1. Which city hosted the 27th Technological Conference of IJIRA on Shaping the Future of Jute?
[A] Jaipur
[B] Kolkata
[C] New Delhi
[D] Patna
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kolkata]
Notes:
The 27th Technological Conference of Indian Jute Industries’ Research Association (IJIRA) on Shaping the Future of Jute was held in Kolkata, West Bengal. The function was focused on the promotion of geotextiles in the northeast region. Geotextiles are absorbent fabrics which, when used in association with soil, have the ability to separate, filter, reinforce, protect or drain.
2. India will provide how much amount of financial assistance to Jordan in the form of vaccines and medicines for 2018?
[A] $5 million
[B] $2 million
[C] $4 million
[D] $6 million
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [$5 million]
Notes:
India will provide $5 million dollar assistance to Jordan in the form of vaccines and medicines in 2018. Apart from this, India and Jordan have inked 12 agreements in areas including Defence, Health and Cultural Exchange Programme. The other MoUs include cooperation between Prasar Bharati and Jordan TV Cooperation and Indian Institute of Mass Communication and Jordan Media Institute (JMI). The MoU between Prasar Bharti and Jordan TV provides for cooperation in the fields of exchange and co-production of programs, training of personnel and further coordination. The pacts were inked after delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and King of Jordan Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein in New Delhi. The King Abdullah II arrived in New Delhi on February 27 on a three-day visit to India.
3. India has successfully test-fired Anti Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) Nag in desert conditions. The Nag missile has been developed by which Indian organisation?
[A] DRDO
[B] BARC
[C] ISRO
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [DRDO]
Notes:
India has successfully test-fired Anti Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) Nag in desert conditions against two tank targets at different ranges and timings on Feb 28, 2018. With this, the developmental trials of the missile have been completed and it is now ready for induction. The third-generation ‘fire-and-forget’ anti-tank missile ‘Nag’ has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). It has a operational range of 500m to 4km (Land version) & 7-10km (Air-launched).
4. The All India Radio and National Book Trust (NBT) has signed a MoU to preserve and promote cultural heritage. Where is the headquarters of NBT located?
[A] Delhi
[B] Pune
[C] Kolkata
[D] Bhopal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Delhi]
Notes:
The All India Radio (AIR) and National Book Trust (NBT) has recently signed a MoU to preserve and promote cultural heritage and folk songs sung on various occasion across the country. Several traditional and folk songs have been recorded under the Akashvani Lok Sampada Sanrakhshan Mahapariyojana. The MoU was inked in presence of Director General of AIR, F. Shehreyar and NBT Chairman, Baldeo Bhai Sharma in New Delhi. Through NBT, All India Radio will provide information to people about the rich heritage of folk songs preserved by it. The NBT will publish the Sanskar and folk songs. The NBT is an Indian publishing house functions under aegis of Ministry of Human Resource The headquarters of NBT is located in Vasant Kunj, Delhi.
5. Justice S. Ratnavel Pandian, the former Supreme Court judge has passed away. He headed which Central Pay Commission?
[A] 5th
[B] 6th
[C] 3rd
[D] 4th
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [5th]
Notes:
Justice S. Ratnavel Pandian (89), the former Supreme Court judge, has passed away at Chennai, Tamil Nadu on February 28, 2018. He was a multi-faceted personality who tried his hands in politics before entering the legal profession. In the apex court, he was part of a Bench that decided the famous Indra Sawhney case, in which the constitutionality of reservations to Backward Classes was upheld in 1992. After his retirement in 1994, Justice Pandian headed the 5th Central Pay Commission and submitted its final report in April 1997. He took over as chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes on August 14, 2006 and was given the status of Union Cabinet Minister for the duration of the term of his office, which lasted till 2009.
6. The world’s largest solar park has launched in which state?
[A] Odisha
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Karnataka]
Notes:
The Karnataka government has launched the world’s largest solar park ‘Shakti Sthalaon’ at Pavagada in Tumakuru district, about 180km from Bengaluru. The solar park has a capacity of 2,000 MW and has set up at an investment of Rs16,500 crore. The first phase of the park will generate 600MW, while the balance 1,400MW is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2018. The park will create employment and act as an incentive for natives and farmers to explore new opportunities of socio-economic growth in the region.
7. Which Bollywood personality has won the lifetime achievement award at the 2018 ‘Political and Public Life Awards’ in UK?
[A] Amitabh Bachchan
[B] Boman Irani
[C] Jackie Shroff
[D] Shatrughan Sinha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Shatrughan Sinha]
Notes:
Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the fields of arts and politics at a ceremony in the UK’s Parliament complex on March 2, 2018. The annual ‘Political and Public Life Awards’ presented by Britain’s Asian Voice weekly newspaper, recognises individuals who have made a significant impact on public life or made a difference in their local communities. Sinha, who started his career as an actor in late 1960s, has to his credit over 225 Hindi feature films besides several in other Indian languages. A member of the ruling BJP, he represents Bihar state’s Patna Sahib constituency in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament.
8. Which Indian woman wrestler has clinched India’s first gold at the 2018 Senior Asian Wrestling Championships?
[A] Navjot Kaur
[B] Vinesh Phogat
[C] Sakshi Malik
[D] Sangeeta Phogat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Navjot Kaur]
Notes:
Navjot Kaur has scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a Gold medal at the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships. She clinched the coveted yellow metal in the 65 kg freestyle category at the tournament held at Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan on March 2, 2018. Navjot defeated Japan’s Miya Imai, 9-1 in a one-sided final bout yesterday to give India’s its first Gold of the ongoing Championships. Rio Olympics Bronze medallist Sakshi Malik won a bronze in the 62 kg division after getting the better of Kazakhstan’s Ayaulym Kassymova, 10-7.The two medals took India’s medals tally to six – 1 Gold, 1 Silver and 4 Bronze.
9. Which state government has signed a MoU with e-Governance Foundation (e-Gov) of Nandan Nilekani to provide citizen centric services??
[A] Punjab
[B] Andhra Pradesh
[C] Himachal Pradesh
[D] Haryana
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Punjab ]
Notes:
The Punjab Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with e-Governance Foundation (e-Gov) of Nandan Nilekani regarding the managing of electronic governance of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) throughout Punjab. With this, a total of 67 services would be provided online within a span of one year under 12 modules — that are property tax, water and sewerage management, complaints and grievance, licensing, fire service, verification, birth and death, ULB web portal, mobile application, state and ULB dashboards, payroll and financial accounting.
10. The 2018 Shigmotsav festival has started in which state?
[A] Assam
[B] Goa
[C] Maharashtra
[D] West Bengal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Goa]
Notes:
The Shigmotsav is the biggest festival for the Hindus in Goa, which is celebrated in the month of Phalguna (March) from the 9th moon day to full moon day as per the Hindu calendar. The 5th day is called ‘Rang Panchami’. This day of rejoicing is celebrated with the abundant use of ‘Gulal’ or red powder. This year, in 2018, the 2-week long festival has started from March 3. The Shigmotsav or Shigmo is one of the several cultural festivals of the coastal state and is celebrated through colours, costumes, music, dance and parades. The Shigmo parades will give one and all a chance to take a glimpse at the life of a Goan which is depicted in elaborate folk performances by local men and women who dance tirelessly in huge processions along with the parade. Folk dances like Ghode Modni and Fugdi will be performed on the streets in massive troupes along the procession, showcasing the traditions of Goa.