QUIZ-14+

Q1. Wedding ceremonies in which of the following state are all set to become ‘green’, with the state government coming out with a green protocol to make auspicious occasions more nature-friendly?

(a) Assam

(b) Kerala

(c) Tamil Nadu

(d) Maharashtra

(e) Meghalaya

S1. Ans.(b)

Sol. Wedding ceremonies in Kerala are all set to become ‘green’, with the state government coming out with a green protocol to make auspicious occasions more nature-friendly. With the implementation of the protocol, plastic and other non-biodegradable articles including disposable glasses and plates and thermocol decorations will be kept at bay from marriage functions.

Q2. Name the Indian tennis ace who along with Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski won the French Open mixed doubles title in Paris, France.

(a) Leander Paes

(b) Mahesh Bhupati

(c) Yuki Bhambri

(d) RohanBopanna

(e) RamkumarRamnathan

S2. Ans.(d)

Sol. Indian tennis ace RohanBopanna and Canadian partner Gabriela Dabrowski produced a fighting performance to beat their German-Colombian opponents Anna-Lena Groenefeld and Robert Farah in the final to clinch their maiden French Open mixed doubles title in Paris, France.

Q3. Which of the following state Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry for the implementation of the UDAAN scheme in the state?

(a) Uttar Pradesh

(b) Andhra Pradesh

(c) Tamil Nadu

(d) Kerala

(e) Telangana

S3. Ans.(c)

Sol. The Government of Tamil Nadu has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry for the implementation of the UDAAN scheme in the state. The MoU has been signed at the Secretariat in Fort St George, Chennai, by the officials in presence of chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and the Airports Authority of India Chairman GuruprasadMohapatra.

Q4. The second National Health Editors’ Conference on Yoga has begun recently in __________.

(a) New Delhi

(b) Bengaluru

(c) Chandigarh

(d) Chennai

(e) Gandhinagar

S4. Ans.(a)

Sol. The second National Health Editors’ Conference on Yoga has begun in New Delhi. The conference aimed at giving insight to the journalists about the scientific aspects of yoga and its benefits for health. The theme of the conference is 'Yoga for Health and Harmony'. Eminent experts of yoga and modern medicine present highlights from recent research work on aspects of yoga.

Q5. India signed the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) multilateral convention that aims to check cross-border tax evasion by multinational companies. OECD is headquartered in ________________.

(a) London, UK

(b) New York, USA

(c) Geneva, Switzerland

(d) Paris, France

(e) Washington D.C., USA

S5. Ans.(d)

Sol. India signed the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) multilateral convention that aims to check cross-border tax evasion by multinational companies. Union Finance Minister ArunJaitley signed the multilateral convention in Paris, France to implement tax treaty- related measures to prevent base erosion and profit shifting. OECD Headquarters in Paris, France.

Q6. Name the Indian American Astronaut whon has become the first Indian American after KalpanaChawla to be chosen by NASA for one of its missions at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

(a) Rakesh Sharma

(b) Ravish Malhotra

(c) Raja Chari

(d) Kalpak Jain

(e) None of the given option is true

S6. Ans.(c)

Sol. NASA has chosen 12 new astronauts, including an Indian American named Raja Chari, from a record number of over 18,000 applicants, who will be trained for missions into Earth orbit and to deep space. Lt. Col. Raja Chari is the first Indian American after KalpanaChawla to be chosen by NASA for one of its missions at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. This is the largest group NASA has selected in almost two decades.

Q7. Name the initiative that Health Ministry has recently launched to promote skill development in the health sector.

(a) Healthy India, Better India

(b) Healthy India, Skilled India

(c) Safer India

(d) None of the given theme is true

(e) Skill for Life, Save a Life

S7. Ans.(e)

Sol. Shri J P Nadda has launched 'Skill for Life, Save a Life' initiative to promote skill development in the health sector. ‘Skills for Life, Save a Life’ Initiative’ aims to upscale the quantity and quality of trained professionals in the healthcare system.

