GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 2017

POONAM CHAUDHARY
1.Who has been appointed as new Chief Secretary of Maharashtra?
[A] Sumit Mullick
[B] Kashish Nandan
[C] Nirmal Gupta
[D] Swadheen Kshatriya

Correct Answer: A [Sumit Mullick]

Answer Explanation:
Sumit Mullick, the 1982 batch IAS officer, has been appointed as new Chief Secretary of Maharashtra. He
succeeded Swadheen Kshatriya, who was due for retirement on 31st of January, but was given a month’s
extension. Prior to this appointment, he was serving as the Chief Protocol Officer in the General
Administration department. He had earlier served as the Divisional Commissioner of Amravati and
worked as Secretary of School Education. He was also Secretary to the Governor.

2. Tarak Mehta, who recently passed away, was the noted play writer of which language?
[A] Urdu
[B] Gujarati
[C] Marathi
[D] Odia

Correct Answer: B [Gujarati ]

Answer Explanation:
Tarak Mehta (87), the popular Gujarati writer and noted play writer, has recently passed away in
Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The famous humorist was best known for his column “Duniya Ne Undha Chasma”
in Mumbai based Gujarati news weekly “Chitralekha”. He was awarded Padma Shri in 2015. His weekly
column first featured in Chitralekha news weekly in March 1971. He has written around 80 books on
various pressing issues. The popular comic television serial ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ is a
television adaptation of Padma Shri Taarak Mehta’s column ‘Duniya Ne Undha Chasma’.

3. Who is the author of the book “The Wrong Turn: Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji”?
[A] Aalap Roy
[B] Aadishri Roy
[C] Sujata Bose
[D] Namita Roy Ghose

Correct Answer: D [Namita Roy Ghose]

Answer Explanation:
The book “The Wrong Turn: Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji” has been authored by Sanjay
Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose. It is a sweeping tale of passion set against the freedom
struggle.

4. What is the theme of 2017 International Rare Disease Day (IRDD)?

[A] Solidarity
[B] Mystery Diagnosis
[C] Research
[D] Rehabilitation

Correct Answer: C [Research]

Answer Explanation:
The International Rare Disease Day (IRDD) is held every year on the last day of February to raise
awareness for rare diseases and improve access to treatment and medical representation for individuals
with rare diseases and their families. The 2017 IRDD is held on February 28 with theme “Research” and
slogan ‘With research, possibilities are limitless’ to recognize the crucial role that patients play in
research.

5. Who has been named as the “Captain of the Year” at 2017 ESPNcricinfo Awards?
[A] Virat Kohli
[B] Ben Stokes
[C] Faf du Plessis
[D] Steven Smith

Correct Answer: A [Virat Kohli]

Answer Explanation:
Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli has been named as the ‘Captain of the Year’ at the 10th annual
ESPNcricinfo Awards. Kohli led India to 9 wins out of 12 Tests in the year gone-by. Apart from this,
Englishman Ben Stokes won the Test Batting Performance of the Year for his incredible counterattacking
innings of 258 runs off 198 balls against South Africa in Cape Town.

6. Alwin Francis is associated with which sports?

[A] Cricket
[B] Badminton
[C] Tennis
[D] Chess

Correct Answer: B [Badminton]

Answer Explanation:
The top seeded Indian shuttler duo Tarun Kona and Alwin Francis has recently won the men’s doubles
title at the 2017 Uganda International badminton tournament by defeating Aatish Lubah and Georges
Julien Paul of Mauritius in the final by 21-8, 21-14 in Kampala.

