Current Affairs in English : 1 February to 10 February 2019

1 February to 10 February 2019: The Current Affairs section of QuickMySupport to help every competitive exam aspirant to revise at ease. The update questions cover the topics such as new PM KIsan Yojana, 2019 Bharat Ratna award and Padma Awards,Budget 2019, World Cancer Day,new FDI norms for the e-commerce sector, Gaganyaan mission Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty,Trump- Kim Summit, India’s 40th communication satellite, new train project,30th member of the US-led NATO, Union Cabinet approvals, Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog,Sixth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2018-19, India’s rank in the 2019 International Intellectual Property, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana among others.

1. Which Kisan yojana was launched recently by the Union Government in the presentation of Budget 2019?

ANS: Pradhan mantri kisan samman nidhi

To provide assured income to small and margiunal farmers, the Government has introduced a historic yojana- Pradhan mantra kisan samman nidhi. Under the yojana, the vulnerable farmers, who own around 2 hectares of land, will get direct income support of Rs 6000 per year.

2. Who was conferred with the 2019 Bharat Ratna award, country’s highest civilian honour?

ANS: Pranab Mukherjee

The President, Ram Nath Kovind on January 25, 2019 conferred the 2019 Bharat Ratna Award, country’s highest civilian honour, on former president and Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee. The award was also conferred on RSS ideologue Nanaji Deshmukh and singer Bhupen Hazarika, both posthumously.

3. Who among the following has been selected for Padam Shri 2019?
ANS: Gautam Gambhir

The Padma Awards 2019, one of the highest civilian awards of India, were announced on January 25, 2019 on the occasion of Republic Day eve. Gautam Gambhir, Prabhu Deva, and Late Kader Khan are among the Padma Shri awardees this year.

 

4. Which word was declared as the ‘Hindi Word of the Year 2018’ by the Oxford Dictionary?

ANS: Nari Shakti

Nari Shakti (women empowerment) was declared as the 2018 Hindi word of the year by Oxford Dictionary after the word attracted a great deal of attention the past year. Derived from Sanskrit language, ‘Nari’ means ‘women’ and ‘Shakti’ means ‘power.’

5. Which train was recently named as the ‘Vande Bharat Express’ by the Railways Ministry?

ANS: Train 18

The Union Minister of Railways and Coal, Piyush Goyal on January 27, 2019 named India’s first engineless train, ‘Train 18’ as the Vande Bharat Express, acknowledging its made-in-India status. The train was manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in the period of 18 months under the ‘Make in India’ initiative of PM Narendra Modi.

6. India ranked at which position on the Corruption Perceptions Index 2018?

ANS: 78th

India improved its ranking on the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by three points and moved to 78th position with a score of 41. India ranked at 81st place on the Corruption Perceptions Index 2017. In the list of 180 countries, China and Pakistan lagged far behind India at 87th and 117th position, respectively.

7. Which country has signed an agreement with OECD for participation in PISA 2021?

ANS: India

The Union Human Resources Development Ministry has signed an agreement with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development for India’s Participation in Programme for International Student Assessment- PISA 2021.

8. As per the revised GST norms, the GST on Haj has been reduced from 18 per cent to how much?

ANS: 5 percent

The Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi announced on January 28, 2019 that the GST on Haj has been reduced from 18 per cent to 5 per cent. The move will significantly lower the air fare thus saving Haj pilgrims’ Rs 113 crore this year.

9. Which country recently declared sugarcane juice as ‘national drink’?

ANS: Pakistan

Pakistan recently declared sugarcane juice as the ‘national drink’ of the country. The announcement came after the government conducted a Twitter poll where people were asked to decide on the country’s national drink with two other options of orange and carrot besides sugarcane.

10. Suman Kumari recently became the first Hindu woman to be appointed as a civil judge of which neighbouring country?

ANS: Pakistan

Suman Kumari has become the first Hindu woman in Pakistan to be appointed as a civil judge. She hails from Qambar-Shahdadkot, and will serve in her native district.

