20,February , 2019 Current Affairs - Daily Current Affairs
20,February , 2019 Current Affairs - Daily Current Affairs
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1.
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Who was the
Former interim President and former Afghan mujahideen commander passed away
at the age of 93?
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Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Sibghatullah
Mojaddedi, former Afghan mujahideen commander passed away in Kabul at the age
of 93, owing to prolonged illness. He played a significant role in fighting
the Soviets and went on to become the interim President of the country after
the collapse of the Afghan communist regime in 1992.He died three days before
the 30th anniversary of the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan.
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2.
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Union Minister
of Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated Muga silk seed production centre
in which state?
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Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Union Minister
of Textiles, Smriti Zubin Irani, launched four projects in North East for the
development of silk sector through video conference in New Delhi. Smriti
Zubin Irani inaugurated Muga silk seed production centre in Tura, Meghalaya,
silk printing and processing unit in Agartala, Tripura, Eri spun silk mill in
Sangaipat, Imphal and development of sericulture in Mamit, Mizoram. The
Minister also inaugurated new office building of Weavers Service Centres
(WSC) in Indore, Madhya Pradesh and Kannur, Kerala. Muga Silkworm Seed
Production Centre (SSPC), Tura, Meghalaya is one of the projects taken up
directly by Centre Silk Board(CSB) for implementation under Integrated
Sericulture Development Project (ISDP) of NERTPS for creation of seed
infrastructure units in NE States.
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3.
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Trip Protector
insurance policy was launched by;
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Answer: Option A
Explanation:
The first-of-its
kind 'Trip Protector' insurance policy was launched by HDFC ERGO General
Insurance Company which is the third-largest non-life insurance provider in
the private sector in India. The policy states In case a flight or a hotel
booking is cancelled, travellers will be safeguarded financially against the
cost of cancellation levied on them by the respective hotels or airlines for
both domestic and international travel. In instances wherein travellers are
refused accommodation on arriving at the hotel due to overbooking, the policy
will provide cover against cancellation of a pre-booked room. Initially, this
policy is being offered to customers of HDFC Bank on the purchase of Airline
tickets or Hotel Bookings done using their HDFC Bank credit cards. The policy
will allow customers to choose between refundable and non-refundable tickets.
Refundable tickets shall be paid for in case of cancellation.
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4.
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Who won a
Professional Photographer of the Year title in the 7th National Photography
Awards?
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Answer: Option C
Explanation:
Union Minister
of State (IC) for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs &
Sports Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore presented the 7th National Photography
Awards in a function organized at National Media Centre in New Delhi. The
theme for the Professional category was "Women led Development",
while the theme for Amateur category was "Fairs and Festivals of
India". Shri SL Shanth Kumar conferred with the title Professional
Photographer of the Year. Shri Ashok Dilwali for Lifetime Achievement Award
& Shri Gurdeep Dhiman for Amateur Photographer of the Year. A total of 13
awards were given comprising of one Lifetime Achievement Award with cash
prize of Rs.3,00,000; one award each in Professional Photographer of the Year
category and Amateur Photographer of the Year category with cash prize of
Rs.1,00,000 and Rs.75,000 respectively; and 5 Special Mention Awards in both
Professional and Amateur categories with cash prize of Rs.50,000/- and
Rs.30,000/- each respectively.
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5.
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Sandeep Mohan
Bhatnagar and Ashok Kumar Pandey was appointed as the members of this
organisation, recently.
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Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Central Board of
Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) appointed 2 senior Indian Revenue Service
(IRS) officers, Sandeep Mohan Bhatnagar and Ashok Kumar Pandey as its
members. Ashok Kumar Pandey is a 1983-batch Indian Revenue Service (Customs
and Central Excise) officer and Sandeep Mohan Bhatnagar is a 1984-batch IRS
officer.
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6.
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Which company
launched a new micro insurance plan Micro Bachat?
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Answer: Option C
Explanation:
A new
microinsurance plan 'Micro Bachat' was launched by the Life Insurance
Corporation (LIC) of India. It provides coverage of up to 2 lakhs and is the
first micro-insurance plan to do so. It provides both protection and savings
and is a regular premium, non-linked, participating endowment microinsurance
plan. In case a policyholder dies, this plan would provide financial
assistance to the family. For surviving policyholders, a lump sum amount at
the time of maturity shall be provided It can be availed only by standard
healthy citizens in the age group of 18-55 years without undergoing any
medical examination.
