National Events (Part-VIII)

1. From where did the 100th space mission of ISRO launch in September 2012? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Srihari Kota (Andhra Pradesh)
(b) Mahendragiri (Tamil Nadu)
(c) Thumba (Thiruvananthapuram)
(d) Bengaluru (Karnataka)

Correct Answer: (a) Srihari Kota (Andhra Pradesh)

Solution:The 100th space mission of ISRO launch in September 2012, from Srihari Kota (Andhra Pradesh). Hence, option (a) is correct.

2. India and France entered into a defence deal on 14-2-2013 worth Rs. 3000 crores to develop jointly: [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Surface to Air missile
(b) Surface to Surface Missile
(c) Air to Air Missile
(d) Air to Surface Missile

Correct Answer: (a) Surface to Air missile

Solution:India and France entered into a defence deal on 14-2-2013 worth Rs. 3000 crores to develop jointly Surface to Air missile. Hence, option (a) is correct.

3. Which of the following missile was launched from Chandipur, Odisha on 12.03.2013? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Akash
(b) Prithvi-2
(c) Nirbhay
(d) Naag

Correct Answer: (c) Nirbhay

Solution:On March 12, 2013, the 'Nirbhay' missile was fired from the interim test centre at Chandipur, Orissa, with Road Mobile Launcher. 'Nirbhay' is India's first subsonic cruise missile.

4. India and Japan on January 12, 2012, agreed to enhance their co-operation in which of the following sector? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

(a) Tourism
(b) Road and Transport
(c) Coal and Mining
(d) Infrastructure

Correct Answer: (d) Infrastructure

Solution:India and Japan on January 12, 2012, agreed to enhance their co-operation in Infrastructure. Hence, option (d) is correct.

5. 'Maitri Express' railway service is related with - [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre), 2015]

(a) India-Pakistan
(b) India-Bangladesh
(c) India-Nepal
(d) India-Bhutan

Correct Answer: (b) India-Bangladesh

Solution:Maitri Express Rail Service is related to India-Bangladesh. The Rail Service is from Dhaka to Kolkata. It was launched on 14th April, 2008.

6. Railways have raised the rail fare by 2 percent with effect from October 7, 2013. The increase is applicable to- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

(a) All the trains
(b) Only to sub-urban and passenger trains
(c) Only to passenger and express trains
(d) All the trains except sub-urban and passenger trains

Correct Answer: (a) All the trains

Solution:Railways have raised the rail fare by 2 percent with effect from October 7, 2013. The increase is applicable to All the trains. Hence, option (a) is correct.

7. In the Union Budget of 2015-16 the FDI limit of equity in case of insurance companies has been raised to [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

(a) 49%
(b) 76%
(c) 81%
(d) 99%

Correct Answer: (a) 49%

Solution:In the budget speech for the year 2015-16, the Finance Minister talked about attracting investment to create employment. For this, the government announced to increase the FDI limit for various sectors. The Foreign direct investment (FDI) limit was raised to 49% for this purpose. In the 2021 budget, this limit is raised to 74%.

8. In the Union Budget of 2015-16 which one of the following pension schemes has been reintroduced? [U.P.R.O/A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

(a) Ram Manohar Lohia Pension Yojana
(b) Pradhan Mantri Pension Yojana
(c) Atal Pension Yojana
(d) Nirantar Pension Yojana

Correct Answer: (c) Atal Pension Yojana

Solution:In the Union Budget of the year 2015-16, the Atal Pension Yojna was announced to restart. The age of joining is 18 to 40 years.

9. Which State has the highest number of fully covered tribal habitations with safe drinking water? [63rd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (a) Madhya Pradesh

Solution:As per the information given by the then Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Jastwanth shingh Bhabor, in March 2018, Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of 55770 fully covered tribal habitations with safe drinking water in the country, followed by Odisha 52427, Jharkhand 53476 number of habitations.

10. Which State has promulgated an ordinance in August, 2013 banning the black magic? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

(a) Maharashtra
(b) Karnataka
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) West Bengal

Correct Answer: (a) Maharashtra

Solution:On 24th August, 2013 the Maharashtra Government issued an ordinance prohibiting black magic. It became law after the Maharashtra legislature passed it in December 2013. It is noteworthy that the above ordinance was brought after the killing of activist Narendra Dabholkar who fought against superstitions. After 2013, Maharashtra Government Act, Rajasthan (2015), Assam (2015) & Karnataka (2020) also have passed anti-superstition laws. Bihar, Jharkhand & Chhattisgarh already had some form of anti-superstition law.