GK & Current Affairs Quiz: November 16, 2017

Which country has recently declared Yoga as sports activity?

[A] Saudi Arabia
[B] Iran
[C] Israel
[D] Turkmenistan

Correct Answer: A [Saudi Arabia]

Answer Explanation: The Saudi Arabian government has officially declared Yoga as a ‘Sports Activity’. With this, Yoga is now an official sport practiced under Saudi Ministry of trade and industry. This means that anyone in Saudi Arabia who wants to practice can do so just by getting a license and the person shall not be disapproved or face any consequences for the same. Nouf Al Marwaai is the first Saudi woman teaching yoga and has been recognized as the driving force behind the development of yoga in Saudi Arabia.

Which is the India’s longest expressway that will soon provide free Wi-Fi services along its length?

[A] Chennai Bypass
[B] Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway
[C] Agra to Lucknow Expressway
[D] Yamuna Expressway

Correct Answer: C [Agra to Lucknow Expressway]

Answer Explanation: India’s longest expressway from Agra to Lucknow will soon provide free Wi-Fi services on the entire 302-kilometre stretch. As per officials, the UP government has offered to provide space to lay an optical fiber cable (OFC) along the expressway. The plan is to earn revenue to maintain the expressway and gain from the agreement with the private firm by leasing rights to lay the OFCs to offer free WiFi along the entire stretch. this will also help the state to have a world-class advanced traffic management system (ATMS) for convenience and safety. Safety will be assured by the usage of traffic monitoring and event detection along with speed enforcement through a network of CCTV cameras and phone helplines at every two kilometers.

Who has been appointed as the president of the 36th International Geological Congress (IGC – 2020)?

[A] Vishwapati Trivedi
[B] Vijay Prasad Dimri
[C] M L Khan
[D] Krishna S Chaturvedi

Correct Answer: B [Vijay Prasad Dimri]

Answer Explanation: Scientist Dr Vijay Prasad Dimri has been appointed as the president of the 36th International Geological Congress (IGC), a global platform for the advancement of earth science, to be held in New Delhi from March 2 -8, 2020. He succeeded Shailesh Nayak. India is hosting the IGC in 2020 after a period of 56 years. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is the nodal agency for organizing this conference with active support of Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the support of science academies of Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Kunwar Narayan, who passed away recently, was associated with which field?

[A] Politics
[B] Journalism
[C] Sports
[D] Poetry

Correct Answer: D [Poetry]

Answer Explanation: Kunwar Narayan (90), the renowned poet in Indian literature, has passed away in New Delhi on November 15, 2017. He was honoured with many awards such as Sahitya Akademi Award in Hindi (1995), Jnanpith Award (2005) and Padma Bhushan (2009).

Which Indian personality has been appointed as advisory board member of the Financial Stability Institute (FSI) of the BIS?

[A] Raghuram Rajan
[B] Kaushik Basu
[C] Amartya Sen
[D] Urjit Patel

Correct Answer: D [Urjit Patel]

Answer Explanation: RBI Governor Urjit Patel has been appointed as advisory board member of the Financial Stability Institute (FSI) of the Bank of International Settlement (BIS). The FSI assists financial sector authorities worldwide in strengthening their financial systems. The FSI was jointly created in 1998 by the BIS and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. Among other mandates, the FSI seeks to promote cross-sectoral and cross-border supervisory contacts and cooperation. The BIS is an international financial organisation owned by 60 member central banks across the world.

Who will be honoured with the Personality of the Year Award at the IFFI 2017?

[A] Priyanka Chopra
[B] Amitabh Bachchan
[C] Rajinikanth
[D] Shahrukh Khan

Correct Answer: B [Amitabh Bachchan]

Answer Explanation: Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan will be honoured with personality of the year award at the 2017 International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The award will be given during IFFI which will be held from November 20-November 28. Mr. Bachchan has starred in over 190 Indian films in a career spanning almost five decades. He has won four national awards for best actor and 15 Filmfare Awards. IFFI founded in 1952, is considered to be one of the most prestigious film festivals in Asia.

The 2017 National Press Day (NPD) is celebrated on which date in India?

