GK Current Affairs Quiz 13th December 2019 with Questions and Answers: General Knowledge section of Versionweekly aims to help every competitive exam aspirant to revise the day at ease.
- GK Current Affairs Quiz 12th December 2019
- GK Current Affairs Quiz 11th December 2019
- GK Current Affairs Quiz 10th December 2019
- GK Current Affairs Quiz 9th December 2019
- GK Current Affairs Quiz 7th December 2019
Q. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered its forecast for India’s economic growth in fiscal year 2019-20 to?
(a) 5.5%
(b) 5.4%
(c) 5.3%
(d) 5.2%
(e) 5.1%
Answer
Answer: (e) 5.1%
Explanation: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered its forecast for India’s economic growth in fiscal year 2019-20 to 5.1%.
Q. Archaeological Survey of India has identified 138 numbers of monuments as __________ Monuments.
(a) Must-Watch
(b) Must-Visit
(c) Must-See
(d) Must-View
(e) Must-Stopover
Answer
Answer: (c) Must-See
Explanation: Archaeological Survey of India has identified 138 numbers of monuments as Must-See Monuments.
Q. A workshop on Bamboo cultivation with focus on the promotion of Bamboo cultivation will be held in?
(a) Jammu
(b) Patna
(c) Lucknow
(d) Pune
(e) Hyderabad
Answer
Answer: (a) Jammu
Explanation: A workshop on Bamboo cultivation with focus on the promotion of Bamboo cultivation will be held in Jammu.
Q. Which state has won the “World Habitat Award’ for Jaga Mission, a slum land titling project executed for the benefit of millions of urban-poor people living in slums.
(a) West Bengal
(b) Jharkhand
(c) Nagaland
(d) Odisha
(e) Haryana
Answer
Answer: (d) Odisha
Explanation: Odisha won the bronze in ‘World Habitat Award’ for Jaga Mission, a slum land titling project executed for the benefit of millions of urban-poor people living in slums.
Q. Who among the following has been signed by PUMA as its brand ambassador?
(a) M S Dhoni
(b) Sunil Chhetri
(c) Virat Kohli
(d) Rohit Sharma
(e) Bhaichung Bhutia
Answer
Answer: (b) Sunil Chhetri
Explanation: PUMA has signed Indian men’s football team captain Sunil Chhetri as its brand ambassador.
Q. Xiaomi has formally launched its lending platform “Mi Credit” in India for Android phones in which individuals can avail up to _____________
(a) Rs 2,50,000 loan
(b) Rs 2,00,000 loan
(c) Rs 1,50,000 loan
(d) Rs 1,00,000 loan
(e) Rs 50,000 loan
Answer
Answer: (d) Rs 1,00,000 loan
Explanation: Xiaomi has formally launched its lending platform “Mi Credit” in India for Android phones in which individuals can avail up to Rs 1 lakh loan.
Q. Name the former US Federal Reserve chief who passed away recently.
(a) Paul Volcker
(b) Alan Greenspan
(c) Ben Bernanke
(d) Janet Yellen
(e) Jerome Powell
Answer
Answer: (a) Paul Volcker
Explanation: The former US Federal Reserve chief Paul Volcker passed away.
Q. The 4th edition of International Seminar cum Exhibition on Naval Weapon Systems ‘NAVARMS-19’ begins in?
(a) Mumbai
(b) Chennai
(c) New Delhi
(d) Bhubaneswar
(e) Thiruvananthapuram
Answer
Answer: (c) New Delhi
Explanation: The 4th edition of International Seminar cum Exhibition on Naval Weapon Systems ‘NAVARMS-19’ begins in New Delhi.
Q. Name the mission which is also called Odisha Liveable Habitat Mission (OLHM) launched by Odisha and also won the ‘World Habitat Award’ recently.
(a) Jwala Mission
(b) Jaga Mission
(c) Jagaran Mission
(d) Jyoti Mission
(e) Jagriti Mission
Answer
Answer: (b) Jaga Mission
Explanation: Odisha won the ‘World Habitat Award’ for “Jaga Mission” also called Odisha Liveable Habitat Mission (OLHM).