11. The ICC has suspended which Indian bowler from bowling in International Cricket?

ANS: Ambati Rayudu

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Indian national bowler Ambati Rayudu from bowling in International Cricket, after having found his bowling action to be illegal. Rayudu had been reported for suspect bowling action during the first of the three-match ODI series between India and Australia in Sydney, which India won 2-1. The suspension will remain in place until he is tested and can demonstrate he is able to bowl with a legal action.

12. Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on January 29, 2019 approved the construction of a four-lane Ganga Expressway connecting which city to Western Utter Pradesh?

ANS: Prayagraj

Uttar Pradesh State Cabinet on January 29, 2019 approved the construction of a four-lane Ganga Expressway connecting Prayagraj to Western Utter Pradesh. Ganga Expressway will provide better connectivity to Prayagraj. Once completed, it would be longest expressway in the world.

13. The Budget 2019 allocates how much amount of capital support for the Indian Railways in 2019-20?
ANS: Rs 64,587 crore

The capital support from the budget for railways is proposed at Rs 64,587 crore in 2019-20. The railways’ overall capital expenditure programme is of Rs 1,58, 658 crore.

14. Which region of Jammu & Kashmir got connected to the National Grid on February 3, 2019?

ANS: Ladakh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 3, 2019 dedicated the 220 kV Srinagar- Alusteng – Drass- Kargil – Leh Transmission System to the nation, a step that would ensure quality power supply to Ladakh round the year. With this, Ladakh now stands connected to the National Grid.

15. When the World Cancer Day is celebrated every year?

ANS: 4 February

The World Cancer Day 2019 was observed across the world on February 4, 2019 with an aim to unite the world’s population in the fight against cancer. Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, and was responsible for 9.6 million deaths in 2018.

16. A new High Court for Andhra Pradesh will be built in which of the following state’s city?

ANS: Amravati

The Andhra Pradesh High Court’s new building at Amaravati was inaugurated by the Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi. The two-storied building is located at Nelapadu in Amaravati region and has 16 court halls and the building costing Rs 150 Crore houses a 2.70 lakh square feet office space.

17. Germany, France and the United Kingdom have officially set up a payment channel called INSTEX with which country?

ANS: Iran

Germany, France and the UK have officially set up a payment channel with Iran called INSTEX to help continue trade and avoid US sanctions. The long-awaited special payment system will help save the Iran nuclear deal by allowing Tehran to keep trading with EU companies despite Washington re-imposing sanctions after US President Donald Trump had quit the accord in 2018.

18. The National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to which state’s government over death of labourers?

ANS: Uttar Pradesh

The National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to Uttar Pradesh government over reported death of three labourers and injury to two others due to electrocution in Bareilly district. It has asked a detailed report in the state government within four weeks in the matter along with the relief and rehabilitation to be provided if not already provided.

19. The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution to extend sanctions against which nation?

ANS: Central African Republic

The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution to extend sanctions against the Central African Republic (CAR) for another year. Resolution 2454, adopted unanimously yesterday by the 15-member council, will renew the sanctions regime – an arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze till January 31, 2020.

20. The United States has pulled of Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty with which nation?

ANS: Russia

US President Donald Trump announced on February 1, 2019 that the United States will pull out of the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, which it had signed with Russia during the Cold War.

21. How many youth participated in the special workshop organised by the National Foundation for Communal Harmony for past victims of communal violence?

ANS: 42

The National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH) on February 4, 2019 organised a special workshop for 42 youth, who have been victims of communal violence in the past, under the Know My India Programme in Bengaluru.

22. Who has been appointed as the new CBI director on February 2?

ANS: Rishi Kumar Shukla

Rishi Kumar Shukla, 1983 batch IPS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, was on February 2, 2019 appointed as the new chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He will be serving for a fixed term of two years. He has been appointed in the place of former CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma, who was removed from the post on January 10.

23. Which organisation recently issued advisory guidelines requesting banks to waive off the processing, documentation, inspection, ledger folio charges for the Kisan Credit Card Scheme?

ANS: Indian Banking Association
The Indian Banking Association (IBA) on February 4, 2019 issued advisory guidelines requesting banks to waive off the processing, documentation, inspection, ledger folio charges and all other service charges for crop loans up to Rs 3 Lakhs or for the Kisan Credit Card Scheme.

