1. The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is observed every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of which leader?
a) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
b) Indira Gandhi
c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
d) Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay
Answer :1. (a) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
India observed Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on October 31, 2018 to commemorate the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India. On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated world’s tallest ‘Statue of Unity’ to the nation at Kevadiya in Narmada district of Gujarat.
2. Which country agreed to start 2+2 Dailouge with India at the foreign and defence ministers level?
a) China
b) Russia
c) Japan
d) Nepal
Answer : 2. (c) Japan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Japan on October 28-29, 2018 to attend the India-Japan Annual Summit with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. After the United States, India will now hold a 2+2 dialogue with Japan. Both the sides agreed for a 2+2 dialogue between Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers. The aim is to work towards world peace and stability.
3. Which state will observe the ‘Clean Air Week’ from November 1, 2018?
a) Punjab
b) Haryana
c) Kerala
d) Delhi
Answer : 3. (d) Delhi
A Clean Air Week will organised during November 1 – 5, 2018 in collaboration with the Delhi Government and the four major NCR cities to control the air pollution. For this, 52 teams have been formed to ensure compliance and safety and take quick action.
4. The world’s tallest statue has been built in which country?
a) India
b) Nepal
c) US
d) Japan
Answer :4. (a) Japan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on October 31, 2018 unveil the ‘statue of unity’, a bronze statue of India’s first deputy prime minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Kevadia in Gujarat’s Narmada district. The structure will be double the size of the Statue of Liberty in New York City in the United States.
5. The Supreme Court recently prohibited the plying of 15-year-old petrol and 10-year-old diesel vehicles in which state?
a) Delhi
b) Punjab
c) Haryana
d) Mumbai
Answer :5. (a) Delhi
The Supreme Court on October 29, 2018 prohibited the plying of 15-year-old petrol and 10-year-old diesel vehicles in the Delhi-NCR (national capital region) in a move to deal with the prevailing “very critical” and “horrible” pollution situation in Delhi-NCR.
6. India entered into a USD 75 billion currency swap agreement with which country to boost its economy?
a) Qatar
b) Japan
c) Brazil
d) Peru
Answer : 6. (b) Japan
Japan and India entered into a USD 75 billion currency swap agreement that will boost Indian economy as it encounters a steep drop in the rupee’s value. This swap arrangement would be 50 percent higher than the previous swap agreement. Japan had offered a USD 50 billion currency swap in 2013.
7. Which country became the 71st country to sign the ISA Framework Agreement?
a) Guinea
b) Spain
c) Japan
d) Israel
Answer : 7. (c) Japan
During the 13th India-Japan Annual Summit, Japan announced to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by submitting the instrument of ratification on October 29, 2018. Japan will be the 71st country to sign and 48th country to ratify the ISA Framework Agreement.
8. Which country launched the World’s First Sovereign Blue Bond?
a) Brunei
b) Romania
c) Italy
d) Seychelles
Answer :8. (d) Seychelles
The Republic of Seychelles launched the world’s first sovereign blue bond—a pioneering financial instrument designed to support sustainable marine and fisheries projects.
9. Who was appointed as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka?
a) Ranil Wickremesinghe
b) Maithripala Sirisena
c) Arjuna Ranatunga
d) Mahinda Rajapaksa
Answer : 9. (d) Mahinda Rajapaksa
President Maithripala Sirisena on October 26, 2018 announced through a live television address that Ranil Wickremesinghe, with whom he had governed in a fragile coalition since 2015, had been dismissed and in his place, he had decided to appoint former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, the same man he had joined forces with Wickremasinghe in 2015 to defeat.
10. What was India’s rank in the Ease of Doing Business Index 2019?
a) 104th
b) 96th
c) 77th
d) 59th
Answer :10. (c) 77th
As per the 2019 Report, India jumped 23 places on the Ease of Doing Business Index to 77th rank, up from 100th rank last year. This year, India’s Distance to Frontier score improved to 67.23 from 60.76 in the previous year.
11. Name the renowned actor who recently resigned as the Chairman of FTII?
a) Anup Jalota
b) Naseeruddin Shah
c) Amir Khan
d) Anupam Kher
Answer :11. (d) Anupam Kher
Anupam Kher on October 31, 2018 resigned as Chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), citing international film and TV assignments. Anupam Kher took office as the Chairman of the prestigious organisation in October 2017. Prior to Kher, Gajendra Chauhan was the Chairman of FTII. Chauhan left office in March 2017.
12. What is the name of India’s first made-in-India engineless train?
a) Fastrack 18
b) Train 18
c) Quix 18
d) Bullet 18
Answer : 12. (b) Train 18
India’s first made-in-India engineless train ‘Train 18’ hit the tracks for trials on October 29, 2018.
After successful trials, the train will be handed over to Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) for further trials.
