10-Practice Solved TestIAS PRELIMS EXAM 2019 TEST SERIES 10-Practice Set with 500+ Current Affairs Solved MCQ R.P.Meena Index 1. Economy Practice Test 2. History Practice Test 3, Environment Practice Test 4. Geography Practice Test5. Polity Practice Test 6. Current Affairs -1 7. Current Affairs-2 8. Current Affairs-3 9. Current Affairs-4 10. 500+ Current Affairs MCQ for All Competitive Exams PRACTICE TEST IAS PRELIMS 2019 1. Consider the following statements regarding Au- tonomous and Accommodating transactions in BoP 1) Autonomous items in BOP take place due to some economic motives like earning income and profit maximization 2) Accommodating items in BOP refer to transactions that take place to cover deficit (or surplus) arising from autonomous transactions Select the correct answer using the code given below. a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) All of the above d) None of the above Ans:cAutonomous and Accommodating Transactions Autonomous items in BOP: : These refer to international economic transactions that take place due to some economic motives like earning income and profit maximization. - These items are generally called ‘above the line items’ in BOP. Again, it is autonomous transactions which make deficit or surplus in BOP, - Both current and Capital Account « They have nothing to do with foreign exchange payments. « Since such transactions are independent of the state of country's balance of payment, 1.e., irrespective of whether BOP is favorable or un- favorable, they are, therefore, called autonomous items. + BOP is in deficit if the autonomous receipts are less than autonomous payments. - BOP is in surplus if the autonomous receipts are greater than autonomous payments. In other words, deficit or surplus in BOP depends upon the balance of autonomous items. + Deficit in BOP account: When during the year total inflows of foreign exchange on account of autono- mous transactions are less than total outflows on ac- count of such transactions, there is deficit in BOP. Accommodating items in BOP: « These refer to transactions that take place to cover deficit (or surplus) arising from autonomous transac- tions. - These items are also called ‘below the line items’. + Only in Capital Account + Because of government financing, official settle- ments are seen as accommodating items to keep the BOP identity. 2. Look at the following statements about Nifty 1) It is based upon 50 firms in India. 2) It is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. 3) It does not trade in mutual funds Select the correct answer using the code given below: a) lonly b) 2 onlyc) 3 only d)1and3 Ans: a 3. J curve in the economics is related to 1) Index is a type of cost-of-living index that uses an expenditure function such as one used in assessing expected compensating variation 2) Show the relationship between tax rates and the amount of tax revenue collected by governments 3) The inverse relationship between unemployment rate and inflation 4) Refers to the trend of a country’s trade balance fol- lowing a devaluation Ans: d J curve - In economics, the 'J curve' refers to the trend of a country’s trade balance following a devaluation or depreciation under a certain set of assumptions - A J-curve demonstration is a representation of any value that initially falls before recovering and ulti- mately rising; it shifts in investment values and the impacts of policy changes on applicable economic metrics. + An example of the J-curve effect is seen in econom- ics when a country's trade balance initially worsens following a devaluation or depreciation of its cur- rency. The higher exchange rate first corresponds to more costly imports and less valuable exports, lead- ing to a bigger initial deficit or a smaller surplus. 4. With reference to the Baltic Dry Index, consider the following statements 1) It is an economic indicator issued daily by the Lon- don-based Baltic Exchange 2) They are restricted to Baltic Sea Countries Select the correct answer using the code given below. a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) All of the above d) None of the aboveAns: a Baltic Dry Index (BDI) - It is an economic indicator issued daily by the Lon- don-based Baltic Exchange. - Not restricted to Baltic Sea countries, the index provides "an assessment of the price of moving the major raw materials by sea. - Taking in 23 shipping routes measured on a time charter basis, the index covers Handysize, Supramax, Panamax, and Capesize dry bulk carriers carrying a range of commodities including coal, iron ore and grain. 5. Consider the following about National Capital Goods policy 1) Department of Heavy Industries implements it 2) It proposes for enhancing the export of Indian made capital goods Which of the following is/are correct? a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) Both 1 and 2 d) None of them Ans: C National Capital Goods Policy + The policy is likely to create 30 million jobs and raise production to Rs 7.5 lakh crore from the current Rs 2.3 lakh crore. Capital Goods are those goods that are used in producing other goods, rather than being bought by consumers. : The policy envisages increasing exports to 40% of production from the current 27%. It willincrease the share of domestic production in India’s demand from 60% to 80%, making India a net exporter of capital goods. «It also aims to facilitate improvement in technology depth across sub-sectors, increase skill availability, ensure mandatory standards and promote growth and capacity building of MSMEs.+ The policy will help in realizing the vision of ‘Build- ing India as the World class hub for Capital Goods’. + The objectives of the policy will be met by the De- partment of Heavy Industry in atime bound manner through obtaining approval for schemes as per the roadmap of policy interventions. - Some of the key issues addressed include availabil- ity of finance, raw material, innovation and technol- ogy, productivity, quality and environment-friendly manufacturing practices, promoting exports and creating domestic demand. 6. Tax buoyancy is defined as a) Percentage change in tax revenue in response to change in tax rate and extension of coverage b) Refers to the % change in the tax revenue with the growth of national income i.e. growth based increase in tax collection c) The entity that bears the tax burden d) None of the above Ans: b Tax Buoyancy - Refers to the % change in the tax revenue with the growth of national income i.e. growth based increase in tax collection. + It is an indicator to measure efficiency and re- sponsiveness of revenue mobilization in response to growth in the Gross domestic product or National income. 7. Look at the following statements about chit funds 1) It is a saving institution 2) They have regular members who make periodical subscriptions to the fund 3) Chit funds are included in the definition of Non- Banking Financial Companies Which of the statements given above are correct? a) Only 1 and 2 b) Only 2 and 3 c) Only 1 and 3 d) All of the aboveAns: d Chit Funds - A Chit fund is a kind of savings scheme practiced in India. - A chit fund company is a company that manages, conducts, or supervises such a chit fund, as defined in Section of the Chit Funds Act, 1982. - Chit funds have regular members who make period- ical subscriptions to the fund, - Central Government has not framed any Rules of op- eration for them. Thus, Registration and Regulation of Chit funds are carried out by State Governments under the Rules framed by them - Functionally, Chit funds are included in the defini- tion of Non- Banking Financial Companies by RBI under the sub-head miscellaneous nonbanking company (MNBC). 8. Consider the following statements 1) Surcharge is tax on tax 2) Cess in charge on the tax Which of the following is/are not correct? a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) All of the above d) None of the above Ans: c¢ - Cess is a tax that is levied by the government to raise funds for a pre-decided purpose. Collections from the Education Cess and the Sec- ondary and Higher Education Cess, for instance, are supposed to be used for funding primary and higher and secondary education respectively. Like- wise, money collected from the Krishi Kalyan Cess is to be used for funding agri development initiatives. + The Surcharge is a charge on any already existing tax. Surcharge basically is an additional tax. In India Surcharge on income tax is an extra tax on high in- come. It is charged on the individuals and businesses. 9. Consider the following about International Finan- cial Corporation1) It lends money to the private sector companies of the member nations 2) It encourages foreign investment in developing economies by offering insurance to foreign private investors against loss caused by non-commercial risks Which of the following is/are not correct? a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) Both 1 and 2 d) None of them Answer: b International Finance Corporation (IFC) «Set up in 1956 this is also known as the private arm of the WB. - It lends money to the private sector companies of its member nations. The interest rate charged is com- mercial but comparatively low. - There are many attractive features of IFC’s lending. It finances and provides advice for private public ventures and projects in partnership with private in- vestors and, through its advisory work, helps govern- ments of the member nations to create conditions that stimulate the flow of both domestic and foreign private savings and investment. «It focuses on promoting economic development by encouraging the growth of productive enterprises and efficient capital markets in its member coun- tries. + It participates in an investment only when it can make a special contribution that complements the role of market investors (as a Foreign Financial In- vestor (FFI). - It also plays a catalytic role, stimulating and mo- bilising private investment in the developing world by demonstrating that investments there too can be profitable. We have seen a great upsurge in the IFC in- vestments in India which has undoubtedly strength- ened the foreign investors’ confidence in the Indian economy.10. Gender Budgeting is a) Funds are allocated only to the schemes that sup- port women development b) Allocation of resources to the agencies are done by periodic re-evaluation through incrementalism c) Funds and responsibilities are allocated on the basis of gender d) None of them Answer: c Gender Budgeting It is a powerful tool for achieving gender main- streaming so as to ensure that benefits of develop- ment reach women as much as men. It is not an accounting exercise but an ongoing process of keep- ing a gender perspective in policy/ programme for- mulation, its implementation and review. GB entails dissection of the Government budgets to establish its gender differential impacts and to ensure that gender commitments are translated in to budgetary commitments. The rationale for gender budgeting arises from recognition of the fact that national budgets impact men and women differently through the pattern of resource allocation. Women, constitute 48% of India’s population, but they lag behind men on many social indicators like health, education, economic op- portunities, etc. Hence, they warrant special atten- tion due to their vulnerability and lack of access to resources. The way Government budgets allocate re- sources, has the potential to transform these gender inequalities. In view of this, Gender Budgeting, as a tool for achieving gender main- streaming, has been propagated, 11. Consider the following about Islamic Banking/ No-Interest Banking 1) It is prescribed in the Sharia law 2) It prohibits interests only on loans Which of the following is/are correct? a) Only 1 b) Only 2c) All of the above d) None of the above Answer: a Islamic banking -Itis a banking system that is based on the principles of Islamic law, also referred to as Shariah law, and guided by Islamic economics, - Two basic principles behind Islamic banking are the sharing of profit and loss and, significantly, the pro- hibition of the collection and payment of interest by lenders and investors. - Collecting interest or "riga" is not permitted under Islamic law. 12. GDR means: a) 'Gross domestic ratio' which is a macro aggregate b) ‘Global Depository Receipt’ which is the mecha- nism to raise funds from international market c) 'Global development range' which has been set up by UNO for developing countries d) 'Geographically developed regions' as defined by the UNDP Ans: b Global Depositary Receipt (GDR) A global depositary receipt (GDR) is a bank certificate issued in more than one country for shares in a foreign company. The shares are held by a foreign branch of an international bank. The shares trade as domestic shares but are offered for sale globally through the various bank branches, A GDR isa finan- cial instrument used by private markets to raise cap- ital denominated in either U.S. dollars or Euros. 13. Consider the following about Goods and Service Tax 1) It is a destination based tax 2) All the goods will be taxed at same rate Which of the following is/are correct? a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) Both 1 and 2 d) None of them Ans: a14. Recession is a) An economic contraction when the GDP declines for 2 consecutive years b) An economic boom when the GDP increases for 2 consecutive years c) An economic contraction when the GDP declines for 2 consecutive quarters d) None of them Answer: c Recession - Recession is a slowdown or a massive contraction in economic activities. A significant fall in spending generally leads to a recession. » Such a slowdown in economic activities may last for some quarters thereby completely hampering the growth of an economy. In such a situation, economic indicators such as GDP, corporate profits, employments, etc., fall. This creates a mess in the entire economy. To tackle the menace, economies generally react by loosening their monetary policies by infusing more money into the system, ie., by increasing the money supply. - This is done by reducing the interest rates. In- creased spending by the government and decreased taxation are also considered good answers for this problem. The recession which hit the globe in 2008 is the most recent example of a recession. 15. Consider the following statements about GAAR 1) It was first discussed in Budget 2016-2017 2) Itis an anti-tax avoidance Rule of India. 3) It is framed by the Department of Expenditure Which of the statements given above are correct? e) Only 1 f) Only 2 g) Only 1 and 3 h) All of the above Ans: b General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR) - Originally mentioned in Budget 2012. - GAAR is an anti-tax avoidance Rule of India.+ It is framed by the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance. + Originally proposed in the Direct taxes code 2009,are targeted at arrangement or transactions made specifically to avoid taxes + It allows tax officials to target participatory notes. 16. Consider the following taxes of the central gov- ernment: 1) Personal Income Tax 2) Corporation Tax 3) Excise Duty The descending order of their allocation size in the 2015-16 budgets is: a)1,2,3 b) 1, 3,4 c)2,1,3 d)2,3,1 Ansa Major Tax Revenues of the Centre 17. The oil price is falling due to following reasons 1) Demand is low because of weak economic activity 2) America now imports much less than in past due to shale gas exploration 3) Saudis and their Gulf allies have decided not to sac- rifice their own market share to restore the price 4) More supply of petrol due to discoveries in Mid Africa Select the correct answer using the code given below. a) 1 and 2 only b) 1, 2 and 3 only c) 2,3 and 4 only d) All of the above Answer: b 18. The ideal recommended ratio of NPK is a) 4:2:1 b) 2:4:1 c)4:1:2 d) 4: 3:2Ans: a Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme + The nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) scheme, intro- duced by the government in 2010 - The recommended Nitrogen (N): Phosphorous (P): Potassium (R) ratio of 4:2:1, the NPK ratio in 2013-14 was 8.2:3.2:1. 19. Consider the following statements with respect to repo rates 1) Rate at which central bank (RBI) lends money to commercial bank for short term liquidity needs. 2) Increase in repo rate helps in controlling inflation Which of the following is/are correct? a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) All of the above d) None of the above Ans:c Repo rate/ Policy rate + Rate at which central bank (RBI) lends money to commercial bank for short term liquidity needs. - If the repo rate or the bank rate is increased, bank has to pay more interest to the central bank. So in order to make profit, banks in turn increase their interest rate at which they take deposit from the customer and lend money to the customer. So the demand for loan decreases, and people start putting more and more money in bank accounts to earn higher rate of interest. This helps in controlling infla- tion. 20. Consider the following about Call Money Market 1) It is an inter-bank money market where funds are borrowed and lent for one day 2) Collateral is required to borrow money from this market Select the correct answer using the code given below. a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) All of the above d) None of the aboveAns: a Call Money - Call money is mainly used by the banks to meet their temporary requirement of cash. + They borrow and lend money from each other nor- mally on a daily basis. - It is repayable on demand and its maturity period varies in between one day to a fortnight. If it’s one day it is call money if it’s more than a day its Notice money + No collateral required - The rate of interest paid on call money loan is known as call rate. IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS MCQ 1. The KHUSHI scheme, under which free sanitary napkins are provided to girls studying in Classes 6 to 12 in govt schools, is implemented in 1) Odisha 2) Bihar 3) Kerala 4) Gujarat 5) Haryana Answer-1 2. Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Ujjwala Sanitary Napkin initiative in which state recently to expand women’s access to hy- giene products and provide employment?1) Jharkhand 2) West Bengal 3) Uttar Pradesh 4) Madhya Pradesh 5) Odisha Answer-5 3. The govt in which state abolished the condition of a minimum educational qualification to contest local body elections recently? 1) Chhattisgarh 2) Madhya Pradesh 3) Mizoram 4) Rajasthan 5) Himachal Pradesh Answer-4 4. Which state govt has announced to create an Ad- hyatmik Vibhag (spiritual department) by merging several existing departments? 1) Uttar Pradesh 2) Madhya Pradesh 3) Uttarakhand 4) Haryana 5) Karnataka Answer-2 5. The Minority Rights Day is observed in India ev- ery year on which date? 1) 01 Dec 2) 08 Dec 3) 18Dec 4) 28 Dec 5) 31Dec Answer-36. The book titled ‘Eating Wasps’ has been penned by whom among the following? 1) Nandini Krishnan 2) Alap Shah 3) Akli Kumaraswamy 4) Dean Nelson 5) Anita Nair Answer-5 7. What is the current marginal standing facility (MSF) rate? 1) 6.25 per cent 2) 6.50 per cent 3) 6.75 percent 4) 7percent 5) 7.25 per cent Answer-3 8. Banks have seen a significant improvement in re- covery of stressed assets helped by the IBC. Here, the term IBC stands for 1) Insolvency and Bureaucracy Code 2) Industry and Bureaucracy Code 3) Insolvency and Business Code 4) Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 5) None ofthese Answer-4 9. India announced Rs 4,500-cr assistance to the 12th five-year plan of which of the following coun- tries recently? 1) Maldives 2) Bhutan 3) Myanmar 4) SriLanka 5) Nepal Answer-210. The RBI allowed the Small Industries Develop- ment Bank of India (SIDBI) to use an existing Rs 1000-cr corpus for lending to 1) Microfinance institution 2) Students 3) Payments banks 4) Small finance banks 5) Farmers Answer-1 11. Which payments bank recently resumed Know Your Customer process as well as on boarding new customers after RBI's approval? Satish Gupta is its present MD and CEO. 1) Paytm Payments Bank 2) Fino Payments Bank 3) Airtel Payments Bank 4) Jio Payments Bank 5) India Post Payments Bank Answer-1 12. The govt of which state recently announced a new policy for temporary cow shelters in the urban and rural areas and imposition of a cess on excise duty for the same? 1) Madhya Pradesh 2) Rajasthan 3) Chhattisgarh 4) Uttar Pradesh 5) Haryana Answer-4 13. The govt collected as goods and services tax (GST) in Dec 2018. 1) Rs 92,726 cr 2) Rs 94,726 cr 3) Rs 95,726 cr4) Rs 96,726 cr 5) Rs 98,726 cr Answer-2 14. The Reserve Bank of India has introduced a one- time restructuring scheme for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with a maximum ex- posure of 1) Rsler 2) Rs2cr 3) RsScr 4) Rs10cr 5) Rs25cr Answer-5 15. The RBI enforced Rs 14-crore penalty on seven banks for flouting norms in 2018 according to the latest FSR. Here, the term FSR means 1) Feasibility and Stability Report 2) Forensic Stability Report 3) Financial Stability Report 4) Feasibility and Suitability Report 5) None of these Answer-3 16, The govt has exempted rupee payments made to the oil company NIOC towards the purchase of crude oil from payment of any tax. NIOC belongs to 1) Saudi Arabia 2) Venezuela 3) Cambodia 4) Iran 5) Qatar Answer-417. The book titled ‘Shades of Truth: A Journey De- railed’ has been penned by who among the follow- ing? 1) Karan Thapar 2) Prashant Bhushan 3) Yashwant Sinha 4) Arun Shore 5) Kapil Sibal Answer-5 18. The World Braille Day is observed every year on which date? 1) O1Jan 2) 04 Jan 3) 14Jan 4) 24Jan 5) 31Jan Answer-2 19. The United Nations recently adopted two resolu- tions on International Information Security (IIS) sys- tem recently. These resolutions were proposed by 1) Russia 2) China 3) Japan 4) Israel 5) Germany Answer-1 20, The amendments in SARFAESI Act have helped banks improve recovery of stressed assets during FY18. Inthe term SARFAESI, letter ‘S’ stands for 1) Security 2) Stock 3) Securitization 4) Sourcing 5) StructuringAnswer-3 21, The Veer Savarkar International Airport is situ- ated at which place? It was declared as an authorized immigration check post recently. 1) Chennai 2) Kolkata 3) Pune 4) Port Blair 5) Mangalore Answer-4 22, The Union Cabinet recently approved the merger of Dena Bank, Bank of Baroda and 1) UCO Bank 2) Vijaya Bank 3) Allahabad Bank 4) Indian Bank 5) Bank of India Answer-2 23. Sarbananda Sonowal is the present Chief Minis- ter of which of the following states? 1) Assam 2) Tripura 3) Arunachal Pradesh 4) Uttarakhand 5) Chhattisgarh Answer-1 24. The Union Cabinet has approved the restructur- ing of National Health Agency as the National Health 1) Entity 2) Mission 3) Commission 4) Advisory5) Authority Answer-5 25. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the 106th Indian Science Congress recently at Lovely Professional Uni- versity in 1) Haryana 2) Gujarat 3) Punjab 4) Maharashtra 5) Bihar Answer-3 26. Will host foreign ministers of 22 Arab League nations at a two-day meet from Jan 31. 1) Pakistan 2) Bangladesh 3) Afghanistan 4) India 5) Maldives Answer-4 27. Dronacharya awardee cricket coach Ramakanta Achrekar passed away recently. He is credited with shaping the early career of 1) Kapil Dev 2) Sachin Tendulkar 3) Sunil Gavaskar 4) Virat Kohli 5) Sourav Ganguly Answer-2 28. Who among the following headed the task force for recommending improvements in jobs data? He resigned from his post later. 