Current Affairs – National & International
1. Who has presented Swachh Survekhshan-2019 Awards in New Delhi?

A. Shri Rajnath Singh B. Shri Narendra Modi C. Shri Ram Nath Kovind D. Shri Venkaiah Naidu

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: President Ram Nath Kovind has presented Swachh Survekhshan-2019 Awards in New Delhi. Indore bagged award for the cleanest city for the third straight year in Swachh Survekshan. New Delhi Municipal Council area gets cleanest small city award while Uttarakhand's Gauchar was adjudged Best Ganga Town in the survey. Top-ranked cities received a statue of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi as the award for their work towards cleanliness. Swachh Survekshan 2019 covered all Urban Local Bodies in the country, making it the largest such cleanliness survey in the world.
2. 2 day 2019 North Korea - United States Hanoi Summit held in __________.

A. Taiwan B. Philippines C. Thailand D. Vietnam

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: 2 day 2019 North Korea - United States Hanoi Summit has abruptly concluded in Hanoi, Vietnam with no joint agreement after Kim insisted all US sanctions to be lifted on his country. The meeting was held between North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump. It was the second meeting between them following the first meeting in June 2018 in Singapore. After June 2018 summit, US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo appointed Stephan Biegun as US Special Representative for North Korea. During the summit, Trump sought a guarantee from North Korea to stop testing its missiles and nuclear weapons. In return, North Korea demanded the lifting of 5 core economic sanctions which was imposed over Korea.
3. Who was named the youngest self-made billionaire according to Forbes magazine?

A. Eduardo Saverin B. Jeff Bezos C. Mark Zuckerberg D. Kylie Jenner

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: Kylie Jenner was named the youngest self-made billionaire of all time by Forbes magazine, thanks to the booming cosmetics company she founded three years ago. Jenner, 21, the half-sister of reality television stars Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian, made it onto the annual Forbes list of billionaires after debuting her Kylie Cosmetics online in 2015 with $29 lip kits containing matching lipstick and lip liner.
4. 'Sampriti-2019' is a joint military exercise between which of the following countries?

A. India and Bangladesh B. India and US C. India and Iran D. India and Brazil

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: The eighth edition of joint military exercise 'Sampriti-2019' between the armies of India and Bangladesh was commenced on 3rd March, 2019, which aimed to increase mutual cooperation and camaraderie with an impressive ceremony in Tangail, Bangladesh. This exercise will be conducted till 15th March as a part of the ongoing India-Bangladesh defense cooperation. The motive behind this exercise is to hone their tactical and technical skills in countering the insurgency, counter-terrorism and aid to civil authorities for disaster management in a UN peacekeeping scenario involving a combined deployment at a battalion level.
5. Which company bagged the International Sustainability Award - 'Green Era Award for Sustainability'?

A. Royal Enfield India B. TVS Motor Company C. Ashok Leyland D. KTM

Answer: Option (B)
Explanation: TVS Motor Company has recently bagged the International Sustainability Award - 'Green Era Award for Sustainability' in Lisbon, Portugal. The company also won the 'Quality and Business Excellence Award' in acknowledgment of its endeavor to create new benchmarks in product quality. The 'Green Era Award for Sustainability' was set up to recognize the true global exemplars who have been innovative and creative in pursuing the sustainable imperative. TVS Motor Company bagged the award because of its sincere commitment towards being a responsible manufacturer. The company has bagged this award for the second time.
Important Financial & Economic News
1. In which City does Prime Minister Narendra Modi launch lay the foundation stone of Defence Corridor?

A. Prayagraj B. Varanasi C. Lucknow D. Jhansi

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: PM Modi on his visit to Jhansi laid the foundation stone of Defence Corridor which will create a lot of direct and indirect employment to the youth in the region. The government decided to establish 2 defense corridors in the country, one at Tamil Nadu and the other in Uttar Pradesh. Jhansi is one among six nodal points of the UP defense corridors. The Defence Corridor will make India independent in defense production. The project will also attract many foreign and domestic Defence related companies to invest in the region.
2. CM Fadnavis approves Rs __________ for the memorial of Krantikari Khajyaji Naik in Maharashtra.

