June 2017 – Part -2

General Awareness June 2017 – Part -2

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

1. In June of 2017, NASA has announced the names of 12 new astronauts that include an Indian-American. Identify this person. 1: Lt Col Raja Grinder Chari 4: Dr. Dana Pritam 2: Lt Col Brijesh Mihar 5: None of the above 3: Dr. Atul Singh Das Ans: 1 Solution: The new astronauts were chosen from a record number of over 18000 applicants. The new candidates include six military officers, three scientists, two medical doctors, a lead engineer at SpaceX and a NASA research pilot. Indian American Lt Col., US Air Force Raja Grinder Chari (39) is a commander of the 461st Flight Test Squadron and the Director of the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base in California. He has degrees in aeronautics and astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.

2. In June of 2017, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) and Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) for export credit of: 1: USD 1 billion 4: INR 9 billion 2: USD 9 billion 5: USD 15 million 3: INR 1 million Ans: 2 Solution: The MoU is aimed towards the infrastructural development in India and for the supply of goods and services as part of projects in third countries. Moreover, it is expected to promote India's international exports and will deepen political and financial ties between India and Korea. The export credit will be utilized through lending by EXIM Bank for promoting projects for priority sectors such as smart cities, railways, power generation and transmission in India and for the supply of goods and services from India and Korea as part of projects in third countries.

3. In June of 2017, state X has become the first state to launch a single-women pension scheme across the state. Identify X. 1: Andhra Pradesh 4: Uttar Pradesh 2: Bihar 5: Tamil Nadu 3: Telangana Ans: 3 Solution: Under the scheme, the state government would be giving a pension of about Rs 1000 per month to single women on humanitarian grounds. This scheme is the first such welfare scheme by any state in the country. The pension sanction orders were handed over to the beneficiaries by Telangana Deputy Chief Ministers Kadiyam Srihari and Mohammad Mahmood Ali and other Ministers and MLAs constituency-wise at different functions organised across the state. Besides providing pension, the government also announced that the children of the single women would be admitted into all Telangana Residential Educational Institutions without having to write an examination or waiting for the lottery system.

4. In June of 2017, Hoshiar Singh has been appointed as the Registrar of the Copyrights for a period of five years. Under which act is this Office established? 1: India Copyright Act, 1970 4: Indian Copyright Act, 1957 2: Indian Copyright Act, 1947 5: None of the above 3: India Copyright Act, 1950 Ans: 4 Solution: His appointment was approved by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). The Office of Copyrights works under the aegis of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. The Copyrights Office was established under Section 9 of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957. The Office of Copyrights is mandated to protect the music and film industry besides addressing its concerns.

5. In June of 2017, the Union government has appointed an agency across the country to speed up the hearing of cases that have been pending in the lower courts for the last 10 years. Identify this agency. 1: Lok Adalat 4: Raja Dhrama 2: Jan Adalat 5: Nyaya Mitras 3: Ram Rajya Ans: 5

Solution: The same was confirmed by Union Law and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad while addressing a function at the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court to inaugurate the Tele Law Service through Common Service Centers. The Minister announced that retired judges will be appointed as Nyaya Mitras to expedite over seven lakh fifty thousand cases that are pending across the country. He further stated that the government is committed to providing justice to the poor people in a fast, smooth and affordable manner.

6. In June of 2017, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda has launched an Initiative to promote skill development in the health sector. Identify this initiative. 1: Save Life 4: Save Life. Skill Life. Save India 2: Skill for Life, Save a Life 5: None of the above 3: Save Life. Gain Wisdom Ans: 2 Solution: Under this initiative, various courses will be initiated targeting specific competencies for healthcare professionals as well as for general public. “Skills for Life, Save a Life” Initiative aims to upscale the quantity and quality of trained professionals in the healthcare system. This initiative is a part of a larger plan and program for ensuring Universal Health Coverage. The Ministry initiated the initiative by launching First Responder course for professionals as well as general public that will be conducted in Central and State government training institutes.