1) Urjit Patel2) Rajiv Kumar 3) Bibek Debroy 4) Arvind Subramanian 5) Arvind Panagariya Answer-5 29. Mrutyunjay Mahapatra is the present MD and CEO of which of the following banks? The bank has its headquarters located in Manipal. 1) Corporation Bank 2) Bank of India 3) Syndicate Bank 4) Vijaya Bank 5) Oriental Bank of Commerce Answer-3 30. The govt has decided to provide what per cent in- terest subsidy to merchant exporters, entailing an expenditure of Rs 600 cr? 1) 2 percent 2) 3 percent 3) 4 percent 4) 5 percent 5) 6 percent Answer-2 31. The Chang'e-4 probe of which of the following countries landed on far side of moon recently? 1) Russia 2) Japan 3) China 4) US 5) France Answer-332. A Parliamentary panel recently lauded the govt’s efforts to go for market borrowings for the centrally- sponsored scheme on blue revolution. Blue revolu- tion is related to 1) Clean air 2) Aviation 3) Shipping 4) Aquaculture 5) Sericulture Answer-4 33. Tourists fled from the islands of Koh Changan and Koh Tao recently ahead of tropical storm Pabuk. These islands are situated in 1) Philippines 2) Vietnam 3) Cambodia 4) Indonesia 5) Thailand Answer-5 34. A gas explosion hitting a residential building in Magnitogorsk city killed at least 37 people in which of the following countries? 1) Belarus 2) Russia 3) Ukraine 4) Mongolia 5) Croatia Answer-2 35. Who among the following is the Human Re- source Development Minister in the present Union Cabinet? 1) Prakash Javadekar 2) Maneka Gandhi 3) Harsh Vardhan 4) Dharmendra Pradhan5) Ravi Shankar Prasad Answer-1 36. Arunima Sinha scaled Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica, recently. She became World's 1st woman Who climbed Mount Vinson? 1) Soldier 2) Teenager 3) Sexagenarian 4) Amputee 5) Mountaineer Answer-4 37. Director General of the World Health Organiza- tion (WHO) praised India’s Ayushman Bharat scheme recently. The present DG of the WHO is 1) Melees Senani 2) David Navarro 3) Sania Nistar 4) Margaret Chan 5) Tedros Adhanom Answer-5 38. Who among the following is the most cash-rich promoter among individual promoters in the coun- try as of now? He had cash earnings of Rs 10,115 crin the last three years. 1) Shiv Nadar 2) Azim Premji 3) Gautam Adani 4) Dilip Shanghvi 5) Mukesh Ambani Answer-2 39. The printing of Rs 2000 banknote has been re- duced to the minimum by the RBI. Of the total cur-rency in circulation amounting to Rs 18,037 bn at end-Mar 2018, Rs 2000 notes accounted for 1) 37.3 per cent 2) 39.7 percent 3) 43.3 percent 4) 50.2 per cent 5) 52.2 percent Answer-1 40. The credit growth of HFCs is likely to shrink on liquidity crisis and tough competition. In the term HFC, letter ‘H’ means 1) Hotel 2) Hospital 3) Housing 4) Hosiery 5) Host Answer-3 41. Who among the following is the Minister of State for Labour and Employment in the present Union Cabinet? 1) Santosh Kumar Gangwar 2) Shripad Naik 3) Thaawar Chand Gehlot 4) Rao Inderjit Singh 5) Anant Geete Answer-1 42. The ‘yellow vest protesters’ wrote an open letter to President Emmanuel Macron in which country recently? 1) Germany 2) Spain 3) UK 4) Netherlands 5) FranceAnswer-5 43. The defence firm NORINCO showcased the Mas- sive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) or ‘Mother of All Bombs’ in which country recently? 1) Russia 2) Japan 3) China 4) North Korea 5) Iran Answer-3 44. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently im- posed a fine of Rs 100 cr on which state for its failure to curb illegal coal mining? 1) Goa 2) Karnataka 3) Madhya Pradesh 4) Meghalaya 5) Rajasthan Answer-4 45. The 27th New Delhi World Book Fair was orga- nized in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi recently. The theme of the fair this year was 1) Special books for special needs 2) Readers with special needs 3) New generation new books 4) Book in 21st century 5) Books and the innovation Answer-2 46. The govt is considering a proposal to allow ex- changes from the IFSC in Gujarat to issue depository receipts (DRs). In the term IFSC, letter ‘F’ denotes 1) Foreign2) Forest 3) Financial 4) Forex 5) Franchise Answer-3 47. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said that PPI users will have no liability if they report fraud within three days. Here, the term PPI stands for 1) Postpaid Payment Instruments 2) Permitted Payment Instruments 3) Primary Payment Instruments 4) Prepaid Payment Instruments 5) None of these Answer-4 48. The NAA has issued orders against nine busi- nesses which were found to have not passed on rate cut benefits to consumers. Here, the term NAA means 1) National Anti-Provisioning Authority 2) National Anti-Profiteering Authority 3) National Anti-Procurement Authority 4) National Anti-Partisan Authority 5) None of these Answer-2 49. The Nikkei India Services Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) remained at in Dec 2018. 1) 50.2 2)51.2 3) 52.2 4) 53.2 5) 54.2 Answer-450. The book ‘Changing India’ has been penned by whom among the following? 1) Pranab Mukherjee 2) Amit Shah 3) LK Advani 4) Sonia Gandhi 5) Manmohan Singh Answer-5 51. Which of the following cyclones hit Andaman and Nicobar Islands recently? 1) Pabuk 2) Vardah 3) Phallin 4) Ockhi 5) Insofar Answer-1 52. The govt has allocated Rs 10,900 cr for develop- ment of 40 satellite launch vehicles in Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The present chairman of ISRO is 1) BN Suresh 2) GSatheesh Reddy 3) Mylswamy Annadurai 4) TSuvarna Raju 5) KSivan Answer-5 53. The Information and Broadcasting Minister in the present Union Cabinet is 1) Arjun Ram Meghwal 2) Prakash Javadekar 3) Rajyavardhan Rathore 4) Vijay Goel 5) Piyush GoyalAnswer-3 54. Andhra Bank has announced to deploy over 1,600 BCs to boost financial and non-financial transactions. Here, the term BC stands for 1) Bank Correspondents 2) Bank Centres 3) Business Centres 4) Business Correspondents 5) None of these Answer-4 55. Which country recently asked the RBI to declare Indian currency notes of denominations higher than Rs 100 legal tender in that country? 1) Maldives 2) Nepal 3) Bhutan 4) Myanmar 5) Bangladesh Answer-2 56. The GST panel recently approved levy of 1 per cent 'calamity cess' by which state for a period of two years to fund rehabilitation work in the state hit by floods? 1) Karnataka 2) Andhra Pradesh 3) Bihar 4) Kerala 5) Odisha Answer-4 57. Who among the following was recently declared ‘fugitive economic offender’ by a Mumbai court? 1) Anil Ambani 2) Vijay Mallya3) Subrata Roy 4) Lalit Modi 5) Nirav Modi Answer-2 5B, Emerged on top of Asia Competitiveness In- stitute (ACI), Singapore's 2018 Ease of Doing Busi- ness (EDB) Index. 1) Rajasthan 2) Gujarat 3) Delhi 4) Maharashtra 5) Andhra Pradesh Answer-5 59. The public sector banks are planning to ratio- nalise 69 overseas branches. Which of the following banks has the largest number of overseas branches? 1) Bank of Baroda 2) Bank of India 3) State Bank of India 4) Indian Overseas Bank 5) Corporation Bank Answer-3 60. Which of the following banks has joined hands with Small Business Fin Credit to provide loans to MSMEs? 1) ICICI Bank 2) HDFC Bank 3) Axis Bank 4) YES Bank 5) Federal Bank Answer-161. Six monuments were declared protected and of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 2018. Which of the following is one of them? 1) Vishnu Temple (Pithoragarh, Uttarkhand) 2) Group of Temples (Bolangir, Odisha) 3) Neemrana Baori (Alwar, Rajasthan) 4) Old High Court Building (Nagpur, Maharashtra) 5) Allofthese Answer-5 62. Hardeep S Puri launched the Swachh Survekshan 2019 recently. In the present Union Cabinet, he is the Minister of State (I/C) in the Ministry of 1) Civil Aviation 2) Home Affairs 3) Housing and Urban Affairs 4) Drinking Water and Sanitation 5) Corporate Affairs Answer-3 63. Sahitya Akademi awardee Dibyendu Plait passed away recently. He wasarenowned writer. 1) Bengali 2) Assamese 3) Marathi 4) Telugu 5) Malayalam Answer-1 64. The market regulator Sebi has allowed custodial services in the commodity derivatives market. The present chairman of Sebi is 1) Hemant Contractor 2) Subhash Chandra Khuntia 3) Ram Sewaks Sharma 4) Ajay Tyagi 5) David RasquinhaAnswer-4 65. Which state govt recently announced two wel- fare initiatives for farmers as part of the ‘Krishi Kr- ishak Bandhu’ scheme? 1) Odisha 2) West Bengal 3) Uttar Pradesh 4) Bihar 5) Madhya Pradesh Answer-2 66. The US president Donald Trump recently signed the ARIA 2018. Here, the term ARIA means 1) Asia Realignment Initiative Act 2) Asia Restructuring Initiative Act 3) Asia Reform Initiative Act 4) Asia Reassurance Initiative Act 5) None of these Answer-4 67. The RBI has set up an expert committee to sug- gest long-term solutions for the economic and finan- cial sustainability of the MSME sector. The Commit- tee is headed by 1) UK Sinha 2) Chitra Ramkrishna 3) DR Mehta 4) Arundhati Bhattacharya 5) CBBhave Answer-1 68. The govt has appointed Hemant Bhargava as the acting chairman of 1) SBI2) UTI 3) LIC of India 4) NHB 5) Nabard Answer-3 69. Saurabh Kumar has been appointed as the chair- man of the 1) DRDO 2) HAL 3) BEL 4) Bharat Forge 5) Ordnance Factory Board Answer-5 70. The Union Cabinet has approved the MoU signed between India and Morocco on cooperation in the area of cyber security. The capital of Morocco is 1) Bamako 2) Rabat 3) Baku 4) Nassau 5) Yerevan Answer-2 71. Erna Solberg visited New Delhi recently. She is the present Prime Minister of which country? 1) Norway 2) Denmark 3) Sweden 4) Finland 5) Holland Answer-172. Which of the following states recently extended the retirement age of college-university professors from 62 to 65 years? 1) Bihar 2) Rajasthan 3) Chhattisgarh 4) Haryana 5) West Bengal Answer-5 73. Was sworn in as Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the third consecutive term recently. 1) Khalida Zia 2) Abdul Hamid 3) Sheikh Hasina 4) Baitul Quaver 5) Hussain Muhammad Arshad Answer-3 74. India created history by winning their first ever Cricket Test series against which country on their soil recently? This is the first such win since 1947-48. 1) England 2) West Indies 3) South Africa 4) Australia 5) New Zealand Answer-4 75.The Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar recently approved an increase of how many seats at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country? 1) 2,500 2) 5,000 3) 7,500 4) 9,0005) 10,000 Answer-2 76. Which country recently cleared the extradition of Sanjeev Chawla, an accused of match-fixing in 2000? 1) UK 2) US 3) UAE 4) Mauritius 5) Australia Answer-1 77. Will buy mortgage provider Gruh Finance Ltd in a share-swap deal to build up its housing loan portfolio. 1) IDFC First Bank 2) HDEC Bank 3) ICICI Bank 4) Axis Bank 5) Bandhan Bank Answer-5 78. The Union Cabinet recently cleared what per cent reservation in jobs and education for the economi- cally backward in the general category? 1) 5 percent 2) 8 percent 3) 10 percent 4) 12 percent 5) 15 percent Answer-3 79. The govt has set up a high-level committee to as- sess the appropriate level of reservation of seats inthe Assam assembly. The committee will be headed by 1) Prafulla Kumar Mahanti 2) MP Bezboruah 3) Atul Bora 4) Rashmi Verma 5) Rajiv Gauba Answer-2 80. Who among the following won the men's singles title of the 2018 Hopman Cup recently? 1) Rafael Nadal 2) Dominic Thiem 3) Novak Djokovic 4) Roger Federer 5) Alexander Zverev Answer-4 81. The central govt has amalgamated three regional rural banks (RRBs) including Malwa Gramin Bank and Sutlej Gramin Bank into a single RRB. These RRBs are based in 1) Rajasthan 2) Haryana 3) Punjab 4) Madhya Pradesh 5) Maharashtra Answer-3 82. Who among the following won the women’s sin- gles title of the 2018 Hopman Cup tennis tourna- ment recently? 1) Angelique Kerber 2) Belinda Bencic 3) Petra Kvitova 4) Serena Williams 5) Simona Halep Answer-283. Pentagon is the headquarters of the Department of Defense of which country? Its chief of staff Kevin Sweeney resigned recently. 1) US 2) UK 3) France 4) Germany 5) Israel Answer-1 84. According to the latest data released by the Cen- tral Statistics Office (CSO), the Indian economy is likely to grow at what per cent in the current finan- cial year (2018-19)? 1) 6.7 percent 2) 6.9 percent 3) 7.2 percent 4) 7.4 percent 5) 7.5 percent Answer-3 85. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed who among the following as the chairman of the high-level committee that will work towards deepen- ing digital payments in India? 1) Vishwas Patel 2) HRKhan 3) Aruna Sharma 4) Nandan Nilekani 5) Adhil Shetty Answer-4 86. The Centre expects to attract $500-600 mn in in- vestments from the 14 oil and gas blocks on offer un- der the latest round of the OALP. The term OALP means1) Ocean Acreage License Policy 2) Oil Acreage License Policy 3) Operational Acreage License Policy 4) Open Acreage License Policy 5) None of these Answer-4 87. Which state govt has announced interest-free loans of up to Rs 3 lakh for women self-help groups (WSHGs) in the state? 1) West Bengal 2) Jammu & Kashmir 3) Rajasthan 4) Chhattisgarh 5) Odisha Answer-5 88. The 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards were an- nounced recently. Which film won the best motion picture drama award? 1) Bohemian Rhapsody 2) Green Book 3) Roma 4) The Wife 5) The Favourite Answer-1 89.Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award for Hindi for the work in 2017 went to 1) Namrata Biji Ahuja 2) Amit Kumar Singh 3) Sandeep Ashok Acharya 4) Sandhya Ravishankar 5) Sushant Kumar Singh Answer-2 90. The govt has allowed Pasargad bank to open a branch in Mumbai. The bank is based in1) Iraq 2) Saudi Arabia 3) Iran 4) Bahrain 5) UAE Answer-3 91. The RBI allows the circulation of Indian currency notes of what denomination in Nepal and provides exchange facilities for bills of these denominations? 1) Rs 100 and less 2) Rs 50 and less 3) Rs 200 4) Rs 500 5) Rs 2000 Answer-1 92. The public sector banks in India have the largest number of branches in which of the following coun- tries? 1) Mauritius 2) Singapore 3) UAE 4) UK 5) Hong Kong Answer-4 93. Who among the following resumed duties as CBI Director recently after the Supreme Court set aside the govt’s order to send him on forced leave? 1) Bhim Sain Bassi 2) Rakesh Asthana 3) Alok Verma 4) Upendra Rai 5) Vineet Narain Answer-394. The Parliament passed the legislation which pro- vides for ten per cent reservation in govt jobs and ed- ucational institutions to economically backward among upper castes. This was Constitution Amendment Bill. 1) 101th 2) 104th 3) 108th 4) 112th 5) 124th Answer-5 95. The second edition of Khelo India Youth Games was Officially inaugurated recently by Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore in 1) New Delhi 2) Pune 3) Mumbai 4) Jaipur 5) Bhopal Answer-2 96. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), India is set to become the world's largest con- sumer market by 2030. 1) second 2) Third 3) fourth 4) fifth 5) Sixth Answer-2 97. The 15th Finance Commission would submit its report to the Central Govt by the end of 2019. The present chairman of the Commission is 1) Rajiv Kumar 2) Bibek Debroy3) ¥ Venugopal Reddy 4) NKSingh 5) Shaktikanta Das Answer-4 98. The External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Javed Zari in New Delhi recently. Javed is the present Foreign Minister of 1) Iraq 2) Saudi Arabia 3) UAE 4) Bahrain 5) Iran Answer-5 99. Trivendra Singh Rawat has announced that the farmers in the state will be given interest-free loans. He is the present Chief Minister of 1) Chhattisgarh 2) Madhya Pradesh 3) Uttarakhand 4) Rajasthan 5) Himachal Pradesh Answer-3 100. Joined International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently as its Chief Economist, becoming the first woman to occupy the top IMF post. 1) Gita Gopinath 2) Penelope K Goldberg 3) Rohini Pande 4) Helene Rey 5) Divya Suryadevra Answer-1 101. Which of the following days is celebrated in India on 24 Jan every year?1) National Tourism Day 2) National Voters Day 3) National Girl Child Day 4) National Farmers’ Day 5) National Technology Day Answer-3 102. Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated In- dia's longest (300 meter-long) single-lane steel cable suspension bridge over Siang River in which state recently? 1) Arunachal Pradesh 2) Assam 3) Sikkim 4) Mizoram 5) Manipur Answer-1 103. The World Hindi Day is observed every year on which date? It marks the anniversary of first World Hindi Conference which was held in Nagpur in 1975. 1) Oljan 2) 10Jan 3) 11Jan 4) 20Jan 5) 30Jan Answer-2 104. The scientists from which IIT have created ‘space fuel’ by simulating interstellar conditions in the lab? 1) IIT Kanpur 2) IIT Delhi 3) IIT Bombay 4) IIT Madras 5) JIT GuwahatiAnswer-4 105. Which state govt recently bagged the Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CBIP) award for speedy execution of Polavaram multipurpose project on the Godavari River? 1) Karnataka 2) Telangana 3) Tamil Nadu 4) Kerala 5) Andhra Pradesh Answer-5 PART-1 Q. 1 With reference to Peer to Peer Lending (P2P), consider the following statements: It connects verified borrowers seeking secured per- sonal loans with investors looking to earn higher re- turns on their investments. P2P lenders are registered as non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. lonly B. 2 only c. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2 ExplanationPeer to Peer lending, also known as P2P Lending, is a financial innovation which connects verified borrowers seeking unsecured personal loans with in- vestors looking to earn higher returns on their in- vestments. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. P2P lending service providers have been in business in India since early 2014. However, it was in Septem- ber 2017, RBI notified that these will be registered as non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and sub- sequently came out with guidelines for P2P lending. Hence, statement 2 is correct. Q2. With reference to Olive Ridley Turtle, consider the following statements: 1. They are the least abundant sea turtles in the world. 2. It is a species under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 3. Coast of Odisha is the largest mass nesting sites for olive ridleys. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. land 2 only B. 2 and 3 only c. 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3 only Explanation The Olive ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world, inhab- iting warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans, Hence, statement 1 is not correct. The species is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List, Appendix 1 in CITES, and Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Hence, statement 2 is correct.The coast of Orissa in India is the largest mass nest- ing site for the Olive-ridley, followed by the coasts of Mexico and Costa Rica. Hence, statement 3 is correct. 3. With reference to El Nino, consider the following statements: 1. It refers to the unusual warming of the central and east-central equatorial Pacific Ocean. 2. It increases the upwelling of cold water, in- creasing the uplift of nutrients from the bot- tom of the ocean. 3. Strong El Nino brings heavy rains to India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. land 2 only B. 2. and 3 only c. lonly D. 1, 2 and 3 only Explanation El Nino refers to the unusual warming of the cen- tral and east-central equatorial Pacific Ocean which affects global weather. Hence, statement 1 is correct. El Nino reduces the upwelling of cold water, decreas- ing the uplift of nutrients from the bottom of the ocean. This affects marine life and sea birds. The fish- ing industry is also affected. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. Over India, the El Nino has usually been the harbin- ger of drought whereas La Nina is associated with good rain. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. Q4. With reference to Gilt Funds, consider the fol- lowing statements:1. Gilt funds are investment funds in fixed- interest generating securities of the central and state governments. 2. Since these are issued by the Governments, they are high-grade securities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. lonly B. 2 only c. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation: Gilt funds are a type of investment fund that invests in gilt securities (fixed-interest generat- ing securities of the central and state governments). Hence, statement 1 is correct. Since these are issued by the Governments, they are high-grade securities (government rarely fails finan- cially and there is no risk for losing money), conse- quently carrying low yields. Because of higher credit ratings (AA), these offer a very low rate, say 4%. Hence, statement 2 is correct. 5. With reference to Bhitarkanika National Park, consider the following statements: 1. Itis the only Ramsar Site in Odisha. 2. It has been recently included in the Mon- treux Records. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. lonly B. 2 only c. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation: Odisha has two wetlands of interna- tional importance under Ramsar Convention namelyChilika and Bhitarkanika. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. Only two wetlands of India are in Montreux record viz. Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan and Loktak Lake, Manipur. Chilka Lake was also placed in the record but it was later removed from it making it the first site from Asia to be removed from the record. Hence statement 2 is not correct. Q6. Consider the following statements with respect to the importance of oceans and its economic poten- tial: 1) Oceans cover 72 per cent of the surface of our blue planet and provide humankind with food, minerals, energy, fresh water and oxygen. They regulate cli- mate, emission absorption and shoreline protection and support livelihoods as well as job creation. 2) Considering the importance of oceans on the life and sustenance of humanity, the United Nations has taken steps to declare the period 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Develop- ment. 3) The objective of the Blue Economy is to promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and employ- ment opportunities through maritime economic ac- tivities. Which of the above statements are true? A)1&2only B)2 &3 only C)1&3 only D) all of the above Answer: D Q7. With respect to Virtual Simcard, which of the following statements are true?1) Unlike a SIM card, virtual SIMs are not attached to a mobile and created online to help you communi- cate. 2) It is a cloud-based number that can be used from any device via an app. 3) One can Travel and communicate at the rates of the home operator, with anonymity and security, be- cause Virtual SIM works as a VPN. A)1&2only B) 2&3 only C)1&3only D) all of the above Answer: D Q8. Which of the following statements regarding In- dia’s FinTech prospects are true? 1) India is one of the fastest growing FinTech mar- kets globally and industry research has projected that USD 1 Trillion or 60% of retail and SME credit, will be digitally disbursed by 2029, 2) The Indian FinTech ecosystem is the second largest in the globe after China, attracting nearly USD 6 billion in investments since 2014. 