General awareness CBSE UGC NET important topics and MCQs

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Download PDF click Here1) In a major move in the education sector, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Tuesday 20 March 2018 granted autonomy to as many as 60 institutions for higher education in the country. The list of the institutions that would be given autonomy include five central universities, 21 state universities, 24 deemed universities, two private universities and eight autonomous colleges.


An announcement in this regard was made on Tuesday by Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, who said that “the government is striving to introduce a liberalized regime in the education sector and emphasis is on linking autonomy with quality.”

Under the UGC for grant of graded autonomy regulations 2018, Universities are categorized into three categories. While a score of 3.51 or above is the criteria for placing a University in category 1, it is 3.26-3.50 for category 2. Those Universities which do not come under both the categories come under category 3.

Twenty five category 1 Universities have been granted the autonomy by UGC.

OP Jindal Global University, Haryana and Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gujarat with NAAC score 3.26 and 3.39, respectively are the only two private Universities in the list.

With the grant of autonomy, Universities in category 1 like JNU, BHU can engage in academic collaboration with foreign institutions in top 500 of Times Higher Education World University Rankings or QS Rankings or top 200 of discipline specific ranking in Times Higher Education World University Rankings or QS Rankings.

These Universities can also 'may open research parks, incubation centres, university society linkage centres, in self-financing mode, either on its own or in partnership with private partners, without approval of Commission,' reads the regulation.


UGC has also granted the autonomy to 21 State Universities and 24 Deemed to be Universities. Eight colleges have also been granted autonomy. These colleges will be free to set their own syllabus, hold examinations, carry out evaluation as well as declare results. Only the degree will be awarded by the respective university.

List of Universities Given Autonomy By UGC

Central Universities

Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

The English and Foreign Languages University, Telangana

University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad

Aligarh Muslim University , Aligarh

State Universities

Jadavpur University, Jadavpur, Kolkata

Algappa University, Karaikudi

NALSAR University of Law, Telangana

SavitribaiPhule Pune University, Pune

Andhra University, Visakhapatnam

National Law University Delhi, Dwarka

Utkal University, Bhubaneswar

Osmania University, Hyderabad

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

University of Jammu, Jammu

University of Mysore, Mysuru

Anna University, Chennai

Punjab University, Chandigarh

Kakatiya University, Warangal

Punjabi University, Patiala

Rajiv Gandhi University of Law, Patiala

National Law University Odisha, Cuttack

University of Madras, Chennai

Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati

Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar

Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra

Deemed To Be Universities

Homi Bhabha National Institute Mumbai, Maharashtra

Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM), Visakhapatnam, AP

Narsee Monjee Institute of Studies, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth,  Pune, Maharashtra

Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, Maharashtra

TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi

Jain University, Bangalore, Karnataka

Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, Odisha

JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysore, Karnataka

Symbiosis International, Pune, Maharashtra

Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra

The Indian Law Institute, New Delhi

Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA)Thanjavur, TN

ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education and Research, Hyderabad, Telangana

Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, Maharashtra

Manipal Academy of Higher Education

KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Belgaum, Karnataka

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Private Universities

O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana

Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat

2) NAAC was established in 1994 in response to recommendations of National Policy in Education (1986).

National Assessment and Accreditation Council. The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) is an organisation that assesses and accredits higher education Institutions (HEIs) in India. It is an autonomous body funded by University Grants Commission of Government of India headquartered in Bangalore.

Range of institutional CGPA	Letter Grade	Performance Descriptor
3.51 – 4.00	A++	Accredited
3.26 – 3.50	A+	Accredited
3.01 – 3.25	A	Accredited
2.76 – 3.00	B++	Accredited
2.51 – 2.75	B+	Accredited
2.01 – 2.50	B	Accredited
1.51 – 2.00	C	Accredited
≤ 1.50	D	Not Accredited

3) Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)'s film "Tribals and Indigenous Knowledge System" has won a "Special Jury Award" in competitive category 'A' in the 8th National Science Film Festival of India, held at Guwahati on February 20 to 24, 2018. The National science Film Festival is Organized by Vigyan Prasar, an autonomous organization of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

The award includes a certificate a trophy and cash prize of Rs. 50,000.