Q. Which state’s cabinet has approved Disha Act to provide harsher punishment for crimes against women, children?
(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Andhra Pradesh
(c) Uttar Pradesh
(d) Telangana
Answer
Answer: (b) Andhra Pradesh
Explanation:Andhra Pradesh has approved enactment of the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, which is also known as Disha Act. The act provides for harsher punishments to those guilty of heinous crimes against women including the death sentence.
Q. The Union Government has decided to sell its 100 percent stake in which airline?
(a) Air India
(b) Vistara
(c) Air Asia
(d) Jet Airways
Answer
Answer: (a) Air India
Explanation:The Union Government has decided to sell its entire 100 per cent stake in Air India under the proposed disinvestment process. This was stated by Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on December 12, 2019.
Q. Who has been appointed South Africa’s first acting director of cricket?
(a) Herschelle Gibbs
(b) AB de Villiers
(c) Kevin Pietersen
(d) Graeme Smith
Answer
Answer: (d) Graeme Smith
Explanation:Graeme Smith has been appointed as South Africa’s first acting director of cricket. He is the most successful Test captain for South Africa in the history of the game.
Q. Who has been named as La Liga’s first India brand ambassador?
(a) Virat Kohli
(b) Anushka Sharma
(c) Shah Rukh Khan
(d) Rohit Sharma
Answer
Answer: (d) Rohit Sharma
Explanation:Rohit Sharma was on December 12, 2019 named as the first-ever India brand ambassador of top Spanish football club Real Madrid. He is the first non-footballer in the history of the league to have become a brand ambassador.
Q. Which state won the World Habitat Award for ‘Jaga Mission’?
(a) Bihar
(b) Punjab
(c) Odisha
(d) Karnataka
Answer
Answer: (c) Odisha
Explanation:This award is given with the help of UN-Habitat located in Britain. This award is given in recognition of innovative, outstanding and revolutionary residential ideas, projects and programs from all over the world.
Q. Which of the following recently separated from Papua New Guinea and voted to become a new country?
(a) Copenbroad
(b) Julianson
(c) Bougainville
(d) None of the above
Answer
Answer: (c) Bougainville
Explanation:Bougainville has recently split from Papua New Guinea and voted to become a separate country. About 1, 81,067 people voted for its separation from Papua New Guinea.
Q. Which keyword was the most searched in India for the year 2019?
(a) Lok Sabha Elections 2019
(b) Chandrayaan 2
(c) Cricket World Cup 2019
(d) Article 370
Answer
Answer: (c) Cricket World Cup 2019
Explanation:The ‘Cricket World Cup 2019’ was the most searched keyword of the year 2019. As per the report, about 2.6 billion people have watched the Cricket World Cup 2019 worldwide.
Q. Who was the most searched personality for the year 2019?
(a) Vicky Kaushal
(b) Rishabh Pant
(c) Anand Kumar
(d) Abhinandan Varthaman
Answer
Answer: (d) Abhinandan Varthaman
Explanation:Abhinandan Varthaman was the most searched personality on Google by the people of India in 2019. While Lata Mangeshkar ranked second this year, Yuvraj Singh was third-most searched personality.
Q. The Union Cabinet recently authorised which organisation to set up Infrastructure Investment Trust?
(a) NITI Aayog
(b) National Highways Authority of India
(c) Securities and Exchange Board of India
(d) Reserve Bank of India
Answer
Answer: (b) National Highways Authority of India
Explanation:The Union Cabinet recently authorizes the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to set up the Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) based on the guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
Q. Name the Indian match referee who is set to become the first woman match referee to officiate a men’s ODI match.
(a) Shivani Mishra
(b) GS Lakshmi
(c) Gargi Banerji
(d) Nilima Jogalekar
(e) Runa Basu
Answer
Answer: (b) GS Lakshmi
Explanation: Indian match referee GS Lakshmi is set to become the first woman match referee to officiate a men’s ODI match.
Q. United Nations observes International Day of Neutrality every year on?
(a) 12th December
(b) 13th December
(c) 14th December
(d) 15th December
(e) 16th December
Answer
Answer: (a) 12th December
Explanation: United Nations observes International Day of Neutrality on December 12 every year.
Q. World’s first fully electric commercial aircraft takes flight in ____________
(a) Scotland
(b) Finland
(c) Canada
(d) Iceland
(e) Norway
Answer
Answer: (c) Canada
Explanation: World’s first fully electric commercial aircraft takes flight in Canada.