A. Rs 5 crores B. Rs 8 crores C. Rs 12 crores D. Rs 15 crores

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: Swargate Multimodal Hub' in Pune, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis arrived at Jalgaon, attending the Jan Jati Sammelan organised by Krantikari Khajyaji Naik Smruti Sanstha at Dharangaon. Kranti Kari Khajyaji Naik gave immense contribution during the freedom struggle. CM Fadnavis approves Rs 15 crores for the memorial of Krantikari Khajyaji Naik in Maharashtra.
3. GST on under construction flats cut from 12 percent to __________ %.

A. 10.5% B. 7% C. 5% D. 8.2%

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: Under construction properties priced over ₹45 lakh will attract 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax), instead of 12%. A residential property priced at ₹45 lakh or below will now be defined as "affordable" and taxed at 1%, from 8% earlier. The new rates will be effective from April 1, 2019.
4. The CCEA has approved Rs __________ crore interest subvention for extending loans by banks to sugar mills.

A. Rs. 2,790 B. Rs. 1,500 C. Rs. 2,280 D. Rs. 1,800

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: The CCEA has approved Rs 2,790 crore interest subvention for extending loans by banks to sugar mills. This is in addition to Rs 1,332 crore already approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in June 2018. The interest subvention is for extending loans of Rs 12,900 crore by banks to sugar mills under the scheme for extending financial assistance to sugar mills for enhancement and augmentation of ethanol production capacity.
5. According to Moody's, Indian economy is expected to grow at __________ percent in 2019-2020.

A. 7.3 B. 7.2 C. 7.4 D. 7.6

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: According to Moody's, Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.3 percent in the calendar year 2019 and 2020, and the government spending announced ahead of elections this year which will support near-term growth. Moody's stated in its quarterly Global Macro Outlook for 2019 and 2020. In 2018-19 fiscal, ending March 2019, the Indian economy is estimated to have grown 7 percent, lower than 7.2 percent in 2017-18.
Budget and Five Year Plans
1. Interim budget is also known as....

A. Mini-budget B. Vote on Account C. Both a and b D. None of these

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: The last budget of any government is termed as an interim budget or a vote on account or a mini-budget.
2. Which article of the Constitution envisages Budget?

A. Article 280 B. Article 110 C. Article 360 D. Article 112

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: Article 112 of the Indian Constitution envisages the Annual Financial Statement of the government. This annual statement displays the revenue and expenditure of the last year and estimates of revenue and expenditure for the coming financial year.
3. In budget 2019-20, the government set the target to distribute....... LPG connections under the Ujjawala Yojna.

A. 6 cr B. 10 cr C. 5 cr D. 8 cr

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: The government has set the target to distribute 8 cr LPG cylinders to the households under the Ujjwala scheme. So far Government has distributed 6 cr cylinders under this scheme.
4. What is the target (in terms of GDP) of Fiscal Deficit for FY 2019-20?

A. 3.1% B. 3.5% C. 3.4% D. 4.4%

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: The target of fiscal deficit for 2019-20 is 3.4% of GDP while for next year it is estimated to be 3.1% of GDP.
5. Which statement is not correct about budget 2019-20?

A. The number of new income-tax filers increased in 2017-18, taking the total income tax returns filed to 6.84 crores, up 26% from the previous year. B. Payment of gratuity has been increased from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 20 lakhs. C. The government has introduced the Prime Minister 'Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana'. This scheme will be in effect from 1st January 2019. D. The amount allocated for the defense sector has exceeded 3 lac cr for the first time.