In the preliminary selection process a screening committee recommends/ nominates films for screening in the film festival and then the jury will select the films for awards. 

This year, renowned wild life and environment Film maker Mr. Mike Pandey, was the chairman of the jury. In the Competitive category 'A' i.e. for films sponsored by government and non government institutions/organizations a total 21 films were selected/nominated for screening in the film festival.

This film pertains to the traditional knowledge of the tribals and indigenous communities in Southern Rajasthan. 

Prof. Kapil kumar, director, EMPC, IGNOU described it as a major achievement for the Electronic Media Production Centre and congratulated the producer of the film Dr. Amitosh Dubey and his team.

4 Which of the following statements is NOT true?
[A]Photochemical smog always contains Ozone. 
[B]The toxic effect of Carbon Monoxide is due to its greater affinity for haemoglobin as compared to oxygen. 
[C]Lead is the most hazardous metal pollutant of automobile exhaust. 

[D]None of the above


carbon monoxide is a very aggressive molecule. It's a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that is lighter than air and can be fatal to life. It has a greater affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen does. It displaces oxygen and quickly binds, so very little oxygen is transported through the body cells.

Answer D all are correct


5 Most hazardous metal pollutant of the automobile exhaust is

1.   Lead
2.   Mercury
3.   Calcium
4.   Copper

6 Identify the non Green-House Gas(GHG) from the following : 

[A]Methane 
[B]Nitrous Oxide 
[C]Sulphur Hexafluoride
[D]Carbon Monoxide

Answer D
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiant energy within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Without greenhouse gases, the average temperature of Earth's surface would be about −18 °C (0 °F), rather than the present average of 15 °C (59 °F). In the Solar System, the atmospheres of Venus, Mars and Titan also contain gases that cause a greenhouse effect.

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) are greenhouse gaseswith atmospheric lifetimes of more than 1000 years. They are powerful greenhouse gases and today's emissions will still be affecting earth's climate in the next millennium

Where is CO found?
CO is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO it can make you pass out or kill you. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms.

Who is at risk from CO poisoning?

Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning. Infants, the elderly, people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems are more likely to get sick from CO. Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized.

7 Diu
Diu becomes first Union Territory to run 100% on solar energy. Diu has emerged as the first Union Territory to harness solar power at such an extent, that it now runs 100% on solar energy.

The Union Territory of Diu, located in the western part of India is reportedly generating up to 13 MW of solar every day, which is more than its daily electricity demand.
Prior to this, Diu procured electricity from the neighboring state of Gujarat, which reportedly resulted in huge transmission & distribution (T&D) losses. Once the local power company started generating electricity from solar, these were said to be significantly reduced.

Ingle told the local newspaper that Diu’s 56,000 inhabitants were previously dependent on the Gujarat government. To overcome this situation, the administration of the UT decided to harness solar energy in Diu.

Diu has an area of just 42 square kilometers, with solar installations covering 0.2 square kilometers. Despite the land restrictions, it is now said to be generating more solar than daily demand requires.

Ingle said, “Diu’s peak-time demand for electricity goes up to 7 MW and we generate about 10.5 MW of electricity from solar energy daily. This is way more than the consumption demand requirement.”

8 Statement: 1 All countries between tropics of Cancer and Capricorn can join International Solar Alliance (ISA).
2. It will function from the National Institute of Solar Energy in India, Gurgaon.

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both

d. None

International Solar Alliance (ISA ) is conceived as a coalition of solar resource rich countries to address their special energy needs.
- ISA will promote solar technologies and investment in the solar sector to enhance income generation for the poor and global environment.
- ISA will develop innovative Financial Mechanisms to reduce cost of capital
- It will formulate projects and programs to promote solar applications.

- Also it will build a common Knowledge e-Portal and facilitate capacity building for promotion and absorption of solar technologies and R&D.

अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सौर गठबंधन (आईएसए) को अपनी विशेष ऊर्जा जरूरतों को पूरा करने के लिए सौर संसाधन संपन्न देशों के गठबंधन के रूप में माना जाता है।
- आईएसए सौर प्रौद्योगिकियों और सौर क्षेत्र में निवेश को बढ़ावा देगा ताकि गरीब और वैश्विक पर्यावरण के लिए आय पैदा कर सके।
- आईएसए पूंजी की लागत को कम करने के लिए नवीन वित्तीय तंत्र विकसित करेगी
- यह सौर अनुप्रयोगों को बढ़ावा देने के लिए परियोजनाओं और कार्यक्रम तैयार करेगा।

- इसके अलावा यह एक सामान्य ज्ञान ई-पोर्टल का निर्माण करेगा और सौर प्रौद्योगिकियों और अनुसंधान एवं विकास के पदोन्नति और अवशोषण के लिए क्षमता निर्माण की सुविधा प्रदान करेगा।

What is the International Solar Alliance?

The International Solar Alliance is the first international treaty-based organisation that enables co-operation among sun-rich countries lying fully or partially between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, as this is the region worldwide with a surplus of bright sunlight for most of the year, who are seeking to ramp up solar energy, thereby helping to bend the global greenhouse emissions curve whilst providing clean and cheap energy.

When was the International Solar Alliance formed?

It was established following the Paris Declaration at the UN Climate Change Conference on November 30, 2015. The International Solar Alliance was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then French President Francois Hollande. The idea was to form a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to collaborate on addressing the identified gaps in their energy requirements through a common approach.

What are the goals and focus areas of the International Solar Alliance?


The ISA has set a target of 1 TW of solar energy by 2030, which would require $1 trillion to achieve. India has set an ambitious target of 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022, which includes 100 GW of solar and 60 GW of wind energy. The key focus areas of the alliance are promoting solar technologies, new business models and investment in the solar sector, formulate projects and programmes to promote solar applications, develop innovative financial mechanisms to reduce cost of capital build, a common knowledge e-Portal to facilitate capacity building for promotion and absorption of solar technologies and R&D among member count

The ISA is open to 121 member countries, most of them located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. So far, 61 countries have joined the alliance and 32 have ratified the framework agreement.

9) Saudi Arabia's cabinet approved on Tuesday 13th March 2018 the national policy of the atomic energy program, state news agency SPA reported

The national policy includes limiting all nuclear activities to peaceful purposes, within the limits defined by international treaties. It also stressed on the importance of optimal utilization of natural resources from nuclear materials and applying best practices for radioactive waste management.

Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, wants nuclear power to diversify its energy supply mix. Riyadh is interested in reaching a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with Washington, and has invited US firms to take part in developing the kingdom's first atomic energy programme.

10) Which of the following banks has recently introduced the Instant ODF facility?
(a) Indian State Bank
(b) HDFC Bank
(c) ICICI Bank
(d) Axis Bank
Answer: (c)

On 13th March, 2018, ICICI Bank, India’s largest private sector bank by consolidated assets, announced the launch of an instant overdraft facility for MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) customers in a completely online and paperless manner.
Christened ‘InstaOD’, this first-of-its-kind offering in the Indian banking industry enables a few lakhs of pre-qualified current account customers of the bank to instantly avail of the facility without visiting a branch and submitting physical documents.
This facility significantly improves customers’ convenience, as they get an overdraft facility upto Rs. 15 lakh for a year anytime, anywhere, using the bank’s internet and mobile banking app.
The application procedure incorporates an additional level of authentication in order to make the security of the process robust.
ICICI Bank will also offer a facility of instant online sanction of overdraft facility to MSME customers of other banks shortly.
Chanda Kochhar is the current MD & CEO of ICICI Bank.

11) Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between India and Vietnam in which of the followingfield?

(a) Agriculture
(b) Economic and trade
(c) Information Technology
(d) Tax evasion and double taxation

Answer: (b)
Related Facts:

• On February 28th, 2018, the Union Cabinet approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Economic and Trade Cooperation between India and Vietnam.
• Under this MoU, there will be a greater increase in bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

12) In order to complete double-tracking and electrification of railway tracks along high-density corridors in India and improve operational efficiency of the country’s railway networks Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India today signed a loan agreement. This loan agreement is for-
(a) $ 185 million
(b) $155 million
(c) $145 million
(d) $120 million
Answer: (d) 
Related Facts 