7. In June of 2017, the Government of state X has implemented a “green protocol” to make auspicious occasions such as weddings more nature-friendly. Identify X. 1: Gujarat 4: Karnataka 2: Bihar 5: Kerala 3: New Delhi Ans: 5 Solution: With the implementation of the protocol, the use of plastic and other non-degradable articles including disposable glasses, plates and thermocol decorations would be prohibited at marriage functions. Instead, people would be encouraged to use tumblers, plates and utensils made from glass and other environment-friendly metals.

8. In June of 2017, the public sector bank, Vijaya Bank has said that it is going to develop N digital villages spread across various states of the country. What is the value of N? 1: 50 4: 95 2: 25 5: 100 3: 75 Ans: 5 Solution: The move is being undertaken by the bank as a part of its initiative to promote digital banking among the rural population. The project of 100 digital villages will be inaugurated within a month. The digital villages will comprise services such as internet, Wi-Fi connectivity, mobile payment facilities, ATM cards and online banking among others. The bank would also be running a door-to-door campaign to educate the villagers.

9. In June of 2017, the writer Anand Neelakantan, the poet Haraprasad Das and the author Paramita Satpathy were the winners of the: 1: Jnanpith Awards 4: Dil Wala Puraskar 2: Bihar Puraskar 5: Kalinga Literary Awards 3: Agastya Maharshi Awards Ans: 5 Solution: Neelakantan was chosen for the Kalinga International Literary Award, Haraprasad Das was chosen for the Kalinga Literary Youth Award and Satpathy was chosen for the Kalinga Karubaki Award. They will receive the award during the Kalinga Literary Festival 2017 which will be held from 10 June to 12 June 2017.

10. The United Nations Russian Language Day is observed on _____ in 2017. 1: 1st June 4: 5th June 2: 2nd June 5: 9th June 3: 6th June Ans: 3 Solution: The day is observed annually to maintain the equality of all six official UN languages. These six official languages are English, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and French. The decision to hold days of languages was adopted by the UN Department of Public Information on the eve of the International Mother Language Day, celebrated annually on 21 February, at the initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The UN Russian Language Day coincides with the birthday of Aleksandr Pushkin, a Russian poet who is considered the father of modern Russian literature.

11. In June of 2017, Real Madrid has become the _____ team ever to win back-to-back Champions League titles. 1: second 4: first 2: third 5: fifth 3: fourth Ans: 4 Solution: Real Madrid defeated Juventus to win a record-extending 12th title. With this victory, Real Madrid became the first team to successfully defend their title in the Champions League era, and the first to do so since Milan in 1990. Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. It was founded in 1902 as Madrid Football Club. The club is one of the most widely supported teams in the world. In domestic football, the club has won a record 33 La Liga titles, 19 Copa del Rey, nine Supercopa de España, a Copa Eva Duarte, and a Copa de la Liga.

12. In June of 2017, the Union Ministry of Rural Development has selected district X as one among the 17 districts across the nation for the MGNREGA Annual Award for effective implementation of the scheme during 2015-16. Identify X. 1: Visakhapatnam 4: Krishna 2: Guntur 5: Vellore 3: Vizianagaram Ans: 3 Solution: It is Vizianagaram. Vizianagaram, a city and district headquarters of Vizianagaram district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, had generated works for 361668 households in 2015-16 and disbursed Rs 483.42 crore as wages with an average of Rs 106. Over 5000 farm ponds, 240 rain water harvesting structures, and 440 water shed works were executed. Besides, 3427 minor irrigation tanks were de-silted and restored to their original capacity.