Q. Name the Indian actress who was honoured for her 20 years of work and contribution in cinema at the Marrakech Film Festival held at the famous Jemaa el Fna square.
(a) Priyanka Chopra
(b) Katrina Kaif
(c) Deepika Padukone
(d) Aishwarya Rai
(e) Amisha Patel
Answer
Answer: (a) Priyanka Chopra
Explanation: Indian actress Priyanka Chopra was honoured for her 20 years of work and contribution in cinema at the Marrakech Film Festival held at the famous Jemaa el Fna square.
Q. Name the Indian actor who has been appointed by PepsiCo as the new brand ambassador of its flagship Pepsi brand of carbonated beverage in India.
(a) Shah Rukh Khan
(b) Zayed Khan
(c) Imran Khan
(d) Salman Khan
(e) Amir Khan
Answer
Answer: (d) Salman Khan
Explanation: PepsiCo has appointed actor Salman Khan as the new brand ambassador of its flagship Pepsi brand of carbonated beverage in India.
Q. Which of the following company has partnered with UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace to enable school teachers to adopt technology in classrooms by using ICT tools?
(a) Dell Technologies
(b) Hewlett Packard Enterprise
(c) DXC Technology
(d) International Business Machines Corporation
(e) General Motors
Answer
Answer: (a) Dell Technologies
Explanation: Dell Technologies has partnered with UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace to enable school teachers to adopt technology in classrooms by using ICT tools.
Q. ______________ will be the partner country at the 17th edition of BioAsia2020 scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, Telangana.
(a) New Zealand
(b) Switzerland
(c) Australia
(d) Canada
(e) Malaysia
Answer
Answer: (b) Switzerland
Explanation: Switzerland will be the partner country at the 17th edition of BioAsia2020 scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Q. Who among the following was chosen by the Time magazine as the ‘Person of the Year’ 2019?
(a) Greta Thunberg
(b) Rahul Gandhi
(c) Narendra Modi
(d) Donald Trump
Answer
Answer: (a) Greta Thunberg
Explanation:Greta Thunberg has achieved this honor at the youngest age. She was in the news because of her influential and aggressive speeches. She also gave a speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit this year.
Q. International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) is celebrated globally on?
(a) 15 December
(b) 14 December
(c) 13 December
(d) 12 December
(e) 11 December
Answer
Answer: (d) 12 December
Explanation: International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) is celebrated globally on 12 December.
Q. Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has started the scheme of National award for outstanding service in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug abuse. Who is the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment?
(a) Nitin Jairam Gadkari
(b) Amit Shah
(c) D.V. Sadananda Gowda
(d) Ramvilas Paswan
(e) Thaawar Chand Gehlot
Answer
Answer: (e) Thaawar Chand Gehlot
Explanation: Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has started the scheme of National award for outstanding service in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug abuse. Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment: Thaawar Chand Gehlot.
Q. International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) is celebrated every year. What is the theme for the 2019 UHC Day?
(a) Universal Health Coverage
(b) Financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care
(c) Human right to health
(d) Keep the promise
(e) Universal Health Care
Answer
Answer: (d) Keep the promise
Explanation: International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) is celebrated every year. The theme for the 2019 UHC Day is “Keep the promise”.
Q. The 17th edition of BioAsia2020 is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, Telangana with the theme of?
(a) Tomorrow For Tomorrow
(b) Today For Tomorrow
(c) Yesterday For Today
(d) Tomorrow For Future
(e) Today For Future
Answer
Answer: (b) Today For Tomorrow
Explanation: The 17th edition of BioAsia2020 is scheduled to be held in Hyderabad, Telangana with the theme “Today For Tomorrow”.
Daily Current Affairs – International
Universal Health Coverage Day: 12 December
Universal Health Coverage Day is celebrated annually on December 12 and is promoted by the World Health Organization.
- This day reminds of the quality health care that people need and deserve without facing financial hardship.
- December 12 is the anniversary of the first unanimous United Nations resolution calling for all nations to provide for their citizens affordable, quality health care.
- The theme of Universal Health Coverage Day 2019 is “Keep the Promise”.
US, Mexico, Canada sign USMCA trade deal
The representatives from the United States, Mexico and Canada inked a revamped version of their regional trade pact after months of negotiations.
- The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will now go to the countries’ legislatures for final approval.
