Best PSC / PCS / STATE PCS online Current Affairs

Current Affairs Dec-2019

Showing 101 - 120 of 263 entries

101. Who is the famous ‘Sesame Street’ puppeteer that recently passed away?

A
Caroll Spinney

B
Kevin Clash

C
Matt Vogel

D
Jerry Nelson

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Caroll Spinney]

Explaination : [Caroll Spinney, the puppeteer who brought beloved “Sesame Street” characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch to life, died. Spinney passed away at his Connecticut home after battling dystonia, a common movement disorder. He was 85. The legendary puppeteer was known for his “kind and loving view of the world,” giving two of the show’s most iconic characters the joyous (and grouchy) personalities that viewers around the world adored.]

102. Which country recently abolished rules requiring restaurants to provide separate entrances for women?

B
North Korea

C
China

D
Saudi Arabia

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Saudi Arabia]

Explaination : [Saudi Arabia has abolished its age-old rule that mandated separate entrances and seating areas for men and women. The gulf nation’s Municipal and Rural Affairs Ministry lifted the ban through a twitter announcement. Earlier, all restaurants in Saudi Arabia were required to have one entrance for women and families and another entrance for men dining on their own. Unrelated men and women were barred for decades from mixing in public places. This was decreed by the strict social rules put in place decades ago by the hardline clerics.]

103. A MoU has been signed between NSIC and Aramco for the development of MSME Ecosystem in India in Oil & Gas Sector. Aramco belongs to which country?

B
Saudi Arab

C
Russia

D
Israel

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Saudi Arab]

Explaination : [A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and Saudi Aramco (Asia) for the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Ecosystem in India in Oil & Gas Sector. The MoU will pave a way for accredited Indian MSMEs to carve out a space as vendors in Global space. Saudi Aramco: It is a Saudi Arabian national petroleum and natural gas company based in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It is world’s largest Oil & Gas Company and is one of the largest companies in world by revenue. ]

104. International Mountain Day is observed on which date?

A
December 11

B
December 8

C
December 9

D
December 10

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [December 10]

Explaination : [International Mountain Day is observed on 11 December. The day aims to raise awareness about conserving the mountains. A report says that 15% of the world’s population lives in the mountains. It is necessary to conserve the mountains. Mountain conservation is a crucial factor for sustainable development Goal 15 (SDG-15). The theme of the 2019 International Mountain Day is Mountains Matter for Youth.]

105. How many ‘Must See Monuments’ have been identified by Archaeological Survey of India?

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [138]

Explaination : [Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has identified 138 monuments as ‘Must See Monuments’. This information has been made available on ‘Must See’ portal of ASI. There are 38 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, which includes 30 cultural sites, 7 natural sites and 1 mixed-criteria site. India has the 6th largest number of sites in the world. Out of 38, the 22 cultural sites including monuments, buildings and caves are under the protection of ASI. Therefore, the ‘Must See’ list features outstanding Indian monuments and archaeological sites, under the protection of ASI, including those that feature on World Heritage List of UNESCO.]

106. National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has selected which Bollywood actor as its brand ambassador?

A
Akshay Kumar

B
Salman Khan

C
Suniel Shetty

D
Imran Hasmi

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Suniel Shetty]

Explaination : [National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), India’s anti-doping body has selected Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty as its brand ambassador. NADA hopes that his celebrity status would help its efforts to clean up sports in the country from the menace.]

107. Which rank has been achieved by India in the Climate Change Performance Index?

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [9]

Explaination : [India has ranked 9th in the high category of 2019 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) presented on 10 December at the COP25 climate summit in Madrid, Spain. This is the first time India has ranked among the top 10 among the list. The current levels of per capita emissions and energy used in India are still comparatively low for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy use categories. The report suggest the Indian government to develop a roadmap for the phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies that would consequently reduce the country’s high dependence on coal.]

108. ‘Iron Union 12’, a joint military exercise of USA with which other country?

A
India

B
China

C
Iran

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [UAE]

Explaination : [‘Iron Union 12’, a joint military exercise between ground forces of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States, commenced on 10 December 2019 in presence of UAE Commander of Land Forces Major General Saleh Mohamed Saleh Al Amiri and Commander of US Army Central (USARCENT) Lieutenant General Terry Ferrell. It is aimed at enhancing combat efficiency and tactical expertise between two countries.]

109. The first fully electronic flight in the world recently took off from which country?

B
Russia

C
Canada

D
Netherlands

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Canada]

Explaination : [The first fully electronic flight in the world completed its test flight successfully on December 10, 2019. The flight is to operate from Vancouver, Canada to the nearby islands.The zero emission completely electronic flight proved that all-electric commercial aviation is possible. The electrical aircraft designed was a 6-seater seaplane that was retrofitted with an electric motor. The first flight lasted for 15 minutes. The electrical flight was designed by the company Harbor Air. India also promotes and incentivizes the use of electric vehicles.]

