[1] In which city India’s second Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) will be established?
[A] Mumbai
[B] New Delhi
[C] Chennai
[D] Bengaluru
Answer: [C]
[Chennai]
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, has signed an Institutional agreement with Anna University to establish India’s second Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at the Centre for Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR), Anna University, Chennai, under the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) TISC program.
[2] Which temple has won the UNESCO Asia Pacific Award of Merit 2017 for cultural heritage conservation?
[A] The Konark Sun Temple [Odisha]
[B] Badrinath Temple [Uttarakhand]
[C] Kodandarama Temple [Andhra Pradesh]
[D] Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple [Tamil Nadu]
Answer: [D]
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple [Tamil Nadu]
It has become the first temple in Tamil Nadu to be given the prestigious award from the UN body.
UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Awards was established in 2000.
The Awards consist of four categories:
Award of Excellence.
Award of Distinction.
Award of Merit.
Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts.
[3] In which country the 7th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable (AMER7) took place?
[A] Japan
[B] China
[C] Thailand
[D] India
Answer: [C]
[Thailand]
The 7th Asian Ministerial Energy Roundtable (AMER7) took place in Bangkok, Thailand from 1-3 November 2017.
Its’ theme was “Global Energy Markets in Transition: From Vision to Action”.
[4] Which country hosted South Asia Economic Summit 2017?
[A] India
[B] Japan
[C] Nepal
[D] Thailand
Answer: [C]
[Nepal]
The 10th South Asia Economic Summit 2017 was held in Kathmandu, Nepal.
South Asia Economic Summit (SAES) was started in 2008.
It is a regional platform for discussing and analyzing economic and development issues and challenges faced by South Asian countries and advancing the cause of regional integration and cooperation.
[5] In which city the second meeting of Island Development Agency (IDA) was held?
[A] Kolkata
[B] Thiruvananthapuram
[C] Mumbai
[D] New Delhi
Answer: [D]
[New Delhi]
The Island Development Agency reviewed the concept development plans and detailed master plans for holistic development of 09 islands (four in A&N Islands i.e. Smith, Ross, Long, Avis) and (five in Lakshadweep i.e. Minicoy, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam, Suheli).
[6] Who has been appointed as the chairman 15th Finance Commission?
[A] NK Singh
[B] Krishna Chaudhary
[C] Naseen Ahamad
[D] Devendra Kumar Sikri
Answer: [A]
[NK Singh]
The recommendations of the 15th FC will have to come into effect from April 1, 2020.
NK Singh, former bureaucrat and ex-Member of Parliament will be Chairman of 15th Finance Commission.
Other members of the commission:
[1] Shaktikanta Das [former department of economic affair secretary]
[2] Anoop Singh [professor at Georgetown University]
[3] Ashok Lahiri [former chief economic advisor]
[4] Ramesh Chand [agricultural expert and NITI Aayog member]
Ramesh Chand and Ashok Lahiri are part time members.
[7] The Indian Navy will soon get its first-ever woman pilot who will be flying a maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Who?
[A] Shubhangi Swaroop
[B] Astha Segal
[C] Roopa A
[D] Sakthi Maya S
Answer: [A]
Shubhangi Swaroop
Shubhangi Swaroop became the first-ever female pilot to be inducted into the Indian Navy.
Besides her, three other women cadets -Astha Segal from New Delhi, Roopa A from Puducherry and Sakthi Maya S from Kerala -have also been inducted in the Navy’s armament division, which was earlier considered a men-only unit.
[8] Which Indian city has been included in United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Creative Cities Network for Contribution in Music in October 2017?
[A] Mumbai
[B] Jodhpur
[C] Chennai
[D] Bengaluru
Answer: [C]
[Chennai]
Chennai was chosen for its contribution to music.
Chennai is third Indian city on the list.
First two cities Jaipur (City of Music) and Varanasi (City of Crafts and Folk Art) were added last year.
[9] Which scheme has been launched by Ministry of Communications for those school children who have interest in philately?
[A] Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana
[B] Atal MUDRA Yojana
[C] Deen Dayal MUDRA Yojana
[D] Atal SPARSH Yojana
Answer: [A]
[Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana]
Ministry of Communications has launched a Pan India scholarship program for school children called Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana to increase the reach of Philately.
Under the scheme of SPARSH (Scholarship for Promotion of Aptitude & Research in Stamps as a Hobby), it is proposed to award annual scholarships to children of Standard VI to IX having good academic record and also pursuing Philately as a hobby through a competitive selection process in all postal circles.
Every Postal Circle will select a maximum of 40 scholarships representing 10 students each from Standard VI, VII, VIII and IX.
The amount of Scholarship will be Rs. 6000/- per annum @ Rs. 500/- per month.
[10] A fourteen day joint training exercise “PRABAL DOSTYK – 2017” commenced at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. Which countries participated in the exercise?
[A] India and Afghanistan
[B] India and Kazakhstan
[C] India, Afghanistan and Kazakhstan
[D] India and Bhutan
Answer: [B]
[India and Kazakhstan]
The joint exercise is aimed at enhancing the military ties between the two countries as also at achieving interoperability between the two armies.
The training contingents comprise of platoon strength from the 11th Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army and a similar strength of the Kazakhstan Army.
It is second edition of the joint military training exercise between both countries.
The first edition of exercise was held in Karaganda region of Kazakhstan.