1. Which of the following State/UT is among the top five states/UTs which performed well as per the National Health Mission performance index 2019 by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) ?

A. West Bengal B. Haryana C. Uttarakhand D. Bihar E. None of these

2. Where was the 13th Conference of Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHWF) for 2019 held ?

A. Guwahati, Assam B. Kolkata, West Bengal C. New Delhi, Delhi D. Mumbai, Maharashtra E. None of these

3. By which year, government has set a goal of spending the 2.5% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) to National Health Policy (NHP) 2017 ?

A. 2025 B. 2020 C. 2022 D. 2030 E. None of these

4. Name the new initiative launched by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan for Zero Preventable Maternal and Newborn Deaths ?

A. e-Sahaj B. Mahila – E Haat C. Least Available Depth Information System(LADIS) D. Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) E. None of these

5. Name the late Indian Air Marshall, who was honoured with commemorative stamp for his exemplary service ?

A. Jagjit Singh Aurora B. Arjan Singh C. K. M. Cariappa D. Subroto Mukerjee E. None of these

1. Answer - Option B
Explanation -
On October 9, 2019, Health System Strengthening Conditionality Report of States 2018-19 was released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW). 14 states and union territories (UTs) were penalised under National Health Mission (NHM) for their worst performances on various health parameters in 2018-19. Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Assam, Kerala and Punjab were the top five states/UTs which performed well.
2. Answer - Option C
Explanation -
On October 10, 2019, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) Dr.Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the 13th Conference of Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHWF) for 2019 in New Delhi.
3. Answer - Option A
Explanation -
The goal of healthcare spending of the National Health Policy (NHP) 2017 is to reach 2.5% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) by 2025. So, the minister requested the Health Ministers from States/ Union Territories (UTs) to increase healthcare spending to a minimum 8% of their State budget.
4. Answer - Option D
Explanation -
A new initiative – ‘Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN)’ for Zero Preventable Maternal and Newborn Deaths, its website and the grievance redressal portal was launched on the occasion.
5. Answer - Option B
Explanation -
On October 9, 2019, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has released a commemorative stamp of Marshal of the Indian Air Force (IAF) late Arjan Singh in honor of his exemplary service to our nation. The stamp was issued at an event of the ‘at home’ program of the IAF to mark its 87th raising day in New Delhi.

1. What is the time scale of WHO India Country Cooperation Strategy that was launched by Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare(MOHFW) Dr Harsh Vardhan?

A. 2020–2024 B. 2021–2025 C. 2019–2023 D. 2022–2026 E. None of these

2. Name the programme launched by the Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, which will act as a platform to explore the talent of outshining and meritorious students ?

A. Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Program- ‘DHRUV’ B. Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Program- ‘NISHTHA’ C. Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Program- ‘Shagun’ D. Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Program- ‘AAPOORTI’ E. None of these

3. Which country has delivered the first set(36) Rafale aircrafts to India ?

A. Germany B. United States C. Russia D. France E. None of these

4. Name the Indian delegate, who visited Mongolia to address the ceremony for commissioning the oil refinery project in Mongolia ?

