesh Sinha as the Deputy Election Commissioner of India on a contract basis. The appointment is made for one year from January 1, 2020 up to December 31, 2020. Umesh Sinha was a 1986 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer, who was about to attain his age of superannuation. He has earlier served as the Chief Election Commissioner of Uttar Pradesh.
5. 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.
6. What is the theme of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2020, to be held from January 4 to 12, 2020?
[A] Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer
[B] Gandhi: The Nation’s Honour
[C] Remembering Mahatma
[D] Celebrating Mahatma
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer]
Notes:
The 28th edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2020 is to be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from January 4 to 12, 2020. To commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the theme of the fair is chosen as, ‘Gandhi: The Writers’ Writer’. Union Human Resources Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal will inaugurate the annual fair, which is organised by the National Book Trust (NBT). The Chief Guest of the inaugural event is Gandhian scholar Girishwar Mishra.
7. Ratna Ojha, who recently passed away was a theatre artist and activist of which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Meghalaya
[C] Assam
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Assam]
Notes:
Veteran Theatre artist and Social Activist of Assam, Ratna Ojha passed away at Guwahati. He played an instrumental role in reviving the theatre play movement of the state. He had also actively participated and addressed demonstrations in several social issues of the country including those against Citizenship amendment act. For his great contribution towards the theatre art, he was honoured with the ‘Natasurya Award’ by the Assam Government.
8. A one-horned rhinoceros calf was recently born at the Manas National Park. The National park is situated in which state?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Assam
[C] Sikkim
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Assam]
Notes:
The Manas National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a biosphere reserve is situated in Assam. Recently a one-horned rhinoceros of the national park named R3A gave birth to its calf. The R3A was also born in the same park to the elder rhino ‘Laisri’ in 2013.
The One-horned rhinoceros or the Indian rhinoceros is an endangered species and is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red list of threatened species. At present, the national park is home to 42 rhinos.
9. Which Indian city is host to the 1st edition of ‘Khelo India University Games 2020’?
[A] Guwahati
[B] New Delhi
[C] Bhubaneswar
[D] Kolkata
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bhubaneswar]
Notes:
The Union Sports Minister recently released the schedule of the 1st edition of ‘Khelo India University Games 2020’. The event is to be conducted in Bhubaneswar from February 21 to March 1, 2020.
Students from various universities across the country will take part in the event in 17 different sports. The logo and the jersey of the players were also released by the Sports Minister along the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik.
10. Which Indian cricketer is selected for the ‘C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award’ of BCCI?
[A] Kapil Dev
[B] K Srikkanth
[C] Sunil Gavaskar
[D] Dilip Vengsarkar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [K Srikkanth]
Notes:
Former Indian Cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth is selected for the prestigious ‘C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award’, presented by the National Cricket Board of India, BCCI. The famous cricketer from Tamil Nadu represented India from 1981 to 1992.
The other cricketer who is also to be presented with the award is Anjum Chopra, former Captain of Indian women’s cricket team. The awards will be presented at the BCCI Annual awards function, to be held in Mumbai, on January 12, 2020.