7. Haji Abdul Salam, who recently passed away, was the Member of Rajya Sabha from which state?
[A] Uttar Pradesh
[B] Manipur
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Madhya Pradesh

Correct Answer: B [Manipur]

Answer Explanation:
Haji Abdul Salam (69), the senior Congress leader, has recently passed away in Imphal, Manipur. He was
the first Manipuri Muslim to be a member of Rajya Sabha from Manipur. He was representing Manipur
State in the upper house of Parliament of India for the second term of 2014-2020
8. How much loan amount has been sanctioned by the World Bank (WB) for the Tejaswini project?
[A] $55 million
[B] $78 million
[C] $63 million
[D] $89 million
Correct Answer: C [$63 million]
Answer Explanation:
The World Bank (WB) will provide $63 million loan to India to empower approx 6.8 lakh adolescent girls
in Jharkhand under the ‘Tejaswini: Socio-Economic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls and Young
Women’ project. For this, a financing agreement for International Development Association (IDA) credit
of $ 63 million (equivalent) has recently signed between the WB and the Government of India (GoI). The
Tejaswini project will be delivered in 17 districts of Jharkhand. It has three main components —
expanding social, educational and economic opportunities; intensive service delivery; and state capacity-
building and implementation support. The closing date for the project is June 30, 2021.

9. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has recently imposed a 5-year ban on BBC. NTCA
is the statutory body of which union ministry?
[A] Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
[B] Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
[C] Ministry of External Affairs
[D] Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
Correct Answer: D [Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change]
Answer Explanation:
Recently, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has imposed a 5-year ban on the British
Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and its journalists from filming in all Indian tiger reserves for allegedly
misrepresenting facts in a documentary on poaching in the Kaziranga National Park in Assam. The BBC
documentary “Killing for Conservation” by its journalist Justin Rowlatt, talks about Kaziranga’s rhino
conservation which claims that forest guards have the power to ‘shoot and kill’ poachers. The
documentary also criticizes anti-poaching policies in wildlife reserves as affecting the life of tribal people
living in the vicinity of the park. The NTCA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment,
Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) constituted under enabling provisions of the Wildlife (Protection)
Act, 1972, as amended in 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation.

10. Which city hosted the 4th India-CLMV Business Conclave-2017?

[A] Pune
[B] Chennai
[C] Jaipur
[D] New Delhi

Correct Answer: C [Jaipur]

Answer Explanation:
The 4th edition of India-CLMV (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam) Business Conclave was
held in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Nirmala
Sitharaman, which was organised by the Department of Commerce and Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII). The purpose of the conference was to identify specific project opportunities and seeks business
partnerships in the region. The conclave focused on sectors such as Pharma, Healthcare, manufacturing,
Agri Business, Food processing, Gems and Jewellery, Textiles, Leather, Renewable Energy and
education.
11. Internationally acclaimed author Neil Gaiman has been appointed UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. He
hails from which country?
[A] England
[B] Russia
[C] France
[D] United States

Correct Answer: A [England]

Answer Explanation:
Internationally acclaimed author Neil Gaiman has been appointed the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill Ambassador to raise awareness about the plight of forcibly displaced
people and to generate much needed funds. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman
and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book.

12. The 2017 International Yoga festival has started in which state?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Jharkhand
[D] Bihar

Correct Answer: B [Uttarakhand]

Answer Explanation:
The 29th edition of the International Yoga festival has started at Parmarth Niketan along the banks of holy
Ganges River in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand from March 1, 2017. The week-long event is jointly organised by
the AYUSH ministry, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, Parmarth Niketan and Garhwal Mandal
Vikas Nigam and was inaugurated by the Governor of Uttarakhand K K Paul. Nearly 70 saints,
yogacharyas, presenters and experts from more than 20 countries around the world are participating this
year at the festival.

13. Who has become new Secretary-General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
(SAARC)?
[A] Ahmed Saleem
[B] Abul Ahsan
[C] Amjad Hussain B Sial
[D] Arjun Bahadur Thapa

Correct Answer: C [Amjad Hussain B Sial]

Answer Explanation:
Amjad Hussain B Sial, a senior Pakistani diplomat, has become the new Secretary-General of South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). He succeeded Arjun Bahadur Thapa of Nepal. Sial has
33 years of experience in Pakistan’s Foreign Service. He has also served at SAARC Secretariat as director
in Kathmandu. The Secretary-General tenure is of three years and is the head of the SAARC Secretariat,
which is headquartered in Kathmandu, Nepal. The SAARC Secretariat coordinates and monitors the
implementation of activities, hosts meetings, and serves as a channel of communication between the
Association and its member states as well as other regional organizations.

