Important G.K. & Current Affairs Questions – 8th February 2019

Correct Answer – B. Finland

Explanation: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the MoU between India and Finland for collaborating based on mutual interest in the field of Biotechnology, for funding and implementing ambitious industry-led innovative and transnational projects within the broad scope of research development and innovation.

Correct Answer – D. Punjab

Explanation: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh recently announced setting up a high-powered committee to boost dairy sector for supplementing farmers’ income in a result-oriented manner. During a meeting to review the progress of various development projects and schemes related to animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries, the chief minister asked additional chief secretary of animal husbandry department to complete the formalities for setting up the committee, an official statement said. The committee will consist of the Chairman of the State Farmers Commission, Director Animal Husbandry, Director Dairy.

Correct Answer – B. Namibia, Panama

Explanation: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal for an MoU between India and the the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) and with Electoral Tribunal of Panama (ETP) on cooperation in the field of electoral management and administration. This MoU contains standard articles/clauses which broadly express promotion of cooperation in the field of electoral management and administration including promotion of exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of organizational and technical development of electoral process; support in exchanging information, institutional strengthening and capacity building, training of personnel, holding regular consultations etc.

Correct Answer – B. New Delhi

Explanation: On the fifth of February, 2019, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for petroleum and natural gas, inaugurated the WLPGA 2019 Asia LPG summit. The two-day event will be focusing on ‘LPG – Energy for Life.’ Estimated to be attended by more than 1000 delegates from over 20 countries, all together deliberating over a series of subjects including how India’s successful Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana can become a viable model for other countries to replicate, particularly those striving to provide clean cooking fuel to its people. The Ujjwala Yojana has been successfully providing a clean, smoke-free fuel to all corners of India and bring down indoor pollution levels by a huge extent. This statement can be proved by the fact that LPG coverage has gone up from 55% in 2014 to 90% now.

Correct Answer – A. Boeing 747-200

Explanation: Four years after Air India’s first-ever flight simulator, Boeing 747-200, was gifted to the Nehru Science Centre, Worli, it has been made accessible to the public. Visitors, mainly children, can now see what a flight cockpit looks like from up close. The simulator, when it was acquired by Air India, was technologically the most advanced flight crew training aid. It was designed and manufactured by Canadian Aviation Electronics and precisely replicated every aircraft function.

Correct Answer – A. Pradeep Singh Kharola 

Explanation: Air India chief Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed Civil Aviation secretary as part of a minor top-level bureaucratic reshuffle, according to an official order. Mr Kharola, a 1985-batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, was in November 2017 named the chairman and managing director of Air India Ltd. He took over the reins of the debt-ridden national carrier on January 9, last year. He has been appointed in the Civil Aviation Ministry in place of Rajiv Nayan Choubey, who superannuated on January 31. Mr Choubey has taken over as member in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), that conducts civil services examination to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.

Correct Answer – B. 25

Explanation: The RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee has reduced repo rate reduced by 25 basis points to 6.25 from 6.5 per cent. The apex bank panel has reduced the key interest rate on expectation of inflation staying within its target range, which is a good news for people as they would eventually have to pay lower monthly installments for home and other loans. The reverse repo rate stands adjusted to 6.0 per cent, and the marginal standing facility rate and the bank rate has been kept 6.5 per cent. The MPC has also decided to change the monetary policy stance from ‘calibrated tightening’ to ‘neutral’.

Correct Answer – B. India

Explanation: The government’s push to provide clean cooking fuel to every household has turned India into the world’s second largest LPG consumer whose demand is projected to rise 34 per cent by 2025, Oil Secretary M M Kutty said. The government, he said, has taken a number of initiatives to promote usage of LPG across the country especially in rural households which otherwise depend on traditional fuels that are hazardous to health and polluting in nature.

Correct Answer – D. Maharashtra

Explanation: The Maharashtra government has set up a committee to review various schemes being implemented for the welfare of tribals in the state. The 17-member committee, headed by former MLA and Shramjeevi Sanghatna president Vivek Pandit, will undertake study of various works done for providing employment opportunities, minimum wages and proper livelihood to tribals, as per a recent government order.

Correct Answer  – B. GSAT-31

Explanation: India’s telecommunication satellite, GSAT-31 was successfully launched on February 06, 2019 from Kourou launch base, French Guiana by Ariane-5 VA-247. GSAT-31 is configured on ISRO’s enhanced I-2K Bus, utilising the maximum bus capabilities of this type. This satellite will augment the Ku-band transponder capacity in Geostationary Orbit.Weighing about 2536 kg, GSAT-31 will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites. The satellite derives its heritage from ISRO’s earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series. The satellite provides Indian mainland and island coverage.