[A] November 15
[B] November 17
[C] November 16
[D] November 14

Correct Answer: C [November 16]

Answer Explanation: The National Press Day (NPD) is celebrated every year on November 16 as a symbolic of a free and responsible press in India. This was the day on which the Press Council of India (PCI) started functioning as a moral watchdog to ensure that not only did the press maintain the high standards expected from this powerful medium but also that it was not fettered by the influence or threats of any extraneous factors.

Which Indian city to host the 5th edition of Global Conference on Cyberspace (GCCS-2017)?

[A] Pune
[B] Chennai
[C] Kochi
[D] New Delhi

Correct Answer: D [New Delhi]

Answer Explanation: The 5th edition of Global Conference on Cyberspace (GCCS-2017) will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on November 23. The main objective of the 2-day conference is to have mutual understanding of latest practices in cyberspace, more coordination and security measures. Over 2000 delegates & representatives from over 100 countries will participate in this conference. The theme of the conference will be “Cyber for all: An Inclusive, Sustainable, Developmental, Safe and Secure Cyberspace”. It is first time that India is hosting such conference. The GCCS is a prestigious international conference that aims at encouraging dialogue among stakeholders of cyberspace.

Who has been chosen by the Andhra Pradesh Govt for the 2016 NTR National Film Award?

[A] S.S. Rajamouli
[B] Rajinikanth
[C] Kamal Haasan
[D] K. Raghavendra Rao

Correct Answer: B [Rajinikanth]

Answer Explanation: Superstars Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth have been chosen by the Andhra Pradesh government for the prestigious NTR National Film Award for the years 2014 and 2016 respectively. Ace director K. Raghavendra Rao will receive the same award for 2015. The award was instituted in the memory of Telugu film legend and former Chief Minister Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao. The award comprises a cash component of Rs 5 lakh and a memento. Beside this, “Baahubali” director S.S. Rajamouli has been chosen for the B.N. Reddy National Film Award for the year 2014 while prominent Telugu film directors, Trivikram Srinivas and Boyapati Srinivas will get the award for 2015 and 2016. Megastar and Rajya Sabha member K. Chiranjeevi and former Union Minister U. Krishnam Raju will be bestowed with the Raghupati Venkaiah Award. The ceremony is expected to take place in January 2018 in Vijayawada, along with the Nandi Awards for best Telugu films.

The Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary (GWS) is located in which state?

[A] Gujarat
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Madhya Pradesh

Correct Answer: C [Rajasthan]

Answer Explanation: The Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary (GWS) is located at a distance of about 32.0 km from Bikaner in Rajasthan. There is a lake in this sanctuary and a variety of animals come here to quench their thirst in summer. It is a lush green forest which is a haven to the nilgai, chinkara, black buck, wild boar, flocks of imperial sand grouse and many other species of migratory birds that make the sprawling forest their winter home. This is one of the proposed forests for the reintroduction of cheetahs in India.

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GK & Current Affairs Quiz: November 15, 2017

Who has become the first Indian golfer to qualify for LPGA Tour Championships?

[A] Anirban Lahiri
[B] Jeev Milkha Singh
[C] Aditi Ashok
[D] Jyoti Randhawa

Correct Answer: C [Aditi Ashok]

Answer Explanation: Aditi Ashok has become the first Indian golfer to qualify for the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship-2017 on the LPGA Tour and will head to Florida to take part in the prestigious event. Apart from Aditi, Nicole Broch Larsen, Peiyun Chien, Nelly Korda , Olafia Kristensdottir, Sung Hyun Park, Madelene Sagstrom and Angel Yin are the other rookies in the field. It will be an extremely competitive field, with each of the Top 10 players taking part and 18 out of the top 20 in the world rankings participating. The $250,000 competition starts on November 16 and will played over four rounds, ending on November 19.

Which country has launched the world’s first fully electric cargo ship?

[A] China
[B] South Korea
[C] Malaysia
[D] Singapore

Correct Answer: A [China]

Answer Explanation: China has launched the world’s first all-electric ship in Guangzhou in South China’s Guangdong Province, which can travel up to 80km with 2000-tonnes cargo after a two-hour charge. The vessel, manufactured by the Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Ltd, is powered by a 26-tonne lithium battery. It can cruise at the top speed of 12.8 km per hour. As the ship do not use fossil fuels, it has zero emission, including carbon, sulphur and PM2.5 and it could be used as a passenger liner or a working ship.

