Current Affairs Quiz: January 31, 2020

1. India launched which operation to extend support to the cyclone flood-hit nation of Madagascar?
   A)vanilla
   B)Astra
   C)butter
   D)Surya
   
   
   

   
   Option A
   Explanation: Extending support to the cyclone flood-hit nation of Madagascar, the Indian Navy deployed its amphibious ship, INS Airavat, to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief mission as part of ‘Operation Vanilla’

   
   
2. The World’s largest meditation centre opened in which city?
   A)Chennai
   B)Mumbai
   C)Kolkata
   D)Hyderabad
   
   
   

   
   Option D
   Explanation: To mark the 75th anniversary of the formation of Shri Ram Chandra Mission and Heartfulness Institute, unveiled the meditation centre slated to be the world’s largest in Hyderabad, Telangana.

   
   
3. Recently the Supreme Court allowed the centre to introduce which animal to suitable habitat inindia?
   A)African Cheetah
   B)polar Beer
   C)Snow Leopard
   D)Asian Lion
   
   
   

   
   Option A
   Explanation: The Supreme Court allowed the Centre to introduce the African cheetah to a suitable habitat in India.

   
   
4. The Country’s 1st and biggest ‘walk-through’ aviary inaugurated at which state zoo?
   A)Assam
   B)Maharashtra
   C)Bihar
   D)Uttar Pradesh
   
   
   

   
   Option B
   Explanation: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated the country’s first and biggest ‘walk-through’ aviary at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan and Zoo in Maharashtra, as part of the Republic Day festivities,.

   
   
5. Which country unveils new 50 pence coin to mark its departure from EU?
   A)Slovakia
   B)France
   C)Russia
   D)British
   
   
   

   
   Option D
   Explanation: The British government unveiled a new 50 pence coin to mark the country’s departure from the European Union.

   
   
6. Which country has launched 4 million pound (about Rs 37 crore) fund in India to support collaborative research into emerging technologies.?
   A)China
   B)Russia
   C)France
   D)UK
   
   
   

   
   Option D
   Explanation: The UK government has launched 4 million pound (about Rs 37 crore) fund in India to support collaborative research into emerging technologies. Innovation Challenge Fund will encourage industry and academia to collaborate and develop tech solutions for social, economic and environmental challenges in India.

   
   
7. As per World Steel Association, India’s crude steel production rose by how much percent in 2019?
   A)1.9%
   B)1.5%
   C)1.8%
   D)1.6%
   
   
   

   
   Option C
   Explanation: Brussels-based World Steel Association said India’s crude steel production went up to 111.2 million tonne (mt) in 2019, showing a 1.8 per cent rise over 2018, as Asian steel producers emerged as key drivers behind a 3.4 per cent surge in global crude steel output to 1.86 billion tonne during the year.

   
   
8. Recently which country has appointed NTPC as its project management consultant (PMC) for about 300 MW of solar power projects?
   A)Togo
   B)Ukraine
   C)Congo
   D)Zimbabwe
   
   
   

   
   Option A
   Explanation: The Power Ministry announced that West African country Togo has appointed power giant NTPC as its project management consultant (PMC) for about 300 MW of solar power projects in the West African nation.

   
   
9. the 71st Strandja International Boxing Tournament is being held in which country?
   A)Hungary
   B)Finland
   C)Bulgaria
   D)Ukraine
   
   
   

   
   Option C
   Explanation: Commonwealth Games medallist Indian boxer Mohammed Hussamuddin claimed silver medal at the 71st Strandja International Boxing Tournament after going down fighting in the final against Francesco Maietta in Sofia, Bulgaria.

   
   
10. Recently NewZealand Todd Astle announced his retirement from which sports?
    A)Football
    B)Tennis
    C)Cricket
    D)Basketball
    
    
    

    
    Option C
    Explanation: New Zealand leg-spinner Todd Astle has announced his retirement from first-class cricket to focus on the limited-overs formats, ruling him out of the upcoming two-match unofficial Test series against India

    
    
11. India to host Barca Academy Cup – Asia Pacific 2020 in which city?
    A)Gurugram
    B)Noida
    C)Kolkata
    D)Lucknow
    
    
    

    
    Option A
    Explanation: Over 650 aspiring footballers from seven countries will take part in the Barca Academy Cup – Asia Pacific, scheduled to be held in Gurgaon from January 30 to February 2.