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7.
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The Finane
Minister of this state presented the Rs 1,58,493 crore state budget for FY
2019-20.
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Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Punjab State
budget of Rs. 48,663.90 crore was presented by Finance Minister Prakash Pant
who described it as a balanced budget by prioritising education, health,
agriculture, employment generation in rural areas, infrastructure, housing
and urban development. It is said to be a surplus budget with the total
expenditure for the Financial Year 2019-20 standing around 48,663.90 crore
and total earnings for the period around Rs 48,679.43 crore. Interest-free
loans of up to Rs 1 lakh shall be provided to poor and small farmers.
Interest-free loans amounting to Rs 5 lakh shall be given to self-help groups
involved in agro-related activities. Rs 1,341 crore have been allocated to
agriculture and horticulture in the budget while Rs 3,141.34 crore have been
allocated to rural development and Panchayati Raj department. Rs 2,545.40
crore have been allocated for medical health, family welfare and medical
education while Rs 1,073 crore for the education sector.
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8.
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Which union
minister launched an initiatve SWAYATT to promote Start-ups, Women and Youth
Advantage Through eTransactions on Government e Marketplace (GeM) in New
Delhi?
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Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Union Minister
of Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu, launched
SWAYATT in New Delhi. SWAYATT is an initiative to promote Start-ups, Women
and Youth Advantage Through eTransactions on Government e Marketplace (GeM).
This will bring together the key stakeholders within the Indian
entrepreneurial ecosystem to Government e-Marketplace the national
procurement portal. On this occasion, Commerce Minister also dedicated GeM
Start-up Runway-an initiative of GeM in association with Start-up India to
facilitate Start-ups registered with Start-up India to access the public
procurement market and sell innovative products and services to government
buyers.
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9.
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Who is the
author of Banned Punjabi Poem 'Khooni Vaisakhi' on the Jallianwala Bagh
Massacre to be published in English after 99 years?
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Answer: Option C
Explanation:
The banned
Punjabi poem 'Khooni Vaisakhi' on the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre which was
written by Punjabi writer Nanak Singh in 1919, will be published next month
by Harper Collins in English. The poem was presented at Jallianwala Bagh on
13th April, 1919 by Nanak Singh also known as 'Father of Punjabi Novels' But
this poem was banned by the British after its publication in 1920 as this
poem was a blasting critique of the British. After so many years, this poem
was rediscovered and was translated to English by Navdeep Suri. To mark the
centenary of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, this poem will be published by
Harper Collins.
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10.
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Which country
unveiled its semi-heavy submarine named "Fateh" recently?
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Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Iran's President
Hassan Rouhani unveiled the first Iranian made semi-heavy submarine named
"Fateh" ("Conqueror" in Persian), capable of being fitted
with missiles. It has subsurface-to-surface missiles with a range of about
2,000 km (1,250 miles) and is capable of reaching Israel and U.S. military
bases in the region. A homegrown defence industry has been developed by Iran,
since 1992, which produces light and heavy weapons ranging from mortars and
torpedoes to tanks and submarines.
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11.
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India and this
country signed an MoU on the Reciprocal facilitation of procedures for issue
of Business Visa.
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Answer: Option A
Explanation:
The Union
Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi apporoved some important
cabinets on 20th Feb, 2019. It includes MoU between India and Morocco on the
Reciprocal facilitation of procedures for issue of Business Visa and also to
Facilitate Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications. Agreement on
Proposed Participation of India in PISA. Implementation of the "National
Rural Economic Transformation Project under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana -
National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). Creation of one post of
Secretary and one post of Joint Secretary in the newly created Department of
Fisheries.
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12.
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The Prime
Minister, Narendra Modi unveiled development projects worth Rs. 3350 crores
for which of the following city?
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Answer: Option C
Explanation:
The Prime
Minister, Narendra Modi unveiled development projects worth Rs. 3350 crores
for Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. These projects pertain to various sectors of
Health, Sanitation, Smart City, Connectivity, Power, Housing and others. PM
distributed certificates to the beneficiaries of various schemes. He released
commemorative postage stamp on completion of 100 Years of IIT BHU. He also
inaugurated BHU Cancer Centre and Bhabha Cancer Hospital, Lahartara.
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13.
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Name the
American military veteran and novelist who passed away recently.
