Current Affairs – National & International
1. Which of the following is the only NATO country with female Army Chief?

A. Turkey B. Slovenia C. Poland D. Luxembourg

Answer: Option (B)
2. India and this country signed the protocol to the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement to prevent tax evasion.

A. Malaysia B. Swedan C. China D. Germany

Answer: Option (C)
3. Recently, the U.S. suspended $1.66 billion in security assistance to __________.

A. Afghanistan B. Pakistan C. Iran D. Bangladesh

Answer: Option (B)
4. Which country launched the second earth observation satellite “Mohammed VI-B” recently?

A. Denmark B. Italy C. Spain D. Morocco

Answer: Option (D)
5. Which become the first country in the world to recognize ‘orphanage trafficking’ as a form of modern slavery?

A. Japan B. Swedan C. Australia D. Netherlands

Answer: Option (C)
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. Who prepared the Fifth Five Year Plan?

A. Mahalanobis B. K.C.Panth C. Vaghela D. D.D.Dhar

Answer: Option (D)
2. The outlines of the second five-year plan was made by

A. Charan sing B. Fazal Ali C. P.C.Mahalanobis D. Kunjru

Answer: Option (C)
3. What is the period of the First Five Year Plan?

A. April 1, 1952, to March 31, 1953 B. April 1, 1951, to March 31, 1956 C. April 1, 1954, to March 31, 1957 D. April 1, 1953, to March 31, 1958

Answer: Option (B)
4. The architect of India's Second Five Year Plan model is

A. Bramanandha B. Mahalanobis C. Harrod-Domar D. Chakravarthi

Answer: Option (B)
5. The target growth rate during the Eleventh Five Year Plan Period is

A. 7% B. 8.5% C. 9% D. 9.2%

Answer: Option (C)
Abbreviations
1. What is the full form of "CDMA"?

A. Common Dision Multiple Account B. Code Divided Multiplier Access C. Code Distributed Multiple Access D. Code Division Multiple Access

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

A. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research B. Center for Science and Industrial Research C. Center for Share and Investment Ratio D. Council for Scientific and Informational Research

Answer: Option (A)
3. What is the full form of "VIRUS"?

A. Various Information Resources Under Stage B. Vital Information Resources Under Siege C. Various Information Resource Unlimited Storage D. Vital Images Reviews Universal Studios

Answer: Option (B)
4. What is the full form of "ZIP"?

A. one Improvement Plan B. Zonal Investment Profit C. Zone Information Plan D. Zonal Investigation Promotion

Answer: Option (A)
5. What is the full form of "SAIL"?

A. Silicon Authority of India Limited B. Steel Authority of India Limited C. System Analysis in Logistics D. Sales Analyst Income Level

Answer: Option (B)
Awards and Honors
1. Who topped the Asian Rich List 2019 with Rs 2.3 lakh crore?

A. Hinduja family B. Lakshmi Mittal & family C. SP Lohia D. Mukesh Ambani family

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: Leading London-based NRI industrial tycoons, the Hinduja family has topped the Asian Rich List 2019 for the sixth successive year with £25.2 billion (over Rs 2.3 lakh crore) wealth. Steel magnates Lakshmi Mittal and his son Aditya Mittal were ranked second with £11.2 billion (over Rs 1 lakh crore) wealth. Petrochemicals billionaire SP Lohia was ranked third with £5.8 billion (over Rs 53,000 crore) wealth.
2. Which of the following was conferred with the Golden Peacock Innovative Product Award - 2019?

A. Acko General Insurance B. Magma Fincorp C. Max Bupa D. TATA

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: ACKO General Insurance a new-age digital insurance company was awarded the coveted Golden Peacock Innovative Product Award - 2019, for their contextual microinsurance product -"Ola Ride Insurance". The award was presented to Mr. Biresh Giri, Appointed Actuary & CRO, Acko. The award ceremony was held in Dubai.
3. Who sets 7th World Record By Providing Artificial Legs?

A. DIPP B. DEPwD C. DSIR D. Department of Research and Education

Answer: Option (B)
Explanation: Union Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot on Friday said the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has set its seventh Guinness world record with 260 people in Gujarat's Bharuch getting 'Modern Artificial Limbs (Legs)' implanted within eight hours. The DEPwD under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had previously set six Guinness world records in other categories.
4. Who is the winner under the Miniratna Category by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)?

A. Mecon B. NSIC C. CBFC D. NFDC

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) was announced as the winner under the Miniratna Category by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in its campaign to felicitate CPSEs in recognition for their work in promoting SC/ST entrepreneurs. NFDC has funded over 300 films in various Indian languages which have been widely acclaimed and have won many national and international awards.
5. Which dancer was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2017 under the category 'Kathak', on 6th February 2019?

