Important G.K. & Current Affairs Questions – 20th January 2019

Correct Answer – D. Palestine

Explanation: The Group of 77 (G77) – the largest single coalition of developing countries at the UN – is to be chaired by Palestine, come January. “It’s a historical first, both for Palestine and the G77,” an Asian diplomat told IPS, pointing out that Palestine will be politically empowered to collectively represent 134 UN member states, including China. Created in June 1964, the 54-year-old group comprises over 80% of the world’s population and approximately two-thirds of UN membership

Correct Answer – D. Nashik

Explanation: Nashik in Maharashtra will be the site of the country’s second defence innovation hub after Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said. He was speaking at a defence industry stakeholders meeting on January 17 in Ojhar town here. He said the defence innovation hub at Nashik will help local industries and entrepreneurs and further the Centre’s Make in India push in the country’s defence sector.

Correct Answer – C. Gujarat

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday inaugurated the Armoured Systems Complex of Larsen and Toubro in Gujarat, the first private facility in the country where the K9 Vajra self-propelled Howitzer guns will be manufactured. L&T had in 2017 won the Rs 4,500-crore contract from the Ministry of Defence to supply 100 units of K9 Vajra-T 155 mm/52 calibre tracked self-propelled gun systems to the Indian Army under the Centre’s ”Make in India” initiative.

Correct Answer – B. Rakesh Asthana

Explanation: A day after the government curtailed his tenure at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as Special Director, Rakesh Asthana, who had a bitter fight with ousted agency chief Alok Verma, was on Friday appointed as the new Director General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). An official notification said the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had approved the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as Director General, BCAS by temporarily upgrading the post of Director General, BCAS to that of DG level, on a personal basis, for a period of two years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Correct Answer – C. Saudi Arabia

Explanation: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is an international organization founded in 1969, consisting of 57 member states, with a collective population of over 1.8 billion as of 2015 with 53 countries being Muslim Majority countries. The organisation states that it is “the collective voice of the Muslim world” and works to “safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony”.

Correct Answer – B. Twitter

Explanation: Seeking to educate the general public about the budgetary process, the finance ministry on Tuesday started a series on Twitter providing definitions of various terms used in the budget. The ‘Know Your Budget’ series, which explains the importance of Union Budget and its making, would continue for about a fortnight.

Correct Answer – B. Uttar Pradesh

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh became the third state to implement 10 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutions for the economically backward in the general category after the state government approved the decision. The approval came through during a cabinet meeting here. Earlier, the state governments of Gujarat and Jharkhand had announced their decision to implementation 10% reservation.

Correct Answer – E. None of these

Explanation:National Pharmacist Day is observed annually on January 12.  This day has been set aside to recognize and honor all pharmacists across the nation. The role of pharmacists over the years has shifted from the classical “lick, stick and pour” dispensary role to being an integrated member of the health care team directly involved in patient care. After mastering biochemical mechanisms of action of drugs, physiology, and pathophysiology, pharmacists interpret and communicate their specialized knowledge to patients, physicians, and other healthcare providers

Correct Answer – C. Vietnam

Explanation: The Union Minister for Tourism, K. J. Alphons attended the Seventh Meeting of Tourism Ministers of ASEAN and India held in Ha Long City, Viet Nam. K J Alphons co-chaired the Tourism Ministers’ meeting with the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Viet Nam, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thien. The Ministers’ meeting noted the strengthened tourism performance of ASEAN and India in 2018 with preliminary numbers of  139.5 million tourist arrivals to ASEAN and India in the year with an increase of 7.4 per cent as compared to the previous year.During the meeting, the Ministers welcomed the decisions of the ASEAN-India Informal Breakfast Summit held on 15 November 2018 in Singapore.

Correct Answer  – D. Iceland

Explanation: Women’s rights have always been an issue of concern all over the world. Both in the personal and professional spaces, the debate on gender equality is almost never ending. However, Iceland has stepped up for equality and has become the first country in the world to legalise equal pay. According to a law passed by the parliament, all companies, both private and public, need to prove that their wage practices don’t discriminate against women. The only difference in wages that may exist, should be on the basis of education, output, and skills.