3) The Indian FinTech industry is creating cutting edge intellectual property assets in advanced risk management and artificial intelligence that will pro- pel India forward in the global digital economy while simultaneously enabling paperless access to finance for every Indian. A)1&2only B)2&3only C) 1&3 only} D) all of the above Answer: CQ9. With respect to recent UN report on Tb released on World Tb day, which of the following statements are correct? 1) India has achieved an 84 per cent reduction in tuberculosis deaths among people living with HIV by 2017. 2)According to the Joint United Nations Programme on the UNAIDS, it is the highest recorded decline among over 20 nations and it is also three years ahead of the 2020 deadline. 3) UNAIDS has urged countries to step up action to meet the 2020 target of reducing TB deaths among people living with HIV by 75 per cent, as outlined in the 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS. A)1&2only B) 2&3 only C)1&3only D) all of the above Answer: D Q10. The “Moluccas Island” recently struck by a massive earthquake is a part of which of the follow- ing island groups? A) Lakshadweep islands B) Andaman & Nicobar islands C) Indonesia D) Greater Antilles Answer: CPOLITY TEST PAPER Constitutional Development of India Q 1. Which of the following exercised the most pro- found influence in farming the Indian constitution? (A)British constitution (B)US constitution (C)Irish constitution (D)The Government of India Act, 1935 Answer (A) Q2. The First attempt to introduce a representative and popular element in the governance of India was made through: (A) Indian Council Act, 1861 (B) Indian council Act 1892 (C)Indian council Act, 1909 (D) Government of India Act, 1919 Answer (D) Q 3 Which of the following acts introduced commu- nal electorate in India? (A) Indian Council Act, 1861(B) Indian Council Act, 1892 (C) Indian Council Act, 1909 (D) Government of India Act, 1919 Answer (C) Q 4. By virtue of which Act, dyarchy was introduced in India? (A) Indian council Act 1909 (B) Government of India Act 1919 (C) Government of India Act 1935 (D) Indian independence Act 1947 Answer (B) Q.5 The instrument of instructions contained in the Government of India in the Act 1935 has been incorporated in the constitution of India in the year 1950 as? (A) Fundamental right (B)Directive principles of the state policy (C) Fundamental Duties (D) Emergency Provisions Answer (D) Q.6 The Government of India Act, 1935 was based on? (A) The principle of federation and parliamentary system(B) The principle of succession of the British Indian provinces (C) Acceptance of the idea of a constituent Assem- bly to draft a constitution Answer (A) Q.7 the monopoly of Indian trade of the east India company was abolished by the? (A) Regulating Act, 1773 (B) Charter Act, 1813 (C) Charter Act, 1833 (D) Government of India Act, 1858 Answer (B) Q.8 Which reference to the colonial period on India, The trade monopoly of the East India Company was ended by? (A) The Regulating Act, of 1773 (B) Pitt’s India Act, of 1784 (C) The Charter Act, 1813 (D) The Charter Act, 1833 Answer (C) Q.9 Two independent states of India and Pakistan were created by: (A) The Simla Conference (B) The Cripps Proposal (C) The Cabinet Mission plan(D) The Indian Independence Act. Answer (D) Q.10 The first definite step to provided parliamen- tary control over East India Company was taken by: (A) The Regulating Act, 1773 (B) The Pitt’s India Act, 1784 (C) The Charter Act, 1793 (D) The charter Act, 1813 Answer (A) Q.11 The Montague- Chelmsford Report formed the basis of: (A) The Indian council act, 1909 (B) The government of India Act 1919 (C) The government of India act, 1935 (D) The Indian independence act, 1947 Answer (B) Q.12 Through which one of the following were com- mercial activities of the East India Company finally put to an end? (A) The charter act, 1793 (B) Thecharter act, 1813 (C) The charter act, 1833 (D) The charter act, 1853 Answer (C)Q.13 which of the following vasted the secretary of state for India with supreme control over the govern- ment of India? (A) Pitt’s India act, 1784 (B) Government of India act, 1858 (C) Indian council act, 1861 (D) Morley- Minto Reforms 1909 Answer (B) Q.14 Diarchy was first introduced under? (A) Morley-Minto Reforms (B) Mont-Ford Reforms (C) Simon Commission Plan (D) Government of India Act, 1935 Answer (B) Q.15 which of the following was/were the main fea- ture’s of the government of India act, 1919? 1. Introduction of separate electorates for Muslims 2. Devolution of legislative authority by the centre 3. Expansion and reconstitution of central and pro- vincial legislatures Select the correct answer using the code given below: Codes: (A) 2only (B) land3only (C) only (D) 2and3anyAnswer (D)CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY Q.1 who wasthe chairman of the Union Power com- mittee of constituent assembly of India? (A) Sardar Vallabhai patel (B) Dr. B.R Ambedkar (C) Sir Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar (D) Pt. Jawahar lal Nehru Answer (D) Q.2 The constitution of India was adopted on? (A) 26 January 1950 (B) 26January 1949 (C) 26 November 1949 (D) 15 August 1947 Answer (C) Q.3. who presided over the first meeting of the In- dian constitution Assembly? (A) Dr. Rajendra Prasad (B) Sachchidanand sinha (C) B.R. Ambedkar(D) HV. Kamath Answer (B) Q.4 who among the following was the advisor to the drafting committee of constituent assembly? (NDA 2009, UP PCS2014) (A) B, Shiva Rao (B) B.R. Ambedkar (C) Sachidananda sinha (D) B.N. Rau Answer (D) Q.5 The Constituent assembly of India started func- tioning from? (A) 9th December 1946 (B) lst January 1947 (C 26th January 1947 (D) 15th August 1947 Answer (A) Q.6 Whoamong the following was not a member of the constituent assembly? (A) Sardar Vallabhbhai patel (B) AcharyaJ.B. Kriplani (C) Jai Prakash Narayan (D) K.M. Munshi Answer (C) Q.7 The constitution of India was completed on? (A) February 11,1948 (B) November 26, 1949 (C) January 26, 1950 (D) None of these Answer (B) Q.8 How many sessions of the Indian constituent as- sembly were conducted for the formulation of Indian constitution? (A) 7 (B) 11 (Cc) 12 (D) 15 Answer (B)Q.9 The first day session of Indian constitution as- sembly was chaired by: (A) Dr Rajendra Prasad (B) B.R. Ambedkar (C) Pt. Jawahar lal Nehru (D) Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha Answer (D) Q.10 How much time the constitution assembly took to frame the constitution of India? (A) 2 years 7 Months 23 days (B) 2 years 11 Months 18days (C) 3 years 4 Months 14 days (D) 3 years 11 Months 5 days Answer (B) Q.11 The Constitution assembly set up a draft- ing committee under the chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on? (A) 13th December 1946 (B) 22nd January 1947 (C) 3rdJune, 1947 (D) 29th August 1947 Answer (D) Q.12 The number of members included in the con- stitution drafting committee was? (A) Seven (B) Nine (C) Eleven (D) Thirteen Answer (A) Q.13 The first session of the constitutional assembly was held on: (A) 26 November 1946 (B) 9 December 1946 (C) 16 August 1947 (D) 26 January 1948 Answer (B) Q.14 Who proposed the preamble before the draft- ing committee of the constitution? (A) Jawahar lal Nehru (B) B.R. Ambedkar (Cc) B.N.Rau (D) Mahatma Gandhi Answer (A)Q.15 Who was the president of the constituent as- sembly of independent India? (A) Dr, BR. Ambedkar (B) Dr. Rajendra Prasad (C) C.Rajagopalachari (D) K.M. Munshi Answer (B)SALIENT FEATURES OF THE CONSTITUTION Q.1 The presidential government operates on the principle of? (A) Division of powers between centre and state (B) Centralization of powers (C) Balance of powers (D) Separation of powers Answer (D) Q.2. Which of the following countries have an un- written constitution? (A) USA (B) UK (C) India (D) Pakistan Answer (B) Q.3. The unitary system of government possesses which of the following advantages? (A) Grater adaptability (B) Strong state (Cc) Greater participation by the people (D) Lesser chances of authoritarianism Answer (D) Q.4 Which of the following countries enjoys a fed- eral form of government? (A) China (B) USA (C) Cuba (D) Belgium Answer (B) Q.5 The English crown is an example of? (A) Real executive (B) Quasi-real executive(C) Nominal executive (D) Nominated executive Answer (C) Q.6 The declaration that democracy is a govern- ment ‘of the people, by the people, for the people ‘was made by? (A) Abraham Lincoln (B) George Washington (C) Theodore Roosevelt (D) Winston Churchill Answer (A) Q.7 At which of its session, did the congress offi- cially accept the ‘socialistic pattern of Society? (A) Bombay session of 1953 (B) Avadi session of 1955 (C) Calcutta session of 1957 (D) Nagpur session of 1959 Answer (B) Q.8 InIndian polity which one is Supreme? (A) The Supreme Courts (B) The Constitution (C) The Parliament (D) Religion Answer (B) Q.9 InIndian polity, The Executive is subordinate to the-? (A) Judiciary (B) Legislature (C) Election commission (D) UPSC Answer (B) Q.10 Which of the following official documents is related with India? (UP PCS Main 2008) (A) White Paper (B) Green Paper (C) Yellow Book (D) Blue Book Answer (A)Q.11 Which one of the following is a basic feature of the Presidential Government? (A) _ Rigid constitution (B) Single Executive (C) Supremacy ofthe Legislature (D) Residual powers of the state Answer (B) Q.12 Where was the concept of written constitu- tion, first born? (MP PCS Pre 2009) (A) France (B) USA (C) Britain (D) Switzerland Answer (B) Q.13 Where was the first parliamentary form of gov- ernment formed? (A) Britain (B) Belgium (C) France (D) Switzerland Answer (A) Q.14 Who called Indian federalism as the co-opera- tive federalism? (C PCS Pre 2008) (A) G. Austin (B) K. C. Where (C) Sir Ivory Jennings (D) D.D. Basu Answer (A) Q.15 The constitution of India is? (WB PCS Pre 2008) (A) Rigid (B) Flexible (C) Very Rigid (D) Partly Rigid, Partly Flexible Answer (D)SOURCES OF THE CONSTITUTION & PREAMBLE Q.1- the Concept of judicial review in our constitu- tion has been taken from the constitution of? (A) England (B) USA (C) Canada (D) Australia Answer (B) Q.2 The constitution of India borrowed the scheme of Indian federation from the constitution of: (A) USA (B) Canada (Cc) U.K (D) Ireland Answer (B) Q.3 The federal system with strong centre has been borrowed by the Indian constitution from? (A) USA (B) Canada (C) U.K (D) France Answer (B) Q.4 The idea of including the Emergency provisions in the constitution of India has been borrowed from? (A) Constitution of Canada (B) Weimar constitution of Germany (C) Constitution of Ireland (D) Consti- tution of USA Answer (B) Q.5 The Office of Lokpal and Lokayukta in India is based on which one of the following—-? (A) Parliamentary commissioner of UK (B) Ombudsman in Scandinavia (C) Procurator general of Russia(D) Council of state in France Answer (B) Q.6 Which of the following was the biggest source for the constitution of India? (A) The Government of India act, 1919 (B) The Government of India act, 1935 (C) The Indian Independence act, 1947 (D) None of Above Answer (B) Q7 Of the following words in the preamble of the constitution of India which was not inserted through the constitution (Forty Second) (A) Socialist (B) Secular (C) Dignity (D) Integrity Answer (C) Q.8 At the time of enactment of the constitution, which one of the following ideals was not included in the preamble? (A) Liberty (B) Equality (C) Socialist (D) Justice Answer (C) Q.9 Which Amendment act introduced changes in the preamble to the Indian constitution? (A) The 38th Amendment act 1975 (B) The 40th Amendment act 1976 (C) The 42nd Amendment act 1976 (D) The 44th Amendment act 1979 Answer (C) Q.10 The preamble of our constitution reads India as? (A) Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Repub- lic (B) Sovereign, Democratic, socialist, secular republic (C) Socialist sovereign, democratic, secular, republic (D) Democratic, sovereign, secular, socialist republic Answer (A) Q. 10 the preamble of our constitution reads India as? (A) Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Repub- lic(B) Sovereign, Democratic, socialist, secular republic (C) Socialist sovereign, democratic, secular, republic (D) Democratic, sovereign, secular, socialist republic Answer (A) Q.11 Which Amendment of the Indian constitution inserted the two words—Socialist and Secular in the preamble? (A) 28th (B) 40th (C) 42nd = (D) 52nd Answer (C) Q.12 in Which amendment the words socialist secu- lar and unity and integrity of the nation were added to the preamble of constitution of India? (A) 42nd (B) 44th (Cc) 52nd (D) noneofthem Answer (A) Q.13 Consider the following Words? 1. Socialist 2. Democratic 3. Sovereign 4, Secular Choose the response that gives the correct in the preamble? (A) 3,1,4,and2 (B) 3,4, 1,and2 (C) 3,4, 1,and2 (D) 4,1,3,and2 Answer (A) Q.14 Which one of the following describes India a secular state? (A) Fundamental Rights (B) Preamble to the Constitution (C) 9th Schedule (D) Directive principles Answer (B) Q.15 Which one of the following liberty is not em- bodied in the preamble to the constitution of India? (A) Liberty of Thought (B) Liberty of Expression(C) Liberty of belief (D) Economic Liberty Answer (D)PARTS, ARTICLE AND SCHEDULES Q1 From the following languages listed in the eighth schedule of the constitution pick out of the one which is official language of a state? (A) Kashmiri (B) Urdu (C) Sindhi (D) Nepali Answer (B) Q.2 The item ‘Education’ belongs to the—? (A) Union List (B) State List (C) Concurrent List (D) Residuary List Answer (C) Q.3 How many schedules the constitution of India contains? (A) 9 (B) 10 () 11 @ 12 Answer (D) Q.4 which article of the Indian constitution provides for the institution of panchayati-Raj? (A) Article 36 (B) Article 39 (C) Article 40 (D)-Article 48 Answer (C) Q.5 Article 1 of the constitution declares India as -? (A) Federal State (B) Quasi-Federal State (C) Unitary State (D) Union of State Answer (D)0.6 How many Articles are there in the Indian constitution? (A) 395 (B) 396 (c) 398 (D) 399 Answer (A) Q.7. Which part of the Indian constitution deals with Fundamental Right? (A) PartI (B) Part II (C) Part III (D) Part IV Answer (C) Q.8 How many languages have recognized by the Constitution? (A) 15 (B) 18 (c) 22 (D) 24 Answer (C) Q.9 Which one of the following Article of the Constitution of India has provision for the president to proclaim emergency? (A) Article352 (B) Article 355 (C) Article 356 (D) Articles 360 Answer (A) Q10 The Method of constitutional amendment is provided in? (A) Article348 (B) Article 358 (C) Article 368 (D) Articles 378 Answer (C) Q.11 With what subject to the article 5 to 11 of the constitution of India deal ? (A) Indian Union and its territory (B) Citizenship (C) Fundamental Duties (D) Union Executive Answer (B) Q.12 The tenth schedule of Indian constitution deals with? (A) Anti-Defection Legislation(B) Panchayati Raj (C) Land Reforms (D) Distribution of powers between Union and State Answer (A) Q.13 Procedure for creation of legislative council in state has been described in which article of the con- stitution? (A) Article 69 (B) Article 169 (C) Article 269 (D) Article369 Answer (B) Q.14 Which of the constitutional provision lays down that taxes can neither be levied nor collected without the authority of law? (A) Article 265 (B) Article 266 (C) Article 300 (D) -Article 368 Answer (A) Q.15 Which provision relating to the fundamental rights is directly related to the exploitation of chil- dren? (A) Article 17 (B) Article 19 (C) Article 23 (D)-Article 24 Answer (D)UNION AND THE TERRITORY & CITIZENSHIP Q.1 How does the constitution of India describe India as? (A) A federation of states and Union Territories (B) A Union of State (C) Bharatvarsh (D) A federated Union Answer (B) Q.2. Which commission made the recommenda- tions which formed the basis for the Punjab reor- ganization act which created the states Punjab and Haryana? (A) Dhar Commission (B) Dass Commission (C) Shah Commission (D) Mahajan Commission Answer (C) Q.3 Article 1 of the constitution of India declares India as— (A) Federal state (B) Quasi-Federal state (C) Unitary state (D) Union of state Answer (D) Q.4 Theno. of union territories on India is? (A) 5 (B) 6 (c) 7 (D) 9 Answer (C) Q.5 Ofthe following the town does not come within the national capital region (NCR) is?(A) Panipat (B) Rohtak (C) Khurja (D) Mathura Answer (D) Q.6Which of the following state is a member of the ‘seven Sisters? (A) West Bengal(B) Tripura (C) Orissa (D) Bihar Answer (B) Q.7 Sikkim was made an integral part of India under the? (A) 36th Amendment (B) 39th Amendment (C) 40th Amendment (D) 42nd Amendment Answer (A) Q.8 Among the following states, which one was formed last? (A) AndhraPradesh (B) Gujarat (C) Karnnataka (D) Punjab Answer (C) Q.9Which one of the following is the first state to have been formed on linguistic basis? (A) AndhraPradesh (B) Gujarat (C) Karnnataka (D) Punjab Answer (A) Q.10 What is the correct chronological order in which the following states of the indianunion were created or granted full statehood? 1.Andhra Pradesh 2.Maharashtra 3. Nagaland 4, Haryana (A) 1, 2, 3,4 (B) 2,1,3,4 (C) 4,3,2,1 (D) 2,1,4,3 Answer (A) Q.11 The power to curve out a new state is vested in? (A) The Parliament (B) The President (C) The Council of Ministers (D) State’s Reorganizations commission Answer (A)Q.12 Andhra Pradesh was created as a linguistic state in? (A) 1950 (B) 1953 (C) 1956 (D) 1961 Answer (B) Q.13 ‘Uttarakhand’ state came into existence on? (A) 1, November 2000 (B) 9,November 2000 (C) 10, November 2001 (D) 1, January 2008 Answer (B) Q.14 Which of the following is not a union terri- tory? (A) Goa (B) Lakshadweep (C) Dadar and Nagar Haveli (D) Chandigarh Answer (A) Q.15 In which year was the state of Jharkhand formed? (A) 1998 (B) 1999 (Cc) 2000 (D) 2001 Answer (C)DPSP & FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES Q.1 Separation of the judiciary from the executive has been provided in one of the following parts of the Indian constitution? (A) The preamble (B) the fundamental right (C) The directive principle of state policy (D) The Seventh Schedule Answer (C) Q.2 Under the directive principle of state policy, up to what age of children they are expected to be pro- vided free and compulsory education? (A) 14Years (B) 15 Years (C) 16Years (D) 16 Years Answer (A) Q.3. Which part of the Indian constitution deals with the directive principle of the state policy? (A) Partl (B) Part IIL (C) PartIv (D) Part V Answer (C) Q.4 The articles of the constitution of India which deal with directive principle of state policy are: (A) 26to41 (B) 30to45 (C) 36to51 (D) 40to55 Answer (C) Q.5 ‘Equal pay for equal work’ has been ensured in the Indian constitution as one of the? (A) Fundamental right(B) Directive principle of state policy (C) Fundamental duties (D) Economic right Answer (B) Q6 The concept of ‘Welfare State’ is included in which part of the Indian constitution? (A) Preamble of the constitution (B) The fundamental right (C) The directive principle of state policy (D) The fundamental right Answer (C) Q.7 ‘The directive principle of state policy is a cheque which is paid on Bank’s convenience’ who told it? (A) B.R. Ambedkar (B) K.M. Munshi (C) Rajendra Prasad (D) K.T.Seth Answer (A) Q.8 The directive principle of state policy is: (A) Justiciable (B) Non Justiciable (C) Only some of the provisions are justiciable (D) None of these Answer (B) Q.9 The purpose of the inclusion of directive prin- ciple of state policy in the Indian constitution is to establish? (A) Political democracy (B) Social democracy (C) Gandhian democracy (D) Socialand economic democracy Answer (D) Q.10 Which one of the following article of the directive principles of state policy deals with the pro- motion of international peace and security? (A) 41 (B) 43A (Cc) 48A (D) 51 Answer (D)Q.11 How many fundamental duties are in the In- dian constitution? (A) 9 (B) 11 (Cc) 12 (D) 20 Answer (B) Q.12 By which amendment act the fundamental du- ties of citizen are included in Indian constitution? (A) 42ndamendment (B) 44th amendment (C) 56thamendment (D) 73rd amendment Answer (A) Q.13 In which of the following years the fundamen- tal duties have been added to the existent fundamen- tal right the constitution of India? (A) 1965 (B) 1976 (Cc) 1979 (D) 1982 Answer (B) Q.14 The 42nd amendment act has incorporated into the constitution of India. a new chapter on? (A) Administration of union territories (B) Formation of interstate councils (C) Fundamental duties (D) None of these Answer (C) Q.15 By what term, the ten commandments of 42nd constitutional amendment act are called? (A) Fundamental rights (B) Fundamental duties (C) Panchayati RajPrinciple(D) Directive principle of state policy Answer (B)PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT Q.1 The president of India enjoys emergency pow- ers of? (SSC Grad 2007) (A) TwoTypes (B) Three Types (C) FourTypes (D) Five Types Answer (B) Q.2. How many times the president of India can seek reelection to his post? (A) Once (B) Two times (C) Three Times (D) Any number of times Answer (D) Q3 Which of the following appointments not made by the president of India? (A) Speaker of the Lok Sabha (B) Chief justice of India (C) Chiefof air staff (D) Chief of Army Answer (A) Q.4 What is the maximum age limit prescribed for the post of the president of India? (A) 58 Years (B) 60 Years (C) 62 Years (D) There is no maximum age limit Answer (D) Q.5 Rashtrapati Bhawan was designed by? (A) Edward stone (B) Le Corbusier (C) Edwin Lutyens (D) Tarun Dutt Answer (C)Q.6 Apresidential ordinance can remain force? (A) For Three Months (B) For Six Months (C) For Nine Months (D) Indefinitely Answer (B) Q.7 Tobe eligible for election as president of Indian, a person must have completed the age of? (A) 25 years (B) 30 Years (C) 35 Years (D) 40 Years Answer (C) Q.8 Who was the president of India at the time of proclamation of emergency in the year 1975? (A) VV Giri (B) Giani Zail singh (C)-Fakhruddin ali Ahmad (D) Shankar Dayal Sharma Answer (C) Q9 Under Which Article of the constitution of India can the president of India be impeached? (A) Article 61 (B) Article 75 (C) Article 76 (D) Article 356 Answer (A) Q.10 Who holds the power to appoint the nominees from Anglo-Indian community in the lok sabha? (A) Minorities commission (B) President of India (C) Prime Minister (D) Vice-President Answer (B) Q.10 Who holds the power to appoint the nominees from Anglo-Indian community in the lok sabha? (A) Minorities commission (B) President of India (C) Prime Minister (D) Vice-President Answer (B) Q.11 The first president of independent India hails from?