14. Who has become the new chairman of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)?
[A] V K Jairath Magya
[B] Atulesh Jindal
[C] Gurumoorthy Mahalingam
[D] Ajay Tyagi
Correct Answer: D [Ajay Tyagi]
Answer Explanation:
Ajay Tyagi, a 1984 batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, has become the 9th Chairman of
markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a period of 3-years on March 1,
2017. He succeeded U K Sinha. Prior to this appointment, he has handled capital markets division in the
Finance Ministry. Tyagi also has diverse experience at the Centre. He was Joint Secretary in Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change before joining Finance Ministry in November 2014 as
Additional Secretary. He has also worked in ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Steel and Rural
Development. The chairman of SEBI receives a consolidated pay package of Rs 4.5 lakh per month.

15. Who has been appointed as India’s permanent representative to World Trade Organization (WTO)?
[A] J S Deepak
[B] G Latha Krishna Rao
[C] N K Sinha
[D] Pramila Lalan

Correct Answer: A [J S Deepak]

Answer Explanation:
Telecom Secretary J S Deepak, a 1982 batch IAS officer from Uttar Pradesh, has been appointed as
India’s permanent representative to World Trade Organization (WTO) from June 1, 2017. According to
the official order, he has been shifted from the telecom ministry and has made Officer on Special Duty
(OSD) in the Department of Commerce in the Ministry of Commerce and Industries with immediate effect
till May 31, 2017. The WTO is a global international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between
nations.

16. Who is the newly appointed Prime Minister of Republic of the Sudan?
[A] Hassan al-Bashir
[B] Hassabu Mohamed Rahman
[C] Bakri Hassan Saleh
[D] Muhammad Ahmad

Correct Answer: C [Bakri Hassan Saleh]

Answer Explanation:
On 1 March 2017, Bakri Hassan Saleh has been appointed by President Omar al-Bashir as Sudan’s first
Prime Minister since the post was abolished in 1989. The post of Prime Minister was re-established with
limited powers, while most power remained in the hands of the President. As Prime Minister, Saleh
retained his post as First Vice President of SUdan.

17. What is the theme of 2017 Zero Discrimination Day (ZDD)?

[A] Think & Act on Unity
[B] Stand Out
[C] Open Up, Reach Out
[D] Make Some Noise for Zero Discrimination

Correct Answer: D [Make Some Noise for Zero Discrimination]

Answer Explanation:
The Zero Discrimination Day (ZDD) is observed every year on March 1 to promote and celebrate
everyone’s right to live a full life with dignity—no matter what they look like, where they come from or
whom they love. The symbol for Zero Discrimination is the butterfly, widely recognized as a sign of
transformation. The 2017 theme is “Make Some Noise for Zero Discrimination”.

18. The Civil Accounts Day (CAD) is observed on which date in India?
[A] March 5
[B] March 2
[C] March 3
[D] March 1

Correct Answer: D [March 1]

Answer Explanation:
The 41st edition of Civil Accounts Day (CAD) is celebrated on March 1, 2017 at Vigyan Bhawan in New
Delhi to mark the 41st anniversary of the inception of the Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) on March
1, 1976. ICAS functions under the Department of Expenditure in the Union Ministry of Finance. The
ICAS performs a key role in delivery of financial management services for the Government of India
(GoI). The organisation provides payment services, supports the tax collection system, performs
government wide accounting, financial reporting functions, preparation of budget estimates and carries out
Internal Audit in civil ministries of the Union Government.

19. Who has been conferred with the 2017 Harvard Humanitarian of the Year award?
[A] Aung San Suu Kyi
[B] Robyn Rihanna Fenty
[C] Thorbjorn Jagland
[D] Bishop Desmond Tutu

Correct Answer: B [Robyn Rihanna Fenty]

Answer Explanation:
Robyn Rihanna Fenty, a Barbadian singer and songwriter, has been conferred with the 2017 Harvard
Humanitarian of the Year award in recognition for her work to improve cancer treatment in her home
country of Barbados and for setting up a college scholarship to bring Caribbean students to study in the
United States. The annual award by the prestigious university is given to an individual whose works and
deeds have served to improve the quality of lives and have inspired people to greater heights

