Nov 2018 Part -1

General Awareness Nov 2018 Part -1

Answer the following question by choosing the best option from the choices given.

1. The United Nations World Food Programme will form a strategic partnership with this firm to support efforts to eliminate hunger globally by 2030. Which is this firm? 1. Alibaba Group 4. Apple 2. Google 5. None of the above 3. Microsoft Ans: 1 Solution: United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group have formed strategic partnership to support efforts eliminate hunger globally by 2030. The agreement was signed between WFP Executive Director David Beasley and Alibaba Partner and Chairman of Alibaba Foundation Sun Lijun at Alibaba’s headquarters in Hangzhou, China. Under this agreement, Alibaba will lend its cutting-edge technology and resources to support digital transformation of WFP’s operations. In particular, Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba will work with WFP to develop digital “World Hunger Map”.

2. The promulgated amendments to the Company Act 2013 as in late 2018 aim to: 1. increase workers' accountability in workplace 3. break worker unions and give businesses a harassment competitive benefit 2. decongest NCLT and de-criminalize minor 4. make firing of an employee difficult offenses by companies 5. None of the above Ans: 2 Solution: Union Cabinet has approved proposal for promulgation ordinance to amend the Companies Act, 2013. The ordinance had received assent from President Ram Nath Kovind under Article 123 and has been promulgated. The amendments to the Act are aimed to promote ease of doing business as well as ensure better compliance levels. The ordinance to change Companies Act seeks to declog National Company Law Tribunals (NCLTs) and decriminalise minor offences by companies. The ordinance will transfer 90% of the cases to regional directors under Ministry of Corporate Affairs from NCLTs. Moreover, it will retain status of all non-compoundable offences since they are serious in nature.

3. What did the NDMC launch for making digital payments of bills as easy as operating a refrigerator? 1. QR-enabled fridge stickers 4. IR-enabled fridge magnets 2. QR-enabled fridge suckers 5. None of the above 3. QR-enabled fridge magnets Ans: 3

Solution: New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has launched quick response (QR)-enabled fridge magnets for digital payment of bills. The magnets are personalised and each customer will have unique QR Code mapped to their consumer account number. It is powered by SignCatch – an IT and services company. There will be separate magnets provided by the NDMC to its consumers’ doorstep for both electricity and water bills. Consumers can stick these magnets on their refrigerators at home and use their smartphones to scan QR Code on magnet to pay their bills instantly. The QR Code will redirect consumers to their current bill with option to pay using any of digital payment channels active with NDMC like credit/debit cards, net banking, wallet, and UPI.

4. Recently, the National Seminar on Entrepreneurship and Business Development in Ayurveda was held in: 1. Kerala 4. New Delhi 2. Maharashtra 5. None of the above 3. Andhra Pradesh Ans: 4 Solution: The National Seminar on Entrepreneurship and Business Development in Ayurveda was held in New Delhi. It was organised by Ministry of AYUSH in association with NITI Aayog with aim of encouraging entrepreneurs and Ayurveda stakeholders towards businesses opportunities in the sector.

5. ICGS Varaha was recently launched near: 1. Kolkata 4. Kochi 2. Mumbai 5. Chennai 3. Visakhapatnam Ans: 5 Solution: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launches new Offshore patrol vessel (OPV) ICGS Varaha at L&T Kattupalli shipyard near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is fourth in the series of 98 M OPVs designed and built indigenously by Larsen & Toubro (L&T). ICGS Varaha is fitted with advanced technology navigation and communication equipment, sensor and machinery. Its weaponry includes one 30 mm and two 12.7 mm guns with fire control system. It has been designed to attain maximum speed of 26 knots and has endurance of 5,000 nautical miles.

6. The World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed on: 1. November 5th 4. November 10th 2. January 3rd 5. None of the above 3. December 10th Ans: 1

Solution: The World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed every year across the world on 5 November 2016 to spread awareness among people across the world about Tsunami. This year it was third edition of World Tsunami Awareness Day after it was instituted in 2015. 2018 World Tsunami Awareness Day is aligned with International Day for Disaster Reduction (observed on 13 October) and “Sendai Seven Campaign”. It focused on Target “c” of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction which aims at reducing direct disaster economic loss in relation to GDP.

7. Recently, India and South Korea signed MoU on: 1. Samsung India's establishing of billion dollar 3. electronics manufacturing mobile factory 4. medicinal herbs 2. sports cooperation 5. None of the above Ans: 2 Solution: India and South Korea have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sports cooperation. The MoU was signed between Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in New Delhi. The objective of this MoU is to establish framework to facilitate and promote cooperation between two countries on basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit.