13. In May- June of 2017, the 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly has elected Sweden, Bolivia, Ethiopia and Kazakhstan for the: 1: UN Habitat 4: UN Gender Equality 2: UN Security Council 5: None of the above 3: UNESCO Ans: 2

Solution: The countries will serve on the world body’s Security Council for a period of two years, starting from 1 January 2017. After rounds of voting at the United Nation Headquarters in New York, only one non- permanent Council seat remains to be filled. Italy and the Netherlands had been vying for the remaining seat. However, the voting yielded no clear winner. The two countries then suggested sharing the two-year term, each with a one-year period. The United Nations Security Council is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. It is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security as well as accepting new members to the United Nations and approving any changes to its United Nations Charter. The Security Council has 15 members, including five permanent. The five permanent members, each with the power of veto, are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

14. In June of 2017, India has successfully test-fired indigenous first all weather tracked-chassis Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QR-SAM). Identify the developers of this missile. 1: DRDO and Bharat Electronics Limited 4: ISRO and RINL 2: DRDO and L & T 5: None of the above 3: ISRO and NASA Ans: 1 Solution: The QR-SAM was test-fired from a mobile launcher at Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha. This test of the QR-SAM was the first test of the indigenously developed sophisticated high-speed missile that is capable of destroying aerial targets, tanks, bunkers and short range missiles. The QR-SAM was jointly developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited. Reports suggest that this missile system has the potential to engage multiple targets within a range of approximate 30 kilometres, with the configuration of two vehicles for area air defense.

15. In June of 2017, an Indian has won the Men’s Singles title in the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold badminton championship. Identify this person. 1: Srikanth Kidambi 4: Ajay Jayram 2: Sourabh Varma 5: Sai Praneeth 3: Prannoy Kumar Ans: 5 Solution: Praneeth defeated Indonesian fourth seed Jonatan Christie in an hour and 11 minutes in the final match played at Nimibutr Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand. The 2017 Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold was the seventh grand prix's badminton tournament of the 2017 BWF Grand Prix Gold and Grand Prix. The winner of the 2016 Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold was Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk.

16. The World Environment Day has been observed on the 5th June. What is the theme in the year 2017? 1: People and Nature 4: Connecting People to Nature 2: Nature is the saviour 5: None of the above 3: Beautiful Nature, Happier Lives Ans: 4 Solution: This year’s theme “Connecting People to Nature”. The day is annually observed with an aim to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment. Billions of rural people around the world spend every working day “connected to nature” and appreciate full well their dependence on natural water supplies and how nature provides their livelihoods in the form of fertile soil. They are among the first to suffer when ecosystems are threatened, whether by pollution, climate change or over-exploitation.

17. In June of 2017, Ganeshan Neelakanta Iyer has become the _____ Indian to be nominated as a member of the Umpires and Referees Committee (URC). 1: second 4: fourth 2: first 5: fifth 3: third Ans: 2 Solution: Following the AGM of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) early in June 2017, the Board of Directors of various committees met on the sidelines of the ongoing World Championships and handpicked the best in the business for the job. URC is the technical arm of the ITTF. It looks after all technical issues involving the sport. The mandate of the committee is to oversee the training, certification, appointment and performance of umpires and referees.

18. Identify the winner of the 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee competition of the United States (US). 1: Nita Sambala 4: Ananya Vinay 2: Disha Ahuja 5: Bharana Kobisht 3: Srishti Sanghvi Ans: 4 Solution: Ananya Vinay, a 12-year-old Indian-American girl from California, has won the title. Ananya became the thirteenth Indian-American in a row to win this spelling bee competition. The Scripps National Spelling Bee first started in 1925 when nine newspapers joined together to host the competition. Now, over 11 million students participate in the Spelling Bee every year.

19. In June of 2017, it has been known that the Odisha state government is all set to commission the Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) that would set off a warning in the event of the occurrence of natural disasters like a tsunami or cyclone. When will be this operational? 1: April 2018 4: June 2017 2: October 2017 5: July 2017 3: August 2017 Ans: 5 Solution: Just a single button press from the control room in the state’s capital would trigger loud sirens to go off simultaneously from towers at 122 locations, warning the vast population residing along the state’s 480 km-long coast of the impending disaster. The towers have been installed in 22 blocks under six coastal districts such as Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri and Ganjam. The chosen locations include tourist destinations, fish landing centres and coastal habitations.