• On March 16th, 2018, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $120 million loan agreement.
• This agreement is for to complete double-tracking and electrification of railway tracks along high-density corridors in India and improve operational efficiency of the country’s railway networks.
• The $120 million financing is the third tranche of a $500 million financing facility for the Railway Sector Investment Program approved by ADB’s Board in 2011.
• The loan amount will be used to complete the ongoing works started in the project’s first two tranches.
• The agreement was signed by Kenichi Yokoyama, ADB Country Director for India, and Sameer Kumar Khare, Joint Secretary (Multilateral Institutions) of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance, at a ceremony in New Delhi.
• The program will help develop energy efficient, safe, and reliable railway systems that will result in reduced travel time along project rail routes and also reduce annual accident rate.
• Funding for the project’s third tranche will contribute toward achieving the overall program outputs of double-tracking about 840 kilometers (km) of rail routes and electrification of 640 km of tracks along high density corridors.
• The program is also helping implement new accounting systems and provide additional safety measures including collision avoidance equipment.
• The investment program is targeting busy freight and passenger routes in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Odisha, including the “Golden Quadrilateral” corridor that connects Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
• The doubling of rail sections is being implemented along Daund-Titlagarh section, Sambalpur-Titlagarh section, Raipur-Titlagarh Section, and Hospet-Tinaighat section, while electrification is being undertaken along the 641-km Pune-Wadi Guntakal section.
• ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration.
• Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region.

13) Who amongst the following was recently awarded the Global Teacher Prize-2018?
(a) Maggi MacDonell
(b) Nancy Atwell
(c) Andria Jafirakou
(d) Hanan al Harub
Reply- (c) 
Related Facts

• On March 18th 2018, Global Teacher Prize award for 2018 from Sunny Varkey of the Varkey Foundation was given to British teacher Andria Jafirakou.
• The prize was distributed by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Maktoum, vice president and Prime Minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai.
• The winner is awarded $1million for their outstanding work.
• It is remarkable that she is the first person from Britain to get this award.
• Andria teaches at Alperton Community School, a secondary school academy in the inner city borough of Brent. It’s no easy task. Brent is one of the most ethnically diverse places in the country and 130 languages are spoken in its schools.
• It is known that this award is provided annually by the founding non-profit organization Varkey Foundation for improving the level of education for the poor children of the world.
• Varkey Foundation was founded by Sunny Varkey, a social activist born in Kerala.

14) On January 31, 2018, who was awarded the ‘Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Samman’ of 2018?

(a) Dr. Amrut Someshwar
(b) Dr. Shesh Anand Madhukar
(c) Dr. Anand Prakash Dixit
(d) Acharya Munishwar Jha
Answer: (b)
Related Facts:

• On January 31st, 2018, famous writer and scholar of Magahi language, Dr Shesh Anand Madhukar was conferred with the ‘Sahitya Akademi Bhasha Samman Award’ for the year 2018.
• He is the second author of Magahi language to receive this award.
• Under this award, he was provided with a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, one Momento by Dr. Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, Chairman of the Academy.

15) The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has been apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Sri Lanka for promoting cooperation in which of the following fields?
(a) Traditional Drug System
(b) Double Taxation and Financial Taxation
(c) Information Technology and Electronics
(d) Health and Drugs

Answer C

• On March 14th, 2018, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Sri Lanka for promoting cooperation in the field of Information Technology and Electronics.
• The MoU was signed on 15thJanuary, 2018 during the visit of Minister of Law & Justice and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad to Sri Lanka.
• The MoU intends to promote closer co-operation in the areas of e-Governance, m-Governance, e-Public Services Delivery, cyber security, software technology parks, start-ups ecosystem etc.
• The MoU shall be implemented by establishing a Working Group on IT&E composed of representatives of the two Parties.
• Bilateral Cooperation in ICT domain both B2B and G2G will be enhanced.
• It is noteworthy that The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has been mandated to promote international cooperation in the emerging and frontier areas of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) under bilateral and regional framework of cooperation.
• MeitY has entered into MoUs / Agreements with counterpart organizations/agencies of various countries to promote close cooperation and exchange of information in the area of ICT.
• The Prime Minister’s visit to Sri Lanka in 2015 did a synergy in India’s neighbourhood first policy.