110. Which country has topped the medal tally of 13th South Asian Games-2019?

A
China

B
Nepal

C
India

D
Japan

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [India]

Explaination : [South Asian Games 2019 concluded on 10 December,2019 in Nepal, with India finishing on top with a best-ever medal haul of 312 medals comprising of 174 gold, 93 silver and 45 bronze. Host Nepal remained second and Sri Lanka got third place in the regional multi-sporting. The year 2019 marks the 13th edition of South Asian Games. India finished on top, continuing its undisputed domination in regional multi-sporting event by finishing on top for the 13th time-in-a-row. India has topped the medal tally of every South Asian Games since its establishment in 1984. ]

111. Which country is to be the partner country of India at the BioAsia-2020 conference?

A
Israel

B
Russia

C
Nepal

D
Switzerland

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [Switzerland]

Explaination : [The BioAsia 2020 is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad in between February 17 and 19, 2020. On December 10, 2019, the Ministry of Industries and Commerce and IT informed that Switzerland will serve as India’s partner at the conference. India is Switzerland’s 8th largest trading partner. The trade between the countries amount to 19.7 billion USD. Also, India is one of the eight non-EU countries with which Switzerland intends to deepen its scientific relations. ]

112. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently added how many species to List of Threatened Species?

C
1240

D
1840

Show Answer

Correct Answer : D [1840]

Explaination : [The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) added about 1,840 new species to its updated “Red List of Threatened Species”, a catalogue of plants and animals that risk extinction. The list now contains over 30,000 species under threat of disappearing. The group released its Red List update in the middle of COP25 climate talks in Madrid, Spain. The year 2020 will see two global IUCN gatherings, first in June in Marseille, France and another in Kunming, China, in October.]

113. Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has launched a pilot project for using FASTags for parking purposes in which city?

A
Jaipur

B
Hyderabad

C
Chennai

D
New Delhi

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Hyderabad]

Explaination : [To ensure the benefits of FASTag beyond tolling, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has launched a pilot project for using FASTags for parking purposes at Hyderabad Airport. Conceptualised as FASTag 2.0, the tag would cover parking payments, fuel payments, etc. After the success of project in Hyderabad, it will be launched at Delhi airport.]

114. Gollapudi Maruti Rao, who recently died, was a famous personality of which field?

A
Actor

B
Musician

C
Pianist

D
Hockey Player

Show Answer

Correct Answer : A [Actor]

Explaination : [Renowned Telugu actor and writer Gollapudi Maruti Rao, who enthralled people with his writings and acting for several decades, passed away on December 12,2019. He was 80. Rao, who acted in around 250 films in about four decades, passed away in Chennai following a cardiac arrest, his family members told reporters.]

115. How many deemed Sanskrit universities will be converted into Central universities under Central Sanskrit Universities Bill?

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [3]

Explaination : [The Lok Sabha passed the Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019. The Bill seeks to upgrade three deemed Sanskrit universities into Central universities. They are: Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Bhopal, Sri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, New Delhi and Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth Tirupati.]

116. Which company has launched First Audio Service ‘Suno’ of india?

A
Boss

B
Audible

C
Sony

D
Samsung

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Audible]

Explaination : [Audible, a part of e-commerce giant Amazon, on December 12 launched an India-first audio service ‘Suno’. Audible Suno – which will be available via a separate Android app – provides free and advertising-free access to hundreds of hours of original audio entertainment in Hindi and English. Suno includes more than 60 original and exclusive audio series available at launch.]

117. Parivara, Talwara and Siddi are the Scheduled Tribes of which Indian state?

A
Kerala

B
Karnataka

C
Tamil Nadu

D
Bihar

Show Answer

Correct Answer : B [Karnataka]

Explaination : [Rajya Sabha passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019 on 12 December 2019 by voice vote. The bill seeks to amend Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 to include three tribes namely– Parivara, Talwara and Siddi community of Dharwad and Belagavi districts, in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Karnataka. The bill was introduced by Tribal Affairs Minister of State Renuka Singh Saruta in Upper House.]

118. Which country has recently left 2050 Climate Neutrality Agreement of European Union?

A
Ethiopia

B
Sudan

C
Poland

D
Greece

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Poland]

Explaination : [On December 13, 2019, Poland left 2050 Climate Neutrality Agreement of European Union as the Union demanded for more funds to support nuclear power and for economic transition.Poland, whose 80% of energy needs are relied on coal opted out of Climate Neutrality 2050 plan. The country requested to extend the plan execution deadline to 2070 availing longer period to cut emissions according to the plan. But net players like Netherlands refused to agree to the terms that led Poland to leave the plan.]

119. Who has topped the Forbes’ 2019 edition of 100 World’s Most Powerful Women?

A
Nancy Pelosi

B
Ursula von der Leyen

C
Angela Merkel

D
Christine Lagarde

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Angela Merkel]

Explaination : [German Chancellor Angela Merkel has topped the Forbes’ 2019 edition of 100 World’s Most Powerful Women for the ninth consecutive year. She was joined in top spots by fellow prominent female political leaders. The 65-year-old German leader has made 14 appearances in list’s 16-year history of Forbes magazine which releases a wide-ranging list intended to celebrate 100 most influential females. She was praised for standing up to US President Donald Trump and for allowing over a million Syrian refugees into Germany.]

120. Who has been named as the 2019 Person of the Year by TIME magazine?

A
Virat Kohli

B
Bob lger

C
Greta Thunberg

D
LeBron James

Show Answer

Correct Answer : C [Greta Thunberg]

Explaination : [The news magazine Time has named the teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg in 2019 Person of the Year. She was named as she inspired millions of people in 150 countries to protest climate change. She has also delivered blunt and powerful speeches to leaders urging them to address the issue. Others honoured by TIME for the year 2019: Disney CEO Bob lger was named the Business Person of the Year. US Women’s Soccer Team has been named as the Athlete of the Year. The US Public Servants was named as the Guardians of the Year Singer Lizzo has been named as the Entertainer of the Year.]