(A) UP (B) Andhra Pradesh (C) Bihar (D) Tamil Nadu Answer (C) Q.12 Acting chief justice of the supreme court in India is appointed by the? (UP PCS 2003) (A) Chief justice of Supreme Court (B) Prime Minister (C) President (D) Law Minister Answer (C) Q.13 Comptroller and auditor general of India are appointed by? (A) President (B) Speaker of the Lok Sabha (C) Chairman of the planning Commission (D) Finance Minister Answer (A) Q.14 The vacancy of the Office of the president of India must be filled up within? (A) 90 Days (B) 6th Months (C) 1 Years (D) within the period decided by the parliament Answer (B) Q.15 Who among the following is constitutionally empowered to declare a geographical area as a Sched- uled area? (A) Governor (B) Chief Minister (C) Prime Minister (D) President Answer (D) Prime -Minister and Council of Minister Q.1 Who is the first woman to become the prime minister of a country? (A) Golda meri (B) Margaret Thatcher(C) Indira Gandhi (D) Sirimavo Bhandharnaike Answer (D) Q.2 InIndia, the prime minister remains in office so long as he enjoys the? (A) Support of armed forces (B) Confidence of Rajya Sabha (C) Confidence of Lok Sabha (D) Support of the people Answer (C) Q.3 Which party provided two prime ministers on two year’s time? (A) BYP. (B) Janata Party (C) Janata Dal (D) Samajwadi Janata Party Answer (C) Q.4 Who forthe following became prime minister of India without becoming a union cabinet minister? (A) Chaudhary Charan Singh (B) H.D. Deve Gowda (C) Morarji Desai (D) IK. Gujral Answer (B) Q.5 Who was the prime minister of India when the anti-Defection bill was passed? (A) Indira Gandhi (B) Rajiv Gandhi (Cc) V.PSingh (D) H.D. Deve Doda Answer (B) Q6 ‘Shakti Sthal’ is related to whom? (A) Indira Gandhi (B) Rajiv Gandhi (C) Mahatma Gandhi (D) Jawahar lal Nehru Answer (A) Q.7 It was withdrawal of support by the congress (1) which was responsible for the resignation of? (A) Charan sins (B) Chanderi Shekhar(C) H.D. Deve Gowda (D) Allof These Answer (D) Q8 Who exercises the actual executive power under the parliamentary form of government? (A) Parliament (B) Prime minister (C) President (D) Bureaucracy Answer (B) Q9 Thecouncil of ministers does not include? (A) Cabinet minister (B) Ministers of state (Cc) Ministers without portfolio (D) Cabinet Secretary Answer (D) Q.10 The Union cabinet is personally responsible to? (A) The Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha (B) The president of India (C) The Lok Sabha Only (D) The Electorate Answer (B) Q.11 Who was the first foreign minister of free India? (A) Jawahar Lal Nehru (B) Gulzari Lal Nanda (C) Lal Bahadur Shastri (D) John Mathai Answer (A) Q.12 The council of ministers of Indian union is col- lectively responsible to the? (A) President (B) Prime Minister (C) RajyaSabha(D) LokSabha Answer (D) Q.13 Who was the Defence minister of India during the indo-China war of 1962? (A) R.N Thapar (B) Govind Ballabh Pant(C) V.K. Krishna Menon (D) Jagjivan Ram Answer (C) Q.14 In which of the following ministries the census Organization has been functioning oa a permanent footing since 1961? (A) Home Affairs (B) Healthand family Welfare (C) Human resource Development (D) Social justice and empowerment Answer (A) Q.15 Who is called Th father of Indian economic reform? (A) Jawahar Lal Nehru (B) Indira Gandhi (C) Manmohan singh (D) None of These Answer (C) Attorney General and CAG Q.1 The comptroller and auditor general of India acts as the chief accountant and auditor for the? (SSC Grad. 2003) (A) Union Government (B) State Government (C) Union and State Government (D) Neither Union nor State Government Answer (C) Q.2 What is the period of appointment of the comptroller and auditor general of India? (A) 6 Years (B) Upto 65 Years of age (C) 6 years or 65 years of age whichever is earlier (D) Upto 64 years ofage Answer (C) Q.3 Whois the highest civil servant of the union government? (A) Attorney General (B) Cabinet Secretary(C) Home Secretary (D) Principle secretary to the P.M Answer (B) Q.4 The Attorney general of India is appointed by? (A) The president of India (B) The Prime Minister (C) The Chief justice of India (D) The UPSC Answer (A) a5 In india’ The Comptroller -general of ac- counts presents a detailed analytical review of union government accents to the finance ministry every? (CDS 2002) (A) Years (B) Six Months (C) ThreeMonths (D) Month Answer (A) Q.6 Who advises the government of India on legal matters? (44th BPSC 2001) (A) Attorney General (B) Chief justice of Supreme Court (C) Chairman, law commission (D) none of these Answer (A) Q.7 Comptroller and auditor - general of India is appointed by: (UP PCS 2003) (A) President (B) Speaker of the lok sabha (C) Chairman of the planning commission (D) Finance minister Answer (A) Q.8 The attorney General of India is a legal advisor to? (A) The president of India (B) The Prime Minister (C) LokSabha (D) Government of India Answer (D)Q.9 Who is called the guardian of public purse? (UP PCS Main 2008) (A) President (B) Comptroller and auditor- general (C) Parliament (D) Council of Ministers Answer (B) Q.10 Which non-member cab participates in the business of either house of parliament? (A) The Vice-President (B) The Solicitor General (C) The Attorney General (D) The Chief justice of India Answer (C) Q.11 Which of the following standing committees of parliament has no MP from Rajya Sabha? (SSC Grad 2003) (A) Public accounts committees (B) Com- mittee on public undertakings (C) Committee on government assurance (D) Estimates committee Answer (D) Q.12 The parliament committee which scrutinizes the report of the comptroller and auditor general of Indian is? (SSC CPO 2009) (A) Estimates committee (B) Select Committee (C) Public Account Committee (D) None of these Answer (C) Q.13 Whoamong the following forms the advisory committee of the parliament? (A) Speaker of Lok Sabha (B) Vice- President of India (C) President of India (D) None ofthese Answer (A)Q.14 The committee of parliament on official lan- guage comprises the members? (CDS 2003) (A) 20 from lok sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha (B) 10 from lok sabha and 20 from Rajya Sabha (C) 10 from lok sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha (D) 20 from lok sabha and 20 from Rajya Sabha Answer (A) Q.15 Which of the following is NOT a parliamen- tary committee? (CDS 2007) (A) Committee on public accounts (B) Com- mittee on public undertakings (C) Committee on Estimates (D) Demands for grants committee Answer (D) PART-2 Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Sunderbans delta: 1) The Sundarbans is a mangrove area in the delta formed by the confluence of Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal. 2) Despite a total ban on all killing or capture of wildlife other than fish and some invertebrates, it appears that there is a consistent pattern of depleted biodiversity or loss of species in the 20th century, and that the ecological quality of the forest is declin- ing.3) Being a Ramsar wetland site the whole admin- istration of Sunderbans national park lies with the Ministry of environment & Forests. Which of the above statements are true? A)1&2only B)2 &3 only C)1&3 only D) all of the above Answer- A Q2. The tribes Tai ahom,Chutia, Koch Rajbongshi, Moran recently accorded Scheduled tribe status be- longs to which of the following states of India ? A) Andhra Pradesh B) Assam. C) Madhya Pradesh D) Arunachal Pradesh Answer- B Q3. Which of the following statements regarding In- dia’s FDI policy are true? 1) India has become the most attractive emerging market for global partners (GP) investment for the coming 12 months, as per arecent market attractive- ness survey conducted by Emerging Market Private Equity Association (EMPEA). 2) The Government of India is aiming to achieve US $ 200 billion worth of FDI inflows in the next two years. 3) The World Bank has stated that private invest- ments in India is expected to overtake private con- sumption growth and thereby drive the growth in India's gross domestic product (GDP) in FY 2018-19. A)1&2onlyB) 2 & 3 only cC)1&3 only D) all of the above Answer-C Q4. Which of the following statements regarding SevaBhojyojana scheme of central government are true? 1) The scheme aims reimburse Central Government share of CGST and Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST) of Charitable Religious Institutions (CRIs) who provide food, Prasad, langar (Community Kitchen), Bhandara free of cost without any discrimination to public and devotees. 2) Only those institutions registered under Societies registration act are eligible under the scheme. 3) Those CRI’s having existence for at least five years and serve free food to at least 5000 people in month can apply for the reimbursement as per ministry of culture guidelines. A)1&2only B) 2&3 only C)1&3 only D) all of the above Answer-C QS. India was ranked at 140 on the United Nation’s latest World Happiness Report that gauged 156 coun- tries, a decline of seven spots from the last edition of the survey. Which of the following global institutions releases the report? A) International Labour Organisation (ILO) B) World Bank C) UNESCOD) UN sustainable development Solutions network Answer-DPART-3 1. Who was sworn-in as the 11th Chief Minister of Goa? a) Pramod Sawant b) Ramkrishna Dhavlikar c) Vijai Sardesai d) Vinod Palyekar 2. Who was appointed as India's first Lokpal on March 19, 2019? a) Dinesh Kumar Jain b) Pinaki Chandra Ghose c) Pradip Kumar Mohanty d) Ajay Kumar Tripathi 3. When was Global Recycling Day 2019 observed globally? a) 16 March b) 17 March c) 18 March d) 19 March 4. The Union Health Ministry reviewed preparedness on West Nile Virus Fever in which state? a) Maharashtra b) Bihar c) Haryana d) Kerala5. Which regulatory body has directed the Central Pollution Control] Board to prepare noise pollution maps? a) Supreme Court b) Delhi HC c) National Green Tribunal d) Uttarakhand HC 6. Which nation's President has resigned from his po- sition after nearly 30 years in power? a) Afghanistan b) Tajikistan c) Zimbabwe d) Kazakhstan 7. Cyclone IDAI has affected over 1.5 million people in which among the following continents? a) Oceania b) Australia c) Africa d) South America 8, Which nation piloted two resolutions on single- use plastics and sustainable nitrogen management at the fourth session of United Nations Environment Assembly? a) France b) India c) US d) Japan 9. Gauri Sawant has been appointed as the first trans- gender election ambassador in which state? a) Karnataka b) Maharashtrac) Tamil Nadu d) Telangana 10. India Post has released a special stamp cover on which environmental initiative? a) Green Energy b) Ice Stupas c) Hydrogen Lights d) Green Electricity 11. Name the Second Scorpene Class Submarine which is set to be inducted into the Indian Navy by May 2019? a) INS Khanderi b) INS Kalvari c) INS Karanj d) INS Vela 12. Which country will host the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2020? a) France b) India c) South Korea d) Japan Answer Key: 1. (A) Pramod Sawant Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Pramod Sawant was sworn- in as the 11th Chief Minister of Goa in a late-night ceremony, hours after his predecessor, Manohar Par- rikar was cremated with state honours.2. (B) Pinaki Chandra Ghose India gets its first Lokpal six years after the passage of Act, former Supreme Court judge, Pinaki Chandra Ghose was on March 19, 2019 appointed as India’s first Lokpal also known as the anti-corruption om- budsman. 3. (C) 18 March 2019 The Global Recycling Day was observed across the world on March 18, 2019 to help recognise, and cel- ebrate the importance recycling plays in preserving the precious primary resources. The theme of 2019 Global Recycling Day was ‘Recycling into the Future’. 4. (D) Kerala The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on March 19, 2019 reviewed the current situation and state preparedness to deal with West Nile Virus Fever in Malappuram district of Kerala along with the officials from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). 5. (c) National Green Tribunal (NGT) The National Green Tribunal has directed the Cen- tral Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to prepare a noise pollution map and remedial action plan to solve the issue across the country. The green bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel directed the CPCB to identify noise pollution hotspots and cat- egorise cities with specified hotspots and propose a remedial action plan within three months. 6. (D) KazakhstanKazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev has announced his resignation after nearly 30 years in power. The 78-year old leader had ruled the coun- try since it emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. The announcement came less than a month after the President sacked his gov- ernment, citing a lack of economic development de- spite the country's vast energy resources. 7. (c) Africa In Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi have been hit by a vicious cyclone, Cyclone IDAI, which has killed nearly 150 people, left hundreds more missing and stranded more than thousands. Accord- ing to the UN, the cyclone has affected more than 1.5 million people in the three southern African coun- tries. 8. (B) India India piloted resolutions on two key global envi- ronmental issues, single-use plastics and sustain- able nitrogen management, at the fourth session of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) that was held in Nairobi from March 11-15, 2019, The UN Environment adopted both the resolutions with con- sensus. 9. (B) Maharashtra The Election Commission of India has appointed transgender social activist Gauri Sawant, as one of the 12 election ambassadors from Maharashtra. Dur- ing 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections there was no record of transgender voters. Sawant's appointment is expected to help more people from the category to get registered during the final phase of voters’ enroll- ment.10. (B) Ice Stupas The Department of Post has released a special stamp cover on Ice Stupa. The special stamps aim to cre- ate awareness about depleting glaciers and affect the ecology around the Himalayas. Ice Stupas also known as artificial glaciers, are being built with an aim to reduce the problem of water shortage, faced by Ladakhi farmers due to the receding of glaciers. 11. (A) INS Khanderi INS Khanderi, the second of the 6 Scorpene Class Submarines, will soon be inducted into the Indian Navy by May 2019. INS Khanderi was launched at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mum- bai on January 12, 2017 and since then it has been undergoing trials and tests. 12. (B) India Gianni Infantino, the President of International Foot- ball Federation (FIFA), on March 15, 2019 announced that India will host the U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2020. The 2020 World Cup will be the seventh edi- tion of the U-17 Women's tournament.PART-4 1. Consider the following statements about Global Warm- ing Potential (GWP) 1. It is a measure of how much energy the emis- sions of 1 ton of a gas will absorb over a given period of time, relative to the emissions of 1 ton of carbon Dioxide (CO2) 2. Gases with higher GWP absorb more energy, per pound than gases with lower GWP. 3. Sulfur Hexafluoride has lower GWP than Hydro fluorocarbons. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? land2 Only 1 land3 1,2and3 The Global Warming Potential (GWP) was developed to allow comparisons of the global warming impacts of different gases. Specifically, it is a measure of how much energy the emissions of 1 ton of a gas will absorb over a given period of time, relative to the emissions of 1 ton of carbon dioxide (CO2). Hence statement 1 is correct. The larger the GWP, the more that a given gas warms the Earth compared to CO2 over that time period. The time pe- riod usually used for GWPs is 100 years. Hence statement 2 is correct. According to IPCC 5TH Assessment Report, GWP of Sulfur Hexafluoride is 23500 times that of CO2. GWP of Hydro fluorocarbons is around 13000 times that of CO2. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.2. Which of the following statements is/are correct regard- ing Biodiversity Hotspots? 1. There are 5 Biodiversity Hotspots in India. 2, Contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants found nowhere else on Earth (known as “en- demic” species). 3. Have lost at least 70 percent of its animal species Select from the given codes: Only 3 Only 2 land 2 1, 2and 3 To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, an area must meet two strict criteria: Contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants found nowhere else on Earth (known as “endemic” species). Have lost at least 70 percent of its primary native vegetation. Hence Statement 2 is correct and statement 3 is incorrect. There are currently 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots. Out of these 4 are in India. Himalaya: Includes the entire Indian Himalayan region (and that falling in Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar) Indo-Burma: Includes entire North-eastern India, except Assam and Andaman group of Islands (and Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and southern China) Sundalands: Includes Nicobar group of Islands (and In- donesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines) Western Ghats and Sri Lanka: Includes entire Western Ghats (and Sri Lanka) 3. Consider the following statements regarding Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management& Transboundary Move- ment) Amendment Rules, 2019 1. Solid plastic waste has been prohibited from import into the country excluding Special Eco- nomic Zones (SEZ) and by Export Oriented Units (EOU).2. Exporters of silk waste have now been given exemption from requiring permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Which of the above statements is/are correct? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and2 None of the above In order to strengthen the implementation of environ- mentally sound management of hazardous waste in the country, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has amended the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016. Some of the salient features of the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management& Transboundary Movement) Amendment Rules, 2019 are as follows: Solid plastic waste has been prohibited from import into the country including in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and by Export Oriented Units (EOU). Hence statement 1 is wrong. Exporters of silk waste have now been given exemption from requiring permission from the Ministry of Environ- ment, Forest and Climate Change. Hence statement 2 is correct. Electrical and electronic assemblies and components manufactured in and exported from India, if found defec- tive can now be imported back into the country, within a year of export, without obtaining permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Industries which do not require consent under Water (Pre- vention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and Air (Pre- vention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981, are now ex- empted from requiring authorization also under the Haz- ardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transbound- ary Movement) Rules, 2016, provided that hazardous and other wastes generated by such industries are handed overto the authorized actual users, waste collectors or disposal facilities. 4. Consider the following statements regarding National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) 1. The NCAP will be a Five year action plan with 2019 as the first year. 2. The programme may be further extended to a longer time horizon after a mid-term review of the outcomes. 3. NCAPis implemented by W.H.O 4. NCAPis a part of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). Which of the statements given above are correct? 2,3 and4 2and3 land4 land2 A time bound national level strategy for pan India im- plementation to tackle the increasing air pollution prob- lem across the country in a comprehensive manner in the form of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched. The NCAP will be a mid-term, five-year action plan with 2019 as the first year. Hence statement 1 is correct. The programme may be further extended to a longer time horizon after a mid-term review of the outcomes. Hence statement 2 is correct. The NCAP will be institutionalized by respective min- istries and will be organized through inter-sectoral groups, which include, Ministry of Road Transport and Highway, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Heavy Indus- try, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, NITI Aayog, CPCB, experts from the industry, academia, and civil society. City specific action plans are being formulated for 102 non-attainment cities identified for implementing mitiga- tion actions under NCAP.Institutional Framework at Centre and State Level com- prising of Apex Committee at the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change in the Centre and at Chief Sec- retary Level in the States are to be constituted. In addition, sectoral working groups, national level Project Monitoring Unit, Project Implementation Unit, state level project monitoring unit, city level review committee under the Municipal Commissioner and DM level Commit- tee in the Districts are to be constituted under NCAP for effective implementation and success of the Programme. W.H.O is not the implementing agency. Hence statement 3 is incorrect. NCAP is not a part of NAPCC. So, statement 4 is incorrect. 5. Consider the following statements 1. The theme for International Day for the Preser- vation of the Ozone Layer 2018 is “Caring for all life under the Sun”. 2. This event commemorates the date of the sign- ing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Which of the above statements is/are INCORRECT? lonly 2 only Both 1 and2 Neither 1 nor 2 “Keep Cool and Carry on” is the theme of this year’s (2018) International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. It celebrates the progress in protecting the ozone layer and moves to phase out ozone depleting chemicals which are also potent greenhouse gases. The theme for International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2018 is “Caring for all life under the Sun”. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Preser- vation of the Ozone Layer (World Ozone Day) is celebrated on September 16 every year. This event commemorates the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Sub- stances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987. Hence state- ment 2 is correct. 6. Consider the following statements 1. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is legally binding. 2. Kigali amendment is to phase down the usage of HFC’s. 3. The Agreement upholds the principle of Com- mon but Differentiated Responsibilities and Re- spective Capabilities (CBDR & RC). Which of the above statements is/are correct? land3 land2 2and3 All of the above The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol is legally binding and will come into force from January 1, 2019. Hence statement 1 is correct. The Agreement upholds the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR & RC). It recognizes the development imperatives of high-growth economies like India, and provides a realistic and viable roadmap for the implementation of a phase-out schedule for high global warming potential (GWP) HFCs. Hence statement 2 and 3 are correct. Additional information: The Agreement upholds the prin- ciple of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR & RC). It recognizes the development imperatives of high-growth economies like India, and provides a realistic and viable roadmap for the implementation of a phase-out schedule for high global warming potential (GWP) HFCs.On October 15, 2016, with the United States’ leadership, 197 countries adopted an amendment to phase down HFCs under the Montreal Protocol in Kigali, Rwanda. Under the amendment, countries committed to cut the production and consumption of HFCs by more than 80 percent over the next 30 years. The ambitious phase down schedule will avoid more than 80 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 2050—avoiding up to 0.5° Celsius warming by the end of the century— while continuing to protect the ozone layer. 