Which country is hosting the 2017 BRICS National Security Advisors (NSAs) meeting?
Hide Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Answer Explanation:
The BRICS NSAs meeting has started in Beijing, China on July 27,
2017, which will be attended by Ajit Doval, the National Security
Advisor (NSA) of India. The visit comes in the backdrop of ongoing
standoff between India and China in the Doklam region. Doval is expected
to hold separate talks with China’s State Councilor Yang Jiechi on the
standoff issue on the sidelines of the meeting. Mr Doval and Mr Yang are
Special Representatives of the India-China border mechanism. Besides
Doval and Yang, Minister of State Security David Mahlobo of South
Africa, Minister Sergio Etchegoyen of the Office of Institutional
Security of the Presidency of Brazil, Security Council Secretary Nikolai
Patrushev of the Russian Federation will also attend the NSAs meeting.
Which high court has made National song ‘Vande Mataram’ mandatory in Tamil Nadu schools?
Correct Answer: A [Madras High Court]
Answer Explanation:
The Madras High Court has ruled that the national song ‘Vande
Mataram’ be made compulsory in all educational institutions and
government or private organisations in Tamil Nadu. As per ruling, the
national song be played and sung in all schools, colleges and
universities at least once a week, preferably on Monday or Friday and in
government offices, private companies, factories and industries at
least once a month. The issue pertains to a case filed by K Veeramani
who lost the state recruitment board exam by a mark as he answered
Bengali for the question on the language of ‘Vande Mataram’ while the
answer key said that it was written in Sanskrit. Opposing his
submission, Veeramani approached the Madras High Court and sought
clarity on whether ‘Vande Mataram’ was written in Sanskrit or Bengali.
As per ruling, it is the duty of every citizen to abide by the ideals
ingrained in the Constitution and as such show respect to the National
Anthem and the National Flag.
Dharam Singh, who passed away recently, was the former Chief Minister of which state?
Correct Answer: B [Karnataka]
Answer Explanation:
N. Dharam Singh (80), the former Karnataka Chief Minister and veteran
Congress leader, has recently passed away in Bengaluru 80. He was the
17th Chief Minister of Karnataka and was continuously elected as MLA for
7 times from the Jevargi constituency. Mr Singh was elected to the Lok
Sabha from the Bidar constituency in 2009 general election.
Where is the headquarters of Dredging Corporation of India Limited?
Correct Answer: D [Visakhapatnam]
Answer Explanation:
The Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCI) is a Miniratna Indian
public sector unit engaged in the business of dredging. DCI is
headquartered at Visakhapatnam and it reports to the Ministry of
Shipping. Recently, it is in news because a proposal for disinvestment
of DCI is under consideration of the Government of India (GoI). The
proposal is aimed at upgrading technology, improving capability,
infusing capital to buy necessary dredgers and equipments and instilling
experienced professional management to optimize the operations of DCI.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Shipping and
Road Transport and Highways Pon. Radhakrishnan in a written reply to a
question in the Lok Sabha on July 27, 2017.
Which Indian organisation has designed and build the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam memorial?
Correct Answer: C [Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)]
Answer Explanation:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently inaugurated the Dr APJ
Abdul Kalam memorial at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu on July 27, 2017. The
event coincides with the second death anniversary of Dr Kalam. The
memorial has been designed and established by the Defence Research and
Development Organization (DRDO) and has been built at a cost of about 20
crore rupees. The memorial will reflect India’s diversity and various
cultures and will pay homage to Kalam’s life, displaying replicas of
rockets and missiles that the late ace scientist worked on. On this
occasion, Prime Minister Modi has flagged off the mobile science
exhibition bus “Kalam Sandesh Vahini” which shall travel across various
States of the country and reach Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on
October 15, which marks the birth anniversary of the former President.
Who has been sworn-in as the new Chief Minister of Bihar?