24. How many awardees have been selected for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for the year 2017 by the Council of the Sangeet Natak Akademi?

ANS:  42
The President, Ram Nath Kovind will confer the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards for the year 2017 on February 6, 2019 at Rashtrapati Bhawan during a special investiture ceremony. The General Council of the Sangeet Natak Akademi selected 42 artists from the field of Music, Dance, Theatre, Puppetry and Overall contribution/scholarship in the Performing Arts.

25. How much rent will now be exempted from the TDS as per the Interim Budget 2019?

ANS: Rs 2.4 lakh
The Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on fixed deposits and postal deposits will be exempted for interest earned up to Rs 40,000 from Rs 10,000 currently. The rent up to Rs 2.4 lakh will be exempted from TDS.

26. Which country celebrated its 71st Independence Day on February 4, 2019?

ANS: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka celebrated its 71st Independence Day on February 4, 2019 in Colombo. Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was the guest of honour at the main function held in Colombo.

27. Which two companies together lost a market capitalisation of USD 50 billion on February 1, 2019 after the new FDI norms for the e-commerce sector came into effect in India?

ANS: Amazon and Walmart
As the shares of Amazon and Walmart lost 5 percent and 2 percent, respectively, both the companies together lost a market capitalisation of USD 50 billion on February 1, 2019. The fall in stock prices can be attributed to disruption caused in their e-commerce operations in India after introduction of the new Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms for the e-commerce sector came into effect.

28. Nayib Bukele has claimed victory in the presidential election of which nation?

ANS: Salvador
Former mayor of San Salvador, Nayib Bukele has claimed victory in the El Salvador’s presidential election. With most votes counted, the former mayor of the capital city had nearly 53 per cent of the vote with his closest rival, Carlos Calleja garnering 32 per cent votes.

29. Which nation has pardoned around 50,000 convicts on its 40th revolution anniversary?

ANS: Iran
The Iranian Judiciary Chief Amoli Larijani announced on February 4, 2019 that 50,000 convicts will receive pardons from Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

30. The Union Ministry of Coal has signed an MoU with which nation’s Ministry of Energy for cooperation in the field of coal mining?

ANS: Poland
The Union Ministry of Coal has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Energy, Republic of Poland. The key objective of the MoU is to foster relations in the field of coal mining and clean coal technologies through the already established joint coal working group as well as research institutes and academia between the two countries.

31. ISRO has set up the Human Space Flight Centre for Gaganyaan mission in which city?

ANS: Bengaluru
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on January 31, 2019 unveiled its Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) at ISRO Headquarter campus in Bengaluru, Karnataka for its maiden manned space mission ‘Gaganyaan’. The space centre shall be responsible for implementation of Gaganyaan project which involves end-to-end mission planning.

32. What is the name of the payment channel that has been set up by the EU nations to continue trade with Iran?

ANS: INSTEX
The United Kingdom along with other European nations such as Germany and France on January 31, 2019 set up a new transaction channel called ‘INSTEX’ that will allow companies to continue trading with Iran despite US sanction

33. The National Board of Wildlife recently accorded wildlife clearance for which train project in India?

ANS: Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project

The National Board of Wildlife, led by Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan, in January 2019 accorded wildlife clearance to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project (MAHSR) that passes through the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary and the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai.

34. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will hold the second summit in which country?

ANS: Vietnam

President Donald Trump announced on February 5, 2019 that he will hold the second summit with the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un in Vietnam on February 27-28, 2019 as part of his administration’s endeavours to denuclearise North Korea.

35. The ‘Church of Saint Francis’ and the ‘Mosque of Grand Imam Ahmad Al Tayeb’ will be contructed in which country?

ANS: United Arab Emirates

UAE leaders announced the construction of the “Church of Saint Francis” and ‘Mosque of Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb’ in Abu Dhabi in honour of the two religious leaders. They will serve as beacons to uphold the values of tolerance, moral integrity and human fraternity in the UAE.

36. Which state constituted a committee to review various schemes being implemented for the welfare of tribals on February 6, 2019?