A. Jagat Prakash Nadda B. Dharmendra Pradhan C. Naveen Patnaik D. Piyush Goyal E. None of these

5. Which countries topped in the Passport Index 2019 released by the Henley & Partners on October 9, 2019?

A. Spain and Sweden B. Italy and Luxembourg C. Japan and Singapore D. South Korea and Germany E. None of these

Answers and Explanations
1. Answer - Option C
Explanation -
On October 9, 2019 the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare(MOHFW) DrHarsh Vardhan launched ‘The WHO India Country Cooperation Strategy 2019–2023: A Time of Transition’ in New Delhi. This Country Cooperation Strategy(CCS) paves the way for World Health Organisation(WHO) to work with the Indian govt. in achieving the goals of health sector.
2. Answer - Option A
Explanation -
On October 10, 2019, Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ has launched 14-day long ambitious Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Program- ‘DHRUV’ from Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) headquarters at Bengaluru, Karnataka in presence of Dr K Sivan, Chairman, ISRO, Wing Cdr. Rakesh Sharma, AC (Retd.) among others.
3. Answer - Option D
Explanation -
Defence minister of India Mr Rajnath Singh visited Paris, France from October 7-9, 2019. He was received by a military guard of honour at Hotel de Brienne, the headquarters of the French Armed Forces ministry in Paris. During the visit, he received the first of the 36 Rafale aircrafts.
4. Answer - Option B
Explanation - Shri Dharmendra Pradhan who is the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, accompanied by an official and business delegation, paid a 3-day official visit to Mongolia on 7-9 October 2019. This is a follow up of the recent visit by Mongolian president Khaltmaagiin Battulga to India. During the ceremony, Shri Pradhan announced India’s additional US $ 236 million Line of Credit(LoC) to Mongolia from its previous committed value of US$ 1 billion. This project once completed, will boost Mongolia’s economic development and will meet 3/4th of oil requirement of Mongolia.
5. Answer - Option C
Explanation -
On October 9, the latest 2019 Henley Passport Index ranking was released. Japan and Singapore both hold the most powerful passport by ranking 1st in the list. The study was conducted by Henley & Partners.

1. What is the rank of India in the Henley Passport Index 2019 ?

A. 82 B. 81 C. 80 D. 86 E. None of these

2. Which organization has launched its first report on vision, stating nearly 2.2 billion people live with vision impairment or blindness globally ?

A. United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) B. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) C. United Nation(UN) D. World Health Organisation (WHO) E. None of these

3. Which country has become the first country to ban ads for unhealthy sugary drinks ?

A. Indonesia B. Singapore C. United States D. Malaysia E. None of these

4. Which state has received the approval from Reserve Bank of India for setting up its own Bank, by amalgamating 13 district co-operative banks (DCBs) with its State Co-operative Bank ?

A. Haryana – Haryana Bank B. Uttar Pradesh – Uttar Pradesh Bank C. Kerala – Kerala Bank D. Rajasthan – Rajasthan Bank E. None of these

5. Merger of which two entities were denied by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) ?

A. Indiabulls Housing Finance and Lakshmi Vilas Bank B. Indiabulls Housing Finance and Canara Bank C. Indiabulls Housing Finance and State Bank of India D. Indiabulls Housing Finance and HDFC Bank E. None of these

Answers and Explanations
1. Answer - Option A
Explanation -
On October 9, the latest 2019 Henley Passport Index ranking was released. In the report, India is currently ranked at 82nd place in 2019, which is one place down from its previous rank of 81 in 2018. The study was conducted by Henley & Partners.
2. Answer - Option D
Explanation -
On October 8, 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched its first report on vision. According to the report, nearly 2.2 billion people live with vision impairment or blindness globally, in which over one billion cases could have been prevented or have yet to be addressed. It aims to address these challenges and galvanize action.
3. Answer - Option B
Explanation -
On October 10, 2019, The health ministry of Singapore notified that it will ban ads for unhealthy sugary drinks to combat rising diabetes rates. Thus, it will become the first nation in the world to do so.It has requested the SSB (sugar-sweetened beverages) manufacturers to reformulate the drinks with less sugar content.
4. Answer - Option C
Explanation -
On October 10, 2019, The country’s central bank, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has given its final approval of Kerala government’s long-pending proposal of setting up its own ‘Kerala Bank’, by amalgamating 13 district co-operative banks (DCBs) with Kerala State Co-operative Bank.With this merger, the ‘Kerala Bank’ will become the largest banking network in the state.
5. Answer - Option A
Explanation -
On October 9, 2019, The country’s central bank, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has denied the proposed merger of Indiabulls Housing Finance and Lakshmi Vilas Bank, the flagship private sector bank. The merger was announced by Indiabulls in April, 2019 and sought approval from RBI on May 7,2019.