Correct Answer: B [Nitish Kumar]
Answer Explanation:
Nitish Kumar, the President of Janata Dal(United), has been sworn-in
as the new Chief Minister of Bihar for the sixth time and BJP leader
Sushil Kumar Modi was sworn-in as the Deputy Chief Minister. Governor
Keshari Nath Tripathi administered him the oath of office and secrecy at
Raj Bhavan in Patna on July 27, 2017. Earlier, on July 26, 2017, Nitish
Kumar had resigned as the Chief Minister citing irreconcilable
differences with RJD on corruption charges against Lalu Prasad’s son and
former Deputy CM Tejaswi Prasad Yadav. Then, the JDU President joined
hands with the BJP to form a new government in the state.
Who has led Indian delegation at the 2017 BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meet?
Correct Answer: B [Bandaru Dattatreya]
Answer Explanation:
Indian delegation led by Bandaru Dattatreya, the Minister of State
(Independent Charge) for Labour & Employment, participated in the
BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meet, held on July 26-27, 2017
at Chonqging, China. China is the chair for the BRICS Labour &
Employment Ministers’ Meet for the year 2017. The meeting concluded with
the adoption of the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial Declaration
by the BRICS Labour and Employment Ministers. The declaration covered a
variety of areas that are of critical importance to all BRICS countries
including India and called upon strengthening collaboration and
cooperation on these through appropriate institutionalisation . These
areas consisted of : “Governance in the Future of Work”, “Skills for
development in BRICS”, “Universal and sustainable social security
systems”, “BRICS Network of Labour Research Institutions”, “BRICS Social
Security Cooperation Framework” and “BRICS entrepreneurship research”.
The GST council has formed which committee to select members of National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAPA) under GST?
Correct Answer: A [Pradeep Kumar Sinha]
Answer Explanation:
The Goods and Service Tax (GST) Council has formed a selection
committee under the chairmanship of cabinet secretary Pradeep Kumar
Sinha to identify and recommend eligible persons for appointment as the
chairman and members of the National Anti-profiteering Authority under
GST. The standing committee is empowered to refer cases requiring
detailed enquiry to the Director General of Safeguards, Central Board of
Excise and Customs (CBEC) for consideration of the NAPA. The National
Anti-profiteering Authority (NAPA) is tasked with ensuring the full
benefits of a reduction in tax on the supply of goods or services flow
to the consumers. As per provisions of law, the Authority will be headed
by a senior officer of the level of a secretary to the Government of
India and shall have four technical members from the Centre and/or the
states. The NAPA will have the power to cancel registration of any
entity or business if it fails to pass on to consumers the benefit of
lower taxes under the GST regime.
Who has been honoured with the Life Time Excellence Award at the 2017 National Earth System Sciences (NESS) awards?
Correct Answer: C [K. Gopalan]
Answer Explanation:
Professor K. Gopalan has been honoured with the Life Time Excellence
Award at the 2017 National Earth System Sciences (NESS) awards for his
significant contribution in the field of isotope geo-science. The awards
are presented on the Foundation Day of Ministry of Earth Sciences
(MoES) i.e. July 27, 2017. The National Awards for Ocean Science &
technology, Atmospheric Science & technology and Geoscience &
technology has been presented to Prof. P. N. Vinayachandran, Dr. K.
Krishnamoorthy and Professsor K. S. Krishna respectively. The Young
Researcher Awards have been bestowed to Dr. Dhanya C. T. and Dr. Vikram
Vishal for their outstanding work in Earth Science & Technology. The
Life Time Excellence Award carry an award money of Rs.5,00,000/-;
National Awards carry an award money of Rs.1,00,000/- each and Young
Researcher Award carry an award of Rs.50,000/- each.
The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state?
Correct Answer: D [Karnataka]
Answer Explanation:
The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) is a protected area and a Project
Tiger, tiger reserve located 38 km northwest of Chikkamagaluru town in
Karnataka. It has a wide range of flora and fauna and is a popular place
for day outings. The 1,875 m above MSL Hebbe Giri is the highest peak
in the sanctuary. It is home to tiger, elephant, gaur, sloth bear, wild
boar, black leopard, jungle cat, jackal, wild dog, sambar, spotted deer,
barking deer, mouse deer, etc.