Q8. Name the Indian player who is the sole sportsperson from the country to feature in the world’s 100 highest paid athletes in the latest Forbes list.

(a) M S Dhoni

(b) ViratKohli

(c) Yuvraj Singh

(d) Sachin Tendulkar

(e) SaniaMirza

S8. Ans.(b)

Sol. Indian cricket team captain ViratKohli is the sole sportsperson from the country to feature in the world’s 100 highest paid athletes in the latest Forbes list topped by soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Q9.  In the world’s 100 highest paid athletes in the latest Forbes list name the only female athlete to make the cut this year.

(a) Martina Hingis

(b) Maria Sharapova

(c) Carolina Marin

(d) Serena Williams

(e) P V Sindhu

S9. Ans.(d)

Sol. In the world’s 100 highest paid athletes in the latest Forbes list topped by soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, tennis star Serena Williams, who comes in at the 51 spot with $ 27 million is the lone female athlete to make the cut this year.

Q10. Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) has recently appointed B K Manjunath as a part-time chairman for three years. The Head office of LVB is in ______________.

(a) Chennai

(b) Bengaluru

(c) Mangalore

(d) Mumbai

(e) Jaipur

S10. Ans.(a)

Sol. Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB) has appointed B K Manjunath as a part-time chairman for three years. The Head office of LVB is in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Q11. Name the Lender that has become the first to introduce biodegradable cards in the country.

(a) HDFC Bank

(b) SBI

(c) Axis Bank

(d) ICICI Bank

(e) Punjab National Bank

S11. Ans.(c)

Sol. Axis Bank Ltd has announced biodegradable prepaid gift cards on the occasion of World Environment Day (05th June). With this, the bank has become the first to introduce biodegradable cards in the country.

Q12. Name the Indian tennis Player who lifted the ITF (International Tennis Federation) men’s Futures tennis title recently in Singapore.

(a) RohanBopanna

(b) RamkumarRamanathan

(c) Mahesh Bhupathi

(d) Yuki Bhambri

(e) Leander Paes

S12. Ans.(b)

Sol. India’s RamkumarRamanathan lifted the ITF (International Tennis Federation) men’s Futures tennis title after outplaying Raymond Sarmiento of the USA in straight sets in Singapore.

Q13. Miguel D'EscotoBrockmann passed away recently. He was ____________.

(a) Former Foreign Minister of Nicaragua

(b) Former President of WHO

(c) Former President of ADB

(d) Both (a) and (e)

(e) Former President of the UN General Assembly

S13. Ans.(d)

Sol. Miguel D'EscotoBrockmann, former Foreign Minister of Nicaragua and former President of the UN General Assembly, passed away on 8 June 2017. He was 84.

Q14. According to a circular issued by the Reserve Bank of India, the maximum validity of pre-paid gift instruments is ___________.

(a) 5 years

(b) 4 years

(c) 2 years

(d) 3 years

(e) 6 years

S14. Ans.(d)

Sol. According to a circular issued by the Reserve Bank of India on 1 July 2014, the maximum validity of pre-paid gift instruments is three years.

Q15. Lakshmi Vilas Bank was founded ______________.

(a) 1955

(b) 1945

(c) 1926

(d) 1934

(e) 1914

S15. Ans.(c)

Sol. Lakshmi Vilas Bank was founded in 1926 by a group of seven progressive businessmen of Karur under the leadership of Shri V.S.N. Ramalinga Chettiar.

