11. ‘Antarrashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman’, the first-of-its-kind award to media houses, is presented by which Union Ministry?
[A] Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
[B] Ministry of Culture
[C] Ministry of AYUSH
[D] Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]
Notes:
The ‘Antarrashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman’ award was instituted in June 2019, to recognise the contribution of media in spreading Yoga. The first edition of the award is to be conferred to 30 media houses, by the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar. The awards will be presented in three categories, namely ‘Best Media Coverage of Yoga in Newspapers’, ‘Best Media Coverage of Yoga in Television’ and ‘Best Media Coverage of Yoga in Radio’.
12. The second phase of Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0 began recently. What is the scheme associated with?
[A] Merger of Banks
[B] Universal Vaccination
[C] Defence Procurement
[D] Space Mission
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Universal Vaccination ]
Notes:
Mission Indradhanush is a Universal Vaccination Programme launched by the Ministry of Health and Family welfare in 2014. The Intensified Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0 is carried out from December 2019 to March 2020.
Under the Indradhanush scheme, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children and pregnant women are vaccinated. The target fixed for the scheme is 2020. Recently the Ministry launched IMI 2.0 portal to record the target and real time data of the campaign.
13. Which is the first Urban Cooperative Bank (UCB), that is approved to convert into a Small Finance Bank?
[A] Bharat Cooperative Bank
[B] Shivalik Mercantile Cooperative Bank
[C] Punjab And Maharashtra Cooperative Bank
[D] Bombay Mercantile Cooperative Bank
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Shivalik Mercantile Cooperative Bank]
Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India has recently granted ‘in-principle’ approval to Shivalik Mercantile Cooperative Bank, to convert into a Small Finance Bank (SFB). It is the first Urban Cooperative Bank (UCB) to be granted such permission after the announcement of RBI in September 2018, about voluntary conversion of UCBs into Small Finance Banks.
The bank should comply with the requirements of an SFB such as minimum net worth and Capital to risk ratio, as stipulated by the RBI within 18 months of the in-principle approval.
14. Which state Government is to organise the tribal cultural festival called ‘Zo Kutpui’?
[A] Assam
[B] Sikkim
[C] Meghalaya
[D] Mizoram
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mizoram]
Notes:
The state government of Mizoram is to organise the cultural festival ‘Zo Kutpui’ in many states of India as well as in some countries including the USA, Bangladesh and Myanmar. The first edition of the festival will begin in Tripura and will be celebrated in other states, that are home to the people of Mizo tribe.
The festival will witness several cultural programmes and traditional events of the Mizo tribe thereby increasing their unity and fraternity. Chief Minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga is to inaugurate the first edition of the festival.
15. Which is the first state to integrate its land records with the web portal of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)?
[A] Odisha
[B] Maharashtra
[C] Gujarat
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Maharashtra]
Notes:
The Department of Agriculture of the state of Maharashtra has seamlessly integrated the state’s land records with the web portal of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). It is the first state in the country to perform such linkage.
After the records are linked online, the farmers are required to provide only their Aadhar number, details of bank and the land records, during the process of insuring crops. The process which is implemented during the current rabi season, is expected to improve efficiency and transparency of the system.
16. The Court of which country ordered the government to impose a ban on single use plastic?
[A] Thailand
[B] Vietnam
[C] Nepal
[D] Bangladesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bangladesh]
Notes:
The Bangladesh High Court recently ordered the Government to impose a ban on single use plastic in the country’s coastal areas and hotels.
Polythene has been banned in the country since 2002, but the usage of polythene could not be controlled in the country. Hence the court ordered to enforce the ban in a strict manner across the nation within one year from the order.
17. Election Commission recently declared February 8, 2020 as date of assembly elections in Delhi. What is the total number of seats in Delhi Legislative Assembly?
[A] 65
[B] 67
[C] 70
[D] 72
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ 70 ]
Notes:
About 1.46 crore voters (80.55 lakh males + 66.35 lakh females) will have a chance to vote in the Delhi assembly elections on February 8. The results will be declared on February 11. Delhi Legislative Assembly has 70 seats of which 67 seats were won by AAP in last elections.
18. Which state Government recently sanctioned Rs. 234 crores for the proposed Ashfaqullah Khan Zoological Garden?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Odisha
[D] Bihar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet chaired by its Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently approved to build a new zoological garden in Gorakhpur. The zoo is to be named after the famous freedom fighter Shaheed Ashfaqullah Khan, who was sentenced after the Kakori conspiracy, 1925.
The proposed 121-acre zoo is expected to improve the tourism sector of the state and provide employment opportunities. The Government also sanctioned Rs. 234 crores for the construction of the zoo.
19. Which of these festivals of other parts of India does not coincide with Makar Sankranti celebrated in North India in January?
[A] Pedda Padanga
[B] Magh Bihu
[C] Thai Pongal
[D] Vishu
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Vishu]
Notes:
Lohri is a festival celebrated in North India, especially in Punjab ahead of the Makar Sankranti Festival. The festival marks the completion of Winter and the arrival of sunny weather in the region. It is also regarded that the festival commemorates the passing winter solstice.
According to the traditional calendar, this year the festival Lohri falls on January 13. People of North India celebrate the festival by lighting bonfires, with their friends and relatives. It is mainly celebrated in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.
This festival is celebrated as Makara Sankranti (Pedda Pandaga) in Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal (also called Poush sôngkrānti), Karnataka and Telangana, Sukarat in central India, Magh Bihu by Assamese, and Thai Pongal by Tamils. Vishu concides with Vaishakhi.
20. In which city, the Union Home Minister launched India’s first Cyber Crime Prevention Unit called ‘Cyber AASHVAST’?
[A] Lucknow
[B] Jaipur
[C] Gandhinagar
[D] Ahmedabad
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Gandhinagar]
Notes:
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently launched a cyber-crime prevention initiative of the Gujarat Police, called ‘Cyber AASHVAST’ in Gandhinagar. The project was created as a help line for the victims affected by cyber-crimes.
During the launch event, the Minister also launched an e-governance initiative called ‘VISHWAS’ which is an acronym for Video Integration and State Wide Advanced Security. It helps in improving Law and Order and helps in Crime detection and investigation through video analytics.