ANS: Maharashtra

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 will be headed by former MLA and Shramjeevi Sanghatna president Vivek Pandit.

37. Which state recently became the first to set up a Price Monitoring and Research Unit to track the violation of prices of medical devices and essential drugs?

ANS: Kerala

Kerala became the first state to set up a Price Monitoring and Research Unit to track the violation of prices of medical devices and essential drugs. The move came more than 5 years after NPPA proposed such a system for the states and UTs.

38. Which among the following is India’s 40th communication satellite that was launched on February 5 from French Guiana?

ANS: GSAT-31

Indian Space Research Organisation’s latest communication satellite, GSAT-31 was successfully launched by Arianespace aboard its launch vehicle Ariane 5 from the spaceport in French Guiana on February 5, 2019. GSAT-31 is India’s 40th communication satellite and it will provide continuity to operational services on some of the in-orbit satellites.

39. Who among the following leaders has proposed a new missile treaty with potential to include India?

ANS: Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump has proposed a new nuclear missiles treaty that could possibly include India as he delivered the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. Some of India’s Prithvi and Agni class missiles could fall under the ambit of such a treaty.

40. Asia’s oldest captive elephant and Guinness record holder passed away on February 5, 2019. How old was she?

ANS: 88

The oldest captive elephant in Asia and Guinness record holder, 88-year old Dakshayani, passed away at a care centre in Pappanamcode on February 5, 2019. In 2016, she was conferred the “Gaja Muthassi” (elephant granny) title and entered the Guinness book of records.

41. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone for three highway projects in which state on February 6, 2019?

ANS: Odisha

The Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on February 6, 2019 laid the foundation stone for three highway projects worth over Rs 2,345 crore in Odisha. The projects will ensure better connectivity of the mineral-rich Angul and Dhenkanal districts of Odisha with the rest of the state.

42. Under Andhra Pradesh’s vote-on-account budget for 2019-20, the state government has allocated how much amount under the Market Intervention Fund for farmers?

ANS:  Rs 1000 crore

In an election eve vote-on-account budget for 2019-20, the Chandrababu Naidu government in Andhra Pradesh on February 5, 2019 announced an economic support scheme for farmers and doubled the unemployment pension to Rs 2,000. The state government also doubled the allocation to Rs 1000 crore under the Market Intervention Fund for farmers.

43. Textile Minister Smriti Irani has launched India Size project in which city?

ANS: Mumbai
The Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani launched the India Size project in Mumbai on February 6, 2019. A first-of-its-kind project in the history of the country, India Size aims to arrive at a standard Indian Size for the ready-to-wear clothing industry, on the lines of the standardised sizes available in countries such as the USA and the UK.

44. The Union Cabinet on February 6, 2019 approved MoU between India and which nation in the field of Biotechnology?

ANS: Finland
The Union Cabinet has approved the MoU between India and Finland for cooperation 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.

45. Which city hosted the 2nd National Conference of Micro Missions of National Police Mission?

ANS: New Delhi
The Bureau of Police Research and Development, BPRD will organise the 2nd National Conference of Micro Missions of National Police Mission in New Delhi on February 7, 2019. The two day Conference will discuss the issues of Skills and Competence at the grass-root level, attitudinal changes in police, gender sensitisation, harnessing technology and community policing. Former Governor of Jammu and Kashmir N. N.Vohra will inaugurate the conference.

46. Donald Trump has nominated US treasury diplomat David Malpass to head which international body?

ANS: World Bank
The US President, Donald Trump has nominated senior Treasury official David Malpass as the next chief of the World Bank. He would replace Jim Yong Kim as the president if voted by the Directors of the World Bank Group. The position of Managing Director of International Monetary Fund has gone to Europe.

47. Which nation signed an accord to become the 30th member of the US-led NATO on February 6, 2019?

ANS: Macedonia

Macedonia on February 6, 2019 signed an accord to join NATO to become the 30th member of the US-led alliance. The Macedonia-NATO accord follows a deal with Greece ending a 27-year-old dispute over Macedonia’s name. The accord must now be ratified by allied governments.