A. Deepika Reddy B. L.N. Oinam Ongbi Dhoni Devi C. Rama Vaidyanathan D. Shobha Koser

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for 2017 was presented by President Ram Nath Kovind to 42 artists in a ceremony held in New Delhi. Shobha Koser was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards 2017 under the category 'Kathak'.
Sports
1. How many Indian Olympic Association members have been named in various Standing Committees of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)?

A. 13 B. 12 C. 8 D. 6

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: A total of 13 Indian Olympic Association members, including former India hockey captain Sardar Singh, have been named in various Standing Committees of the Olympic Council of Asia at its 38th General Assembly in Bangkok. Singh has been elected in the athletes standing committee, while IOA secretary general Rajeev Mehta was named in the culture standing committee. Hockey India secretary general Mohd. Mustaque Ahmad is in the media standing committee, while Athletics Federation of India president Adille Sumariwala and Lalit Bhanot have been elected in the sports for the environment and sports standing committees respectively. All the members have been elected for a four-year term from 2019 to 2023.
2. Organizers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics unveiled which shaped torch for the 2020 Olympics?

A. Trumpet-Shaped B. Cherry-Blossom C. Stellate-Shaped D. Cruciform-Shaped

Answer: Option (B)
Explanation: The organizers of the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo have chosen a Japanese motif - the cherry blossom for their Olympic torch. The design, unveiled, makes use of not only a traditional "Sakura-mon" blossom emblem but also the same aluminum extrusion technology used in the manufacture of the country's well-known bullet trains. It will generate five flames from a cluster of petal-shaped cylinders. The torch is made using the same cutting-edge technology as in the production of Japan's bullet trains and is formed of a seamless, single piece of aluminum. It measures 71cm in length and weighs 1.2kg.
3. What is the official name of European T20 league?

A. Euro T20 Slam B. Euro T20 C. Euro T20 league D. European T20 Slam

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: The European T20 competition set to take place in Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands for the first time later this year has been officially named as 'Euro T20 Slam'. The competition which was unveiled earlier in 2019, will consist of six-city based franchises, two from each of the host nations.
4. India bags 368 medals in the Special Olympics Games 2019. It includes how many Gold medals?

A. 92 B. 85 C. 88 D. 97

Answer: Option (B)
Explanation: India returned with 368 medals (85 gold, 154 Silver, and 129 Bronze) at the Special Olympics World Summer Games, held at Abu Dhabi, UAE. Indian powerlifters bagged the maximum number of medals 20 gold, 33 silver, and 43 bronze. Roller Skating earned India 49 medals 13 gold, 20 silver, and 16 bronze. In cycling, the Indians won 11 gold, 14 silver, and 20 bronze to total 45 medals, while the country's track and field athletes returned with 39 medals 5 gold, 24 silver, and 10 bronze.
5. Which among the following has been reinstated to the Asian Games 2022 edition?

A. Poker B. Monopoly C. Billiards D. Chess

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) decided to reinstate the Chess game to the Asian Games fold for the 2022 edition in Hangzhou. The top players welcomed the return of Chess. The OCA General Assembly met in Bangkok on March 3 and its president Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad Al-Sabah officially confirmed the development to World Chess Federation (WCF) president Arkady Dvorkovich.
Important Days
1. When did World Theatre Day celebrated?

A. 22nd March B. 23rd March C. 2th March D. 27th March

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: World Theatre Day celebrated annually on the 27th March by ITI Centres and the international theatre community. It was initiated in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI). On this day several national and international theatre events are organized. A celebrated figure of the theatre is also invited by ITI who speaks and motivates people about the theme of Theatre, a culture of peace and circulate the message in the whole world. This year that is in 2019 Carlos CELDRAN from Cuba, is an award-winning and highly esteemed theatre director, playwright, academic and professor, living and working in Havana, Cuba and present his work all over the world has been selected for the message 2019.
2. 23rd March is observed as __________.

A. World Wildlife Day B. No Smoking Day C. World Meteorological Day D. World Kidney Day

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: World Meteorological Day is observed annually on March 23 to commemorate the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950. The day also underlines the efforts of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services for the safety and well-being of society. The theme 2019 was "The Sun, the Earth and the Weather". The day was first observed in 1961.
3. On which date, Bihar Day is celebrated?

A. 22 March B. 21 March C. 20 March D. 18 March

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: Bihar Diwas or Bihar Day is celebrated every year on 22 March to commemorate the state's separation from Bengal presidency in 1912. This day is a public holiday in Bihar. This day marks the 107th foundation day of Bihar.
4. India observed Dandi March Day on which date?