8. Recently, India and South Korea sign a MoU to strengthen cooperation in: 1. exchange of tax-records of Indian living in South 3. Tourism like a new Memorial of Queen Korea Suriratna 2. bullet trains 4. Tourism like a new Memorial of King Motratrap 5. None of the above Ans: 3 Solution: India and South Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism. The MoU was signed between Union Ministry of Tourism and South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in New Delhi. It was signed during official four-day visit of First Lady of South Korea Kim Jung-sook (wife of incumbent South Korean President Moon Jae-in) to India. First Lady Kim is Chief Guest at Deepotsav event organized by Uttar Pradesh Government in Ayodhya and at ceremony of inaugurating new Memorial of Queen Suriratna (Heo Hwang- ok) in Ayodhya.

9. Recent count says that the Indian Railways has eliminated Unmanned Level Crossings on Broad Gauge routes from N of its 16 zones. What is the value of N? 1. 15 4. 12 2. 5 5. None of the above 3. 10 Ans: 4

Solution: Indian Railway has eliminated all Unmanned Level Crossings (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge routes (rails separated by 1676 mm or 1.67m of distance) from 12 of its total 16 zones. These 12 zones are Central Railway, Eastern Railway, East Coast Railway, East Central Railway, North Eastern Railway, Southern Railway, North East Frontier Railway, South Central Railway, South Eastern Railway, South East Central Railway and West Central Railway.

10. What is UTS on Mobile about? 1. Unreserved Trains 4. Universal ticketing service 2. Universal trains 5. Unreserved mobile ticketing 3. Underage Ticketing seva Ans: 5 Solution: Union Ministry of Railways has launched Unreserved Mobile Ticketing facility (UTS on Mobile) to enable seamless booking of unreserved tickets including season tickets and also platform tickets all over Indian Railways. This will remove the need for passengers to wait in queues for purchasing the tickets. UTS on Mobile aims to promote: Cashless transactions (Digital payment), Contact less ticketing (no need to physically visit the point of sale) and Customer convenience and experience. With this, booking of unreserved tickets on all non-suburban sections across all Zonal Railways will be now made available on mobile.

11. Ekana International Stadium has been renamed after the former PM Vajpayee. Where is this stadium? 1. Lucknow 4. Chennai 2. Bhopal 5. None of the above 3. Gandhinagar Ans: 1 Solution: The newly-built Ekana International Stadium of Lucknow was renamed after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The stadium will now be known as ‘Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium’.

12. For the period 2019 to 2022, India will be a member of the ITU Council. How many votes did India poll in the elections? 1. 225 4. 100 2. 165 5. None of the above 3. 150 Ans: 2 Solution: India has been elected as a member of the International Telecommunications Union-ITU Council for another four-year term from 2019 to 2022. The elections to the Council were held during the ongoing ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 at Dubai. India secured 165 votes and ranked third among the 13 countries elected to the council from the Asia-Australasia region, and eighth among the 48 countries elected to the council globally. The ITU has 193 member states who elect representatives to the Council.

13. Which city has the first asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge in India? 1. Chennai 4. Bengaluru 2. Hyderabad 5. None of the above 3. Delhi Ans: 3 Solution: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated Delhi’s Signature Bridge, the first asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge in India. The bridge was constructed by the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) at an expenditure of Rs 1,518.37 crore. The 675-metre bridge aims to reduce travel time and traffic congestion between the north-eastern and northern parts of Delhi.

14. M.P. Awati departed. He was a luminary. What is the reference? 1. First MP of Rajya Sabha 4. 1971 India - Pakistan war 2. Kargil war 5. None of the above 3. 1965 India - China war Ans: 4 Solution: Vice-Admiral M.P. Awati (retd.), who commanded a naval unit of the Eastern Fleet in the 1971 India-Pakistan war and whose actions led to the destruction of an enemy submarine, passed away. Vice-Admiral Awati was 91 years old. He was the commanding officer of INS Kamorta during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, and successfully faced enemy operations for almost a fortnight. He was awarded the Vir Chakra for his leadership and gallantry.

15. Subhankar Dey has won the SaarLorLux Open in Germany. Which is the game? 1. Wrestling 4. Chess 2. Shooting 5. Badminton 3. Tennis Ans: 5 Solution: Subhankar Dey has won the SaarLorLux Open (Badminton) at Saarbrucken in Germany. In the summit clash, the unseeded Indian defeated fifth-placed Rajiv Ouseph of Britain, in straight games, in what was the first encounter between the two shuttlers. This is Subhankar’s first title of 2018. Earlier, he had finished runner-up in the Kabal International tournament at the Czech Republic.

16. The 18th Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers Meeting was held in: 1. Durban 4. New Delhi 2. London 5. None of the above 3. Cairo Ans: 1

Solution: The 18th Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers Meeting was held in Durban, South Africa. Gen.(Dr.) VK Singh (Retd.), Minister of State for External Affairs, attended the IORA Council of Ministers Meeting.