20. Avani Lekhara is associated with which sports?

[A] Chess
[B] Boxing
[C] Shooting
[D] Cricket

Correct Answer: C [Shooting]

Answer Explanation:
Recently, para shooter Avani Lekhara (15) from India shot a junior world record 244.4 in the women’s
10m air rifle standing SH1 event (R2) to won the silver medal at the World Shooting Para Sport World
Cup in Al Ain, UAE. Beside this, para shooter Pooja Agarwal shot 228.4 in the final of the women’s 10m
air pistol SH1 event (P2) to won a silver medal at the tournament. Notably, both Indian shooters were
making their international debuts at the competition.

21. What is the theme of 2017 World Hearing Day (WHD)?

[A] Ear care can avoid hearing loss
[B] Make listening safe
[C] Childhood hearing loss: act now, here is how!
[D] Action for hearing loss: make a sound investment

Correct Answer: D [Action for hearing loss: make a sound investment]

Answer Explanation:
The World Hearing Day (WHD) is observed every year on March 3 to raise awareness and promote ear
and hearing care across the world. The 2017 theme “Action for hearing loss: make a sound investment”
draws attention to the economic impact of hearing loss and the cost effectiveness of interventions to
address it.

22. Which Indian grandmaster has won bronze at 2017 Women’s World Chess Championship?
[A] Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi
[B] Padmini Rout
[C] Harika Dronavalli
[D] Koneru Humpy

Correct Answer: C [Harika Dronavalli]

Answer Explanation:
Indian grandmaster Harika Dronavalli has won a bronze medal at the 2017 Women’s World Chess
Championship in Tehran. This is Harika’s 3rd bronze medal at the World Championship level. The first
two were in Khanty-Mansiysk in 2012 and Sochi in 2015. Harika has won the World Juniors in 2008,
Commonwealth women’s title in 2010, Asian Championship in 2011 as well as World Online Blitz
Championship in 2015. She received the Arjuna Award in 2008.

23. Who has won the 2017 Polly Umrigar Award for International Cricketer of the Year?
[A] Ajinkya Rahane
[B] Virat Kohli
[C] Mahendra Singh Dhoni
[D] Ravichandran Ashwin

Correct Answer: B [Virat Kohli]

Answer Explanation:
Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli will be conferred with the 2017 Polly Umrigar Award at the BCCI
award ceremony in Bangalore on March 8, 2017. Kohli, who received the award in 2011-12 and 2014-15,
becomes the first Indian cricketer to get it on the third occasion. The award is given to the international
cricketer of the year by the Indian cricket board. Beside this, all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin will also
become the first Indian to receive the Dilip Sardesai award twice for his best performance in bilateral
series.

24. Which university has bagged Visitors’ Award for ‘Best University 2017’?
[A] Central University of Himachal Pradesh
[B] Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
[C] Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
[D] Tezpur University

Correct Answer: B [Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)]

Answer Explanation:
The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has won the annual Visitor’s Award for the ‘Best University
2017’. Apart from this, Dr. Deepak Pant from the Central University of Himachal Pradesh won the
Visitor’s Award for ‘Innovation’ while the Visitor’s Award for ‘Research’ has been jointly won by Dr.
Shyam Sunder from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Prof. Niranjan Karak from Tezpur University.
President Pranab Mukherjee will present the Visitor’s Awards at a function to be held at Rashtrapati
Bhavan on March 6, 2017 as part of the ‘Festival of Innovations’. The ‘Best University’ will receive a
Citation and Trophy while winners of Visitor’s Award for ‘Innovation’ and ‘Research’ will
receive a Citation and cash award of Rs 1 lakh. The aim of these awards is to promote healthy competition
amongst Central Universities and to motivate them to adopt best practices from around the world in the
pursuit of excellence.

