11. Who is the Director General of Aeronautical Systems in DRDO and is also known as Missile Woman of India?
[A] Dr.Tessy Thomas
[B] Ritu Karidhal
[C] Muthiah Vanitha
[D] Anuradha T K
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Dr.Tessy Thomas]
Notes:
The renowned Indian scientist and Director General of Aeronautical Systems, DRDO, Dr.Tessy Thomas was the Chief Guest of the Women Science Congress, held at Bengaluru. It was a part of the ongoing 107th Indian Science Congress. Tessy Thomas was the first woman scientist to head a missile project in India, when she was the Project Director of India’s Agni-IV missile.
12. Which country received a line of credit (LOC) of $75 million from India, for installation of solar parks?
[A] Argentina
[B] Chile
[C] Cuba
[D] Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Cuba]
Notes:
India has extended a line of credit (LOC) of $75 million through its Exim Bank to Cuba for financing solar parks. An MoU was signed between the Export- Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) and the nominated agency of Cuban Government, Banco Exterior De Cuba last year. Based on the agreement, the Exim bank extends the finance, which is nearly Rs.500 Crores. With this credit, 75 MW Solar Parks are to be installed in Cuba in the next five years.
13. Which city is to host the third International Symposium on Marine ecosystems (MECOS-3)?
[A] Mumbai
[B] New Delhi
[C] Goa
[D] Cochin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Cochin]
Notes:
The third ‘International Symposium on Marine ecosystems- challenges and opportunities’ (MECOS-3) is to be held in Cochin from January 7 to 10, 2020. The summit will be organised by the Marine Biological Association of India at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Cochin. A veteran Marine Fisheries Researcher of Finland, Petri Suuronen will be the Chief Guest. The event will focus on United Nation’s SDG Goal of ‘Life Under water’ and sustainable utilisation of marine wealth.
14. Amazon recently partnered with which leading retail Group of India, to deepen its market presence?
[A] Future Group
[B] D-Mart
[C] Mahindra Retail
[D] Big Basket
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Future Group]
Notes:
E-Commerce Giant Amazon recently partnered with the leading retailer, Future Group. By this partnership the Future Group would be allowed to access the online platform of Amazon and Amazon India will be designated as the authorised online store of the Future Retail Ltd (FRL) stores.
This agreement would also deepen the market presence of Amazon in India, while increasing the reach of the Future Group’s products. Big Bazaar is a famous subsidiary of Future Group.
15. Scientists recently discovered dwarf galaxies with massive black holes using Very Large Array (VLA) observatory. Where is the observatory situated?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] U.S.A
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [U.S.A]
Notes:
According to the recent study published in ‘Astrophysical Journal’, Scientists have discovered thirteen huge black holes in some dwarf galaxies. The galaxies are found to be located several light years from the earth and in half of the galaxies, the black holes are not in the centre of the galaxies.
The high-resolution images of the galaxies with black holes were captured using the Very Large Array (VLA) observatory. It is a radio telescope observatory, which is situated in New Mexico, U.S.A. VLA was set up by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
16. Which article of the Indian Constitution confers the Right on minorities to establish and administer educational institutions?
[A] Article 22
[B] Article 25
[C] Article 27
[D] Article 30
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Article 30]
Notes:
Article 30 of the Indian Constitution confers the right on minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. This right is provided to all language and religious minorities.
The Article was recently in news because the Supreme Court of India held that the appointment of teachers in minority educational institutions can be regulated by the Government and it will not violate Article 30. As per the judgement, the institutions cannot have an absolute right on the appointment.
17. Akbar Padamsee, who passed away recently, belonged to which profession?
[A] Politician
[B] Artist
[C] Writer
[D] Sportsperson
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Artist]
Notes:
Veteran Indian artist and painter Akbar Padamsee passed away recently. Akbar is considered as the fore runner of Modern Painting. He was also a Padma Bhushan awardee and a fellow of Lalit Kala Akademi.
Akbar had worked in Paris with another renowned artist S.H.Raza in his art studio ‘Atelier 17’. He had conducted various art exhibitions of his art creations both in India and in other countries. Besides being a painter, he was also a sculptor, photographer and film maker. He settled in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu during the later years of his life.
18. The North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid is being implemented by a joint venture of five Indian Central Public Sector Undertakings. What is the name of this joint venture firm?
[A] North-East Gas Grid Corporation (NEGGC)
[B] Indian Gas Grid Company (IGGC)
[C] Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL)
[D] BharadGrid Limited (BL)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) ]
Notes:
North East Gas Grid project is being implemented by IGGL, a Joint Venture company of five CPSEs (GAIL, IOCL, ONGC, OIL and NRL). The total length of the pipeline is planned to be 1,656 km and will be built at estimated cost of Rs. 9,265 crore (Including interest during construction). It will cover eight states of the North-Eastern region i.e., Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, MeghMizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
19. January 9 is celebrated as Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas every year. In which year, Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa to India on this date?
[A] 1914
[B] 1915
[C] 1916
[D] 1917
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ 1915 ]
Notes:
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated every year to mark the contribution of overseas Indian community in India’s development. It commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India on 9 January 1915. The event is organized by Ministry of External Affairs every year on this day since 2003. 2020 marked 16th Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas.
20. Who has been recently chosen for “Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu National Award for Excellence”?
[A] K Sivan
[B] MS Swaminathan
[C] Azim H Premji
[D] Dutee Chand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [MS Swaminathan]
Notes:
The Father of Green Revolution Dr M S Swaminathan is chosen as the recipient of ‘Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu National Award for Excellence’. This award is instituted by the Muppavarapu Foundation based at Hyderabad. Eminent Agricultural Scientist and plant geneticist, M.S. Swaminathan is awarded for his contributions towards the field of agriculture.
This award was presented during the 10th Anniversary Celebrations of Muppavarapu Foundation in Hyderabad by the Vice President of India, Venkiah Naidu.