7. Which of the following Biosphere Reserves from India are part of UNESCO designated World Network of Bio- sphere Reserves (W.N.B.R)? 1, Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve 2. Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve 3. Manas Biosphere Reserve 4, Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve Select from the given codes: land3 1,2and4 2and4 1,2 and 3 Thoroughly go through the list of 18 Biosphere Reserves designated by India. Out of these 11 (which are in bold letters) are a part of UNESCO designated World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR). They are: Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. (WNBR) Nanda Devi, Uttarakhand. (WNBR) Nokrek, Meghalaya. (WNBR) Manas, Assam. Sunderban, West Bengal. (WNBR) Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu. (WNBR) Great Nicobar, Andaman and Nicobar islands. (WNBR) Similipal, Odisha. (WNBR) Dibru-Saikhova, Assam. Dehang-Dibang , Arunachal Pradesh.Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh. (WNBR) Khangchendzonga, Sikkim. (WNBR) Agasthyamalai, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. (WNBR) Achanakmar- Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh and Chattis- garh. (WNBR) Kachchh , Gujarat. Cold Desert, Himachal Pradesh. Seshachalam , Andhra Pradesh. Panna, Madhya Pradesh 8. Consider the following statements regarding WAYU (Wind Augmentation Purifying Unit) 1. The device has filters for Particulate Matter re- moval, but lacks filters to remove activated car- bon (charcoal). 2. Ithas been indigenously developed by TERI- The Energy and Resources Institute Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1. lonly 2. 2only 3, Both land2 4. Neither 1 nor 2 WAYU is developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research — National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) as a part of Technology Develop- ment Project being funded by Department of Science and Technology. Hence statement 2 is incorrect. The device works on two principles mainly Wind gener- ation for dilution of air pollutants and Active Pollutants removal. The device has filters for Particulate Matter removal and activated carbon (charcoal) and UV lamps for poisonous gases removal such as VOCs and Carbon Monoxide. Hence statement 2 is incorrect. The device has one fan and filter for sucking and removing Particulate Matter. There are two UV lamps and half kg ofactivated carbon charcoal coated with special chemical Ti- tanium Dioxide. 9. Consider the following statements 1. Alpha diversity refers to a group of organisms sharing the same habitat. 2. Beta diversity is the expression of diversity be- tween habitats. Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1. lonly 2. 2only 3. Both 1 and2 4. Neither 1 nor 2 Alpha diversity refers to the average species diversity in a habitat or specific area. Itis dependent on species richness and species evenness. Hence statement 1 is correct. Beta diversity refers to ratio between local diversity and regional diversity. This is the diversity of species between two habitats or regions. Hence statement 2 is correct. Gamma diversity is the total diversity of the landscape. 10. Consider the following statements 1. Keystone species have low functional depen- dency. 2. Flagship species play a major role in creating or maintaining a habitat. Which of the above statements is/are correct? lonly 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 A keystone species is an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem. It plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community and whose im- pact on the community is greater than would be expected based on its relative abundance or total biomass.Keystone species have low functional redundancy. This means that if the species were to disappear from the ecosystem, no other species would be able to fill its eco- logical niche. The ecosystem would be forced to radically change, allowing new and possibly invasive species to populate the habitat. Hence statement 1 is correct. A flagship species is a species selected to act as an ambassador, icon or symbol for a defined habitat, issue, campaign or environmental cause. Hence statement 2 is incorrect. Flagship species are usually relatively large, and consid- ered to be ‘charismatic’ in western cultures. Flagship species may or may not be keystone species and may or may not be good indicators of biological process. Additional Information: Umbrella species are often con- flated with keystone species. Both terms describe a single species on which many other species depend. The key dis- tinction between umbrella species and keystone species is that the value of an umbrella species is tied to its ge- ographic species range. Foundation species play a major role in creating or maintaining a habitat. Corals are a key example of a foundation species. These tiny animals grow as a colony of thousands and even mil- lions of individual polyps. The rocky exoskeletons of these polyps create enormous structures around islands: coral reefs. 11. Consider the following statements 1, Ecosystem engineer is a plant or animal that is very sensitive to environmental changes in its ecosystem. 2. Autogenic engineers modify their environment by modifying their own biology. 3. Allogenic engineers physically change their envi- ronment from one state to another. Which of the above statements is/are INCORRECT? lonly 2 and 3 only3 only 1,2and3 Like foundation species, ecosystem engineers contribute to the physical geography of their habitat. Ecosystem engi- neers modify, create, and maintain habitats. An indicator species describes an organism that is very sensitive to environmental changes in its ecosystem. Hence statement 1 is incorrect. Autogenic engineers modify their environment by mod- ifying their own biology. Corals and trees are autogenic engineers. As they grow, they are a living part of the envi- ronment, providing food and shelter to other organisms. Hence statement 2 is correct. Allogenic engineers physically change their environment from one state to another. Beavers are a classic exam- ple of allogenic engineers. Beavers help maintain wood- land ecosystems by thinning out older trees and allowing young saplings to grow. Hence statement 3 is correct. 12. Consider the following statements 1. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Cli- mate Change (MoEF&CC) has promulgated Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautifi- cation & Maintenance) Policy-2015 2. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) implements National Mis- sion for Green India (GIM) scheme for planta- tions along the highway sides and on vacant land along railway tracks. Which of the above statements is/are correct? lonly 2 only Both 1 and2 Neither 1 nor 2 The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has promul- gated Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation and Beautification & Maintenance) Policy-2015, under whichplantations have been initiated in collaboration with For- est Departments and other agencies. Hence statement 1 is incorrect. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) does not implement any scheme for planta- tions along the highway sides and on vacant land along railway tracks. Hence statement 2 is incorrect. Additional Information: MOEF&CC for afforestation and to increase forest cover in the country implements two Cen- trally Sponsored Schemes namely, National Afforestation Programme (NAP) and National Mission for a Green India (GIM). While NAP is being implemented for afforestation of degraded forest lands, GIM aims at improving the qual- ity of forest/increase in forest cover besides cross-sectoral activities on landscape basis. These two schemes involve local people through Joint Forest Management Commit- tees (JFMC) at the village level in the afforestation efforts and decision making in their area of implementation. 13. Consider the following statements 1. The difference between the Community and Con- servation reserve is that the former comprises community or private land and the latter com- prises government land. 2. The number of Protected Areas under Wildlife Protection Act (1972) has steadily increased over the years. Which of the above statements is/are INCORRECT? 1. lonly 2, 2only 3. Both 1 and2 4. Neither 1 nor 2 Legally protected areas in India fall into four categories — Reserved/ Designated Forest Areas declared as such under the Indian Forest Act, 1927. Protected Areas declared under any of the four categories of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972-— National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Community Reserves and Conserwa- tion Reserves.The difference between the Community and Conserva- tion reserve is that the former comprises community or private land and the latter comprises government land. Hence statement 1 is correct. Biodiversity Heritage Sites notified under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. Wetlands identified and notified under Wetland (Conser- vation and Management) Rules, 2017. The number of Protected Areas under Wildlife Protection Act (1972) has steadily increased over the years. Hence statement 2 is correct. 14. Consider the following statements regarding Acid Rain: 1. The amount of acid deposition in the form of wet deposition is higher in all the areas across the globe. 2. Normal Rain water generally has a pH around 7.4 indicating that it is slightly basic in nature. Which of the above statements is/are correct? lonly 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 The amount of acidity in the atmosphere that deposits to earth through dry deposition depends on the amount of rainfall an area receives. For example, in desert areas the ratio of dry to wet deposition is higher than an area that receives several inches of rain each year. Hence statement 1is incorrect. Normal, clean rain generally has a pH value of between 5.0 and 5.5, which is slightly acidic. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.Background: Acid rain results when sulfur dioxide (S02) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) are emitted into the atmos- phere and transported by wind and air currents. The SO2 and NOX react with water, oxygen and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These then mix with water and other materials before falling to the ground. There are two forms of Acid Deposition Wet Deposition: Wet deposition is what we most com- monly think of as acid rain. The sulfuric and nitric acids formed in the atmosphere fall to the ground mixed with rain, snow, fog, or hail. Dry Deposition: Acidic particles and gases can also de- posit from the atmosphere in the absence of moisture as dry deposition. The acidic particles and gases may deposit to surfaces (water bodies, vegetation, buildings) quickly or may react during atmospheric transport to form larger particles that can be harmful to human health. When the accumulated acids are washed off a surface by the next rain, this acidic water flows over and through the ground, and can harm plants and wildlife, such as insects and fish. 15. Which of the following correctly explains the term Bio-prospecting? 1. Systematic exploration of biological diversity with the purpose of developing commercially valuable products. 2. Appropriating a biological resource without ob- taining prior informed consent of the country providing these. 3. Systematic estimation of the biodiversity of a natural landscape. 4. The method of valuation used in cost benefit analysis and environmental accounting. Bio prospecting refers to Systematic exploration, extrac- tion and screening of biological diversity with the pur- pose of developing commercially valuable products.Contingent valuation refers to the method of valuation used in cost benefit analysis and environmental account- ing. Bio piracy or misappropriation refers to appropriating a biological resource without obtaining prior informed con- sent of the country providing these. 16. Consider the following statements 1. Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) have been no- tified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Notifications declaring areas as ESAs are issued under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986. Which of the above statements is/are correct? lonly 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) have been identified and notified by the Indian Ministry of Environment, For- est and Climate Change since 1989. Hence statement 1 is correct. Notifications declaring areas as ESAs are issued under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986. Hence statement 2 is correct. Western Ghats is one of the ESA’s in India. 17. Consider the following statements 1. All Algal Blooms are harmful. 2. All Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB’s) are toxic. 3. Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB’s) are generally re- ferred to as “red tides” Which of the above statements is/are INCORRECT? land2 2and33 only 1,2and3 Not all algal blooms are harmful. Most blooms, in fact, are beneficial because the tiny plants are food for animals in the ocean. In fact, they are the major source of energy that fuels the ocean food web. Hence statement 1 is incorrect. A small percentage of algae, however, produce powerful toxins that can kill fish, shellfish, mammals, and birds, and may directly or indirectly cause illness in people. HABs also include blooms of non-toxic species that have harmful effects on marine ecosystems. Hence statement 2 is incorrect. Harmful Algal Blooms are generally referred to as ‘red tides,’ Hence statement 3 is correct. Background: Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when colonies of algae—simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater—grow out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mam- mals, and birds. The human illnesses caused by HABs, though rare, can be debilitating or even fatal. 18. Consider the following statements 1. Cisgenesis (among plants) is the genetic modifi- cation of a recipient plant with a natural gene from acrossable, sexually compatible plant. 2. Transgenesis is the genetic modification of a re- cipient plant with genes from any non-plant or- ganism, or from a donor plant that is sexually in- compatible with the recipient plant. Which of the above statements is/are correct? lonly 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Cisgenesis is the genetic modification of a recipient plant with a natural gene from a crossable, sexually compatible plant. Hence statement 1 is correct.Transgenesis is the genetic modification of a recipient plant with one or more genes from any non-plant organ- ism, or from a donor plant that is sexually incompatible with the recipient plant. This includes gene sequences of any origin in the anti-sense orientation, any artificial combination of a coding sequence and a regulatory se- quence, such as a promoter from another gene, or a syn- thetic gene. Hence statement 2 is correct. Transgenesis and Cisgenesis both use the same genetic modification techniques. (Namely the introduction of one or more genes and their promoters into a plant) Cisgenesis involves only genes from the plant itself or from a close relative, and these genes could also be transferred by tradi- tional breeding techniques. 19. Consider the following statements 1. Noise as a pollutant is recognised as part of air pollution under of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 2. Silence zone is referred as areas up to 500 meters around such premises as hospitals, educational institutions and courts. 3. As per existing rules, noise standards should not exceed 25 decibels (dB) in a Silence zone. 4. The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 framed by the Central Government under the provisions of Environment (Protec- tion) Act, 1986 Which of the above statements is/are INCORRECT? 1,2and4 2and3 land4 Only 3 Although originally, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 was enacted exclusively for the con- trol of air pollution, but by Amendment Act 1987, the problem of noise was also covered within the definition of air pollutants under this Act. In this Act no specific pro- vision for the control of noise pollution has been made. Hence statement 1 is correctSilence zone is referred as areas up to 100 meters around such premises as hospitals, educational institutions and courts. Hence statement 2 is incorrect. The noise standards in Silence zones are laid down as per existing rules, and should not exceed 45 decibels (dB) and 40dB during day and night, respectively. Hence statement 3 is incorrect. The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 is framed by the Central Government under the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 read with Rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules 1986. Hence state- ment 4 is correct. 20. Consider the following statements about ‘Ocean Acid- ification’ 1. It leads to increase in the concentration of hydro- gen ions and decreases the concentration of car- bonate ions. 2, Ocean water is naturally slightly acidic in nature. Which of the above statements is/are INCORRECT? lonly 2 only Both 1 and2 Neither 1 nor 2 Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the increased uptake of car- bon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. (due to increased CO2 levels because of human activity) There are two important things that happen when carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater. First, there is an increase in concentration of hydrogen ions (due to chemical reac- tions), because of which the pH of seawater water gets lower as it becomes more acidic. Second, this process binds up carbonate ions and makes them less abundant. Hence statement 1 is correct.Carbonate ions that corals, oysters, mussels, and many other shelled organisms need to build shells and skele- tons. Ocean pH has been slightly basic, averaging about 8.2. Today, it is around 8.1, a drop of 0.1 pH units, represent- ing a 25-percent increase in acidity over the past two cen- turies. Hence statement 2 is incorrect. 21. Consider the following statements with respect to ‘Ramsar Convention’ 1. It is a global inter-governmental treaty that pro- vides the framework for national action and in- ternational cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. 2. It is the only global treaty to focus on one single ecosystem. Select the correct statements 1 Only 2 Only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, also known as the Ramsar Convention, is a global inter-governmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and inter- national cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. It is the only global treaty to focus on one single ecosystem. The Ramsar Convention is the only international treaty focused on wetlands. It provides a platform of 170 Con- tracting Parties working together for wetland conserva- tion and wise use, and to develop the best available data, advice and policy recommendations to realize the benefits of fully functional wetlands to nature and society. Parties to the Convention have already committed to maintaining the ecological character of over 2,300 Wetlands of Inter- national Importance covering nearly 250million hectares, 13-18% of global wetlands. 22. Which of the following is/are correctly matched?Phumlenpat Lake - Meghalaya Ameenpur Lake - Odisha Loktak Lake — Manipur Select the correct code: land2 land3 3 Only 2and3 Phumlenpat Lake - Manipur Ameenpur Lake - Telangana Loktak Lake - Manipur 23. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? Mission to Mars Space Agency Hope Mars Mission —- European Space Agency (ESA) Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) - Roscosmos ExoMars (Exobiology on Mars)- NASA Select the correct code: 1. land2 2. 2and3 3. Allofthe above 4, None of the above The Hope Mars Mission also called Emirates Mars Mission is a space exploration probe mission to Mars built by the United Arab Emirates and set for launch in 2020. Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mis- sion was developed by NASA to study the Martian atmos- phere while orbiting Mars. Mission goals include deter- mining how the planet’s atmosphere and water, presumed to have once been substantial, were lost over time.ExoMars (Exobiology on Mars) is a two-part astrobiology project to search for evidence of life on Mars, a joint mis- sion of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian space agency Roscosmos. 24. The term ‘Oort Cloud’ was in news recently. It is asso- ciated with Blockchain Technology Polar mesospheric clouds Icy objects that exist in the solar system Far Side of the Moon. apache The Oort cloud, named after the Dutch astronomer Jan Oort, sometimes called the Opik—Oort cloud, is a hypothet- ical cloud of predominantly icy planetesimals proposed to surround the Sun at distances ranging from 2,000 to 200,000 AU (0.03 to 3.2 light-years). It is divided into two regions: a disc-shaped inner Oort cloud (or Hills cloud) and a spherical outer Oort cloud. Both regions lie beyond the heliosphere and in interstellar space. The Kuiper belt and the scattered disc, the other two reservoirs of trans- Neptunian objects, are less than one thousandth as far from the Sun as the Oort cloud. 25. Consider the following statements with respect to ‘HAL Tejas’ 1. Itis a delta wing multirole fighter jet 2. It is integrated with a fly-by-wire flight control system 3. It is powered with a General Electric F404 after- burning turbofan engine Select the correct statements 1. land2 2, 2and3 3. land3 4, Allofthe above The HAL Tejas is an Indian single-engine, multirole light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. It came from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, which began in the1980s to replace India’s ageing MiG-21 fighters. In 2003, the LCA was officially named “Tejas”. Tejas has a tail-less compound delta-wing configuration with a single dorsal fin. This provides better high-alpha performance characteristics than conventional wing de- signs. Its wing root leading edge has a sweep of 50 degrees, the outer wing leading edge has a sweep of 62.5 degrees, and trailing edge has a forward sweep of four degrees. It integrates technologies such as relaxed static stability, fly-by-wire flight control system, multi-mode radar, in- tegrated digital avionics system and composite material structures. It is the smallest and lightest in its class of con- temporary supersonic combat aircraft. It was intended to be powered by the GTRE GTX-35VS Kaveri, but had to be replaced with an off-the-shelf “for- eign” engine, the General Electric F404. 26. The exercise ‘IOWave18’ recently in news was con- ducted by: . Indian Ocean Commission . Indian Ocean Rim Association . Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission . United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea PwWNH India, along with 23 other Indian Ocean Nations, partic- ipated in a major Indian ocean-wide tsunami mock exer- cise (drill) on 4th & 5th September, 2018. The Exercise, known as IO0Wavel8, was organized by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, which coordinated the setting up of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWMS) in the aftermath of the 26 December 2004 tsunami. 