16) Recently, the approval of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between India and Macedonia for the cooperation in which of the following field was approved by the Union Cabinet?
(a) Electronics
(b) Economic and trade
(c) Health
(d) Information Technology
Answer: (c)
Related Facts:

• On February 28th, 2018, the Union Cabinet approved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between India and Macedonia for cooperation in Health sector.
• The MoU covers the following areas of cooperation:-

1. Capacity building and short term training of human resources in health;
2. Exchange & training of medical doctors, officials, other health professionals and experts;
3. Assistance in development of human resources and setting up of health care facilities;
4. Any other area of cooperation as may be mutually decided upon.

• A Working Group will be set up to further elaborate the details of cooperation and to oversee the implementation.

17) Grants for how much were sanctioned by the Central Government for the II-phase of the Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) program
(a) 800 crores
(b) 900 crores
(c) 1000 crores
(d) 1200 crores
Answer: (c) 
Related Facts: 

• On March 6th, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched ‘ IMPRINT India’, an Rs 1,000-crore project to kickstart original research in areas where the country is dependent on foreign technology.
• IMPRINT India program was started in 2015.
• This program is a joint initiative of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
• It’s aim is to identify areas of relevance in those areas which need innovation and to ensure the support of higher financing for research in these areas and measure the impact of research at the people’s level of life.
• 142 projects are being implemented under the IMPRINT First Program with a cost of 318.71 crore rupees.
• These projects are related to important areas including security and energy, health care, climate change, etc.
• Under theIMPRINT – II (II), a ‘Department of Funds Science and Technology’ and ‘Human Resource Development Ministry’ is being jointly organized.

18) Recently, the research firm Cambridge Analytica has been in news due to allegations to misuse of Facebook users’ data. At which of the following places its headquarters is located?
(a) New York
(b) Beijing
(c) London
(d) Abu Dhabi
Answer: (a) 
Related Facts: 

• UK research firm Cambridge Analytica has been in news and discussion recently due to the misuse of personal data (data) of Facebook users.
• Allegations that Cambridge Analytica using Facebook’s many applications and games like ‘Your true friend who is’ or ‘you are like a Hollywood star’, by obtaining data of approximately 5 crore Facebook users, their wrong Used.
• Cambridge Analytica has headquartered in New York.
• Its CEO is Alexander Nix.
• Cambridge Analytica in India is affiliated to Strategic Communications Laboratories India (SCL India).
• It is a joint venture of London’s SCL Group and Olevano Business Intelligence Pvt. Ltd.
• Mark Zuckerberg is the Facebook’s Chairman and CEO, started on February 4th, 2004.
• Facebook is headquartered in California, USA.
• India’s Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has instructed to take strict legal action when data is leaked from Facebook.
• It is estimated that there are about 20 million Facebook users in India, whose data is likely to be mis-used in the coming elections.
• Social media site Facebook has billions of users worldwide, whose data security has been questioned once again.
• It is important that the British company Cambridge Analytica created the software for the 2016 US presidential election, which could have an edge over the political trends of the people.
• Although both companies have been denying such allegations till date.
• But on March 21, 2018, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in his statement that security has been missed, which has ensured access to personal data of users to other parties.
• Through Facebook, Facebook users from around the world can be easily accessed and, according to the requirement, these users should be classified into various categories such as education, fashion, sports etc. based on their hobbies (based on the information given in the personal data).
• Facebook has created various types of applications and games to attract the attention of users.
• Application or Game link is asked to login with the user, which is very easy to login from Facebook.
• By login, the application ensures access to the user’s personal data, which was allowed only when the user logged on.
• However, Facebook has banned developers from collecting data on users’ running applications.
• In 2013, Cambridge University researcher Alexander Kogan created a personality quiz that was used by nearly 3 million Facebook users.
• As a result, the access of the application to the data of him and some of his friends is ensured.
• To prevent this, the book had completely restricted access to data from friends of the users in 2014.
• The result of this restriction was that the application of a friend of a user could not have received the application till it had authorized the application for data.
• Incorrect use of these data is done especially in the elections.
• Cambridge Analytica was accused of misusing the data in the US presidential election, which led to the fact that Facebook could not separate from the charges.
• After data leak, all the countries in the world have expressed concern.
• However, advertising is the biggest source of Facebook earning. It is very easy to classify customers on Facebook.
• The fact is that in the year 2011, the revolution in Egypt started with the Facebook page ‘Today He Killed Khaled’.
• Later that page was named ‘We Are All Khaled Said’.
• Solid steps taken by Facebook for data security –
• Keeping in view the data security, Facebook has also instructed all the developers who have received the information till the year 2014 to examine the applications.
• All applications with suspicious activity will be investigated. They will be completely banned if they do not cooperate in the investigation.
• Due to reasons of personal data security, application developers will now be able to ensure access to the names, profile photos and email address information of the users.
• Apart from this, they will have to get permission of users to obtain other information and sign agreement too.