    
    
12. Who has been appointed as India’s Ambassador to the US?
    A)NS Swami
    B)Vikas Singroul
    C)Taranjit Singh Sandhu
    D)Harsh Vardhan Shringla
    
    
    

    
    Option C
    Explanation: Seasoned diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu has been appointed as India’s Ambassador to the US, replacing Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

    
    
13. Recently Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani has been sworn PM of which country?
    A)Zimbabwe
    B)Ukraine
    C)south Sudan
    D)Qatar
    
    
    

    
    Option D
    Explanation: Qatar appointed a new Prime Minister replacing Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani.

    
    
14. Who was conferred with the honorary D Litt by his alma mater Calcutta University at its annual convocation?
    A)Abhijeet Banerjee
    B)Elsa Lobey
    C)Arundhati Acharya
    D)Arun Chakraborty
    
    
    

    
    Option A
    Explanation: Nobel laureate Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee was conferred with the honorary D Litt by his alma mater Calcutta University at its annual convocation.

    
    
15. Who was awarded Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, recognizing his groundbreaking ‘green economy’ work?
    A)Pawan Sukhdev
    B)Shreya Singh
    C)Gulab Nabi
    D)Shailendra Awasthi
    
    
    

    
    Option A
    Explanation: Renowned environmental economist and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador Pavan Sukhdev was awarded Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, recognizing his groundbreaking ‘green economy’ work.

    
    
16. Who receives the prestigious French honour of ‘Chevalier dans lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) for her outstanding contribution to the field of theatre?
    A)Nikesh Shah
    B)Sanjana Kapoor
    C)Dia Mirza
    D)Deepika Padukone
    
    
    

    
    Option B
    Explanation: Well-known theatre person Sanjana Kapoor receives the prestigious French honour of ‘Chevalier dans lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) for her outstanding contribution to the field of theatre in New Delhi from French Minister of Culture Franck Riester.

    
    
17. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has commissioned a high-speed interceptor boat C-448 in which city?
    A)Bengaluru
    B)Vadodara
    C)Mangaluru
    D)Ahmedabad
    
    
    

    
    Option C
    Explanation: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has commissioned a high-speed interceptor boat C-448 in Mangaluru, Karnataka. This interceptor boat built by L&T (Larsen & Toubro) shipyard will have a crew of 12 personnel commanded by Assistant Commandant Apoorva Sharma.

    
    
18. Researchers from which institute have developed a novel delivery system based on essential oils in the treatment of diseases caused by fungi?
    A)IIT Hyderabad
    B)IIT Kanpur
    C)IIT Delhi
    D)IISc Bengaluru
    
    
    

    
    Option A
    Explanation: Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H), have developed a novel delivery system based on essential oils in the treatment of diseases caused by fungi.

    
    
19. Recently Dr Jitendra Singh launched ISRO’s Bhuvan Panchayat V 3.0 Web portal in which city?
    A)Lucknow
    B)Pune
    C)Bengaluru
    D)Mumbai
    
    
    

    
    Option C
    Explanation: The Union Minister of State (I/C) Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh launched the Bhuvan Panchayat V 3.0 web portal in Bengaluru.

    
    
20. Recently how many more wetlands from india declared as Ramsar sites?
    A)15
    B)5
    C)10
    D)20
    
    
    

    
    Option C
    Explanation: In a major recognition towards Government of India’s effort towards conservation, restoration and rejuvenation of its wetlands, Ramsar has declared 10 more wetland sites from India as sites of international importance.

    
    
21. recently Abdul Gafoor passed away.He was related to which field?
    A)Journalism
    B)Politics
    C)Sports
    D)Author
    
    
    

    
    Option B
    Explanation: Former Bihar Minister and RJD MLA Abdul Gafoor died at a hospital in New Delhi. He was 60.Gafoor, who represents Mahishi assembly constituency in Bihar Assembly.

    
    
22. Recently Jameela Malik passed away.She was associated with which field?
    A)Poet
    B)Actress
    C)Film Director
    D)Sports
    
    
    

    
    Option B
    Explanation: Veteran South actress Jameela Malik, who has acted in Malayalam and Tamil films in the 1970s and 1980s, passed away in Thiruvananthapuram. She was 83.

    
    
STATIC GK BASED ON CURRENT AFFAIRS
23. What is the currency of Qatar?
    A)Euro
    B)Riyal
    C)Rial
    D)Dinar
    
    
    

    
    Option C
    

    
    
24. What is the capital of NewZealand?
    A)Wellington
    B)NewYork
    C)Hamilton
    D)Paris
    
    
    

    
    Option A
    

    
    
25. Where is the HQ of National Thermal Power Corporation?
    A)Mumbai
    B)Pune
    C)NewDelhi
    D)Chennai
    
    
    

    
    Option C