GK Current Affairs Quiz 14th 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 13th December 2019
- 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
Q. India held a Joint Commission Meeting and signed three agreements with which nation on December 13, 2019?
(a) Mauritius
(b) Maldives
(c) Indonesia
(d) Singapore
Answer
Answer: (b) Maldives
Explanation:India and Maldives signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the sixth Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) at New Delhi on December 13, 2019. The agreements were signed for cooperation between the election commissions of the two countries and cooperation between their Financial Intelligence Units.
Q. Which state government has decided to administer pledge to male students at all schools to behave well with girls?
(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Delhi
(d) Telangana
Answer
Answer: (c) Delhi
Explanation:Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced on December 13, 2019 that the Delhi government will administer pledge to male students at all schools to behave well with girls and not indulge in crimes against women
Q. United States, Mexico and _____________ inked a revamped version of their regional trade pact USMCA agreement.
(a) Canada
(b) Argentina
(c) Uganda
(d) Zaire
(e) France
Answer
Answer: (a) Canada
Explanation: United States, Mexico and Canada inked a revamped version of their regional trade pact USMCA agreement.
Q. Name the application created by Sky Analytics which has won the Copernicus Masters Award also called Space Oscars, under the Social Entrepreneurship category.
(a) Vuri
(b) Wuri
(c) Xuri
(d) Yuri
(e) Zuri
Answer
Answer: (e) Zuri
Explanation: Sky Analytics has created an application called ‘Zuri’ that won the Copernicus Masters Award also called Space Oscars, under the Social Entrepreneurship category.
Q. Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal and ace pistol shooter ______________ won the Sports Person of the Year awards at the FICCI India Sports Awards 2019.
(a) Neeraj Chopra
(b) Sanjeev Rajput
(c) Saurabh Chaudhary
(d) Anish Bhanwala
(e) Anjum Moudgil
Answer
Answer: (c) Saurabh Chaudhary
Explanation: Sky Analytics has created an application called ‘Zuri’ that won the Copernicus Masters Award also called Space Oscars, under the Social Entrepreneurship category.
Q. Who among the following has been named as Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2019?
(a) Greta Thunberg
(b) Naomi Klein
(c) Emma Thompson
(d) Sunita Narain
(e) Robert Redford
Answer
Answer: (a) Greta Thunberg
Explanation: Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani Rampal and ace pistol shooter Saurabh Chaudhary won the Sports Person of the Year awards at the FICCI India Sports Awards 2019.
Q. Which state’s Cabinet has approved the Disha Bill, 2019 which paves the way for awarding the death penalty for the offences of rape and gang-rape and expediting the verdict in trials of such cases to 21 days?
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Telangana
(c) Himachal Pradesh
(d) Andhra Pradesh
(e) Sikkim
Answer
Answer: (d) Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: Sweden’s Greta Thunberg has been named as Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2019.
Q. Who among the following has been named as Time magazine’s Entertainer of the Year for 2019?
(a) Melissa Jefferson
(b) Billie Eilish
(c) Cardi B
(d) Missy Elliott
(e) Keke Palmer
Answer
Answer: (a) Melissa Jefferson
Explanation: The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved the Disha Bill, 2019 which paves the way for awarding the death penalty for the offences of rape and gang-rape and expediting the verdict in trials of such cases to 21 days.
Q. ______________ government has unveiled a start-up policy which aims to create a corpus fund of Rs 10 crores to support the setting up of start-up incubators and to develop co-working spaces.
(a) Chennai
(b) Daman & Diu
(c) Chandigarh
(d) Puducherry
(e) Ladakh
Answer
Answer: (d) Puducherry
Explanation: Melissa Jefferson has been named as Time magazine’s Entertainer of the Year for 2019.
Q. The Ministry of Shipping has announced that Mongla and Chattogram have been declared as Ports of Call under “Coastal Shipping Agreement” between India and?
(a) Sri Lanka
(b) Myanmar
(c) Bangladesh
(d) Pakistan
(e) Maldives
Answer
Answer: (c) Bangladesh
Explanation: The Puducherry government unveiled a start-up policy which aims to create a corpus fund of Rs 10 crores to support the setting up of start-up incubators and to develop co-working spaces.
Q. United States women’s national _____________ team has been named as Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2019.
(a) Soccer
(b) Volleyball
(c) Basketball
(d) Hockey
(e) Rugby
Answer
Answer: (a) Soccer
Explanation: The Ministry of Shipping has announced that Mongla and Chattogram have been declared as Ports of Call under “Coastal Shipping Agreement” between India & Bangladesh.
Q. Name the organization which has began preparatory works for setting up a 3rd rocket launchpad in the small coastal hamlet of Kulashekhrapattinam in the Thuthukudi district of Tamil Nadu.