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Answer: Option B
Explanation:
American
military veteran and novelist, William E. Butterworth III, better known as
W.E.B. Griffin passed away at the age of 89. He joined the army at the age of
17 and has served in the Korean War. He wrote more than 200 books under the
pen name W.E.B. Griffin and various other names and sold millions of copies.
His most popular series include "Badge of Honor", "Clandestine
Operations" and "Presidential Agent".
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14.
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India's First
Hi-Tech Forensic Lab NCFL and CyPAD inagurated in __________.
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Answer: Option C
Explanation:
Cyber Prevention
Awareness and Detection (CyPAD) Centre and the National Cyber Forensic Lab
(NCFL) were inaugurated by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and LG Anil
Baijal in Dwarka, New Delhi. To spread awareness among school students and
teachers, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has started a popular Twitter
handle @CyberDost.
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15.
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Which country
recently submits formal bid to host 2032 Olympics?
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Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Muliaman Hadad,
Indonesia's ambassador to Switzerland, submitted a formal bid letter from
President Joko Widodo to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in
Lausanne. If Indonesia wins the opportunity to host the summer Olympics 2032,
it would become the fourth Asian country to do so, after Japan, South Korea
and China India has also expressed an interest in hosting the 2032 games
while North and South Korea announced that they might enter a joint bid. The
IOC will announce the 2032 host by 2025. The next Olympics will be in 2020 in
Tokyo, while Paris will host it in 2024 and Los Angeles in 2028.
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16.
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India's first
drainage-cleaning robot Bandicoot was introduced in __________, Tamil Nadu.
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Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Bandicoot, a
drainage-cleaning robot, has been introduced for the first time in India at
the Kumbakonam city corporation as part of efforts to rid of manual
scavenging at the cost of Rs 18 lakh in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is a
semi-automatic robot can enter manholes for cleaning sewage lines with its
robotic arm and is equipped with 5 night-vision cameras to relay the scenario
underneath. Drainage cleaning could be detected by viewing the blockages on
the screen.
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17.
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Who among the
following becomes first woman president of Astronomical Society of India?
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Answer: Option A
Explanation:
The Astronomical
Society of India will be presided over by a woman, GC Anupama for the first
time in its history. She will succeed RK Tyagi and has been elected to this
post for a tenure of 3 years. She currently holds the position of dean and
senior professor at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore.
She is a part of the team involved in the 'Thirty Meter Telescope' (TMT)
project in Hawaii.
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18.
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Who launched a
pan-India number: 112 for Women Safety along with Minister for Women and
Child Development Maneka Gandhi?
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Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Home Minister
Rajnath Singh and Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi
launched a range of citizen safety initiatives in New Delhi. It includes the
Emergency Response Support System, ERSS, for women safety in 16 states and
Union territories. The service has already been launched in Himachal Pradesh
and Nagaland. Persons in distress can dial a pan-India number: 112. Under
this system, all the states have to set up a dedicated Emergency Response
Centre, ERC. A citizen may Press the power button on a smartphone thrice
quickly to activate a panic call to ERC. In case of a feature phone, long
press on number 5 or 9 on the phone keypad will activate the panic call.
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19.
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AntBot is the
first walking robot to have navigational capabilities without GPS or mapping.
Who designed it?
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Answer: Option B
Explanation:
AntBot is the
first walking robot to have navigational capabilities without GPS or mapping.
It has been designed by French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)
and Aix-Marseille University researchers at ISM, on lines similar to desert
ants who use polarised lights and UV radiation to navigate in space. It
consists of an optical compass which determines its movements by the help of
a polarised light. An optical movement sensor directed to the sun is used to
measure the distance covered. It provides a precision of up to 1 cm after
covering a total distance of 14 metres. It has six feet to enhance mobility
and facilitate movements in complex environments. Celestial compass is used
to measure its heading with precision by cloudy or clear weather.
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20.
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Which of the
following company signed a deal of USD 1.5 billion to buy US crude oil?
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Answer: Option C
Explanation:
Indian Oil
Corporation(IOC), has signed its very first annual deal to buy U.S. crude
oil, paying USD 1.5 billion for 60,000 barrels a day beginning April 2019 to
March 2020 to diversify its crude sources. IOCL is the first Indian state
refiner to buy U.S. oil under an annual contract, in a deal that will also
help boost trade between New Delhi and Washington.
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