Static GK and Current Events Questions and Answers: 16th January 2021

Take a look at the GK Questions and their explanations below. The questions have been tailored to suit your exam preparation. These are a mix of current affairs and static events that are useful for the preparation of competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Bank PO etc. 

1. How is QKD considered secure?

i) It functions by transmitting signals through photons and can decode any intrusion

ii) It transfers signals through sound waves which makes it difficult to decode 

1. Only i
2. Only ii
3. Both i and ii
4. None of the above 

Ans. a

Explanation: The ability to detect any intrusion in QKD transmission brings its unique security into the picture. The unique and fragile properties of photons or any third party intruder like eavesdroppers, who tries to go through or copy the photons in any way would bring a change to the photons’ state. Details here

2. Which of the following properties are of Sulphur dioxide

i) It is an organic compound, heavy, colourless, and poisonous gas. 

ii) It is produced in large quantities in intermediate steps of sulphuric acid manufacture

1. Only i
2. Only ii
3. Both i and ii
4. None of the above 

Ans. b

Explanation: SO2 is an inorganic compound, heavy, colourless, and poisonous gas. It is produced in large quantities in intermediate steps of manufacturing sulphuric acid. 

3. When is army day celebrated in India?

1. January 1
2. January 15
3. January 31
4. January 26

Ans. b

Explanation: It is celebrated on 15 January every year as on 15 January 1949 when General KM Cariappa took over the charge of the Indian Army from British General Sir Francis Butcher. Look at the details of Army day here

4. Choose the correct statement about LCA Tejas MK-1A

i) Tejas Mk-1A is an indigenously designed but developed in Russia

ii) It has an indigenous content of 50% which will reach 60% by the end of the programme

1. Only i
2. Only ii
3. Both i and ii
4. None of the above 

Ans. b

Explanation: Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A is an indigenously designed,  developed and manufactured state-of-the-art modern 4+ generation fighter aircraft. It is equipped with critical operational capabilities of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Missile, Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite and Air to Air Refuelling (AAR) to meet the operational requirements of Indian Air Force, IAF. It has an indigenous content of 50% which will reach 60% by the end of the programme. 

5. Indian Army has signed a contract with ideaForge for which things procurement 

1. SWITCH UAV
2. Tejas LCA 
3. BVR Missile 
4. Electronic Warfare Suite 

Ans. a

Explanation: The Indian Army has signed a contract of approximately 20 million dollars with ideaForge in order to procure undisclosed quantities of high-altitude drones which will be delivered over a period of 1 year. ideaForge has been awarded the contract for a high-altitude variant of its SWITCH Unmanned Air Vehicles- UAV or drones.  Take a look at the details here

6. When will nation-wide COVID-19 vaccination process begin?

1. January 16, 2021
2. January 21, 2021
3. January 18, 2021
4. January 20, 2021

Ans. a

Explanation: The Union Health Ministry informed on January 14, 2021, that PM Modi will launch the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16. Prime Minister is also likely to interact with some of the health workers virtually from across the country, who will be receiving the shots on the first day.

7. Which is the most powerful passport in the world

1. Japan
2. Singapore
3. UK
4. USA

Ans. a

Explanation: Henley and Partners Passport Index 2021 released a list of world's most powerful passports on 5 January 2021. Japan tops the list with a visa score of 191.

8. What is an immunity passport?

1. A passport issued to the most frequent travellers across the world
2. A certificate which states that the person is immune to COVID-19
3. Passport issued to doctors and healthcare workers
4. Passport issued to diplomats

Ans. b

Explanation: Immunity passport is a certificate which states that the person to whom it is issued is immune to COVID-19. It was issued in 2020. It meant that if a person has been infected with COVID-19 and has been recovered from the deadly virus, he can travel. What is an immunity passport?

9. What is India's rank on the Henley and Partner’s Passport Index 2021?

1. 85th rank
2. 88th rank
3. 18th rank
4. 108th rank

Ans. a

Explanation: Henley Passport Index ranked India at 85th position with a visa score of 58. In simple terms, Indian passport holders can visit 58 countries without a prior visa or visa-on-arrival. India shares the rank with Tajikistan. Take a look at the details here. 

10. Which country's armed forces will be participating in Republic Day Parade 2021?

1. Myanmar
2. USA
3. UK
4. Bangladesh

Ans. d

Explanation: The Bangladesh Armed Forces contingent will be participating in India's Republic Day Parade 2021. This is the third time in the history that any foreign military contingent has been invited to participate in the National Parade at Rajpath.

Click here to solve all the related quizzes from January 2021