19) On March 21st, 2018, ‘International Day of Forests’ was celebrated worldwide. The theme of this day for 2018 is-
(a) Forests and Sustainable Cities
(b) Forest and employment
(c) Forest and climate change
(d) Forest and energy
Answer: (a)
Related Facts:

• On March 21st, 2018, ‘International Day of Forests’ was celebrated across the world.
• Main theme of this day for year 2018 is ” Forests and Sustainable Cities ”.
• The purpose of celebrating this day is to increase awareness of forest conservation and strengthen the development of current and future generations.
• It is notable that The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution  A/RES/67/200 on 21st December 2012, which declared that 21st March of each year is to be observed as the International Day of Forests.
• Significantly, according to the report of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, India has been ranked 8th among 10 countries of the world, which has recorded the highest growth in forest areas at the annual level.
• According to the ’15th India Forest Status Report’ (ISFR) -2018, issued on February 12th, 2018, the total forest and tree cover is 8, 02,088 sq. Km which is 24.39 per cent of the geographical area of the country.

20) A landmark survey of the state of global happiness-“World Happiness Report-2018” was released by UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN). Which of the following countries is at top in the list amongst 156 countries?
(a) Denmark
(b) Norway
(c) Finland
(d) Iceland
Answer: (c) 
Related Facts

• On March 14th, 2018, the sixth ‘World Happiness Report-2018’ was released by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UNSDSN) under the leadership of United Nations General Assembly.
• World Happiness Report-2018 includes 156 member countries.
• Under this survey work, six key factors have been used to measure the level of happiness of people of the countries.
• These 6 key factors are:

(i) GDP per capita
(ii) Healthy Life Expectancy
(iii) Social Freedom
(iv) Lack of corruption (Absence of Corruption
(v) Social Support and
(vi) Generosity.

• According to this report, Finland, ranked first in the list; is the world’s happiest country.
• Reports include Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden and Australia, respectively, in the top ten countries of the world.
• In this list among the world’s major developed countries, Germany is ranked 15th, USA at 18th, United Kingdom at 19th, France at 23rd, Singapore at 34th and Japan ranked at 54th.
• According to this report, India is ranked at 133rd in this list.
• While last year India was ranked at 122nd in this list.
• In neighboring countries of India, Pakistan is ranked 75th, Bhutan at 97th, Nepal at 101st, Bangladesh at 115th and Sri Lanka remained at 116th.
• Thus, India is far behind from its neighbors in this list.
• List does not include any Asian country in the top 10.
• Israel ranked 11th and United Arab Emirates ranked 20th are among the most Happiest Asian countries.
• According to this report, Burundi ranked last in the list. Its position is 156th.
• It is worth noting that the main objective of this report, issued by the United Nations since 2012, is to motivate the member countries to create public policies keeping in mind the level of satisfaction and happiness of their citizens.

What is the theme of the 2018 World Water Day (WWD)?
[A] Why Waste Water?
[B] Nature for Water
[C] Water is Life
[D] Better Water, Better Jobs

The World Water Day (WWD) is observed every year on 22 March to raise awareness about the importance of water. The 2018 theme ‘Nature for Water’ is exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges the world faces in the 21st century. The day is about focusing on the importance of water and the need to preserve it. The day encourages people not to waste one of the most important elements that sustain life on the planet. An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. The United Nations General Assembly responded by designating 22 March 1993 as the first World Water Day.