QUIZ-14+

Q1. Name the person who has been appointed as the new chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament of India. 
Answer: Mallikarjun Kharge

Q2. Shabana Azmi starrer film ____________ was recently awarded the Special Jury Remi Award at the 50th annual Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival (WHIFF).
Answer: The Black Prince

Q3. As per the UN report, India is expected to achieve how much percent growth the year 2017?
Answer: 7.10

Q4. Minister of Road Transport and Highways has inaugurated two exhibitions namely 'The Highway Saga: Past Present and Future' and SRISHTI exhibition in New Delhi. SRISHTI stands for _____________.
Answer: Safe Road and Inter-State Highways Transforming India

Q5. Name the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Communications of India.
Answer: Manoj Sinha

Q6. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for restructuring the schemes of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) under new Central Sector Scheme named SAMPADA. What does 'P' stands for in SAMPADA?
Answer: Processing

Q7. The Union Cabinet chaired by ____________ has given its approval for National Steel Policy (NSP) 2017.
Answer: Shri Narendra Modi

Q8. The Indian men’s national football team has made it into the top 100 of the FIFA world football rankings for the first time in 21 years. Who is the President of FIFA?
Answer: Gianni Infantino

Q9. What is the best ever ranking of Indian football team in FIFA world ranking?
Answer: 94th

Q10. The 'Swachh Survekshan 2017' survey results were recently announced by Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu. Which city is the dirtiest city in India?
Answer: Gonda

Q11. India has recently organized a cultural festival in Egypt to mark the 156th birth anniversary of ___________________.
Answer: Rabindranath Tagore

Q12. Pro-European centrist leader ____________ has been elected as President of France.
Answer: Emmanuel Macron

Q13. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) has announced the winners of the 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards held in California, USA. Which show has won the award for Outstanding Game Show?
Answer: Jeopardy

Q14. Facebook has launched its _____________ commercially in India and the service is now available via 700 hotspots across four states of Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Meghalaya.
Answer: Express Wi-Fi

Q15. What is the theme for World Red Cross Day 2017?
Answer: Less Known Red Cross Stories

QUIZ-14

Q1. Union Cabinet has recently given its approval for signing and ratifying, an agreement between India and Tajikistan on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters. The currency of Tajikistan is ___________.
(a) Tajikistani Dinar
(b) Tajikistani Kuba
(c) Tajikistani Bako
(d) Tajikistani Somoni
(e) Tajikistani Yemen

Q2. India's first Aquatic Rainbow Technology Park, an ultra-modern exclusive facility for ornamental fish equipped with multi-species hatchery and live feed culture units, will become operational in which of the following Indian city?
(a) Bengaluru
(b) Chennai
(c) Thiruvananthapuram
(d) Amravati
(e) Hyderabad

Q3. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has recently given its approval for construction of how many units of India’s indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR)?
(a) 6
(b) 7
(c) 8
(d) 9
(e) 10

Q4. Which of the following state government has recently hosted the 14th Goods & Services Tax (GST) Council meeting?
(a) Telangana
(b) Uttarakhand
(c) Jammu and Kashmir
(d) Andhra Pradesh
(e) Assam

Q5. Which of the following state Legislature passed a Bill to appoint Olympics silver medallist P V Sindhu as a Group-1 officer in the government, by amending the State Public Services Act?
(a) Telangana
(b) Andhra Pradesh
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Madhya Pradesh
(e) Kerala

Q6. Which of the following company has recently received the final nod from the Reserve Bank of India and is set to launch its Payments Bank?
(a) Airtel
(b) FinoPay
(c) India Post Payment Bank
(d) Paytm
(e) Aditya Birla Group

Q7. Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment has recently inaugurated the “15th National Meeting of the State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)” to review Implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act-1995. Name the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment.
(a) Thaawarchand Gehlot
(b) Dharmendra Pradhan
(c) Ravi Shankar Prasad
(d) Birender Singh
(e) Anant Geete

Q8. Veteran personality Reema Lagoo passed away recently. She was famous ___________.
(a) Classical Dancer
(b) Classical Singer
(c) Actress
(d) Sitar Player
(e) Politician

Q9. Forbes magazine has recently named ______________ as the topmost among its "Global Game Changers" who are transforming their industries and changing the lives of billions around the world.
(a) Mark Zuckerberg
(b) Steve Jobs
(c) Laxmi Mittal
(d) Mukesh Ambani
(e) Sunder Pichai