(a) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(b) Defence Research and Development Organisation
(c) National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(d) Indian Space Research Organization
(e) Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
Answer
Answer: (d) Indian Space Research Organization
Explanation: Indian Space Research Organization has begun preparatory works for setting up a 3rd rocket launchpad in the small coastal hamlet of Kulashekhrapattinam in the Thuthukudi district of Tamil Nadu.
Q. Which of the following has been awarded the FICCI India Sports Awards 2019 under the category of Best Company Promoting Sports?
(a) Railway Sports Promotion Board
(b) Sports Authority of India
(c) Board of Control for Cricket in India
(d) International Cricket Council
(e) Railway Union Sports Club
Answer
Answer: (a) Railway Sports Promotion Board
Explanation: Railway Sports Promotion Board has been awarded the FICCI India Sports Awards 2019 under the category of Best Company Promoting Sports.
Q. A National Tribal Dance Festival will be held in Raipur. Raipur is the capital of?
(a) Haryana
(b) Andhra Pradesh
(c) Chhattisgarh
(d) Telangana
(e) Kerala
Answer
Answer: (c) Chhattisgarh
Explanation: A National Tribal Dance Festival will be held in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur.
Q. The ‘International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems’ for BIMSTEC countries has began in?
(a) Mumbia
(b) Kolkata
(c) Patna
(d) Lucknow
(e) New Delhi
Answer
Answer: (e) New Delhi
Explanation: The ‘International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming Systems’ for BIMSTEC countries began in New Delhi.
Q. Which state has become the first one to pass a bill awarding death penalty to rapists within 21 days?
(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Andhra Pradesh
(c) Delhi
(d) Uttar Pradesh
Answer
Answer: (b) Andhra Pradesh
Explanation:The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on December 13, 2019 passed the Andhra Pradesh Disha Bill which mandates disposal of cases of atrocities against women within 21 days and handing out the death penalty.
Q. INDRA 2019 is a bilateral military exercise between India and which nation?
(a) China
(b) Russia
(c) Japan
(d) Sri Lanka
Answer
Answer: (b) Russia
Explanation:INDRA 2019 is a bilateral military exercise between India and Russia, which is being held from December 10-19, 2019 at Babina, Pune and Goa. The exercise will witness participation from mechanized contestants, combat and transport aircraft and ships of the armed forces of India and Russia.
Q. The Inner Line Permit has been implemented in how many states?
(a) 3
(b) 4
(c) 5
(d) 6
Answer
Answer: (b) 4
Explanation:The Inner Line Permit (ILP) came into force in Manipur with the signing of President Ram Nath Kovind. Now the Inner Line Permit has come into effect in four states of North East – Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur.
Q. When is Universal Health Coverage Day celebrated?
(a) 11th December
(b) 8th December
(c) 14th December
(d) 12th December
Answer
Answer: (d) 12 December
Explanation:The Universal Health Coverage Day is observed every year on December 12, 2019. The purpose of this day is to emphasize the need for universal health coverage and provide a strong health system.
Q. Nirmala Sitharaman was ranked at which position in the list of the world’s most powerful women released by Forbes recently?
(a) 34
(b) 67
(c) 54
(d) 74
Answer
Answer: (a) 34
Explanation:Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is ranked 34th in the Forbes list of 100 most powerful women of the world. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is on the top position in this list.
Q. Which party won majority in the UK elections 2019?
(a) Labour Party
(b) Conservative Party
(c) Scottish National Party
(d) Liberal Democrats
Answer
Answer: (b) Conservative Party
Explanation:British PM Boris Johnson’s Conservative party has won a large majority in the UK elections 2019, paving the way forward for a smooth Brexit. The party won 364 seats out of the total 650 seats in the British House of Commons, while Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party won 203 seats.
Q. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been ranked ______________ by Forbes in its list ‘The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’.
(a) 33rd
(b) 34th
(c) 35th
(d) 36th
(e) 37th
Answer
Answer: (b) 34th
Explanation: United States women’s national soccer team has been named as Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2019.
Q. Who among the following has been named as Time magazine’s Businessperson of the Year for 2019?
(a) Michael Eisner
(b) Willow Bay
(c) Bob Iger
(d) Roy E. Disney
(e) Tim Cook
Answer
Answer: (c) Bob Iger
Explanation: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been ranked 34th by Forbes in its list ‘The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’.
Daily Current Affairs – International
Maldives sign contract with joint venture of Indian companies for development of Addu
Maldives government signed a contract with a joint venture of Indian companies for preparation of project report and development of Addu, the second biggest city in the island nation.