A. 11th March B. 12th March C. 14th March D. 15th March

Answer: Option (B)
Explanation: 12th March 2019 marks the 89th anniversary of the Dandi Satyagraha, an act of nonviolent civil disobedience in colonial India led by Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi had undertaken a 26-day march from March 12, 1930, to April 6, 1930, as a direct action campaign of tax resistance and nonviolent protest against the British salt monopoly.
5. When was World Hearing Day Observed?

A. 1st March B. 2nd March C. 3rd March D. 4th March

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: World Hearing Day is observed on 3rd March every year by the Office of Prevention of Blindness and Deafness of the WHO (World Health Organization). The Theme for this year's World hearing day is "Check your Hearing". This year, WHO launched an app, HearWHO that will allow people to check their hearing.
Science – Inventions & Discoveries
1. What J. B. Dunlop invented?

A. Pneumatic rubber tire B. Automobile wheel rim C. Rubber boot D. Model airplanes

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: John Boyd Dunlop, a veterinary surgeon, invented the pneumatic tyre in 1887.
2. What is the name of the CalTech seismologist who invented the scale used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes?

A. Charles Richter B. Hiram Walker C. Giuseppe Mercalli D. Joshua Rumble

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: Richter was born on an Ohio farm in 1900. He died in 1985.
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. 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 that, 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.
5. The Manhattan Project was started by President Roosevelt in 1942 to ensure that the U.S. beat the Germans in developing a nuclear bomb. Whom did Roosevelt appoint as scientific head the Manhattan Project?

A. Robert Oppenheimer B. James B. Conant C. Leslie R. Groves D. Vannevar Bush

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: Leslie R. Groves, however, was the military head of the project and the overall supremo, while Robert Oppenheimer was the scientific director. The world's first atomic bomb was exploded in the New Mexico desert on July 16, 1945.
International & National Organizations
1. The headquarters of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is located in

A. Paris B. Madrid C. New York D. Geneva

Answer: Option (D)
2. The international township built near Pondicherry in India in coloration with UNESCO is called

A. Elba ville B. Auroville C. Gayaville D. Broadway

Answer: Option (B)
3. The non-permanent members of the Security Council of the UN elected by the General Assembly for two years term at present include (the 2-year term which begins on January 1, 2011)

A. Japan, India, Hungary, Venezuela B. Morocco, Cape, Verde, Belgium, Russia C. Zimbabwe, Venezuela, India, France D. Colombia, Germany, India, Portugal, South Africa

Answer: Option (D)
4. Which of the following countries is not a member of Group 15 developing countries?

A. Mexico B. Malaysia C. Brazil D. Bolivia

Answer: Option (D)
5. The NAM summit which demanded expansion of the United Nations Security Council had met at

A. Tehran B. Cairo C. Harare D. Jakarta

Answer: Option (D)
Books and Authors
1. Who wrote the book 'Reminiscences of the Nehru Age'?

A. C.D.Deshmukh B. Dr. P.C.Alexander C. M.O.Mathai D. S.C.Rajagopalachari

Answer: Option (C)
2. Which of the following is a biography of the Lady Mountbatten?

A. Edwina Mountbatten - A Life of Her Own. B. Edwina Mountbatten - Her relationship with Nehru C. Mountbatten D. Edwina Mountbattten

Answer: Option (A)
3. Who directed the film 'Sardar'?

A. Das Gupta B. Shyam Benegal C. Tapan Sinha D. Ketan Mehta

Answer: Option (D)
4. The television serial 'Charitraheen' is based on the famous novel of which of the following authors?

A. Rabindranath Tagore B. Sarat Chandra Chattopadhaya C. Tara Sankar Bandhopadhya D. Bankim Chandra Chatterji

Answer: Option (B)
5. Who is the author of the book - 'Preparing for the Twenty-First Century'?

A. Larry Collins B. V.S. Naipaul C. V.R. Krishna Iyer D. Paul Kennedy

Answer: Option (D)
Countries & Capitals
1. "Tirana" is the capital of ____.

A. Gabon B. Albania C. Rwanda D. Costa Rica

Answer: Option (B)
2. Yerevan" is the capital of ____.

A. Jordan B. Armenia C. Cyprus D. Czech Republic

Answer: Option (B)
3. Which is the capital of "Australia"?

A. Amman B. Belgrade C. Canberra D. Podgorica

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

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

Answer: Option (A)
5. Which is the capital of "Bahrain"?

A. Quito B. Manama C. Sharjah D. Chisinau

Answer: Option (B)