25. Which committee has submitted its’ report to the Union Government to protect the interests of the
migrants?
[A] Partha Mukhopadhay committee
[B] N K Singh committee
[C] R.V. Easwar committee
[D] Madhukar Gupta committee

Correct Answer: A [Partha Mukhopadhay committee]

Answer Explanation:
The ‘Working Group on Migration’ headed by Partha Mukhopadhay has recently submitted its report to
the Union Government, which was constituted by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation in
2015. The Working Group has recommended that the Protocols of the Registrar General of India (RGI)
needs to be amended to enable caste based enumeration of migrants so that they can avail the attendant
benefits in the States to which migration takes place. It also recommended that migrants should be enabled
to avail benefits of Public Distribution System (PDS) in the destination State by providing for inter-State
operability of PDS. The Group suggested that the hugely underutilized Construction Workers Welfare
Cess Fund (CWWCF) should be used to promote rental housing, working Women Hostels etc., for the
benefit of migrants.

26. Who is the author of the book “Mr and Mrs Jinnah: The Marriage that Shook India”?
[A] Teesta Setalvad
[B] Bertil Falk
[C] Sheela Redddy
[D] Audrey Truschke
Correct Answer: C [Sheela Redddy]
Answer Explanation:
The book “Mr and Mrs Jinnah: The Marriage that Shook India” has been authored by well-known
journalist Sheela Redddy. The author sketches an illuminating portrait of Ruttie Petit, whose marriage to
Mohammad Ali Jinnah shocked Bombay society of that time. The book provides a comprehensive history
of the Jinnahs, as well as the era of their marriage, its lengthy descriptive passages are spliced with
amusing excerpts from Ruttie’s letters.

27. Which state government has made Sanskrit compulsory up to class VIII in all classes?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Assam
[C] Manipur
[D] Kerala

Correct Answer: B [Assam]

Answer Explanation:
The Assam government has made Sanskrit education compulsory in all state board schools till Class VIII.
Apart from making Sanskrit mandatory, the cabinet also created a post to monitor cleanliness in
government-run schools under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Assam government has also decided to appoint a
computer teacher in all high schools to provide students access to computer education.

28. How much penalty will be imposed on banks if they refuse to exchange soiled or scribed currency
notes from people, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?
[A] Rs. 10,000
[B] Rs. 15,000
[C] Rs. 5,000
[D] Rs. 20,000

Correct Answer: A [Rs. 10,000]

Answer Explanation:
According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) circular, any bank branch that refuses to exchange soiled or
scribed currency notes from any member of the public will have to pay penalty of Rs. 10,000. Though, a
bank may levy a service charge if a person exchanges more than 20 notes, or notes worth Rs.5, 000 per
day. The RBI also clarified that such notes continue to be legal tender.

29. Which country to build its’ first national under water observatory in disputed South China Sea?
[A] China
[B] Vietnam
[C] Malaysia
[D] Brunei

Correct Answer: A [China]

Answer Explanation:
China will build its first national underwater observatory in the disputed South China Sea. Such a platform
will reportedly allow the country to keep a check on underwater physical, chemical, and geological
dynamics in real time and will also be used for other purposes. The construction work on the platform will
be done with the help of Shanghai’s Tongji University and the Institute of Acoustics. By building this
underwater observation platform, China will become an active part of the international competition. China
has maritime disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea. It claims almost all the waters, which
carry a third of the world’s maritime traffic and has huge amounts of oil and natural gas. The waters are
also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. China also contests Japan’s hold
over the islands in the East China Sea.

30. Which state government has signed MoU with Invest India to encourage start ups?
[A] Kerala
[B] Assam
[C] Tamil Nadu
[D] Odisha

Correct Answer: D [Odisha]

Answer Explanation:
The Odisha government has recently signed MoU with Invest India to support startups in the state The
MoU will also facilitate networking between Odisha start-ups and global start-up ecosystem. Invest India
will also extend knowledge support for development in MSME sector with focus on food processing,
agro-processing and spices. Apart from this, the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has officially launched the
Start-up Odisha Helpline “18003457100” to offer hands-on assistance to youths aspiring to be
entrepreneurs. The purpose of the helpline is to provide a platform to youths, incubators and other
stakeholders in the start-up eco-system to get easy redressal of their queries related to policy, fund raising,
company incorporation and idea validation.