27. Consider the following 1. Medhar is a bamboo basket-making community in Karnataka. 2. Chola Naikar is a tribal community of Kerala.Which of the given statement is/are correct? lonly 2 only Both 1 and2 Neither 1 nor 2 Both are correct. 28. The project launch of the Green Agriculture project jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farm- ers Welfare (MoAFW) and the Food and Agriculture Orga- nization of the United Nations (FAO) deals with: 1. Addressing Biodiversity Conservation 2. Renewable Energy Use 3. Climate Change Mitigation 4. Sustainable Forest Management Select the correct code: 1. land4 only 2. 2,3and4 3. 1,3and4 4. 1,2,3and4 The project aims to transform agricultural production to generate global environmental benefits by addressing bio- diversity conservation, land degradation, climate change mitigation and sustainable forest management. 29. Germany launched World's first hydrogen-powered train recently. Consider the following statements in this regard: 1. It uses fuel cells that produce electricity through a combination of hydrogen and oxygen, leaving behind only water and steam as residue. 2. It produces zero-emission unlike other fossil based fuels. Which of the given statements is/are correct? lonly 2 only Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2It uses fuel cells that produce electricity through a combi- nation of hydrogen and oxygen, leaving behind water and steam. Hydrogen produced via electrolysis commonly costs roughly the same as natural gas and almost double that of diesel fuel; however, unlike either of these fossil-based fuels, hydrogen propulsion produces zero emissions. 30. International Sea power Symposium (ISS) which was held recently is organized by: 1. Indian Ocean Naval Symposium 2. RIM Association 3, US Navy 4, UNCLOS Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Chief of the Naval Staff visited Rhode Island, USA on a bilateral visit from 18 to 22 September 2018 for at- tending the 23rd edition of the International Sea power Symposium (ISS) organised by the US Navy. The biennial ISS was first held in 1969 in Newport and was designed to allow naval leaders from around the world to meet and discuss common issues they faced, how to address these issues, and ultimately find solutions for them.PART-5 Que. 1 Which state government's transport department suspended app-based Ola Cabs's aggregator license for 6 months in March 2019? 1. Tamil Nadu 2. Kerala 3. Karnataka 4. Andhra Pradesh 5. Telangana Answer: The Karnataka government's transport depart- ment suspended app-based Ola Cabs's aggregator license for 6 months. The Ola is charged with running bike taxis in violation of license conditions and violated government rules. Aggregator means a person who is an aggregator or op- erator or an intermediary/market place who canvasses or solicits or facilitates passengers for travel by taxi. Que. 2 Read the following statements carefully: 1. The European Union has agreed to postpone Brexit from 29 March 2019. 2. EU leaders agreed to delay Brexit after the UK Par- liament twice overwhelmingly rejected the deal that was agreed with the EU on how to withdraw from the bloc and voted against a no-deal exit. 3. More than 17 million Britons voted against leaving the EU ina 2016 referendum.Which of the above statements is/are true? 1. Only 1 2. Only 1 and 2 3. Only 1 and 3 4. Only 2and3 5. Allof the above Answer: The European Union has agreed to postpone Brexit from 29 March 2019. EU leaders agreed to delay Brexit after the UK Parlia- ment twice overwhelmingly rejected the deal that was agreed with the EU on how to withdraw from the bloc and voted against a no-deal exit. More than 17 million Britons voted in favor of leaving the EU ina 2016 referendum. Que. 3 Who has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tata Coffee in March 2019? 1. Martin Pieters 2. Shinzo Nakanishi 3. Parmit Jhaveri 4. Chacko Purackal Thomas 5. BD Park Answer: Tata Coffee appointed Chacko Purackal Thomas as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. He will replace Sanjiv Sarin, who retires on 31 March 2019. He will assume the charge from 1 April 2019. He currently works as the executive director and deputy CEO of the Tata Group firm. Que. 4 Which of the following countries will be funding Pakistan over US$ 2 billion loans to provide a boost to its ailing economy, in March 2019? 1. USA 2. China 3. Russia4, North Korea 5. Israel Answer: Pakistan will receive over US$ 2 billion loans from China by 25 March 2019 to provide a boost to its ailing economy. The funds will be deposited in the State Bank of Pak- istan. The loan facility will further strengthen foreign ex- change reserves and ensure the balance of payment stabil- ity. Pakistan has received USD 1 billion each from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Que. 5 Which of the following sports organizations of India launched its ambitious coaching education pathway in March 2019? 1. Board of Control for Cricket in India 2. Hockey India 3. All India Football Federation 4. Indian Olympic Association 5. Badminton Association of India Answer: Hockey India launched its ambitious ‘Hockey India Coaching Education Pathway’ on 22 March 2019. It aims to provide certification to those candidates who are already coaches or wish to pursue coaching as a career option. The program consists of a combination of web-based modules and face-to-face interactive courses. Que. 6 Where will Facebook organise ‘AI for India Summit’ in March 2019? 1. New Delhi 2. Mumbai 3. Bengaluru4. Hyderabad 5. Chennai Answer: Facebook will organise 'Al for India Summit’ on 26 March 2019 in Bengaluru. The summit will focus on discussing inclusive growth and solutions to the most enduring social challenges. The Summit will bring together key representatives from the AI (Artificial Intelligence) community in India such as policymakers, start-ups, and the developer com- munity. Que. 7 Which bank launched an issuance of 5-year se- nior unsecured bonds to the extent of US$ 400 million under Medium Term Note programme, through its Lon- don branch in March 2019? 1. Canara 2. Axis 3. PNB 4. HDFC 5. Bank of India Answer: Canara Bank launched an issuance of 5-year senior unse- cured bonds (Medium Term Notes) to the extent of US$ 400 million under Medium Term Note (MTN) programme, through its London branch on 21 March 2019. Que. 8 The RBI rejected IDBI Bank's proposal to change its name following the transfer of controlling 51% stake to from the government of India. 1. SBI 2. LIC 3. NABARD 4. SIDBI 5, EXIMAnswer: The RBI rejected IDBI Bank's proposal to change its name following the transfer of controlling 51% stake to LIC from the government of India. Que. 9 Which of the following branches of AIIMS launched mobile methadone vans in March 2019? 1. Delhi 2. Bhopal 3. Patna 4. Bhubaneswar 5. Jodhpur Answer: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi launched mobile methadone vans on 22 March 2019. The vans will provide treatment to Opioid addicts in Delhi. The National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre of AIIMS has initiated the new mobile van service. Methadone is a drug givenin a syrup form to patients as it helps in controlling the craving and withdrawals due to Opioid addiction. Que. 10 Which IPL team has announced that the entire ticket proceeds of the inaugural match of IPL 2019 will be given to the families of CRPF personnel killed in the terror attack in Pulwama? 1. RCB 2. MI 3. KKR 4.CSK 5.SRH Answer: According to the Chennai Super Kings' director, the entire ticket proceeds of the inaugural match will be given to the families of CRPF personnel killed in the Febru- ary 14 terror attack in Pulwama.Que. 11 Which of the following things has/have been al- lowed for the players of the test playing nations to sport on their jerseys by the International Cricket Council? 1. National Flag 2. Player Name 3. Squad Number 1. Only 1 2. Only 1 and 2 3. Only 1 and 3 4, Only 2 and 3 5. All of the above Answer: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has al- lowed Test-playing nations to have the players sport their names and numbers on their jerseys. Que. 12 Which country announced in March 2019 that it will recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights? 1. China 2.UK 3. France 4.USA 5. Russia Answer: US President Donald Trump announced that the US will recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Golan Heights was captured by Israel from Syria in 1967. Previous US administrations have treated Golan Heights as occupied Syrian territory, in line with UN Secu- rity Council resolutions. Que. 13 Who has become the longest-living president in United States history by March 2019?1. Ronald Reagan 2. George W. Bush 3. Jimmy Carter 4. Bill Clinton 5. George H. W. Bush Answer: Former President Jimmy Carter became the long- est-living president in United States history on 22 March 2019. Jimmy Carter was the USA’s 39th President. He has broken the previous record held by the late Pres- ident George H.W. Bush, who died in November 2018. Que. 14 Who has been appointed as the Ambassador of Karnataka Lok Sabha Elections 2019? 1. Devendra Jhajharia 2. Muhammed Anas Yahiya 3. Jinson Johnson 4. Girish N Gowda 5. Manish Singh Rawat Answer: Paralympic high jumper Girish N Gowda has been appointed as Karnataka Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Ambas- sador. Que. 15 Who has been appointed as the brand ambassador of PhonePe in March 2019? 1. Shahrukh Khan 2. Kareena Kapoor 3. Aamir Khan 4. Hrithik Roshan 5. Salman Khan Answer: PhonePe, the payments and financial services arm of Flipkart, appointed Bollywood actor Aamir Khan as its brand ambassador.Que. 16 Which of the following has been acquired by NSEIT, the IT-services subsidiary of the National Stock Ex- change, in March 2019? 1. Alphabetz Network Pvt. Ltd. 2. Phronesis Corporate Intelligence Services Pvt Ltd 3. Jetair Private Limited 4. Aujas Networks Ltd. 5, netCORE Solutions Pvt Ltd Answer: NSEIT, the IT-services subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange, acquired Aujas Networks Ltd. Aujas Networks Ltd. is a company which provides in- formation security consulting and IT risk management services, N Muralidharan is the CEO & MD of NSEIT. NSEIT currently provides technology solutions across industries such as capital markets, financial markets, banking, and insurance Que. 17 How many Indians are among the individuals who have been named in the 'World's 100 Most Influential Peo- ple in Climate Policy for 2019'? 1.5 2% 3.11 4.15 5.23 Answer: Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Dr. Harsh Vardhan are among the seven Indians who have been named in the 'World's 100 Most Influential People in Cli- mate Policy for 2019' for taking steps in order to combat climate change. The list was released by Apolitical, a global network for government helping public servants find the ideas, people and partners they need to solve the hardest challenges.Que. 18 The RBI informed the Bombay High Court that it constituted a member committee to look into the issue of currency notes, which will be helpful to blind people. 1.3 2.4 S25 4.6 5.7 Answer: The RBI informed the Bombay High Court that it constituted a 4 member committee to look into the issue of currency notes, which will be helpful to blind people. Bombay HC was hearing a petition filed by the National Association of the Blind. RBI said that it was in the process of developing a mo- bile application to help the visually impaired identify the denomination of currency notes. Que. 19 Read the following statements carefully: 1. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has postponed the roll- out of the new accounting standards (IndAS) for the sec- ond time. 2. It is awaiting amendments to the banking laws before adopting the norms. 3. The loan-loss provision under the IndAS is recognised based on the expected credit loss (ECL) model. Which of the above statements is/are correct? 1. Only 2 2. Only 1 and2 3. Only 1 and 3 4. Only 2 and 3 5. All are correctAnswer: The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has postponed the rollout of the new accounting standards (IndAS) for the second time. It is awaiting amendments to the banking laws before adopting the norms. The loan-loss provision under the IndAS is recognised based on the expected credit loss (ECL) model. The IndAS will further add to banks’ compliance bur- den, especially for loan-loss provisions. Que. 20 Recently, Goldie Small, the oldest person in Broome County in passed away. 1. Los Angeles 2. New York 3. Chicago 4. Brooklyn 5. London Answer: Goldie Small, the oldest person in Broome County in New York passed away on 22 March 2019. (Source: The Hindu + PIB + Yojana + Indian Express)PART-6 1. RBI declined which Bank's proposal to name change after its merger with LIC? A. Dena Bank B.IDBI Bank C.Indus Ind Bank D.Karur Vysya Bank Answer: B Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has turned down IDBI Bank's proposal to change its name following the transfer of a controlling 51% stake to LIC, insurance behemoth, from the government of India. 2.Due to the squalid conditions in the Gaza Strip 40 ani- mal were moved to the sanctuaries of A.Israel B.Jerusalem C.Jordan D.West Bank Answer: C Explanation: Forty animals, including five lions, are to be rescued from squalid conditions in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian. The an- imals would be taken out of a zoo in the Palestinian en- clave and relocated to sanctuaries in Jordan next week. 3. Which of the following spacecraft has its mission of the asteroid Ryugu?A.Hayabusa B.SELENE C.IKAROS D. Akatsuki Answer: A Explanation: Japanese space agency, JAXA's Hayabusa2 spacecraft has its mission of the asteroid Ryugu. 4.Social media platforms and presented a 'Vol- untary Code of Ethics' for the General Election 2019. A.Lok Sabha (House of the People) B.Election Commission of India (ECI) C.Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) D.Ministry of Information and Technology Answer: C Explanation: Social media platforms and the Internet and Mobile As- sociation of India (IAMAI) presented a 'Voluntary Code of Ethics' for the General Election 2019 to the Election Com- mission of India. 5.India Post released a special stamp cover on Ice Stupa in AJammu B.Gulmarg C.Pahalgam D.Leh Answer: D Explanation: India Post released a special stamp cover on Ice Stupa in Leh at an event in the presence of Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh founder Sonam Wangchuk who spearheaded the Ice Stupa initiative.6.What is the position occupied by Indian shuttler PV Sindhu in the latest World Badminton Rankings? AThird B.Fourth C.Fifth D.Sixth Answer: D Explanation: In the women's singles rankings, P V Sindhu and Saina Nehwal are static with Sindhu at sixth and Saina at ninth position. Japan's Kento Momota is leading the men's chart while Chinese Taipei's Tai Tzu Ying is topping the women's singles list. 7.Who is the recipient of the 2019 Templeton Prize? A.Gérard Mourou B.Marcelo Gleiser C.Donna Strickland D.John Templeton Answer: B Explanation: Brazilian physicist and astronomer Marcelo Gleiser (60) was awarded 2019 Templeton Prize worth $1.4 million for his work on blending science and spirituality. It makes him first Latin American to win this award. 8.Power Finance Corporation (PFC) will acquire the entire 52.63 per cent shares of the government in REC for Rs A.14,500 crore B.12,500 crore C.18,500 crore D.16,500 crore Answer: AExplanation: State-owned Power Finance Corporation (PFC) will ac- quire the entire 52.63 per cent shares of the government in REC for Rs 14,500 crore by the month-end, a move that will help the centre to meet its disinvestment target. 9.Recently, Ministry of Defence has cleared the proposal to procure lakh hand grenades for the Indian Army under its Make in India programme. A.20 B.10 C5 D.15 Answer: B Explanation: Ministry of Defence (MoD) has cleared the proposal to pro- cure 10 lakh hand grenades for the Indian Army under its Make in India programme. The Rs 500 crore proposal comes shortly after the Defence Ministry cleared the ac- quisition of assault rifles and signed a joint venture with Russia to manufacture AK-203 rifles for the infantry units of the Indian Army. 10.Which of the following Indian shuttler placedin top 10 in the latest World Badminton Rankings? A.Sai Praneeth B.Lakshya Sen C.Parupalli Kashyap D.Kidambi Srikanth Answer: D Explanation: Kidambi Srikanth remains static and is the best placed Indian in the men's rankings at seventh. He is followed by Sameer Verma (14th), HS Prannoy (24th), Subhankar Dey (43rd), Parupalli Kashyap (48th), Ajay Jayram (52nd) and Sourav Verma (53rd).11.Fitch Cuts India GDP Growth Forecast For F¥20 To A.6.8% B.7.2% C.8.5% D.3.8% Answer: A Explanation: Fitch Cuts India GDP Growth Forecast For FY20 To 6.8% 12.Which country ban Assault Weapons A.New Zealand B.Russia C.Thailand D.Pakistan Answer: A Explanation: New Zealand ban Assault Weapons. 13,----- to donate IPL opener proceeds to families of Pul- wama attack A.CSK B.Mumbai Indians C.Rajasthan Royals D.Delhi Daredevils Answer: A Explanation: CSK to donate IPL opener proceeds to families of Pulwama attack. 14.Which Ministry releases national guidelines on re- sponsible business conductA.Ministry of Coroprate Affairs B.Ministry of Defence C.Ministry of External Affairs D.Ministrey of Internal Affairs Answer: A Explanation: Ministry of Coroprate Affairs releases national guide- lines on responsible business conduct. 15.Which state plans to introduce caravans in major spots to boost tourism A.Uttarkhand B.TamilNadu C. Andhra Pradesh D.Himachal Pradesh Answer: A Explanation: Uttarkhand state plans to introduce caravans in major spots to boost tourism. Q16. The RBI's decision to infuse rupee liquidity through long term foreign exchange swap, a first of its kind in liq- uidity management policy, is likely to boost investments by foreign portfolio investors under the voluntary reten- tion route. Which of the following statements regarding the same are true? 1) Such a swap route has been explored by various emerg- ing market economies as an effective tool to manage liq- uidity. 2) Apart from liquidity infusion, the move will boost the country’s foreign exchange reserves and is likely to sup- port the exchange rate. 3) The objective of the regulator (RBI) is also to attract long-term and stable FP] investments in the debt marketwhile providing FPIs with operational flexibility to man- age their investments. A)1&2only B) 2 &3only C)1&3 only D) all of the above Answer: D Q17. Consider the following pairs of hydro power projects in India and their corresponding rivers: 1) NathpaJakri :Satluj 2) Srisailam : Godavari 3) Indira sagar : Narmada 4) Dehar( Pandoh): Ravi 5) Idukki :Periyar Which of the above pairs are correctly matched ? A) 1,2&3 only B) 3,4 & 5 only C) 1,3 & 5 only D) all of the above Answer: C Q18. Which of the following statements regarding Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Yojana (RGPSY) are true? 1) The goals of the scheme include to strengthen Gram Sabhas to function effectively as the basic forum of people’s participation, transparency and accountability within the Panchayat system. 2) The scheme recognizes the fact that States have differ- ent needs and priorities and therefore allows for State spe- cific planning, whereby States can choose from a menu of permissible activities.3) This scheme is applicable to all States/ UTs except those which presently are not covered by Part IX of the Constitu- tion. A)1&2only B) 2 &3 only C)1&3 only D) all of the above Answer: A Q19. Consider the following statements regarding RTI act & the exemptions under the act: 1) The RTI act mandates that all records that are appropri- ate to be computerized and within a reasonable time and subject to availability be digitized. 2) Under the act any information received under the confi- dence ofa foreign government is deemed to be valid unless it endangers the life or physical property of a person. 3) Even though national parties are public authorities, they are exempted from RTI disclosures under section 8(1) of the RTI act. Which of the above statements are not correct? A)1&2only B)2 &3 only C)1&3 only D) all of the above Answer: B Q20. The books “Abhyuday Hindustan & Leader was written by which of the following Indian freedom struggle personalities? A) Lalahardayal B) Hakim Ajmal Khan C) Madan Mohan Malviya D) Arvindo ghosh Answer: CPART-8 1. Abdelkader Messahel is scheduled to visit India soon. He is the present Foreign Minister of which of the following countries? 1) Algeria 2) Syria 3) Jordan 4) Djibouti 5) Zambia 2. Mauricio Macri is the present President of which of the following countries? 1) Turkey 2) Greece 3) Spain 4) Argentina 5) Estonia 3. Which country successfully test-fired the short range surface-to-surface ballistic missile 'Nasr' re- cently? 1) Iran 2) North Korea 3) Pakistan 4) Indonesia 5) Malaysia4. The GDP growth in the financial year 2016-17 remained at what per cent according to the revised numbers of the Central Statistics Office (CSO)? 1) 6.7 per cent 2) 7 per cent 3) 7.2 per cent 4) 8 per cent 5) 8.2 per cent 5. The RBI approved the appointment of Ajay Kumar as interim Managing Director and CEO of which of the following private sector banks recently? 1) Federal Bank 2) YES Bank 3) Kotak Mahindra Bank 4) ICICI Bank 5) Axis Bank 6. Mt Kosciuszko is situated in which of the following countries? 1) Australia 2) Canada 3) Mexico 4) Indonesia 5) New Zealand 7. The RBI recently decided to take which of the following banks out of the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework? 1) Bank of Maharashtra 2) Bank of India 3) Oriental Bank of Commerce 4) All the above 5) Only 1) and 3)4. The GDP growth in the financial year 2016-17 remained at what per cent according to the revised numbers of the Central Statistics Office (CSO)? 1) 6.7 per cent 2) 7 per cent 3) 7.2 per cent 4) 8 per cent 5) 8.2 per cent 5. The RBI approved the appointment of Ajay Kumar as interim Managing Director and CEO of which of the following private sector banks recently? 1) Federal Bank 2) YES Bank 3) Kotak Mahindra Bank 4) ICICI Bank 5) Axis Bank 6. Mt Kosciuszko is situated in which of the following countries? 1) Australia 2) Canada 3) Mexico 4) Indonesia 5) New Zealand 7. The RBI recently decided to take which of the following banks out of the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework? 1) Bank of Maharashtra 2) Bank of India 3) Oriental Bank of Commerce 4) All the above 5) Only 1) and 3)8. Jai Kumar Garg is the present Managing Direc- tor and CEO of which of the following public sector banks? 1) Indian Overseas Bank 2) Corporation Bank 3) Bank of Baroda 4) Bank of India 5) Canara Bank 9. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) re- cently adopted a resolution to extend sanctions against the CAR for another year. Here, the term CAR means 1) Chad African Republic 2) Central African Representation 3) Central African Republic 4) Congo Alliance Republic 5) None of these 10. Kuldip Nayar was awarded Padma Bhushan post- humous in 2019 in the field of 1) Science & Engineering-Space 2) Medicine-Affordable Healthcare 3) Social Work 4) Public Affairs 5) Literature & Education 11. The interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal pre- sented Interim Budget for 2019-20 on 1 Feb. Now, individual taxpayers with annual income up to what amount will get full tax rebate? 