Manu Sharma, the noted author has passed away. He hails from which state?

[A] Andhra Pradesh
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Rajasthan
[D] Madhya Pradesh

Correct Answer: B [Uttar Pradesh ]

Answer Explanation: Manu Sharma alias Hanuman Prasad Sharma (89), the noted author and Padma Shri awardee, has passed away in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on November 9, 2017. He was nominated as one of the navratna of the Swachha Bharat Abhiyan by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency in 2014. He donated his lifetime savings of Rs 20 lakh for the renovation of a ghat in Varanasi to carry out a cleanliness campaign. He was also the recipient of the prestigious Yash Bharti Award of the Uttar Pradesh government. Sharma has authored several hindi books including Krishna Ki Atmakatha.

President Ramnath Kovind has launched JOHAR scheme in which state to double income of rural poor?

[A] Chhattisgarh
[B] Rajasthan
[C] Gujarat
[D] Jharkhand

Correct Answer: D [Jharkhand ]

Answer Explanation: President Ramnath Kovind has launched JOHAR scheme worth Rs 1,500 cr on the occasion of State Establishment-Day in Ranchi, Jharkhand on November 15, 2017. The World Bank aided JOHAR (Jharkhand’s Opportunities For Harnessing Rural Growth) scheme is aimed at doubling the income of two lakh rural poor. On this day, in 2000, Bihar was bifurcated to give birth to Jharkhand.

India’s first offshore desalination plant will be set up by NIOT in which state?

[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Karnataka
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Kerala

Correct Answer: A [Tamil Nadu ]

Answer Explanation: India’s first offshore desalination plant will be set up by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) about 40km from the Ennore coast in Tamil Nadu with a capacity of about 10 million litres of water per day. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the plant, which is estimated to cost Rs 2,000 crore, has been submitted to the Centre for approval. The offshore plant is designed and built by NIOT scientists. The plant will operate on the indigenously developed Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD), a low cost and environment friendly technology to get potable water. The technology is based on the temperature difference in seawater at different depths.

Which city is hosting the 15th Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT) Conference?

[A] Kolkata
[B] Pune
[C] Jaipur
[D] New Delhi

Correct Answer: D [New Delhi ]

Answer Explanation: The 15th edition of Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT) Conference has started in New Delhi with theme “Building Trust in the Digital Economy” from November 12-15, 2017. It is organized by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under the aegis of Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology. This is the first ever conference in India and South Asia, and is expected to be attended by 21 economies. The conference is expected to be attended by over 300 cyber security professionals from the Asia Pacific region, USA, Europe, Industry, Academia, Government and Media.

Which state government is organising the AP AgTech summit 2017?

[A] Manipur
[B] Assam
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Odisha

Correct Answer: C [Andhra Pradesh ]

Answer Explanation: Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu has inaugurated the 2017 AP Ag Tech summit, which is organized by the Andhra Pradesh government in Visakhapatnam from November 15. The purpose of the 3-day summit is to bring cut edge technologies in the agriculture and allied sectors to support the small and marginal farmers. About 1,500 delegates from the national and international agencies are participating in the summit. The summit is organized in association with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Dalberg Advisors. It will discuss on innovative ideas, technologies and global best practices to push agricultural transformation in the state.

Who represented India at ‘UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial: Vancouver 2017’?

[A] Rituraj Singh
[B] Subhash Bhamre
[C] Dharamveer Prajapati
[D] Neelam Reddy

Correct Answer: B [Subhash Bhamre]

Answer Explanation: Dr. Subhash Bhamre, the Raksha Rajya Mantri, has represented the Government of India at the ‘UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial: Vancouver 2017’, which is held between November 14-15, 2017. It was 2nd time Dr. Bhamre attended the conference. He will be speaking on November 15. Over 500 delegates from more than 70 countries and international organisations gathered at the Defence Ministerial in Vancouver. Along with representatives from the African Union, the European Union, NATO and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, these delegates discussed improvements to UN peacekeeping operations.

Ganga Kumari has become the first transgender to be appointed in Rajasthan Police. She hails from which district?