17. Ayurveda Day in 2018 was observed on: 1. August 1st 4. December 1st 2. November 5th 5. None of the above 3. April 1st Ans: 2 Solution: Ministry of AYUSH observes Ayurveda Day every year on Dhanawantari Jayanti (Dhanteras). The theme of 2018 Ayurveda Day was: “Ayurveda for Public health”. This year Ayurveda Day is being observed on 5th November 2018. On this occasion, Ministry has organized a “National Seminar on Entrepreneurship and Business Development in Ayurveda” in association with NITI Aayog at Dr. Ambedkar International centre, Janapth, New Delhi, with the intention to encourage entrepreneurs and Ayurveda stakeholders towards businesses opportunities in the sector.

18. Which IIT has designed and run India's first indigenous microprocessor, Shakti? 1. Kanpur 4. Delhi 2. Bombay 5. None of the above 3. Madras Ans: 3 Solution: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras has designed and booted up ‘Shakti’, which can be used for wireless and networking systems, as well as mobile computing. ‘Shakti’ is India’s first and indigenous microprocessor. Bluespec, an open-source high-level synthesis language was used in making the chips.

19. India Pavilion was organized at Videocittà, 2018 in: 1. Rome is made in a Day Festival 4. Rome Film Festival 2. Russian Renaissance Art 5. None of the above 3. Italy Film Fest Ans: 4 Solution: Joint Secretary (Films), Ministry of I&B Ashok Kumar Parmar inaugurated the India Pavilion at Videocittà, 2018 in Rome Film Festival. India was partner country at Videocittà 2018, an event focussing on Virtual Reality, Video gaming, Animation, Film Making, etc. was organized along with Rome Film Festival and the International Audio Visual Market.

20. Recently, the Kirloskar group has received license from the Reserve Bank to launch: 1. AMC 4. Bank 2. ARC 5. NBFC 3. Payments Bank

Ans: 5 Solution: The Kirloskar group had announced that it has received licence from the Reserve Bank to launch a non- banking finance company (NBFC), Kirloskar Capital, which will be headed by industry veteran Vimal Bhandari. The group company will invest Rs 1,000 crore in the proposed NBFC, which will be a fully-owned subsidiary of Kirloskar Oil Engines, and will focus on providing growth capital to industry with an initial focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

21. Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the leasing out N airports of AAI for operation, management and development under PPP in the first phase. What is the value of N? 1. 6 4. 9 2. 7 5. None of the above 3. 8 Ans: 1 Solution: Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved leasing out six airports of Airports Authority of India (AAI) for operation, management and development under Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the first phase. This will be done through Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC). Union Cabinet also approved constitution of Empowered Group of Secretaries headed by CEO, NITI Aayog with Secretaries of Ministry of Civil Aviation, Department of Economic Affairs and Department of Expenditure to decide on any issue falling beyond scope of PPPAC.

22. Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the filling of Padur SPR in: 1. Tamil Nadu 4. Bihar 2. Karnataka 5. None of the above 3. Andhra Pradesh Ans: 2 Solution: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the filling of Padur Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) in Karnataka by overseas National Oil Companies (NOCs). The filling of the SPR will be under PPP model and is being undertaken to reduce budgetary support of Union Government. The SPR facility at Padur is underground rock cavern with total capacity of 2.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) having four compartments of 0.625 MMT each.

23. Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of Central Tribal University in: 1. Jharkhand 4. Telangana 2. Bihar 5. None of the above 3. Andhra Pradesh Ans: 3

Solution: Union Cabinet has approved setting up of Central Tribal University in Andhra Pradesh. The Union Cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The proposed university will come up after necessary amendment in the Central Universities Act, 2009. It will be set up in Relli village of Vizianagaram District of Andhra Pradesh. It will be established under Thirteenth Schedule to Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (No. 6 of 2014). Cabinet has also approved provision of funds of Rs. 420 crore for first phase expenditure towards establishment of Central Tribal University.

24. Which state launched the Mo Bus services? 1. Kerala 4. Odisha 2. Maharashtra 5. None of the above 3. Telangana Ans: 4 Solution: Odisha government has launched a new initiative named ‘Mo Bus’ services in the Bhubaneshwar ahead of the Men’s Hockey World Cup. The service will be launched as a part of state government-owned Capital Region Urban Transport’s (CRUT) ‘City Bus Modernisation’ programme. The services will be launched for the residents of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri.

25. Gafur Rakhimov has been elected as the president of the: 1. IBA 4. MAAPA 2. TIBA 5. AIBA 3. MIBA Ans: 5 Solution: Uzbekistan’s businessman Gafur Rakhimov was elected president of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) despite fears that his appointment could lead to the sport’s ejection from the Olympic Games. Rakhimov won 86 of the 134 second-round votes collected by AIBA officials in Moscow to beat his only opponent, former boxer Serik Konakbayev of Kazakhstan. ***