- The accord is meant to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a deal in place since 1994.
- The US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the modified agreement was definitely better than what was initially proposed by the administration.
Daily Current Affairs – National
3 Day “International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems” for BIMSTEC countries begins in New Delhi
The three day ‘International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems’ for BIMSTEC countries began in New Delhi.
- Participants from all the Seven BIMSTEC Countries viz. Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and BIMSTEC Secretariat is attending the Seminar.
- The seminar is being organized as a Government of India initiative as announced earlier by the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi at the 4th BIMSTEC Summit at Kathmandu on 30-31st August, 2019.
Points to Remember
- The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation of seven nations of South Asia and SouthEast Asia.
- The BIMSTEC member states ‘Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand , Nepal and Bhutan are among the countries dependent on the Bay of Bengal.
Saudi Aramco becomes most valuable listed company in history
Saudi Aramco has secured its position as the most valuable listed company in history after investor appetite for the world’s biggest fossil fuel producer pushed its market value to $1.9tn (£1.4tn) on its first day of trade.
- Shares in the Saudi state-backed oil company defied Aramco’s critics by climbing nearly $200bn above the $1.7tn valuation set before its market debut on Riyadh’s stock exchange.
- The world’s biggest contributor to the climate crisis had been valued at more than Apple and Facebook – previously the world’s most valuable and fifth-most valuable companies respectively – combined.
- It is also twice the size of Amazon and Google’s parent company, and bigger than the next five listed oil companies put together.
Parliament passes “The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019”
The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019 has been passed by the Parliament, with the Rajya Sabha approving it.
- 125 members supported the legislation while 105 opposed it.
- The House also negated the amendments moved by Opposition parties while approving the Bill.
- The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 9 December.
- 311 members had voted in its favour and 80 members opposing it.
- The bill amends the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants of six communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan eligible for Indian citizenship.
- The communities are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians.
Justice Nanavati-Mehta Commission gives clean chit to then Gujarat govt in 2002 riots
Justice Nanavati-Mehta Commission has given a clean chit to the Gujarat government in 2002 riots.
- The commission tabled its final report in the state assembly.
- The report said that the riots were not organised.
- Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja tabled the report in the House, five years after it was submitted to the then state government.
- The first part of the report of the commission, formed to inquire into the cause of the Godhra train burning incident and subsequent communal riots, was tabled in the Assembly on 25th September 2009.
Odisha to set up 45 new fast track courts
To expedite the trial of cases relating to women and children, 45 new fast track courts will be set up in Odisha.
- State Law Minister Pratap Jena said 21 courts would be dedicated for cases of rape and sexual harassment of women.
- The remaining 24 fast track courts will specifically deal with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases.
- The State government’s action comes after Centre’s decision to formulate a scheme for setting up 1,023 fast track special courts for expeditious trial and disposal of rape cases.
Andhra cabinet approves Disha Act providing for harsher punishments for crimes against women
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved the enactment of the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Law (Amendment) Act also known as the Disha Act that provides for harsher punishments, including death sentence to those guilty of heinous crimes against women.
- As announced earlier in the assembly by Chief Minister, in the presence of adequate conclusive evidence in cases of crime against women such as rape, acid attacks among others the judgment must be pronounced within 21 days and trial must be completed in 14 days.
- The cabinet also approved the Andhra Pradesh Special Court for Specified Offences against Women and Children Act 2019, which allows the establishment of special courts in each district to address crimes against women and children.
- The bill allows taking actions under Indian Penal Code section 354 (E) against those who upload posts on social media that degrades women’s reputation.
- For the same, first time offenders would be punished with two years imprisonment, second-time offenders with four years of imprisonment.
National Tribal Dance Festival to be held in Raipur from Dec 27-29
A three-day National Tribal Dance Festival will be held in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur from December 27 to 29.
- In the event international folk artists from 23 states and six other countries are expected to take part and portray their respective tribal folk culture.
- Nearly 1,400 artists belonging to 151 art troupes from 23 states and guest artists from six countries including Sri Lanka, Belarus, Uganda and Bangladesh will participate in the three-day programme.
Daily Current Affairs – Appointments
Salman Khan appointed as Pepsi’s new brand ambassador
Food and beverage giant PepsiCo has roped in Bollywood actor Salman Khan as the new face of its flagship Pepsi brand of carbonated beverage in India.