Q10. The Minister of State for Labour & Employment(IC), Shri Bandaru Dattatreya launched EPFOs Citizens Charter 2017 and e-court management system in which city?
(a) Amravati
(b) Bangalore
(c) Chennai
(d) Amarkantak
(e) Thrissur

Q11. Name the 18-year-old Indian student who has made the world’s smallest satellite named 'KalamSat' for NASA.
(a) Saman Jivathran
(b) Sivaraman Karthav
(c) Rifath Sharook
(d) Jegathiswaran Kamath
(e) Swapnil Karthik

Q12. Cabinet has recently approved the signing of Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) with Letter of Assurance (LoA) holders of Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) and introduced a new more transparent coal allocation policy for Power Sector, 2017 named SHAKTI. What does 'HA' mean in SHAKTI?
(a) Harvesting and Armoring
(b) Harnessing and Allocating
(c) Hawking and Amalgamating
(d) Hobbing and Assurance
(e) Harvesting and Allocating

Q13. Forbes magazine has recently named a famous Industrialist of India as the topmost among its "Global Game Changers" who are transforming their industries and changing the lives of billions around the world. Forbes is _________________ based company.
(a) USA
(b) Japan
(c) China
(d) Australia
(e) Russia

Q14. Softbank has made its biggest investment in an Indian digital enterprise by sealing a funding round of _______________ in mobile payments provider Paytm.
(a) Rs 5,000 crore
(b) Rs 6,000 crore
(c) Rs 9,000 crore
(d) Rs 3,000 crore
(e) Rs 1,000 crore

Q15. What is full form of NASA?
(a) National Aerospace and Scientific Administration
(b) National Aeronautics and Scientific Administration
(c) National Aeronautical and Satellite Administration
(d) National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(e) National Aeronautics and Satellite Administration

Solutions

S1. Ans.(d)
Sol. Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing and ratifying, an agreement between India and Tajikistan on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters. The currency of Tajikistan is Tajikistani somoni.

S2. Ans.(b)
Sol. India's first Aquatic Rainbow Technology Park, an ultra-modern exclusive facility for ornamental fish equipped with multi-species hatchery and live feed culture units, will become operational at Chennai in coming three months.

S3. Ans.(e)
Sol. In a significant decision to fast-track India’s domestic nuclear power program, and give a push to country’s nuclear industry, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for construction of 10 units of India’s indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR).

S4. Ans.(c)
Sol. The Jammu and Kashmir government is hosting the 14th Goods & Services Tax (GST) Council meeting in the summer capital Srinagar beginning today (18th May 2017). The State administration is gearing up for the meeting of the GST Council headed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

S5. Ans.(b)
Sol. The Andhra Pradesh Legislature passed a Bill to appoint Olympics silver medallist P V Sindhu as a Group-1 officer in the government, by amending the State Public Services Act.

S6. Ans.(d)
Sol. Digital payment and commerce company Paytm has received the final nod from the Reserve Bank of India and is set to launch Paytm Payments Bank on May 23, 2017. Paytm is the third company from the 11 other applicants to launch payments bank after Airtel and India Post. Mumbai-based Finopay Tech is also likely to launch its operations by next month (June).

S7. Ans.(a)
Sol. Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment inaugurated the “15th National Meeting of the State Commissioners for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)” to review Implementation of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of rights and Full Participation) Act-1995.

S8. Ans.(c)
Sol. Veteran actress Reema Lagoo, known for her performance in movies like “Hum Aapke Hain Koun” and “Kal Ho Na Ho”, died due to a cardiac arrest in Mumbai. She was 59.

S9. Ans.(d)
Sol. Forbes magazine has named Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani as the topmost among its "Global Game Changers" who are transforming their industries and changing the lives of billions around the world.