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: The Government has launched the Prime Minister's Farmers' Welfare Fund Scheme. This scheme will be applicable from 1 December 2018. In this scheme, 6000 rupees per year will be given to farmers who have less than 2 hectares of land. The Central Government will bear the full expenditure of Rs. 75 thousand crores on this scheme. This scheme will benefit about 12 crore farmers in the country.
Abbreviations
1. What is the full form of "MIPS"?

A. Multi Instruction Per second B. Mutual Information Property Service C. Multi Information Per Second D. Million Instructions per Second

Answer: Option (D)
2. What is the full form of "NDA"?

A. National Dental Academy B. National Development Agency C. National Dairy Authority D. National Defence Academy

Answer: Option (D)
3. What is the full form of "NSUI"?

A. National Scientist Union of India B. National Stock University Index C. National Students Union of India D. National Scientific Universal Index

Answer: Option (C)
4. What is the full form of "NTPC"?

A. National Travel Pass Scheme B. National Textile Policy Scheme C. National Thermal Power Council D. National Thermal Power Corporation

Answer: Option (D)
5. What is the full form of "EDI"?

A. Efficient Data Interchange B. Electronic Device Integration C. Efficient Data Intencive D. Electronic Data Interchange

Answer: Option (D)
Awards and Honors
1. Who was the first Indian to receive a Nobel Prize?

A. Chandra Shekar Venkata Raman B. Mother Teresa C. Rabindranath Tagore D. Dan Shechtman

Answer: Option (C)
2. Who was the first Indian lady actress to receive the Padma Shri Award?

A. Smita Patil B. Nargis Dutt C. Meena Kumari D. Madhubala

Answer: Option (B)
3. Who was the first recipient of the Magsaysay award?

A. Vinoba Bhave B. Dhan Gopal Mukerji C. Morarji Desai D. Nirad C Chaudhuri

Answer: Option (A)
4. Nobel Prize are distributed annually at

A. Manila B. Stockholm C. Geneva D. New York

Answer: Option (B)
5. Kalidas Samman award is presented by which state government?

A. TamilNadu B. Karnataka C. AndhraPradesh D. MadhyaPradesh

Answer: Option (D)
Sports
1. Who won Men's Singles title in the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2019?

A. Angga Pratama B. Srikanth Kidambi C. Viktor Axelsen D. Lee Yang

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: Viktor Axelsen of Denmark defeated India's Srikanth Kidambi to win in men's singles category. The 2019 India Open, officially the YONEX-SUNRISE India Open 2019, was a badminton tournament which took place at K. D. Jadhav Indoor Hall in New Delhi, India and had a total purse of $350,000.
2. Name the country which won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019.

A. Malaysia B. India C. South Korea D. Canada

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: India was defeated by South Korea in the penalty shootout of the final of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019. 17th Ranked South Korea defeated World number 5, India to win the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup which was held at Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia.
3. Which among the following tennis tournament was replaced by the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Team Cup after 31 years?

A. Hopman Cup B. Fed Cup C. Davis Cup D. Laver Cup

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: The unique mixed teams Hopman Cup (Tennis tournament) in Perth has been replaced by the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Team Cup after 31 years. Now three cities Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth will host the new men-only tournament (ATP World Team Cup) final. The ATP world team cup will be played from 3rd January for 10 days in the lead-up to the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, which will start in 2020. Hopman Cup was named after Australian tennis player Harry Hopman. This year Swiss pair Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic won the Cup.
4. Which country won the 2nd edition of Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships?

A. China B. Japan C. India D. Malaysia

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: The 2nd edition of Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships aka Tong Yun Kai Cup 2019 was held in Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Hong Kong. The championship was organized by Badminton Asia and Hong Kong Badminton Association. China has grabbed the championship by defeating Japan with 3-2. In the mixed doubles, Chinese pair He Jiting and Du Yue have defeated Japanese pair Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino by 21-17, 21-17. In the men's doubles, Yugo Kobayashi and Takuro Hoki of China beat Han Chengkai and Zhou Haodong of Japan by 16-21, 21-18, 21-13. In the women's doubles, Li Yinhui and Du Yue won for China by beating Ayako Sakuramoto and Yukiko Takahata with 21-16, 21-19.
5. Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary won __________ medal in the 10-meter Air Pistol Mixed team at the 12th Asian Airgun Championship.