- The actor has been the face of rival Coca-Cola’s popular ThumsUp brand for years and was recently seen promoting Parle Agro-backed soft drink Appy Fizz.
- Khan had previously endorsed PepsiCo’s Mountain Dew drink.
- PepsiCo will also associate itself with Khan’s next big release Dabangg 3 that is scheduled to release later this month.
Daily Current Affairs – Awards
Priyanka Chopra honoured at Marrakech Film Festival
- Indian actress Priyanka Chopra was honoured at the Marrakech Film Festival held at the famous Jemaa el Fna square.
- Priyanka Chopra was honoured for her 20 years of work and contribution in cinema.
- Hollywood actor Robert Redford, Moroccan actress Mouna Fettou and filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier were among other people who were honoured at the festival.
Odisha wins ‘World Habitat Award’ for OLHM- Jaga Mission
- Odisha won the bronze in ‘World Habitat Award’ for Jaga Mission also called Odisha Liveable Habitat Mission (OLHM), a slum land titling project executed for the benefit of millions of urban-poor people living in slums.
- The award was given by the World Habitat, a UK (United Kingdom) based organization which gives the award annually to recognize innovative housing projects around the world.
- The Jaga is a society under Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD), Government of Odisha.
- The OLHM-JAGA aims at transforming the slums into livable habitats and under which 52,682 urban poor families living in the slums have been granted land rights certificate.
- The mission works under the Odisha Land Rights to Slum Dwellers Act passed in September 2017.
Daily Current Affairs – Agreements
Dell Technologies, UNESCO tie up to boost quality of education
- Dell Technologies announced a new partnership with UNESCO MGIEP (Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace) to enable school teachers to adopt technology in classrooms by using ICT tools.
- The information and communication technology (ICT) tools have been developed by Dell Aarambh and FramerSpace platform.
- The partnership would enable achieving the UN Sustainable Goal 4.7 towards education for building peaceful and sustainable societies and also UNESCO MGIEP in its mission of building social and emotional learning, innovative digital pedagogies and empowering youth.
- The training would focus on teaching the teachers the use of ICT and frontier technologies with the objective of achieving quality education, as outlined under Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SGD 4) by the member-states of the United Nations.
Daily Current Affairs – Business
Xiaomi launches service “Mi Credit” in India for Android phones
- Xiaomi has formally launched its lending platform “Mi Credit” in India for Android phones.
- According to platform “Mi Credit” individuals can avail up to Rs 1 lakh loan.
- The company is planning to introduce more financial products in India.
- The company has been operating Mi Credit platform on a pilot basis.
- Xiaomi has roped in Aditya Birla Finance Ltd, Money View, EarlySalary, Zestmoney and CreditVidya as the current lending partners for Mi Credit service.
- Mi Credit app will come pre-loaded on all MIUI phones, and can be downloaded from Google Play Store.
Daily Current Affairs – Defence
International Seminar cum Exhibition on Naval weapon Systems : NAVARMS-19
- The 4th edition of International Seminar cum Exhibition on Naval Weapon Systems ‘NAVARMS-19’ begins in Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, Development Enclave, New Delhi.
- The theme of the Exhibition is “Make in India – Fight Category: Opportunities and Imperatives”.
- NAVARMS is the only international seminar and exhibition on Naval Weapon Systems conducted in the country.
- It invites all the stakeholders in the life cycle management of Naval Weapons and provides a common platform to share their views and concerns.
Daily Current Affairs – Economy
ADB lowers India’s GDP growth forecast to 5.1% in FY20
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered its forecast for India’s economic growth in fiscal year 2019-20 to 5.1%.
- ADB has stated that the consumption was affected by slow job growth and rural distress was aggravated by poor harvest.
Daily Current Affairs – Summit and Conferences
Switzerland to be the country partner of BioAsia 2020
- Switzerland will be the country partner at the 17th edition of BioAsia2020 scheduled to be held from February 17-19, 2020 with the theme “Today For Tomorrow” in Hyderabad, Telangana.
- Switzerland is making innovations in the world of medical healthcare and that many pharmaceutical companies have emerged as the center of Switzerland.
- While the city of Hyderabad has become a hub in the field of health tech and will be introduced to the Switzerland Health Tech Ecosystem through the Bio Asia Summit.