1) Rs 3 lakh 2) Rs 3.5 lakh 3) Rs 4 lakh 4) Rs 4.5 lakh5) Rs 5 lakh 12. involves intervention by the banking regu- lator (RBI) so that a ‘weak’ bank takes corrective mea- sures to restore its financial health. 1)0MO 2) PCA 3) CAR 4) ALM 5) CDR 13. As per the proposals of the Interim Budget for 2019-20, the standard tax deduction for salaried per- sons has been raised from Rs 40,000 to 1) Rs 45,000 2) Rs 50,000 3) Rs 55,000 4) Rs 60,000 5) Rs 65,000 14. The GDP growth in the financial year 2017-18 remained at what per cent according to the revised numbers of the Central Statistics Office (CSO)? 1) 6.5 per cent 2) 6.7 percent 3) 6.9 per cent 4) 7.2 per cent 5) 8.2 per cent 15. The interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal an- nounced Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi in the Interim Budget recently. Under the scheme, what total amount will be transferred directly to farmers' bank accounts each year in three instalments? 1) Rs 2,000 2) Rs 4,000 3) Rs 6,0004) Rs 8,000 5) Rs 10,000 16. Ojos del Salado is a voleano peak situated in which country? 1) Chile 2) Peru 3) Colombia 4) Brazil 5) Mexico 17. According to the estimate of incomes and expen- diture in the Interim Budget for 2019-20, the fiscal deficit of year 2019-20 has been pegged at what per cent of GDP? 1) 2.4% 2) 2.8% 3) 3.4% 4) 3.6% 5) 4.4% 18. Pravin Gordhan was conferred Padma Bhushan (foreigner) recently in public affairs category. He hails from 1) Mauritius 2) Suriname 3) Canada 4) Australia 5) South Africa 19. According to the proposals of the Interim Budget for 2018-19, the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) threshold on interest on bank and post office de- posits has been raised from Rs 10,000 to 1) Rs 20,000 2) Rs 25,0003) Rs 30,000 4) Rs 35,000 5) Rs 40,000 20. The US imposed visa restrictions on Ghana re- cently. The capital city of Ghana is 1) Baku 2) Manama 3) Accra 4) Bamako 5) Nassau 21. Which country celebrated its 71st Independence Day on 4 Feb? 1) Maldives 2) Sri Lanka 3) Nepal 4) Myanmar 5) Bangladesh 22. As many as 12 crore small and marginal farm- ers will be provided with assured yearly income of Rs. 6000 under PM-KISAN scheme. The outlay for FY 2019-20 for the scheme is? 1) Rs 20,000 cr 2) Rs 25,000 cr 3) Rs 40,000 cr 4) Rs 50,000 cr 5) Rs 75,000 cr 23. Who among the following has been appointed as the new Director of the Central Bureau of Investiga- tion (CBI)? 1) Rakesh Asthana 2) M Nageshwara Rao 3) Gupteshwar Pandey 4) Rishi Kumar Shukla5) Amulya Patnaik 24. In the Interim Budget for 2019-20, what is the outlay for Rashtriya Gokul mission? 1) Rs 250cr 2) Rs 500 cr 3) Rs 750cr 4) Rs 1,000 cr 5) Rs 1,250 cr 25. Several Indian students were arrested in the US recently in connection with their enrollment in a fraudulent university. India’s present ambassador to the US is? 1) Harsh Vardhan Shringla 2) Navtej Sarna 3) Sanjay Verma 4) Ruchira Kamboj 5) Sanjeev Singla 26, What per cent interest subvention will be given to farmers for animal husbandry and fisheries activi- ties in the Interim Budget for 2019-20? 1) 2% 2) 2.5% 3) 2.75% 4) 3% 5) 3.5% 27. In the Interim Budget for 2019-20, the allocation for MGNREGA scheme is? 1) Rs 40, 000 cr 2)Rs 45,000 cr 3) Rs 50, 000 cr 4) Rs 55, 000 cr 5) Rs 60, 000 cr28. As announced in the Interim Budget for 2019-20, the 22nd AIIMS of the country will be setup in the state of? 1) Bihar 2) Jharkhand 3) Haryana 4) Odisha 5) Tripura 29. Vani Kapoor is associated with which of the fol- lowing games? She has become the first Indian to grab Australian LPGA card. 1) Squash 2) Snooker 3) Badminton 4) Golf 5) Shooting 30. Under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan scheme, what amount as pension will be given to those in unorganised sector per month after 60 years of age? 1) Rs 2000 2) Rs 3000 3) Rs 4000 4) Rs 5000 5) Rs 6000 31. Pralay Mondal resigned recently as the senior group president and head - retail and business bank- ing -of which of the following banks? 1) YES Bank 2) Federal Bank 3) IndusInd Bank 4) RBL Bank 5) ICICI Bank32. In the Interim Budget for 2019-20, the allocation for Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) has been increased to? 1) Rs 21,584 cr 2) Rs 23,584 cr 3) Rs 25,584 cr 4) Rs 27,584 cr 5) Rs 29,584 cr 33. Sanjiv Ranjan has been appointed as the India’s new ambassador to which of the following coun- tries? 1) Chile 2) Colombia 3) Peru 4) Kenya 5) Spain 34. The allocation for the National Education Mission has been increased to what amount in the Interim Budget for 2019-20? 1) Rs 30,572 cr 2) Rs 32,572 cr 3) Rs 34,572 cr 4) Rs 36,572 cr 5) Rs 38,572 cr 35. PV Bharathi has taken charge as the Managing Di- rector and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation Bank. The bank is headquartered in? 1) Manipal 2) Kolkata 3) Mangalore 4) Chennai 5) Hyderabad36. The allocation for the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) has been increased to what amount in the Interim Budget for 2019-20? 1) Rs 3, 12,679 er 2) Rs 3, 22,679 cr 3) Rs 3, 27,679 cr 4) Rs 3, 32,679 cr 5) Rs 3, 37,679 cr 37. Which of the following countries won the 2019 AFC Asian Cup football tournament in Abu Dhabi re- cently? 1) Japan 2) Qatar 3) India 4) Malaysia 5) Pakistan 38. According to the Interim Budget for 2019-20, the total expenditure has been increased by over 13% to 1) Rs 23,84,200 cr 2) Rs 25,84,200 cr 3) Rs 27,84,200 cr 4) Rs 29,84,200 cr 5) Rs 31,84,200 cr 39. Who among the following has become the first woman cricketer to play 200 ODIs? 1) Meg Lanning 2) Smriti Mandhana 3) Heather Knight 4) Mithali Raj 5) Harmanpreet Kaur 40, The World Wetlands Day is observed every year on which of the following days? 1) 02 Feb2) 12 Feb 3) 20 Feb 4) 22 Feb 5) 28 Feb 41. Smriti Mandhana is associated with which of the following games? She became number one in latest rankings of the game recently. 1) Tennis 2) Badminton 3) Squash 4) Snooker 5) Cricket 42. Mahashay Dharam Pal Gulati was honoured with Padma Bhushan recently. He is associated with which of the following spices brands? 1) MDH 2) Catch 3) Rakesh 4) Goldie 5) Everest 43. India won a five-match one day international (ODI) series 4-1 against which of the following coun- tries recently? 1) Bangladesh 2) Sri Lanka 3) New Zealand 4) Zimbabwe 5) West Indies 44. The head of state of Monaco, Prince Albert II, vis- ited India recently. The currency of Monaco is? 1) Dollar 2) Euro 3) Pound4) Franc 5) Peso 45. The foreign direct investment (FDI) into India during Apr-Sep period of FY19 remained at 1) $15.55 bn 2) $18.44 bn 3) $20.33 bn 4) $22.66 bn 5) $25.35 bn 46. Which of the following countries recently de- cided to extradite Vijay Mallya to India? 1) US 2)UK 3) Sweden 4) Senegal 5) Switzerland 47. Ouagadougou is the capital city of which of the following countries? 1) Ghana 2) Benin 3) Nigeria 4) Burkina Faso 5) Togo 48. YONO (You Only Need One) is a comprehensive platform that offers lifestyle and banking services. It is run by which of the following banks? 1) ICICI Bank 2) PNB 3) SBI 4) HDFC Bank 5) Axis Bank49. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is the first treaty based international inter-governmental or- ganisation headquartered in India. Its headquarters is situated in? 1) New Delhi 2) Noida 3) Mumbai 4) Bengaluru 5) Gurugram 50. The World Cancer Day is observed every year on which day? 1) 04 Feb 2) 14 Feb 3) 24 Feb 4) 26 Feb 5) 28 Feb 51. India's 40th communication satellite was suc- cessfully placed in orbit by an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana recently. The satellite was? 1) GSAT-40 2) GSAT-38 3) GSAT-35 4) GSAT-33 5) GSAT-31 52. Barham Salih is the present President of which country? He recently criticised the US President Don- ald Trump for deciding to keep the US troops in his country. 1) Iran 2) Iraq 3) Qatar 4) Afghanistan 5) Pakistan53. Ankita Raina is associated with which of the fol- lowing games? 1) Badminton 2) Billiards 3) Squash 4) Tennis 5) Table tennis 54. What amount to capital support has been pro- posed for the Indian Railways in the Interim Budget for 2019-20? 1) Rs 60,458 cr 2) Rs 61,587 cr 3) Rs 62.872 cr 4) Rs 63,758 cr 5) Rs 64,587 cr 55. The Digital Communications Commission, the apex decision making body at the telecom depart- ment was earlier known as? 1) Sampark Commission 2) Sanchar Commission 3) Telecom Commission 4) Communications Commission 5) Telegraph Commission 56. According to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), will regain the ‘top cot- ton producer’ title it lost to India in the 2015-16 this season. 1) US 2) Indonesia 3) Brazil 4) China 5) Egypt57. The mobile app for the world’s largest cashless health insurance scheme PM-JAY was launched re- cently. Here, term JAY means 1) Jan Aushadhi Yojana 2) Jan Aspatal Yojana 3) Jan Aayush Yojana 4) Jan Adhikar Yojana 5) Jan Arogya Yojana 58. The Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport is lo- cated in which of the following cities? 1) Itanagar 2) Guwahati 3) Gangtok 4) Itanagar 5) Agartala 59. What amount has been set aside for the de- fence budget for 2019-20 in the Interim Budget for 2019-20? 1) Rs 2.98 lakh er 2) Rs 3.01 lakh er 3) Rs 3.05 lakh er 4) Rs 3.10 lakh er 5) Rs 3.15 lakh er 60. S Nambi Narayan was awarded Padma Bhushan recently. He has been conferred the award in the fieldof? 1) Science & Engineering-Space 2) Trade & Industry-Technology 3) Medicine-Ophthalmology 4) Literature & Education 5) Medicine-Surgery 61. The overall capital expenditure programme for the Indian Railways, as proposed in the Interim Bud- get is?1) Rs 1, 25,550cr 2) Rs 1, 38,774 cr 3) Rs 1, 46,585 cr 4) Rs 1, 58,658 cr 5) Rs 1, 62,586 cr 62. Indian Institute of Rice Research (JIRR) is situated in which city? 1) Bengaluru 2) Chennai 3) Kolkata 4) New Delhi 5) Hyderabad 63. Which state govt recently announced a new project to help banana farmers market their produce and get better price? 1) West Bengal 2) Bihar 3) Maharashtra 4) Karnataka 5) Madhya Pradesh 64. SVS Shastry passed away recently. He was a pio- neer in 1) tea research 2) maze research 3) rice research 4) cane research 5) coconut research 65. 31 Maris deadline to link PAN card numbers with biometric ID Aadhaar. Here, the term PAN means? 1) Personal Account Numbers 2) Prescribed Account Numbers 3) Portable Account Numbers 4) Permanent Account Numbers5) None of these 66. What is India’s ranking on the US Chamber of Commerce's international intellectual property (IP) index in 2019? 1) 16th 2) 20th 3) 26th 4) 30th 5) 36th 67. What per cent interest subvention will be pro- vided on an incremental loan of Rs 1 cr for GST reg- istered SMEs as proposed in the Interim Budget for 2019-20? 1) 1% 2) 1.5% 3) 2% 4) 2.5% 5) 3% 68. According to the Interim Budget for 2019-20, the operating Ratio of the Indian Railways is expected to improve from 98.4% in 2017-18 to in 2018-19 (RE). 1) 95% 2)95.4% 3) 95.8% 4) 96.2% 5) 96.4% 69. Which country recently took a major step on road to NATO membership? Skopje is the capital city of the country. 1) Macedonia 2) Albania 3) Montenegro 4) Moldova5) Slovakia 70. Ms Bachendri Pal was awarded Padma Bhushan recently. She isa from Uttarakhand. 1) wrestler 2) boxer 3) mountaineer 4) swimmer 5) archer 71. The Nyishi tribe of which state celebrated its fort- night-long Boori Boot Yollo festival recently? 1) Sikkim 2) Jharkhand 3) Chhattisgarh 4) Arunachal Pradesh 5) West Bengal 72. The RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das recently an- nounced that the limit of collateral free agricultural loans has been increased from one lakh to 1) Rs 1.2 lakh 2) Rs 1.4 lakh 3) Rs 1.6 lakh 4) Rs 1.8 lakh 5) Rs 2 lakh 73. Dinkar Gupta was appointed as the new Director General of Police in which of the following states re- cently? 1) Punjab 2) Haryana 3) Assam 4) Bihar 5) Odisha74. The US President Donald Trump nominated who among the following as the next chief of the World Bank recently? 1) Steven Mnuchin 2) Indra Nooyi 3) Jerome Powell 4) Janet Yellen 5) David Malpass 75. AK Abdul Momen visited New Delhi recently. He is the present Foreign Minister of which country? 1) Maldives 2) Bangladesh 3) Malaysia 4) Indonesia 5) Afghanistan 76. The RBI announced the sixth bi-monthly mone- tary policy review recently. The new repo rate is? 1) 6 per cent 2) 6.25 per cent 3) 6.5 per cent 4) 6.75 per cent 5) 7 per cent 77. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently decided to raise the criteria for ‘bulk deposits’ for banks to? 1) Rs 2cr 2)Rs2.5cr 3) Rs3cr 4) Rs 3.5 cr 5) Rs 4cr 78. The RBI recently imposed a penalty of Rs 1 cron which bank for delay in exchange of information re- garding the conduct of the borrower's account with other lenders? 1) ICICI Bank2) HDEC Bank 3) Dena Bank 4) Union Bank of India 5) Syndicate Bank 79. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in its sixth mon- etary policy review, projected economic growth rate for FY20 of? 1)7 per cent 2) 7.1 per cent 3) 7.2 per cent 4) 7.3 per cent 5) 7.4 per cent 80, After the RBI’s sixth monetary policy review, the reverse repo rate stands adjusted to 1) 5.0 per cent 2) 5.5 per cent 3) 6.0 per cent 4) 6.5 per cent 5) 7.0 per cent 81, The RBI announced the sixth bi-monthly mone- tary policy review recently. Now, the new marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate stand at 1) 6.25 per cent 2) 6.50 per cent 3) 6.75 per cent 4) 7.00 per cent 5) 7.25 per cent 82. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), commonly known as the Pusa Institute, is situated in? 1) Pune 2) Patna3) New Delhi 4) Hyderabad 5) Lucknow 83. Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won a gold medal at the EGAT Cup in Thailand recently, She is a? 1) Wrestler 2) Boxer 3) Shot Putter 4) Discuss Thrower 5) Weightlifter 84. Princess Ubolratana recently announced her entry in active politics in which country? 1) Philippines 2) Cambodia 3) Venezuela 4) Thailand 5) Vietnam 85. The name of Divij Sharan is associated with which of the following games? 1) Tennis 2) Badminton 3) Squash 4) Snooker 5) Football 86. A three-day Krishi Kumbh was organised in which of the following states recently? Lalji Tandon is the governor of the state? 1) Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 2) Hisar, Haryana 3) Motihari, Bihar 4) Patiala, Punjab 5) Kolkata, West Bengal87. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a penalty of Rs 1.5 cr on which bank for not monitor- ing end use of funds, among other violations? 1) SBI 2) PNB 3) Canara Bank 4) Allahabad Bank 5) Corporation Bank 88. Which country has topped the intellectual prop- erty index in 2019? 1) Germany 2) France 3) Sweden 4) UK 5) US 89. The International Day of Zero Tolerance to Fe- male Genital Mutilation is observed every year on which date? 1) 04 Feb 2) 06 Feb 3) 16 Feb 4) 26 Feb 5) 28 Feb 90. Hukumdev Narayan Yadav was conferred Padma Bhushan in the field of Public Affairs recently. He hails from which state? 1) Bihar 2) Uttar Pradesh 3) Haryana 4) Madhya Pradesh 5) Jharkhand 91. The Managing Director of the International Mon- etary Fund (IMF) recently warned about slowing world economy. The present MD of the IMF is?1) Christine Lagarde 2) David Malpass 3) Angel Gurria 4) Roberto Azevedo 5) Jim Yong Kim 92. Whois the present Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the Govt of India? 1) Bibek Debroy 2) Viral Acharya 3) Arvind Panagariya 4) Arvind Subramanian 5) Krishnamurthy Subramanian 93. The Centre has launched the third round of bids under the OALP. What does letter ‘A’ denote in the term OALP? 1) Area 2) Average 3) Acreage 4) Acquisition 5) Accession 94. Santosh Trophy is associated with which of the following games? 1) Cricket 2) Hockey 3) Kabaddi 4) Football 5) Tennis 95. has decided to include Hindi as the third official language used in its courts, alongside Arabic and English. 1) Qatar 2) Abu Dhabi 3) Saudi Arabia4) Canada 5) Bahrain 96. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promo- tion (DIPP) has been renamed as the DPIIT which means? 1) Department for Promotion of Industry and Inter- mediate Trade 2) Department for Promotion of Industry and Inter- national Trade 3) Department for Promotion of Industry and Inter- nal Trade 4) Department for Promotion of Industry and Infor- mal Trade 5) None of these 97. In the Interim Budget for 2019-20, the Govt has announced to make how many villages into ‘digital villages’ over next five years? 1) 1 lakh 2) 1.5 lakh 3) 2 lakh 4) 2.5 lakh 5) 3 lakh 98. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the statue of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya dur- ing his recent visit to which of the following states? 1) Sikkim 2) Arunachal Pradesh 3) Assam 4) Meghalaya 5) Tripura 99. Which of the following firms recently announced the arrival of first batch of four Chinook military he- licopters for the Indian Air Force recently? 1) Airbus 2) Saab3) Lockheed Martin 4) Boeing 5) BAE Systems 100. The World Pulses Day is observed every year on which date? 1) 01 Feb 2) 10 Feb 3) 11 Feb 4) 21 Feb 5) 28 Feb 101. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi was elected as the new chairman of the African Union. He is the present President of 1) Ethiopia 2) Egypt 3) Cameroon 4) Algeria 5) Angola 102. Who won the men’s singles title of the 2019 Chennai Open ATP Challenger tournament title? 1) Prajnesh Gunneswaran 2) Andrew Harris 3) Corentin Moutet 4) Lee Duck-hee 5) Yasutaka Uchiyama 103. Which of the following films won the best film award at the British Academy Film Awards, (BAFTA) 2019? 1) Bohemian Rhapsody 2) Green Book 3) The Favourite 4) Roma5) BlacKkKlansman 104. India successfully tested the SFDR propelled missile recently. Here, the term SFDR means? 1) Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet 2) Solid Fuel Directed Ramjet 3) Solid Fuel Driven Ramjet 4) Solid Fuel Deducted Ramjet 5) None of these 105. In the Interim Budget for 2019-20, assured min- imum support price (MSP) of minimum 50 per cent was announced to all? 1) 10 crops 2) 12 crops 3) 16 crops 4) 20 crops 5) 22 crops 106. Which of the following UN specialised agencies celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019? 1) International Civil Aviation Organization 2) Food and Agriculture Organization 3) World Health Organization 4) International Labour Organization 5) International Atomic Energy Agency 107. India and which country joined hands for coop- eration on Water and Waste Management during the meeting of 3rd Working Group recently? 1) France 2) Germany 3) Spain 4) Norway 5) New Zealand 108. The 2019 Asia LPG summit was held recently in which city?1) Tokyo 2) Shanghai 3) Manila 4) Bangkok 5) New Delhi 109. The govt has appointed Pradeep Singh Kharola as the secretary of the Ministry of? 1) Civil Aviation 2) Agriculture 3) Commerce and Industry 4) Agriculture 5) Home Affairs 110, The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed every year on which date? 1) 01 Feb 2) 10 Feb 3) 11 Feb 4) 21 Feb 5) 28 Feb 111. In a move aimed at boosting the country’s pop- ulation, which country has announced that women with four children or more will be exempted for life from paying income tax? 1) Hungary 2) Russia 3) Greece 4) Romania 5) Norway 112. Prajnesh Gunneswaran is associated with which of the following games? 1) Badminton 2) Table tennis 3) Squash4) Billiards 5) Tennis 113. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 13th International Oil and Gas Conference - PETROTECH-2019 in which city recently? 1) Gurugram 2) Bengaluru 3) Greater Noida 4) Chennai 5) Ahmedabad 114. The SUUTI is planning to sell up to three per cent stake in Axis Bank. The SUUTI holds about what per cent stake in Axis Bank at present? 1) 7.9 per cent 2) 8.1 per cent 3) 8.3 per cent 4) 8.9 percent 5) 9.7 per cent 115. The Life Insurance Corporation is formulating a plan to implement the pension scheme for unor- ganised workers named PMSYM. The term PMSYM means? 1) Pradhan Mantri Shram Yuva Maan Dhan 2) Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan 3) Pradhan Mantri Shram Yatri Maan Dhan 4) Pradhan Mantri Shram Yash Maan Dhan 5) None of these 116. The term used for the group of financial in- termediaries facilitating the creation of credit across the global financial system but whose members are not subject to regulatory oversight is? 1) narrow banking 2) unitary banking 3) universal banking4) shadow banking 5) dark banking 117. The Parliamentary panel on Information Tech- nology recently summoned Jack Dorsey to appear be- fore it. Dorsey is the present CEO of? 1) Whatsapp 2) Twitter 3) Hike 4) Telegram 5) LinkedIn 118. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Cli- mate Change recently signed a letter of Intent to establish a Marine Pollution Initiative is association with which country? 1) Norway 2) Sweden 3) Denmark 4) Finland 5) Poland 119. The Global leaders gathered recently in which city for the 2019 World Government Summit, a forum dedicated to “shaping the future of govern- ments”? 1) Manama 2) London 3) Paris 4) Manila 5) Dubai 120. In which state, “Sarthi Sandesh Vahini” vehi- cles have been launched to spread awareness regard- ing family planning in urban and rural areas? 1) Madhya Pradesh 2) West Bengal 3) Uttar Pradesh4) Bihar 5) Karnataka 121. Who among the following actors was awarded “Padma Shri” this year (2019)? 1) Manoj Bajpayee 2) Irfan khan 3) Paresh Rawal 4) Anupam Kher 5) Sharmila Tagore 122. The book “The Third Pillar: How Markets and the State Leave the Community Behind” has been au- thored by whom among the following? 1) Arvind Subramaniam 2) Urjit Patel 3) Arvind Panagaria 4) Manmohan Singh 5) Raghuram G Rajan 123. Which of the following states has announced to offer Rs 2,000 to each of the 60 lakh below poverty line (BPL) families? 1) Karnataka 2) Kerala 3) Tamil Nadu 4) Telangana 5) Andhra Pradesh 124. India is considering a rupee-payment mecha- nism with which country and will export rice and pharmaceutical in return? It is one of the top 10 crude oil exporting countries to India. 1) Iraq 2) Venezuela 3) Qatar 4) Bahrain5) Iran 125. Who among the following has won the German prize for peace “Dresden Prize”? 1) Malala Yousafzai 2) Nadia Murad 3) Denis Mukwege 4) Kim Phuc 5) ICAN 126. Which of the following is the winner of the ‘record of the year’ award at the 61st Grammy Awards? 1) Llike it (Cardi B) 2) The Joke (Brandi Charlile) 3) This is America (Childish Gambino) 4) God’s plan (Drake) 5) Shallow (Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper) 127. Karnam Sekar is the present MD and CEO of which of the following public sector banks? 1) PNB 2) UCO Bank 3) Vijaya Bank 4) Indian Bank 5) Dena Bank 128. Australia formally signed a $50-bn deal recently with which of the following countries recently to ac- quire 12 submarines? 