11. Which city is to host the ‘Central Indian Ocean Leadership Workshop’?
[A] Cochin
[B] Goa
[C] Chennai
[D] Vishakhapatnam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chennai]
Notes:
The ‘Central Indian Ocean Leadership Workshop’ is to be organised in the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai. The workshop is organised with the assistance of the United Nations. Several scientists across the world are going to participate in the workshop, which will focus on coastal vulnerabilities.
National Institute of Ocean Technology is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It was established in the year 1993 with its headquarters at Chennai.
12. A devastating earthquake hit Puerto Rico recently. Which is the capital city of Puerto-Rico?
[A] Santo Domingo
[B] San Juan
[C] Kingston
[D] Havana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [San Juan]
Notes:
The Government of Puerto Rico recently declared a state of emergency, after it was hit by a deadly earthquake. The 6.4 magnitude quake was the strongest and the most devastating earthquake, the country has ever had for hundred years.
Puerto Rico is a group of islands located in the Caribbean Sea. It is one of the unincorporated territories of the United States. The capital city and the largest city of the country is San Juan.
13. What will the GDP growth rate of India for FY20, as estimated by the State Bank of India’s economic research department?
[A] 5.6%
[B] 5.4%
[C] 4.8%
[D] 4.6%
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [4.6%]
Notes:
The State Bank of India’s economic research department has lowered its projection for the GDP growth rate of India for FY 20 to 4.6%. Earlier it has projected the GDP rate to be 5%.
The research department also estimated that the GDP of India would be below 6% for two successive years. The CSO also recently estimated the GDP growth of FY20 to be 5%, in lines with the Reserve Bank of India. But the RBI projected 5.9 – 6.3% growth rate for the next fiscal.
14. Which state is set to conduct a dedicated state-level Adalat for LGBT community?
[A] Telengana
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Kerala
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Kerala]
Notes:
For the first time in the state, the Kerala State Youth Commission has announced that it would conduct a state-level Adalat for LGBT community. The programme would be held at the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram.
The main objective of the Adalat is to encourage the transgender community to come out with their grievances and to make arrangements for redressal of the issues. The Government of Kerala had introduced a Transgender policy in 2015 and it has a dedicated ‘Transgender Cell’ working under the state’s Social Justice Department.
15. Manmad and Bhusawal railway stations, where AI based Facial Recognition technology was recently installed, belong to which state?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Karnataka
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The Indian Railways has installed Artificial Intelligence based Facial Recognition Technology in Manmad and Bhusawal stations of Maharashtra and Bengaluru station of Karnataka. The PSU under the Railway Ministry, RailTel carries out the project to provide Video Surveillance System with facial recognition and video analytics.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) will subsequently link the output of this facial recognition system with their existing criminal database, so that identification of criminals at the Railway station would be made easier.
16. The highest railway bridge in the world is to be constructed in which state/ UT?
[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Sikkim
[D] Jammu and Kashmir
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Jammu and Kashmir]
Notes:
As a part of the major Udhampur- Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project, which would connect the Kashmir valley with the Indian Railway network, a new railway bridge is to be constructed connecting Bakkal and Kauri. This bridge in the newly formed Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be the world’s highest railway bridge. The project is expected to be completed by December 2021.
The proposed bridge will be 1.315 km long and will be built 359 m above the river bed. Presently, the highest railway bridge in the world is the Beipan river Shuibai railway bridge of China.
17. Which State has recently adopted a new Logo for its Legislative Assembly, which consists of Foxtail Orchid?
[A] Assam
[B] Himachal Pradesh
[C] Arunachal Pradesh
[D] Mizoram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Arunachal Pradesh]
Notes:
Arunachal Pradesh has adopted a new logo for its Legislative Assembly (APLA) recently. The new logo reflects the distinct identity and culture of the state. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly PD Sona had circulated pictures of the new logo among the members of the house.
The new logo consists of the national emblem and the state flower of Arunachal Pradesh, foxtail orchid. The existing logo has been amended to create the blue colour-based logo.
18. Which digital payment company has launched unified QR code for merchants for unlimited payments?
[A] PhonePe
[B] Paytm
[C] Amazon Pay
[D] Google Pay
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Paytm]
Notes:
India’s leading digital payment company, Paytm has recently launched an all-in-one QR code for merchants. Using the QR code the businessmen can accept unlimited payments through Paytm Wallet, Rupay Cards and all UPI-based payment directly into their bank account.
The transactions are processed at zero percent fee using the code. The company also launched ‘Paytm Business Khata’ service. This will help the merchants to maintain ledgers of all transactions of their customers in the digital form.
19. An international Film Festival with the theme of ‘Better Film, Better Audience and Better Society’, was recently inaugurated in which city?
[A] Tokyo
[B] Dubai
[C] Dhaka
[D] Colombo
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dhaka]
Notes:
The 18th edition of the famous Dhaka International Film Festival was recently inaugurated at Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. The festival will be organised from January 11 to 19, 2020 with the theme of ‘Better Film, Better Audience and Better Society’.
During the eight-day-long festival, which is to be held at various venues in Dhaka, more than 200 films from 74 countries are to be screened. A conference on the theme of ‘Women in cinema’ will also be conducted during the film festival.
20. Which Indian cricketer won the best male International cricketer award of BCCI, named Polly Umrigar award?
[A] Virat Kohli
[B] Mahendra Singh Dhoni
[C] Jasprit Bumrah
[D] Cheteshwar Pujara
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Jasprit Bumrah]
Notes:
During the recent Annual BCCI awards Ceremony, Indian ace cricketer Jasprit Bumrah was selected as the best male International cricketer and he was presented with the renowned ‘Polly Umrigar’ award. He also bagged the Dilip Sardesai award for highest wicket taker. In the 2018-19 season, Bumrah clinched 34 wickets in 6 matches.
Another Indian cricketer, Cheteshwar Pujara was presented with the Dilip Sardesai award for highest run getter while the awards for the best international debut were given to Mayank Agarwal and Shafali Verma in men’s and women’s category respectively.