[A] Udaipur district
[B] Baran district
[C] Jalore district
[D] Dholpur district

Correct Answer: C [Jalore district]

Answer Explanation: Ganga Kumari, the resident of Raniwara in Jalore district of Rajasthan, has become the first transgender to be appointed in Rajasthan Police. On 13th November 2017, the Rajasthan High Court had directed the police department to appoint Ganga Kumari as a constable within six weeks, after officials denied her a post due to her gender and reported lack of clarity of rules in 2015. She was selected in the police recruitment examination for constables in 2013. However, her appointment was held up following the medical examination, which brought to the recruiters’ notice that she was a eunuch.

The Chail Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) is located in which state?

[A] Himachal Pradesh
[B] Punjab
[C] West Bengal
[D] Kerala

Correct Answer: A [Himachal Pradesh]

Answer Explanation: The Chail Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) is located at Chail, a hill station which is abode of wildlife, in Himachal Pradesh and covers an area of 110 square-kilometre. It houses rhesus macaque, leopard, Indian muntjac, goral, porcupine, wild boar, langur and Himalayan black bear. It also has prevented few endangered species of reptiles and birds. The sanctuary is well connected with major routes of Shimla and Chandigarh.

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GK & Current Affairs Quiz: November 14, 2017

Who has won the 2017 Slovenian presidential election?

[A] Borut Pahor
[B] Andrej Sisko
[C] Marjan Sarec
[D] Boris Popovic

Correct Answer: A [Borut Pahor ]

Answer Explanation: Slovenia’s internet-savvy President Borut Pahor has been re-elected for a second term after winning the 2017 Slovenian presidential election on November 12, 2017. Centre-left ex-premier Pahor won the run-off with roughly 53% of the vote, but the voter turnout was the lowest in any presidential election since independence in 1991.

Which of the following Indian states will jointly organize a security exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ on coastline?

[A] Assam and Odisha
[B] Odisha and West Bengal
[C] Karnataka and West Bengal
[D] Karnataka and Kerala

Correct Answer: B [Odisha and West Bengal]

Answer Explanation: Odisha and its neighboring state West Bengal will soon organize a joint security exercise named as ‘Sagar Kavach’ to strengthen coastal security mechanism along the 630 km long coastline. It is a real-time security exercise, which will be conducted with an aim to check the efficacy of the security parameters and preparedness of various security forces. The Indian Navy, Marine police force, Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Forest Department, Fisheries and district administration would take part in the exercise. During the course of this two-day exercise, a simulated terror attack named ‘red force’ will be organized at a random place along the coast of Odisha or West Bengal.

Which city to host Asian Bankers Association summit?

[A] New Delhi
[B] Kochi
[C] Mumbai
[D] Chennai

Correct Answer: C [Mumbai]

Answer Explanation: The 34th annual conference of the Asian Bankers Association (ABA) will be held in Mumbai, Maharashtra from November 16-17, 2017. The 2017 summit will be hosted by State Bank with theme ‘Asia’s turn to transform’. This year, summit will discuss the impact of the ongoing global downturn on the outlook of the Asian economies; economic consequences of the Brexit in March 2019 on Asia, the America-first policy of the Trump administration; implications of fintech on banks, among others. Approx 80 members from 25 countries will participate in the conference.

Which country is hosting the 10th South Asia Economic Summit (SAES-2017)?

[A] India
[B] Sri Lanka
[C] Pakistan
[D] Nepal

Correct Answer: D [Nepal ]

Answer Explanation: The 10th South Asia Economic Summit (SAES-2017) has started in Kathmandu, Nepal on November 14, 2017 with theme “Deepening Economic Integration for Inclusive and Sustainable Development in South Asia”. The 3-day summit is organised by National Planning Commission and Ministry of Commerce of Nepal and South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment, Nepal. Approx 200 participants including ministers, members of parliament, former MPs, ambassadors, government officials, researchers, eminent experts and thinkers will attend the summit. The summit is a regional platform for discussing and analyzing economic and development issues and challenges faced by South Asian countries and advancing the cause of regional integration and cooperation.

Which country is hosting the 7th Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan?