A. Gold B. Silver C. Bronze D. None of the Above

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: In Shooting, Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary have won a Gold medal in the 10-meter Air Pistol Mixed team event at the 12th Asian Airgun Championship at Taoyuan in Taipei. The pair made it to the Final after smashing the world record in the qualification. A second Indian team, comprising Anuradha and Abhishek Verma, also reached the Finals but finished fourth.
Important Days
1. World Kidney Day (WKD) is observed annually on the second Thursday in March. The theme of 2019 World Kidney Day is;

A. Kidneys & Women's Health - Include, Value, Empower. B. Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere C. STOP Kidney Attack! Protect your kidneys D. Kidney Disease and Obesity: Healthy Lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys

Answer: Option (B)
Explanation: World Kidney Day (WKD) is observed annually on the second Thursday in March to create awareness on the importance of the kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease. The theme of WKD 2019 is Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere, which calls for universal health coverage for prevention and early treatment of kidney disease.
2. The theme of World civil defense day is;

A. Civil Defence and the national institutions for more efficient disaster management B. Children's safety, our responsibility C. Together with civil defense against disasters D. Civil Defence and the new information technologies

Answer: Option (B)
Explanation: World Civil Defence Day is observed on 1st March every year, all over the world. The theme of this year's World Civil Defence Day was "Children's safety, our responsibility". This day was incorporated in 1990 by the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO). The day marks the entry into force of the ICDO Constitution as an intergovernmental organization in 1972 and has two main purposes: The attention of the world public the vital importance of Civil Protection and of raising awareness of the preparedness for, and prevention and self-protection measures in the event of accidents or disasters.
3. National Safety Council of India celebrates National Safety Day on every 4th March. It's the theme is;

A. Manage stress at Workplace and Control Hazards B. Build a Safety Culture for Sustainable Supply Chain C. Cultivate and Sustain a safety culture for building nation D. Work Together to ensure a safe and healthy workplace

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: In India, National Safety Day(NSC) is observed on 4th March every year by the National Safety Council of India. This day is celebrated to make every people safe from issues like Financial Loss, Health problems and environmental problems.NSC was set up on 4th March 1966 by Ministry of Labour, GOI. The day was initiated in 1972 as a commemoration to the Foundation Day of the National Safety Council (NSC). Theme - "Cultivate and Sustain a safety culture for building nation".
4. World Wildlife Day is observed on 3rd March. The theme for World Wildlife Day 2019 is;

A. It's time to get serious about wildlife crime B. Life below water: for people and the planet C. Listen to the young voices D. Big cats - predators under threat

Answer: Option (B)
Explanation: World Wildlife Day is observed on 3rd March every year to spread awareness about wildlife. This date was designated as the World Wildlife Day on 20 December 2013 at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). On this day, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed. The theme for World Wildlife Day 2019 is 'Life below water: for people and planet', which corresponds to goal 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is 'Life below waters.
5. The World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation is observed on which date?

A. March 1 B. March 3 C. March 4 D. March 5

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: The World Day of Fight Against Sexual Exploitation is observed on March 4 every year. It aims to spread awareness about the prevalent sexual exploitation, largely among women and children. Around 35 percent of women worldwide sexual violence by a non-partner at least once in their lives. Adult women comprise 51 percent of all human trafficking victims globally. Women and girls together comprise 71 percent, with girls representing nearly three out of every four child trafficking victims. Nearly three out of every four trafficked women and girls are trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Science – Inventions & Discoveries
1. When was barb wire patented?

A. 1874 B. 1840 C. 1895 D. 1900

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: Joseph F. Glidden was born in New York on Jan. 18, 1812. He invented barbed wire in 1873 and was granted the patent on Nov. 24, 1874. After a three year battle over the patent, which he eventually won, Gidden became known as the "Father of Barbed Wire".
2. What Galileo invented?