S10. Ans.(b)
Sol. The Minister of State for Labour & Employment(IC), Shri Bandaru Dattatreya launched EPFOs Citizens Charter 2017 and e-court management system in Bangalore. The citizen’s charter has been launched with the vision of social security coverage to all employees as well as the implementation of policies for benefit of all stakeholders with the adequate support level of social security. 

S11. Ans.(c)
Sol. The US’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will launch the world’s smallest satellite named 'KalamSat', it will be the first time ever that it would be piloting an experiment by an Indian student. Developed by Rifath Sharook, an 18-year-old boy, from Tamil Nadu’s Pallapatti town, KalamSat weighs only 64 grams. ‘KalamSat’, named after India's nuclear scientist and former President, APJ Abdul Kalam, will be launched from a NASA facility in Wallops Island.

S12. Ans.(b)
Sol. Cabinet has recently approved the signing of Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) with Letter of Assurance (LoA) holders of Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) and Introduced a new more transparent coal allocation policy for Power Sector, 2017-SHAKTI (Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India).

S13. Ans.(a)
Sol. Forbes magazine has named Reliance Industries (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani as the topmost among its "Global Game Changers" who are transforming their industries and changing the lives of billions around the world. Forbes is an American business magazine was founded in 1917. Forbes headquarter is in New York City, USA.

S14. Ans.(c)
Sol. Softbank has made its biggest investment in an Indian digital enterprise by sealing a funding round of Rs 9,000 crore ($1.4 billion) in mobile payments provider Paytm. The Japanese internet and telecom conglomerate will now own about a fifth of the Noida-based company estimated to be worth $8 billion, making it the country’s second most valuable startup. This is the largest fund infusion by a single investor in an Indian start-up and also Softbank's largest investment in a single company in India.

S15. Ans.(d)
Sol. Full form of US-based company NASA is National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Daily GK Update 13th June 2017

Indian girl bags Little Miss Universe Internet 2017 crown at Little Miss Universe in Georgia 

i. A 12-year-old Padmalaya Nanda from Odisha has created history by becoming the youngest girl to bag the "Little Miss Universe Internet 2017" and "Little Miss Actress" crowns at the Little Miss Universe 2017 at the port city of Batumi in Georgia.

ii. This is the first time that a 12 yr Indian girl has won this beauty pageant title. She will now participate in the "Little Miss World 2017" competition that will be held at Greece from Sept 25 to Oct 1, 2017.

Static Takeaways-

• The Capital of Georgia is Tbilisi.
• Its Currency is Georgian lari.

RBI Issues New Rs500 banknotes with inset letter ‘A’ 

i. In continuation of issuing of Rs500 denomination banknotes in Mahatma Gandhi (new) series from time to time which are currently legal tender, a new batch of banknotes with inset letter “A” in both the number panels, bearing the signature of Dr. Urjit R. Patel Governor, Reserve Bank of India; with the year of printing '2017’ on the reverse, are being issued.

ii. The new series earlier released and currently, in circulation has the inset letter "E". They will continue to be valid. The design of these notes is similar in all respects to the Rs500 banknotes.

Banking Takeaways-

• Shri B.P. Kanungo is the newly appointed Deputy Governor of RBI
• The Reserve Bank of India was established on April 1, 1935 in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
• RBI was nationalized in 1949.

S

Nalanda model of water conservation chosen for National Award 

i. A model of water conservation adopted successfully by the authorities in Nalanda district of south-central Bihar, has been selected for the national award for excellence in the Mahatma Gandhi national rural employment guarantee program (MGNREGP), by the ministry of rural development.
ii. The award for excellence will be conferred on ‘Project Jal Sanchay’, the water conservation model developed in chief minister Nitish Kumar’s native district, at a function to be organized at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on June 19.

Static Takeaways-

• Valmiki National Park located in West Champaran district of Bihar.
• Nalanda University is one of the oldest University in Bihar.