1) Sweden 2) France 3) Germany 4) Japan 5) US 129, The SUUTI was formed by restructuring the erstwhile Unit Trust of India in which year?1) 2000 2) 2001 3) 2002 4) 2003 5) 2004 130. The World Pulses Day is observed every year on which date? 1) 01 Feb 2) 10 Feb 3) 11 Feb 4) 21 Feb 5) 28 Feb 131. The Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) will finance 27 solar power projects worth $1.4 bn in 15 countries. The present Managing Director of the bankis 1) David Rasquinha 2) Ram Sewak Sharma 3) Ajay Tyagi 4) Hemant Contractor 5) Subhash Chandra Khuntia 132. Padmaja Chunduru is the present Managing Di- rector & CEO of the public sector lender Indian Bank which has its headquarters located in? 1) Bengaluru 2) Hyderabad 3) Manipal 4) Mumbai 5) Chennai 133. The earthquake prone Sagaing faultline is situ- ated in which of the following countries? 1) Indonesia 2) Malaysia3) Myanmar 4) Thailand 5) Cambodia 134. Index of Industrial Production (IIP) remained at what per cent in Dec 2018? 1) 0.5 per cent 2) 1.5 per cent 3) 2.4 per cent 4) 2.9 per cent 5) 3.2 per cent 135. The incumbent govt obtains votes from Parlia- ment to draw money from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet its expenses until the elections are over. It is called 1) provisioning 2) vote of confidence 3) vote on account 4) disinvestment 5) issuing bonds 136. The retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Jan 2019 remained at what per cent? 1) 2.05 per cent 2) 2.11 per cent 3) 2.19 per cent 4) 2.20 per cent 5) 3.05 per cent 137. The RBI has imposed monetary penalty of two million rupees each on HDFC Bank, IDBI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank for non-compliance of various norms. All of them are? 1) Foreign Banks 2) Small Finance Banks 3) Payments Banks4) Private Sector Banks 5) Public Sector Banks 138. Which state govt recently announced a univer- sal old age pension scheme - Mukhyamantri Vridha- jan Pension Yojna - for all people above 60 years of age? 1) Uttar Pradesh 2) Bihar 3) Jharkhand 4) Karnataka 5) Rajasthan 139. The World Radio Day is observed every year on which date? 1) 01 Feb 2) 03 Feb 3) 13 Feb 4) 23 Feb 5) 28 Feb 140. Swapan Chaudhuri was awarded Patma Shri this year (2019). He is arenowned 1) flutist 2) guitarist 3) classical singer 4) classical dancer 5) tabla player 141. Which state govt is promoting M-sand for con- struction works as an alternative to river sand? The court orders prohibit exploring sand quarries. 1) Bihar 2) Jharkhand 3) Uttarakhand 4) Chhattisgarh 5) Tamil Nadu142. Which state govt has announced monthly pen- sion of Rs 400 for all in the state above the age of 60? The scheme is named Mukhya Mantri Vriddha Pen- sion Yojana (MMVPY). 1) Bihar 2) Madhya Pradesh 3) Odisha 4) Telangana 5) Kerala 143. The term VVPAT is associated with which of the following? 1) Automated Teller Machine 2) Electronic Voting Machine 3) Cash Counting Machine 4) Electric Vehicles 5) Satellites 144. The US House recently passed a measure aimed at withdrawing all US military support to Yemen. The capital of Yemen is? 1) Damascus 2) Rabat 3) Sana'a 4) Manama 5) Tripoli 145. The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for Extension of tenure of the NCSK beyond 31 March 2019. Here, NCSK means National Commission for 1) Shiksha Karmacharis 2) Swsthya Karmacharis 3) Suraksha Karmacharis 4) Safai Karmacharis 5) Sewa Karmacharis146. The govt has approved the Credit Linked Cap- ital Subsidy and Technology Up-gradation Scheme (CLCS-TUS) with a total outlay of? 1) Rs 2000 cr 2) Rs 2300 cr 3) Rs 2600 cr 4) Rs 2900 cr 5) Rs 3100 cr 147. The RBI has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 1 cron Union Bank of India. The Bank is headquartered at? 1) Mumbai 2) Chennai 3) Hyderabad 4) Kolkata 5) New Delhi 148. Which state govt has announced Annadata Sukhibhava scheme to provide Rs 10,000 a year as input subsidy to each farmer-family in the State? 1) Odisha 2) West Bengal 3) Andhra Pradesh 4) Karnataka 5) Uttar Pradesh 149. The loans granted under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) can be covered under CGFMU. In the term CGFMU, letter ‘M’ stands for 1) Mudra 2) Medium 3) Maiden 4) Macro 5) Micro150. Sportsperson Sunil Chhetri was conferred Padma Shri award this year (2019). He is associated with which of the following games? 1) Cricket 2) Football 3) Tennis 4) Hockey 5) Shooting 151. Which state has launched Patrakar Samman Yo- jana under which a monthly pension of Rs 6,000 will be given to journalists above 60 years of age? 1) Haryana 2) Uttar Pradesh 3) Bihar 4) Karnataka 5) Assam. 152. Ms Friederike Irina was conferred Padma Shri this year (2019). She is a citizen of 1) Germany 2) France 3) US 4) Canada 5) Australia 153. Which of the following teams defeated India in the semifinals of the Gold Cup 2019 football tourna- ment hosted by India? 1) Nepal 2) Sri Lanka 3) Maldives 4) Myanmar 5) Afghanistan 154. As per the report submitted by the Comptrol- ler and Auditor General (CAG), recently, NDA’s Rafale deal was what per cent cheaper than that of UPA's?1) 2% 2) 2.86% 3) 4% 4) 4.96% 5) 6% 155, The World Sustainable Development Summit 2019 was organized recently by The Energy and Re- sources Institute (TERI) in 1) Hyderabad 2) Bhopal 3) Patna 4) Lucknow 5) New Delhi 156. Which of the following dates is observed every year as the Unani Day? 1) 01 Feb 2) 11 Feb 3) 15 Feb 4) 21 Feb 5) 28 Feb 157. Ghumot, an indigenous earthen instrument, will soon be notified as a heritage instrument of which of the following states? 1) Kerala 2) Assam 3) Tripura 4) Goa 5) Odisha 158. The Indian Army conducted the annual artillery drill “Exercise Topchi” in which city recently? 1) Nashik 2) Pokhran 3) Ambala4) Pulwama 5) Darjeeling 159. The Institute of Government Accounts and Fi- nance (INGAF) is situated in which city? It conducts training programme for govt officials. 1) Mumbai 2) Bengaluru 3) Chennai 4) Hyderabad 5) New Delhi 160. The annual Cobra Gold military exercise, a multi-nation military training exercise, was held re- cently in Phitsanulok in which country? 1) Vietnam 2) Philippines 3) Thailand 4) Cambodia 5) Singapore 161. Who among the following won the “EY Entre- preneur of the Year 2018” award at the 20th edition of the EOY Awards in India? 1) Rajiv Memani 2) Siddhartha Lal 3) Ritesh Agarwal 4) Bhaskar Bhat 5) Bhavish Aggarwal 162. The National Productivity Council (NPC) ob- serves its foundation day as Productivity Day which falls on? 1) 01 Feb 2) 02 Feb 3) 11 Feb 4) 12 Feb5) 22 Feb 163. has won Israel's prestigious Dan David Prize for 2019 for his work. 1) S Jaishankar 2) Syed Akbaruddin 3) Sanjay Subrahmanyam 4) Brajesh Mishra 5) Ajit Doval 164. The Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal recently inaugurated Cremica Food Park, the first mega food park of? 1) Chhattisgarh 2) Uttarakhand 3) Odisha 4) Tamil Nadu 5) Himachal Pradesh 165. The External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj embarked on a four-day visit to Bulgaria recently. The capital of Bulgaria is? 1) Sofia 2) Baku 3) Manama 4) Nassau 5) Yerevan 166. The Central Govt recently increased the Mini- mum Support Price (MSP) of sugar by two rupees per kilogram to? 1) Rs 30 per kg 2) Rs 31 perkg 3) Rs 32 per kg 4) Rs 33 per kg 5) Rs 34 per kg 167. Only six public sector banks have crossed the PCR level of 70% till now. Here, the term PCR means1) Proven Coverage Ratio 2) Precision Coverage Ratio 3) Process Coverage Ratio 4) Provision Coverage Ratio 5) None of these 168. Amazon has launched Amazon Pay UPI for An- droid users. This service has been launched in part- nership with 1) Axis Bank 2) YES Bank 3) Kotak Mahindra Bank 4) PNB 5) SBI 169. An expert committee has recommended fixing the need-based national minimum wage at Rs 375 per day or Rs 9,750 per month as of Jul 2018. The chairman of the Committee was? 1) Heeralal Samariya 2) Kush Sharma 3) Anoop Satpathy 4) PK Gupta 5) Manu Tentiwal 170. Prabhu Deva was conferred Padma Shri this year (2019). He belongs to which of the following fields? 1) Singing 2) Literature 3) Business 4) Painting 5) Dance 171. Who among the following was conferred Life- time Achievement Award at the 20th edition of the EOY Awards in India? 1) Uday Kotak2) Azim Premji 3) Ratan Tata 4) Indra Nooyi 5) NR Narayana Murthy 172. is the ratio of provisioning to gross non- performing assets, and indicates the extent of funds a bank has kept aside to cover loan losses. 1) SDR 2) CRR 3) PCA 4) PCR 5) SLR 173. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) launched a new portal LADIS recently. The term LADIS means 1) Least Available Depth Information System 2) Lowest Available Depth Information System 3) Level Available Depth Information System 4) Local Available Depth Information System 5) None of these 174. The US space agency NASA has unveiled a new space telescope to look for life's ingredients and probe how the universe evolved. Its name is? 1) Pathfinder 2) Discovery 3) SPHEREXx 4) Secret 5) RESOLVE 175. The International Labour Organization (ILO) re- cently said that improvements in the quality of work are not matching progress in reducing unemploy- ment globally. The ILO is headquartered in1) Paris 2) London 3) Perth 4) Rome 5) Geneva 176. India’s first Agromet Forecasting and Research Centre was established recently in Dharwad in which state? 1) Maharashtra 2) Odisha 3) Uttar Pradesh 4) Karnataka 5) Haryana 177. Which of the following US banks has created a crypto-currency to help settle payments between clients in its wholesale payments business? 1) Goldman Sachs 2) JP Morgan 3) Citibank 4) Wells Fargo 5) Bank of America 178. Indian Air Force inducted Flight Lieutenant as the first woman flight engineer recently. 1) Hina Jaiswal 2) Avani Chaturvedi 3) Mohana Singh 4) Bhawana Kanth 5) Gunjan Saxena 179. The foundation stone of India’s biggest district cooling system was laid recently in which of the fol- lowing states? 1) Telangana 2) Karnataka3) Kerala 4) Tamil Nadu 5) Andhra Pradesh 180. Who among the following cricketers was con- ferred Padma Shri award this year (2019)? 1) Rohit Sharma 2) Gautam Gambhir 3) MS Dhoni 4) Virender Sehwag 5) Yuvraj Singh 181. Only six PSBs had over 70 per cent PCR as of Dec 2018. Which of the following is NOT one of them? 1) IDBI Bank 2) Bank of India 3) Bank of Maharashtra 4) Oriental Bank of Commerce 5) None of these 182. Arthur Van Doren has been named as the Inter- national Hockey Federation's (FIH) Male Player of the Year for 2018. He plays for the world champions 1) Belgium 2) Argentina 3) Malaysia 4) Spain 5) Netherlands 183. Who among the following won the women’s singles title of the senior national badminton tour- nament? 1) PV Sindhu 2) Saina Nehwal 3) N Sikki Reddy 4) Jwala Gutta5) Ashwini Ponnappa 184. Chris Gayle announced retirement from one-day International cricket recently. He plays for 1) Zimbabwe 2) South Africa 3) New Zealand 4) West Indies 5) Australia 185. The RBI recently withdrew the limit on investments by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) in corporate bonds of an entity. 1) 10 per cent 2) 15 percent 3) 20 per cent 4) 25 per cent 5) 30 per cent 186. The Bharat-22 ETF garnered about Rs 10,000 cr to the govt exchequer recently. Here, the term ETF means? 1) Externally Traded Fund 2) Exchange Transferred Fund 3) Enclosed Traded Fund 4) Exchange Traded Fund 5) None of these 187. Mauricio Macri visited India recently. He is the present President of which of the following coun- tries? 1) Greece 2) Argentina 3) Turkey 4) Uruguay 5) Colombia188. Who among the following has won the pres- tigious Martin Ennals human rights prize as an- nounced by the UN refugee agency UNHCR? 1) Nadia Murad 2) Denis Mukwege Mukengere 3) Malala Yousafzai 4) Juan Manuel Santos 5) Abdul Aziz Muhamat 189. was conferred the first ever Football Ratna honour by Football Delhi recently. 1) Udanta Singh 2) Gurpreet Singh Sandhu 3) Sunil Chhetri 4) Bhaichung Bhutia 5) Jeje Lalpekhlua 190. Vidarbha retained the Irani Cup recently. This tournament is associated with which of the follow- ing games? 1) Football 2) Hockey 3) Badminton 4) Tennis 5) Cricket 191. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) recently hiked the interest rate on employees’ provident fund for the fiscal year 2018-19 from 8.55 per cent to? 1) 8.65 per cent 2) 8.70 per cent 3) 8.75 per cent 4) 8.80 per cent 5) 8.85 per cent 192. Axis Bank has set its sights on entering the in- surance business in a year’s time via acquisition. Thepresent Managing Director and Chief Executive Offi- cer of the bank is? 1) Rajesh Sud 2) Rajat Monga 3) Ravneet Gill 4) Ajai Kumar 5) Amitabh Chaudhry 193, The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) re- cently urged the international community to cooper- ate actively with India on tackling terror. The UNSC has __ members. 1) 11 2)13 3) 15 4) 20 5) 25 194. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited which country recently? Moon Jae In is the present Presi- dent of the country. 1) Vietnam 2) Philippines 3) Thailand 4) South Korea 5) Singapore 195. The Supreme Court has appointed who among the following as the first court-appointed ombuds- man for the cricket body BCCI? 1) TS Thakur 2) Justice DK Jain 3) Jagdish Singh Khehar 4) Adarsh Kumar Goel 5) Arun Kumar Mishra196. The Govt has decided to stop India’s share of river waters which flow into Pakistan. Which of the following rivers flow from India to Pakistan? 1) Jhelum 2) Sutlej 3) Ravi 4) Beas 5) All of these 197, Justice Uma Nath Singh has been appointed as the First Lokayukta of which state? 1) Nagaland 2) Sikkim 3) Kerala 4) Bihar 5) Rajasthan 198. The Reserve Bank of India has announced to transfer what amount as an interim surplus to the central govt for the half-year ended 31 Dec 2018? 1) Rs 22,000 cr 2) Rs 24,000 cr 3) Rs 26,000 cr 4) Rs 28,000 cr 5) Rs 30,000 cr 199. Dr Namvar Singhj passed away recently. He was an eminent critic of language. 1) English 2) Hindi 3) Bengali 4) Assamese 5) Marathi 200. What is the deadline set by the RBI for wallets in the country to meet know your customer (KYC) requirements? 1) 31 Mar 20192)01 Apr 2019 3) 28 Feb 2019 4) 30Jun 2019 5) 31 Dec 2019 201. The govt has approved recapitalisation of in 12 public sector banks in this fiscal (2018-19). 1) Rs 22,482 cr 2) Rs 28,439 cr 3) Rs 32,482 cr 4) Rs 44,239 cr 5) Rs 48,239 cr 202. A Delhi court recently framed charges of crim- inal misconduct and amassing disproportionate as- sets against Virbhadra Singh. He is the former Chief Minister of? 1) Himachal Pradesh 2) Haryana 3) Uttarakhand 4) Punjab 5) Rajasthan 203. Nicolas Maduro recently announced to close the border of his country with Brazil. He is the present President of which country? 1) Cambodia 2) Guyana 3) Brazil 4) Suriname 5) Peru 204, An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck island of Hokkaido recently. The island is situated in? 1) Indonesia 2) Italy 3) Malaysia4) Japan 5) South Korea 205. President Omar al-Bashir declared a year-long state of emergency in which country recently? 1) Nigeria 2) Sudan 3) Haiti 4) Ghana 5) Guyana 206. The biennial Aero India 2019 show was organ- ised recently in which of the following cities? 1) Bengaluru 2) Hyderabad 3) Noida 4) Gurugram 5) New Delhi 207. The name of Apurvi Chandela is associated with which of the following games? 1) Boxing 2) Archery 3) Squash 4) Snooker 5) Shooting 208. Which of the following terror outfits took re- sponsibility of Pulwana blast which killed at least 40 CRPF personnel? 1) Harkat-ul-Mujahideen 2) Lashkar-e-Taiba 3) Jaish-e-Mohammad 4) Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami 5) Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front209. PM Narendra Modi was conferred the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize - 2018 during his recent visit to which of the following countries? 1) Japan 2) Vietnam 3) Malaysia 4) South Korea 5) Philippines 210. Which public sector bank has the privileged sta- tus to process refiners’ payments for Iranian oil ship- ments? It is based in Kolkata. 1) Corporation Bank 2) UCO Bank 3) Dena Bank 4) Indian Overseas Bank 5) Oriental Bank of Commerce 211. Which of the following films won the Best Pic- ture Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards? 1) Roma 2) The Favourite 3) Green Book 4) If Beale Street Could Talk 5) Vice 212. The Global Business Summit 2019 was held in which city recently? It was the fifth edition of the three-day Summit. 1) Mumbai 2) Bengaluru 3) Hyderabad 4) New Delhi 5) Chennai 213. The winner of the Best Original Score Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards is 1) Black Panther (Ludwig Goransson)2) BlacKkKlansman (Terence Blanchard) 3) Isle of Dogs (Alexandre Desplat) 4) Mary Poppins Returns (Marc Shaiman) 5) If Beale Street Could Talk (Nicholas Britell) 214. Who among the following was nominated by the US President Donald Trump recently as his envoy to the United Nations? 1) Heather Nauert 2) Knight Craft 3) Elizabeth Warren 4) Kamala Harris 5) Ivanka Trump 215. The winner of the Best Original Song Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards is 1) Shallow (A Star Is Born) 2) All the Stars (Black Panther) 3) I'll Fight (RBG) 4) The Place Where Lost Things Go (Mary Poppins Returns) 5) When a Cowboy Trades his Spurs for Wings (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs) 216. Which country recently created history in Twenty20 International when it scored 278 (highest score) for three wickets in 20 overs against Ireland? 1) Afghanistan 2) Ireland 3) Sri Lanka 4) Australia 5) India 217. Who among the following won the Best Actor Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards? 1) Willem Dafoe (At Eternity’s Gate) 2) Christian Bale (Vice)3) Viggo Mortensen (Green Book) 4) Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born) 5) Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody) 218. India has been invited as guest of honour to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting to be heldin 1) Islamabad 2) Ankara 3) Dhaka 4) Abu Dhabi 5) Manama 219, Who among the following won the Best Actress Oscar at the 91st Academy Awards? 1) Glenn Close (The Wife) 2) Lady Gaga (A Star Is Born) 3) Olivia Colman (The Favourite) 4) Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) 5) Yalitza Aparicio (Roma) 220. The CBIC has set up three working groups to suggest ways to facilitate exports and improve com- pliance by way of curbing tax evasion. The full form of CBIC is 1) Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Collections 2) Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs 3) Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Concessions 4) Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Cess 5) None of these 221. The RBI took three banks out of its restrictive prompt corrective action (PCA) framework recently. Two of them are Allahabad Bank and Corporation Bank and the third is 1) Dhanlaxmi Bank 2) Federal Bank 3) IndusInd Bank4) RBL Bank 5) Karnataka Bank 222. The National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) is based in which city? It released four new rice va- rieties, including two high-protein and two climate- smart varieties recently. 1) Bengaluru 2) Hyderabad 3) Bhubaneswar 4) Chennai 5) Cuttack 223. The Russia, India, China (RIC) Foreign Ministers’ meeting was held recently in which city? 1) Guangzhou 2) Saint Peterburg 3) Wuzhen 4) Kazan 5) New Delhi 224. The joint military exercise Sampriti 2019 was held between India and which country recently? 1) Sri Lanka 2) Myanmar 3) Nepal 4) Bangladesh 5) Bhutan 225. The Makran Cup boxing tournament was held at Chabahar in which country recently? 1) Iraq 2) Iran 3) Bahrain 4) Kuwait 5) Pakistan226. Prajnesh Gunneswaran is associated with which of the following games? He achieved his career-best ranking (94th) in the game recently. 1) Badminton 2) Squash 3) Tennis 4) Table tennis 5) Snooker 227. Abhijeet Gupta lifted the Cannes International Open trophy recently. He plays 1) billiards 2) polo 3) golf 4) badminton 5) chess 228. Satya Pal Malik is the present governor of which of the following states? 1) Jammu & Kashmir 2) Uttarakhand 3) Himachal Pradesh 4) Haryana 5) Punjab 229. The govt recently approved recapitalisation of Rs 48,239 cr in 12 public sector banks. Punjab Na- tional Bank will get about what amount out of it? 1) Rs 1,600 cr 2) Rs 3,256 cr 3)Rs 4,112 cr 4) Rs 5,900 cr 5) Rs 6,500 cr 230. The World Day of Social Justice is observed every year on which date? 1) 02 Feb2) 12 Feb 3) 20 Feb 4) 22 Feb 5) 28 Feb 231. What is India’s ranking in Inclusive Internet Index 2019, prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for Facebook? 1) 47th 2) 49th 3) 50th 4) 51st 5) 52nd 232. Who has been appointed as the Chairman of Na- tional Book Trust (NBT)? 1) Baldeo Bhai Sharma 2) Govind Prasad Sharma 3) Pulak Biswas 4) Mrinal Mitra 5) Jagdish Joshi 233, What is the theme of 2019 World Day of Social Justice? 1) Bring Social Justice 2) Social Justice to bring Peace 3) If You Want Peace & Development, Work for Social Justice 4) If You Want Peace, Prosperity & Development, Work for Social Justice 5) If You Want Peace & Development, Aim for Social Justice 234. The 4th Global Digital Health Partnership Sum- mit held at 1) Gandhinagar2) Coimbatore 3) Chennai 4) Gwalior 5) New Delhi 235. India has recently signed an MoU with which country to boost cooperation to tackle Anti-Microbial Resistance? 1) Israel 2) Australia 3) Japan 4) Sweden 5) Saudi Arabia 236. Which state govt has recently launched a com- mission named ‘PRANAM ' to protect parents of govt employees? 1) Maharashtra 2) Assam 3) Gujarat 4) Haryana 5) Karnataka 237. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Re- search (CSIR) have recently signed MoU to collaborate in the area of food and agriculture. Who is the cur- rent Director General of CSIR? 1) Dr. Shekhar Mande 2) Tessy Thomas 3) Gopal Kundu 4) Dr. Harsh Vardhan 5) Seyed E. Hasnain 238. Who has been conferred with the International Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2018? 1) Vivekananda Kendra 2) Madhu Pandit Dasa3) Yohei Sasakawa 4) Bindeshwar Pathak 5) Patti Smith 239. Which state cabinet has recently approved State Film Policy 2019 with an aim to promote state films and create conducive eco-system for production of films in the region? 1) Assam 2) Manipur 3) West Bengal 4) Sikkim 5) Odisha 240. Which public sector bank has tied up with Ger- many's KfW Development Bank for funding of USD 113 million to refinance solar projects? 1) Allahabad Bank 2) Indian Overseas Bank 3) Corporation Bank 4) Bank of Baroda 5) Canara Bank10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. ANSWER KEY 1 .4 318. 19. 20. 21, 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Bes 28. 29, 30. 31. 32. 33, 34. 35. 36. 37. 38.39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54, 55. 56. 57. 58. 59.60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. Ch 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. a 78. 79. 80.81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91; 92. 93. 94, 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100. 2 101. 2102. 103, 104. 105. 106. 107. 108. 109. 110. 111. 113. 120. 121. 122.123. 124, 125. 126. 127. 128. 129. 130. 134, 135. 136, 138. 139. 140. 141. 142. 143.144. 145, 146. 147. 148. 149. 150. 152. 153. 154. 156. 157, 158. 159. 160. 161. 162. 163. 164.165. 166. 167. 168. 169. 170. 171. 172. 173. 174. 175. 176. 177. 178. 179. 180. 181. 182. 183. 184. 185,186. 187. 188. 189, 190. 191. 192. 193. 194. 195. 196. 197, 198. 199, 200. 201. 202. 203. 204. 205. 206.207. 208. 209. 210. 211. 212. 213. 214. 215. 216. 217. 218. 219, 220, 221. 222, 223. 224. 225. 226. 227,228. 229. 230. 231, 232. 233. 234, 235. 236. 237. 238. 239, 240.