A. Barometer B. Pendulum clock C. Microscope D. Thermometer

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: Various authors have credited the invention of the thermometer to Cornelius Drebbel, Robert Fludd, Galileo Galilei or Santorio Santorio. The thermometer was not a single invention, however, but a development. Galileo Galilei also discovered that objects (glass spheres filled with aqueous alcohol) of slightly different densities would rise and fall, which is nowadays the principle of the Galileo thermometer (shown). Today such thermometers are calibrated to a temperature scale.
3. This statesman, politician, scholar, inventor, and one of the early presidents of USA invented the swivel chair, the spherical sundial, the moldboard plow, and the cipher wheel.

A. George Washington B. Alexander Hamilton C. John Adams D. Thomas Jefferson

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 - July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States (1801-1809) and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776).
4. Where is the village of Branston, after which the famous pickle is named?

A. Yorkshire B. Lancashire C. Staffordshire D. Norfolk

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: The village of Branston is in Staffordshire, just south of Burton-on-Trent.
5. What invention caused many deaths while testing it?

A. Dynamite B. Ladders C. Race cars D. Parachute

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: Many people who tried to test the first parachutes died by jumping from high places. One attempt was a parachute hat, but the inventor broke his neck while testing it. The first successful parachute was tested from a hot air balloon in 1797, in France, by Jacques Garnerin.
International & National Organizations
1. World Wildlife Fund was established on

A. 24 May, 1967 B. 29 April, 1961 C. 29 October, 1961 D. 24 June, 1979

Answer: Option (B)
2. Judges of Permanent Court of Arbitration are known as its

A. members B. General Assembly C. Parliament D. Secretariat

Answer: Option (A)
3. The first session of the United Nations General Assembly was convened on

A. 10 January, 1946 B. 10 February, 1946 C. 10 April, 1946 D. 10 June, 1946

Answer: Option (A)
4. WHO (World Health Organization) was established in

A. 7 October, 1948 B. 7 April, 1948 C. 7 July, 1948 D. 7 June, 1948

Answer: Option (B)
5. Headquarter of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries is located in

A. Austria B. Italy C. Abu Dhabi D. Saudi Arabia

Answer: Option (A)
Books and Authors
1. Which of the following books has been written by Vikram Seth?

A. My God Died Young B. Islamic Bomb C. Look Back in Anger D. A Suitable Boy

Answer: Option (D)
2. Who wrote the line: ' A thing of beauty is a joy forever'?

A. John Keats B. Robert Browing C. P.B.Shelley D. William Wordsworth

Answer: Option (A)
3. Who has written the book 'My Frozen Turbulence in Kashmir'?

A. Anees Jung B. Jagmohan C. M.J.Akbar D. Nissim Ezekiel

Answer: Option (B)
4. In India, the first television programme was broadcasted in

A. 1959 B. 1965 C. 1976 D. 1957

Answer: Option (A)
5. 'A Voice for Freedom' is a book written by

A. Corazon Aquino B. Nayantara Sahgal C. Aung San Suu Kyi D. Benazir Bhutto

Answer: Option (B)
Countries & Capitals etc
1. "Saint John's" is the capital of ____.

A. Seychelles B. Montenegro C. East Timor (Timor-Leste) D. Antigua and Barbuda

Answer: Option (C)
2. Which is the capital of "Azerbaijan"?

A. Baku B. Kabul C. Honiara D. Libreville

Answer: Option (A)
3. "Dhaka" is the capital of ____.

A. Chile B. Slovakia C. Bangladesh D. Solomon Islands

Answer: Option (C)
4. Which is the capital of "Barbados"?

A. Vaduz B. Bridgetown C. Brazzaville D. San Jose

Answer: Option (B)
5. "Minsk" is the capital of ____.

A. Peru B. Belarus C. Ireland D. Costa Rica

Answer: Option (B)