- The contract was signed by L&T engineering limited and Lea associates south asia for the Addu Road and Reclamation Project.
- The scope of the project includes land reclamation, construction of roads and storm water drainage system in Addu.
- This will upgrade existing infrastructure and mitigate the flood situation in Addu.
- It will be financed through 800 million US dollars line of credit extended by EXIM bank of India for strengthening of Indo- Maldives development cooperation.
- It is the second project after water and sanitation project in 34 islands.
2-plus-2 India-US dialogue to be held on Dec 18
The Second India-US 2-Plus-2 Ministerial Dialogue will be held in Washington DC on 18th December.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation.
- In addition, both sides will exchange views on salient regional and global issues.
- The India-US 2 plus 2 Ministerial Dialogue was initiated in September 2018 in order to provide a positive, forward-looking vision for the India-US strategic partnership and to promote synergy in diplomatic and security efforts.
Daily Current Affairs – National
President Kovind gives assent to Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019
President Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, turning it into an Act.
- The Act comes into effect with its publication in the official gazette.
- The Act makes illegal migrants of six communities – Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 eligible for Indian citizenship.
- The amendment is not applicable to the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura as included in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution and in the areas covered under the Inner Line Permit.
- The Inner Line Permit regime is applicable in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.
ISRO begins preparations for setting up third rocket launchpad
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has begun preparatory work for setting up a third rocket launchpad in the small coastal hamlet of Kulashekhrapattinam in the Thuthukudi district of Tamil Nadu.
- The District Administration has appointed a Special Tehsildar along with eight more Tahsildars to speed up the process of land acquisition for the centre.
- The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has two launch pads at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
- The demand for additional launch pads has arisen as a result of the increase in the number of satellite launches from India, both for domestic and international customers.
GIFT city welcomes Lok Sabha nod to IFSC Authority Bill, 2019
Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) in Gujarat has welcomed the passing of the International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019 by Lok Sabha.
- Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of GIFT City- India’s only IFSC- International Financial Services Centre- Mr. Tapan Ray said that the International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019 passed by Lok Sabha is a welcome step.
- This will further accelerate and fast track development of the IFSC at GIFT City.
Indian ‘Greta’ urges global leaders to take immediate action to save planet
Eight-year-old Licypriya Kangujam, known as Indian ‘Greta’ for her passion towards the fight against climate change has urged global leaders to take immediate action to save the planet and the future of young children like her.
- Speaking at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP-25 at Madrid, the young activist from Manipur who has already spoken in 21 countries on climate change, gave the world a glimpse of her resolve as she urged global leaders to act now against climate change.
- The little girl has quickly shot to limelight with Spanish newspapers hailing her as ‘Greta’ of the Global South.
Daily Current Affairs – Business
November retail inflation reaches 5.54%, at 3-year high
India’s retail inflation in November rose to 5.54% from 4.62% in October, highest since 2016 and over RBI’s medium-term target of 4%.
- Higher food prices contributed to the spike. Food price inflation (Rural and urban) climbed 10.01% in November.
- During the month, inflation in vegetables shot up to 35.99 per cent, as against 26.10 per cent in October.
- Inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 4.62 per cent in October, and 2.33 per cent in November 2018.
Daily Current Affairs – Awards
Greta Thunberg named Time magazine’s person of the year
Greta Thunberg, the teen activist from Sweden who has urged immediate action to address a global climate crisis, was named Time magazine’s person of the year for 2019.
- She is the youngest person to have ever received the accolade.
- Thunberg, 16, was lauded by Time for starting an environmental campaign in August 2018 which became a global movement, initially skipping school and camping out in front of the Swedish parliament to demand action.
Odisha receives Best State Promoting Sports award at the FICCI Sports Awards-2019
Odisha government bagged the prestigious Best State Promoting Sports Award at the FICCI India Sports Awards 2019 in New Delhi.
- State sports minister Tusharkanti Behera and sports secretary Vishal Dev received the award on behalf of the state government.
- This award is a recognition of the state’s exemplary contribution towards the development of sports infrastructures and promotion of various sports.
Space startup with AI solution to stubble burning wins ‘Space Oscar’
The application ‘Zuri’ developed by Blue Sky Analytics, A Gurgaon-based startup, won Copernicus Masters award given by the Earth observation program managed by the European Commission in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA).
- It is also dubbed as ‘Space Oscars’.
- Zuri was selected under social entrepreneurship category.
- The startup is working in utilizing satellite data to solve environmental problems and using its AI (artificial intelligence)- based tool to measure and monitor farm fires and stubble burning across India.
- It is an AI-enabled platform that uses satellite data for improved monitoring, supply chain and pricing analysis as well as allocation of crop waste for use in other industries as raw material.