World’s largest floating Solar Farm launched in China 

i. China has launched world’s largest floating solar farm in  Anhui province. The 40-megawatt power plant has 160,000 panels resting on a lake that emerged after the collapse of a coal mine in central Anhui province.

ii. As per the Reports, China has been the world's largest investor in clean energy since 2012, spending $88 billion on the wind and solar power in 2016.

Static Takeaways-

• The capital of China is  Beijing and its Currency is Renminbi.
• The President of China is Xi Jinping.
• Qinghai Lake is the largest Lake in China.

Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar Make It to Forbes World's Highest-Paid Celebrities List 

i. The Forbes list of world’s highest-paid celebs is out and has Sean Combs right at the top. On the list, Bollywood big stars with Shah Rukh Khan leading the charge at the 65th position with $38 million in earnings this year.

ii. On his heels is Salman Khan at the 71st spot with $37 million earned in 2016-2017. Akshay Kumar is at 80th position with $35.5 million. Unlike last year, Amitabh Bachchan has not made to the list.

Top three names in the list are- 

1. Sean Combs $130 Million (Musicians),
2. Beyoncé Knowles $105 Million (Musicians),
3. J.K. Rowling $95 Million (Authors).

Important Takeaways-

• Forbes is an American business magazine was founded in 1917
• Forbes headquarter is in New York City, USA.

World’s smallest & cheapest private jet ‘Vision Jet’ launched in USA 

i. The World’s smallest and cheapest private jet 'Vision Jet' was launched in the USA recently. The Vision Jet can haul five adults up to 1,150 miles at 28,000 feet.

ii. It is the first Private Jet with a single engine and can be conveniently operated by a single pilot, thus keeping production and maintenance costs low for the users. The jet can fly at a speed of 345mph and has an operating altitude of 28,000 feet.

Static Takeaways-

• The Capital of the USA is Washington D.C.
• Its President is Donald Trump.
• Vice President of USA is Mike Pence.

Jitu Rai-Heena Sidhu clinch gold medal in ISSF World Cup 

i. India’s Jitu Rai and Heena Sidhu combined to clinch the gold medal in mixed team 10m air pistol event of the ISSF World Cup, beating Russia in the final in Gabala, Azerbaijan. France beat Iran by an identical score to win the bronze in the event.

ii. 430 athletes from 45 countries are competing for medals in the ongoing World Cup, which is the last chance for rifle and pistol shooters to qualify for the ISSF World Cup Finals.

Static Takeaways-

• The Capital of Azerbaijan is Baku.
• The Currency of Azerbaijan is Azerbaijani manat.

Rafael Nadal rises to second in ATP world rankings 

i. Rafael Nadal’s magnificent run to a 10th French Open title has earned the Spaniard a move into second in the latest ATP world rankings.

ii. The Top three players in the list are- 1. Andy Murray, 2. Rafael Nadal, and 3. Stan Wawrinka.

Important Takeaways-

• ATP stands for Association of Tennis Professionals.
• Chris Kermode is the Executive Chairman & President of ATP.

Lewis Hamilton wins Canadian GP for sixth time

i. Lewis Hamilton won the Canadian Grand Prix for the sixth time. He won against Sebastian Vettel’s overall championship and lead to 12 points.

ii. It was Hamilton’s third victory of the season and also his third in a row. It was the three-time champion’s sixth victory at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. It was the 56th title of his career.

Static Takeaways-

• The Capital of Canada is Ottawa.
• Its Currency is Canadian dollar.
• Lewis Hamilton races for the Mercedes.

Veteran Telugu Poet, Writer C Narayana Reddy Passes Away

i. Legendary Telugu poet and writer C Narayana Reddy passed away. He was 85. He was honored with Padma Shri in 1977 and Padma Bhushan in 1992 by the Government of India.

ii. He had received the Jnanpith Award for the year 1988. He was also the president of the Telangana Saraswatha Parishath. He was also a former Rajya Sabha MP.