20. In June of 2017, the Health Secretary C K Mishra has inaugurated the Vatsalya – Maatri Amrit Kosh in New Delhi. What is this primarily for? 1: women 4: children 2: Infant milk 5: girls below the age of 5 years 3: elders Ans: 2 Solution: This centre would be the largest public sector human milk bank and lactation counselling centre available in North India. Vatsalya – Maatri Amrit Kosh has been established in collaboration with the Norwegian government, Oslo University and Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI). Vatsalya – Maatri Amrit Kosh will collect, pasteurize, test and safely store milk donated by lactating mothers and make it available for infants in need. With the establishment of this donor human milk bank, all newborns in and around Delhi will have access to life saving human milk irrespective of the circumstances of their birth.

21. In June of 2017, the world’s first hybrid aeroboat has been unveiled. Which two nations have jointly built this? 1: India and Russia 4: Pakistan and China 2: Russia and US 5: None of the above 3: US and UK Ans: 1

Solution: This has been unveiled at a start-ups event organized by Russia’s state-run Skolkovo Foundation. The aeroboat is capable of travelling on land, water, snow and sand. It has been designed to access difficult terrain, such as flooded or marshy areas in which the regular boats cannot ply because of shallow water, patches of dry land or by marine vegetation. The aeroboats can handle steep slopes and embankments with out the requirement of marine infrastructure such as jetties.

22. In June of 2017, according to the Animal Discoveries 2016, New Species and Records, how many new species have been discovered in the year 2016? 1: 501 4: 723 2: 189 5: 499 3: 611 Ans: 5 Solution: This is a study by the Botanical Survey of India. 499 new species have been discovered from various parts of the country last year. Of the new discoveries, 258 are invertebrates and 55 are vertebrates. Around 97 are insects, 27 are fish, 12 are amphibians, 10 are Platyhelminthes, nine are Crustacea, six species of reptiles, 61 species of moths and butterflies and 38 of beetles. The new species are known to occur in the four biological hotspots of the country, namely, the Himalayas, the northeast, the Western Ghats and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. India is one of the 17 mega diversity countries and is home to 6.42% of the global fauna.

23. In June of 2017, it has been known that NASA is all set to launch the first ever mission in the world that is devoted for studying: 1: Positron stars 4: Neutron stars 2: Black holes 5: Aliens 3: Star wars Ans: 4 Solution: NASA will launch the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer, or NICER, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission will focus especially on Pulsars. During the mission, NASA will also carry out the world’s first demonstration of X-ray navigation in space. Significance Pulsars are those neutron stars that appear to wink on and off like a cosmic lighthouse. They can be used as celestial clocks for providing high-precision timing similar to that of the atomic-clock signals supplied through the Global Positioning System (GPS).

24. In June of 2017, Samsung India has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). This will see the setting up two new Samsung Technical Schools. Identify the places. 1: Ahmedabad and Chennai 4: Lucknow and Kanyakumari 2: Bengaluru and Jameshdpur 5: None of the above 3: Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada Ans: 2 Solution: It will be in Bengaluru and Jamshedpur as well as to renew the partnership for 10 existing schools being run across the country. As a part of Samsung’s commitment to government’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, the company has announced the MSME-Samsung Technical School Scholarship programme for girls and differently-abled trainees. Under this Programme, 1,000 girls and differently-abled trainees will be given a grant of up to Rs. 20,000. Also, a Meritorious Reward Programme for toppers has also been launched.

25. In June of 2017, India has been ranked at _____ in the Global Peace Index 2017, which ranks 163 independent states and territories according to their level of peacefulness. 1: 100th 4: 137th 2: 99th 5: 130th 3: 23rd Ans: 4 Solution: In the last year’s index, India was ranked 141st. GPI is considered as one of the most comprehensive analysis that captures trends in peace, its economic value, and how to develop peaceful societies. It has used 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators to measure the state of peace using three thematic domains: the level of Societal Safety and Security; the extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict; and the degree of Militarisation. The top 10 Peaceful Countries are Iceland (1), New Zealand (2), Portugal (3), Austria (4), Denmark (5), Czech Republic (6), Slovenia (7), Canada (8), Switzerland (9), and Ireland (10).

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