[A] Turkmenistan
[B] Afghanistan
[C] Kazakhstan
[D] Tajikistan

Correct Answer: A [Turkmenistan ]

Answer Explanation: The 7th Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan has started in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on November 14, 2017 to discuss investment opportunities in war-torn country. The political and business leaders from 40 countries are attending the conference will focus on key aspects for the economic development of Afghanistan. Representatives of 30 regional and international organizations are expected to submit their proposals on how to rebuild Afghanistan’s economy after decades of violent conflict.

What is the theme of the 2017 World Diabetes Day (WDD)?

[A] Women and diabetes: Visiualize Future
[B] Women and diabetes – our right to a healthy future
[C] Women and diabetes: Right to health
[D] Women and diabetes: Future & children

Correct Answer: B [Women and diabetes – our right to a healthy future]

Answer Explanation: The World Diabetes Day (WDD) is observed on November 14 to promote better diabetes management among people across the globe who are or have been suffering from the condition, which is initiated by International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The 2017 theme is “Women and diabetes – our right to a healthy future”. This year, the campaign will promote the importance of affordable and equitable access for all women at risk for or living with diabetes to the essential diabetes medicines and technologies, self-management education and information they require to achieve optimal diabetes outcomes and strengthen their capacity to prevent type 2 diabetes.

The Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) is located in which state?

[A] Odisha
[B] Assam
[C] Manipur
[D] West Bengal

Correct Answer: D [West Bengal ]

Answer Explanation: The Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) is located inside the Buxa National Park in Alipurduar district of West Bengal and covers an area of 760-square-kilometre. It is home to tiger, civet, elephant, gaur (Indian bison), Indian boar, red jungle fowl, etc. The Endangered species found in the reserve are Indian tiger, Asian elephant, leopard cat, Bengal florican, regal python, Chinese pangolin, hispid hare, etc.

Which country is the partner country at the 37th India International Trade Fair (IITF-2017)?

[A] Kyrgyzstan
[B] Vietnam
[C] Japan
[D] Malaysia

Correct Answer: B [Vietnam]

Answer Explanation: President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the 37th India International Trade Fair (IITF-2017) with theme “Startup India Standup India” at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on November 14, 2017. The 14-day annual event is organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). Vietnam is the Partner Country, while Kyrgyzstan is the Focus Country. Jharkhand is participating as a Partner State in the event. Approx 7,000 participants from 22 countries will show case their products ranging from electronics to textiles. The fair is a symbol of India’s ancient and enduring commitment to international trade.

Which state is hosting the India’s first Tribal Entrepreneurship Summit-2017?

[A] Chhattisgarh
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Odisha
[D] Rajasthan

Correct Answer: A [Chhattisgarh ]

Answer Explanation: India’s first Tribal Entrepreneurship Summit has organised by NITI Aayog in partnership with the US government at Dantewada in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh on November 14, 2017. The event is a part of 8th Global Entrepreneurship Summit being held in India. The summit was inaugurated by Minister of State for Science and Technology YS Chowdhary. The purpose of the summit is to inspire, nurture and promote the spirit of entrepreneurship in tribal youth. The summit will see the participation of tribal entrepreneurs from various sectors across the country and abroad. The summit will be addressed by eminent speakers from NITI Aayog, health and agri-pharma sectors. The summit not only provides a platform to tribal youth but also addresses the issues faced by the tribal community in pragmatic and progressive ways.

Who is leading the Indian delegation in the 15th ASEAN-India Summit 2017?

[A] Ram Nath Kovind
[B] Ajit Doval
[C] Sushma Swaraj
[D] Narendra Modi

Correct Answer: D [Narendra Modi]

Answer Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending 12th East Asia Summit and 15th ASEAN-India Summit at Manila in Philippines on November 14, 2017. At the 15th ASEAN-India Summit, Prime Minister and ASEAN Leaders will review the commemorative activities undertaken in 2017 to mark the 25 years of India’s dialogue partnership with ASEAN as well as review the broad spectrum of ASEAN-India cooperation in all its aspects. At the 12th East Asia Summit, Leaders will discuss matters of regional and international interest and concern including maritime security, terrorism, non-proliferation, irregular migration, etc. The Leaders are also expected to accept declarations on countering the spread of terrorist narratives, anti money laundering and countering financing of terrorism and poverty alleviation.

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