48. Which state has declared forcing women to undergo virginity test as a punishable offence?

ANS: Maharashtra
The Maharashtra government on February 6, 2019 announced that it will soon make forcing a woman to undergo virginity test a punishable offence. The demeaning custom is allegedly followed in the Kanjarbhat community among others, whereby a newly-wed woman has to prove that she was virgin prior to the marriage. Some youths from the community have launched an online campaign against it.

49. The Union Cabinet has approved how much higher power allocation to the state of Telangana?

ANS: 85 percent
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Power to allocate 85 per cent power from Telangana Super Thermal Power Project (4000MW) of NTPC Ltd to the Telangana government. The higher allocation will ensure that the central government has taken the necessary measures as enumerated in the thirteenth schedule of the AP reorganisation act.

50. According to NASA and NOAA, which year has been recorded as the fourth warmest on record?

ANS: 2018
An independent analysis by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have found that earth’s global surface temperatures in 2018 were the fourth warmest since 1880. According to scientists, global temperatures in 2018 were 0.83 degrees Celsius warmer than the 1951 to 1980 mean. Globally, 2018’s temperatures rank behind those of 2016, 2017 and 2015.

51. Which project was launched to help India arrive at a standard Indian Size for the ready-to-wear clothing industry?

ANS: India Size project
The Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani launched the India Size project in Mumbai on February 6, 2019. A first-of-its-kind project in the history of the country, India Size aims to arrive at a standard Indian Size for the ready-to-wear clothing industry, on the lines of the standardised sizes available in countries such as the USA and the UK.

52. The government has decided to set up Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog for the welfare of which animal?

ANS: Cow
The Union Government has decided to set up Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog to upscale sustainable genetic up-gradation of cow resources and to enhance production and productivity of cows. The committee would also look into implementing policies and schemes for welfare of cows. It aims to enhance the production and productivity cows.

53. Which state launched the Zero Fatality Corridor (ZFC) recently?

ANS:  Delhi
The Delhi government recently launched the ‘Zero Fatality Corridor’ (ZFC) to examine the cause for accidents and crashes on the stretch between Burari Chowk and Bhalswa chowk, located on the outer ring road. The aim of the pilot project is to reduce deaths to near zero levels on this particular stretch.

54. As per Sixth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2018-19, RBI fixed the policy Repo Rate at what percent?

ANS: 6.25
The Reserve Bank of India in its Sixth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2018-19 reduced Repo Rate by 25 basis points to 6.25 percent. RBI’s six-member Monetary Policy Committee also brought down Reverse Repo Rate to 6 percent.

55. A Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court will be established in which district of the West Bengal?

ANS: Jalpaiguri
The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of Circuit Bench of Calcutta High Court at Jalpaiguri. It will have jurisdiction over four districts namely Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar.

56. A new channel DD Arun Prabha will be launched by PM Modi to cater mainly the aspirations of people of North east region. The head office of the channel will be located in which State?

ANS: Arunachal Pradesh
The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs approved the launch of DD Arun Prabha channel for the Northeast. The head office of the channel will be in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. The channel hopes to fulfill the aspirations of the people of the northeastern region.

57. What was India’s rank in the 2019 International Intellectual Property (IP) Index?

ANS: 36th
India climbed eight places to rank 36th in the 2019 International Intellectual Property (IP) Index released by the US Chambers of Commerce. In 2018, India was ranked 44 out of 50 countries.

58. Which country tops the 2019 International Intellectual Property (IP) Index?

ANS: United States
The United States tops the list of 50 global economies with 42.66 points out of 45 in the 2019 International Intellectual Property (IP) Index, followed by the United Kingdom (42.22), Sweden (41.03) and Germany (41.00).

59. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana for the farmers, how much income support will be provided in a year?

ANS: Rs 6000
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (KISAN), the vulnerable farmers, who own around 2 hectares of land, will get direct income support of Rs 6000 per year. The income support will be transferred directly to the account of the beneficiary farmer in three equal installments of Rs 2000 each. It would be fully funded by the Government of India.

60. Which city hosted the 5th India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Committee Meeting?

ANS: New Delhi
The 5th India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Committee Meeting was held in New Delhi. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Foreign Affairs Minister of Bangladesh Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen co-chaired the meeting.

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