Where did the Indo-French Friends Club was launched in March?
Varanasi

Recently, under the chairmanship of who’s of the following of the University Grants
Commission has constituted an expert committee for the selection of top 20 educational institutes in India?
(a) Prof. Tarun Khanna 
(b) N.Gopalaswamy
(c) Pritam Singh 
(d) Renu Khator
Answer b


29 March: India’s first Insect Museum opened in Tamil Nadu

A Rs 5 crore insect museum with the state-of-the-art amenities was unveiled by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswamy at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

India and China agree roadmap for addressing Trade Imbalance


The eleventh session of the China-India joint-group on Economic Relations, Trade, Science & Technology was held in New Delhi. The session was co-chaired by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Suresh Prabhu and China’s Minister of Commerce Mr. Zhong Shan.

UAE is 1st Arab Country to have Nuclear Power

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) celebrated the completion of the first-ever Nuclear Power Plant not only in the country but the whole Arab Gulf Region. The $20 billion Barakah Plant west of Abu Dhabi has been constructed by a consortium led by Korea Electric Power Corp in nine years.

With which country China agreed to A Road map For Addressing Trade Imbalance?

(A) India
(B) Pakistan
(C) Saudi Arabia
(D) Indonesia     

Answer: A

In which state India’s first Insect Museum Opened?

(A) Tamil Nadu
(B) Kerala
(C) West Bengal
(D) Odisha


Answer: A

A new study on adults in India and US reveals that exposure to air pollution or living in polluted cities may lead to unethical behaviour such as cheating and crime besides having a negative impact on health. Feb 2018

India to host World Environment Day 2018: World Environment Day is a UN Environment-led global event, the single largest celebration of environment each year, which takes place on June 5 and is celebrated by thousands of communities worldwide.
New Delhi, 19 February 2018 – Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Erik Solheim, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Head of UN Environment, jointly announced that India will be hosting the global World Environment Day celebrations on 5 June 2018.

The World Sustainable Development Summit 2018 (WSDS 2018) is organized by the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), and seeks to accelerate action towards sustainable development and climate change. The 2018 event will focus on the theme, 'Partnerships for a Resilient Planet'. dates: 15-17 February 2018

The Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), a Maharatna company,  has bagged a major order of Rs 560 crore for supply and installation of Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) system from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) for its 2x490 MW National Capital Power Stations (NCPS) at Dadri of Uttar Pradesh. The order has been secured by BHEL amid a stiff competition among the Indian and multinational companies.

The FGD system is a set of technologies to remove sulfur dioxide (SO2) from exhaust flue gases of fossil- fuel power plants, and from the emissions of other sulphur oxide emitting processes.
flue gas refers to the combustion exhaust gas produced at power plants.

In an attempt to fight air pollution, China has constructed an experimental air purifying tower, touted to be the world’s biggest at a height of over 100 meters (328 feet). According to a report in the South China Morning Post, the tower, built in Xian in Shaanxi province, has brought a positive effect on the chronic smog problem in the country.

The Xian smog tower is undergoing testing by researchers at the Institute of Earth Environment at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Cao Junji, the research head said that the tower has managed to produce more than 10 million cubic metres (353 million cubic feet) of clean air a day since its launch, the report said. He also noted that the quality of air had improved after observations were made over a distance of 10 square kilometers in the past few months.

More than a dozen pollution monitoring stations have been placed in Xian to check the tower’s impact. According to Cao, the tower was able to bring down the smog to moderate levels the day when air quality was severe. However, the results were preliminary as of now. The team plans to release more detailed data coupled with scientific assessment of the tower’s performance in March.

Launched in 2015, the Xian smog tower was announced to find a low-cost method to artificially remove pollutants from the atmosphere. The polluted air is sucked into the glasshouses of the tower and is then heated up by the solar energy. The hot air then moves through multiple cleaning filters and helps in reducing the pollution.

A full-sized tower would reach 500 metres (1,640 feet) high with a diameter of 200 metres (656 feet), according to a patent application the makers filed in 2014. The size of the greenhouses could cover nearly 30 square kilometres and will be capable of purifying the air for a small-sized city.

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